Oh, goody. A list of Oprah's favorite gifts

[Deleted]

Among them an Apple watch for $500+. 

A GPS collar for your dog. I don't remember the price but not expensive. You might want one, but will the dog know it's Christmas? Who's gonna take the dog shopping for its gift for you?

Except for a couple of little things like t-shirts from Signals, I do my "shopping" at the credit union and get cards ("wrapping paper") from the card aisle at WM.

It wasn't always like this, but the older I get the less I like shopping and figuring out who's gonna like what. Even when I actually shopped for gifts, a $500 watch wasn't on the list for anybody. Just this morning I pissed away $15 on a Dilbert desk calendar for DS.

Am I alone? Do other posters spend copious amounts of $$ on Christmas gifts?

[Anne_in_VA]

We have a limit for gifts and since we have 9 grandchildren, we’re very strict.  We used to spend $50  for each kid and grandkid, but next year that will decrease because I’ve retired and we don’t have the income we had when I was working.  I out earned DH but not now.  

Our oldest grandson (age 13) will be going on a European trip in 2021 and we’re going to contribute to that trip, probably about $1k over the next year or so.  He’s one of about 10 kids from our city selected for this, so we want to make sure he can go.  His parents (DD and SIL) have 7 kids, so they don’t have the money to fund it.  He’s been working extra chores and helping DH with yard work and things around the house as well as mowing lawns to earn the money for this trip.  He’s an excellent student and is already taking high school classes although he’s in 7th grade.  We’re very proud of him and think this will be a wonderful learning experience for him.

[tractor]

We don’t spend much of anything on gifts, maybe $50 for each of the kids. Why? Because the kids are “gifted” things like food, rent, tuition payment, car insurance, books and supplies totaling thousands of dollar a year. Neither one of our parents need anything so our gift list is rather small,

[cktc]

DH and I don't usually set limits for each other, I'd say it ranges from $50-600 depending on if we want something for the house or just ourselves. Kids are $100-200, nieces and nephews are $20-40, siblings $30-50. Gift exchanges with friends are usually $20-50. Some years I bake an insane amount of cookies and everyone gets a giftcard. I think I'm going to do pet ornaments, memberships, and baklava this year. Everyone has too much stuff. I want to say "let's not do gifts this year" but everyone has to be on board or its awkward.

[ednkris]

When the kids were home the amount of money spent was crazy. Literally thousands mainly due to the fact my wife and i were really poor growing up so we overcompensated, even when were were starting out dirt poor credit cards loved us at xmas time. 

Now we keep it around 250 per person that is 2 daughters, 1 son in law, 3 grand kids. As far as my wife and I to each other no anount but we keep it to practical, useable gifts. 

[HoneyBBQ]

The most expensive thing I got my DD is tickets to a (theater) show at about $125 a piece (one for each of us, so $250). 

There are a few other gifts, maybe a total of $100. She's an only child.

My spouse, I'll most likely spend less than $100 but sometimes I think of a nice gift or two that cost more. Depends on what I can think of that he would want or like. 

For us, it's more about the appropriateness/fit of the gift than the cost itself.

[wvugurl26]

It depends on the person and the year as to what I spend.

For DH's nieces and nephews, around $50ish. The same for a few friends kids we buy for. A little more for my best friend's daughter.

Last year we bought my MIL tickets to Hamilton. They were almost $200 each. FIL got tickets to the show he wanted, those were closer to $250 total. They also got a copy of the photo book I did for our wedding which ran $100. This year I don't have a clue. And if I don't come up with something good, it will be nothing.

They have everything. We threw them a huge party for their 50th wedding anniversary this year. If there's something they want they will happily accept. They don't just want gift cards because I had no better idea. I figure it balances out.

I've given my MIL two random things this year just because I knew she'd like them. She was ecstatic with both of them. I'm trying to learn what they like but it's hard for me. They are way better off financially then most of my family.

I probably spent too much on my DH last year. I was cutting back but the list is growing. Most of it involves needs though. I may save something as a birthday gift since his birthday is late January.

I bought the one gift my dad requested already. $200 for new boots. I'll add a Lowe's gift card and candy from a local place at a minimum.

I'm sure what I spend is way more than others. We don't have kids and some gifts are split with my brother. He makes decent money. It makes me happy to give nice gifts. My family sacrificed to help me out when I was in college and before I started my current job. My DH and I make way more money than most of my family ever dreamed about.

I've started early this year and I'm trying to look for sales. For me if it's a perfect gift and needed by the recipient what I'll spend is pretty high.

[TheOtherMe]

We stopped exchanging gifts when it became obvious that all we were doing was exchanging gift cards.

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2019 11:43:30 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

 This year I don't have a clue. And if I don't come up with something good, it will be nothing.

They have everything. 

When I'm asked what I want, I never fail to mention flowers. I love getting flowers, but it's rare that anybody takes me seriously. How about a really special arrangement or if they host a big meal at Christmastime, maybe an extravagant centerpiece for the dining room table?

[giramomma]

Once the kids hit 5/6, then we spend bout $200...that's our gifts and Santa gifts. Plus we do St. Nick Stockings.  I can keep those pretty low.

