xmas

floss2

Threebabes wrote: »

......My SIL asked me what to get my kids for xmas ......She has said no she wont buy them vouchers, she wants to buy them a gift.

Threebabes wrote: »

.... His games are £35 - £40 each.....

If she wants to buy him something he will use & get pleasure out of, then I would tell her that. But then say, "why dont you give him a voucher for HMV, then he can buy CD / DVD or put the voucher towards a game?"

She obviously has no real idea about buying for teenagers!

MrsAnnie

I really loathe giving vouchers or money for presents. It seems so impersonal and without thought. Although I do keep all receipts so that people can exchange presents I give them if them don't like it or already have it.

Surely there must be something that your DS would like or needs that isn't expensive? Maybe something for school? For sports or for a hobby?

fernliebee

The problem with teenagers is that if he likes something now, a CD for example, there is no guarantee he will still like it in 2 and a half months time! They change their minds so often! I would have no problem buying a teenager or adult male vouchers if they had asked for them but generally prefer to get a present if poss.

jellyhead

Is he still into 'characters'? My 13 year old is getting new pyjamas with super mario on them - they cost around 3 times what I would normally spend on pyjamas but he wanted them, although he's bound to think they're babyish before christmas lol!

Other relatives have been given a list of books he would like.

pebbles88

Glamazon wrote: »

MIL won't give money or vouchers so I end up with £70 of crap I don't us. Some people just don't like it

oh i know exactly what you mean..... i have been asked a million times by mil what i want, said i dont need/want anything. my dh suggested to her poss money to go towards our little hol just after christmas.... she was horrified by this so no doubt i will get something along the lines of:

• pyjamas that would be too big for a giant....im only 5' 3"
• knickers that are either far too small (i have some she bought me 3 christmasses ago that still dont fit me now even though i have lost 3 stone since, and also some that wouldnt cover the bum of a size 8 woman! also the ones that were too small were very flimsy and she made me open them in front of all DH's family..:o:o:o
• a tealight in a glass holder.... which was very pretty, but perhaps more suited to a church...
• a pink fluffy diary.... im 30 next year
• slippers 3 sizes too small.... to match said giant pyjamas

i know i sound an ungrateful cowbag, but she always goes for quantity over everything else, so everyone ends up with bags of tat... .... like this year i know she has got me some smellies, and i said thats great, thats all i need then....has she listened ....no chance..... and i saw her squirreling away size M t shirts for DH the other day...dont think he has been a size M since his teens.....
my mum always feels awful cos she gets me n dh 1 present each, but its always something we need or have asked for

Threebabes

Hi

No he most definitely not into character pjs, Ive had a right time trying to find him some, hes not into adult male sizes either.

He does ju jutsui but it isnt as if he needs anything for it, he has everything. He also likes his bmx, which he saved for himself last year and my bil (SIL's brother) gave him money when he asked for it for xmas towards the bike. He loves his ps3 but again weve bought him an extra control and his birthday is soon, so got him a game for that and pre-ordered 2 for xmas, and they are expensive to get someone to buy.

No, he doesnt like music, got him an ipod nano last xmas which my hubby uses.

He loves films and boxsets. Ive already got him the boxset he has wanted and a dozen movies because im struggling for things myself. We had a look on amazon and he couldnt come up with anything, where as with a voucher he could hold on until new games came out in the new year and put any extra towards it himself.

The cinema voucher is a good idea but again its a voucher and she mightnt like that.

Clothes are awkward, she dresses her kids differently to mine and when I buy clothing for my kids I now take them with me, no point in buying anything they wont wear.

We have given up buying DS books, he never reads them, my girls arent big readers either apart from school books, whereas I love to read.

mini

Do they live nearby? Could you suggest she takes him shopping or for lunch or to the cinema, or what about a box of pick & mix/bag of popcorn with a cinema voucher on? If he goes with his friends then that would save some money and is still a gift?

I am no expert I only have a teenager in training:rotfl:

Threebabes

mini wrote: »

Do they live nearby? Could you suggest she takes him shopping or for lunch or to the cinema, or what about a box of pick & mix/bag of popcorn with a cinema voucher on? If he goes with his friends then that would save some money and is still a gift?

I am no expert I only have a teenager in training:rotfl:

I think thats a brilliant idea, but we dont see much of them and shes heavily pregnant with no. 4.

I was thinking I was doing her a favour with vouchers, with 3 small kids and heavily pregnant. :rotfl:

jackomdj

How about a fleece or top?

I know you mentioned Amazon, did he look through everything, he could do a list.

If he is into games could he get an accessory - ie steering wheel etc?

How about some kind of smellies or shower gel etc?

jenhug

tell her to take them christmas shopping to choose, she might give in and get vouchers!