@CalLark my mom was all about the stockings and I have continued that tradition. I went into labor with my youngest in October while I was stocking stuffer shopping! Like my mother I wrap the stocking gifts in white tissue paper. I think my mom did that do keep us 5 kids out of her hair for just a few more minutes on Christmas morning. One year I used colored tissue and my kids wanted to know WHY.
I have done no shopping at all yet, but H has picked up a few things for his side a the family. Younger D has started sending me links to ideas, which is great, because shes in college now and can’t really have too much “stuff” in her small dorm room and we’re kind of stumped.
I do buy socks as stocking stuffers. Nice dress socks for H and SIL. For D, S and SIL I buy nice running socks. If only I could get someone to buy nice running socks for me, but I have to buy my own.
A quick follow up. I had lunch with my cousin. I had brought over her birthday gift, which she loved (Said, I was looking at those spreads). Then “Don’t buy the kids anything this year; they are just too particular”
I did mention my cousin is a terrific person, didn’t I?
We are all about stockings in my family. I knew H and I belonged together when I saw that he had the same stocking in a different base color (red to my green) that was sold at a now long-gone local dept store when we were babes.
I made matching ones for the girls when they were born.
Only because I was out today to buy a retirement card for my sister do I have anything at all. Paper Source has 20% off everything, so I picked up a couple of small things hat I would have bought later at full price.
My dd doesn’t really need anything so I really don’t know what to get her. I got her a new laptop about a month ago. We are thinking that we should go somewhere for a few days over the holidays and that could be our gift to ourselves. After the holidays we can hit the stores for the After Christmas deals. We still plan to put up a tree and I don’t want it to be empty underneath. I hope I find a few nice things for her. For the nieces and nephews I am not sure. Since they live away I am sure they would love money (especially the boys since they can’t seem to have enough legos) For the nieces maybe an experience would be best. Maybe take them to an event along with dd.
I have been “buying” goats and “Survivor Hearts” through Goats for the Old Goat for several years now. These benefit survivor families/individuals in South Sudan. 100% of purchases go to the families/individuals which is very important to me.
My list is short (5 max at any given time) and the 3 women (including my D) love and wear their Survivor Hearts all the time.
This year I may combine all of them to buy one “bicycle wheelchair” donation and share the story with each of them.
We’re not big “gift” people and ever since my D was little we always volunteered on Thanksgiving & Christmas. I do, however, mail her little “I saw this and thought of you” items (like a $15 cat bed in the shape of a shark for her kitty - which proudly sits in her living room) - and when we see one another we splurge on an event (a Broadway show; a snorkel trip).
My 2 best friends and I will go to a museum or movie and share a special meal.
We make memories as our gifts.
Hanukkah & Christmas are together this year, for the first time in I don’t know how long!
I love to give my kids (and son-in-law) presents at Christmas. I never give things they need;( if they really need it it doesn’t have to be Christmas for me to give it.) I like to give something to read, something to wear and something to do. Maybe something to eat. But definitely something to make them laugh.
@Wellspring …we will try to keep things simple, with some need items in the mix. Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. And something sentimental…Last year we didn’t succeed at this mantra because I kept seeing things my kids would love. Gotta be stronger this year. They all have enough stuff, and no room to keep it anyway. I told husband I would love Hamilton tickets when they go on sale. That can count for Christmas and my birthday.
I am usually deep into shopping by now, but I have been staying away from the mall because I’m trying not to buy much for me. Kids are 20 and up, and I’m really thinking they will be happiest with money as their main gift. usually I have enough to be ready before thanksgiving, and then I start chaning my mind and buying more until Christmas, but this year I don’t think I have one thing yet.
I’m half done. I need to buy 12 gifts total, 2 of which are “grabs” for a family party and a friend party that we have each year. Believe it or not, sometimes those are the hardest…it can be difficult to find something worthwhile for less than $20 that either gender or generation will like. Each of my kids and husband get 3 gifts, one large gift and 2 smaller. I bought my son’s airfare to come home for the holiday weekend, booked a 5-night cruise for my daughter (and myself) for her holiday break, and my husband is getting a Guitar Center gift card that I actually bought for his birthday in August before he asked me for something else. I need to come up with one more smaller gift for each and then something for my parents and the two grabs
I also make an edible gift for my friends and nieces and nephews, usually at least a dozen. Last year I made drunken gummies and they were a bit hit. The year prior it was Limoncello. Not sure what I’m doing this year.
My girls make online wish lists but I’d rather shop local and support small businesses and crafts people. So I mainly buy from their lists and add a few things. It’s so hard to guess for them!
I’ve bought exactly one thing so far, for D3, and the colors are beautiful and it’s buttery soft. Supports our National Parks too.
My girls make lists (at my request) each year. We celebrate Hanukah and I get them 8 gifts each year. I have a general amount I plan to spend so often it’s one or two bigger items and more smaller items. I really enjoy doing it but plan to wean all of us off this once they’re all independent. Lots of practical gifts are included, things they can’t afford on their own but could really use. I’m just a few gifts in at this point. I am generally pretty successful on black Friday and cyber Monday because I know exactly what my girls want.
In past years I’ve been done as early as Halloween, but this year I’m stumped. My kids will all appreciate money more than anything, and my nieces and nephews are getting so grown up, they may prefer money, too. I’ll get ideas from their parents soon, so that will help get the shopping started. I love the idea of buying experiences but it doesn’t seem my kids will be home together more than a day or two. I’ll do stockings, so that’s something I can start on soon. D’s stocking is always the easiest.
