What would you do?
 

I have made my husband a quilt for Christmas. Yesterday he informed me that we can't afford Christmas gifts for each other this year. I didn't tell him I have made something for him so I'm not sure what to do. In years past I have given him anniversary or valentines day gifts and he has forgotten to get me something and he feels so bad! So should I give the quilt to him or should I use it as a gift next year? What would you do?

Give him the quilt.

Hmmm well, since he probably knows you make things way ahead of time, you might be able to gift this with the caveat that you had already made it BEFORE the announcement.

Is it possible you could gift it to both of you? A shared quilt?

How about honoring his request at Christmas, but giving it to him on New Year's Eve? Tell him it's to keep both of you warm through the whole year. I know he'll love it. He no doubt knows how much love you put into everything you make.

I think that you should go ahead and give it to him at Christmas as it was intended. You aren't giving the quilt because you expect something back, you are giving it because you love him. You can tell him that you already had it done prior to his announcement. The gift giving is for the giver as much as the receiver sometimes. My MIL tried this last year at Christmas time. She made the announcement 1 week before Christmas. Now, she knows that nobody waits until the week before Christmas to buy or make gifts. And it wasn't a cost thing, it was a Gloria thing! (you gotta know her to appreciate her. . . Love you mom!) She received her gifts on Christmas just like everybody else and was thankful for everything she got. We have learned to only give her practical gifts that she will use ex: quilt, jacket, gift card to a bookstore. She will give everything else away because she doesn't want it to clutter up her apartment.

Don't give him the quilt. He's not giving you a Christmas gift.

I would give it to him. I am sure you made it for him because you love him and you wanted him to have something from you, not because you were looking for something in return.

Give him the quilt and let him know, Christmas, or not, you made it for him. It's happened to us and it will be fine.

I don't believe its in the receiving but in the giving for the holidays, and this is giving of your heart.. You took the time to make him something precious.... I would give it to him, early if you want to avoid it being a 'gift'..

I would tell him "let's make a deal that we each will make something for the other". Because if he really does feel bad when he doesn't get you anything this gives him an opportunity to "make" you a gift - it could be something as simple as a home cooked meal; a complete auto detailing of your car; or something else that requires manual labor. One year my daughter gave me a coupon book that she made containing coupons for cleaning house, cooking a meal, making my favorite dessert, etc.

Santa left it~!
 

Why not just leave it out Christmas eve and act as if you know nothing! Santa must have left it for us...feign ignorance! You will both use it most likely so be really excited about YOUR new quilt, you could even ask him "Did you do this, after telling me not to get you anything?" If he has a sense of humor he will enjoy the playacting, and have a new quilt! Linda

Leave it out Christmas eve night, feign ignorance....Santa must have left it!~ Or "Did you do this, after telling me not to get you anything?" If he has a sense of humor he will enjoy the play acting....never tell! Linda

I would still give it to him for Christmas. If he acts wrongly to it tell him tough, its in the contract you signed for the wedding many years ago in that fine print remember.............

A gift can cost absoultly nothing but your time and energy for me I would treasure a letter written from my grandchildren a picture they drew is more tangable than any thing in the world to me if money is short I don't understand why he can't create something from just a simple peice of paper and a few words.
perhaps the ladies of the board should email him with suggestions.
just a thought, as for your efforts, I would put it out the night before.
I hope you find a bright spot in your holiday.

I would give it to him. He may be money boss but he isn't gift boss. There are hundreds of gifts he can give you that cost nothing if he wanted to give you one. Money is no excuse. One year DH found a pretty bush in the woods and replanted it in the yard as a gift for me. I smile every time I look at it.

give it to him. my hubby stopped years ago and doesn't celebrate any special occasion. shame, but that's him.

Could you present the Quilt as a Gift for the Both of you? A family gift.

remember "the gift of the magi"? give it to him. it's meant to be used and you are meant to give it!

Happy holidays and a good new year.

My suggestion, Make your bed with it whenever you can without him knowing. He will know you made it and you can both enjoy it! Maybe with a little poem from "Mrs.Santa" Perhaps he is feeling overwhelmed with all the to-do about the holidays, and would just like to take the heat of you and he. My family has done that and agree that it is just the time we spend together that is special to us. Most years, I couldn't even tell you what gifts I had received the year before but could tell you about the time we shared on that day or eve. Just my input! Merry Christmas to all!

Give it to him. won't you be under the quilt with him? Barny

I like your way of thinking! That's what I would do if it was me.

I would still give it to him, telling him it was made BEFORE his 'no gifts this year rule.' I'd also tell him that his gift to you was the pleasure you received by making it

This is our scenario every year!

Only you know your situation and your husband. Be guided by your head and heart.

I would give it to him..it's intended for him. It's about what's in our hearts not the money.
Blessings
C

I would give it to him - my hubby and I have been married for 25 years - and those years were pretty bleak in the beginning - sometimes we gave gifts alot of times we didn't I always said as long as we were together happy and healthy that is all I needed - he agreed. Never got hung up on the gift thing. But my hubby likes to surprise me with gifts during other times of the year which can be very fun when you are not expecting it. When I give something to hubby and he doesn't give back - I always tell him that I get such joy in making something for him and giving to him that I don't need a gift in return. I know this sounds very Hallmark but its really true. I am sure he will love it and you will love giving it to him - what a nice surprise.

Give him the quilt,tell him it is something you have been making for a while and have now finished it.

yeah being healthy, happy, secure, with family are the most important gifts but unexpected gifts are the fun. Take the fun out of something and it's not fun for no one.

Tell him that it is too late, that you already made him something. Add that if he wants to give you something, it can be something he makes or a service he provides... he doesn't have to spend money. You don't have to tell him it's a quilt. Telling him now will avoid his being uncomfortable when he sees the quilt and he has nothing for you.

This is what I was thinking, I also think the New Year's Eve or it could be Christmas Eve idea is good. It also depends on if there are others there when you exchange gifts or just the two of you. Some embarrassment comes from appearing "thoughtless" in front of others, then you have to explain...yada yada. I like the gift exchange idea, and this way it is an exchange which prevents him from feeling bad or awkward. Just tell him, we don't have to go out and buy each other gifts we can exchange meaningful gifts of time. Let him give you a few ideas and include one with the quilt or pick something you know he will appreciate-a back rub, foot rub, a "you pick the menu and the movie night at home", etc.

I agree with giving it to him but just not on Christmas

Give it to him. Christmas is about giving and the giver gets so much more out of it.
I,m sure he will be overjoyed.

Is he saying this so he can surprise you with something? 2 weeks before Christmas sounds fishy to me. If he is serious. then wrap the present and sign the tag to to " Hubby's name and your name from Santa."

I would give it to him and just let him know its for "anyway day" and not just Christmas. He will love it!

Give it to him!

Kat

.Wrap it and add a note------------next time tell me in January that we won't be exchanging gifts.

OR you could just put it on your bed and forget it's a gift.

wrap it up pretty and put both your names on it and then write that it is from Santa, thats what I would do.

I like this solution!!

I would give it to him. As someone mentioned tell him it is to keep you both warm. Whatever you do, I'm sure he will know it was made and given with love.

Give it joyfully!