When they are young, they get jack squat. Which is fine.

We only get our kids three gifts/gift groups.  One gift is an ornament the will eventually take and put on their own Christmas trees.

DH and I exchange gifts. We give gifts to the ILS and cousins.

Plus there are 4 family birthdays in the last 6 weeks of the calendar year.

I don't know how much I'll end up spending. This year, it pretty much is what it is.

In hindight, I'm glad I sucked it up and took two classes this semester. The over all savings of the scholarship was a more effective way of reducing spending over saving $3 and $5 there on Christmas presents.

[Artemis Windsong]

It will be somewhat expensive this year for me.  I will be sending checks to the adult couples.  The great grands will get a sent gift.  I have 1 GSIL birthday and 2 GrGrK in December.  So 3 extra gifts.

The gifts I had for most birthdays this year are in the closet.  I'm not mailing them.

[andi9899]

I give the girls $100 in cash. Everyone else has a $50 limit. I'm getting the girls each something to open with a limit of about $50. I got Thing 1's gift ordered. Haven't gotten anything for Thing 2 yet. I asked her what she wanted, but she didn't answer me yet.

[toomuchreality]

I had to have my car fixed last week. The cost was more than double what was expected. I also had to get the emissions tested and get it registered for the coming year. UGH. I live month to month on soc sec, and don't have/use credit cards. Christmas gifts will be minimal this year. And since I rarely get visitors, I probably won't decorate much either. Instead I will spend time at my daughter's, with my granddaughter.

I feel over it, already, at the moment,

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2019 2:19:43 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I feel over it, already, at the moment,

I hear you! Can we just be done with it?

There won't be any $500 Apple watches for anybody on my list. 

[resolution]

My family has typically spent more on gifts than my husband's, so this is something we have had to negotiate. We usually spend $50-$100 per person on my side of the family, and on DH's side of the family we do minimal or no gifts for adults, and then we buy the niece and nephew a $20-$50 toy and put $250 into their 529 accounts. My husband and I don't exchange gifts with each other.

We did a social faux pas last christmas and got everyone some holiday scented soaps that were handmade by our friends. Some of the adults on his side of the family felt bad that they hadn't gotten anything for us, even though we spent just one or two dollars per person. I am not sure what we will do this year; I really liked the soaps and would like to do them again,  but I don't want to make anyone feel bad this year. I think i have never really adjusted to the "no gifts for adults" thing, especially since his mother usually still gets everyone something.

[Blonde Granny]

My son and DIL told us years ago let's just stop with the Xmas gifts and birth days, OK? Fine with us. I have 3 grands, 21-19-14. Each gets a check for $150 for Xmas and $100 for birthday.

Will I ever stop giving the money, not likely. But the amounts are counted for in my personal escrow account so nothing to worry about. When I spend Xmas with them, I stay in a hotel because I like my peace and quiet. That amount of money is also escrowed.

btw: I do have a series 4 Apple watch and I love it. But, I'm a widow and live alone so I like the fall detection, have 2 heart issues and it allows me to check my heart rate and EKG. Personally, I think they are a necessary part of my life and much nice than wearing a medic alert thing around my neck.

[wvugurl26]

Nov 20, 2019 13:58:40 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

Nov 20, 2019 11:43:30 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

 This year I don't have a clue. And if I don't come up with something good, it will be nothing.

They have everything. 

When I'm asked what I want, I never fail to mention flowers. I love getting flowers, but it's rare that anybody takes me seriously. How about a really special arrangement or if they host a big meal at Christmastime, maybe an extravagant centerpiece for the dining room table?

My grandma loves flowers. I order them to be delivered or buy some when I'm visiting. I think it's zib who said send them while they are alive to appreciate them.

MIL isn't hosting Christmas this year. I might do another smaller photo book. She's not on Facebook and so many of our pictures just get uploaded to Facebook. That is one thing she does like to get.

One thing I might do is a nice birthday celebration for MIL. Her birthday is right after Christmas and gets overlooked.

I did come up with another idea for my grandma. She's 88 and slowing down. She complains about how much the maids cost. I think I'm going to call and pay for them to come clean before Christmas. She's not hosting Thanksgiving.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2019 7:31:06 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Nov 20, 2019 13:58:40 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

When I'm asked what I want, I never fail to mention flowers. I love getting flowers, but it's rare that anybody takes me seriously. How about a really special arrangement or if they host a big meal at Christmastime, maybe an extravagant centerpiece for the dining room table?

My grandma loves flowers. I order them to be delivered or buy some when I'm visiting. I think it's zib who said send them while they are alive to appreciate them.

MIL isn't hosting Christmas this year. I might do another smaller photo book. She's not on Facebook and so many of our pictures just get uploaded to Facebook. That is one thing she does like to get.

One thing I might do is a nice birthday celebration for MIL. Her birthday is right after Christmas and gets overlooked.

I did come up with another idea for my grandma. She's 88 and slowing down. She complains about how much the maids cost. I think I'm going to call and pay for them to come clean before Christmas. She's not hosting Thanksgiving.

