Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 6, 2013 17:52:02 GMT -5
Phoenix84, instead of asking for "things" for Christmas how about experiences, like tickets to a sporting event or concert or art show or something you'd enjoy? That might be better than acquiring more material things you don't really need.
I would have loved to have seen your Mom's face when she saw the MOP as a gift! I'm sure they never let you forget that... No, no they won't.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 6, 2013 17:56:27 GMT -5
I'm quite easy to please. perfume, chocs, frillies, little pendant, bottle of wine......Doesn't have to be expensive. If I want speciality things I would buy them myself so there isn't any point in going for the expensive stuff. Just a gift...nicely wrapped and sent with love will do for me. Well, I suck at wrapping. I can do the sending with love part though. I get my sister to do all my wrapping.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Nov 6, 2013 17:56:51 GMT -5
I want an Amazon gift card. We don't do Christmas presents on my side of the family, but I have a birthday coming up and I'll probably get some money for that. My MIL will get me something that I absolutely do not want - a book I don't read, some candy I don't like, a sweater that looks awful on me. She spends money when she really shouldn't. My BILs will buy me gift cards. My SIL will find something classy and cool to send me.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Nov 6, 2013 17:57:40 GMT -5
I've always asked my folks for practical stuff that I never seem to get around to getting myself. An cordless screwdriver, small shop vac, various little tools for home projects, pantry/closet organizer stuff, new pillows, etc. Nothing extravagant, but little things that make life easier that I'm terrible about taking the time (or remembering!) to get myself.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2013 18:47:05 GMT -5
This year I am asking my parents for a facial and massage at a local spa. I had my first facial in September and LOVED it! But I have a hard time spending the money myself.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Nov 6, 2013 19:31:21 GMT -5
I have trouble thinking of something (reasonably priced) that I would like too. We've got too much stuff around here as it is. However, if anyone would like to give someone a Coach purse, keep me in mind! (No crab legs needed.)
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Pants
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Post by Pants on Nov 6, 2013 19:53:27 GMT -5
This year for Christmas I asked mostly for swimming stuff - a swimming watch, a new waterproof ipod since mine is on its last legs.
Phoenix - in terms of "romantic" - the most romantic presents I've gotten from my DH haven't been traditionally romantic at all. They have been gifts that have shown he was listening and thinking of me. They are things I want but wouldn't remember or prioritize to get for myself. Maybe I'm just way too practical, lol, but these are the things I remember.
1) I mentioned in October sometime, totally offhand, that I wish I had some gloves that matched my red hat. For Christmas, there were red cashmere gloves under the tree. 2) My laptop bag was falling apart and he got me a cute new one. He explained why he bought that one specifically, it had pockets for this and that but was still slim, etc. It was really cute. 3) After our daughter was born, he got me a little pendant with a tree on it - because we were starting our own family tree. It probably cost $10, but I wear it almost every day. 4) And this was seriously the least "romantic" thing ever - I was complaining I didn't have sandals I could wear on the pool deck. A month later for my birthday he got me flip-flops for the pool.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 6, 2013 21:18:30 GMT -5
I intentionally make a huge list every Christmas and put it on the fridge during the first week of December. DH means well, he just lacks the gift giving gene so I make it easy on him, otherwise he waits until the very last minute and buys anything in a panic. I offer various items at various price points and difficulties in locating. DH and the kids usually get me a few of the things off of there, and the kids also find additional things during their shopping trips. YDS is particularly good in giving me things that let me know he's got a fairly keen sense of who his mother is. ODS, too, but YDS goes a little deeper. Yet, year after year, I carry things over that NEVER get given: some more of my formal china; a gift certificate to get my car detailed; a piano (used/freecycle/craigslist is absolutely fine!!!), etc. This year I might just leave them to their own defenses.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 1:08:52 GMT -5
I try to keep a list of books and games I'd like but can wait for, so I have some inexpensive things on my list for the askers.
If there is stuff I need, I don't usually wait. But there are the odd things I could use, like a new toaster - I won't buy for myself because I have one that works, I'm just miffed at it because I got it with these cool buttons for toasting frozen stuff and such & the words that go with the buttons wore/wiped off . . . so now I don't know how to make it do its cool tricks!!
