Lets share holiday/Christmas gift giving ideas!!!

[chelsea3]

I always have a hard time thinking of gifts to give others for the holidays. Why don''t we post gift ideas that we have given in the past that were a big hit or new gifts ideas that we are planning to purchase this year (gifts for kids, adults, co-workers. . . male or female. . . gifts that are big, small, practical, extravagant, cheap, expensive).

I''ll start. Last year, due to the bad economy, the adults in my extended family decided that we were going to give each other inexpensive thoughtful and/or practical gifts. I gave everyone one of those small special scissor like cutters that are specially designed to cut open the strong sealed plastic packages (clamshell packaging?) that are almost impossible to open without harming yourself. This gift is practical and kinda boring, but everyone loved it. I have one and my kids and I use it all the time. It is also a great gift for the elderly. I purchased the cutters at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I''m sure that many retail stores sell them. The orange scissor like cutter is called "Open it Package Opener" and costs $9.99. I tried to post a pic but couldn''t figure out how to transfer the picture.

Please share your ideas

!!!

 

[packrat]

Hey, I think my mom just got that scissor thing-she likes it! One thing I can recommend is this peeler mom gave us. It''s called..the Titan I think. I just finally used it on potatoes the other day and I tell you what, that is *the* slickest peeler I''ve ever used! I cannot stand peeling potatoes or carrots and boy, it''s not one of those dumb ones that doesn''t peel half the time. Thumbs up for the Titan peeler! I think it julienne''s stuff too.

I was just thinking of something for my parents a few minutes ago. I think I''m going to get a scrapbook, and put the kids'' pictures in it and add some of London''s artwork from preschool. We can''t afford to get all fancy with it, but I think it can still look cute. I can add to it until it''s full and then start another one. I did a really small one of London for mom when I was pregnant with Trapper and mom shows it off to everyone, (ha, I look at it all the time when I''m out at their house-I''m quite proud of it!) so I know it''s something she''d like.

My MIL is in a nursing home, and I''ve been thinking of doing a book of her old pictures. She lost most of what she had in a fire, so she really treasures the ones that were saved.

 

[chelsea3]

Packrat: My peeler is about 10 years old . . . I''m definitely going to get a "Titan" peeler for myself! I love the idea about the scrapbooks. My parents are in their 70''s and all they ever ask for are pictures, pictures, pictures of their grandkids. Speaking of pictures, another great gift idea is a digital picture frame. With some of the digital frames, you can even add more memory and more pictures as time goes by! Thanks for sharing!

 

[packrat]

ITA on the digital picture frame! I got one for Christmas last year and I turn it on as soon as I come out to the kitchen. We thought that would also be a good idea for MIL being in the NH and all. We could load it up w/pics and I think she''d enjoy the heck out of it.

And DO get a Titan!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Since I am already mostly done with my shopping I can contribute some good ideas...

For the women in my family, I give them all Coach handbags. I wait until I get a discount card from the outlet and then I go! I think I picked up 6 or 7 items this year for under $500!! I had a 25% coupon, combined with the already-discounted prices, it was amazing how much I got and how little I spent. It''s one of those places where you can literally find something for every woman on your list. AND they are nice "somethings"...I think the cheapest bag I swooped up came to a total of $50.00!! You can easily get wristlets, keychains, and even the bigger bags for a fraction of what you''d spend at the "Coach Store". And the nicest thing of all, is that the coupon discount is actually taken from your total...so it''s not just 25% off one bag.

For the men I bought Blu-Ray players. Pricey, I know. But I found the model I wanted and stalked the prices for a good while. I ended up getting nearly $100.00 retail price per unit which made them affordable. I have sat on them for months now. Thats a key for these types of gifts for me....Black Friday only gives you a limited model and limited quantity...buying early for a reduced price means you get what you want at a reasonable price.

I also suppliment a lot of gifts with artsy things. I lean on Etsy a lot for interesting gifts. I have neice who collect coke bottles...I found a melted down coke bottle that was turned into a spoon rest on Etsy with two adorable little chili pepper beads. For $5.00 I finished her off and I''m really excited about that find because it wasn''t about "budget" but rather "cool factor". That is my favorite type of gift to give! Likewise for "filler" gifts, I go to craft shows and I found really beautiful serving spoons with dip mixes attached to them. That''s my fall back for people that are on tier 2.

