NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 6, 2022 11:43:06 GMT -5
The grand-little has been getting them for a year now. He is 3-1/2 at this point. He gets pretty excited to get his new kit and they go through them together. DD2 said some were above his level, so she will re-visit those with him. The gift subscription is a split between Christmas and his birthday, so that makes it a little more palatable. Interesting thought- I give the girls money so they can learn to manage it and even learn from their mistakes. The youngest isn't ready for that yet. Maybe I'll get him a subscription. Bonus: the girls are really nurturing and I can picture them helping him with the stuff he doesn't understand (as long as they don't take over). Last month I bought a couple of gift cards for heifer.org and thought the girls would enjoy "shopping" for animals to be donated to people in developing countries. That fell flat. I later went through the catalogue myself and made choices, which was just fine. I want to teach them altruism and I know their parents are the same way. Eventually it will sink in. Try this www.blankparkzoo.com/support-the-zoo/animal-wish-lists/This is for the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The zoos have wish lists of various enrichment items you can purchase as a donation. That might be more engaging because then they can see the animals they donated to. Putting faces to donations can help with making the connection. Or adopt an animal itself. DH adopted a penguin for my birthday last year. The kids were super excited to see "their" penguin next time we visited. I did have to explain to Abby though that we do not get to take it home with us.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2022 11:52:14 GMT -5
Try this www.blankparkzoo.com/support-the-zoo/animal-wish-lists/This is for the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The zoos have wish lists of various enrichment items you can purchase as a donation. That might be more engaging because then they can see the animals they donated to. Putting faces to donations can help with making the connection. Or adopt an animal itself. DH adopted a penguin for my birthday last year. The kids were super excited to see "their" penguin next time we visited. I did have to explain to Abby though that we do not get to take it home with us. Thanks- I love that idea! They live close to the Zoo and DDIL's parents always gave them a membership. Not sure if her mother will continue since her Dad died earlier this year but I bet she will.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 6, 2022 12:28:25 GMT -5
With all my Xmas shopping that I won't fess up to there is one thing I will mention. I only have 2 grandkids and a friend of mine (single mom) has 8-yo twins. The twins are spoiled within their family so I don't compete with those gifts but each year I buy the four littles an advent calendar that matches their interests at the time. This year I went for: DGS1 (8yo) Asterix and Obelix - at the top of my price range but he really is into the books and read at least a dozen while they were here this summer. The books need guidance by his parents as they are full of stereotypes taken to the absurd
DTB: dinosaurs his favorite subject at the moment
DTG: unicorn. She is the hardest for me to find something for as she is the only girlie girl I know
DGS2 (5yo) playmobil under water rescue. The parts are fun separately and they can be taken in the tub. The full set is really fun
All four kids really love their calendars and since it is prior to Xmas there is no competition at all. The grands go on to get the non-diclosed presents from me. For the twins this is it.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Dec 6, 2022 12:39:01 GMT -5
DS's big thing is a remote car starter. DD's big thing is a new iphone. Both kids are getting ski pants, hats and mittens since they bitch they're cold when they have to shovel. They're both getting hoodies. DH is getting warm fuzzy socks and warm waterproof mittens for snowblowing. He's also getting nice leather gloves, a cast iron dutch oven skillet, and worthers candy. I'm getting my Dad a 2008 and 2022 "re-creation" picture of the grandkids. At the time, my sisters kids were 16, 14, and 11. They were holding mine and my brother's 5 kids on their laps, who were 3, 2, 2, 2, and 8 months. The "babies" are now all bigger than the "big kids" The picture is hysterical. The then 14 year old remembers taking the original picture in that "they just kept handing us babies!!!" Then I'll also get him updated pictures of my kids, and a picture of me at work.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Dec 6, 2022 12:44:47 GMT -5
