Unexpected gifts.

I do wish she wouldn’t

If she’s been doing it for 30 odd years though, I think even I would have a box of chocs or biscuits ready to hand over, however pointless it seems.

How kind of her!
As she’s been doing it for so many years how hard would it be to have a small box of truffles or a pot plant ready for her?

We have a neighbour who delivers a present to every family in our small close on Christmas Eve. This has been going on for the thirty odd years that we have lived here. I do wish she wouldn’t. Every year, at the last minute I suddenly remember that I haven’t bought her anything, so last minute panic!

Christmas is about giving

But in certain cases, it ends up as ‘tit for tat’ giving’.

This example being a case in point, the OP said ‘Why do people do this?’, meaning that she felt obliged to buy a gift.

But if that’s what others choose to do, fine.

To me, rather pointless though.

I try to keep supplies in just in case someone buys me an unexpected gift .
I used to make jewellery and collect costume jewellery so if the gift giver is a lady it's no problem for me .

Calendargirl

^The neighbour of a friend who you have only met a couple of times^

I really don’t think I would have given her anything.

So do you then get a box of chocolates or biscuits for her next year, in case…..?

And so the present giving churns on…

And what is wrong with that?
Christmas is about giving

And I’ve.

No idea who Sandy is, but she can have some fudge too……….

Depends what the unexpected present is really.

Ve just made some Xmas fudge. I’ll take a few pieces round with the neighbours Christmas card this afternoon. No ulterior motive, showing off or feeling superior. Just fudge because I fancied making it.

A pot of homemade jam, a festive bookmark from a friend with a new sewing machine, a few snowdrops in a flower pot. These are a few unexpected gifts I’ve received. Sandy ve taken them in the same spirit as my fudge😬

The neighbour of a friend who you have only met a couple of times

I really don’t think I would have given her anything.

So do you then get a box of chocolates or biscuits for her next year, in case…..?

And so the present giving churns on…

grandMattie

Plenty.
I suspect it’s a form of showing off, possibly wanting more presents themselves or genuine kindness.
Sorry to be such a cynic

I’d go with the kindness motivation, not the “showing off” one or wanting more presents themselves, @GrandMattie

When I was still working, we used to do a Secret Santa at Christmas and it was agreed that we would spend no more than £5.00.

We used to draw the names at random beforehand so we knew who we were buying for in advance.

One year I received a Bodyshop selection which must have cost at least £15.00 and it made me feel bad as I had bought a keyring costing £4.99 as my contribution.

Plenty.
I suspect it’s a form of showing off, possibly wanting more presents themselves or genuine kindness.
Sorry to be such a cynic