I love finding that one special thing that someone doesn't need and doesn't know they want- but you know that they'll love it. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy, but it is perfect for that individual. Of course, that requires really knowing who you're buying for...

What I could do without are the token gifts... every year my Godfather and Godmother send me a restaurant gift card of a certain value and I send them a restaurant gift card of a certain value. We should just stop. It isn't meaningful or thoughtful.

My brother though- he's the one I love shopping for. He has enough money to buy anything he wants or needs, but loves Detroit sports teams and U of M football and I love finding him unique gifts oriented toward those. Total whimsy. Stuff he can't get anywhere but Detroit.

I really have fun when I find something that I know one of my kids will love but haven't thought to ask for.

Token gifts, just for the sake of getting someone something out of obligation- not fun. Meaningful gifts that show you know the person and can anticipate their likes- lots of fun. The idea of Santa Claus is about the latter...

Gift buying is the same for every special occasion. Do it if you can afford it and out of love. Don't do it out of obligation.

I hate seeing people stressed out during the holiday. Most of these people are driving themselves crazy over an obligation to stand in long lines, exhaust themselves after they get off from work, and go into debt. The "spirit of gift giving", my ass. I love being relaxed during this holiday and shopping for myself only. When people at the stores ask whether I've finished holiday shopping, I tell them I'm only doing my normal shopping. No holiday shopping. If I want to give gifts, I don't have to wait until holidays to buy family and friends gifts.

But if I see this special thing (for my significant other, for example) in the middle of April, then I give it to him in April. There's still no obligation to find the perfect Christmas gift. We still give each other gifts, we're just not "forced" to do it on holidays.

Just this week, while shopping for myself online, I came across a shirt that I thought would be perfect for my cousin. I moved to TX, he lives in RI, and it's a shirt with an outline of the state of TX that says "Visit Rhode Island." I thought it was funny so I'll probably get it for him, but it's not a specific Christmas gift. He probably won't even get it until I visit in the spring.

To me, giving/receiving surprise gifts at random times is always more fun and meaningful.

LOL. Did some of us turn this into an Ebenezer Scrooge thread?

Our bad...back to Black Santa and Black Baby Jesus.

If my daughter wasn't limited to Christmas and birthdays, she'd be a monster...lol.

Well kids are in a whole other league! :)

+1

Nothing wrong with honoring a tradition that adds to the magic of Christmas for kids. Children become adults who can never return to childhood. There is nothing wrong with letting them retain their innocence as long as possible. Nor does it necessarily suggest an inaibility to recognize what hard-working parents do for you later on. I am an example and know of too many others to buy that.

I still remember Christmas Eve nights, watching the local television news weatherman point out Santa's sleigh, on his radar map. Darn near broke my collarbone trying to dive into bed because Santa was about to do his thing.

I'm a grown man yet still cheriish those days....

As a dad, I let my girls believe in Santa as long as it was feasible for them. When it no longer was, they accepted it and moved on, secure that Christmas was, and is, first about the Savior's birth, family and goodwill toward others.

:) We were talking about the people who perpetuate the Santa thing beyond (what some people consider) reason and it is only a matter of personal preference. But if evidence is needed, there are people who believe there's nothing wrong with young kids knowing family and friends gave them gifts---even if that means claiming the gifts were given to Santa to be delivered. The kids (if they aren't spoiled brats) thank humans for the gifts and thank Santa for the delivery. If Santa must exist. :)