Stuck for Christmas!!

dippydooda

I have had a pretty crap last few weeks and although I have made a start on my little boy's gifts, I just can't think what to get for anyone else! I have my whole family and OH's to buy for, total of about 20 people plus my OH who is notoriously awkward to buy for.
I kind of feel like it's 'same old, same old' like I get the same kind of gifts for people year after year, anyone else feel like that?

I also have a lot of stress coming up with work in the next few weeks, working a lot in the run up to Christmas and some days over Christmas and my Mum is getting some results this week to see what's up with her 'health-wise' and I'm not expecting good news
So altogether, I'm not really in the mood for Christmas/ Christmas shopping. I feel bad cos my LO's only 18 months so it should be a really exciting one for us, just haven't got the 'oomf' for it right now, but I know the longer I put off the shopping, the more stressed I will be!

Sorry for rant!

duchy

What do you remember about your own second Christmas ?
I remember nothing of mine - but my parents told me that they bought me a load of presents and all I wanted to play with was a big box a gift had come in and a mickey mouse clockwork toy that had cost pennies.

Make memories and start your own Christmas traditions rather than stress about presents that won't be remembered -but the traditions you start now will be with your child forever.

jodles16

Its hard to feel excited when you are stressed, but as Duchy says your little one wont remember this Christmas so this is more for your memories, perhaps start by writing a list of all the people you buy for, this is what I do, then my hubby and I divvy up the list between us. Often I will try to lump people together, this year my best friend, and my two sets of parents are getting a gin and tonic gift set Im putting together using bargains from Am@zon! We have bought gorgeous smelly sets for girls and boys for our joint friends, my other best mate is getting a beautiful wooden box filled with different teas as she loves teas. For hubby I have got second hand stuff for his Xbox! Not sure if this helps at all!

Jodles

cazpumpkin

I would wait till your little one is in bed and sit down at the computer with your list of people to buy for and go on somewhere like say Boots or Superdrug where they do 3 for 2 gifts and also check out this website and hot uk deals for special offers and voucher codes for free delivery. Then I would buy everyone smellies (champneys/sanctuary for the women, dove/gillette for the men) except for your OH and child.

If you have 20 people to buy for then you can get 21 gifts for the price of 14 and keep the spare one as a treat for yourself, plus think of all those lovely advantage points lol

Child is easily sorted by logging onto Toys R us or The Entertainer and a child of that age and either sex would LOVE a large cuddly toy on their bed, add on a few small bits like a few tubs of playdo or tub of dinosaurs or a toddler book or jigsaw or shape sorter type of thing and youre done.

More traditionally a dressing gown, new pyjamas and new toothbrush and a bottle of matey bubble bath, tube of smarties and dvd is just as nice. (Im embarrassed to admit my kids are now 23/19/17 and they still get pyjamas, slippers, dressing gown, selection box, tube of smarties, bag of gold coins!!!!!

Husband is easy if youre stuck, anything personal geared to him and his stomach and with a hint of romance/sexy time will make him more than happy.

If it helps my other half never wants anything

So I get him a gift bag filled with bars of chocolate,box of maltesers,xmas chocs and sweets enough stuff to give him a heart attack lol.

Then I buy him a few bottles of his favourite tipple such as Rekorderlig/copperburg fruit flavoured ciders in another gift bag.

When he smoked I chucked in a few packets of cigs.

An action DVD Bruce Willis/Chuck Norris from HMV and to top off something rude from Anne Summers for him ie boob chocolates, a man thong , something jokey but hinting at fun and games another day!

You dont have to come up with the worlds most exciting gift if you feel fed up and tired, just go through the motion of buying and wrapping and if your other half is anything like mine he will be happy with anything.

bossymoo

Is it worth suggesting to family that you only buy for the children? We get to a certain age (I'm only in my 30s lol) and receiving lots of presents isn't that great any more. It all needs a home, most of it is stuff I wouldn't use and it's just unnecessary.

You might find the other adults agree. I have a group of friends and we meet for an afternoon tea in a nice hotel instead of buying each other the token gift from the boots 3 for 2 range. Much nicer, we get to spend time together, no shopping or wrapping required, and no need to use bubble bath that you don't really like

dippydooda

Wow, thanks guys for your answers. Felt like a right moaning mare after that post! I spoke to OH this morning, aren't worries always so much worse at night time? He has decided he wants some new trainers and a couple of jumpers! Not very exciting,. but something he wants so good for me!:)
Duchy you are soo right about the memories/traditions and I did start a couple of little traditions last year, when he was 6 months old! It's not really him I'm at all worried about though, I have bought him some things and still have lots of ideas, it's all the others!!