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Nov 7, 2013 2:47:45 GMT -5
I don't want gifts unless they are something special. I don't want to buy gifts or get gifts. I know this year I will get a gift card for car washes, I may give a gift card for meat. None of us want to do this anymore. I have a huge collection of wrapping paper I will donate this year, I am never wrapping another gift. Future gifts will all fit in a greeting card so either gift card or a check. Checks are really popular. I will not give hints I just say not to buy me anything. I did hint once that I wanted an electric fry pan and got it then didn't use it for a year now using almost every day. I would love to get labor as a gift. I need to paint and refinish floors and stuff so giving me a day or two of time or even an hour would be a great gift. I want someone to change my chandelier some of my crystals broke when parts fell while trying to clean it. I think I might know how to do it but I would really like someone else to do it. After I paint I will buy a new one then leave in a box until someone feels sorry for me, I wonder if that will work If someone would offer to do the little things I can't like turning a king sized mattress I would love it, I hate to ask and ISO gets grumpy when I want him to do stuff then isn't careful and doesn't know how to do some things like the chandelier. I think I will make a Christmas Gift for ISO for his new house. I want to make a fish cleaning station, I will start looking for a used kitchen sink stainless steel then cut a hole in a table drop in the sink, put by the faucet in his yard where the seller had is fish cleaning station. We don't have a fish cleaning station it will be really handy living on a river full of steel head and salmon.
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mamasita99
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Post by mamasita99 on Nov 7, 2013 5:48:34 GMT -5
I think I will make a Christmas Gift for ISO for his new house. I want to make a fish cleaning station, I will start looking for a used kitchen sink stainless steel then cut a hole in a table drop in the sink, put by the faucet in his yard where the seller had is fish cleaning station. We don't have a fish cleaning station it will be really handy living on a river full of steel head and salmon. I think this sounds like the perfect gift- it's thoughtful, useful, and won't take up space in the house. When I get my own place again, at the beach preferably, I want an outdoor shower. Doesn't have to be fancy, but I love outdoor showers.
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mamasita99
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Post by mamasita99 on Nov 7, 2013 5:54:16 GMT -5
I would also be fine with forgoing gifts altogether, but not going to happen anytime soon! But things I would enjoy receiving: consumables, that don't take up space for long. Wine, homemade goodies, fruit, hand wash, etc. If it isn't my preferred brand or whatever, that's fine, I can share with coworkers or students (well, not the wine). It's nice to be thought of.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Nov 7, 2013 7:18:40 GMT -5
I, too, frequently fall into the NO clue gift category. Some years I DO have an idea because I need something – immersion blender, new answering machine, replacement scale……but it has been 10 years (30 bdays, mothers days, & holidays).
When I don’t know the kids usually give me gift card(s) to local resturaunts which I DO really like.
DramaQ Thanks for the idea. I could use a new dustbuster. Mine does NOT hold a charge.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 7:33:56 GMT -5
I would love to get labor as a gift. I need to paint and refinish floors and stuff so giving me a day or two of time or even an hour would be a great gift. I want someone to change my chandelier some of my crystals broke when parts fell while trying to clean it. I think I might know how to do it but I would really like someone else to do it. After I paint I will buy a new one then leave in a box until someone feels sorry for me, I wonder if that will work Hire an electrician Crone. They are definitely worth the money. Decent electricians are very quick with the work that would take you & ISO a while to figure out.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 8:42:29 GMT -5
I, too, frequently fall into the NO clue gift category. Some years I DO have an idea because I need something – immersion blender, new answering machine, replacement scale……but it has been 10 years (30 bdays, mothers days, & holidays). When I don’t know the kids usually give me gift card(s) to local resturaunts which I DO really like. DramaQ Thanks for the idea. I could use a new dustbuster. Mine does NOT hold a charge. And thank you for the idea! I forgot that my immersion blender died. Now I know what to ask for from the "kids".
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Nov 7, 2013 8:57:52 GMT -5
What does your husband deem as "romantic
I still don't have any clue! The first present he ever gave me was a Lego Star Wars set that was too big to fit in my dorm. His defintion of "romantic" and mine don't seem to line up.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Nov 7, 2013 9:20:04 GMT -5
I don't ever have ideas if what to get other people, but our families won't hear of not exchanging gifts.
I think I'll ask the in-laws for perfume or costume jewelry. My parents are good about household items I like, but hate to buy.
I had thought of getting everyone those emergency car escape things that will cut a seat belt and crack the window. Might have to look into those.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Nov 7, 2013 9:54:47 GMT -5
My husband and I don't do mushy, romantic things for gifts. It's just not our style. But we do go for thoughtful.
Last year for Christmas one of my gifts was that he and DS found the tiny little shirt that the base hospital first put DS in when he was born it says "Property of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska" on it. They framed that up in a nice shadow box type frame. For his 40th I snuck all of his old frat t-shirts out of the house and sent them to Honeylioness (WIR poster) and she made them into a quilt for him. He loved that. For my birthday he got me a cuttlebug (scrapbooking/card making thing). Plus bonus he got is gently used on ebay for like 1/2 price. One year when we were first married he got me a toaster for Christmas. I was so freaking thrilled I was giddy. We'd only been married a few months and hadn't bought one yet and he knew I hated cold poptarts.
