https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:09:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314685 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:59:46 +0000 Mommy Finger 2314685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up, I was one of 17 grandkids. So my mom and her sisters all drew names. They would draw as many names as they have kids. </p> <p>Now that we're grown and have kids of our own, my brothers and I (and my SIL's too) still buy for all of the kids. We used to draw names among ourselves but have changed it so that we just do one $20 white elephant type game with our parents. I love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314681 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:57:06 +0000 photojane 2314681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I know your idea got shot down, but just so you know... it's not a crazy idea! We draw names for the kids on my side of the family. There are nine grandkids, and I only have one of them! One is a teenager and one is a pre-teen... I can't afford all that. I think a name swap makes a lot of sense for most families who don't have a whole lot of money to throw around during the holidays. I'm totally with you--I'd rather Sadie get one nice gift, then a bunch of little cheap things she's going to lose or break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314678 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:55:49 +0000 NCSUchick27 2314678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drew names in my family when I was a kid because I had 9 cousins. Now we just have a couple of young children (cousin's little girl and a close family friend's little girl) in the family so we just buy for them, and skip the adult gifts (although we do still get my grandma a gift).</p> <p>In DH's family we buy for everyone, but his family is smaller. We only have 1 niece so we like to spoil her. DH also likes to get something for his cousin's little boy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314666 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:47:00 +0000 catlady 2314666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would like to draw names, I think it would make things more fun. A few years ago, we got a request from SIL and BIL to only exchange gifts for the kids instead of everyone like we used to, so now Christmas is a little boring plus I feel bad for my MIL who has to buy for all the grandkids but gets nothing in return (we try to sneak in a gift for her "from LO"). For my own family, it is just my dad and my brother, so we all exchange since a draw would be silly with so few people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314655 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:42:46 +0000 LuLu Mom 2314655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do this on my side, 3 siblings have 2 kids each, so each kid gets 1 kid from another family, evenone opens a present on Christmas Eve (when we get together.) That way we can spend a little bit more on a decent gift (30-40) instead of 15-20. This works well for us. For DH's side because there are only 2 (niece/nephew) we still buy for them. </p> <p>We still do a gift exchange on my dad's side with my cousins (pretty much our kids/anyone in school) and this year we've decided to do a movie white elephant. Whoever wants to be involved brings a movie to use in the exchange. </p> <p>I've really tried to cut down on the amount of gifts I'm giving because I want it to be about the season and not the amount spent. Not always easy. We've stopped doing gifts for siblings (all agreed) and we do a gift drawing with my friends. We do a gift exchange with LO's best friend as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314650 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:39:29 +0000 youboots 2314650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up we drew names for cousins on my Moms side. This year we are doing a kids only Christmas- but on my in laws side there are 5 total and 3 total on my side- those numbers won't go up until we have a second so I'm comfortable buying 4 gifts for one side and two for the other. We will also buy for parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314637 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:34:18 +0000 GrapeCrush 2314637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my family, we used to just draw names for the siblings, and then buy for all the kids. This year we've decided to draw names for the kids, and if you wanted to, go in an exchange for the adults. we'll see how it goes this year, and can re-work things next year. it just got to be too expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas/page/2#post-2314629 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:26:19 +0000 Mamaof2 2314629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Amazon usually or the clearance toy aisle at Walmart/Target. Last year I got my niece a Monster High toy set that retails on amazon for $40 in the clearance section of walmart for $10!</p> <p>I start shopping in September looking for deals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314627 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:23:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2314627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: how do you spend just $8-$20? Where do you shop? My husband has three Godkids, so we gift them plus their sinlings, so that's 7 kids total. I end up spending $350-$400 for gifts, wrapping, and shipping costs. This is probably the last year we're going to gift because well I want to be able to spoil my own kid. His friends never gift us anything in return not even homemade stuff from the Godkids and that's fine, but that also makes me think our kid won't get anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314622 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:18:38 +0000 Mamasig 2314622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's definitely hard as the family grows! On my side, we always did just kids. But on my husband's side they bought for everyone. Well, the family began expanding and we are now up to 11 grandkids with one on the way on that side. The wives finally said no more presents for the siblings and spouses - only kids and grandparents. That's even a lot! We tried having the adults pick names and capping the gift at $40. That didn't work because one sister was cheap and said she wanted a $20 cap. Well she got a $20 gift while everyone else spent a little more on each other. </p> <p>My husband also used to give Easter gifts to his nieces/nephews. That worked when it was 3 of them. Not now! I told him I'm not making Easter baskets for 13 extra kids (both sides) besides my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314621 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:18:26 +0000 Alivoo01 2314621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For kids, I like to buy them individual gits. If you and the siblings want to draw names, I think that's fine! Or I know some play white elephant/dirty santa in place of drawing names, but you still only need to get 1 adult gift (or 2 if your spouse is playing also). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314616 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:17:17 +0000 Mamaof2 2314616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I like buying gifts for my nieces and nephews but I don't have a price n mind really - they each get ONE gift. It may be a $8 gift I got on clearance or a $20 gift. I don't think anyone needs to know what you spent.</p> <p>As for the adults - we don't get gifts </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314611 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:10:05 +0000 BandDmommy 2314611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We draw names and I like it. It's so hard buying gifts for adults and I end up getting lots of gifts I would never use. I think it's better if you can just concentrate on one person for gifts. I still get all the kids gifts (we only have 1 nephew). