JW's are able to give gifts anytime, not just holidays, BUT DO THEY? (page 2)

BrentR

My parents just used the "no holidays" as a way to be cheap asses. I can count on one hand the number toys they bought for me as a kid. Thank goodness I had cool grandparents and relatives. I don't think I would be going out on a limb by saying that many JW parents did the same.

All of my parent's extra money went into thier worthless horses. They would drop $250 a month on just horse shoes but would not buy me a pair off shoes if they were more $5.

This is one of those very sore points for me. Every time I drive past a crappy nursing home I get an evil grin knowing that they will soon experience penny pinching on an extreme scale. They were always the ones telling me that "you reap what you sow". If they only could know how true that will be.

Bobbi

I like to think I am good gift giver in general. When I was an active JW, I was always careful to get my parents anniversary gifts. I started a special holiday for my kids "Boxing Day!" Mommy gets up really early and goes out and buys presents, then she sneaks them back into the house, wraps them up all fancy and we have a family party that night. We bake a cake and the kids decorate it anyway they like.

This year will be different. We are invited to join my friends family for X-mas. In fact, I am cooking the turkey for dinner. I have to admit I am really excited. I celebrated the holiday until I was 8 with my father and his parents. My kids are going to be soo excited.

My "worldly" family has never remembered my kids on any holiday or birthday. No gift sent early or with a note saying just because. I hesitate to send my grandparents pictures of the kids because they just send a cheque back. I dont' want them to only think of my babies when I remind them. I am not even going to tell them we are celebrating the holidays now because if they didn't want them before they won't want them now.

It is not just JWs who are poor gift givers.

Bobbi (still kind of bitter)

Sassy

when I was a dub and married, on our wedding anniversary we had gifts for all of the family. In many ways it was a replacement for Christmas.. I had tons of presents for the kids... We celebrated it as the beginning of our family

I heard comments from elders though that the WTS frowns on that though

AWAKE&WATCHING

Sassy - I love that "celebrate the beginning of our family".

I used to have theme parties for my kids; 50's, dinosaurs, whatever. All the kids did crafts, played games and got gifts. We had plenty of food including a special cake and ice cream.

metaspy

In my family, yes, we used to give gifts all the time.
I learned my generosity from my mother.
We used to find things and say, "I think Sis. Whatsherface would like this" then buy it for her.
Perhaps we were in the minority...

Finally-Free

My ex used to sometimes buy me a card or gift just because she wanted to. She sometimes bought small souveniers for my mom if we were out of town for a weekend or vacation. I have to admit she was more thoughtful in that respect than I was. I suppose I'm just a selfish bastard.

W

Shawn10538

Never. Almost never. Married JWs get anneversary gifts and parties. Single ones, only when they graduate or go away somwhere. I got a party when I went to Bethel. But the idea of giving for no reason just doesn't happen. It basically is an outright LIE when JWs tell people at the door that they give gifts throughout the year. I used to feel slightly guilty for telling people at the door that lie. It's an easy lie to tell because once you say it, you have a whole year to make it true. Then if you don't do it this year, there's always next year. It's the type of thing that you just keep putting off.

worldtraveller

Just realized something interesting. Jw's are God fearing ppl, and have squat to do with Christmas, But my completely atheist friends celebrate Christmas like they were baptized Catholics. Funny that.

OnTheWayOut

But my completely atheist friends celebrate Christmas like they were baptized Catholics

That's kinda my point. Many who aren't religious still remember to give gifts at a time when
everybody is remembering to give gifts.

The method JW's give lip service to, giving at anytime, is probably the better way, but only if
you actually do it. Many of you agree that a vast majority just do the lip service and give gifts
only at weddings, showers, and graduations.

There's no judgment from me on the actual giving- how much and how often.
Give what you want, or don't. Just don't say that you do if you don't.

My wife appreciated that I noticed that about her, and it rubbed off on me. She does know that
I gave my dad a gift during that dreaded holiday in the Summer (Father's Day) but she also knows
that I gave all my immediate family members a gift this year (except that one who's avoiding me).

The wife gives gifts to the JW's she is close to. While I would love to see the end of that, it is part
of her personality, and part of why I fell in love with her. I just pity her if they ever distance themselves
from her because of me. But even that will show her what conditional love these others have.

Dragonlady76

JW's never give each gifts, they have no real holiday to celebrate besides memorial time and they don't exchange anything.

The only times gifts were given:

1. Baby Showers

2.Wedding gifts

3 Anniversary gifts

4. Graduation (reserved for the most pious)

Truth is most dubs are broke and cannot afford much, what little they have they donate to the borg.

The gb's take is why buy your little kid a toy when you can help the borg pay for settlements.

JW's are able to give gifts anytime, not just holidays, BUT DO THEY?

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