Christmas Present suggestions wanted

sca1een

From our grown children, my husband and I love to receive cute cards with hand-written notes inside. We're at the stage of getting rid of stuff, and not wanting to acquire more.

To our grown children, we give something they need or want but wouldn't get otherwise, such as snow tires, the latest Kindle, a yoga retreat,...
Well, technically, they execute the purchase and we transfer the money to their bank accounts. So it's kind of giving cash, but with a particular purpose.

OldMusicGuy

mrsjanebanbury2009 wrote: »

In my experience, men who have guitars always have some sort of accessories they need/want for them

Coming late to this as someone that's played electric guitars and basses for more years than I care to remember, in my experience, men who have guitars never have enough guitars! So another guitar is always an option. if that's too much, ask him if there are any effects pedals he wants (see examples here: https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/guitar-pedals?#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:& . )

There are always new ones coming out and I always find getting a new pedal can inspire a bout of creativity. Maybe you could give him a voucher for a music store if you have one nearby.

svain

OldMusicGuy wrote: »

Coming late to this as someone that's played electric guitars and basses for more years than I care to remember, in my experience, men who have guitars never have enough guitars! So another guitar is always an option. if that's too much, ask him if there are any effects pedals he wants (see examples here: https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/guitar-pedals?#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:& . )

There are always new ones coming out and I always find getting a new pedal can inspire a bout of creativity. Maybe you could give him a voucher for a music store if you have one nearby.

I would strongly advise to not go buying guitars or anything hobby related unless they have very specific instructions from the recipient first

tesuhoha

Lavendyr wrote: »

He's earning enough to buy a lot of nice things for himself, though, from your first post. And I offered a present idea - money towards a deposit. I'm sorry you didn't appreciate that suggestion.

If you, your husband and your son are happy with the living arrangement, fair enough, and I'm not making any judgement on that. I apologise if that's how it came across.

To others - I'm by no means jealous of the living arrangement - when I was OP's son's age I would never have wanted to live at home still! and I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty comfortable life - I just wonder whether the son might be taking advantage a little bit.

Please don't get me wrong I did appreciate the suggestion. The thing is though is that he works for an agency employed in a warehouse and just lately they have been cutting his hours. I don't know why I think they have taken on too many people. The last couple of weeks he has only had 3 nights work and his shifts have been cancelled.

Most of the nice stuff was bought last year when he was getting 12 hour shifts 5 nights a week and this time last year was hectic. He was actually saving up to move out but I worry about his lack of job security and don't see how he could rent somewhere because some weeks he might not be able to afford the rent.

tesuhoha

Some lovely ideas but my husband spoke to him yesterday and he said he doesn't want a bluetooth speaker. They agreed that we would give him some money to buy gig tickets.

tesuhoha

Spendless wrote: »

Does he have a watch? You say he works in a warehouse. In the warehouse where I work the staff weren't allowed to take mobile phones in but could at one point wear a watch thought that has been stopped now. What about any other jewellery?

What sort of clothes does he wear to go out in. Would he wear anything like cuff-links, collar stiffners or tie clips?

Hopefully you've got some ideas now.

I was 28 when I moved out of my parents house. I couldn't afford to do it before then. Buying alone rather than with a partner is very difficult (financially) and the house prices weren't that expensive then. The house I bought then went into negative equity withina year and took a further 6 to come back out of it - should have stayed at home for longer.:)

I would buy him a watch but the family have pooh poohed that idea. He dresses in very casual gear so no cuff links etc.

borkid

tesuhoha wrote: »

Some lovely ideas but my husband spoke to him yesterday and he said he doesn't want a bluetooth speaker. They agreed that we would give him some money to buy gig tickets.

Good idea. My son , in his 30s and not living at home, last year had a years membership to Tate modern and this year its going to be the Barbican. It's something he will use. One year we bought the plane tickets for his holiday.

I tend to give 'memories' when I can as we/ he don't need more 'stuff'.

tesuhoha

borkid wrote: »

Good idea. My son , in his 30s and not living at home, last year had a years membership to Tate modern and this year its going to be the Barbican. It's something he will use. One year we bought the plane tickets for his holiday.

I tend to give 'memories' when I can as we/ he don't need more 'stuff'.

Yes giving memories is quite popular in our family for difficult presents. My son often buys us opera or show tickets as we like opera especially. I have bought my husband opera tickets for Christmas this year.

There was one amazing year when his favourite band Funeral for a Friend were playing their last ever gig and although he went online straight away for tickets when they opened, he couldn't get any. I managed to buy him some on one of the sites that sell tickets on. I don't normally agree with doing that but he was so desperate to see them and it was such a brilliant surprise.