I’ve told how DH once bought me a green sweater in petite- his mother’s favorite color (I own nothing green) and her size.
My miss was my box for my mom never arrived in Florida for Christmas. I am an only child, and the only one who would be sending her gifts. The phone call Christmas morning did not go well, and the box still hadn’t arrived yesterday 
It’s going to be a rough few weeks. She is NOT a make the best of things person unfortunately.
Also a miss, she sent ME for Christmas a meat thermometer and a jar opener. Yay.
For my HIT, my DH gave a beautiful quilt that he had made for me in my favorite colors, with hearts and butterflies sewn in. He put a lot of effort into it. And my daughters both gave me very thoughtful gifts also. So I am focusing on the good stuff and trying to let the rest roll off!
@motherofdragons, Your SIL sounds like a pill. Your DH really is a darling, though. If I were you, next year I’d send your SIL a nicely framed photo of your family. Or maybe a calendar…then you can include 12 months worth of photos. If you make 11 of them of other family members at her wedding, she may not be able to resist using it, even if your entire family is in the Dec. photo.
I am enjoying this thread too funny @eyemamom that’s when I would have hubby drop not so subtle hints to his mom that maybe I would like something more practical. I would rather have a fluffy new towels than an indoor/outdoor lantern lol. Actually, though we could all use a little more cowbell!
My son says his g/f gets stressed at picking out gifts. I suggested they shop,together. I had given her a hefty gift certificate to Williams-Sonoma, and son said they would shop,together. I told him his dad would shop with me for my gift, so we both ended up,happy. I told him how his grandparents would buy a household item, like a w/d.
My son might be a good gift giver, but if his g/f isn’t, I wanted him to realize this wasn’t unusual.
My MIL gave me a jadite necklace one year. I wanted to write this as my thank you note:
Thank you for the jadite necklace. It will give me a good reason to shop for,some new clothes, because, as you know, I own nothing green.
But I didn’t write that. I can’t stand the color green. I just never wore the necklace and eventually gave it away.
Lol movemetoo. A meat thermometer and jar opener. Is she expecting you to cook something for her and ship it to her?
Oh please, it sounds like movemeroo’s mom was cleaning out a kitchen drawer.
Hit: a football jersey from my favorite fictional football team, the Dillon Panthers. (Friday Night Lights). I thought it was very cute and clever.
Miss: None! I even like my white elephant Star Wars shotglasses. Who knows, in 50 years they may be worth $50 haha
Is it a Thermapen instant read thermometer? Those things cost $100 and are on many lists of “best gifts.” I almost bought one gor a gift exchange but it was a bit too expensive.
I am the master griller of the house, and I worked my first meat thermometer gift to death. Then my friends had an excuse to get me another one. Maybe when this one kicks the bucket, I can get the Thermapen. 
Everything that was under the tree was a hit, but the biggest hit was the macro lens. Already generated gigabytes of close-up cat nose photos…
Friends came over to dinner last night, and a small gift exchange followed. Their gift to us: a basket of cherry goodies from Michigan! Yum. Our gifts to them: a waterproof fleece blanket for the skiing equipment in the car, a bottle of Mumm sparkling rose, and a steel wall art/coat hanger. Lots of excitement!
Plastic digital meat thermometer. I put it in the turkey at thanksgiving… And forgot. Goodbye thermometer.
Hit for my S was a “winch kit” and tow rope for his Jeep. The tow rope was some sort of special elasticized one that he had wanted for heavy duty “recoveries” and it is called a “snatch strap.” All of it came with a tote bag to store everything in and a pair of heavy duty gloves and a spotlight. He was really thrilled. Lost on me but he was happy!
He belongs to our local Jeep Club so he actually uses this sort of thing as they are always getting themselves into some sort of bind when they are out on the trails.
You guys are great! I guess it helps being a cheap date 
Hit: My D really liked her GoPro and can take it when she studies abroad in Italy and my 85 year old FIL liked his computer-although not tech savvy he likes to play games on it and visit a few websites.
Miss: Gave a scarf and gloves to my D’s new boyfriend however, the weather has been very warm lately and he is also leaving for a semester abroad in Israel soon where the temps may be in the 60s and 70s. Who knew?! He was thankful and gracious, however.
@carly135, people suggested I get a scarf and gloves for our guest from a warm place. I’m glad I didn’t do that, as they would have been a complete waste for her too. I’m glad he was gracious.
All the gifts were hits in my book! My favorites were Jo Malone Dark Amber and Ginger Lily cologne from my H and a bag of yoga clothes–3 outfits from 3 places–Lululemon, Athletica, and Zella (Nordstrom’s). My Ds went shopping with my H so sizes and styles were all good.
We agreed to wait until Jan. 1 to exchange gifts as an immediate family (long story). Extended family miss … My SIL got me some costume jewelry absolutely not in my taste. Huge and silver with a giant fake jewel on a necklace. But I’m going to a fancy wedding on NYE so I might wear it as it kind of goes with my dress. It’ll be a hoot. In the hit category, our whole family got a coupon to I Fly … Do y’all have those?. Dh is a little worried about his back, but I think it’ll be fun.
Thermapen! My gift to myself and a cooking changing item!
misses: J Crew sent only the pants to D’s PJ set. First time in 31 yrs. that she did not have new one on C eve.
(Crew refunded my money within hrs. of my email–so that was a good thing).
Hits – H ran out and bought me two amazing tape measures when I mentioned a few days before that I wanted them.
He also bought tickets to a jazz performance as I had said I wanted an “event”.
He also gave me the FOOD book that NPR advised on Splendid Table–that was my best as he thought of it and me.
Years ago: I told H (who was a terrible gift giver) that I wanted a gold bracelet that was $119 and had a label that said “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. I told him that as he walked in the door it was on the left in the case.
He bought the one next to it for $139 and was too large for me. Many many stories like this so it is so nice
that he finally a good gift buyer.
“In the hit category, our whole family got a coupon to I Fly … Do y’all have those?. Dh is a little worried about his back, but I think it’ll be fun.”
We gave our kids a session at I Fly for their birthday back in August, but they weren’t together at the time so they didn’t redeem it til Thanksgiving weekend. They had a blast!