What do you usually get someone who has everything that isn't a gift card? I just hate the idea of getting someone a small gift (in size, not dollar amount) for a big occasion like Christmas.
Then again, if that's something they'd really enjoy that's better, right?
I'm trying to buy for my mom and it's near impossible. Usually I'd go with a nice wine but while she enjoys wine, she never drinks what she has at the house. Otherwise, she just buys what she wants when she wants it.
what about something she enjoy such as like maybe get her an experience, spa day, movie tickets, day somewhere. Normally I get my parents some tickets through a bus tour to NH, or NYC, something like that. GC's aren't bad though, then they can get what they want.
My family consists of men who don't want anything and women who buy what they want when they want it. We started doing Christmas lists about 5 years ago and it makes things a LOT easier. Would your family think of doing that?
I go for edible/drinkable gifts when I can't think of a perfect "thing." But my parents will definitely eat/drink the things I get if I pick them right.
I think a gift card that she'll use is much better than a "token" gift that she won't.
I'd much rather get even a $10 gift card than some of the useless junk I've received as gifts, from people who have no idea what I want but feel obligated to give me something.
Otherwise, I would just get something and include a gift receipt. Or maybe do something like a basket from a chocolate shop or Nueske's (great bacon and meat/cheese).
Ditto Ruralrabbit on the experience gift, although this does often mean giving a gift certificate. I've given my parents gift cards to their favorite restaurant, tickets to a sporting event or cultural activity (like the symphony or a musical), etc. I think these are great gifts for someone who has a lot of stuff and doesn't need anything.
I think for Christmas this year I'm going to buy my mom a share in a local CSA, which she has never done and she'll love. Doing something together might be fun, too, and for a mom would probably be something she'd love. You could do a gift certificate for a painting class, cooking class, etc that you will do together.
Edible Arrangements or a Harry & David gift box? Maybe it's too impersonal, but my usual gift for older people with everything is fresh fruit and cookies.
My mom makes everyone else make a list but she won't do it, of course. I'll probably end up getting her a GC to a really nice restaurant in town I know she likes or the experience idea.
My mom makes everyone else make a list but she won't do it, of course.
My mom does the same thing - hounds all us kids for lists but then doesn't make a list herself. My dad always insited that he didn't want/need anything.
We exchange gifts with MH's extended family ... 10 adults, 9 children. I really wish we could just do a Secret Santa with lists and I could get one person a really nice gift, but instead we wind up getting cheapo generic gifts for everyone since we don't know what anyone wants and we can't afford more than $30pp. (They would never go for a SS so we've never suggested it.)
My mom makes everyone else make a list but she won't do it, of course. I'll probably end up getting her a GC to a really nice restaurant in town I know she likes or the experience idea.
We do this with our IL's, no matter what we got them they were PIA's, we just take them out for dinner and call it a day. We also stopped gifts among our other siblings since we were just trading GC's, maybe its a good time to start discussing gift dynamics.
My mom makes everyone else make a list but she won't do it, of course.
My mom does the same thing - hounds all us kids for lists but then doesn't make a list herself. My dad always insited that he didn't want/need anything.
We exchange gifts with MH's extended family ... 10 adults, 9 children. I really wish we could just do a Secret Santa with lists and I could get one person a really nice gift, but instead we wind up getting cheapo generic gifts for everyone since we don't know what anyone wants and we can't afford more than $30pp. (They would never go for a SS so we've never suggested it.)
Ugh, H's family did that for a long time until he, his brother who is single, and I pointed out what we're spending tons of money on gifts for people with tons of kids. Two years ago we did a secret santa type thing, last year we traveled to FL, and this year we nixed gifts all together because it was getting confusing for the kiddos.
My mom does the same thing - hounds all us kids for lists but then doesn't make a list herself. My dad always insited that he didn't want/need anything.
We exchange gifts with MH's extended family ... 10 adults, 9 children. I really wish we could just do a Secret Santa with lists and I could get one person a really nice gift, but instead we wind up getting cheapo generic gifts for everyone since we don't know what anyone wants and we can't afford more than $30pp. (They would never go for a SS so we've never suggested it.)
Ugh, H's family did that for a long time until he, his brother who is single, and I pointed out what we're spending tons of money on gifts for people with tons of kids. Two years ago we did a secret santa type thing, last year we traveled to FL, and this year we nixed gifts all together because it was getting confusing for the kiddos.
I don't really mind getting gifts for the kids, since the gift exchange is exciting for them and it's easy to just pick out a toy and be done with it.
