Poll: What gifts are you giving your friends and family?

[315]

A bit different than the normal posts about wish lists, what are you buying for/giving others for the holidays this year?

SO?
Siblings?
Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Parents?
Friends?
Coworkers?
Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Anyone else?

PIP's welcome, of course. I want to see what ideas you all have for gifting.

[sa]

SO?
Bought him a pair of waterproof oxfords from Cole Haan. I actually gave them to him early so he could wear them when it was raining on Monday.
Will probably give him something small to open on Christmas too.

Siblings?
My sister -  I've got zilch for ideas. Hoping to find something this weekend.
SIL (bday) - Earrings from one of my favorite jewelry stores which closed.
BIL (bday)- Petrossian caviar, mother-of-pearl spoon, creme fraiche, rye crisps
SIL+ BIL - Gift certificate to a nice restaurants

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Dresses from zulily
Christmas PJs
Night before Christmas book
Probably a few other little things
Cousin1: Necklace from JCF
Cousin2: Shirt I bought in DC
Cousin3: No idea yet - any ideas for a 10 year old?

Parents?
Mom: Sweater/jacket from Anthro.
Dad: Hunting and Fishing license
MIL and FIL: considering a gift certificate for a cooking class

Friends?
Only buy for one friend - considering getting handmade serving bowls from Clic in Tribeca

Coworkers?
Don't buy for coworkers.

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Hair stylist is my sister, so no extra gift, just one big one.
Housekeeper: money equivalent to one extra cleaning
Building staff: money
Dry cleaners: chocolates or cookies
Butcher: chocolates or cookies

[315]

Nov 20, 2014 17:05:51 GMT -5 sa said:

SO?
Bought him a pair of waterproof oxfords from Cole Haan. I actually gave them to him early so he could wear them when it was raining on Monday.
Will probably give him something small to open on Christmas too.

Siblings?
My sister -  I've got zilch for ideas. Hoping to find something this weekend.
SIL (bday) - Earrings from one of my favorite jewelry stores which closed.
BIL (bday)- Petrossian caviar, mother-of-pearl spoon, creme fraiche, rye crisps
SIL+ BIL - Gift certificate to a nice restaurants

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Dresses from zulily
Christmas PJs
Night before Christmas book
Probably a few other little things
Cousin1: Necklace from JCF
Cousin2: Shirt I bought in DC
Cousin3: No idea yet - any ideas for a 10 year old?

Parents?
Mom: Sweater/jacket from Anthro.
Dad: Hunting and Fishing license
MIL and FIL: considering a gift certificate for a cooking class

Friends?
Only buy for one friend - considering getting handmade serving bowls from Clic in Tribeca

Coworkers?
Don't buy for coworkers.

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Hair stylist is my sister, so no extra gift, just one big one.
Housekeeper: money equivalent to one extra cleaning
Building staff: money
Dry cleaners: chocolates or cookies
Butcher: chocolates or cookies

These are great Sarah. I was thinking of getting my husband a cooking class gift certificate. For ICE or some place else?

[callmehales]

A lot of scarves, lol

[315]

Nov 20, 2014 22:20:27 GMT -5 callmehales said:

A lot of scarves, lol

Aw, of course. I still love my scarf that my mom knit for me. It's like a mile long.

[Deleted]

SO- some stuff with his fave NFL team, clothes and I'm not sure what else. 
Mom-I'm at a loss and need ideas
moms bf- liquor? Or Omaha steaks delivery?
coworker secret Santa--depends who I get..guys usually liquor, women usually gift card to sephora.  
Parking lot man at work- cash

[315]

Nov 20, 2014 23:54:24 GMT -5 @blueyes623 said:

SO- some stuff with his fave NFL team, clothes and I'm not sure what else. 
Mom-I'm at a loss and need ideas
moms bf- liquor? Or Omaha steaks delivery?
coworker secret Santa--depends who I get..guys usually liquor, women usually gift card to sephora.  
Parking lot man at work- cash

The ladies in my life like liquor and wine too.