Last Feb I found a bridal site offering their customized bags for $5.00 each. I ordered every woman one with her name...I am stocking them with travel size product and it is immediately ready for use, and totally for them--their favorite scent and it''s totally all about them.

Over all, I start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. I have a huge list of 55 people that all deserve something special for just them and I take seriously.

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/12/2009 10:52:18 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Since I am already mostly done with my shopping I can contribute some good ideas...

For the women in my family, I give them all Coach handbags. I wait until I get a discount card from the outlet and then I go! I think I picked up 6 or 7 items this year for under $500!! I had a 25% coupon, combined with the already-discounted prices, it was amazing how much I got and how little I spent. It's one of those places where you can literally find something for every woman on your list. AND they are nice 'somethings'...I think the cheapest bag I swooped up came to a total of $50.00!! You can easily get wristlets, keychains, and even the bigger bags for a fraction of what you'd spend at the 'Coach Store'. And the nicest thing of all, is that the coupon discount is actually taken from your total...so it's not just 25% off one bag.

For the men I bought Blu-Ray players. Pricey, I know. But I found the model I wanted and stalked the prices for a good while. I ended up getting nearly $100.00 retail price per unit which made them affordable. I have sat on them for months now. Thats a key for these types of gifts for me....Black Friday only gives you a limited model and limited quantity...buying early for a reduced price means you get what you want at a reasonable price.

I also suppliment a lot of gifts with artsy things. I lean on Etsy a lot for interesting gifts. I have neice who collect coke bottles...I found a melted down coke bottle that was turned into a spoon rest on Etsy with two adorable little chili pepper beads. For $5.00 I finished her off and I'm really excited about that find because it wasn't about 'budget' but rather 'cool factor'. That is my favorite type of gift to give! Likewise for 'filler' gifts, I go to craft shows and I found really beautiful serving spoons with dip mixes attached to them. That's my fall back for people that are on tier 2.

Last Feb I found a bridal site offering their customized bags for $5.00 each. I ordered every woman one with her name...I am stocking them with travel size product and it is immediately ready for use, and totally for them--their favorite scent and it's totally all about them.

Over all, I start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. I have a huge list of 55 people that all deserve something special for just them and I take seriously.

how do you get a discount card from the outlet? the only time I ever got a coupon from Coach 25% off was after I bought a bag... and I never used it

Anyhow..

well I am buying mostly the ladies pearl strands this year. Every year, I try to do a theme as we have over 25 people to buy for (this is family... BIL, SIL, nieces, nephew, Parents, step parents, sis, brother....etc)

we did photo frames or digital frames last year, So this year, its probably lame, gift cards, and simple jewelry pendant or earrings for the ladies. I have a harder time for the guys

I also keep to a budget especially if we buy for all 25 people, but if we draw names, then our budget increases. I still get all the kids something regardless.

Men---- What do you all want????

I need help, ideas?

Thanks for starting this, I was just thinking about this too.

 

[Haven]

Holy cow. You guys have a lot of people on your holiday lists!

The only adults we buy gifts for are our parents and a few very close friends. We 86ed adult gift exchanges a couple years ago because it was getting ridiculous with DH's family, and it was obvious that nobody really wanted to do it anyway. (DH always ended up with a handful of sweaters that were clearly not chosen with him in mind, that sort of thing.)

My favorite gifts are always about comfort during our long Chicago winters--luscious wool socks that I would never splurge on for myself, a really good hot cocoa mix and a pretty hand-thrown mug, a unique handmade scarf, those sorts of things.
I also love experience or membership gifts. My mom renews my Botanic Garden membership every year for my birthday, we're paying for dog training courses for her pups this year for the holidays, and we're going to go to the training with her and the pups. Those sorts of things.

We always give the kids in our family a few really good books each, which I spend a lot of time picking out for each child. I can't bring myself to buy them plastic toys, I just can't. I also like to get the kids together to make some sort of gift for their parents, and then gifts for a swap with each other. We're going to make peppermint soaps this year, and stuffed animals made out of felted wool. Last year was our first year in a house, so we had a big sleepover with our nieces and nephews and little cousins, went to the movies, did the holiday crafts, it was a ton of fun.

