It's the thought that counts; and I'll gladly be thinking about getting gifts for everyone on Earth.

I'll enjoy getting everyone a gift. I don't care if I get nothing in return. I know a few people who have fallen on hard times. I give all year long,...

The DarkSide wrote:I'll enjoy getting everyone a gift. I don't care if I get nothing in return. I know a few people who have fallen on hard times. I give all year long,...

Sister in Law, I never know what to get her.

My boss(es)...

Grandpa. What do you buy an old man who wants nothing and does nothing?
I've decided on a Whataburger gift card. Since he has moved down here a few months ago he has fallen in love with the place.

What is an obligatory gift? If I don't care to give someone something, I don't.

My wife. She always says she doesn't "want" or "need" anything and then I get dinged for not recalling that 7 months ago she smiled at something in a store so I should have gotten her that.

bblhed wrote:Sister in Law, I never know what to get her.

Same boat here. I don't live near my family anymore, so I don't really know my SIL and have no idea what to get her.

My folks. They're 87 so it has to be something edible, usable, etc.

JESUS.
He's really hard to buy for. He has everything and though he's gracious you never see him wearing it or using it. Like he wears the same rag every day. I bought him a perfectly nice plaid shirt and have never seen him wear it. And I bought him some garden tools for his "garden of eden" as he calls it. He doesn't garden--has some guy named Santa or Satan or something like that who does the work.

My son-in-laws parents always get me something

We are trying to simplify and reduce the amount of junk we have, so we aren't giving/getting more than one or two presents this year. Makes it so much less stressful (on the mind and the wallet).

The in-laws. I always just give them a box of holiday chocolates or something like that. I have no idea what to get them.

They obviously don't know what to get me either. Last year in my stocking from them, I received toothpaste, several toothbrushes removed from the packages and wrapped in holiday saran-wrap (I wish I was joking), batteries, and a mini flashlight. For the record, I'm a 24 year old girl. Some lotion or a gift card to Starbucks would have been nice.

The DarkSide wrote:I'll enjoy getting everyone a gift. I don't care if I get nothing in return. I know a few people who have fallen on hard times. I give all year long,...

I agree with you but... I still buy for my X-Wife from my children. That's a hard one for me .lol

I don't buy obligatory gifts. I only buy for the people I actually care about.

My sisters in law who no matter what you give them will rewrap it exactly as they received it and store it forever and ever with NO chance of being used, no matter how much they want/need/would like that item. *siiiigh* There's no point in giving them anything - but they'll be REALLY upset if we don't!

My boyfriends mother, I have no idea what to get her.

My Dad, he has everything. He moves so much he doesn't even like to keep lots of things. I think the best thing I ever got him was a travel case for his toothbrush/soaps. How am I going to top that? Geez.

Sister-in-law. She never says thanks or anything. Can't tell if she likes something or not.

I looked forward to getting presents for everyone. I made most of them. I just didn't finish all of them in time for Christmas. Not looking forward to sending those out late.

My mother-in-law. Nothing that you give her is ever good enough and then when you find something she wants/needs, then you she says you spent to much and won't keep it. But I just love the wine glass she gave me from the dollar store! LOL

What is this term "obligatory gift"?

Everything I give comes from the heart (and hopefully is in good taste/useful/wanted). If I'm feeling pressure into buying a gift for another whom I don't care about, I don't do it. Happily - I don't have any of those in my life at this time.

The MIL, but I guess it has to be done.

Obligatory gifts? No. I give every gift with JOY, not obligation. My only regret is that I'm not rich enough to give the people in my life better presents as they deserve only the best. (for putting up with me)

My dad's trophy girlfriend.

I don't buy obligatory gifts...***shrugs***

My brother-in-law's brother. I don't even think he was invited...