I Hate Buying Gifts!

[Shooby]

  I don't mind spending the money.  I just never know what to buy someone.  Unless they explicitly tell me what they want, i don't know what to buy.   I can buy for DH and the kids but when it comes to buying for relatives, friends, acquaintances, etc. I just don't know.  I might like a certain type of jewelry, candles, clothes, etc but i don't really know what to buy someone else!  Shopping for gifts is like torture!

[Deleted]

I honestly don't buy regular gifts for people   ... I'm more of an, if I see something and it screams that person to me, I'll buy it.

[kittensaver]

i don't shop for relatives/friends/acquaintances etc unless I know for sure they want something specific. I stick with small food gifts. Shooby, I know you're a talented cook - howzabout baking something (cookies, brownies, cupcakes etc) when you need to give a gift? Just a thought . . .

[Deleted]

i only buy gifts for my wife and my kids

if we go to a wedding or another event where a gift is warranted, they get cash

probably not the proper thing....but it works for me

and as far as gifts for my wife

we each made our "wish list" of items ( we update every 4-5 years)

things on hers are a baby grand piano.....new refrigerator.....earrings that go with the necklace i bought a few years back.... a trip to Rome.....etc

we keep the lists small....and you dont have to buy something on the list.....but it helps with ideas for both of us

my list had a new driver for my golf clubs.....an entry into the WSOP.....

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

If I am not certain what to buy someone, I usually contact them and just ask... I don't think gifts need to always be a suprise.

[Shooby]

  Well, i was invited to a 40th Surprise Bday Party.    Soooo, what should i buy?  I thought maybe some jewelry but what i like isn't necessarily someone else's taste.  Or, a gift certificate just seems kind of lame.  I am not really like most women so i don't know what they like.  The things l like are not someone else's taste!  I don't know this lady that well and have only been to her house once.

[Shooby]

Feb 19, 2013 16:16:40 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

i don't shop for relatives/friends/acquaintances etc unless I know for sure they want something specific. I stick with small food gifts. Shooby, I know you're a talented cook - howzabout baking something (cookies, brownies, cupcakes etc) when you need to give a gift? Just a thought . . .

LOL!  You are too kind.  I am not so talented!  Just more trial and error and wishful thinking on my part!  I do try though but not everything turns out!

[kittensaver]

Well in this case, I would fall back on something "traditional and safe," like flowers, a potted plant, a bottle of wine, a box of candy, a box of hostess soaps . . . yeah you don't know her well enough to know if any of these things are "off limits" for her, but if she hates what you give her at least it's something easy enough to pass along to someone else, lol. If you've only been there once and you don't know the person well, I'd stick with the "hostess gift" level of giving. Or bake some homemade goodies. JMHO. 

[Shooby]

  How about a gift certificate to the nail spa?  I know she likes that?  But what would be an appropriate amount?  $25, $35, etc?  I kind of don't like gift certificates because it designates an amount./

[kittensaver]

Feb 19, 2013 18:30:12 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  How about a gift certificate to the nail spa?  I know she likes that?  But what would be an appropriate amount?  $25, $35, etc?  I kind of don't like gift certificates because it designates an amount./

Personally, I'd give this only if it is where she regularly gets her nails done. Lots of women don't like going to random service providers. BUT if she never gets them done, she might consider a gift certificate a treat. Can you ask around a little to find out more?

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Ask for suggestions from whoever invited you

[grits]

You can't go wrong with a Fleet.

[mmhmm]

Feb 19, 2013 15:30:30 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  I don't mind spending the money.  I just never know what to buy someone.  Unless they explicitly tell me what they want, i don't know what to buy.   I can buy for DH and the kids but when it comes to buying for relatives, friends, acquaintances, etc. I just don't know.  I might like a certain type of jewelry, candles, clothes, etc but i don't really know what to buy someone else!  Shopping for gifts is like torture!

I don't like it, either, shoobs, and for the same reason.  I usually give money or a gift certificate unless a person has specifically stated what they want.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

Feb 19, 2013 18:20:07 GMT -5 Shooby said:

  Well, i was invited to a 40th Surprise Bday Party.    Soooo, what should i buy? 

...a Polamalu jersey... duh...


...if you wanna be cute, get a Gayle Sayers' jersey, Bears #40...

[Deleted]

Ask for suggestions from whoever invited you

I agree. Here for milestone birthdays people tend to give one big gift that people contribute to (if they choose to, of course). It is customary here to ask whoever invited you (or their spouse, or closest friends) if there is a group gift being organized. Then if you want to contribute, you do. Most people contribute (it's easier lol).

Some recent 50th birthday gifts amongst my friends have been a weekend getaway, an iPad, a small sculpture, a great camera, an olive tree, spa days, a really nice hamac. Personally I think it's nicer to do one "big" gift than a lot of small "stuff", because I'm really anti-clutter.

For "hostess gifts" I like things that get used up: flowers, food, chocolate, wine / Champagne, good tea or coffee, candles, good honey or jam, etc. Or an (outdoor) plant.

ETA: If you like the idea of a spa thing, you could always get together with a few other people and give her a spa day or half-day (I never go so I don't know what it costs).

[Deleted]

Some people are really hard to buy for. People you don't know really well or people you know that pretty much have whatever they want already.
My dad is really tough and one year I was buying up these beautiful handmade wind chimes (I know some people hate them and I kept that in mind) for a kind of semi standard gift to have around when needed.
I gave one to my dad for his birthday. He liked it, but then I gave him another on his next bday. I forgot I had given him one already. He looked at me kinda funny and I said did I give you one of those last year? He laughed and said he can use another lol.
So that is kind of the problem with buying standard type gifts.......keeping track.

[Deleted]

LOL Xmas!

I have a friend who writes everything down: the gifts she gives people, and what she cooks at dinner parties.

I used to think that was silly, but as I get older, I'm not so sure lol!

I went through a "wind chime" phase too. I bought a bunch and used them as hostess gifts. I like them too (as long as they aren't too big).

[tcu2003]

Feb 21, 2013 18:37:31 GMT -5 @debthaven2 said:

LOL Xmas!

I have a friend who writes everything down: the gifts she gives people, and what she cooks at dinner parties.

I keep an Excel spreadsheet of all the birthday, Christmas and new baby gifts I give. Each year gets a new tab and I put the gift and dollar amount on there. It helps me keep track of what I've already purchased (I tend to shop somewhat throughout the year as I see something I think someone would like, and don't want to forget I have something stashed in a closet), and helps me not duplicate gifts (more so for the kids in the family as I buy a lot of children's books for gift for them).

[Shooby]

  Update:  I bought my friend a really pretty necklace, bracelet and matching earrings.  It had pretty colors of torqouise and green.  And, even DD (11) thought it was gorgeous (DD has very good taste).   My friend goes on a lot of cruises so i thought she would enjoy the jewelry and some of the other ladies ooohed and aahhed over it to so i think i did OK.

[Shooby]

Here it was Erica Lyons, this necklace:

[Deleted]

Very pretty Shooby!

[Shooby]

Thanks!