[DirtySouth]

SO?
N/A, but if I'm still dating the same guy at Christmas, I'm going to suggest to him that we just do something fun like a show and nice dinner as our gift to each other.

Siblings?
N/A

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
My kid gets so much from grandparents and aunts and uncles that I'll probably spend $50-$100 on books and some movies and be done.  I need to get my 10  year old twin cousins something.  Maybe a piece of jewelry.  I need to start thinking about this.

Parents?
A watercolor painting of the house they sold last year where they lived for over 30 years.

Friends?
I don't really exchange gifts with friends.

Coworkers?
I'm making everyone a terrarium.  A nursery by me had pretty glass containers 70% off, so I stocked up and decided to make these as office gifts.

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Extra money to the housekeeper. 

Anyone else?
No.  I really don't buy for a lot of people.

[xokell2]

SO? I got him a ton of lulu during their big sale. So probably not much more than a couple 3d movies

Siblings? We don't exchange, only for the kiddos

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc? A toy chest for my niece.

Parents? We don't exchange gifts with my side. Probably wine for my mil and steak delivery for my fil.

Friends? Nada

Coworkers? Newp

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)? Cash or gift cards, I'm lame.

Bah humbug. I swear I'm not a total scrooge but our holidays were out of control with way too much stuff, we scaled back a few years ago and it's perfect.

[sa]

315 I'll probably do something out of Florida since that's where they spend most of their time.
If I don't do the cooking class, I'm going to look into some sort of tour in the area for them.

[sa]

Also, I looked into cooking classes around here before, but I cannot remember which company. Let me see if I can find it.

[electricmayhem]

Nov 20, 2014 16:47:27 GMT -5 315 said:

A bit different than the normal posts about wish lists, what are you buying for/giving others for the holidays this year?

SO?
Siblings?
Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Parents?
Friends?
Coworkers?
Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Anyone else?

PIP's welcome, of course. I want to see what ideas you all have for gifting.

SO: definitely my hardest person to buy for, as he doesn't want / need anything.  So it will be rolled dollar coins; he has to pay for parking at work every third week and if he wakes me up again at 5:30 on any morning to ask if I have any singles I will shank him. 

Siblings: I shop their Amazon lists and actually don't exchange with my own sister or her husband; SIL1 is getting Karri boots from Target; BIL1 is getting headphones; SIL2 is getting the Riviera blouse from Banana Republic if I can catch a good sale on BFriday, and BIL2 is probably getting some Nike track pants

Kids: My kids are getting a play kitchen and some accessories.  Nieces / nephew are getting rolling backpacks that I found at PBK over the summer on super sale

Parents: don't know for my mom; FIL is getting snow shoes and MIL hasn't given me any ideas yet

[hz80408]

SO? We're trying to actually stick to our budget this year with all of the new house stuff we've bought and needed to do. H is getting a new button up plaid j Crew factory, a temperature controller device for home brewing and tshirts from his fav local breweries (I drunkenly told him I'd thought about doing this and hoped he didn't remember but he's mentioned it twice, so at least he is excited about it!)

Siblings?
sis: Groopdealz herringbone vest and a j crew shirt from her list to go under
SIL: Alex and Ani bangle and loft top
BIL: hockey helmet
My bro/SIL/future nephew are getting the breast pump from the registry and probably some fun clothes or books

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Other nephew is getting Fischer Price Skyway city and little people cars to go with it

Parents?
Dad: collection of books and CDs for his list and still trying to find a cool non list item having to do with water (he's I'm the field)
Mom: Nike running tights and top, Scattegories
Mil/FIL not decided

Friends? Tbd

Coworkers? Na
Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?na
Anyone else?

[xojo1]

SO?
A couple fun t-shirts, a year of a shave club, fun socks & underwear, and I'm not sure what else. I will probably have about $100 left of my budget.

Siblings?
Not sure yet for my brother. We aren't exchanging with B&SIL this year since we decided to just do the kids (YAY!).

