holiday gift shopping tips and trips

[acousticlady]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

We have a big family - not all of whom could afford to buy presents for everyone. We decided a few years back that the best part of presents was getting together and opening them Christmas Day. So we went to having "dollar" Christmas. We put a limit on everyone - say $10. Then get silly dollar store stuff. No item more than $5. Each person has a whole load of presents to open and everyone has a good time. And somtimes the silly dollar items turn out to be useful too.

Of course, Santa is another story........

PM - I agree with you whole-heartedly about books! There is no better gift. Now if we could only convince the kids.......

[CranBeree]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

Puai.

i'd suggest
Kirby Wright's Molokai Nui Ahina book for some of those on your list.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

One of the reasons I have been mourning (yeah, strong word) my inability to make holiday shopping decisions is that I am such a strong book-giver when it comes to those meaningful occasions. Aside from gift cards to help loved ones in need (and I am quite the fan as both giver and receiver), nothing says love and respect like a worthy, beautiful, meaningful book. I ~live~ for the hunt, searching high and low for that quirky gem!

Back in early 2006 my favorite bookseller went bankrupt. I held on tightly to their last mail-out catalog and did my "homage shopping" by rifling through it and making meaningful choices based on whatever I read about this/that book.

Walking through a bookstore just isn't the same, and don't get me wrong; I am at my happiest when inside a bookstore. But to find that perfect book...I need a catalog to help me out (a book club would be easier, but hey, who has the time; catalog is much quicker!)

I think that when I can find that great book catalog again, then all will be right with me in the world when it comes to communicating with loved ones, with regards to gift-giving.

[Lei K]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

A certain woman with her own online shop (who already posted on this thread) will be helping me with a few holiday gifts, once I figure out what I want exactly.

[Lei K]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

I found the funniest thing that I'm going to buy for my boys.



This set can be found for $4.99 at the Lego shop online. I don't know why I think it's so cute but I do. I know they will dig having their own salt and pepper shakers at the table.

I am not buying this for Christmas though, just as a fun thing to randomly give them. I thought I'd post it incase anyone else thought it was cute to buy, maybe as a Christmas stocking idea or something?

[Bob P]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

Mom: one of those digital picture frames - the ones you put the flash card in and it slide-shows. I'm uploading a bunch of pictures of my girls to it.

Dad: Red Sox dugout jacket in red (home game)

Wife: No clue. Alleged $100 cap. Riiiiight. I'm thinking of a digital camera and claiming it's her birthday present too (1/11 is the b-day).

Kids: one got a dog, the other her room made over. That's it. They're old enough not to mind nothing much under the tree.

[SusieMisajon]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

I don't do gifts, except for the kids. It's cheaper that way, and hassle-free.

[nikki]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

The gifts I've most enjoyed receiving were hand made especially for me. I wish I could convince my family and friends to exchange only hand made things, but I don't think it would go over very well.

[EastCoastTropics]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

My oldest DD is into scrapbooking and she has used photos and scrapbooking accessories to make birth announcements, wedding anniversary, birthday gifts, etc.

When the kids were younger (and I had more time) I would sew gifts. I live less than 10 miles from Malden Mills, makers of PolarFleece and have made blankets, pullovers, jackets, vests and socks for gift giving. My nephew and BIL's used lap blankets I made to car races, football games and ice fishing.

HTH

[tutusue]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

I, for the most part, have contacted all friends and family (except keiki) with whom I exchange gifts and said..."Stop! No more!". I really would rather spend more TIME with these people instead of adding another dust magnet to my collection!

I've also resolved, beginning 2008, to change my gift giving to my grandsons. I think I'm gonna allot a set amount for each birthday and Christmas, say $50. each, and give a gift card for half and invest the other half. Then I'll explain the investment and give them a web site to track the money.

Who knows...I may become the most unpopular tutu on earth!

[lavagal]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

Pua'i, I had NO IDEA I was on your list! WOW! my sorry broke-ass yoga butt is on YOUR list! namaste!!!!

[Beau]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

Instead of merely "spending to spend", I like to have a target list in mind, to get the most meaningful experience per buck. Let's look at this demographically and help me fill in the blanks, will ya?

What to get for:
1)an old broad (retired, 70s-ish)
2)an old boar (retired, same age-ish)
3)yoga people (drive priuses, span from very wealthy to broke-ass)
4)teenagers
5)preteenies
6)starving college kids
7)coworkers (boss or garut assistant)
8)teachers

if you want to add to this list, go ahead.

I should've answered these questions earlier.

I don't know how crafty you are, if you know how to sew and if you bake, so I'll just give you some of my ideas.

For older people who have everything already, a very sentimental note on perhaps a scrapbook like card with photos in it would be appreciated by most older people or maybe creatively framed in a shadow box with captions and mementos in it.

For yoga people, perhaps a little booklet that explains yoga in more detail or yoga mats.

Teenagers usually like gift certificates to whatever "trendy" stores are in vogue.

Preteenagers usually like books, like a book on dinosaurs if they into that, etc.. Or a home sewed cloth bag to carry their books with their names embrodiered on it.

Staving college kids, gift certificates to restaurants like McDonanlds, etc., or a homemade gift basket filled with food items that most local kids like. (For example: cuttlefish, chinese style beef jerky, arare, etc.) Staving college kids are probably tired of eating cheap packaged ramen.

Co-workers usually appreciated homebaked goods along with a token gift certificate to Longs or whatevers.

I agree with CranBeree that jamba juice cards, starbucks, etc. would be appreciated by teachers. If not that, then maybe a homemade basket filled with various school supplies that you've got on sale, because so many teachers use their own money to buy these things for their students.

Hope this helps...

[CranBeree]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

Disney store has some really good sales going on!

was there earlier today. take an additional 40% on lotsa items.

[EastCoastTropics]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

I always give gift certs and cards....and I LOVE receiving gift certs and cards!

My parents (who have everything) love gift certificates to their fave restaurants.....CA Pizza, Zippy's. Teen aged niece loves Build-A-Bear so I got her a gift card for that store.

I've also given out gas cards, Phone cards, gift cert to online stores, grocery store gift cards, Dunkin Donuts and Borders Bookstores gift cards, as well as AMEX gift cheques and savings bonds.

For baby shower gifts, instead of buying clothes, I always buy a laundry basket and fill it with several bottles/boxes of baby laundry detergents. I've put together gifts sets of teas or coffee or hot cocoa w/mugs a have included a paperback book, music CD or DVD in the gift set as well.

In-laws are Boston Red Sox fans and hubby is Pats fans so they all got team jackets and matching caps.

I like to find out what the person likes...music/sports/hobbies/food preferences and go from there....

[CranBeree]

Re: holiday gift shopping tips and trips

So, it is that time of the year. There is only one way to reconcile the desire to buy pressies for loved ones and friends with the family budget; start buying early. It can be argued that Oct is "early", but nevertheless I find myself starting now.

Instead of merely "spending to spend", I like to have a target list in mind, to get the most meaningful experience per buck. Let's look at this demographically and help me fill in the blanks, will ya?

What to get for:
1)an old broad (retired, 70s-ish)
2)an old boar (retired, same age-ish)
3)yoga people (drive priuses, span from very wealthy to broke-ass)
4)teenagers
5)preteenies
6)starving college kids
7)coworkers (boss or garut assistant)
8)teachers

if you want to add to this list, go ahead.

i say gift cards for the whole lot of em.

for the broad/bear what can you get that they don't already have??

teachers : GC jamba juice, starbucks
collegkids, coworkers ; food gift cards
well you get the gist