The Joy of Giving - Sort Of...

It happens every year. I am the youngest of three siblings. Between us we have seven kids/nieces and nephews to buy for.

I enjoy finding the perfect gift for each person. It's selfish inside, but each year they send our family gift cards. Instead of experiencing the true joy, I end up frustrated waiting in line at the post office - paying around $35 for each family to ship these 'perfect gifts' (already exceeding the amount of the amount on our gift cards).

I keep telling myself I'll do gift cards too, but I can't bring myself to send that. It's not as much fun for the little ones to open a card that they cannot read with a gift card in it.

I've heard of other family strategies for gift buying - white elephant, drawing names etc. What do you do in your family for extended family?