Comments on: ‘Tis the season to give each other goodies (but I really wish we wouldn’t)

By: Harlene

Harlene — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:51:52 +0000

Isn’t it funny the posts that hit a nerve?

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:15:03 +0000

My cousin gave everyone a package of paper plates this year with a note that read, “Let our family do the dishes this Christmas.” Brilliant, says I. And everyone else loved the idea so much, I imagine next year will bring cups and utensils and napkins too.

By: Stephen M (ethesis)

Stephen M (ethesis) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:46:35 +0000

You know, when we have time, I delight in giving gifts. When the year is hectic, I’m glad that others haven’t been giving as much

I enjoy hosting parties though, and that can be fun as an alternative.

“i don’t love being robbed though…which i was this afternoon”

I’m so sorry. I’ve been burgled and it was terrible.

By: Johnna

Johnna — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:57:41 +0000

“You could look at it this way,” my husband, the businessman, said. “You could say you got an excellent return on your investment.”

I’m still laughing.

The way the comments have gone surprised me, but I’ve learned a lot how neighborhood gift-givers do not want their practices mocked. I’m going to make elaborate hand-made thank-you notes if I ever move into a gift-exchange neighborhood.

By: Terresa Wellborn

Terresa Wellborn — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:16:58 +0000

I realize there are 60 comments on this post, and I’m coming a little late to the goodie plate party. All the same, I’m tossing in my cookies worth:

I don’t mean to sound uberharsh, but is gift giving some Olympian feat in your ward/neighborhood? And if it’s such a rat race, why not just check out? It’s OK, no one will shout “loser” and if they do, maybe they aren’t true friends.

I love the idea of the bon fire and donations to charity. Why not bring that idea up again, with gusto?

Christmas is not about out-doing each other. It’s about feeling Christ’s spirit, that of giving. But don’t feel obligated to give, either, just b/c someone else did. Just keep striving towards generosity of heart, of spirit, of mind. But not in towers of goodie filled Martha Stewart baskets.

PS: Maybe consider moving to Las Vegas. We just swap tickets to shows for Christmas. No pressure at all.

Merry Christmas!!

By: heathermommy

heathermommy — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:37:00 +0000

Yes, three cheers to living outside of Utah, or Mesa Arizona for that matter!!

Seriously, this is our first year in Iowa and we are the only members in our neighborhood. But we gave goodies and cards to all the people on our street because I want to get to know them. Then we gave presents to our children’s primary teachers. That I have decided will be our family’s tradition – because I really want them to know how much I appreciate them.

We did not get anything from any one in our ward and that was fine with me.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:07:27 +0000

I’ve done it all – lived in wards where people exchange a million things, opted with friends to do adopt a family through the children’s hospital rather than neighbor gifts and lived in places where there aren’t many members and just did goodies for our neighbors. I liked all of them and in the different situations they all worked.

This year, I made plates of treats and we took them to 5 of our neighbors (an elderly widower from our ward and four families who my kids are friends with their kids). My kids sang a short song at each house and we handed off the goodies. My kids loved it. It was nothing fancy – it was just us spreading some holiday cheer and saying thanks for being a great neighbor and friend. One person brought us a jar of homemade jam later in the week which was nice but not expected.

Maybe this is a case where it’s easier to live places without a lot of members!

By: Melissa M.

Melissa M. — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:55:32 +0000

Also, Lindsay1138, that tradition sounds like a lot of work—and you do this at Halloween and Christmas? I think I’d be relieved to be left out, although I can see why it would hurt people’s feelings if they were. I think your ward/neighborhood should either include everyone or not do it at all, and I’d vote for not doing it at all….

By: Melissa M.

Melissa M. — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:50:59 +0000

Now baklava I’ll gladly receive, Michelle.

By: Merry Michelle

Merry Michelle — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:41:50 +0000

Adorable! I’ll be right over with my baklava…