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Daughter (will be 10 months): Leapfrog Violet puppy, some outfits, and either an activity walker or activity table. Then some stocking stuffers - socks, puffs, sippy cups, hair bows.

Niece: Fashion design stencils and colored pencils.
Nephew: Spot It MLB game.

Parents?
Mom & dad are getting cash to go towards tablets they want. I am also making them each a mouse pad from my daughter.

FIL: Pajama pants and slippers.
MIL: Scarf and gloves.
I will also make them a calendar from my daughter.

Friends?
I participate in two exchanges through the mail. One is an ornament and the other is theme with "relaxing night in" this year.

Coworkers?
I usually bake cookies or candy for the office.

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
I will give my stylist and extra top. We are going to take a couple boxes of bagels from Panera to daycare and then give our two main teachers gift cards on top of that. Probably to Target.

Anyone else?
We always send our grandparents (I have two set and H has one grandmother alive) fruit baskets from Harry & David. They always go over really well.

[RoxMonster]

DH: Already bought him a pair of Sperry's he wanted. I have about $100 left I can spend on him within our XMas budget. I got him a Christmas ornament with a picture of him and his dad (who passed in April), but I don't count it as a gift really. I might buy him some clothes, get him a Best Buy gift card, maybe renew his subscription to his beer of the month club for a couple months.

BIL: We framed a photo of him and FIL.

Future SIL: She wanted Scrabble, so we got her that, and then picked her up a scarf from The Loft.

MIL: A scarf and a pasta maker.

My mom: She wants an Ulta GC and I'll probably also get her a picture of us.

My dad: SO hard to buy for. My mom suggested a JCP GC because he buys all his work clothes there. I want to do something else too, though.

The woman who does my nails: Probably a Target GC or something similar. She is also due with her 5th child just before Christmas, so maybe wine lol.

[FormerCityGirl]

SO? We're buying a house 2 blocks from a Distillery and the entire neighborhood is on the National Historic Registry! We close on 12/15 and take possession on 12/20. It's 114 years old and has been gutted down to studs and redone with river rock spa shower floors, claw foot tubs, reclaimed 200 year old poplar beams for the bannister and every built in, a huge kitchen, quartzite fireplace, shabby chic fire pit, and walk in closet in the master. It has some relief walls and stained glass windows. It's our gift to each other. It's very urban with off street parking for 3.

Siblings?N/A

Parents? It's just my Mom. I'll get her a scarf and some other little stuff and take her out to a nice dinner.

Friends? We stopped exchanging. It got too complicated. I have some funny spatulas for one friend though as a total joke. One is a pile of bacon and the other is a cardinal. She's the only person I know besides carylee07 who plans her outfits around a baseball schedule.

Coworkers? N/A

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)? I'll get my stylist something Horse or Gatsby related since her rescue horse is Gatsby. He's just started showing again and doing really well after years of abuse.

Anyone else? I usually make something fun for my Aunts and Godmother. I have a crazy spatula collection going in all shapes and colors. I just need to figure out how to incorporate them into something fun. It's hard since I'm packing the house and not doing holidays.

[kirstinb]

S/O: we don't have children so we usually spoil each other. Got him a raincoat, jcrew shirt, sweater, chinos, Lunar oxfords from Cole Haan, a fuji polaroid camera (he saw a guy at a restaurant in nyc with one), scarf, slippers, socks, and wooden sign from etsy.

Siblings: Sister 1: syracuse zero gravity chair. Sister 2: Uggs. Found a crazy sale this summer and bought them then. BIL: Driving Mocs from Banana Republic (40% off).

Nieces/Nephews: Strategically purchased since summer: Dr. Martens chelsea boots, assorted VS PINK clothing, Banana Republic sweaters, and a large wooden wall art that says "here comes the sun and I say it's all right." This is for 5 of them.

Mom: Le Creuset dutch oven (purchased with reward points from CC). Dad: Shirt from Banana Republic so far.