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314607 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:08:08 +0000 NavyRN2012 2314607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We draw names on my side of the family for the nieces/nephews. There are 11 of them though. We decided we'd rather our kids get one nice gift instead of 10 smaller/not as nice gifts. Plus, less expense on the gift givers and my siblings and I all realize that Christmas is expensive enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314605 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:05:40 +0000 Bao 2314605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: that was a huge deal a few years ago. So no lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314601 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:03:56 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2314601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: can you cut out the adult gift exchange? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314593 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 08:00:57 +0000 Bao 2314593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: they both have a lot of money so they probably don't see it that way. I'm just the little sister so I'll shut up and sit in a corner lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314589 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:56:05 +0000 Truth Bombs 2314589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: I think it's really kind of crappy that your siblings are essentilly forcing you to buy presents for their kids when you've told them it's a financial burden. I'm sorry :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314563 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:34:35 +0000 Mrs. J 2314563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: we used to draw on my mom's side, but There are 17 grandkids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314539 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:07:13 +0000 looch 2314539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: You are much nicer than me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314536 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:01:34 +0000 Bao 2314536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: they said they like buying gifts for each kid and one said their kid likes gifts, lol well duh! What kid doesn't. I guess I just have to see it from a kids perspective, when they've always gotten gifts from everyone they won't want to get just one. I told them I'm capping it at $30 a kid then, they each do $50 a kid and even $30 for me is a stretch times 6 kids plus $30 each adult game we play plus Santa. Teachers gifts. The list goes on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314525 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 06:55:04 +0000 looch 2314525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: Did they say why? </p> <p>My brother was kind of annoyed when I suggested that we buy just for the kids (he and my SIL were expecting that year). But now, it's so much easier. I don't know what they do on my SIL's side of the family but there are more kids on that side than on ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314522 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 06:49:30 +0000 Bao 2314522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I agree with you. Kids toys are expensive as is, I feel like anything decent is up there in price. If one wants Legos it's a small box set, clothing items for the "brands" are easily $15 each. And I'm a frugal shopper that looks for deals and I still find it hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314519 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 06:46:43 +0000 blackbird 2314519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do this in DH's family. There are...going to be 7 cousins/nieces/nephews this year, anywhere from newborn to age 8. We buy each of them gifts for about $10-$30 each. A pair of pajamas, a book, etc. And we draw names for all the adults and put a $50 cap on it. If there were a TON of little kids, yeah, we'd probably draw names for them. But 7 is manageable. So we spend about $250, I'd say, on gifts for everyone. Some casino chips for DH's grandparents, we take MIL to dinner....we do the $50 gift, then some kid gifts. Christmas isn't an astronomical expense, this way! Plus, I think kids get way too much crap, anyways....and I find myself "buying them a gift just to buy them a gift" instead of it being something they really want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314516 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 06:42:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 2314516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: true. I'm thinking of my cousins, who are 16-20 years younger than me. When they were little it was fun but then they just wanted new video games and big items like that and my siblings and I would just give them game stop gift cards. Not so fun any more. But hopefully I will know my nephews and future nieces a lot better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314390 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:13:31 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2314390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Draw names for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314387 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:12:04 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2314387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad's side of the family has done this for years! All the aunts, uncles, cousins, their spouses, and all cousins' kids are included. Everyone gets one name and just buys for that person.</p> <p>We still buy for our immediate families for a separate exchange. But the extended family celebration is just 1 gift per person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314369 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:01:19 +0000 regberadaisy 2314369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: depends! My niece and nephew are 12 and one other nephew is 10. The two boys have no concept of money and will just ask for whatever. If it's *too* expensive I just say "no, that's crazy for xyz" and they say Ok and go to the next item on their wish list. My 12 year old niece on the other hand would ask for something then immediately follow up with "but if it's too expensive you don't have to buy it for me"!!! She's such a sweetheart.<br /> The boys have asked for a skylander starter kit thing for their Wii and the older one asked for a Nerf blaster. Their parents approved it, so that's what they're getting. For my niece I offered to take her to lunch and shopping when we're home for thanksgiving and I think she's really looking forward to it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314325 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:02:32 +0000 MamaCate 2314325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do this on DH's side but do families. There are five adult siblings, and 8 kids so far, so each family/sibling has a different one each year on a rotating schedule. The limit is $100. </p> <p>I I think it works well and really cuts down on our expenses. The other siblings with kids do tend to buy for all the kids though so that could get problematic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drawing-names-for-christmas#post-2314321 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:59:08 +0000 Bao 2314321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My idea got shot down but thanks for your input guys :) </p>