When our kids were wee and through the elementary school years, my brother would give us a family membership to something in the area every Xmas. Field Museum, Science & Industry, Brookfield Zoo…
I remember these gifts fondly. It was just so lovely to go as often as we wanted, and if we needed to bail because a kid was having a bad day? – no hard feelings about having spent the admission fee.
We made VERY good use of those family memberships.
Our kids are in their very early 20s, and we have taken to giving them cash for Xmas.
Does AirBnB have gift certificates? I’d use the heck out of that one!
When our kids were small the top two things H and I wanted as gifts:
Grandparents to come out and take care of the kids for a few days so that we could have some time to ourselves.
Parents who would visit on the holiday.
Can you tell that we lived far from family?
We never got either gift. It was possible at the time , but never happened.
@TatinG - just wanted to let you know I had all my family non-digital media transferred to DVD by Southtree - it was surprisingly reasonable, and an easy process. When my DVDs arrived I then saved them to the cloud. Some of my stuff wasn’t able to be digitized due to the aging of the original media, but they were able to take care of about 90%.
I tend to prefer experience gifts as well. Concert or show tickets, subscriptions, classes for hobbies, etc…
I will say that last year my MIL sent a gorgeous living wreath that was spectacular. I ended up taking the xmas-y bow off and using it for the remainder of the winter. It never died and was still going strong in the spring. I’m hoping she sends another one this year!
ONe year I sent DS#1 wolfermans and Harry&David, and DS#2 a fruit of the month thing and a massive selection of cheeses. Really- pounds of cheeses. It was HUGE. I like the coffees for younger s (older s doesn’t drink but his wife does). Loving all these ideas.
They are still on my AAA membership, and doubt they use it, but I keep them on. DS likes to remind me that they offer a bail bond service
This isn’t great but I gave up the whole gift idea.
We get together and do a gift exchange but that’s it. I don’t buy gifts. It was stressful for me and stressful for them. Both giving and frankly getting. The kids, parents and others if they want something, they buy it themselves. We are all so blessed, that no one needs or has room for more stuff.
Sounds very Scrooge but everyone is much happier. The kids didn’t want to think about a list and don’t want to think about what to get us.
I do give the kids stuff for their birthday. D birthday is next week. She has a favorite expensive restaurant that she loves, so I sent a gift certificate. She actually was very happy and she is a terrible give getter. I also got her a Carmel Apple rom a local to me shop and a food that she can’t get where she lives.
I have sent gift certificates to DIL and sent a very expensive pair of pants to son for their birthdays but to be honest, I don’t know if they’ve even used them.
I like @maya54 says, things you would never buy yourself. That’s what I like but I find that others in my family either have no idea what they are or comment that they are a waste of money.
Sigh!
But those phone charger things, I have so many now. H gets them as vender gifts, I’ve bought them out when I’ve been desperate and now I have a half dozen or so.
The charger can be found at travelcardcharger.com. Unlike many of the freebie ones it is very thin and fits in a slot in your wallet, back pocket or even in a phone case. This means you can easily have it with you. The charging cords are also built in. The NYT Wirecutter rated it one of the best.
I looked at the coffee shops on line that are near DS#2’s house and asked if that’s the particular one he walks to. He said yes, but said he gets most of his food/beverage at work. I reminded him that his spouse does not get free food at work!
So I just went to the gift shop next to the gym and picked up some Brighton earrings and matching necklace for one DIL, and some earrings for the other. Do 30somerhings west Brighton or is that for us older geezers?
