Christmas for adult children

FatVonD

lostinrates wrote: »

DH and I do a stocking for each other. That's our gift to each other any thing else is something practical. The stockings can be practical ( pants and socks) but always have other things in too, things for the bath to enjoy together for example.

Saucy Santa

FatVonD

I've given my son a stuffed snowman every year since he was small (as well as other stuff, obviously) and don't plan on stopping any time soon. I've asked him if he wants me to stop and he says he doesn't mind but I think he secretly enjoys (me enjoying) it.

givememoney

Free yourselves from all the worry, expense and time by doing what we do now.


We do a sort of Secret Santa and each person buys just one gift worth £50 for one of the group. We do however, ask the person in question what they would like, we don't just buy anything.


The grandchildren are showered with gifts as usual but not the rest of us.


It takes one person to suggest it and the others of course to agree. SIL's brother is like a big kid although over 40 and wants presents to open so his side arrange all that.


Knowing you have just one gift to buy is great it takes the pressure off. Plus DH DS and DSIL all have birthdays around the end of the year.

System

givememoney wrote: »

Free yourselves from all the worry, expense and time by doing what we do now.


We do a sort of Secret Santa and each person buys just one gift worth £50 for one of the group. We do however, ask the person in question what they would like, we don't just buy anything.


The grandchildren are showered with gifts as usual but not the rest of us.


It takes one person to suggest it and the others of course to agree. SIL's brother is like a big kid although over 40 and wants presents to open so his side arrange all that.


Knowing you have just one gift to buy is great it takes the pressure off. Plus DH DS and DSIL all have birthdays around the end of the year.

Thats what my family are doing this year

I'm trying to make a hamper for my dad, so far i have some ties...if anyone has any ideas for a 63 year old who oiesnt really have a lot of hobbies it would be most welcome

Homeownertobe

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I can't either although there is only a very few people.





As long as everyone is in on it then this can be fine. One year I discovered my sister had 'given me' free healthcare for someone overseas. I had as usual got a present for her and my parents were equally as surprised as me.:mad:

You were angry your sister bought healthcare for someone in need on your behalf?

What happened to giving for the pleasure of it? I can't say I'd be mad if any of my family did that, regardless of whether I'd bought them a gift or not.

In fact, I question exactly why you're so mad - surely it is the thought that counts?

Also - a small point but in the same post you're so mad about the gift, you also say you can't remember the last time you got something you didn't want. Erm... I don't wish to be obvious but one of these can't be true?

Person_one

Homeownertobe wrote: »

You were angry your sister bought healthcare for someone in need on your behalf?

What happened to giving for the pleasure of it? I can't say I'd be mad if any of my family did that, regardless of whether I'd bought them a gift or not.

In fact, I question exactly why you're so mad - surely it is the thought that counts?

Also - a small point but in the same post you're so mad about the gift, you also say you can't remember the last time you got something you didn't want. Erm... I don't wish to be obvious but one of these can't be true?

I'm not a fan of the trend for charity gifts like that tbh, for a couple of reasons.

The first is that it's a bit self important, a bit holier than thou, letting the recipients know how caring and unmaterialistic you are. I think if you want to donate to healthcare in the developing world, just do it, in your own name, any time of year. Why make a big show of it?

Secondly, it really goes against the idea that giving a gift is a way of expressing your feelings for someone, of letting them know that you like and appreciate them. Unless you give in their name to a cause that you know they are passionate about and that they donate a lot to anyway, it's usually all about the giver and about an unknown recipient with your loved one feeling like they have to act grateful or they'll be a 'bad person'.

Spendless

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Thats what my family are doing this year

I'm trying to make a hamper for my dad, so far i have some ties...if anyone has any ideas for a 63 year old who oiesnt really have a lot of hobbies it would be most welcome

My Dad is only slightly older and a similar pain. What's your budget? This year I'm getting my Dad this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Razorpit-RP-O-B-Razor-Blade-Sharpener/dp/B004W2UMDW

Like many men he complains about the cost of razor blades and my husband has one of these which has saved money. That might not be the cheapest, I just pasted the first link.

Other things I've bought my Dad before, magazine subscription, big bucket of car washing items (he always handwashes both his and my mums car), watch and after shave set. I'm also considering getting him The war of the words cd, it was re-done a couple of years ago and he doesn't have the new version. Tickets to see the last UK tour currently still on, were too expensive at over £50 each!

balancelife

Our children are 8 and 4. They get a stocking with goodies wrapped up in the morning from Santa with bubbles, socks, pants, colouring, small toys..nothing expensive, chocolate coins. They love this best.
Then they get one present from eachother they've chosen with £5-10, and one from us.
Then we see my parents and sister who give them one or two things each and the inlaws later who do the same.
No other family buy for us or us them ie aunts, cousins or family friends. my grandparents send vouchers for the kids but not us which is lovely of them to remember! My sister (30) still gets a voucher as she doesn't have kids

My parents only stopped doing me a stocking/pile when I moved out! I was about 22. They carried on with my sister til she moved out at 28.

When I had my first baby and she was 3 months old Mum did a stocking but agreed not to after that as Santa visits our house, but she still gets them a book and a present . They get us presents too even though we say not to worry.
My inlaws don't buy presents for us as adults now, but give us some money between us. We get them gifts, all works out ok I think!

This year we are having everyone to ours maybe I'll pile up the presents! Because we usually go from one yo another there's never a big pile!