Ok. I have a situation and need opinions.

Since Andys' "accident", and all of my vet bills, I just don't have alot of extra money for Christmas this year. My payments on the credit cards are high, and I only have 3 months to pay them off. That leaves me WAY tighter than any normal Christmas.

We have a VERY large family, with 25+ people to buy for. I have decided only the CLOSEST family will get anything this year. That means 18 people. Usually I spend 100 on parents (6 total, Rickies parents remarried) And about 50 on brothers, and 50+ on cousins/husbands. Aunt and uncles I dont usually have a set price. Grandmas/ grandpas is about 50 too. This year, we just cant spend like that. I feel so bad, but it is not possible.

I would like to ask just not to switch presents this year, but I KNOW they will buy us stuff anyways. And then I would have a crummy Christmas, because I would be embarrassed AND annoyed.

So 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 mean, it sounds tacky, but I dont want people to spend 100+ on us, and we get them a cookie jar and socks, ya know?

When did Christmas become so much about presents and money anyways??? I guess when I grew up and got married, and was expected to buy presents, huh? As a kid, it never even crossed my mind.

Anyways, Tacky or not?