Interesting thought- I give the girls money so they can learn to manage it and even learn from their mistakes. The youngest isn't ready for that yet. Maybe I'll get him a subscription. Bonus: the girls are really nurturing and I can picture them helping him with the stuff he doesn't understand (as long as they don't take over). Last month I bought a couple of gift cards for heifer.org and thought the girls would enjoy "shopping" for animals to be donated to people in developing countries. That fell flat. I later went through the catalogue myself and made choices, which was just fine. I want to teach them altruism and I know their parents are the same way. Eventually it will sink in. Try this www.blankparkzoo.com/support-the-zoo/animal-wish-lists/This is for the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The zoos have wish lists of various enrichment items you can purchase as a donation. That might be more engaging because then they can see the animals they donated to. Putting faces to donations can help with making the connection. Or adopt an animal itself. DH adopted a penguin for my birthday last year. The kids were super excited to see "their" penguin next time we visited. I did have to explain to Abby though that we do not get to take it home with us. Did you know penguins poop like every 30 minutes and can shoot their poop 4 feet? That should keep Abby from wanting to bring a penguin home. I learned that at the Tampa Zoo.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 6, 2022 13:29:47 GMT -5
Try this www.blankparkzoo.com/support-the-zoo/animal-wish-lists/This is for the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. The zoos have wish lists of various enrichment items you can purchase as a donation. That might be more engaging because then they can see the animals they donated to. Putting faces to donations can help with making the connection. Or adopt an animal itself. DH adopted a penguin for my birthday last year. The kids were super excited to see "their" penguin next time we visited. I did have to explain to Abby though that we do not get to take it home with us. Did you know penguins poop like every 30 minutes and can shoot their poop 4 feet? That should keep Abby from wanting to bring a penguin home. I learned that at the Tampa Zoo. So it's like having a toddler?
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Dec 6, 2022 13:31:31 GMT -5
Did you know penguins poop like every 30 minutes and can shoot their poop 4 feet? That should keep Abby from wanting to bring a penguin home. I learned that at the Tampa Zoo. So it's like having a toddler? My toddlers could not shoot their poop 4 feet. I'm not sure what you fed yours.
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Dec 6, 2022 14:22:40 GMT -5
I don’t do moderation at Christmastime My kid has two advent calendars and the responsibility of doling out the dog’s advent calendar too. DS has 8 or so individual books plus a couple boxed sets, four themed t-shirts bc that was what added up to free shipping at hot topic, a couple of games, a few other toys, maybe 3-4 lego sets, and an apple watch (bc I want to be able to track his location and don’t trust him with a cell phone). Oh, and a birthstone gem dig kit. Undecided about whether to wrap the Kiwico kits or use them to while away Christmas break. Some smaller items like chocolates for his stocking, still need to sew a pair of jammie pants to match DH’s since he outgrew the old ones. He also took the Target toy catalog over to discuss with MIL what items he absolutely needed off of that...I noted that anyone who buys my kid a drum set is disinvited from christmas dinner DH is getting four new work shirts and some smaller stuff (umbrella? instant read thermometer? chocolate covered peanuts) DSIL is getting giant bottles of her favorite bath stuff ($$$) and DH was going to order her a wine advent calendar albeit a little late. MIL and FIL are getting a bunch of small froufrou food items (chocolates, smoked salmon, cookies etc) wrapped nicely, plus a couple small items they asked for and a shower gel sampler for MIL. PP is getting a barkbox (assuming I can intercept it before DS dumps it out for him) and will swing by one of the local shops for extra treats and chews.
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Spellbound454
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Post by Spellbound454 on Dec 6, 2022 16:21:18 GMT -5
The kids get a stocking filled with mostly toiletries smellies lotions..... and christmas socks, Christmas magazine, chocolate reindeer, pens pencils etc. Then pyjamas, hat scarf gloves, game and treats to open Christmas morning and money vouchers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2022 17:00:48 GMT -5
Anyone here wanting to adopt a slightly chubby (okay, really pudgy) silver-haired kid for Christmas? All the toys and stocking stuffers sound so amazing! Y'all are awesome parents, grandparent, aunts, uncles, assorted related persons
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2022 17:58:40 GMT -5
I don’t do moderation at Christmastime My kid has two advent calendars and the responsibility of doling out the dog’s advent calendar too. Your kid must be trustworthy. I gave the girls an Advent Calendar a couple of years ago and the chocolates disappeared well before Christmas.
