@Consolation I’m available for adoption. 
All your homemade items are a true gift of love.
Actually, I love buying Christmas presents for people. I love thinking about what they would like, wrapping, and all that stuff. But usually I don’t have much $$ to buy stuff, so I concentrate on making things instead. It seems to work out well.
@Consolation That is insanely cool. You need a blog.
I usually try to get people things that are really expensive for what they are so they’d be hesitant to get for themselves but which, obviously, I think they’d like.
There’s gifts have included 1) Thermopens 2) tumi travel kits 3) jo Malone shower gel and candles 4) Shhhhower brand shower caps 5) Emily Ley planners. These have all been huge hits with people often saying " I’d never have bought it for myself, but I LOVE it.
I did buy S a very nice toiletry kit that I think was a Tumi but he declined it and said he preferred the less expensive Muji brand, so he wouldn’t feel bad if it were lost or damaged. Getting luxuries that folks wouldn’t otherwise indulge in is very nice.
I’ve been looking at these windshield cover things that you put on when it is expected to snow and then you wisk away and your windshield is free of snow and ice. Last year I used the ‘poor man’s version’ of this with some cardboard cut from boxes. Worked pretty well but the expensive ones have little flaps you tuck in before closing the door so no one can steal them and so they won’t fly off if it gets windy. And they look nicer.
If only they didn’t cost so much!
Twoinanddone,
They sound perfect. Of course, I don’t know how much they are. Could you call a relative and split the cost? Could be fun, sharing with different relatives but everyone ending up with one.
Christmas lists on elfster and draw names. Consumables for adults. I have a weaving project with 3 scarves on the loom and will probably give those away and possibly make some more. I will make my parents something to eat I think. They are demented and clothes last year ended up in the back of the closet.
Don’t get me wrong, I like to shop and I do like buying presents. But I don’t really like receiving presents and honestly the rest of the family doesn’t like receiving presents either.
The nieces and nephews want cash and my sil gives my kids cash. What’s the point? When my son got married this fall that was the first my daughter had seen her aunt and uncle in 2 years. They go on vacation now for the holidays and that’s when D comes to visit. The cousins didn’t come so she won’t see them at all. I haven’t seen my niece since last thanksgiving. And she’s not friendly to any of us. I just hope I don’t offend my sil when I suggest we stop.
The family isn’t big enough to draw names and this Christmas the numbers are pitiful. For Christmas Day, it’s my H and I, my d, my il’s and my mom. That’s it. Dil and s are with her parents and extended family all decided to go someplace warm. I want to go somewhere warm! I think that’s my problem. But then my mom and il’s would be alone.
I know I’m whining.
Some of my favorite Christmas were spent out of the country on a beach. It was wonderful to unplug.
I don’t like receiving gifts, either. At least 5x I’ve received gift certificates for massages or facials, after telling each person that I don’t like them. “But you should try; I love them”. So, 3 years in a row I’ve gotten $100 certificates, usually just sitting in my basket.
Giving is easier. I was traveling with my cousin and her wonderful husband, who needs an wheelchair. She was thanking me for giving her a leather work tote, as she uses it travel. I mentioned she could use a Longchamp. Her birthday was coming up, and she was traveling last weekend and again for t-day. So , I bought 2 long champs and the sales lady at Bloomies sang the praises of an MF Wallace tote/cross body, which has way more pockets and 3 zipper wallets inside. She loved that one. So, b/d and Hannukah done, everyone happy.
DH and I still exchange gifts with each other and our sons.
For everyone else, I do consumables - toffee, vanilla, home-canned jams and pickles. This year I’m dragging DH to Powell’s and finding a book for each.
One brother doesn’t buy gifts for me or my other sibling. The other brother buys gifts for everyone of us plus puts in a $100 gift card for the sibling (or child) and $50 gift card for the spouse. We don’t care that one brother doesn’t buy or make gifts. He isn’t offended to receive them.
Deb, you’re not whining - this is the story of my life, not liking to get gifts. It has always felt awkward for me. Just let me buy what I want when I want/need it! I cannot “act” excited for a gift that I don’t really want - and then that makes me feel bad. Ugh, gift getting it HARD for me!
My family knows that I’m really happier without gifts for my birthday - let’s go out to dinner or something and call it a day! At Christmas the kids will get me some small items - an ornament for the tree, a simple pair of earrings, new running gloves. Otherwise - I shop Athleta online, have the items shipped and hand them over to my daughter to wrap - and then I’m perfectly happy to get that at Christmas! - or nothing!
And YES, so silly when we care giving gift cards or cash that just cancels out when you gift back - “thanks for the $40 gift card - here’s one for you!” - seems so silly! Or even more awkward when you give someone a $40 gift card and then give you $50!
I’ve been giving my parents books for Christmas for decades. Now it is only my mother, but she looks forward to them eagerly. I will also make her a couple pound of dried apricots dipped in dark chocolate, which is something she loves.
I am a big giver of books. Finding just the right one(s) for each person is so satisfying. Of course, A) I am only buying them for 3 or 4 people, and B) All of them are major bookworms, and C) I know them and their tastes very, very well.
What to do for S’s GF is another matter. Last year, they had just moved in together and I knew she wanted a hand mixer, so when we went for Thanksgiving I brought then a hand mixer, a stick blender, and a large white platter, as well as my second nutmeg grater and some nutmegs. 
I also bought some toys for her cat. This year they will be getting the box of preserves, but I’d like to get something else…
@missbwith2boys , our gift-giving habits are frighteningly similar, LOL.
You are not alone! Count me in as one who does not like to recieve gifts! And yes, gift giving is HARD!
I think it is worthwhile working on being a better gift recipient. People are giving you gifts because they care about you, specially your kids, so why not make it easy for them? You can be pragmatic about it and send them a list of ideas, including links (yes, you could just buy it yourself but that’s not the point ). There must be something you want - a new restaurant you’d love to try, specific books, some new workout clothes, a kitchen gadget, a certain bottle of wine or fancy olive oil or balsamic vinegar. I think it is important to learn to give and receive. I haven’t been a good recipient in the past myself but have worked on changing because I’ve wanted my kids to be good givers so its part of the package in teaching that mindset.
We don’t exchange many wrapped gifts, but DH got a box of glass ornaments for my nephew.
Give everyone fruitcake until they agree to stop the gift exchanges.
I love fruitcake.