Buying x-mas presents... ahhhhhhh!!!!

sallywilson06

I love the holidays, I love buying my niece a big Christmas present and seeing her face as she opens it with surprise, I love spending time with family and friends and seeing all of the pretty trees and decorations.

The one thing I HATE is going Christmas present shopping. I go into the store with my x-mas account savings for the year and all I want to do is buy that new car stereo I have been eying up for 6 months or buy some much needed clothes...

It's really difficult buying the perfect gift for someone else too. What if they don't like it? What if it offends them.. (last year my sister cried on Christmas day because she gained a lot of weight and my mom bought her a night gown that looked like a moo moo because that's all they have for people in her size) .

Does anyone have any good ideas on Christmas presents this year?

dls06

Love the thought of Christmas. Hate the reality of it.

ackeebee

I am not that much into buying xmas presents, except for kids who I know will appreciate anything lol. This year i am only looking forward to buying gift for god daughter who will turn one in January. Other than that, anyone else I decide to give anything will be getting a voucher or cash so they can get whatever they want. I find this less stressful and you dont have to worry about causing offence of buying an unwanted gift.

sallywilson06

I am not that much into buying xmas presents, except for kids who I know will appreciate anything lol. This year i am only looking forward to buying gift for god daughter who will turn one in January. Other than that, anyone else I decide to give anything will be getting a voucher or cash so they can get whatever they want. I find this less stressful and you dont have to worry about causing offence of buying an unwanted gift.

It's definitely hard to please everyone. My mother is the worst person in the world to buy for. When she opens your gift she literally judges it and snubs it immediately right in front of you. Ya just can't win with her.. This is a stressful holiday!

woou

Other than that, anyone else I decide to give anything will be getting a voucher or cash so they can get whatever they want.

Yeah. My aunt and mom loved this on Mother's Day. Bought them GCs to their fav. store. Too bad I'm kind of broke this year (damn you, tuition!). I think the family would be insulted, if I handed out $20 GCs. :frown:

KimmieBrie

I love buying Christmas presents... I did have trouble buying for our Jesse tree kids - that's because we don't have any kids yet and no clue what 6 yr old girls are into this year... anyway - bought a couple of barbies in case someone else forgot their gift.

I hate how many get so materialistic at Christmas. Everyone should be happy for any gift they receive and even happier to have people in their lives who care enough to get them something - anything.

It's not happened to me but I think if anyone complained/snubbed a gift from me - the next year they'd get a nice card saying I spent the $ that normally would go to their gift on charity - I'm sure they understand. F - em, Let them complain about that.

Classalete

I avoid things that are individual specific, such as clothes, shoes, or accessories...I mean everyone has a certain style, taste, and fit...and I'm not going to try and guess that.

I stick with the things that are universal...electronics, appliances, gift cards, personal items.

For example...I got 32' TV's for my mom and dad. I also got my mom this perfume set she wanted...mostly because shes my mom and she deserves it, a man should always do more for his mom.

I got my sister this crazy kitchen aid thing that does just about everything from mixing to pasta making. She just remodeled her kitchen and it was fancy and expensive so I'm sure she'll like it.

My nephews and nieces got a bunch of toys and video games. I bought the oldest one a PS3 because I hate the way he always gets overlooked...The baby of the family gets everything. >;/

Most of my friends got $50 gas cards because they're broke and always complain about gas.

hbart500

ask the family if they want to do a secret santa for the adults and buy all the kids gifts. With the secret santa it could be silly gifts or have them list off 3-5 items in a price range and then you know they will like it.

hbart500

For example...I got 32' TV's for my mom and dad. I also got my mom this perfume set she wanted...mostly because shes my mom and she deserves it, a man should always do more for his mom.

^^^^ Probably the best thing to hear

AwesomelyAmber

I tend to buy what we can afford... and in addition to that I do little things that add up.
This year I am making jewelry and have made some really great pieces with certain friends/family members in mind.
We make Christmas candy and since my mother and I are both dieting, we will give it ALL away with or for presents---It's all about the packaging!
My son is awesome, he is all about giving his own presents to his loved ones...so we let him. Since he was born (8 years ago) we have done homemade presents for his aunts, uncles and grandparents...handprint potholders (his baby hand embroidered in his big brothers hand on the holder), plaster ornaments, scarves and blankets made from fleece, etc. He also is 'required' to either take some of his money and buy an angel tree gift, or put a few coins in each and every Salvation Army box at the store's enterance as we go in.
Christmas is soooo much more than just WHAT you get or give. Even tho you gotta buy for people, it's just the way it is... so buy less, give more! ~Merry Merry Christmas to you!

AwesomelyAmber

It's definitely hard to please everyone. My mother is the worst person in the world to buy for. When she opens your gift she literally judges it and snubs it immediately right in front of you. Ya just can't win with her.. This is a stressful holiday!
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OMG has YOUR mother met MY FATHER IN LAW??? hahahaha
"Why did you buy blue? I didn't ask for blue!", or "What did you do this for? You don't have any money, I do, I could have bought it myself!"...just a couple of the gems from last years Christmas in regards to his presents. My husband says his dad gets nothing this year... guess it's up to me!

ackeebee

lol, you guys are funny..

to be honest though, i would rather someone be straight with me and let me know they dont like what i bought instead of pretending they do. this is the reason i stick to vouchers or cash.

sallywilson06

I think I am going to buy for my niece and say to heck with adults.. I cook the family dinner every year and clean and decorate the entire house for them to destroy it within hours!

AwesomelyAmber

lol, you guys are funny..

to be honest though, i would rather someone be straight with me and let me know they dont like what i bought instead of pretending they do. this is the reason i stick to vouchers or cash.

I tend to laugh about how my FIL reacts instead of getting angered by it. He's kind of a Frank Barone... looks like him, acts like him etc. But I don't know... seems there is a distinct difference between being honest and being rude. But I would be crazy if I expected even a day like CHRISTMAS to change him :laugh: