Gift giving question- oh the holiday season has started

[2babybees]

This year is tight for our family. I'm sure many can understand. We have gift exchanges with most of the sides of our families thank goodness but it is still a lot of people. On one side we have an amount we are suppose to spend ($25). Usually I skirt this issue by finding things that would normally cost that much and buying on super sale or by making the item myself. However this year three of the four folks we have to buy for have just asked for gift certificates. They "want" nothing else. Honestly I hate giving gift certificates as it ruins the feel of christmas for me. But that also means $75 spent where I probably would have spent about half of that on their actual gifts. Would it be rude to ignore their suggestion and give them something they may not want/appreciate/expect by making it on my own/buying it on sale? Or should I pony up the money for the gift certificates and cut corners elsewhere? I am not close with the people who these gifts are going to I admit but I still really hate just passing out gift certificates.

[becoming]

I would buy gift cards for the amount of money you would have spent if you had bought them a gift. At the very worst, they will think it's not enough money and not ask for gift cards in the future!

[TiredX2]

I really hate the gift card route as well (generally).

DP & I actually dropped out of my family's gift exchange because I felt it was just a PITB. It was either people completely ignoring anything about you OR a gift card exchange. I felt like putting $40 in an envelope and calling it good. So we just don't do it.

If you know the people well, you could try to figure something out (or ask for other ideas). you could also make the suggestion that when people make their wish list they include AT LEAST one material gift idea.

[Irishmommy]

Please post in Frugality and Finances.