Co-workers: Don't usually purchase but did this year. Team planning with a group of new Freshmen teachers and since I have 4 preps and 6 classes, they have saved my butt with creating lessons, etc. so I bought them all personalized notecards from etsy for around $15 each.

Cut/Color: bonus$$

PS….to the person who buys for their teacher…..Very thoughtful! In 17 years of teaching, I have received two gifts from parents. I don't need gifts…but geez….a card would do!

[315]

FormerCityGirl, I read Distillery... and kept waiting for you talking about buying a bottle of something good.

[xokell2]

Nov 22, 2014 16:11:23 GMT -5 xojo1 said:

a year of a shave club

I love this idea and will probably steal it, thanks!

[FormerCityGirl]

Nov 23, 2014 13:38:24 GMT -5 315 said:

FormerCityGirl, I read Distillery... and kept waiting for you talking about buying a bottle of something good.

It's brandy and absinthe for the moment with plans to add tequila and gin. They have 2 additional absinthe flavors in the works, but the current one is 157 proof. The still room gets an American rock theme and the music gets blared to vibrate the stills and keep them vibrating to mix. It's 2 weeks old at the moment so I'm waiting to see how it lives up to the hype.

[315]

Nov 23, 2014 13:32:56 GMT -5 kirstinb said:

Siblings: Sister 1: syracuse zero gravity chair.

You're an amazing sister. #Cuse

[Deleted]

-SO? Just stockings for us this year. He bought patio furniture last month that was $$$ and I'm getting a new car in Jan/Feb. so far he's getting a butane cigar torch and a couple of fancy stogies.
-Siblings? We don't exchange
-Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
--son is getting an ant farm, Darth Vader t-shirt, Lego PJs, Light sabers, an Incredible Hulk toy, Gap and Old Navy clothes, books, a Wii game, and stocking stuffers (one of which is a pirate flag)
--daughter is getting a wheelie bug ride on toy, xylophone, a top from Chicco that has stuff inside that moves when you press the plunger, and a keyboard thing that lights up. Stocking will have headbands w/ bows/flowers, a Sophie giraffe, not sure what else yet.
-Parents? So far Mom's getting a John Denver DC, not sure what else or about Dad.
-Friends? Wine
-Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)? Housekeeper is getting double $ the last cleaning before Xmas, trash collectors get a case of beer

[315]

And on that note:

For H, I am buying him all whiskey-related items: a bottle of NYC-made bourbon, a copper flask, a "Whiskey" Old-Fashioned glass, and some other cocktail accessories. All made in USA of course.

[sa]

315 I tried searching everywhere for the cooking classes I looked into before, but I nothing is ringing a bell. Mabye it was through ICE. I have cooking classes on my NYC bucket list, but I'm an idiot and didn't write down which ones. Sorry!

[wineenthusiast]

SO? Not sure if we are going to exchange gifts but if we do I will get him cologne.

Siblings?  I'm still not sure what kind of exchange we are doing this year let alone what I will buy anyone.  My sister and I had been buying for each other and then we exchange names between my 2 brothers, BIL and H.  This year my brother is married so I'm not sure what we will do.  
BIL (H's B)- not a clue
BIL's GF- probably something from VS PINK

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc? 
Nephew - Maybe snowboarding goggles?
BIL's GF's kid- Probably a cute outfit?  IDK, she's 7 and pretty "girly"
SIL's kid- These leggings one of our friends makes & sells on etsy with a cute top and probably a toy.


Parents?  No clue and the thought of coming up with gifts is stressing me out.  So far I've bought Stepdad a Snoopy sun catcher at a craft show but thats just something little I saw and thought of him.  All our parents are really hard to buy for.

