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<p>Nut allergic here - it took about 15 years before H’s side of the family stopped sending me nut-filled consumables for special occasions. I’d try to drop it into later, unrelated convesation that I am allergic…they finally remember, I think.</p>
<p>Yea, Hawaii honey is good & harder to find. Maybe I’ll send that next year instead of the other stuff they can get at their Costcos & Trader Joe’s. Hmmm. One problem with sweets is some folks have dietary issues, especially as they age and it’s hard to know.</p>
<p>I used to be the only one in my extended family with seafood allergies. Now, I have company–my niece & BIL. The family is starting to be SLIGHTLY more sensitive to our allergies & at least warn us when there is shellfish in the food we consume potluck.</p>
<p>Stopped the sibling gift exchange 10+ years ago with husband’s family (I’m an only child!), however it was a gradual wind-down. About 15 years ago, they went from the traditional $25 each to well-laid out rotation of each one having another and spending $75 (there are 5 siblings) on the major present and a token gift (under $10 for the others). The token gifts were typically ornaments or coffee mugs with family crests or other consumables. (I travel quite a bit internationally, so I always picked up creative or unusual stuff). </p>
<p>I would say we are happier without it. By that time, there were 8 cousins to buy for, so people focussed on them. Then, that even went away a few years as the kids became teenagers and all we were doing was buying Best Buy or Target gift cards for them. </p>
<p>It takes some ■■■■■■■ to suggest stopping gifts, but I think everyone was relievied in the end, plus among the 5 siblings, the economic well-being differs tremendously.</p>