I totally agree.

When I worked in the office I enjoyed baking quick breads for my coworkers. I could afford to give them to everyone (although some got a few!!). I once went to a women's church swap and some understood and some didn't. So there were really nice things and then gag gifts. It was funny to me as I watched them all say how much they "loved" everything!!
I enjoy putting time in to finding that little thing for those who I gift. For the most part - it is things to share with each other!

Two years ago the quilt shop where I work held a staff Christmas party. We all agreed we needed nothing so one year before, during and after the party we knitted and crocheted scarves to donate to homeless. The next year we each purchased a toy that we had as a child or that represented us. We stealthy put them on a table and attached a number to the gift. We all had to guess who purchased which gifts to see how well we knew each other. Turn out that after working together for 3-7 years, we don't really know each other outside of work very well. Lots of laughs during the party, after which we wrapped and donated them to a group collecting toys for children who may otherwise may not receive any. There are ways to enjoy each others company and share the bounty we each have.

Yeah, when I made $150 a week and supported 2 kids on that, one of the women who was working more for fun than because she needed to (Her DH has very good paying job), started collecting $ for a gift for this person and a gift for that person, and just kept asking kind of endlessly. I finally said, "No. I can't afford it. I have to get my kids some gifts, too." (My kids actually got 2nd hand toys for Christmas that year.)

She was upset that I said no. Then she complained to others. They told her that I was right. That ended the requests.

I love them and have a lot of fun, there is a secret santa swap on this board that i sign up for every year. My ddil has a large family and for the holidays they do a white elephant, no one gets hurt feelings, then all the women do gifts for each other, nothing to expensive. Sometimes I make things for them and they seem to like them.

Hi, I have a long time friend who has a well paying job, we have an aged pension. She would buy gifts for us until I said enough was enough. Now I make some small thing for her (she does not knit or sew) and she gives a plant or a home baked cake to us. We both appreciate the time and thought without the expense.

I managed a delightful staff and we had great fun with them. Then in came a rotten apple. She was so disruptive and we knew she wouldn't cooperate and have fun (and no one wanted to get her name), that we changed it to bringing canned goods for those in need. It worked great. I can't remember if she participated, but we really didn't keep track. Our goal was to share the holiday with the community.

I hate them. I don't like the pressure of finding something for each person. Most of my friends have every quilting item that they need. I don't mind the dirty Santa's where you don't know who is going to receive it.

Hate just random grab bags.......like the kind where you write your name and what you want on a piece of paper, then these are tossed and all involved pull one... One year I listed a glass measuring cup...really needed it that year...and now 10 yrs later, each time I use that anchor glass 2cup measuring cup, I think of that person and smile......I think that is the only year I really enjoyed a "group gift thing".....

Hate them.