Dear Abby: I don’t enjoy shopping and want to stop the random gift-giving cycle for good
A reader dislikes shopping and feels burdened by gift exchanges with people who love giving presents. The writer wants to know whether there is a polite way to step away from the cycle of random gift-giving.
Liam Carter 
Dear Abby: There is a clear divide between those who thrive on the joy of shopping and gift-giving and those who find the entire process to be an unwelcome burden. For individuals who dislike shopping, the pressure to find perfect gifts often leads to frustration and items that fail to hit the mark. The question remains: is there a socially graceful way to opt out of these random gift-giving exchanges?
— No More Gifts
Breaking the Cycle
Dear No More Gifts: While you cannot control the generous impulses of others, you can certainly change your own reaction and participation. A true gift should be given without strings or expectations of a return. If you have been reflexively reciprocating in the past, your friends likely assume you enjoy the exchange just as much as they do. The simplest way to shift the dynamic is to stop reciprocating. If they continue their habits regardless, keep in mind that being generous is generally considered a virtue rather than a personality defect.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
