Dear Diane,
During the holidays, my siblings and I typically purchase presents for each other’s children. In the early years, I could easily find small gifts that matched everyone’s interests and were within my budget; now that my nieces and nephews are getting older, it is becoming a little more difficult and expensive. I am interested in creating a new holiday gift giving tradition and believe it will be welcomed by my family members. Do you have any advice on how to approach this conversation?
Sincerely,
Linda K.
Dear Linda,
Establishing a new holiday gift giving tradition is a great alternative to a ritual that may no longer suit everyone’s needs. Since the holidays are fast upon us, it is important to discuss this with your family as soon as possible, as you do not want to add uncertainty to an already busy schedule.
Begin the conversation by saying, “What does everyone think of drawing names this year for a gift exchange?” If you have a tight budget, feel free to mention it and suggest setting a dollar amount. They will most likely not only understand but happily adopt your idea. Chances are good they feel the same way but haven’t been sure of how to broach the subject.
Good luck,
Diane
