It started as going to my Grandparent's house and my aunt and uncle would come in from out of town. Like most people, my grandparents aged and retired. They moved south and the tradition was reversed. To my aunt and uncles house we would go with my grandparents coming in from out of town.
There are 6 kids and we are all now grown. Some of us have families of our own, some are still in college and some are just out f college trying to make a life of their own. With our growing families and changing financial situations (let's face it, most college or just out of college kids are broke), our gift giving ways have changed.
A few years ago we adopted to joys of the grab bag. Only the adults participated and we all bought for the little kids. At the time, my 2 were the only kids. My daughter's birthday is in November and at her party we would draw names.
This year was different. And I'm not sure if this is a change I like.
When my mom asked my aunt about drawing names she said something was brought to her attention. One of her own children suggested we only buy gifts for the kids. The kids would be my 2 and my cousin's little boy. That meant us and my mom only had to buy for one person. Score! Or so I thought.
As in previous years, we traveled over to their house for a lovely dinner. Turkey, cranberry sauce, cinnamon Jell-o, potatoes, rolls, the works. After dinner we put on our fancy clothes and head to church. I have 2 issues with going to church. First, I was raised Catholic and the church we go to Christmas Eve is Lutheran. Second, I am not a religious person. I'm not saying I don't believe, but at the same time, I'm not sure if I do believe. But that's a post for another time. I will say that their pastor is an amazing speaker and singing Silent Night to nothing but an organ and candle light is nothing short of beautiful.
We return to their house, take the obligatory family photo, eat a few cookies, and pass out gifts.
I loved being there since I don't have the chance to see my cousins much anymore, but something just felt off. I kept my comments to myself until I spoke with my mom the following day. We both agreed that they all bought gifts for each other . We both realize that, no matter what you believe, Christmas is much more than presents, but we also felt jipped. It's important to go over there for the sake of my brother. He is the only one who is related to them by blood. Keeping him involved in that side of the family is important, but at the same time were we really welcome there? Or was the invite out of necessity?
I'm really not looking for any answers because I'm not sure if there is one. As we all get older we lose contact with certain people. It almost feels like this is becoming one of those situations. It could also be nothing except a change. I don't always deal well with change and maybe that's why I feel off about the whole thing. If you read this far, thanks. I really appreciate you listening to me rambling on. If you have opinions, I would love to hear them.
6 comments:
I think change can but a damper anyones mood if they didn't encourage and whole heartedy welcome the change.
change is hard for anyone but if they exchanged gifs without u & ur mom I wouuld feel a lil left out too!
I'd feel icky about it, too. We had similiar things happen with my step-family. Now, they have been a part of my life for almost 20 years now, so it's not like we hardly know each other. We went to a grab bag after a while...but yet, my stepsister and her family(who are "real" relatives instead of steps like me and my brothers) would still get from everyone while we wouldn't. It just seemed hurtful. Do that in private then, you know?
my whole family is weird. i just go with the flow. My husband's sister didn't get ANYTHING for our child. Her only nephew and he's 2. I don't he doesn't know or care - it was just really really weird.
I've been thinking we should go to grab bag and then do presents for whoever else privately. We went to my husbands aunts house and she gave out all of her grandkids, kids and brothers/sisters, her kids gave to their nieces/nephews, etc and we got a few things from a few people but my SiL didn't go because her kids always feel jilted because they just get a few things while the grandkids get tons. I think if we did the grab bag they would see that everyone got one gift same as them on not feel bad about it.
The way you explained it sounds a little crass and unthoughtful. It's awesome that they can get gifts for each other, but they should have been there early or later after "your" part of the family arrived/left.
I travel for Christmas, so my son has Santa visit him at my mom's. My younger sister always makes plans to come over, but she makes it later in the day so that her kids don;t feel like why is he opening so many presents and we get like 1...
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