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lurkyloo
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“Time means nothing now,” said Toad. “It is just the thing that happens between snacks.”
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Post by lurkyloo on Dec 6, 2022 18:00:23 GMT -5
I don’t do moderation at Christmastime My kid has two advent calendars and the responsibility of doling out the dog’s advent calendar too. Your kid must be trustworthy. I gave the girls an Advent Calendar a couple of years ago and the chocolates disappeared well before Christmas. Kid is, inlaws are not. I don’t think either of theirs even made it to December DS is all about the ritual
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lurkyloo
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“Time means nothing now,” said Toad. “It is just the thing that happens between snacks.”
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Post by lurkyloo on Dec 6, 2022 18:01:20 GMT -5
Correction: DS is getting 12 or so individual books. Oops.
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lurkyloo
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“Time means nothing now,” said Toad. “It is just the thing that happens between snacks.”
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Post by lurkyloo on Dec 6, 2022 18:39:04 GMT -5
Anyone here wanting to adopt a slightly chubby (okay, really pudgy) silver-haired kid for Christmas? All the toys and stocking stuffers sound so amazing! Y'all are awesome parents, grandparent, aunts, uncles, assorted related persons Come on over! If you can’t convince your DH you were gone for Christmas bc you got lost after a particularly long civic meeting LMK-we can scrounge up a stocking full of coal for him and put an extra seat next to MIL for good measure
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 6, 2022 18:49:51 GMT -5
I want a starter set of good quality cookware for someone, any suggestions?What are you all getting for peeps? My only purchase so far are colson air purifiers and foot peelers I need to get shopping!! Cook’s Illustrated likes All-Clad, but hates the price. They recommend Tramontina tri-ply at a fraction of the cost. It’s still pretty pricy, but we’ve got 4 pieces and they are quite excellent if you don’t want to spend the $$. The Tramontina is not inexpensive, but it is substantial. thanks! the tramontina all says "induction ready" are they equally good for gas? And are you spending more for the induction/magnetic aspect, do you think?
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 6, 2022 19:28:33 GMT -5
Cook’s Illustrated likes All-Clad, but hates the price. They recommend Tramontina tri-ply at a fraction of the cost. It’s still pretty pricy, but we’ve got 4 pieces and they are quite excellent if you don’t want to spend the $$. The Tramontina is not inexpensive, but it is substantial. thanks! the tramontina all says "induction ready" are they equally good for gas? And are you spending more for the induction/magnetic aspect, do you think? That, I can’t tell you. We have 2 3qt and 2 2qt, and want to say they were around $60-70 each? We use them on an electric stove. We have had them for more than 10 years now, and other than TD burning hummingbird food in one, they all still look perfect. The burnt hummingbird food set off the smoke detectors, and he had to use a brass brush on the drill to clean it. The pan is still good, but a bit discolored.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2022 19:31:04 GMT -5
Cook’s Illustrated likes All-Clad, but hates the price. They recommend Tramontina tri-ply at a fraction of the cost. It’s still pretty pricy, but we’ve got 4 pieces and they are quite excellent if you don’t want to spend the $$. The Tramontina is not inexpensive, but it is substantial. thanks! the tramontina all says "induction ready" are they equally good for gas? And are you spending more for the induction/magnetic aspect, do you think? I never heard of Tramontina until some friends who were ultra-wealthy (think house $2.5 million, 1 each Mercedes, Ferrari, BMW, Porsche) bought it. They were very serious cooks and said it was fully as good as the pricey stuff. That sort of thinking is probably why they could afford the house and cars.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Dec 6, 2022 20:33:38 GMT -5
thanks! the tramontina all says "induction ready" are they equally good for gas? And are you spending more for the induction/magnetic aspect, do you think? I never heard of Tramontina until some friends who were ultra-wealthy (think house $2.5 million, 1 each Mercedes, Ferrari, BMW, Porsche) bought it. They were very serious cooks and said it was fully as good as the pricey stuff. That sort of thinking is probably why they could afford the house and cars. I have All-Clad non stick frying pans and they are awesome! I got them at TJ Maxx for very little money. I think the 10 inch was $15 and the 12 inch was $20. I bought some for each of my houses. All-Clad is made by the same company that makes T-Fal. I bought a T-Fal professional 12 inch nonstick frying pan for around $35 at Target and I am very happy with it. I have had a T-Fal cookware set at my AZ house since 2011. I paid $60 for it at Target. It has never peeled and has been a great workhorse set. I highly recommend either brand.
