One of the best gifts I've received: a gift certificate to a local CSA. Even though I couldn't use it immediately because my existing CSA was already overloading me with delicious farm-fresh produce, I used it the next season.
By contrast, for years after everyone else got the message, my father kept buying me books. I told him I would take it to the bookstore that bought used books and get $5 for the $25 he spent and read a copy from the library across the street from me.
Still, after a few years he got the picture. In other words, polite persistence helps.
I cannot stress enough how important the actual cooking of Christmas dinner or lunch is as a family activity. No single person should be alone to stress about everything coming out perfect while the rest drink and make merry. Time spent with family in the kitchen is part of the gift that is being able to be with loved ones over this holiday.
The one new addition I'm trying to add is that since 2020 has been such a full-on year everyone will bring a news item to read out or discuss between dinner and dessert - it can be heartwarming, funny, ridiculous, important...just anything that happened this year and we can talk about it and hopefully feel a bit more grateful for what we have and what we have achieved this year, instead of dumping a bunch of unnecessary 'gifts' on eachother.
One of the best gifts I've received: a gift certificate to a local CSA. Even though I couldn't use it immediately because my existing CSA was already overloading me with delicious farm-fresh produce, I used it the next season.
By contrast, for years after everyone else got the message, my father kept buying me books. I told him I would take it to the bookstore that bought used books and get $5 for the $25 he spent and read a copy from the library across the street from me.
Still, after a few years he got the picture. In other words, polite persistence helps.
I cannot stress enough how important the actual cooking of Christmas dinner or lunch is as a family activity. No single person should be alone to stress about everything coming out perfect while the rest drink and make merry. Time spent with family in the kitchen is part of the gift that is being able to be with loved ones over this holiday.
The one new addition I'm trying to add is that since 2020 has been such a full-on year everyone will bring a news item to read out or discuss between dinner and dessert - it can be heartwarming, funny, ridiculous, important...just anything that happened this year and we can talk about it and hopefully feel a bit more grateful for what we have and what we have achieved this year, instead of dumping a bunch of unnecessary 'gifts' on eachother.
Glad some people are trying to resucitate the old, important, value of frugality and common sense! Wish there were more people like this...