s/o Christmas ... what are you giving this year?

An oilcloth coat for son. The type a cowboy wears. Only the short version, not a duster.

I got a small carryall for husband. Big enough to hold pencils , screws, and other small stuff that gets lost in a big bag.

We are going to Europe next summer so the Christmas gifts with be small. When we take more expensive trips, we downsize our Christmas and birthday gifts that year. We would rather do stuff than buy stuff.

I might buy family tickets to a theatre performance. I'll assess if they need anything for the trip like a new travel bag. Other than that, I'll stuff their stockings

Soninlaws and DH are getting Bug A Salt bug zappers. It uses table salt and is the surprise gift this year. My brother in law was at a church BBQ this summer and one of the men brought his - everybody ordered one that week. The Youtube videos are good.


www.cabelas.com/product/BUG-A-SALT/1998157.uts?productVariantId=4181415&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=45-90457838-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04169901&rid=20

I had a thread on my love of these a while ago, but lots of the people on my list will be getting Yeti tumblers. Depending on the person, some may have a gift card inside them as well. Those will take care of a lot of the non-family gifts for me.

I'm also hoping for a more low-key Christmas, at least as far as gift giving goes. I have, though, picked up two things so far---a Stella & Dot necklace for my sister, and the Urban Decay Naked Basics eye palette for my 13 y/o. I'm taking our youngest to NYC in December as a 10th birthday gift, so I'll be closely watching what I spend this Christmas.

We don't exchange Christmas gifts with very many members of our extended family, but when I'm stumped for ideas I like to go with foodie gifts. Nice oils and vinegars, a specialty food item, etc.

Niece is getting ticket to Matilda on Broadway, that's the only big one. Plus some knitted mukluks.

S. Dad and cousin are getting cashmere scarves, Mom a pretty knitted poncho, bff an alpaca scarf in purple, and that's it so far.

I'm heading to the big Yankee Candle store up in MA next month, so I will be getting a bunch of the rest there.

Dad and S. Mom will get some sort of food thing sent to them. Last year it was breakfast selections from Wolferman's, which they loved.

I guess I don't like my husband well enough because I don't buy his family the gifts. He also didn't have to buy my family gifts either. I like the idea of getting someone an experience. I know we have zip lining around here that people love. There is also theater or special buys on Groupon or Living Social. I know my husband also used to get his mom lawn services and got her gutters cleaned. (yeah, I give him a list for my gifts).

So far my favorite gift I have purchased is a "Wooden Spoon Survivor" t-shirt off Amazon.  It is for my son (a most unfortunate incident in 2008).

I bought my in-laws a sofa.
Couples gifts on LH's side, pamper baskets (luxurious towels, pumice stones, party lite candles, homemade bath bombs in a storage basket.) ×4
Zombie/Walking Dead theme for my 13yo (4 t-shirts and seasons 1-4 of the Walking Dead. )
Basketball gear for my 8yo. (Hoop, shoes, shorts, tanks, pants, ball)
Taco night basket for my brother and his girlfriend (homemade taco seasoning,queso,salsa and enchilada sauce. tortillas,chips, and a gift card to a local Mexican restaurant.
Star Wars theme for my 4yo nephew. I went with TMNT for his birthday.

Still not sure about my dad, two nephews, and niece. I have some ideas. I have other ideas for my daughters too. I'll have to get creative with my 16yo.

My MIL loves pepper jelly so I bought her three jars from the local farmers market. I also plan going to a little local tea and spice shop to get her some tea. She is also getting a scrapbook. I know she will love all of these gifts. I may make her a calendar to.

My FIL is getting a bottle of good whiskey that he likes and a bottle of wine from a local winery. He is also getting a cute box with photos of DS from this year.

Hubby and son are starting a model train so I plan to buy a few things for that.

No idea what anyone else is getting. I know two will get gift cards and one may get crafting supplies if she creates a list. I prefer giving gifts vs gift cards.

For the most part I think this may be the easiest year and have most things purchased which is a first. Best part most of the handmade gifts are complete or nearly complete.

I decided that life is too short and unpredictable. (it has been for me lately ) and if I came upon a gift I thought someone would like I bought and gave it.

Rocking chair
peanut butter of the month club
lighthouse
If I saw it and had a loved one who would like it I just got it and sent it or gave it.

They will get something small and a card at christmas.

It may not last forever but this was my year to live in the moment.

I agree with you, it really does seem to be just a gift card exchange these days. 

BUT..... One of my favorite gifts to receive is a gift card to my favorite restaurant that DSO and I can both enjoy. So I don't actually mind receiving them, I just don't really like giving them.

Every year when we ask for suggestions of what to give my dad, he tells us fertiliser for his garden. My brother and I used to say "I'm not getting you POO for Christmas!" But now we just go get him a big ole bag of poo or blood and bone. Keeps him happy. 

I know that a lot of people think it's too impersonal, but really - giftcards (cash for DD). That's what they would all prefer, so that's what they're getting. I have also picked up DD and DS a couple of other smaller gifts (clothes)

I pulled the trigger since dh's sisters wouldn't and suggested that we not do gifts this year for the adults or the kids. I am so tired of putting in tons of effort and money into gifts and there being very little appreciation and gifts with very little thought from others. So I'm sure we will have to come up with something for dh's parents even though they are going to go spend christmas with dh's sisters. My parents, my sister and her dh, dh, and my kids (dd and ds). Dd is 4.5 and I got her the 3/4 size Janome sewing machine. She loves that I sew her stuff and has been showing a lot of interest and my machines are too big for her. Dh is in charge of getting her and her brother (2.5) bikes, they have been asking for over a year and he is being picky about what he wants to get them so I said he has to deal with it. Ds is getting some Lightening McQueen stuff and we are thinking about starting him with a nice model train set. He loves trains and it would be fun to have something that we can add to every year. My parents I am thinking about tickets or an event. For my sister and her dh I haven't decided, but probably something involving our kids - since they adore them. Now dh, not a clue. I got him a PS4 for his birthday and now I have no ideas for Christmas!