Do you and your spouse usually exchange gifts for holidays and birthdays?

1. 77

   VVanNessposted 10 years ago

   Do you and your spouse usually exchange gifts for holidays and birthdays?
   
   With money always so tight, it seemed foolish to purchase gifts for eachother for holidays and birthdays throughout the year. We have made it a point to spend time with each other, maybe go out to dinner together, and maybe even treat ourselves to a bath or curling up on the couch for a movie.
   
   Our no gift rule also takes the pressure off for Valentine's Day, birthdays, and all other gift-appropriate holidays. I would love to hear your thoughts.

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2. 85

   billybucposted 10 years ago

   Yes, we do exchange gifts, but we rarely spend much money doing so. We work on creativity rather than dollar amounts.  We both enjoy getting a number of small gifts and giving them throughout the day...something as silly as a new flashlight or a cooking utensil....just little things that would be meaningless to someone else but to us are fun.

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   1. 77

      VVanNessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I love it. We make 2-3 three cards for each other on birthdays and try to do small things for each other throughout the day, with each card. This year, my husband did the dishes before I woke up in the morning and left me a bag of Doritos! Love it!

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3. 73

   brakel2posted 10 years ago

   We have started buying one sharing gift, often something for the house. On our birthdays which are two days apart, we decided our car was about worn out, so our gift was a real buy on a used SUV financed through a credit union, a real bargain we could not resist. That was the most expensive item we shared. Usually the gift is not very expensive. Sometimes, if money is tight, we don't give gifts but do something special. I guess the economy has gotten to all of us. Great question!!

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      VVanNessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks! I love that you do something together that will benefit both of you! How wonderful!

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4. 44

   Ericdierkerposted 10 years ago

   Oh my this is a question so close to my anti material heart. We give such gifts as can never be bought we are blessed with each other. My chosen day was last Wednesday and I got a gift from my wife to beat all gifts.
   
   She tiptoed her tiny 90 lb 4'10" body up to mine first thing in the morning and said "you are a good man Eric Dierker". Now that may seem just so so, but I tell you for my wife to do anything but hop in the shower and get her coffee first thing in the morning is a miracle. Even our 3 year old knew it was a gift.
   I am a very happy man and gifts to me cannot ever really be things.

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      VVanNessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, how sweet. You sound like a lucky man. I definitely feel the same way. My preferred gift will always be quality time and the love of my husband. Even the simple sticky note and extra effort to say I love you means the world to me. Thank you!

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Goofy as it sounds we love "I love you" emails through our busy days.

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5. 82

   peachpurpleposted 10 years ago

   no. we never buy gifts for each other so there aren't any gifts to exchange. Furthermore, we don't celebrate valentine's day, birthdays or any special occasion. Our love life is boring.

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   1. 77

      VVanNessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sorry you feel that way. We have never had gifts for each other in our five years together other than simply making time to spend some time together on special days throughout the year. His love and attention mean more to me than any gifts.

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      Ericdierkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Peachpurple. Allow me to be somewhat nosey. I have been in times in my life where I was "up in the clouds" I did not pay attention to really important loving things. And you know what? My wife did. Oh wow I appreciate it so much. Think about it. Love

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6. 81

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   Yes, we still exchange token gifts with one another, nothing as "elaborate" as when were initially dating. It's still nice to get a card and a gift from a spouse on birthdays and Christmas. I still purchase a card, flowers, and candy for Valentine's Day. On anniversaries we usually go into the city and stay in a upscale hotel overnight while taking in some type of activity.
   I'm keenly aware that it doesn't take a whole lot of money to be creatively romantic. Unfortunately some people "relax" so much in their marriage they let romance and even sex fall by the wayside. Most men can afford a single rose and a greeting card or dinner and a movie to commemorate the birth of the woman they fell in love with.
   However all that really matters is (both) people feel the same way about such things. I imagine it would be very sad to be (wishing) you had the type of mate who did make an extra effort on such days and yet you find yourself with someone who is the complete opposite.
   Like attracts like in the long run!

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   1. 77

      VVanNessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very nice point! I love that the two of you enjoy exchanging presents with eachother. It definitely sounds like you are a die hard romantic. Your love for your wife shines through very clearly.

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