Well, now that halloween is over, and we need a distraction from other things, let’s talk about Christmas gifts.
Anything special you want to receive?
Anything special you want to give?
What are the “hot” gifts this year?
Will your list be shorter since you’re not likely to visit with as many people?
And other related topics… Wherever the conversation goes.
I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I’m only buying for 3 people and 2 pets but I keep adding to their lists because the shopping has been fun. Lots of random things for everyone they’ll enjoy. No big items. D is getting a ski trip as her big gift this year. Then the usual clothes, books, jewelry, etc.
When do you start limiting the number of gifts you buy for your adult kids? My D is an only and a college senior. I still have a pretty long list of things on her list and have been wondering when I should start cutting back since she’s an adult. I do love shopping for her as she is frugal, rarely asks for anything, and is super appreciative and uses the things she receives.
My one request to H is that he ooh and ahh over his present. I ordered him an airsoft cosplay Mandalorian helmet. He will be shocked I think. But, today the company requested his head measurements. Ack! So I texted younger S and told him to text us and ask us for all our measurements for a data analysis project. He completely bought it. Lol. Only downside is that it is coming from overseas and not supposed to be here until mid January through mid March. So I plan to get him an ornament and make a “coming soon” card with the order
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That was quick thinking, @ClassicMom98 ! We usually do a family vacation in January- since that’s not happening will probably just give each $, plus stocking.
I bought my Christmas present tonight! It’s a Yamaha keyboard. I can take it to our cabin so I can practice while we’re there. 
I am quite happy. 0% financing for 36 months, too. DD went with me and gave her approval. Then she ended up getting two good speakers for her keyboard. I told her we would buy one of them as a Christmas present for her.
The store employee who helped us said they have been very busy. This quarter of 2020 has been better than the same one in 2019!
I could use some ideas. I mentor four sisters who are about to return home after foster care. My organization will give each a gift worth $30-40, which they can request. No ideas from dad or foster family.
Girls are 4, 6, 8, and 12. Their home is very small and their dad doesn’t like a lot of mess or things with pieces (and they don’t have the room).
^^ Something crafty that they can use over and over again? Watercolors, tablet, easel? Or a weaving loom type thing? If they each got a different craft item/theme they could share?
I’m really hoping to just skip DH’s grown nephews that we just exchange gifts cards with. BlL has 2 sons, so do we. It seems ridiculous but DH won’t do it. We are not getting together with them, so my hopes are we all just forget it.
DH and I are doing stuff to the house, so no money spent on each other. Plus, our birthdays bookend December.
The kids we will probably just give mostly money since they just both had their birthdays.
@twoinanddone What about cute fleece blankets/throws for each one of them in different prints?
A neighbor of mine makes quilts for kids in foster care for them to have something of their own to have. A blanket or quilt I think would be a great gift.
I also make blankets and have given them each one for their birthdays this year (so I think that’s a good idea, just already did it!).
This is not the gift from me but from the organization. Sometimes the parents take the gift and it is the parent’s gift to the child (and I offered this option to the father) You’d think every kid needs at least one $40 gift but really they don’t NEED anything. I found a cute Elsa and Anna bike for the 4 year old, but it is $85! (they have a big backyard).
I’m thinking of asking if the organization would pay for their gymnastic lessons for a session or two (and they could get a certificate). I don’t know if the organization would consider it. Their house is pretty small and they could have 4 kids doing online school from one room in Jan, so need to keep the clutter done (not that I consider art supplies or books clutter, but the dad might).
@twoinanddone could you do a family membership somewhere? I know it’s tough with covid, but maybe a zoo? (I’m thinking outdoors) And if there’s extra $$$ maybe a stuffed animal for the little ones and something animal themed for the older one?
Actually got most of the holiday shopping done today while waiting for a prescription to be filled. Very exciting: gift cards. :neutral:
I like the zoo membership with stuff animal. Have to ask the dad how often he’d take them (I’m thinking he wouldn’t because he’s really busy). Maybe even a one day pass (it costs quite a bit to go to our zoo, especially for a family of 5-6) would work and I could take them.
Who would think it would be so hard to think of a gift? They’ll get coats and boots and gloves as part of another program.
@twoinanddone has anyone asked the girls what they would like? What things do they have that you know they enjoy?
I don’t think it’s that hard to think of things, but we don’t have much info except their age and that dad doesn’t want anything messy, their place is small and he is too busy to take them on excursions.
Are they girls who like sports? Board games? Are they crafty? What are their interests? Do they do virtual school - do they have a desk or lap laptop device? Do they like a certain clothing brand?
@twoinanddone Jewelry making kits can be self contained and really take up very little space.
I’m not really feeling the holidays right now. I can’t think of anything I want and I really don’t feel like getting anyone else anything either…I’m going to talk to the rest of the family - maybe we’ll just treat Christmas like Thanksgiving and have a nice day/meal and no gifts.
@twoinanddone My girls loved dress up costumes when they were little.
They did like crafty things at the ages of the older girls, but they were messy. They also surprised me at that age with the items they requested. One of mine had a cowboy hat on her list! And NFL apparel! She went from a girly little girl to a tomboy tween. So I agree, maybe ask them for a list of what they might like?
I was also thinking that if their home is small, would there be a more substantial gift of one or two things that could be shared by the girls???
I can’t help but feel bothered by children - who learn through play - being stunted by an adult who doesn’t like messes or things that aren’t compact/without pieces. 
I know I don’t know the whole story and I’m glad that dad has hopefully earned the opportunity to reunite with them, but 4, 6, 8 and 12?!!!
This idea for the 4 girls. Barnes and Noble gift certificates? or age appropriate book for each. B&N have in addition to books for kids, art stuff, diary, card games, stuffed animals, crafty things. If they choose- you could limit it to B&N and then it narrows it down.
They are great kids and are very good at sharing - much better than my own kids were. The school is online and will likely remain that way until Jan or Feb. The school district is in a very high covid area. The school provides a chrombook and all the supplied needed. I’d like to provide a bookshelf and tons of books but I know they’d never be used. I do give them books but they disappear between visits.
Yes, the kids can request things but they don’t know what to request. The 12 year old asks for things that are well beyond $40 (an Apple watch, a $300 tablet - she is a typical tween).
I like the idea of costumes too. My own kids had tons of costumes and all the kids liked to play with them when at our house. My kids were the smallest, so sometimes their friends got stuck and I have had to extract more than one princess from a dress. I’m going to look into this suggestion. Thanks.