Filling in your Christmas list

[mbcdefg]

I didn't see this anywhere in the sticky thread, so maybe it can be added ... do you have suggestions for items to "pad out" your holiday wish lists?

My mom keeps asking me what MH and I want for Christmas. I told her inexpensive statement necklaces or fashion scarves for myself, MH said he'd like comfy socks to wear around at bedtime, and for the house I asked for new bath towels and a basic iron. I thought we were done after that, but she just texted me and asked me to add more items.

Ugh. I've repeatedly said that there's nothing we need and we don't like "stuff," but the problem is that if the list is too short then she'll go off-list and our tastes are VERY different. The clothes she buys me never, ever fit, and the home decor items wind up going to Goodwill. So I'd rather just come up with add-ons that I can at least get some use out of. I don't want to suggest anything more than $50, because she's never been rolling in dough and now that she's widowed I'm even more mindful of her budget.

My mom shops in brick-and-mortar stores, so it's helpful if the items are easily found anywhere ... but my brother and sister (also on budgets) will see this same list and they could order special stuff online.

I'm trying to think of the kinds of things where I think, "Ugh, I have to stock up on XYZ again" when I'm at the supermarket or something. Elastic hair ties, hand lotion, storage bins, etc. I looked at the practical/emergency thread already and added the rechargeable flashlight. I'd prefer to stay away from clothes and handbags, my only real hobby is cooking/baking, we like to travel (mostly domestic), and I don't really want to ask for gift cards.

Any other suggestions for practical, everyday items?

[lmdbww]

Mascara and wine are the only two things that immediately pop up into my head. lol

[womet]

Any new cookbooks you might like? What about asking for a cooking class? It's not "stuff" but it's a little better than a GC.

Can you ask for splurges? Like if you need some new hand lotion, can you pad your list with some more expensive options than what you would normally buy? Then it might not feel so much like restocking to you.

[kadams767]

I would ask for specific everyday items that I use, but are still "gifty". Like if i was going to ask for lotion, I would kind of feel weird telling someone to buy me Vaseline brand hand lotion or something along those lines, but I'd ask for a Bliss body butter, you know? Or nail polish brands often put out cute holiday colors, maybe something like an Essie or OPI holiday polish set?

[v]

GoToobs
A really comfy pair of blindfolds for red eyes
Peugeot pepper mill?

[raangoli]

What about taking a look at the things you use daily and if they are worn/old, to replace them? So maybe a new lunch bag or umbrella? New ice scraper or jumper cables for the car (not that you use the jumper cables daily).

Or things you'd like to replace around the house? New curtains, a door mat, replace older bake ware, etc.

[dancingirl21]

Books
Nice makeup/hand lotion
Wine
Tea lights

[ssmjlm]

Perfume
Make-up/skin care (I mean if someone wants to buy my $60 face cream, go for it).

What about things around the house? Maybe a nice throw or comfy socks/slippers? Last year I asked for some new baking sheets from William Sonoma.

[Deleted]

My standards are lotions, candles (both from Bath and Body works, since I am usually too cheap to buy them there myself), makeup (like fun eyeshadows), and clothing. This year I'm asking for pajamas, a new robe, slippers, and sheets. I'm not a big fan of asking for "wear out of the house" clothing unless I specify exactly what I want, because while my mom has good taste she often will pick things that are just not my style.

[ddi741]

Ugh, I understand completely. If I tell my mom I need pajamas I'll get something a 12 year old would wear, not a 42 year old or If I generally say shirts, I'll get something that I'd never buy, not anywhere near my style. I love my mom to death but we have totally different styles. This year I told her we needed a really good set of wooden spoons, a fish spatula, an inexpensive coffee grinder, new towels for the bathroom, a nice set of measuring cups ( and gave her links to kinds I liked). I tried to give a list of things to choose from, not that she has to buy all of these things. Specifically for my H, I had already bought 3 tshirts he would like so I gave her them to give to him and she'll get him a gift card to his favorite craft beer store. For me specifically, I said GC to sephora, charming charlies and that I needed new short socks to run / work out in.

[lizrd7579]

I don't know how long you've been married, but are there any items you got for your wedding that are starting to show wear?

Cookie Sheets
mixing bowls
grilling items
sheets
towels
kitchen towels/potholders

[shortstax]

perfume
books
movies
anything you can be "specific" about
bakeware
practical things for around the home? (fire extinguisher, filing cabinet, shredder, etc)

[jinkies]

Every year I put nail polish on the list as a filler, but specify brand(s) because I don't want dollar store polish.

No one has ever actually gotten me nail polish.

Socks.

Towels.

Kitchen stuff.

Fancy luggage tags, or travel kits, since you travel a lot?

