Show us your presents.

[Hamish]

Not wishing to cast a dampener on this thread I'll just say that I receive no Christmas gifts, nor do I give them. Quite a number of years ago, we decided to notify everyone with whom we exchanged presents that we would, from that date, stop giving them and would instead make donations to nominated charities to the value that we might have spent on our family and friends - and hoped that they would do the same.

This was enthusiastically taken up by all concerned and, since being alone, I have continued this practice each year. Not only do the charities benefit, but we individuals are spared the endless heartache of trying to find gifts to suit and which would not be tucked away unusued at the back of drawers/wardrobes for years afterwards!

I would urge others to take similar steps which also go some way towards reducing the obscene over-commercialism of the Festival.

Oooops! That comes across as being a bit soap-boxy - but I mean what I say!

That stated, I trust everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day, hopefully with family or friends, and that we can all look forward to a brilliant Hogmanay and 2010.

Take care,
Ham.

[DougC]

So--Hamish, what was your chairty of choice? My wife and I like Kiva and have had a donation given in our name (and given for others) for the last couple of years. Nice to see them at the top of the page here--not preachy/soap boxy at all...Merry Christmas!

[skauwt]

my other half got me a few surprises ,a metal detector a gem/rock tumbler the must have christmas jumpers ,house coats and winter wear and some world war 2 games for the wii and one of the gifts i find will work perfectly with my kilt accessories is a leather cufflink box


i also got my partner a wee sewing machine so heres hoping she`ll be good enough one day to make me a kilt

[piperdbh]

I agree with Hamish 100%. I enjoy gifts as much as anyone, but there's nothing that I really need and most of my wants are satisfied, plus we're running out of space to put stuff. The donation idea is a good one, or go somewhere with a person who would be alone on Christmas, or cook a bunch of food and invite some folks over.
That being said, here's my present to myself:

[Hamish]

So--Hamish, what was your chairty of choice? My wife and I like Kiva and have had a donation given in our name (and given for others) for the last couple of years. Nice to see them at the top of the page here--not preachy/soap boxy at all...Merry Christmas!

Hi Doug,

My number one charity is our nearest hospice (St. Barnabas Hospice in Worthing) where, fourteen years ago, my partner received amazingly loving care, given tirelessly over several months. The help and support given to me at that time was also exceptional. St. Barnabas will therefore always be at the top of my list. The British Legion and two childrens' charities are also on my list.

By the way, the Kiva website seems to be inaccessible at the moment!

Take care,
Ham.

[Heming]

Quite a number of years ago, we decided to notify everyone with whom we exchanged presents that we would, from that date, stop giving them and would instead make donations to nominated charities to the value that we might have spent on our family and friends - and hoped that they would do the same.

I've had the same practice for the last five years. This year's charity of choice was "Erlik Oslo", a local charity that provides honest work and honest income for homeless people in Oslo.

[BobsYourUncle]

Quite a number of years ago, we decided to notify everyone with whom we exchanged presents that we would, from that date, stop giving them and would instead make donations to nominated charities to the value that we might have spent on our family and friends - and hoped that they would do the same.

We adopted this very practice in 1990, when my mother passed away. Our family gives an annual donation in her memory to the non-governmental, nonprofit public library where she served as a trustee of long standing, and to which she devoted many, many hours of toil. And yet, like Cessna152towser, there are others to whom we feel compelled to give, and we feel blessed to be able to do so. I have enjoyed this thread. You are a great group of folks. Thank you all.