Giftless Christmas

December 11, 2008 4:05 PM

We're not exchanging gifts! What do I do?

My dad called me today to tell me that he and his wife don't want to do any extravagant gift-giving this Christmas. I'm into that. However, he wants us all to do something special in lieu of expensive gifts. I'm not spending Christmas day with him and his wife and I'm not sure quite how to fulfill this request.

More info: I live about 45 minutes from them. They are in their 50s and have no kids at home. They don't listen to much music although my dad is a jazz guitarist. They're into spiritual stuff - mindfullness and meditation and the like. They love to travel and have recently acquired some land in Asheville, NC.

Any suggestions?

posted by yogurtisgenocide to grab bag (11 comments total)

You could all volunteer, together, at a local community kitchen.
posted by eclectist at 4:11 PM on December 11, 2008

Give in your family's name to a charity that has meaning for them?
posted by Hildegarde at 4:12 PM on December 11, 2008

Sorry, OP here. I should have made it clear that the reason for avoiding extravagant giving is that we don't want to spend money. Other threads have talked about charitable giving and while I'm all for that, it doesn't really fit the bill for this particular question.
posted by yogurtisgenocide at 4:13 PM on December 11, 2008

Day out, go and visit their new plot?
posted by mandal at 4:16 PM on December 11, 2008

Bake! There are lots of recipes on the internet. You can go the cookie route, or make breads or buns.
posted by Hildegarde at 4:38 PM on December 11, 2008

Cook a big dinner together, and invite lots of friends. Really put the focus of the holiday back onto family and friendship.
posted by OLechat at 4:39 PM on December 11, 2008

This is Ms. Vegetable:

I vote for "adopting" some of your family-less friends and neighbors for some fun/dinner/happy reflection/thanksgiving.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 4:54 PM on December 11, 2008

A few ideas off the top of my head:
Put a photo album together
Start working on a family tree
Write a lovely and meaningful letter to your parents (the kind of things you would say if you knew you were going to die the next day)
Make a booklet of silly haikus
posted by idiotfactory at 5:10 PM on December 11, 2008

You said you're not spending Christmas Day with them but that you live only 45 minutes away. You also mentioned that your Dad and his wife are into some spiritual stuff. I'd suggest you join them at Jubilee in Asheville either the Sunday before Christmas or Christmas Eve. It's like "hippie church" in a cool kinda way. It might mean more to them, and you too, than exchanging expensive gifts and it doesn't cost anything. Also, there is live music during the "servic" which your jazz guitarist Dad may appreciate.

(I'm not a church goer, nor do I live near Asheville, but I've been to Jubilee there and it is quite a enlightening and enjoyable experience without the (sometimes) "churchy" pressure you may feel in a traditional church.)

Just a thought - something different you might all enjoy - at little to no expense.
posted by ourroute at 8:17 PM on December 11, 2008

What about getting together to tackle some project? Paint a room? Mulch the flower beds? Make a birdhouse with found items?

We also made a no-present pact with the in-laws but when we get together, I do plan on taking my heavenly cinnamon buns and possibly some Irish Beef Stew for the freezer (to be eaten later.)
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:53 AM on December 12, 2008

Learn to play the guitar before Christmas. Then, when you see him for the first time, pull out the guitar and melt his face off with a finger blistering solo. Make sure and throw some Wes Montgomery style octave slides in there to further ensure maximum face meltage. He will love it.
posted by Brettus at 8:33 AM on December 12, 2008