One year my poor mother asked for tongs, and EVERY SINGLE PERSON who shopped for her got her a set of tongs as an extra add-on. I thought it was funny, but I'm not sure that she did.

[laurao]

My inlaws are terrible gift givers, so we have gotten smarter over the years lol. We typically send them links from Sears, as they can bring that to the store to order. This year I asked for a charm for my pandora bracelet, and/or a museum member ship to take DD

[Deleted]

Nice olive oil, sea salt or peppercorns.

[msmerymac]

Towels
a list of makeup from sephora
makeup brushes
any kind of bakeware or cookware from le crueset (not exactly a stocking stuffer, but my MIL loves an excuse to go to the outlet stores)
starbucks gift cards

[nonsenseabound]

slippers
yankee candles
water bottle/travel mugs
placemats
chair pads for dining room chairs
outdoor chairs
nice lotions (be specific)
nail files or other consumable items

[spunkarella]

For myself: fluffy socks, pj pants, nail polish, unique coffee mugs and dish towels, BBW candles, new types of hot tea to try

[audette]

This makes me thankful we don't exchange adult gifts anymore...


I'd suggest you tell her consumables you'll use - fine chocolate, high end oils & vinegars, spice blends from places like Penzeys, or things you frequently replace or would like an upgrade of with the cooking/baking you do (ie: new baking sheets, if it's been a while since yours were replaced, or nice measuring cups, or prep bowls, or tongs, or a nice knife, etc).

[Deleted]

Booze!

Any sort of candles/room scent stuff? Fancy soaps?

Any kitchen pans? Serving dishes?

[So_Fetch]

One of the best gifts I got from my MIL was baking stuff. She used one of those plastic comforter bags (that zips all the way around) and she filled it with baking mixes, food coloring, cupcake papers, sprinkles, different sugars, candles, etc. I like to bake, so it was perfect. that was two years ago and I'm pretty sure I'm just now running out of cupcake papers.

[imojoebunny]

Honey, Maple syrup, Mrs. Myers cleaning products and soap, spices, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.

I like the oil and vinegars from Blue Ridge olive oil company, so hey are a nice treat.

Also outdoor mats, they often need replacement, dish towels, and sheets.

Consumables are my friends.

[mbcdefg]

awesome ideas - thanks!

[skib]

I absolutely love getting household products as gifts, because it means I can spend the money I would have otherwise spent on those items to buy myself something fun. I've asked for detergent pods (both dishwasher and laundry), big packs of toilet paper and paper towels, Clorox wipes, trash bags, etc.

[protozoa]

Travel coffee mug (contigo Autoseal specifically)

[hulley]

I ask for things like kitchen towels, coasters, pot holders, bath towels from my ILs. I hate paying for those things. The year DH was unemployed at Christmas time, we asked for "anything to defray day to day expenses" and we got a huge Rubbermaid tote filled with soaps, paper towels, sponges, trash bags, ziploc bags, etc. I loved it and we actually asked for one again a last year. They are also getting better every year and giving gift cards. We often get one to each of our a favorite restaurants, then a grocery or Target gift card for us both.

[mich1]

I wish someone would just give us a huge supply of dish towels.

Before I moved, I use to make a run through WS and check out their sale table. If they had dish towels, I'd pick up a package or 2 and stash them away. I think I had 2 unopened packages when I moved (I put together a basket of cooking needs for a friend who helped me out in a pinch and threw a couple of packages in there).

Sigh.....my SO uses them for everything BUT drying dishes, including cleaning up after the dog when he hurls. So the brand new packages we opened last year look like crap now, there is no WS in a 100 mile radius of where I live and I refuse to pay full price for the towels.

[Mashara]

Nov 18, 2014 14:45:01 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Every year I put nail polish on the list as a filler, but specify brand(s) because I don't want dollar store polish.

No one has ever actually gotten me nail polish.

I got my mom nail polish for her birthday. She loved it, so I'm getting her some nice OPI for Christmas to go with her other gifts I hope you get some too!

(P.S. I know this wasn't a recent thread, but I was looking for extra Christmas gift ideas!)

[drloretta]

If you cook and bake, ask for small items that would be useful. A cookie dough scoop, a fancier KA paddle that scrapes the side of the bowl, a really nice cookie sheet, a fun set of measuring spoons or cups.

Ditto for travel. Fun luggage tags, toiletry bag, jewelry case.

Wine is always good.


Experience things? Like movie tickets or passes to your favorite museum.

I feel ya. I gave MIL a list and it's only 4 things. i asked for a new saucepan, and I have a feeling she decided to get me a 10-piece set of cookware. All I want/need is one saucepan.

[Deleted]

America's Test Kitchen cook books are good.
Fancy balsamic vinegars
Wine
Chocolate
experience gift cards (movies, netflix, massage, coffee)