Be aware that some credit cards will pay global entry fee—my son’s card did so that didn’t cost me or him anything.
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Oh, you’ve given me an idea for my very-hard-to-shop-for husband! Our new house in France is right on the Route Napoleon, the road that Napoleon and his troops took when he returned from Elba. Our own little village used to be called “les Barraques.” My husband has become quite fascinated by all of this, and I just looked and there are some great maps of the entire route they took up to Paris.
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For the past several years, just around Thanksgiving, I ask the kids and their spouses to identify a charity I will donate to in their honor as part of their Christmas gift. Some select the same charity each year, others select new ones relative to the state of the world (eg. reproductive rights, children’s relief services in conflict areas). I fill stockings with unique edibles and get one surprise gift for under the tree.
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When the kids were growing up we were not able to take a flying/nice vacation every year. We were lucky to go on one once every 3 or 4 years. My wife has splintered from her family so we are taking our kids to Puertos Los Cabos. Last year we went to Scottsdale during Christmas. I have to say sitting by a pool relaxing with an adult beverage on Xmas sure is hard to beat.
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The perfect gift for children and adults alike. This is the one to buy; works better than the other models.
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ETA: it works on stink bugs too. Zaps them before they can release their “stink.”
We raised our son in Scottsdale. Maybe that’s why we never took a vacation… 
We were swimming on Xmas day last year as it was about 77 degrees and heated pool. The workers at the resort thought we were crazy for swimming, but we were coming from temps around 15 degrees.
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https://www.amazon.com/Keter-238699-Elevated-Garden-Anthracite/dp/B07D7SNCF8?th=1
These are a great addition to an Aerogarden.
Do you have that? Have you moved your Aerogarden vegetables into it with success?
My first Aerogarden was somewhat of a flop. Four of the six herbs grew and two didn’t. 
One year we celebrated Christmas Eve at the house and church, then skied on 12/25. It was fabulous, with few crowds (especially in morning). At the time, Breckenridge had a commuter lot (and no gondola). At 8:30am we were able to park just a few spots from the bus. I can’t remember any of the gifts that year. But I do remember the skiing!
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We did that one year when our son was in the hospital and I didn’t want to be at home on Christmas. It was nice, I have to admit.
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This year we are trying to buy fewer gifts for our kids. One, who is now 31, loves getting LOTS of gifts. I don’t know that she cares so much about the cost, but she seems to “expect” many gifts. I’ve been telling her all year that we are going to the about 4 gift model this year. So far it looks like her gifts will be shoes, a necklace, and a purse. The last one will probably be a GC to a store.
I like the idea of something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read, but I don’t know that I will stick to it.
One couple is planning a vacation in January, and will likely get Disney Dollars if they stick with current plan. If I can’t think of something vacation related I will probably get them several GCs to local restaurants. They don’t want much, and what they do want they tend to buy, so they are kind of difficult (especially my son). I started this thread hoping I might eventually get good ideas for him.
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Lol. I bought a second smaller raised garden to just to get more room! It probably depends on what you want to grow. The herbs grow best. Basil and lettuce goes nuts (although it soaks up water like crazy).
Last Amazon prime day (one of those “sale” days) I got the “plant your own seeds” kits–it was like 50 pods plus the nutrients for cheap. I planted basil (success), cilantro (nope and I’ve tried 3 times), flowers–zinnias/petunias are a big yes, miniature bell peppers–very fun and grow great. Lettuce grows great but we pretty much harvest it and haven’t really tried replanting it tastes great). Now we start seeds in the aerogarden and before they get too huge I put them into the standing garden outside.
The fun thing about the standing garden is really the lack of work. We have it out on our porch. It self waters (important–has a big water resevoir) so it’s not a daily task. And the animals can’t get to it because it’s up high (and I don’t have to stoop). Planting a new find is a quick dig in the dirt and crossing your fingers.
We’ve tried cabbage (fun), a pineapple (surprising how big it’s gotten!), pepper that got too big and now elsewhere, chives (all you want). We’ve had a great time just experimenting.
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Every Christmas our daughters give DH a gift certificate to Katz Deli in New York. He loves their pastrami. He likes not getting things anymore.
I am asking DD3 for the last two Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling’s) books. I love them and she was the one who got me hooked on them. I really don’t need anything else. I still have a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble from DD1 from last year. However, several books that came out this fall that I will use it on. I would like gift certificates for manicures and pedicures and facials, but not much else. Anything else that I want, I just buy!!!
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! D27 and I watched our first Christmas movie of the season, yesterday.
I’m thinking I’ll get DH a Garmin or Apple watch, he’s been wanting one or the other for awhile. S24 will be getting an iPad to use for college next year and running shoes. D27 just presented us with a list consisting of about 1k worth of things 
We usually give the kids about 5 gifts and then stockings, plus Christmas pajamas to open Christmas Eve. I’m thinking of asking for a new winter coat and I usually get a book.
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Thanks, that’s exactly what I am looking for. I also have the plant your own seeds kit, but haven’t tried it. Bummer that cilantro doesn’t work as I use that a lot.
What size shoe do you wear?
I was excited to read that the Samba was the “shoe of the summer”. We have 4 pairs (classic black with the white stripes) from our indoor soccer days (so truly vintage, like decades old). Of course they were too small for one kid, too big for the other, and I’m a 100% Oofos wearer now (and H has a zillion shoes). So if you happen to be the same size as the ones we have, and you want vintage, we can meet up and I’ll give you a pair! (I think we live pretty close)
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I have a pair of Oofos flip flops and love them. I haven’t tried their other shoes (yet). Where do you buy your’s?
My kids send out wish lists. Works out great for all of us. Me? I tell them DO NOT GIVE US MORE “STUFF”. LOL.
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