We're pretty simple, I prefer gifts that speak to an experience (reading, cozying up on a cold morning) over anything else.

DH and I don't exchange gifts at all. We write each other long handwritten notes, I can't think of a better gift than that.

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/12/2009 11:41:11 PM
Author: Haven
Holy cow. You guys have a lot of people on your holiday lists!

The only adults we buy gifts for are our parents and a few very close friends. We 86ed adult gift exchanges a couple years ago because it was getting ridiculous with DH''s family, and it was obvious that nobody really wanted to do it anyway. (DH always ended up with a handful of sweaters that were clearly not chosen with him in mind, that sort of thing.)

My favorite gifts are always about comfort during our long Chicago winters--luscious wool socks that I would never splurge on for myself, a really good hot cocoa mix and a pretty hand-thrown mug, a unique handmade scarf, those sorts of things.
I also love experience or membership gifts. My mom renews my Botanic Garden membership every year for my birthday, we''re paying for dog training courses for her pups this year for the holidays, and we''re going to go to the training with her and the pups. Those sorts of things.

We always give the kids in our family a few really good books each, which I spend a lot of time picking out for each child. I can''t bring myself to buy them plastic toys, I just can''t. I also like to get the kids together to make some sort of gift for their parents, and then gifts for a swap with each other. We''re going to make peppermint soaps this year, and stuffed animals made out of felted wool. Last year was our first year in a house, so we had a big sleepover with our nieces and nephews and little cousins, went to the movies, did the holiday crafts, it was a ton of fun.

We''re pretty simple, I prefer gifts that speak to an experience (reading, cozying up on a cold morning) over anything else.

DH and I don''t exchange gifts at all. We write each other long handwritten notes, I can''t think of a better gift than that.

awww that is sooo sweet! great ideas everyone.

DH and I exchange gifts...well we buy one thing for ourselves and then we buy each other something too. we tend to go over board during the holidays with gifts, since we don''t really splurge during the year. its only a once a year thing for us...with the exception of some jewelry shopping for me, but I forgo clothing and purses and shoes this year.

 

[Kaleigh]

A long time ago, it was revealed that all I wanted for Christmas was for Ash to get into Penn. That was revealed in a thread I titlled SHE GOT IN. Brightspot said in that thread, that's all I wanted for Chirstmas, and she was spot on...


Now that Ash is graduating early.... She's got a second interview with a great real estate investment firm this Friday.
And the job would be here!!!

She had a great intenrship this past winter with another Real estate investment firm and then this summer was the right hand of a real estate developer who has many exciting projects in the works in Philly.... She learned so much from him, he was a great mentor to her.

So my wish, is that she floors them on Friday. She'll be there all day.

So am wishing she geys this job!!! Christmas can come early no??

To answer the question, my kids want cash.. I hate it but that's what they want.

Bah Humbug! LOL!!!

 

[exoticisabella]

I''ve always been an insane gift basket kind of gal. DH and I are both young and both have had to take a large amount of furloughs (thank god no pay cuts! *knock on wood*) and so we don''t have much extra moola right now. The plan this year is once again gift baskets, but instead of all store bought goodies I was going to include things such as homemade pomander balls, handmade artsy jewelry (his whole family and I are in love with the "artsy" pearl bead type jewelry) homemade mexican cocoa mix, favorite movies, stuffed christmas animals (the proceeds go to Light the Night), his uncle did photos and we''re putting those into nice frames, and then we''re going to try to get everybody together to go on sleigh rides at a local ski resort.

I''d love to hear of your homemade ideas too!

Happy Holidays!

 

[tiffanytwisted]

Date: 10/13/2009 10:07:06 AM
Author: exoticisabella
I''ve always been an insane gift basket kind of gal. DH and I are both young and both have had to take a large amount of furloughs (thank god no pay cuts! *knock on wood*) and so we don''t have much extra moola right now. The plan this year is once again gift baskets, but instead of all store bought goodies I was going to include things such as homemade pomander balls, handmade artsy jewelry (his whole family and I are in love with the ''artsy'' pearl bead type jewelry) homemade mexican cocoa mix, favorite movies, stuffed christmas animals (the proceeds go to Light the Night), his uncle did photos and we''re putting those into nice frames, and then we''re going to try to get everybody together to go on sleigh rides at a local ski resort.

