I got my H’s car detailed for his present this year. He loves it. He will have a puzzle to open Christmas Day that that’s it.
S and fiancé I got oven mitts that have Michigan screen printed on them. One is the lower peninsula and the other is the upper. I’m strangely so excited about this gift. They also got a food saver (they asked) and a gift card to lowes. They just bought a house.
D, the picky one got a gray scuba from lululemon (with the gift receipt) a blanket scarf and a hat she bookmarked for me from Amazon. That’s it! I’m over trying to find stuff for her.
The nieces are getting Kendra Scott items to match the necklaces I got them last year and were a big hit. Preppy nephew in high school is getting a vineyard vines T shirt.
My mom gets a shirt from chicos and money, she gets this every year. Mil a shirt from talbots, Pandora earrings and a robe. Those are pretty standard for her. Fil a new shirt and slippers. They get pretty much the same things every year.
I don’t have everything figured out yet, but here’s what I have so far…
Amazon Firestick for my folks who always have trouble with remotes
Towel sets with names embroidered for nieces/nephew
Toolbox (stocked!) for sister (who asked for one)
Newer phone for DS to replace current ancient one (he does such a great job of taking care of his!)
Lots of house stuff for DD who's moving into a new place
Homemade limoncello and vanilla for friends & family
Am trying to figure out a craft for my almost 5-y.o. twin nieces to do with me one afternoon. I love to give my brother a few hours of peace & quiet on a regular basis!
Adults in my circle agreed to no gifts to each other. So I got gifts for my D, nieces and nephews. So kids Harry potter memorabilia, fo rmy D nail care kit, a watch and vegetarian cookbooks. I’ll add some cash, too.
My parents- sent a live tabletop Christmas tree from LL Bean.
S- money to travel, stocking stuffers
D-money for her GMAT fee, stocking stuffers.
SIL- money for a new passport, stocking stuffers.
Teen nieces - money or gift cards.
We still give quite a bit to our kids. And now adding in a daughter in law. Highlights include:
D1 - a Fossil purse, a mid century plant stand I refinished w/a ceramic pot, Snapfish calendar w/photos of our dog.
S - an Everton soccer jersey, JCrew sweaters, framed local photos from a photographer he loves.
D2 - Patagonia 1/4 zip, Sporto snow boots, Madewell gift cards.
DIL - Birchbox subscription, Athleta exercise top/tights.
H - we don’t exchange much, but some casual tops since he is newly retired.
Pup - a new donut toy, an Eddie Bauer bright red down/fleece coat.
DS- hiring a cleaning person to do a good thorough cleaning of his place (his request). And a gift certificat for 1 years worth of car washes. House slippers
DD- new EMS rain shell (her request as her current one finallynself destructed!). Running tights. House slippers.
DH is going to get coal in his stocking because he has NOT produced a letter to Santa. And this Santa doesn’t shop the day before Christmas like he does!
S2 - either $ to put toward the xbox one he wants to buy, or a Stubhub gift card so he can go to Wizards games
S1 & DIL - either a large couple gift (they’re still coming up with ideas), or separate gifts
S1- new Red Sox cap(his is literally coming apart at the seams), movie theater gift card, and whatever else I come up with
DIL - artisan cheese basket, Amazon gift card so she can get e-books, and whatever else I come up with
We still give 8 gifts for Hanukah too. I tend to buy practical things, many that my D’s need and either can’t afford or can’t justify the expense.
One D is getting lasik so not much else for her. I picked up an inexpensive pair of pajamas and a pair of converse she requested.
The other 2 D’s gifts include Victoria Secret bras, jeans (requested), and pajamas.
One will also receive some $$ for her spring study abroad program and a leef because her phone is always filled to capacity. She also requested a particular jacket.
The other just moved and her room can accommodate a small TV (requested). I got a good deal on black Friday and also bought the mount she’ll need (not requested; I’m sure it hasn’t occurred to her). This D is launched and has requested copies of some family recipes and two of the special pans needed to make the recipes so I still need to go on Amazon and order a spring form pan and a bundt pan. I really had enough gifts for her but came across a well reviewed iPad keyboard for $20 that I know she’ll appreciate. It required a signature so I had to send it to her work. Apparently it came in a really big box and her coworkers are all trying to convince her to open it! It’s become quite the topic of conversation, apparently. But, D knows to wait until the designated night of Hanukah
DH wanted a replacement for his first generation iPad so I was able to get a good deal on Black Friday. Also got him a case and then a raincoat that he really needs. We exchange 2-3 gifts. Definitely don’t need 8! Often we exchange experiences rather than tangible gifts.