It's all about knowing the other person and buying something specifically for them.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Nov 7, 2013 9:56:45 GMT -5
My parents have a farm and get cows butchered for meat. Every year we ask for hamburger for Christmas... so far it hasn't happened, but this year Mom asked me if beef was what we wanted. Whoo hoo! That's a lot more handy than trying to come up with something else. Why ?? I was going to ask if your parents want to adopt me, but even you haven't gotten much beef....
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Nov 7, 2013 10:52:29 GMT -5
A week ago I gave DH a Christmas wish list ..... the first time in 12 years.
Blue Grass Perfume DVD Fiddler on Roof (dropped and chipped the one I have) Mitch Albom book ...... First Phone Call From Heaven Silver charm bracelet
I have two charm bracelets and they are full. If I put all three together and make a necklace with them, then I can change décor as I wish. One bracelet is full of Europe charms, second is US, third will be leftovers.
Now I need to get one from him. It's like pulling teeth.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Nov 7, 2013 11:18:27 GMT -5
Luckily, no one else where I work wants to be subjected to that either. We have a lunch time potluck during the work day and avoid any gift exchanges altogether. Drunk Tina would be fun to watch though. Wait...why can't I get drunk at the potluck?? Because it's in the middle of the work day. Most normal people wait until after work to start drinking Tina.
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kcladyjane
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Post by kcladyjane on Nov 7, 2013 11:39:06 GMT -5
My parents have a farm and get cows butchered for meat. Every year we ask for hamburger for Christmas... so far it hasn't happened, but this year Mom asked me if beef was what we wanted. Whoo hoo! That's a lot more handy than trying to come up with something else. Why ?? I was going to ask if your parents want to adopt me, but even you haven't gotten much beef.... I think the only reason they haven't given us beef in the past for Christmas was because they just happened to be low on supply at that point. I guess this year they must have a bunch left. Normally we buy a 1/4 of beef from them every so often when they butcher. Our own supply is low though so the gift of some beef will come in handy until they butcher again. It tastes soooooo much better then what I can buy at the store. And my husband prefers meat at every meal so we run through beef fast. For the rest of our family I tell them to get me Paul Mitchell hair products and my husband requests Walmart giftcards. My 2 sisters, my mom, grandma, and I do an annual Christmas shopping trip each December. So if any of us needs clothes we try them on and then hand the clothes over for someone to use for Christmas gifts. That way no one ends up with something they won't wear. Saves me from worrying that the recipient will not like their gift.
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Baby Fawkes
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Post by Baby Fawkes on Nov 7, 2013 11:40:07 GMT -5
Wait...why can't I get drunk at the potluck?? Because it's in the middle of the work day. Most normal people wait until after work to start drinking Tina. That's just silly talk!
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Nov 7, 2013 12:00:04 GMT -5
Because it's in the middle of the work day. Most normal people wait until after work to start drinking Tina. That's just silly talk! I know, but some employers are just unreasonable!
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amishgal
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Post by amishgal on Nov 7, 2013 12:14:03 GMT -5
DH and I don't exchange gifts, just stocking stuffers which is fun. We just buy what we need and use any extra funds for travel. I wish we could cut out adult gift giving all together, the only ones we still exchange with are his parents. They always give us Visa gift cards for everything, birthdays and Christmas and I feel if it comes to just exchanging equal amount gift cards, what's the freaking point?? Ours just end up going towards groceries anyway. I do NOT like anyone else buying clothes for me, so most of what I like is consumable type gifts, candles, candy and you can never go wrong with wine! I wish DH would just get the nerve to tell his parents just to buy for the kids and skip us.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Nov 7, 2013 12:36:00 GMT -5
Because it's in the middle of the work day. Most normal people wait until after work to start drinking Tina. That's just silly talk! Yeah, My employer serves alcohol at nearly every employee event. We usually start at 2ish. For that matter, if you look you can probably find beer and or wine in one of our refrigerators. If you don't find what you want and voice your desire, someone will dig it up for you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 12:37:46 GMT -5
Is your company hiring bean29??!?!
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Nov 7, 2013 13:04:29 GMT -5
My aunt's company allows drinking during work hours as long as you don't get drunk. They have cocktail hours on Fridays just because throughout the year.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Nov 7, 2013 13:29:58 GMT -5
What does your husband deem as "romantic
I still don't have any clue! The first present he ever gave me was a Lego Star Wars set that was too big to fit in my dorm. His defintion of "romantic" and mine don't seem to line up. Wait Wait Wait, he talks about how a dust buster isn't romantic enough, and yet gets you a lego star wars set?
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Nov 7, 2013 13:34:35 GMT -5
Wait Wait Wait, he talks about how a dust buster isn't romantic enough, and yet gets you a lego star wars set
You see what I've been dealing with for 10 years? The Legos are why he doesn't get to "surprise" me anymore.
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