Holiday pajamas or nightgowns?
My girls liked crafts kits, but after a few uses, that was that. What’s often important is that they feel the gifts are their own, not just a fancy gift. Not just what an adult thinks they should experience. Not always about sharing. At those ages, mine adored anything with their name on it.
On a more adult level, I hadn’t been aware of this until moments ago. Looks intriguing. A little pricey, but there may be a monthly option.
@twoinanddone what about something that will make these girls feel pretty, and special? So, depending on their age, maybe a collection of hair accessories (some with their names on them), a pretty necklace with their name on it? Maybe a purse for the 12 year old? Or a kit to make jewelry for themselves?
Don’t know the family’s financial situation, but if they get a lot of second hand things, I think having their name on stuff can be more meaningful.
Alas, I’ve been feeling rather Baaa Hum-covid-bug blues… not yet thinking about Christmas gifts. Perhaps this thread will get me thinking.
I have been thinking about a self-gift this month of immersion blender. I see a lot of home made soups in my future this winter.
^^^ Get it @colorado_mom ! So great for soups and drinks! Healthy ones too!
@abasket - What immersion blender do you like? I see some have a lot of accessories, but not sure I need that because we do have a blender and food processors.
I got the one at Costco, when it was something like $20 on sale, and it’s been great for my pureed soups. It was a whisk attachment, too, that works for whipped cream. Simple, nothing fancy, but quite useful.
Mine is really old. Probably 20 years! But I bought ^^^ that Costco one for my daughter and she said it works great. For me it’s not a daily appliance, but a helpful one when I need it.
We got the one with all the attachments. Rarely use them, but sometimes the mini food processor is just right for a single batch of pesto or a small (one can of garbanzos) batch of hummus. But the immersion blender itself - yes worth the space it takes in the cupboard. Just be sure to never have it powered on when it’s not fully immersed… it’s amazing how far food can be flung.
I’m already deep into Christmas shopping, since we live overseas and I tend to buy stuff in the US and have it shipped. It’s mostly just family - DH, S19 and D21 plus pets - but this year is hard mostly because last year was easy, especially for S19, who had a long list of things he realized he needed once he got to college in the US. Most of what he got last year (mostly athletic gear and clothing) hasn’t really been used yet because school shut down so quickly in March, so this year I am at a loss. D21 is pretty easy, and DH is easier this year than most for some reason (he likes willow ware dishes and I discovered Calamity Ware - six plates all wrapped individually makes six gifts). The kids, although theoretically adult or almost, still have high hopes and expect a big pile of things under the tree - one big gift just won’t cut it. It’s my mother’s fault, I think, as we used to visit her in Florida for Christmas and she always went overboard, so they all think that’s what a US Christmas is like. One disadvantage this year is it’s harder/less fun to go walkabout in the stores and hope for inspiration, so I’m mostly poking around on Amazon and reading all the Best Gifts 2020 lists. Happy to find this thread and now thinking about an immersion blender!
For the 4 children coming back from foster care –
what about a beautiful box, to keep things in? having your own space when there are so many of you, an “off limits” private space, might be nice. (For a new baby gift, we usually give the siblings a box with a simple lock or clasp and tell them babies are wonderful, but here’s a place to keep things away from baby, just for you.)
Bright pillowcases. Box of colored pencils. Box of funky socks. Box of favorite food.
@twoinanddone – How about a digital camera (if they don’t have phones)? They are many in the 30-40 range that take great pix. Easy to upload pix to computer (which they must have if virtual school).
Depending on where they live another option is a scooter (if not a bike). The razor scooters run about 30 dollars and are very compact.
A big back yard screams soccer ball and net. Or other games like croquet and badminton.
One more suggestion is a keyboard. Many decent small ones in the price range. (plus a super easy song book if total beginners).
Or a harmonica–easy to play and portable (kids love them–and you can get pretty good at them!) Need a decent one though which will run in the 30 dollar range probably.
@colorado_mom - I bought this one a few years ago and love it. It was on sale for around $40 at Target at that time.
My husband and I just decided we are getting fitness equipment as our present to each other. We haven’t spent a ton on travel this year, and we don’t plan on going Back to the gym anytime soon, so seems like a good idea.
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My DH got a bar and weights with a stand for his Christmas present. It’s in the garage b/c we have no room in the house. The bar rests on interlocking pads we bought at Lowes to cushion the impact. We also have a portable camp heater if it gets really cold out there:)
We got food gifts for the extended family this year. I got a gift certificate to a local baking supply store my D likes to frequent that’s close to her apartment. We sent oysters to those of our family who love them. My aunt always sends us beautiful fresh Florida citrus every December and I always look forward to it (much nicer than you find in supermarkets–oranges the size of grapefruits, and grapefruits the size of your head). Juicy and sweet, and keeps for a month.
For the two branches of the family we would normally buy for this year, we decided to do extra donations instead of presents. Then one of them “copied” that idea and decided to do it with other people they would normally buy for. It’s certainly a good year for it, and we don’t need a thing.
This will be the first year ever our (adult) kids will really have only a few gifts each. I think one many be a little disappointed, but it will be fine.
For the 4 girls, what about backpacks? Personalized bath towels that are appliquéd with their interest in their fav color?