Friends? I'll get BFF a bottle of wine and maybe some wine charms.  
I'm getting her daughter leggings from the same easy shop, a top to match and a Peter Rabbit tea set.  I think I'm going to get this pattern for her leggings

Coworkers?
Coworker- Veuve
Boss- red wine

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Stylist- wine
Garbage Man- $20 cash in a card
Mailman- $10 DD card

Anyone else?  
Grandpa- local honey gift set  
Grandma- A silver bowl holder she was interested in

[Doggy Mommy]

DH: Keen slippers, nice gloves, scarf, and hat or ear muffs, stocking stuffers
Sister: Kate Spade Capricorn bracelet, a book she requested about wine, poo pourri, cute boot socks, stocking stuffers
Mom: tickets to Wicked, stocking stuffers, not sure what else. Maybe a nice scarf. She wants a Fitbit. 
MIL: No clue. She doesn't really like anything.
Friends: homemade treats
Co-workers: homemade treats in cute bags (caramel popcorn and almond toffee) and B&BW hand sanitizers. Initial Mugs from Anthropologie and B&BW hand soap (in scents I know they like) for closer teammates. Chocolate peppermint cake pops for the holiday party.

[Mashara]

SO?
Rockport slippers
wool 1/4 zip sweater
sports headphones
portable power charger for phone
series on Blue-ray

Siblings?
My sister - No idea
My brother - cash

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Daughter of friends: GC to someplace for teens
Son of friends: Cash because he's saving up for something

Parents?
Mom: Cash for a mani and haircut (she loved this for her birthday)
StepDad: candles
MIL: holiday themed shirt and jacket
BIL: Hellfire Ove Gloves, Bear Paw Meat Handles, apron for grilling
SIL: GC to Sephora, Too Faced Better Than Sex Amazing Eye Set
Niece: GC to Victoria's Secret, pjs, socks

Friends?
Older friend: Gloves in a Bottle lotion

Coworkers?
Don't buy for coworkers.

Service workers (stylist, housekeeper, trainer, babysitter, etc)?
Too Faced Better Than Sex Amazing Eye Set
Smashbox Mini Bestseller Kit

[elletr13]

SO? I bought a Southern Proper t-shirt for him that has a black lab on the back...kind of looks like our dog. I'm thinking I'll get him seat warmers for his jeep, one other thing and then stocking stuffers.

Siblings? I bought my sister a bracelet from here: www.etsy.com/shop/EkataDesigns. Probably get her one other thing.

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc? I have a cousin that just turned 16 this weekend, so I'm thinking a gas gift card or a UGA keychain. The younger girls will get make-up/bath & body work sets. The one boy (13), I'm not sure about..

Parents? So far I have my mom a bracelet. No clue on my dad or FIL. MIL wants the Skinnytaste cookbook. And probably a BBW candle.

Friends? Not sure yet.

Coworkers? I think one of these candles for my coworker I work closely with: rescuedwinecandles.com/. I smelled some at the JL holiday market and liked it...just can't remember which one.


Anyone else? I think I want to send our extended family (aunts/uncles) some local goodies. Maybe a pecan sampler from a lady down in MS.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/thread/392010/poll-gifts-giving-friends-family#ixzz3K69vDQVA

[lostarz]

SO?
Not sure.  I was thinking a battery operated heated vest, but he's also mentioned a new receiver and a tool box, so I'm not sure yet.  We usually put a dollar amount limit on gifts so some of his items will entitle him to only one gift then lol.

Siblings?
Sister - Laptop backpack and probably some girly goodies like hand lotions and whatnot


Brother - trying to find a fully fleece lined hoodie...including fleece lined sleeves.  Maybe something he needs/wants for his computer.

Kids/nieces/nephews/etc?
Not sure on nieces and nephews yet since we haven't picked names for the exchange.

Step daughter so far...



Stepson so far...


Still have some work to do for the kids. Not sure what their "big" gift is going to be this year.

Parents?
I was thinking maybe a bluetooth enabled cordless phone system for us siblings to go in on.

Then maybe a book my dad wants and clothing or something that my mom wants.

Friends?
I don't really exchange gifts with friends.

Coworkers?
Don't exchange with coworkers either.

[xokell2]

Nov 22, 2014 16:11:23 GMT -5 xojo1 said:

Did you sign up for the shave club already? Do you have a referral link for credit?