The adults are all immediate family and MH is the cousin, though, so they'd never NOT get each other gifts. I agree with him because I'd always get my own brother and sister a gift. And we would quickly be labeled cheapos if we suggested a SS or said we were only bringing gifts for the kids.
I'd enjoy it a lot more if I knew what to get these people (and I'm the one that handles it because MH gets stressed out right away and it turns into a bigger problem than if I just do it myself). Maybe I should suggest that we trade lists or do Amazon Wish Lists, at least?
I'm just an asshole and told people I didn't want to get adults gifts anymore, just the kids. And we still get my parents, uncles, and brother a gift. Again, I'm an asshole.
I'm doing personalized cutting boards with a gc to the local fresh market here this year for MIL and her H and BIL/SIL. Last year I put together pretty gift baskets for each and we got crap in return. BIL and SIL gave us pajamas, gross, you don't know me!
We'll be in England this Christmas and want to have gifts for the aunts and cousins. I'm so stumpted on what to do. I'd normally bake and bring stuff but that would be so hard.
We'll be in England this Christmas and want to have gifts for the aunts and cousins. I'm so stumpted on what to do. I'd normally bake and bring stuff but that would be so hard.
Is there anything from the US that they love but can't get at home?
If the situation were reversed, I'd be begging my British relatives to bring me Cadbury chocolates and Boots lip balm, lol.
Post by Doggy Mommy on Oct 11, 2012 20:00:10 GMT -5
I'm thinking of getting my mom an EC planner. She likes pretty planners and I think she would love it, but I haven't decided for sure yet. I would probably get the Favorite Things planer and list a bunch of things that she likes, and would maybe get a desk calendar (which she also uses all the time) or personalized stationery to go with it.
I did these cutting boards one year, everyone loved them! What I did to get a bigger discount, added whatever I wanted to my cart after I made an account, waited 2 days and I got sent a coupon.
I did these cutting boards one year, everyone loved them! What I did to get a bigger discount, added whatever I wanted to my cart after I made an account, waited 2 days and I got sent a coupon.
Brilliant, Chessie! Way to make it MM. And those are nice.
I have been begging my family for years to do a trip instead of gifts. I'm going to get some of these and include cards that say, "You could be on a beach right now. Instead, have fun cutting vegetables!"
I did these cutting boards one year, everyone loved them! What I did to get a bigger discount, added whatever I wanted to my cart after I made an account, waited 2 days and I got sent a coupon.
Brilliant, Chessie! Way to make it MM. And those are nice.
I have been begging my family for years to do a trip instead of gifts. I'm going to get some of these and include cards that say, "You could be on a beach right now. Instead, have fun cutting vegetables!"
haha cute. I been trying to get my family to do a trip for years. Last year I went without them. Left a message Missing you dearly from Cozumel..cheers
haha cute. I been trying to get my family to do a trip for years. Last year I went without them. Left a message Missing you dearly from Cozumel..cheers
I asked my mom if we could just do a family trip this year rather than go overboard on presents. But she pretty much shot that down, saying that "everybody likes presents." I just don't want her to feel guilty or like she has to overcompensate now that Dad's gone.
Last year I bought neutral towels for one set of cousins. I didn't know what to get them and I figured everyone can use towels at some point. Lands End had sent me an email in early December about a sale on these particular towels, and with shipping I paid $40 for the set. They're currently $79 on the website: www.landsend.com/pp/supima-6-piece-towel-set~225486_-1.html
My mom informed me she's had my gift (so I guess I get one big one) for months. Being the wretch that I am, I'm worried and assume she got me some hideous piece of jewelry or a sweater made from llamas. I know I mentioned previously she asks for lists from everyone. I should clarify she asks for lists from everyone but me and usually gets me something I'll never wear or use.
My mom informed me she's had my gift (so I guess I get one big one) for months. Being the wretch that I am, I'm worried and assume she got me some hideous piece of jewelry or a sweater made from llamas. I know I mentioned previously she asks for lists from everyone. I should clarify she asks for lists from everyone but me and usually gets me something I'll never wear or use.
Again, I'm an asshole.
Uh, sounds like my MIL and IL's.. I am an asshole for recommending no gifts, trips or even lists..yup death to us.
If it's not beating a dead horse, I'd like to do a thread one day where people recommend generic gifts for when you have to buy for someone you don't know all that well.
Like, I wouldn't have known about those Lands End towels if I didn't get that email from them. I'm sure other people here have similar tips.