Ooooh! I just had another idea prompted by your photo book comment. How about a calendar with family pix for each month. If you have photos that correspond with each month, so much the better.

I bet your grandma would be beyond happy with a cleaning service. 

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 21, 2019 7:31:06 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Nov 20, 2019 13:58:40 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

My grandma loves flowers. I order them to be delivered or buy some when I'm visiting. I think it's zib who said send them while they are alive to appreciate them.



I did come up with another idea for my grandma. She's 88 and slowing down. She complains about how much the maids cost. I think I'm going to call and pay for them to come clean before Christmas. She's not hosting Thanksgiving.

I think the cleaning service and flowers would be fantastic gifts.  

[laterbloomer]

Nobody waits to buy stuff anymore so I don't find it as much fun. It used to be it was easy to find things that people would really like but never buy for themselves. These days if people want it they get it. I'm not really sure why we continue buying each other gifts.

[happyhoix]

Those TV commercials that try to act like you're a smuck if you don't buy your spouse diamonds or a new car grip my ass.

DH and I usually get each other a few small things - books or clothes. Same with DS and DIL. I prefer having an Xmas I don't have to spend the next 3 years paying off in installments.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2019 15:53:21 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Nobody waits to buy stuff anymore so I don't find it as much fun. It used to be it was easy to find things that people would really like but never buy for themselves. These days if people want it they get it. I'm not really sure why we continue buying each other gifts.

It sure seems like anymore it's just an exchange of gift cards! I still hunt for little things that I know will please. DS always used to have a Dilbert desk calendar but I haven't seen one on his desk in a couple of years so I got one for him. His husband is a cat lover, and I found a t-shirt that says "Real Men Love Cats." They're both cat lovers, but DS won't wear a t-shirt with any kind of legend on it.

Now I'm trying to find "toys" for each of them. Last year, I gave DS Gumby and Pokey (remember them?). Today I found Gumby's friends, his dog(s), the Blockheads. Still thinking on those.

There were neat little ornaments in the Signals catalog that are hinged so that they open and something small can be put inside...now I have to figure out what to get that's small enough to fit in them.

[weltschmerz]

If I get anyone an Apple watch, it's going to look like this.  They can use the stem as a sun dial.

[cktc]

Nov 25, 2019 17:13:12 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Those TV commercials that try to act like you're a smuck if you don't buy your spouse diamonds or a new car grip my ass.

DH and I usually get each other a few small things - books or clothes. Same with DS and DIL. I prefer having an Xmas I don't have to spend the next 3 years paying off in installments.

Seriously I would be so upset not being consulted on a major purchase like that!

[Anne_in_VA]

Nov 25, 2019 17:49:39 GMT -5 cktc said:

Nov 25, 2019 17:13:12 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Those TV commercials that try to act like you're a smuck if you don't buy your spouse diamonds or a new car grip my ass.

DH and I usually get each other a few small things - books or clothes. Same with DS and DIL. I prefer having an Xmas I don't have to spend the next 3 years paying off in installments.

Seriously I would be so upset not being consulted on a major purchase like that!

   
DH better not buy a new car or truck without talking about it!  If he does, somebody better empty out their freezer LOL!

[zibazinski]

Nov 21, 2019 7:31:06 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Nov 20, 2019 13:58:40 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

When I'm asked what I want, I never fail to mention flowers. I love getting flowers, but it's rare that anybody takes me seriously. How about a really special arrangement or if they host a big meal at Christmastime, maybe an extravagant centerpiece for the dining room table?

My grandma loves flowers. I order them to be delivered or buy some when I'm visiting. I think it's zib who said send them while they are alive to appreciate them.

MIL isn't hosting Christmas this year. I might do another smaller photo book. She's not on Facebook and so many of our pictures just get uploaded to Facebook. That is one thing she does like to get.

One thing I might do is a nice birthday celebration for MIL. Her birthday is right after Christmas and gets overlooked.

I did come up with another idea for my grandma. She's 88 and slowing down. She complains about how much the maids cost. I think I'm going to call and pay for them to come clean before Christmas. She's not hosting Thanksgiving.

You’re right, it was me and I firmly believe it. I send my two remaining aunts flowers for their birthday and I will for Christmas as well. Probably even mother’s Day. Their own children blow them off. I won’t go to their funerals because I see them while they’re alive. I don’t need to spend 2k on last minute flights to prove anything to anyone

[zibazinski]

I’m afraid I spend way too much on my kids and their significant others but that’s me. As long as I can pay my bills, it’s no ones business.

[NoNamePerson]

When my mother was alive I would give her a “flower of month club” from Harry and David for her birthday and fruit of the month club for Christmas. Two things she really loved. I would do the six month clubs so all year she received a surprise on her doorstep. 

[Works4me]

I refer to the holiday car commercials as, "Honey, I got you a car payment for Christmas!" Adds new meaning to the idea of a gift that keeps on giving for the next 60 or 72 months, or would that be taking? All I know is I'd be quite pissed off.

[zibazinski]

I liked getting a new car with a ribbon attached to it. Unfortunately it was leased so when he died, bye bye car. A real gift would have been a car that was paid off, like my old one was.