I''d love to hear of your homemade ideas too!

Happy Holidays!

Homemade apple butter is a great homemade gift idea. In a pretty jar with a nice bow wrapped around it!

 

[Erin]

Mundane items in high quality:

Socks
Towels
Gloves
Belts
Knives
Pajamas
Throw Blanket

 

[dragonfly411]

I recently got a small sized crock pot that Target has been doing sales on, and love it! I''m giving a few of those this year, they are less expensive and oh so useful. You can make meals for two, or appetizers or dips in them!!

 

[DianaBanana]

I thought I''d share what our family has been doing for the last few years - it''s saved us money and really brought back the fun into Christmas...and Christmas shopping.

My daughters (12 and 1 each get 3 gifts - a want, a need and a surprise. It''s really made them think about the difference between a need and a want. I enjoy shopping so much more now and they are no longer hovering around the tree to make sure one doesn''t have more gifts than the other!

 

[packrat]

Date: 10/13/2009 1:11:38 PM
Author: DianaBanana
I thought I''d share what our family has been doing for the last few years - it''s saved us money and really brought back the fun into Christmas...and Christmas shopping.


My daughters (12 and 1 each get 3 gifts - a want, a need and a surprise. It''s really made them think about the difference between a need and a want. I enjoy shopping so much more now and they are no longer hovering around the tree to make sure one doesn''t have more gifts than the other!

That''s a really nice idea Diana!

I''ve been tossing the idea around of having each of the kids send a care package of some sort to the soldiers overseas for Christmas and also for their birthdays, so it''s not always about *them* getting gifts but giving in return. London''s old enough now that I think she''d understand what/why she''s doing it. I''m hesitant b/c I don''t know how to go about finding a great organization to go thru.

 

[Bliss]

Hahahaha! Don''t tell DH, but I would be happy with a Snuggie. I find them HILARIOUS and I''m always cold. I can''t think of anything I really want this year. I wish we could give health as gifts! That''s all I want for my family and friends.

Gold Violin has great gifts for older parents. The pearl forum here gave me great ideas for gifts this year. I am also happy about finding Etsy for one of a kind items and personalized items for friends and family. PS has really helped me a lot this year!

 

[packrat]

I forgot to add that one of my coworkers a couple years ago got photo albums, the kind that have 2 slots for horizontal pictures on each page, and then she typed up a ton of her recipes and printed them on recipe cards. She only made a few, but she gave one to me and we''ve used the heck out of it.

 

[Haven]

Date: 10/13/2009 1:11:38 PM
Author: DianaBanana
I thought I''d share what our family has been doing for the last few years - it''s saved us money and really brought back the fun into Christmas...and Christmas shopping.

My daughters (12 and 1 each get 3 gifts - a want, a need and a surprise. It''s really made them think about the difference between a need and a want. I enjoy shopping so much more now and they are no longer hovering around the tree to make sure one doesn''t have more gifts than the other!

This is wonderful!
I''m going to make note of this so we can do it with our future kiddos.

 

[Haven]

Bliss! I LOVE my Snuggie, ahem, I mean Snuggies! Yes, I have two. They''re so amazing I couldn''t help myself.
I spent over twenty years lamenting the fact that my arms are *always* cold when I read at night because my two-blanket system didn''t work. (One throw blanket over body, the other between my neck and arms.) There was always a gap that let air in, I couldn''t stand it!
And then Snuggie came along, and I''ve been cuddly cozy while doing my reading ever since.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 10/12/2009 11:07:54 PM
Author: D&T

Date: 10/12/2009 10:52:18 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Since I am already mostly done with my shopping I can contribute some good ideas...

