We are not giving presents to adults this year. Not to save us money but to help them out (I hope). They are always in a quandary what to give us and TBH we have all we need really! Though I have a sneaky feeling they'll still give us something. But DH and I will exchange presents and cards, we always do.
I always ask what the GC would like but I don't buy gifts of equal value for them, just something they'll like or will be useful to them. They really don't mind if a sibling has a more valuable present, they're happy to receive anything. The older GC like money or gift cards. And this year, as we're not giving to their parents, we can spend a little more on the GC. I've also made a few of their gifts over the past year.
This year we have decided to spend Christmas on our own, just the two of us, mainly because I'm struggling with my health a bit at the moment and I simply don't have the energy or enthusiasm for a family get together, and wonderful though he is I can't expect DH to do everything. I just want a quiet Christmas doing whatever we please. Hopefully next year I'll feel a lot better and more able to cope, I hope so because I really love Christmas.
We'll put up the tree as usual (it's not Christmas without a tree!), the outdoor lights, my beautiful nativity set, my Christmas Village, handmade cushions and a few other bits and pieces, and that's it. We do have Christmas bedding but I only use it if the family are visiting. I don't really have any Christmas tableware because I've run out of storage space for more china etc! But I'll lay the table with a white cloth, my handmade runner, gold chargers and our 'best' cutlery. Dinner will be a smoked salmon starter, turkey crown with all the trimmings, pudding or mince pies, a glass of wine and coffee or tea. We don't usually buy nibbles or snacks but we do like a glass of Baileys, Port or Brandy in the evening. Boxing Day menu will be leftovers eaten casually while watching TV or playing Scrabble or something.
As I write this I'm really looking forward to it now.
So, back to the pressie wrapping.....!
I'll be sending the same number of cards as usual. I don't like e-cards and only a few people on my list would have the technology or knowledge to download one. For many of our friends it's the only time we keep in touch with a letter or short note in the card, and I know from their replies that they enjoy hearing from us. So although stamps are expensive I don't begrudge that cost. And this year of course I'll also be sending two large parcels of presents as well.