I don’t usually have a defined list, but this year I do! I need a new utensil crock for the kitchen (mine is too small and has been for years, finally thought to get a new one), a pair of Maui Jim’s to replace the ones I lost this summer, a travel size bottle of my favorite perfume, and a new black purse. And books, lots of books! DH and DD will do the shopping together when she is home from school, likely on Christmas Eve morning. More than anything, I look forward to spending time with family.
@oregon101, that would be me! Those formalish flowers remind me of funerals!!!
I have ordered some things from Athleta - the packages are sitting in my D2’s room ready for wrapping. The kids will get me a few little things and they are usually “no fail” gifts. Have never liked receiving gifts - not for my birthday, not for Christmas! It’s a weird quirk, but I own it well. 
The Selfridges sale was disappointing. Only 40% off, and those blasted Europeans shopped all night long while I slept and mopped up the good stuff. Hope some returns will start trickling in.
Trader Joes has a three pack of lotions for I think $10 right now that several people have told me not only look like L’O but are. …
Trader Joe’s is very reasonable. I was at the store today and saw the hand lotion trio for under $10.
Even saw a body butter trio.
http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/2741
I don’t like receiving gifts, but that is because I have to fake being pleased. Example, I tell people I dislike facials/massages, so I have received $500 worth. “I love them, you will too.” Uh, no.
I don’t like perfume, but every year there is at least one bottle. If the store box is given, I just return.
Now, I do have one good friend that sometimes hits it out of the park.
I’d much rather shop with the man in my life so I get something I like.
I wish I enjoyed shopping for gifts or receiving them more. Sigh, it’s probably not going to change. I hate shopping in general but mostly, I want a gift to be something the recipient really wants/enjoys/can use. I have tried to train kids and DIL to give me lists. S1 and S2 do ok, but last minute, which is stressful. DIL wonderful. D…awful…she is the cheapest, least consumerist person I know and we set the bar high in that regard.
I asked for a canvas tote bag and Phillips screwdrivers. Good tools are priceless and people steal my screwdrivers H will get me my favorite socks.
I have turned into my grandma because all I really want is to have my kids here on Christmas Day. Also lucky my parents are relatively young, in good health, and can be here.
I went with H to a little local jewelry store and showed him a few things I liked. They even let us bring the dog inside! Anyway, he picked something out and now I have to remind him to wrap it. It’s funny how he used to be very good at gift giving - thoughtfully looking for things for someone and choosing them - and now he’s clueless. He said, “I have some receipts for you”. Really? You’re going to give me the jewelry store receipt now, before I see the gift?
However, that is just the crumbs because I already got what I REALLY want for Christmas - D1, after months of stress and study and more stress and study and more tears and agony - has passed the NCLEX! Whoooooooo, let the party begin.
Now if only Santa can help get what D2 and D3 need… but I’ll leave that until I find out the news.
@greenwitch …CONGRATS to your daughter!!! What type of nursing job is she looking for? NICU, CCU, ER, etc? I really really wish my daughter would be interested in nursing. So far she is loving biology and has ventured she wants to do “something with biology” but that is really broad. Hopefully she will narrow it down.
She is looking at ER but she’ll be grateful for any official RN job she can get for that first year’s experience.
I was thinking yesterday that I remember taking the NCLEX, but I don’t really remember studying for it or being worried about it. And I am sure that I must have done both.
Congrats to your daughter, @greenwitch.
I know what I want for Xmas-- a different slate of presidential candidates.
I told DH we bought each other the kitchenaid artisan stand mixer now sitting on our counter in the kitchen. He makes bread so he was quite happy with it.
I mentioned up thread that I wanted gift cards for Athleta and Lululemon. I got D’s list today (I requested it) and she wants gift cards for Athleta and Lululemon. Maybe we need to plan a shopping trip together.
I’m also getting all I need: cooperative kids. And I always get Crabtree and Evelyn bubble bath. I don’t even know how it compares with newer, upscale brands, but I like it and my girls have always gotten excited about giving it to me each Christmas.
Best other gift: one year they secretly had a friend photograph them together, then they blew it up and framed it. Best surprise.
I asked my husband for a new wedding ring – I guess we’ll call it an anniversary ring. After 30 years (and I am on my second ring due to resizing), my current ring is too large and uncomfortable. I want to get an eternity style (probably half eternity) ring with some little diamonds channel mounted. He’s so happy that I have actually asked for something! We have a date Friday night to go ring shopping – our first time ring shopping since New Years Eve 1983!
Wow, that’s funny - our 30th will be in June, and a couple of weeks ago I actually lost my wedding ring for about 48 hours (first time ever). I’d taken it off because sometimes my hands swell a bit and it gets tight. Anyway, we have silver and gold bands that we had intended to replace with platinum at our 10-year anniversary. When that came we were a little preoccupied - DS was born 12 days later! And the next 20 years were a whirlwind, as I’m sure most of you know. So when I thought my ring was lost, I suggested that we might want to finally get those platinum bands, and H agreed. But then I found my old one and we stopped talking about it.
So maybe we should do it after all.
@lookingforward Crabtree & Evelyn is having a sale ending today 25% off and free shipping on purchases over $25 code: MERRY25
Ooh, thanks. Sent the link off to one of the girls.
Funny, our 30th anniversary is also in about 6 months. 