Jodles and Cazpumpkin Some of your gift ideas are lovely, thank you and yes I think this year my OH can take some responsibility for his family gifts! I always do all the shopping!!

Bossymoo I do kind of feel like that too!I am early 30s and have always loved christmas and still did a list of ideas for my mum and OH to get me etc, but since having my LO, it's just all for him really, I couldn't care less if I didn't get any presents! I just don't want to be a miserable grinch about the whole thing, I;m just so stuck for ideas!

pandora205

I know what you mean OP - I'm stuck too, except my children are now adults and difficult to buy for. We slimmed down other adult presents when we all had children so its mainly just direct family and a few friends, plus the secret santa for work. In the end, I've just asked everyone what they want, so it wont be a surprise but at least it will be something they want. If they've come over all coy and said nothing much/or I don't know, they will be getting gift vouchers to spend in the sales. I've set a limit for everyone's presents so I know how much it will all cost too.
As everyone is coming here for Xmas, I'll probably end up getting a few extras, such as the personalised crackers that I make but that will depend on time.
And I second the suggestion to create traditions - my offspring (returning from abroad for the hols) have all requested that I make a gingerbread house, which I used to do when they were young.

susan42

Hi everyone
Just jumped in to offer a small input

I think all of the ideas you ladies have put are fab.

I think it would be easier if you gave us a list of ages and are they boys /girls

I think for the older ones with children , I would limit their presents to a £5 each, just a token gift. Pots of gold are great for this, nothing to taxing craft wise. I would also make some homemade crackers and put miniture spirits in. The crackers are in the £££shops , 6 in a pack.

Then I'd use the larger budget for the children as what parent doesn't enjoy seeing their children's faces as they open their gift.

If you want to spend more on the adults . Put s voucher for a cream tea or pub meal into their cracker. A joint present for both. Or if you want to do a family present go for a bella Italian or frank & bens. Nandos seems to be popular.

For your mum ID probably get a voucher for her hairdressers. Something she'd use and probably a gift set of more luxurious shampoos and conditioners. Available on the 3 for 2 at boots.

Not knowing who the other family members are it would be difficult

I also think if you have any older children to buy for they would love money. I personally find it difficult to give money but I remember all that I had got my children and an aunt put £10 in a card. Every time someone asked what they had for christmas they'd mention the £10 first

I agree with traditions, we have fish and chips christmas eve. Asked would they like to do something different one year. They're 22 and older now. But they all said " but we always have them christmas eve"

Another tradition we have is the 'elf on the shelf' it comes on the 1st dec and leaves the 24th and gets upto all kinds of mischief. Even my oh joins in. He took the elf out one year early in the morning and when the children come downstairs the elf had a camera. On plugging the camera in. The elf had been horse riding, up the field playing football and had even been to shop for a paper, don't know what the staff thought of that. A 55 year old man with a toy elf at the shop!!!

My son loves a lucky bag. Every year he has had one. I stopped when he was 18 but the following year I asked is there anything he'd like and he asked for a lucky bag.

I will keep my thinking head on. But please post there ages and boy / girl and then we can all give some more suggestions :-)

JulietteCarter

This year, I'm planning to give my sister a beach towel since she loves going to the beach. I have a good feeling that she will really appreciate it.

jodles16

Ohh yeah 3 for 2 in boots is great, some gorgeous soap and glory sets, also nearer the time BHS and Debenhams often have offers too! Glad you had a chat and feel a little better, worries are definately worse at night!x

dippydooda

Hi, thanks again for your responses :-) Been so busy with work i still haven't found time to think about it! Susan42- I have two brothers who are probably my worst to buy for! One's 37-single, enjoys drinking and Only Fools and Horses, ha. The other is 22 and very outdoorsy. then my other hard ones are OH's two neices aged 23 and 24 and not very girly-like not into make up etc.
With the younger neice/nephew I have decided on vouchers as they can pick their own then.
I do feel like I've overdone the Soap and Glory sets already in years gone by- though I love receiving them, even i have a stockpile of hand cream!