Avoiding unwanted and expensive Xmas presents

Alikay

My OH and I agree that we'll just get each other a box of our favourite sweeties on Xmas day,then we have our own special day in January. We take a day off work while the kids are at school and go shopping together, with a proper pub lunch. We usually get something in the clothes line (but NOT a full-on "I need a dress/shirt/shoes for wedding/night out/work type of clothes shopping -we both hate that!) but always choose a couple of CD's and books together then go home and order off internet, and maybe some other nice bits and bobs like make-up, magazines, some special cheese from the deli etc.
Its a really nice day out and something we would otherwise never do.
He likes it because it saves him that desperate blokes-christmas-rush stuff and we both feel treated.

beachbeth

I have a friend who does something similar, Alikay. She was fed up with her and her OH buying each other lovely clothes for Xmas and then seeing them half the price in a sale on Boxing Day! So now they get each other choccys and other treats that you don't tend to buy in the sales and they put aside the clothes money and spend one of the days after Xmas clothes shopping together and getting them at bargain prices. They don't have kids and so don't have to wait until term time!

Lillibet_2

How about taking him late night shopping one night before Xmas & literally holding items up saying "you could get me this for Christmas". Make a point of buying him some bits too, so he gets the idea.

Good luck;)

earthmother

Alikay - hubby and I are the same - a box of Lindt or York Fruits (memories of childhood - yum) from him for me, the largest Toblerone I can find for him - and something really gooey from M&S or the local bakery to demolish once the kids are in bed on Christmas Eve.


Any other presents will usually come from the sales - with a £10 each rule (which we'll sometimes pool that together if there's a book, DVD or CD we'd both like) - that way we both know we haven't overspent.

inkie

We only exchange token gifts, afterall, its not about consumerism is it?? And then i give OH a list of ideas, but as he thinks that I am difficult to buy for, he has asked me to come to the local antique centre with him and chose something.

Becles

We normally just buy a couple of token gifts.

Last year all he wanted was Postman Pat underpants, so I bought some plain pants and inkjet transfer paper, and made him some

morganlefay

Thank you so much everyone for so many good suggestions. Reading what you say I think I have given up doing a decent list and then just wait for him to get it wrong. Enough martyrdom ! I shall do a good a DETAILED (I think that's the key) list in plenty of time this year. I shall also tell daughters exactly what I want him to go and get me. It will not be vastly expensive but this year will be spot on. Joint shopping expeditions are not on as he HATES shopping (part of the problem I suspect), but if he's really unable to face it then the daughters can get it for him, and I would have no compunction in nagging him to pay them back. I think you have all helped me crack this, and I'd like to say a big thank you (lots of people's posts didn't have 'thank you' buttons - i'm not sure what that's about but it makes me feel ungrateful not to be able to acknowledge good advice. So thanks to everyone: I have a good Plan now !:T :T :T

frosty

I cut pictures out of an, Argos book or similar of the things i would like and then stick them around the house,a picture of some jewellery stuck on his shaving mirror seems to work.

Gingham_Ribbon

Becles wrote:

We normally just buy a couple of token gifts.

Last year all he wanted was Postman Pat underpants, so I bought some plain pants and inkjet transfer paper, and made him some

I made t shirts like that for my neice last year.

Lillibet_2

Becles wrote:

Last year all he wanted was Postman Pat underpants, so I bought some plain pants and inkjet transfer paper, and made him some

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
But seriously, what a fab idea for kids to do for Dad's pressie!:eek::D