Post: #1

Hi guys, I want to know what will you get for your family this xmas? I always run in a panic the day before holidays but I want to do this right this time. I want to get presents on time and I want to get my sister’s kid something special because I haven’t seen them in ages! Something like a trampoline. Let me hear your suggestions!

Post: #2

Daaamn, christmas again. I am the worst person when it comes to buying gifts. I start to go to shopping center weeks before christmas eve, but never buy anything, until the last few hours before the christmas evening.

Recommendations appreciated.

Post: #3

Gift certificates for parents/grandparents and siblings with spouses to their favorite restaurant.

Single brothers/friends - ammo is a good gift (maybe not in Croatia)

Souvenirs from traveling abroad make good inexpensive gifts.

Post: #4

I got my little brother a hoodie because he wears his a lot and it's wearing out. Got my mom a plushie of a cat eating ice cream.

Post: #5

One gift for my 8-year-old niece, probably some stupid Disney princess doll or similar. A decade ago my family decided that only children will get Christmas gifts. It's been a very welcome relief from the non-stop consumerism that surrounds the holiday.

Post: #6

I usually get books for family members, from local independent booksellers, about subjects they're interested in. Last year I got my little niece an oil painting starter kit like this one, she loved it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-Supply-Kit-...SwkRhZV-8q

Post: #7

Unless you already know what to get them, go for gift certificates, they love those.

In the future, spend time with them and communicate with them throughout the year with gifts in mind, and you will have many hints and clues about what they want or like.

Then, by the time Christmas rolls around, you will have a good idea what to buy them, and often it will be something they really liked but forgot all about, so it will be a true thoughtful present, something that not only surprises them but pleases them as well because you took the time to think about them.

I have massive experience with this. You don't just want to get something from a list or give a gift certificate most of the time, that is just like being a personal shopper and is not in keeping with the spirit of Christmas or gift giving.

Also, you don't want to surprise them with something they hate or something you think they should like.

Anything too practical is heavy handed. Gift giving is a light activity. Make it something they might not have bought for themselves and appreciate.

Just keep Christmas in the back of your mind all year, and when you are hanging out with them, or walking around town, see what makes them light up or get excited, and remember it for later.

This is no trial, is actually fun to do, and it makes gift giving special for everyone because your gift will show them that you really understand them and care about them, and as long as that is true, it doesn't even have to be expensive, it only has to show thought.

Like if you are with a preteen girl who looks wistfully at a nail salon as she walks by, get her a gift certificate for that place for next year. She won't even remember the moment, but you will, and she will appreciate it and feel grown up all at the same time.

Years back I had a family member who loved music and mp3s and sharing them and burning CDs. I got her an external hard drive which few really knew about at the time. She opened the present and was disappointed. No buttons to press, no trays that open or closed. She had no idea what the point was.

Two years down the road though she thanked me out of the blue, saying it was one of the best presents she ever got. It was a time released present. She didn't even know she wanted it, but I did because I knew what was important to her.

I'm telling you, this is how to do it.

I was the main present buyer in my extended family when I was married, sometimes buying 100 presents a year. Just a knack.

Women always think they are so sensitive and caring. If that is the case, why were they all clueless at the holidays and had to ask me what to buy for who?

Not that hard to do, just take the whole year to be on the lookout and there is no stress, no pressure and you make everyone happy.

Post: #8

If they drink, a bottle from the best local brewery/winery/distillery is a pretty safe bet.

Post: #9

Now i prepare well in advance for Christmas. However, in years gone by I didn't.

Try checking out Walgreens card section at 4 am the night before Christmas. It really funny. There will be a dozen or so other drunks there looking for cards.

Aloha!

Post: #10

(11-22-2017 03:28 PM)Kona Wrote:  Now i prepare well in advance for Christmas. However, in years gone by I didn't.

Try checking out Walgreens card section at 4 am the night before Christmas. It really funny. There will be a dozen or so other drunks there looking for cards.

Aloha!

I don't want to seem too sincere.

Getting shitty and inappropriate presents and cards at the last minute in a drunken state is also one of life's great pleasures.

Post: #11

(11-22-2017 03:40 PM)debeguiled Wrote:  

(11-22-2017 03:28 PM)Kona Wrote:  Now i prepare well in advance for Christmas. However, in years gone by I didn't.

Try checking out Walgreens card section at 4 am the night before Christmas. It really funny. There will be a dozen or so other drunks there looking for cards.

Aloha!

I don't want to seem too sincere.

Getting shitty and inappropriate presents and cards at the last minute in a drunken state is also one of life's great pleasures.

Real holiday cheer is sharing a jail cell with an intoxicated guy in a Santa suit after your Christmas DUI.

Also, a great idea is to just get a whole lot of McDonald's gift cards and hand them out. Kids, adults, men, women, old people, everyone loves them.

Aloha!

Post: #12

On top of the classic gifts, I wanted to add some fantasy this year.

So, I bought them some surprise gifts:
- Toe of Satan
- Seasoned Larvets

just to see their faces when they'll eat them, hehe.

Post: #13

Wow, I was more like a VR headset, trampoline, foosball table or something like that! I will probably go with the foosball table my sister told me she moved a month ago to another house and I am not sure about the size of the yard for a trampoline.

Post: #14

When I'm lazy I just buy gift cards. Can't go wrong there!

This year I bought my brother a colour changing Transformer light (he loves Transformers). I bought my Dad last year a Bosch cordless drill and charger so this year I might get cordless Saw to go with it. He still uses the old cords for power tools. For mum I'll get her some perfume cause I notice she is getting low on her Chanel No. 5.

I usually make a list of stuff for my family. For examole during the year when mum she needs something or would like something I write it down in Word then buy it for her Xmas.

I usually buy stuff for mum for the kitchen and dad for his shed. I walk in both areas and see what they don't have.

Post: #15

Debguiled has it right. Pay attention. People often express what they want during the year dozens of times. All you have to do is listen and make a mental note.

I personally think giftcards in general are for the birds and it really shows a lack of listening. I would rather get a $5 knick-knack that I said I wanted once upon a time than a $20 gift card to where it came from. Because as with all holidays it shouldn't be about the money but closeness with family and people you love. Athoughtful gift around these times is the perfect way to say "I know you, I care about you, you are valued". Even if it's home-made or something they could easily get for themselves but haven't

Post: #16

Quote:Debguiled has it right. Pay attention. People often express what they want during the year dozens of times. All you have to do is listen and make a mental note.

That's why my solution is books.

Any age. Any subject.

Plus it's a gift that you could casually ask about at a later time to see if they followed through on something they claimed interest in.

Post: #17

I was also searching for the same and found some helpful pages. Amazon Christmas special page. They are offering 40% discount on gifts

Post: #18

Had a chick I am texting ask me for a Crave Vesper Necklace. Its a necklace with a mini vibrator pendant. They are on Amazon for about $65. Not cheap but in the scheme of things probably an excellent value. I haven't even met this chick yet so I told her she needs to come over and sit on Santa's lap and ask him in person.