Skipping the Gift Exchange with Your Family this Christmas

When the holidays roll around - as they do every year - wallets get stretched thinner and thinner. And as much as you'd like to spread cheer and holiday spirit with traditional gift-giving, sometimes you would just rather not.

If you feel like you'd rather not exchange gifts with family this year, or you'd prefer to not receive gifts because of the inevitable clutter, here are some tips to let them know, tactfully and what you can do instead of exchange gifts.  

Honesty is the best policy

If your family and friends insist on exchanging lavish gifts every year for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or any other winter holiday, being honest with them about your intentions can go a long way. Have an in-person or at least over-the-phone conversation and let them know that while you're grateful for them to think of you each year, your relationship with that person is more important than any gift. 

Make time with them instead
Think about it, your presence should be present enough, right? Whether it's spending an afternoon with your great-aunt or having a Skype call with your sister, making time for friends and family that you might not see as often can be what you'd prefer instead of another useless gift card. 

Be charitable
People might be more receptive to a no-gift policy if you direct them to spend their money elsewhere. In lieu of gifts ask your relatives to donate money to a charitable organization that has special meaning to you, or to donate to one of their choosing. Or let them know when you'll be volunteering and ask them to join you. The idea is that you won't get the unwanted clutter of Cousin Sara's gifted gloves, and you won't feel guilty when you donate them later on. It's really a win-win. 

Grab bags and 'White Elephant' parties
If your family is just not very receptive to the idea of skipping gifts - then maybe suggesting some sort of Secret Santa gift exchange. You can all discuss a spending cap and then choose names out of a hat, that way you'll only end up giving and receiving one gift. .

A White Elephant gift exchange is a bit different than a traditional Secret Santa - each person supplies a single, wrapped gift and they're placed in a central location. Everyone decides on an order of who will get to choose a gift from the pile and open them one at a time. Every subsequent turn after the first has the opportunity to "steal" a gift that has already been opened or from the main pile. If a person's gift is stolen, that person can either choose to open another unwrapped gift, or "steal" from another player. It would be best to limit the amount of "steals" otherwise the game could go on indefinitely. 

We hope this helps you! Let the holiday festivities begin!