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Dec 6, 2022 20:40:59 GMT -5
I have nearly completed Christmas shopping. DH and I went furniture shopping last week for our gifts and my new sofa/loveseat will be delivered this week. DS#1 got a new front deck built on his house by his own two parents! We covered all the material costs. DS#2 will get a bank transfer to pay for the next semester of ASU. Our twin grandsons just turned a year old and they got new car seats that their parents picked out on black Friday. That leaves my mom, and she got a T-shirt from the quilt museum we visited last summer plus whatever goodies I can come up with in the next two weeks.
I streamline gift giving and go for the big need that I can identify. It's easier to wrap.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 6, 2022 21:28:08 GMT -5
I want a starter set of good quality cookware for someone, any suggestions? Is the giftee the kind of person who values function over trendiness? Will they be putting their pots and pans in the dishwasher? That may help you narrow down price point and type of cookware. I haven't looked at sets - but some of the names going around for functional pots/pans in a mid range price are Tramontina and Cuisinart. I think Calphalon still makes reasonable cookware. Can't go wrong with All-Clad if price is no object. I'd personally go stainless steel for sauce pans and pots. I'd go with on frying pan that stainless steel too. I'd leave the non-stick (these get replaced as needed) or hard anodized surface for saute pans (low to medium heat). I'd call it about 60-70% function. Looks are always a plus, especially with gifts . The are an anti-non-stick surface type.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Dec 6, 2022 21:34:24 GMT -5
was tempted by the all-clad if they were so great, but some reviews talk about a lot of staining. One person specifically mentioned that they didn't hold up to all clad she had previously perchased years ago.
Had to put down 500 for a set if they have cut quality and kept the price of their previous reputation.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Dec 6, 2022 22:53:42 GMT -5
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Dec 6, 2022 23:46:18 GMT -5
I looked at Advent Calendars. I had no idea they could hold special little items for a gift or treat everyday. My GF said she got one from her DD that is cosmetics. She's daily delighted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2022 8:33:19 GMT -5
I looked at Advent Calendars. I had no idea they could hold special little items for a gift or treat everyday. My GF said she got one from her DD that is cosmetics. She's daily delighted. I've seen Advent calendars with a little sample of a different scotch whisky every day. No, I didn't order one! My pet peeve is that Advent starts on a different day each year- this year it was November 27, the first Sunday of Advent. The calendars all start on December 1. The least they could do is respect the ecclesiastical calendar and start it on the right day!
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Dec 7, 2022 8:49:22 GMT -5
Except for DH, DD, myself and great nephews and great niece, I got everyone socks. Bombas socks, with a lifetime guarantee against all perils including dog chewing, wear, staining, loss and anything else. I've gotten them for years for the adults in my family and now everyone looks forward to them and asks about getting them. They're crazy expensive for socks but incredibly comfortable, attractive and universally appealing. So for DBs, DSis, DSIL, DNephews and DNiece and DNieceIL, plus DSIL's grandchild expected in February, socks it is.
