Tis the season to be jolly, but it can be a very stressful time when buying gifts. A number of readers want to know if they need to give everyone a gift? Absolutely not, it depends on your relationship to that person. Will some people be angry because they did not receive a gift? Perhaps, but I say - GET OVER IT!!
If you have business associates, the cost of gifts can really add up. One alternative, instead of giving candy, is baked goods. How special that you went to all the trouble to bake cookies or breads; what a wholesome and loving idea.
Some other gift ideas are: gift certificates to movies, restaurants, coffee shops and stores.
A good friend of mine came up with the idea to give to charities on their behalf. I think this is an excellent idea and one that is so needed.
If you want to avoid all gift giving, I suggess that you plan a long trip and beat it out of town, and if you are away long enough, people will forget that you forgot all about them at the holidays.
Happy Holidays and good luck on whatever you decide.
looks like I'm booking a prolonged trip! thanks Maisy!
ReplyDeleteMaisy,
ReplyDeleteI have a modern etiquette question:
Now, with caller ID on all phones, I know who is calling me as the phone rings. So, do I have to answer the phone greeting the person (e.g. 'Hello, John") or do I still play like I don't know and vacantly answer "hello". Of course, I feel comfortable when I am good friends with the person to greet them by name, but, when I don't really know them, for some reason, it feels weird addressing them by name when answering their call.
Thanks, Maisy.
I hope that my comments are reaching you. Your question is such a good one. I think to be safe it is better to say hello when answering the phone. I think to mention a name seems invasive. When we didn't have caller ID hope easy it was.
ReplyDelete