Fed Financial

Would you be offended if your girlfriend suggested a $5 gift exchange for Christmas?

My new boyfriend is extremely stressed about Christmas right now, for financial reasons. We've only been together a month, and someone else suggested doing a fun $5 gift exchange, to take the pressure off him. I think it's a great idea. Should I suggest it to him? Would you be offended if your girlfriend/boyfriend did? He has a great salaried position with benefits, but also owns a house and one roommate just moved out.

Public Comments

1. I'm in college and poor as heck, so I would think it was a great idea. Plus, it gives you a chance to be really creative while having a specific monetary limit, which could be alot of fun.
2. What the heck can you get for $5 nowadays? A coffee maybe. I say SAVE the $5 and just have sex! That's free!
3. I think by putting a limit on it like that, if it isn't done right, you could be making it more stressful. You could say that you are a little short, and would rather keep it to just 5$, but he may read right through that. What may be better is to suggest that you not get presents, because you would rather spend time with him than get a gift. Especially as you have only been together a month. Perhaps go out someplace special shortly after Christmas.
4. Yeah I think five dollars is pretty pathetic I think $20 would be a good amount to go with (and I am thinking about his finance struggles)
5. i would really say up it to $10 $5 can get you much, if u do suggest it just say that you dont want christmas to be about the money and gifts this yr dont say anything about his money prob
6. If you're young and only been going out for a month, that sounds fine.
7. I would love it! There is no reason to stress about spending tons of money if you both agree to stay within a budget. A month isn't a long time to be dating and if you are going to be together for the "long run" there will be plenty of time for more expensive gifts when you are financially more stable. I say go for it, the worst he says is, "no, I really want to spend more" then it is his decision.
8. I would not be offended at all. In fact i think that a $5 gift exchange would be great idea. Also i think u should tell you're boyfriend as soon as possible so that u take the stress off him before he buys you something extremely expensive OR a shitty little present that sucks because he was stressed out and couldn't think of anything better. P.S. Hope my advice doesn't ruin anything :)
9. I'd be relieved.
10. Why don't you suggest you guys make eachother things for Christmas (if you are both artistically able). Its super meaningful and super cheap, as well.
11. I would not be offended. Because not everybody has the money for presents.
12. i think he'd understand; you could sort of turn it into a contest and see who can by the best gift for someone else for only five dollars.
13. Definatly. It takes the stress out of the idea of omg if i dont buy her the right present she'll be made at me, oh if it's not expensive enough she'll be upset. Defiantly suggest that. Matter of fact, my husband and i haven't exchanged gives with each other this past christmas because of our car, and probably wont for this one either. We figure out car running is a good enough present and the fact we are togerther is an even better present to each other.
14. No, not at all. I would be happy with a Xmas card... Remember, it's the thought that counts... Captain, Chris W T ATP- Lear 45, B747- A318 - A380 CFI
15. the guy is going to love for it.
16. Yes, great idea - no pressure, besides you've only been dating for a month. It could make it really fun!
17. No, I would be good.
18. the amount of money doesn't matter at all,a gift is gift and that's all.
19. I wouldn't be offended at all. Money has always been tight for my husband and me (even before we got married--when we were still only dating) and we rarely buy presents for each other at Christmas. If we do, it's something small. We spend the majority of our money on our kids.
20. Find a new Boyfriend, 5 dollars, Offended no, But I would get a part time job, to buy the person I like a gift that shows how much I care for them.