My cousin has 7 grandkids. I always ask for suggestions.>>>>>>>>>
I cannot even fathom buying for my cousin’s grandchildren. That is amazing. And waaaaaay beyond my reach. I barely know them. If at all.
Crazy sock idea mentioned… Last I knew they were “all the rage” for guys. >>>
Someone please elaborate. I didn’t know this?
@psychmomma experiences can be just for themselves as well. I have kids who like to travel so gifts have been plane tickets or a ski pass for a skiing kid, or concert tickets in their area at college, museum passes, etc.
@VaBluebird Colorful socks with interesting patterns have been fashionable for men for both casual wear but also office wear. Here’s one example of a company that sells them: http://aceandeverett.com
@VaBluebird Colorful socks with interesting patterns have been fashionable for men for both casual wear but also office wear. Here’s one example of a company that sells them: http://aceandeverett.com>>>>>>>>
I have sons who are 29, 32 and 36 and I honestly was unaware! LOL.
I’m not in the population mentioned, but you reminded me of my aunt who was very much into being 90% done by September 1st. August was her big shopping month. By October, she had a bunch of gifts ready to be sent to friends and family who lived far away, piled in her dining room. She had a technique where she would write the names on a bottom corner of each box, before and after wrapping, so she could check on something. I used to help her sometimes find a particular package and it was like a treasure hunt.
She’d be panicked if it was the Monday of Thanksgiving and she wasn’t completely done.
No Black Friday for her!!!
Speaking of socks, my D1 (age 26) has become a SmartWool sock junkie this year. She just sent me a link to the socks she wants for Christmas. 
I like it when they send links for what they want! But now D2 had made it all complicated… she wants to know what I want this year. Hmm… pretty sure she can’t score me any Hamilton tickets… there is a new RBG book that I want to read, so maybe will tell her about that.
^ My D loves smart wool socks. She does a lot of hiking/camping and finds them warm and comfortable. She is probably due for a new pair or two… Good stocking idea.
I didn’t read all the posts but here goes…I work in ecommerce, so I try to get everything done and shipped by Thanksgiving. Just yesterday I purchased gifts for all 15 nieces and nephews…S’well water bottles. I chose the 17oz for $35 each at Nordstrom. Hey, I’ll get my Nordstrom points! For my Ds so far, a Patagonia fleece for each and they seem to like a piece of jewelry… older D needs a roasting pan too! All BIL/SIL couples get a matching food gift. This year it is olive oil from Olio2go.com. My 88 yo father and his wife get restaurant gift certificates and summer theater shows. Now if only I had an idea for H. Neither of us need anything. Maybe a new mattress?
I’ve seen S’well water bottles mentioned before on CC. Curious as to what makes them worth so much $? I’m hesitant to buy them as my kids are pretty good at losing water bottles.
I don’t know if there is any difference but I am seeing the Swell water bottles at Target online for $25. (15 ounce bottle)
I have barely started this year. So far only purchased a few stocking items. However, I am struggling with how to handle Christmas morning with a new son in law. I have one S and one D and now my wonderful SIL. Do I split Ds budget or do I just add him in like one of my own? I don’t want to do less for my SIL then I would for D. They need to be equal, but do I still do a little bit more for my youngest…choices, choices!
As a side note, D got a look of horror when I said that her husband should fill her stocking this year! Ha! Apparently, she likes when “Santa” does it…even though it is just little nonsense! [=
I treat son-in-law like another kid. It helps that he has an interest/obsession that lends itself to gift giving; tools for doing it, books about it, etc. He and my daughter share her stocking but I fill it.
My mother always added the SILs and her DIL as individuals unless one of the couples asked for a joint gift. She never tallied up to make sure the in-laws got the same spent on them-I don’t think any of them expected it-they were also getting gifts from their own parents. But her gifts to them were always thoughtful and personal-I think that mattered more than the cost. One year that comes to mind is the one where Mom gave my now-ex a turtleneck, a scarf and a ski hat because he liked to ski and she always thought he would be cold in his scruffy ski wear. He actually did appreciate that.
S and DIL get one joint gift and about the same $$ spent/given each.
D has received the most as she is still living on loans.
I really try to give what they need and want --and always! insist they return
without worry if they would rather have something else.
So silly to waste out of an idea of politeness.
@doschicos - my D who lives in NYC got a bunch of Swell bottles at a sale they had in September. They work very well at keeping liquid hot or cold. She was laughing at me because I would put water in it and put it in the fridge, not realizing that it was insulating it to keep it from getting too cold! Chill the water some other way, put it in your swell bottle, and it wall stay frosty for several hours.
I made hot tea, put it in my purse and completely forgot about it. Three hours later I opened it and steam came out. They are very good.
The only water bottles I buy now are the Yeti brand. I can machine wash them and they really keep stuff hot/cold for an amazing amount of time. And they’re stainless, not plastic.
My wish list is full of art stuff (I go through a ton of paint and it gets expensive). I also have some fancy teas on there.