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A Harris poll last year conducted for SunTrust Banks found that 69 percent of survey respondents said they would skip exchanging gifts for the holiday season if their friends and family agreed to it. A majority of those who bought or made gifts said they would spend more time with friends and family if they didn’t have to worry about gifts.

“The survey findings suggest that financial anxiety during the holidays is taking its toll on many Americans and could be a reason for rethinking gift-giving and focusing on other priorities. Forty-three percent of those who spend money on anything related to the holidays said they feel pressured to spend more than they can afford,” SunTrust said in a release about its survey. “If they didn't have to buy gifts, 25 percent would use the money on activities with friends and family, 37 percent would pay down debt and 47 percent would save or invest.”

Shoppers in the U.S. racked up an average of $1,054 of debt Christmas 2018 44% of shoppers racked up more than $1,000 in holiday debt, and 5% accumulated more than $5,000 in debt. Over 25% are still paying off last year's Christmas!

RULES FOR REGIFTING (via Dave Ramsey)

1) the gift should make sense 2) remove all traces of other's gift tags and rewrap 3) don't giveaway items from meaningful people 4) avoid regifting in the same circle of friends 5) give sooner so technology doesn't time out the gift.

Isn’t giving presents supposed to make us happy? 5 types of givers https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-support/201312/the-5-types-gift-givers

1. Genuine giver - O Henry’s Gift of the Magi
2. Status hound
3. Wolf in sheep’s clothing - discriminates/plays favorites
4. Power Player - gifts with a message…
5. Complainer - complains about what they went through to get or make your gift. (could call this guilt giver…)

Psychologists Tim Kasser and Kennon M. Sheldon analyzed Christmas experiences that could make people feel better and broke it down to seven:

1. Time with family
2. Religious activities
3. Maintaining traditions
4. Spending money on gifts
5. Receiving gifts
6. Helping others
7. Sensual enjoyment of the holiday (food and drink)

https://www.laurengreutman.com/3-gift-christmas-rule/  Equality approach - each kid gets the same amount spent. Formula = sliding scale based on age.

Easy 3/4 Gift Program: (with maybe a bonus Christmas Eve Pack with PJs and a movie)

• Something They Want
• Something They Need
• Something To Wear (or Do)
• Something To Read

Tips: 

Listen Up (get what they actually ask for), 

Keep it Simple and Open (gift cards are great), 

Create Experiences ( https://www.rd.com/culture/best-experience-gifts/)