ok, so maybe I'm not the normal but I dont' feel obligated to give gifts to anyone. I love to give them to my two youngest grandkids who I see every week and I'm very close to. I have more grandkids but due to the way my sons are I quit giving gifts a long time ago. I used to buy gifts every yr and then was expected to deliver them even though I only live about 15 min from them. I never got a thank you or heard from them the rest of the yr unless it was a birthday party that I would be invited to. Even then they'd schedule it on Sunday and ask if I could come even though I have worked Sundays for over 11 yrs so it should be well known I'm not able to come. I got tired buying and delivering gifts; I don't think grand parents should have to and then a few yrs ago when my youngest son was staying with the son with many kids his brother asked him to bring the gifts home to them. My youngest told him he'd have to come and get them; that came from him,not me. After a few yrs of having gifts left at my house because they didn't want to drive so far I quit buying them and said mess with it. My oldest son will come and see me which is the best gift in the world and he only lives down the street from the others. His kids don't even live on this coast. He'll buy me a gift when he can and I do the same. Last week I went to see him and he handed me a Christmas card with a check of $500. I refused but he said he'd gotten a really big bonus and he knew things were really tight with my ex taking off. I just cried and thanked him. This son has limited skills for carpentry, etc work around the house so he helped in the only way he could. I have two other sons who are licensed electricians and one a plumber (who lives with me) and none of them will help at all. They say they don't have time for that. Even the plumber who lives with me won't install the two gas fireplaces that I bought and can't afford a contractor to install. I found out after I bought them on CL, new that it was over 1000 to get them installed. We freeze, but he's young and can handle it. I'm limping right now because I have a back disease and the cold weather plays havak with my body. So, no, I quit feeling obligated not when the ones expecting gifts are so unappreciating of what you give them or the fact that money is tight. This yr I shortened how much I got the ones that I get for and only got for whom I really felt like I wanted to give too. I get for some that aren't family because they are near and dear to my heart and don't "expect" a gift from me but do appreciate what I give. I always try to listen to what they want and go in that direction. I want them to enjoy the gift and use it. I don't buy gifts from the "grab a gift isle" unless it something that they'd really want. I feel that isle is a slap in the face to ones you care about. I love Christmas and love what it's all about. If I could hve all of my family get along and squeeze them all into my house and cook for them; that would be the greatest. Since that won't happen I'd rather not have anyone around who can't share the Christmas spirit and let things go for at least a day; with no expectations other than to share the holiday and love. Merry Christmas to you all and be safe out there