xmas

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

JBD and Flea72 - i agree with both points but i think if someone has asked then i just do what i can afford, usually £10 for kids or £15 or £20 for the adult dependant on how close they are.

I used to hate gift vouchers or money as i thought they were thoughtless but since i have grown up i have realised how crap so many of the presents are you recieve - i know that sounds ungrateful but being someone who doesn't wear tons of make up getting yet another make up set, having sensitive skin and being bought yet another bath set that you can't use, or another perfume that i'll never wear as i stick to just two faves it does become a pain (i have a top shelf in my wardrobe filled with unused gifts from last year - i should really take them to the charity shop when i get a chance) -honestly for that reason i'd rather the person saved their money or spent a little extra on the kids instead of me.

I think it is tough to buy for someone you don't really know well, and know what they like and don't like - i hate the way so many people rush to Boots to buy EVERYONES presents in one go, just think how much waste that creates...i must admit that with any perfumes they secretly go on ebay so i can then buy something i'll enjoy instead

Something made is always my fave, even if i'll never use it that is real effort and gets great appreciation

jellyhead

flea72 wrote: »

kids might like the principle of vouchers, but they dont really hold your interest longer than 5mins, and on christmas day theres nothing worse than having lots of 'cash' but not the ability to go and spend it - you mates come round, flashing off their latest gadget, and theres you stood there with a fan of giftcards, boring or what!

Perhaps it depends on the age of the child? My 13 year old would be perfectly happy with giftcard, and would look at what his friends had and decide what he wanted to go out and buy Shops are open boxing day anyway, for those desperate to go and spend. As long as my son gets something to play with (the coke geyser from firebox last year was a big hit!) and something chocolate he is happy and doesn't give a monkeys what else there is. If it's a favourite game for a console he's after then he'll get it from father christmas on the day (he keeps up the pretense for his little brother) but if aunts and uncles give vouchers or money I see no problem, he's not going without and will still have things to open on the day.

I'm keeping an eye on this thread though because my husband has a godson who's 15 and we never have a clue what to buy for him. Maybe someone will suggest something better than the amazon or itunes voucher we normally give him

red_devil

I actually think its a little selfish of the buyer to call all the shots. Its all well and good saying I dont give money or vouchers but isnt it about what the receiver wants to receive.

I have had people say they dont give cards its a waste of money. Maybe the person who receives the cards likes getting them and displaying them.

Could the sil invite your son out for a meal or something or include him in something their family do! Somehow i think not! Its very limiting and I think people should think abit more. Not just be controlling.

Vouchers for bowling, meals, theatre, cinema are an excellent idea. I dont see how anyone can be against those.

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Jellyhead - i know you mentioned it yourself but Firebox is fab for slightly weird but interesting gifts. My brother is coming over from overseas to spend xmas with us and is really fretting about swineflu - he has even asked me to take my daughter out of nursery while him, his wife and the baby are over So just to wind him up i am going to get him Swine Flu for xmas, its a cuddly teddy nicknamed swineflu, they also have MRSA and Common Cold, Kissing Virus etc which yes they can be a sensitive gift but my brother will see the funny side.

Plus check hotukdeals for voucher codes too!

jellyhead

The free t-shirt from iffyton looks okay for teenage boys - black with a guitar. P&P £3.80 I think.

Kandipandi

I dont know why people have a problem with vouchers or cash.
If you get a gift you dont like or want you can hardly say, thanks but I dont like it did you keep the receipt so I can return it (for cash presumably :rotfl:)?

My family always give the kids cash as like you say a computer game costs about 40 quid and I would not expect any one person to buy that. Besides which our chilren are so spoilt anyway they dont even know what they want so how are we supposed to know?

jellyhead

My 13 year old is hoping to save towards a ps3 or x-box (probably second hand) so he is hoping people will give him cash. Obviuosly he will be grateful for anything, and polite if people give him a lynx gift set or whatever from boots, but the people who love him will want him to be able to buy the xbox imho.

Greenqueen_2

Chocolate? I know my teens would love that. SIL can choose the size according to her budget.

jellyhead

I've seen a chocolate xmas tree in boots that I think my son will love. Probably depends on how much pocket money a child gets, and how much junk food they usually consume. Mine will think all his christmases have come at once, bless him - we're much stricter than his friends parents. His friends often take £5 or £10 to asda to buy treats though, so for them a £6.99 choccy tree wouldn't impress much.

buxtonrabbitgreen

Teenage boys do just want money. I have one so I know. You have told your sil what would be good for your ds so I would leave it at that. If she buys him a present he doesn't like it is a shame and a waste, but he will get what he does want from you. Maybe next year any suggestions that you manage to worm out of him could be given to your sil and you could just give him the cash. It doesn't help much for this christmas though sorry.