[Sara]

I have a relatively new friend for whom I want to get a Christmas gift. My budget is limited, as is hers.

I thought about just getting her something and delivering it, but she is the kind of person who would feel a need to reciprocate, and I wouldn’t want that.

Plus, I’m now old and crochety enough that I want to have conversations about what my loved ones want for Christmas, so I can get them that thing (if I can afford it, or a gift card toward it if I can’t).I don’t want to get people things they don’t want.

I also don’t want any miscellaneous stuff at this stage of my life. If I can’t eat it, drink it, or use it, I don’t want it.

So having someone guess what I might like instead of talking to me about it first would not be a good idea, though of course I would be gracious if it happened.

I finally had a good idea about this situation with my new friend. We are headed out this week on an errand; she needs my help with something.

I said, “after we do the errand, why don’t we stop by a thrift store and buy each other something for Christmas?” She loved the idea.

We can each pick out something we want, and the other person can buy it. No wrapping, no huge expense, just fun…and we both get something that we want.

[Vickie]

Buy her a cup of coffee or lunch and just spend time together. Time and friendship is something MONEY can’t buy

[Linda]

My close friends and I started just having coffee or tea time together for Christmas and all skipping the gifts.

It was a big relief for us all!

[Barbara]

No ‘stuff.’ Non-material gifts. Take each other out: one pays for the movie; the other for lunch.

It’s the time together that counts.

[Teresa]

I’m almost 64 and now going through the house trying to declutter and get rid of things I just don’t need.

I have been gifted so many things over the years, especially nicknacks that my kids will not want me to pass down to them.

I appreciate all the friends who have been so thoughtful, but I’d rather just spend some time with them than receive gifts.

[Jody]

Love this. I had a friend that we did this for birthday gifts. We would give each other $10 and head to the thrift store to spend it.

[Kimberly]

My friend/coworker and I give each other a favorite book…from our own collection

[Lisa]

My good friend as I went to Amish country, day trip. A big buffet lunch. A stop at our favorite thrift shop there. We always find something.

We are both big thrifters.

We wear different sizes and our homes are decorated very differently.

So, no “arguments” when we find a deal.

[Mary]

I’m 34 and I much rather have time with my friends then spend money on something.

I just took my friend to paint at a pottery place for her birthday and we loved every second of it.

We don’t get to just have an hour just to ourselves all the time. So, it was really nice!

[Jackie]

That is where I am in life also and I have a recent (last couple of years) friend who would love this.

[Lisa]

My friend and I search through the year at our thrifting haunts for Christmas and birthday for each other.

So fun!

[Jacki]

Love the idea. Practical gifts are my way of giving also.
My neighbors gave us deer meat we are in heaven.

[Elizabeth]

I give my friends special cards that show I put thought into it and include a lottery ticket for $1 – who knows…

I may be giving them a million dollars! May the odds be ever in your favor!

[Janet]

Sounds like it checks all your boxes but I would not want a new friend of mine to assume I wanted to buy them a present and then put me in the awkward position to buy me one.

Take her out for lunch and pay for her lunch.

[Maxine]

I love shopping in my local thrift shops. I can pick up one or two things, and not hurt my wallet.

I picked up a set of DVDs today to watch over Christmas break,; 14 movies and 6 sewing patterns on sale today for $6.50.

[Annette]

I work in a small business gift shop and often see friends ‘treat’ each other.

The thrift store is an even better idea.

[Author]

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