For the children I got toys--wooden blocks with magnets inside for the very young, Legos for the 8yo. For DD I got a variety of small things that she can carry on the plane and I'll give her some $, of which she has none. She's on SSDI and SNAP. I'm paying for her flight up here and back like I paid for her last 2 trips.
For DS I got: socks! There's nothing he wants or needs that he couldn't or hasn't already gotten for himself.
For DH I got a camera backpack that he asked for and an LLBean shirt that I know he'll like.
For me, I've been getting clothes, kitchen stuff and some house stuff. I was very explicit with DH about what earrings I wanted and he's already given them to me. That worked best.
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daisylu
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Post by daisylu on Dec 7, 2022 9:14:38 GMT -5
I share my Amazon Wish List with DH. He gets an email every time I add something, which is not really often. He ALWAYS acts surprised (though with his memory issues who knows) when he actually looks at the list at all the "cool" stuff I put on there. Still nothing shows up at my door.
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MN-Investor
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Post by MN-Investor on Dec 8, 2022 0:47:38 GMT -5
At this point in my life, I only am buying for one sister - we've exchanged names among my siblings for decades. I'm going to buy a bluetooth speaker that she can use with her iphone or ipad. And a few little things like fuzzy socks. Oh, and I don't have my Seattle sister's name for Christmas, but I'm going to send her a gift card for her favorite restaurant.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Dec 8, 2022 12:42:51 GMT -5
So far, I have bought myself - new eyeshadows - roller ball perfume for work trips - plaid flannel in school colors for when I coach bball games - yoga mat
DH - trevor noah tickets - car phone charger - lucky charms cereal candle - air fryer and smoker cheat sheet magnets - cat welcome mat
DD14 1. Roller ball perfume
2. Polish
3. Bubble bath
4. Bath fizzer
5. Nail strengthener
6. Mascara wand
1. Brio mag
2. Pencil pouch
3. spring break ATV trip
4. musical season tickets
5. 6 Denim jacket musical patches
6. Elf pajama pants
7. Slippers arriving 12/12
8. DEH hat 9. yoga mat 10. earbuds
DD10 1. Polish strips
2. Cat treats
3. Cat toys
4. Lg bath bomb
5. Eye shadow
6. Bath fizzers
7. Bubble bath
8. Mascara wand
1. Fish measurer
2. Proof game
3. Brain quest
4. Confidence code for girls - do we already own it?
5. Pencil pouch
6. SB Monkeyland
7. Switch controller
8. OMG doll
9. Cat tree
10. Caboodle
11. Earbuds
12. Yoga mat
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Dec 8, 2022 13:49:09 GMT -5
LL Bean slipper boots Man scented candles LL Bean fleece throws Tea kettle Earrings Snow cone machines for grand kids Books and puzzles
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Dec 8, 2022 14:01:25 GMT -5
I'm not buying a damn thing, my family doesn't do 'stuff' anymore and I love it. I am going to be a mule in transporting a pricey bourbon this weekend when I fly to PA, as my friend can't find a specific label in her area. well, if I can find it here, I guess. I leave Sunday. re: cookware, I have suggestions. idk why my brain went to knife blocks at first search, but whatever. still useful info! knives - I have this set from ~15y ago now, also from Kohl's. some blades are a little discolored from water stains, but everything's still in great working order. the knives are a comfortable weight balance, as well. pots/pans - I was gifted this set when I bought my first condo in 2003. I gifted it to a friend a few years back when I upgraded to Calphalon tri-ply, but I still have one pot from the set (there wasn't a similar in the Calphalon set) and use it often. again, it was also from Kohl's lol... funny that the first links to pop up were from there. AFAIK, the rest of the set is still in use in the rental cottage where my friend was the winter caretaker.
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