Is this Tacky of me>??

[Freedom]

I would not send anything around formally, but, I would make it a point to tell each sibling something along the lines of, "hey, this year is a pretty tough one for us financially, and we are not in a position to exchange gifts this year, I hope you can understand". And leave it at that. No need for details, excuses, etc. They are your FAMILY. If they can't understand, frankly...they don't deserve a gift anyhow..he he he

I agree with this. It is not tacky, you are just setting some limits. You are entitled to set limits for yourself.

If someone -- or even EVERYONE -- decides to get you something, just be gracious and thank them. And ENJOY! Don't feel guilty, you said something in advance.

[Scooter's Mom]

Every year I tell the in-laws "please don't buy us anything" because I really don't have the $$ to spend on their large family for individual gifts. I would much rather have a nice day with family and no fighting or arguing than a gift. Memories last much longer than a physical object.

Each year, they give us something anyway and then I feel bad because I really meant no gifts! My hubby does NOT help me shop for anything and I don't want to single handedly pick something his family won't enjoy... although that's what usually happens.

I've started shopping for just the children. Not the grown children either, but the ones under a certain age, like under 18... or maybe if they're over 18 and don't have their own children, they may get something.

I certainly do not think it is tacky at all.

[catnapper]

Not tacky at all. Whats tacky is what my brother did. He decided not to buy any gifts for my kids yet expects them for his kids.... and made mom be the messenger. All he had to do was ask me if it was ok not ot buy my kids things since they are now in college.

Needless to say, mom is annoyed and offered to buy his kids' gifts and put my name on the packages.

[cassiesmom]

I was thinking, if I sent out a Christmas card, and explained about our financial situation this year, and set a price limit on switching, would that be tacky?

I don't know that I would put it in writing. If I received a written explanation from a family member about their financial situation and asking for a price limit on my gift to them, that would make me really uneasy. You spend what you can afford on the people you want to give gifts to. They will spend what they want to on you. But verbally tell people you are planning to scale back. That would allow the person to talk with you about it, which a note wouldn't. My parents have had a ton of medical bills - my brother changed jobs - and my sister has had less free-lance work this year than in previous years. It's going to be a lean year. I'd rather have "gifts" of spending time with them, especially in their respective back yards, drinking iced tea, on warm summer Sunday afternoons.

About those veterinary bills. Ya need some help?