For H - since our kitchen is non-existent and our future kitchen in in boxes, there is no room for a tree, which we get because H was raised with one, even though we are a Jewish family, so this year son #3 suggested donating a tree to the troops in his name. Late FIL was a veteran so this will mean a lot to H. I also paid out of pocket almost $500 for him to have a special ice machine for his knees after the replacement surgery as the machine is not covered by insurance.
Oldest son - several pairs of wool socks, new winter boots and $ towards a second USPS jacket as his uniform allowance isn’t really large enough to cover all the things he needs.
D - wine glasses and some bottles of wine for her and her new bf, who are living together and just starting to entertain as a couple. I also gave her sheet sets, a shower curtain and “hipster” mugs.
Sons 2 and 3 - spending money for a short trip to Canada they are planning, plus I am paying for the younger one’s passport, as I have for the older kids.
Youngest son (S17) - $ so he can hang out with his friends.
For me - a ticket to a matinee of Fiddler on the Roof, one of my favorites. I really hate going to the theater or the movies alone but nobody else wanted to go and I have days off I have to use this month or they will be forfeited.
MIL - a poinsettia plant. She is 92 and doesn’t really want or need anything but she does love those plants.
Usually, I am more generous but this has been a bad year. H was laid up because of his knees and since he’s self-employed, there is very little income coming in.
DH - a practice chanter and beginner book to learn the bagpipes (his request, after our trip to Scotland - at least he has a separate workshop, some distance from the house, where he can make all the noise he wants!), and a new Romertopf to replace the one that broke earlier this year- found a brand new one at a thrift shop a couple of months ago, and he’s totally not expecting it.
DS - cash to get some kitchen gear for his new apt, a Steam gift card, a requested tee shirt, and a few little things (posters and books) from Redbubble, plus stocking stuffers
Local (youngest) Niece - Sherlock Holmes game we got her at 21b Baker St., and a super-soft throw
Sis - over-ear wireless headphones and a silicone baking pan
Niece’s fiance - nothing if he doesn’t hurry up and get me his list!
Other nieces and nephews - copy of a blog post about “your life in weeks” and matching poster for life planning, with markers to fill it in. Just seemed like a nice thought, to help them get a little perspective on their lives.
Just have a few friends to shop for, and I’m done.
The Romertopf new at the thrift shop was a great find! Those are cool cooking tools and make great dishes. I haven’t made anything in one for awhile. We have 2 or 3 of them and they make such moist meats.
Mr R- A gaming chair and a nice water bottle that I haven’t decided on yet… On holidays make donations in each other’s names (we started this tradition because neither of us ever know what we want come holidays) and this year I gave to the KIND fund which helps children in Malawi obtain desks and gives girls scholarships to complete their education. http://www.msnbc.com/kind-fund
Roommate- A gift certificate to a game that we both love to play but that he can’t bring himself to spend money on. There is something he really wants to buy and my gift card will happen to be in exactly that amount.
Mom- Mattress topper, massage, robe. We have a mattress topper on our bed and the last time my mom was here she took a nap on my bed and said it was the best sleep she’s had in months. So I’m getting her the same topper… hope that’s the magic bullet!
ETA: My arthritis/pain has been really attacking my hips and I could not get comfortable on my sleep number bed no matter what setting I had it at. This was the perfect addition.
Thankfully I don’t have to buy for many besides the kids anymore…it used to be such drudgery. Kids haven’t even told me yet what they want. The only gift I’ve purchased is for my MIL. A top, earrings to match and a subscription to CLoser magazine. I love that magazine.
DS – clothes he wants and a new wallet - old one got stolen
DD – facial; cash
Fiance - new button down shirts, a tie (boring, I know), a thing for his bike
Fiance and his daughters – tickets to see School of Rock – just the 3 of them
brother – Wusthof 6" chef’s knife (he cooks a lot)
other brother – Le Creuset top of the stove grill pan
