DEAR ABBY: I have a large family. As the grandchildren are now adults with significant others, it's getting beyond my financial means to buy a Christmas gift for everyone -- something I have always done. I now have a brand-new great-grandchild. What do other grandparents do at holidays about gifts? -- AT MY LIMIT IN NEW YORK
DEAR LIMIT: Some grandparents set an age limit after which gifts cease. Some families have a "pool" from which names are drawn so each family member buys only one gift per family. And other grandparents tell their children and adult grandchildren the truth -- explaining that because they can no longer afford to buy gifts, from now on they'll be exchanging Christmas card greetings only.