I know, I know....we are still enjoying the summer but for those of us who like to plan ahead (AKA neurotic, Type A, "planner"), Christmas is only 4+ months away.
I didn't know how everyone feels about the drawing now that we are continuing to grow with spouses, kids etc
Basically, do we want to continue and add people as they join this crazy bunch? discontinue the whole thing entirely? find a middle ground?
Any thoughts, comments and suggestions would be appreciated. I would be more than happy to find out who is in and do the drawing if that is what we decide.
Jingle Bells to everyone!
Corrie
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16 comments:
Hi Corrie,
Thanks for thinking of this....what a relief from the 84+ degree humid august weather to think about Christmas!
I'm all for adding new extended and birth family members as they arrive...we can continue to organize into generational "groups" as we've done....and it's still only one gift for each...it's a fun way to stay connected...i'm also open to the prevailing wisdom of what the majority would like.
Thanks again,
love,
Kathy
Hi Corrie.....Yikes, Christmas in July (oops I mean August).
Don't want to sound like Scrooge but I'm thinking we'll back out this year. Tim and/or Kelly may want to stay in if it's still going, but basically the rest of the gift finding & buying ends up on my plate and I get just a 'lil' stressed out around that time of year anyhow! Think I always strive to have a Norman Rockwell type Christmas and never seem to pull it off! Anyhow, thanks for reaching out.
Hey, your Mom sent pics of the wedding. You look beautiful! That dress was perfect. And, of course, Ashley's pics were stunning! Take care sweetie, thanks again.
Love, Aunt Maureen
Thanks for the comments. I tend to agree with both of them!
Glen had a great idea if we want to go with the giving spirit of the season. He suggested that if we didn't do the individual gift giving, we collect the money we would have spent and vote on a charity to give it to. We could give it in the O'Neill name or grandma's name or whatever.
Any thoughts?
C
P.S. Thanks for the nice compliments A Maureen! By the way, may we use the pool this weekend when we are over?
Corrie,
I like the idea Glen had, maybe we
could donate the money to Grandma
since she has so many expenses lately,hardwood floors, caregivers
etc.
she's done so much for all of us over the years it might be a nice way to give back to her.
Jeanne
I really like Aunt Jeanne's idea the best. While I always look forward to the Xmas drawing, I got to be honest, it's getting a little old. Sometimes, you're like I got who.....Just being honest here.
I want to donate my Xmas gift $ to grandma!
Love Erin
I vote for Aunt Jeanne's idea too....what better way to celebrate the Spirit of Christmas than to "give back to someone that has always given so much"! I'm with you Erin, I want to donate my Christmas gift $'s to Grandma too!
I like the idea of donating the $$ to charity .... and Grandma (Mommy) seems like the perfect idea.... Thanks Glen and Jeanne for the ideas!
Love,
JoAnne
I second it,... I'm in.
I am all for getting something really great for Grandma but I think we need to all be careful if we plan on giving her a check and call her a charity. I know that I would feel uncomfortable if it were me. Knowing Grandma, she may be uncomfortable as well.
Any thoughts on a really great gift for her? if she is uncomfortable, maybe she can pick a charity of her own.
You have a good point. I haven't thought of a solution, but I hear what you are saying....
Good point, but I don't think we have to state that it's a charity gift...just that we are all simply chipping in to help defray the cost of shelving out $350 / day. Don't think Grandma would mind that at all. In fact, I think she'd be thrilled.
Sorry never meant to imply that Grandma was a "charity" I thought we were discussing what to do with the drawing and thought we could give to Grandma as a gift and presented as such; a gift. The word"charity" does not have to be used. If everyone wants to give to a charity in Grandmas name, that would be great too. Just thought it would be nice to help our own family rather than a stranger. Don't think she needs another DVD, book or Lands End sweater.
Sorry for the Mix-up.
Jeanne
Corrie,
On second thought... your point about being careful about giving Grandma a check as she would likely be uncomfortable is well taken....
I really like Glen's idea of the "cousins" donating the $ to a charity - we could either vote on one - or each pick our own - I think it would be a really neat experience especially for the little ones like Ashley to think about their favorite cause ... wish I had thought of that when our kids were little.... or we could do the drawing for names and each person donates to the favorite cause of the person they get in the drawing - i.e. if I draw MB she would tell me what charity she would like me to donate to.... that way we still are able to keep the connection that Kathy had mentioned as the nice part of the drawing...
As daughters we always give Mommy Christmas presents anyway - (who by the way is very good about her detailed list of ideas) - we could pool those gifts to help her out with her floor and/or other expenses.... and then leave the "drawing" to donate to a charity.... that way we accomplish both generous ideas!
I'm open to whatever everyone wants to do ...
Love,
JoAnne
I like my Mom's idea and not just because she's my Mom. Everyone who wants to participate puts there name in a hat for the drawing and since it sounds like Corrie is doing the drawing (or I just elected you). We should all contact Corrie and when we tell her "Yes. we are in" we should also say "My charity is ...XXX." Not that you couldn't call someone up and ask them. I'm also open to the idea of forgetting all that and pooling our money to give Grandma a secret check from Secret Santa! I'm also open to whatever everyone else decides -- which is not very helpful because eventually one of us needs to make a decision.
I like Aunt Joanne's idea too. I think if we do a little bit of both Grandma and charity it will work out for everyone.
I agree with Aunt Jeanne that Grandma doesn't need yet another Land's End sweater!
As Laurie mentioned....someone should make a decision. I will make it and hopefully it makes us all happy. (At least we won't have to try to but a gift for someone we don't really know or yet another gift card!)
So,everyone usually gets Grandma a gift anyway (DVD, sweater, etc) . If someone could volunteer to collect all of this money and get Grandma something she needs for the house/care/day at the spa that would be great.
The drawing will go on with a twist. If you want in, email me and let me know your charity. If you don't have a favorite, you can also choose "Grandma's chioce" and then money will go to whatever charity she wants. I will handle all of this aspect unless someone else wants it. PLease let me know by October 1st if you want in and then get me the money by Nov 1st if it is Grandma's choice charity.
Does this make sense and somewhat OK with everyone? Any questions?
Corrie
Great! Awesome Corrie, way to make a plan! Everyone spread the word to all the non on-blog cousins to e-mail Corrie.
You will be getting an e-mail from me with the name of my favorite charity soon....
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