Shopping for S23 was easy this year. He’s in CO and wanted a ski pass. Of course, that means he got it in November and I still had to find a little something for under the tree. I ended up getting him an 8 piece set of reconfigurable bungee-type bands for hiking, camping, skiing that look really cool. More expensive than I thought they would be, but I think he can get a lot of use out of them. https://www.modloutdoors.com/products/infinity-tool-modular-straps-2-0?variant=44846257832178
D22 has been impossible to purchase for. I try to even out what I spend on each kid, so I’m coming up about $450 short on her gifts as all she wants is a replacement for her Revlon dryer brush. I couldn’t convince her to upgrade to the Dyson. She says she needs new pillows, but I refuse to buy pillows for someone else and told her to just go to Target and pick out what she likes and purchase them on our credit card (not as a Christmas gift). I hate to give her all GCs, but will probably end up getting them for her lash and nail places.
I had to laugh when Black Friday, the traditional day, was over…by Cyber Monday many places were switching to “last minute gifts” - last minute? I just started!
My kids have lists. I did have a fun morning this morning getting a few surprise gifts Shopping local I hit a used book store and got everyone a $5 “mystery” book (they are wrapped cute in brown paper and yarn and have 3 clues on the front as to what the book might be - they tend to be formerly popular best selling books. The clues on one was “France” “Intrique” “Family Drama” - that kind of thing.
I also stopped at an estate sale and picked up a few things for surprise (and not on a list where I just click and buy) gifts. A beautiful brass and glass decanter for a bar, a Dansk teak oblong serving platter ($9!), a mint condition Pendleton Christmas green blazer ($12!).
Otherwise I shop their lists and get a gift card or two! (Sephora, AIRBNB, Food)
My kids typically get money and then we just do stockings. This year I am buying them each a book and having a recent family picture printed, matted and framed so the stockings will be mostly candy and food treats.
My kids are all over 30 (man, I’ve been hanging out here a long time!). A few years ago I decided all the stress of finding the perfect gifts for everyone was ruining Christmas so I switched to a formula. Kids, their spouses or SOs each get a book, something cozy to wear, and a check. Some years everyone gets the same cozy item (like a sweater). This year I had one daughter ask for a big bundle of bomba’s socks and the other for another pair of those expensive Danish felt slippers. They have no shoes indoors households in Seattle so cozy soft footwear is important. For books I used NPRs list of their favorite new books in 2024. Ordered online from independent bookstores near them.
The Grandbaby is getting a pile of books, clothes and a stool thing for boosting her up to kitchen counter height to play cooking and with the dish water and bubbles. And a big check into her 529 acct.
I’m cutting back this year, I think I always overbuy. I told them I have a budget (but didn’t tell them what it is, just to put the stuff they really want on the top). One still hasn’t given me a list. I’ve been struggling because I decided to hit up target for the 5% off, but it turns out I have a $200 credit limit (I guess I Amazon mostly), they won’t increase my limit until next month, so I’ve been paying off purchases daily, putting items in and out of my cart. One asked for a kindle unlimited subscription, ended up buying her a new kindle with 3 months free subscription because I remembered her kindle is a 10+ hand me down I gave her because it doesn’t hold a charge long.
Our D is getting our financial assistance with some electrical work (updates) she wants to do for her place, and while we don’t celebrate Christmas, that eve we are going to a vegan restaurant that is all about the experience - 5 or 8 courses, all beautifully prepared and presented.
We do one or two books each, a moderate present (bread baking tools for S and GF, a science center membership for D and family), stockings (with socks, candy, food stuff, trinkets) and checks. And a small gift for Grandkids (they are overwhelmed with toys as the only kids in family, so we don’t want to add to the pile–they live in a tiny apartment, and the membership is their big present).
I am giving D some Bose noise cancelling ear buds (if she doesn’t like them I may keep or return to Costco). I sent S and DIL a bunch of munchies as well as a jigsaw puzzle for DIL (she said she likes them and there was one of a place she and S stayed — Big Sur), plus sent her a down vest as they like skiing. S is much harder but got him HI munchies that he likes. Will also likely give all of them checks too, so they can buy what they like (especially in after Christmas sales). I’m still open to buying more for any of them if I find something PERFECT. If not, will stick with what we have so far.
That makes me feel good. We gave our son a cash gift for his birthday…and he used it to get some plumbing work done on his townhouse. It was a great decision. And he also bought some new clothes.
DD and SIL are getting their LLBean slippers and bike shorts, and a small cash gift.
DS is getting some odds and ends that he requested (spices, for example) and a slightly larger cash gift.
Younger S/GF are easy this year. They’re moving into their first apartment next week, so we will be helping fill in what they need when we come up after Xmas. Part of this is also a belated graduation gift for younger S. I promised I’d help pay for as much as I did for older S when he moved into his first place.
We are taking my D and her husband to the Met to see Tosca in January. That is their main gift. We also sent them an LL Bean yule log centerpiece for their table.
Is your daughter the one living near Echo Park Lake? If so, can you DM me the name of the restaurant? I think my family would really enjoy a place like that!
We’ve been scaling down of Holiday gifts now that the kids are older. One son is getting a Fellow pour over electric kettle and the other is getting a large Hex Clad fry pan with lid. My daughter will be getting a gift cert to her local roller rink that she can use towards purchasing new skates. I’m crafty so I’m making things for them too. My daughter’s gift card will be in a zippered cross body purse with an embroidered roller skate on it. And both the boys will also be getting an embroidered dish towel. I also made my daughter a fused glass menorah.
Because of the mix of religions in our family our big family gathering is New Year’s. We rent a large beach house for the week after Christmas and spend the time just hanging out, cooking and playing games. We have an all day party on New Year’s Eve and I make matching PJ’s for my kids, their cousins and all their so’s. This year’s theme is Penguins.
Last night at community theater, I bought D a gift bag with 2 tickets for a production at the theater this season. Planning to give it to D when she arrives in a few days, so she can go to a production. She mentioned wanting to attend so this is a win/win, since we like supporting local theater.
For Hanukkah I’m giving my daughter and her husband glasses etched with the night sky on the night of their wedding viewed from the location of the outdoor venue. From Uncommon Goods