Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

In our families, we only buy for the children, not adults. One of DH's nieces is married and 24 years old. Her brother is 22. I kind of think that they aren't kids anymore but how do you stop giving gifts all of a sudden? I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but we have alot of young nieces/nephews to buy for and we were going to TRY to cut back our spending. I don't want to sound cheap but do we buy for them forever?

It's so awkward, you know?

ETA: ahh, I put this on the wrong board, sorry....but hey, you all are parents, you can help me out with your opinions, too!

Message edited 11/13/2008 12:15:45 PM.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

For us...after 18 we stop. If they are in college we might get a little something but once they graduate that stops too.

Otherwise it gets out of hand for us. We'll have to re-evaluate that for only our neices and nephews once they hit that age but no exceptions for anyone else.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

Well, to be fair, I'd buy for the nephew b/c the niece got a gift at 22 and he is 22.

But maybe it can be instituted that after 22 no more gifts (or 18 or 20)

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

Thanks for your responses. Can you give me an idea of how to say it?

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

I would still buy for them until they had their own kids. Even if it is something small. They are still your niece and nephews.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

I would suggest not making too big of an event out of it. When we stopped with my BIL (DH's youngest brother) we just sort of made sure at Thanksgiving we said...this year is for the little ones, right? The family is getting bigger and bigger so let's just focus on them.

Everyone seemed to sigh a bit of relief with that.


Now when the older kids have their first married year together they will get a gift...when they have children their children will get gifts.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

Well, how close are you?

I just got an email from my cousin asking if we all wanted to do a Secret Santa this year, maybe something like that? Email the family and say "due to the impending birth of our twins, we'd like to try to scale back on gifts this year"?

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

I also like the Secret Santa idea - we have been doing this w/ DH's family for a few years now....

My other suggestion is to maybe just get a little something and just putting your DC's names on it to him...Basically an acknowledgement gift from the kiddies- it shows he was till thought of and then when he has a family of his own, kids exchange only

ETS- Just realized your due after Christmas, but heck why not do it anyway

Message edited 11/13/2008 2:14:50 PM.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

I have a 24 year old nephew and a 22 year old nephew on my DH's side. And I have a 19 year old nephew on my side. Everyone still gets gifts. I think they are still in the loop till they have their own kids or turn 50, whichever comes first. I don't care really - I give them $$ and they appreciate it which is all that matters to me. My niece has a boyfriend for a few years and he gets a gift too....I might get them a restaurant GC. My DH's one aunt still gives everyone (married nieces & nephews) a GC every year. I think it's whatever the family is comfortable with honestly.

ETA: I suggested the Secret Santa a few years ago on my DH's side bc there are a lot of kids but DH nixed the idea before it went further. We usually chip in and buy a bigger gift (ie, last year we chipped in a bought my 3 nephews (brothers aged 7, 9 and 11) a Wii. They were very happy

Message edited 11/13/2008 3:59:20 PM.

Re: Age cut-offs for Christmas gifts?

We still buy for everyone in my family. I buy gifts for the smaller kids and I give my college aged nephew cash.