For the women in my family, I give them all Coach handbags. I wait until I get a discount card from the outlet and then I go! I think I picked up 6 or 7 items this year for under $500!! I had a 25% coupon, combined with the already-discounted prices, it was amazing how much I got and how little I spent. It''s one of those places where you can literally find something for every woman on your list. AND they are nice ''somethings''...I think the cheapest bag I swooped up came to a total of $50.00!! You can easily get wristlets, keychains, and even the bigger bags for a fraction of what you''d spend at the ''Coach Store''. And the nicest thing of all, is that the coupon discount is actually taken from your total...so it''s not just 25% off one bag.

how do you get a discount card from the outlet? the only time I ever got a coupon from Coach 25% off was after I bought a bag... and I never used it

Anyhow..

well I am buying mostly the ladies pearl strands this year. Every year, I try to do a theme as we have over 25 people to buy for (this is family... BIL, SIL, nieces, nephew, Parents, step parents, sis, brother....etc)

we did photo frames or digital frames last year, So this year, its probably lame, gift cards, and simple jewelry pendant or earrings for the ladies. I have a harder time for the guys

I also keep to a budget especially if we buy for all 25 people, but if we draw names, then our budget increases. I still get all the kids something regardless.

Men---- What do you all want????

I need help, ideas?

Thanks for starting this, I was just thinking about this too.

I can honestly say I''m not 100% sure how I got on the outlet list...I get coupons a lot of Coach and the outlet ones started filtering in late last year...

 

[D&T]

Date: 10/13/2009 5:54:10 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

I can honestly say I''m not 100% sure how I got on the outlet list...I get coupons a lot of Coach and the outlet ones started filtering in late last year...

thanks!

I don''t have a coach outlet near me at all, however when I visit my family, I do go up to the outlets there, so I''ll try and see if I can get on a "list" or so I might have to swing by my coach here and put me on the list as well

 

[chelsea3]

Wow, so many wonderful ideas! I''m going to go back and make a list! I absolutely love DianaBanana''s three gift idea (a want, a need, and a suprise) and am going to suggest this to my family

. I have never given Coach purses, etc, as a gift, but I have been the recipient and it did make me feel special to receive one! As far as the snuggie, I have also been secretly wanting one. . . perhaps Santa will bring me one this year. And, I also really like the recipe idea. When I got married, my family and friends all wrote their favorite recipes on index cards and put a recipe box together that I refer to all the time. Definitely one of my all time favorite gifts!

Keep the ideas coming

 

[luv2sparkle]

Hey DianaBanana- I love your new avatar photo, too cute.

I love your idea too.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 10/13/2009 6:07:17 PM
Author: D&T

Date: 10/13/2009 5:54:10 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

I can honestly say I''m not 100% sure how I got on the outlet list...I get coupons a lot of Coach and the outlet ones started filtering in late last year...

thanks!

I don''t have a coach outlet near me at all, however when I visit my family, I do go up to the outlets there, so I''ll try and see if I can get on a ''list'' or so I might have to swing by my coach here and put me on the list as well

I know that you can sign up online for the mailing list...but I don''t know what the coupon requirements are. I think, and I could be wrong, but it may be directly linked to what you spend in-store.

 

[VRBeauty]

Uhm... would you believe I''m giving pot holders this year?

Yup, pot holders.

A few months ago I came across a hand knit pot holder at an estate sale. I bought it because I loved the way it felt and looked, and I hoped I''d be able to find or replicate the pattern. Well, I found the pattern, and neat inexpensive cotton yarn that comes a zillion colors, and I''ve been knitting up a storm. I''m planning to give a set of two coordinated pot holders to a handful of friends and each couple in my family, maybe wrapped around some inexpensive fun food or drink item.

Plus gifts for the kids, of course!

All of my family and a lot of my friends have been hit real hard by this economy. This is a gift I''ll enjoy giving and that (hopefully) won''t make any of the recipients uncomfortable.

 

[pennquaker09]

Date: 10/13/2009 5:34:58 PM
Author: Haven
Bliss! I LOVE my Snuggie, ahem, I mean Snuggies! Yes, I have two. They''re so amazing I couldn''t help myself.

I spent over twenty years lamenting the fact that my arms are *always* cold when I read at night because my two-blanket system didn''t work. (One throw blanket over body, the other between my neck and arms.) There was always a gap that let air in, I couldn''t stand it!

And then Snuggie came along, and I''ve been cuddly cozy while doing my reading ever since.

OMG!! I gave myself stomach pains laughing at that commercial the other day. And the dog Snuggie . . . OMG!