Exchanging gifts w/ friend..need advice please

[Kore]

It's probably late in the year to make the suggestion now. Most people have already finished their shopping. But I think it's fine to bring it up in, like, September next year. Just tell her that you're trying to streamline Christmas to make it less stressful, and you'd love to exchange cards or whatever instead.

[ECB]

Yeah, I wouldn't suggest it NOW. I think I'd suggest "Hey, I htink instead of exchanging gifts next year, we should save that $$ for when we actually get to see one another and go out for a nice lunch/dinner" - or something to that effect. And maybe something about the shipping costs, and you feel tha tmoney could be better used for when you all are actually able to get together.

[aspentosh]

I think the other ladies are right. I especially like the idea of suggesting you save the money for when you're together.

[vanillacourage]

You could also suggest dialing it back to a book exchange between the kids. That's what we've done with some friends of ours.