Christmas lists

[littlemagic]

So excited about Christmas. Usually nearly done my shopping by now. I have written a list of all the people i have to buy for and a budget but can't think of anything!! How is everyone else getting on with there lists.

[Carrotsandcelery]

What is your list Littlemagic? Maybe the power of Mumsnet will be able to help.

I have a spreadsheet sort of table but I haven't done any yet this year. One dc still has a birthday to go and the other dc is likely to have very specific requests now so my bargain hunting skills are no longer my saviour.

[littlemagic]

Mum, two sisters (age22 and 30) brother (age38) budget for them £35each. Auntie + uncle, 2cousins (age14 and 19 both girls) budget up to £20each. 2 nieces (age10+13) and nephew (age4). Budget £15 each. Think that all. X

[Carrotsandcelery]

What is everyone interested in?

Sorry I am all questions and no answers so far

[LordOfTheFlies]

I don't buy for adults (except DH) Not because I'm mean, but because we've evolved a mutual agreement over the years.
My parents are very religious so Christmas for them isn't about presents and gifts.
I send my mum a flower arrangement (she doesn't do decoration so it's nice for her to have some colour) .I order the same for MIL.

DH chooses something from Amazon- computer things usually.
I order my presents from QVC then he gets me chick lit books and chocolate.

We tend to spend more on the children.But if my parents come to me for Christmas ( I don't travel away from home , been away for New Year but not Christmas) then we pay for all the food and I cook.

[littlemagic]

That's what's really causing a problem for me Carrottsandcelery none of them have any hobbies. Usually i buy something boring like slippers and pjs but think i have played that card far to many times. They getting sick of it. Which i would love to receive myself every year. I was thinking of getting my auntie a voucher for the fish that nibble your feet treatment. Don't know if would like that tho. X

[Tinkerisdead]

There's quite a bit on sale at tesco direct that may suit the 4 year old. For the teenage girls what about really nice stationery from paperchase? Assume their at school/college?

For older ones I've done love film 6 month subscriptions which I've put into a gift box with popcorn, nachos etc but that may take you over budget. Or buy a DVD and make up a movie night box with snacks wine etc.

[Tinkerisdead]

And groupon is good for fish nibble. They often have cheap deals so keep your eye on that if you don't already.

[Sleepyspaniel]

Magazine subscriptions are a good idea for the sisters maybe?

Teenage girls - a Claire's Accessories gift card (my 14yo cousin was beyond thrilled with this, don't know why but y'know... we can forget they don't have access to money for fripperies. Nephew, card for Ipod tunes? This is another thing - can automatically think gift cards aren't "much of a present" but they will likely get lots of "things" from their parents anyway.

[NoHunIntended]

Books? Tickets to a show/concert?

[fortyplus]

PLEASE tell me this is a wind-up!?

[Sleepyspaniel]

Why, fortyplus? Not sure what you mean??

[LikeACandleButNotQuite]

Im due week before christmas, so am starting the shopping soon. Usually dread The List Making, but have excuse of new baby this year to blame crap shopping on!
Have decided to find a mug for everyone we normally buy for, appropriate to them (Dad has allotment, so gettng him this one and SIL just about to give birth so shell get this one and so on....)

Will fill them with little bits, maybe something homemade if Mat Leave is looooonnngggg.....

I will enjoy making them, and hope people will understand why there'll be no Huge Gestures this year

[Sleepyspaniel]

likeacandle, have you seen the "I'd rather be... " range of mugs? There are loads of different titles, a small selection here and there will be loads for ladies too.

[LikeACandleButNotQuite]

Oooh, they are fab Sleepy, will add the page to my Favourites for shopping later

[Sleepyspaniel]

Well that's grand, cat "Bah Humbug" 64, but most of the people I buy for have already had their birthday this year so following your theory that paves the way for Christmas present planning! Yah? Good!

[Sleepyspaniel]

See, cat, I'm not usually one for Christmas because I'm so disorganised and so tired I can't get a grip of it, leave it til the last minute, run around panicking and the excitement is watered down with this negative & disorganised behaviour. This year, however, I am determined to be up with the larks as it were so all I have to do from October onwards is sit back and relax (and hope that the pre-ordered food delivery arrives).

Because I'm a novice at being an organised Christmas person October or November is still too late for me. I have already started shopping and have bought the new pyjamas and earmarked a hamper for the Christmas Eve DVD & sweets and I know to make Chutney early to give it time to mature (have been studying the Christmas threads A LOT!!!)

[LordOfTheFlies]

I'm a well-oiled professional Christmas juggonaut and I've already started buying the little bits and pieces.

Slippers for DCs (which my DD had found and tried on)
Yankee Candles
Ear-rings for me

You need time to browse. especially for stocking gifts which you don't want to spend ££s but still want them to be fun/not tat.

And I say AGAIN: Don't click on a Christmas thread if you're going to be all Bah-Humbuggey

[Carrotsandcelery]

Mum, this sort of thing?

two sisters (age22 one of these?

and 30) these?

brother (age38) budget for them £35each. How about these? or maybe this?

Auntie would this be to her taste?

uncle, would he appreciate?

2cousins (age14 and 19 both girls) budget up to £20each. For the 14 year old this

For the 19 year old something like this

2 nieces (age10+13) For 10 year old this and this

For 13 year old this is great

nephew (age4). Budget £15 each. has to be given earlier than Christmas but great fun to be had here

[fortyplus]

Sleepyspaniel - surely no one is really thinking about Christmas shopping half way through August? For me Christmas is a family time and presents are secondary. Talk of spreadsheets and budgets makes me shudder...

[alphabettyspagghetti]

I'm happy that the kids have made their lists already and DD has her birthday list done too so that it a weight off my mind.

I've started emailing for quotes for real trees (exp hated them so I haven't had a real tree since I was a young kid still at home).

Fruit for mincemeat and pudding is waiting for a few other bits.

Looking for decorations - Had a leak in the shed and all christmas stuff I put in there because I cant get to the loft has been destroyed.

I'm bookmarking stuff and places to buy toys, wrapping paper, basically everything.

The theory is I'll try to get a present once a week if I have enough from the food budget. The larger more expensive items will be bought once I have saved enough.

[Sleepyspaniel]

I would respectfully respond, fortyplus, that the talk of presents (and spreadsheets and budgets to go with) doesn't detract from the family time, in fact many people myself included feel it adds to the atmosphere especially for Children of the family, for whom the giving and receiving of presents at Christmas has generated much of the fun and excitement.

My Granny, who was born in 1911, still remembers Christmas with the extended family - the fun, the games (charades and everyone had to do a "turn", something similar still happens in my family today) and yes, the presents. She could describe in detail a doll she got as a Christmas present one year as a child.

Added to which, given that we are still in the grip of recession, many people such as myself have to be careful and budget even for inexpensive or home-made gifts. There are only 4 paydays until December so lots of people sensibly start present-buying early so the expense is spread.

If you don't like or approve of the way some people like to create their personal Christmas experience, there's the simple solution of concentrating on what YOU like and letting others discuss what THEY like. That, and don't click on Christmas threads in August!!

[Tinkerisdead]

I'd add that I start early so that all the buying and fretting is done by December. Then I fill an advent calendar with activities such as visit Santa, make cards for grandparents, watch a Christmas movie and have the whole of dec with my family snuggled up warm waiting for the magic. Not trawling the shops!