# Ever feel like you wanna give too many gifts?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-feel-like-you-wanna-give-too-many-gifts/606502>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 17, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-feel-like-you-wanna-give-too-many-gifts/606502 "2011-12-17T04:17:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BTEzra04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@BTEzra04](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BTEzra04)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-feel-like-you-wanna-give-too-many-gifts/606502/1 "2011-12-17T04:17:25Z")

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So, as I’ve been starting to wrap up (…all right, fine, pun intended 😃 ) my holiday shopping, I’ve noticed that more and more, I want to buy my loved ones stuff that I probably shouldn’t. At least, not if I hope to keep to my budget. But _damn it_, it’s Christmastime (and also numerous other holidays).

Anyone else get the same feeling? I’m just curious. I’m getting that warm and fuzzy gift-giving “I wanna see them open their presents NOW” feeling 🙂

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**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-feel-like-you-wanna-give-too-many-gifts/606502/2 "2011-12-17T14:02:31Z")

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Yes. I need to stop buying stuff. It’s not expensive, but we take turns opening gifts on Christmas Day. There are only 3 of us, and my daughter is getting embarrassed that 90% of the gifts are hers.

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**Author:** ![foxymoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@foxymoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foxymoron)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-feel-like-you-wanna-give-too-many-gifts/606502/3 "2011-12-17T16:14:06Z")

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I’ve always been an over-giver. I used to think I was trying to “buy” my friends, or I guess insure their loyalty.  
Now I know that it’s a combination of inherent generosity (my parents are very giving people) and compulsive shopping/shopping addiction.

I’ve been doing better in recent years. Giving enough, or resisting giving when it’s not healthy or necessary, rather than giving for my own satisfaction.