To think that most gifts for adults are a bit crap?

[thereareflowersinmygarden]

Most adults can buy little odds and sods that they want. Like a fiver for a pair of earrings etc.

Just thinking that almost every gift we received in the last few years has been while a lovely thought, a bit pointless? Just stuff to clutter up. I lived out of a rucksack for years (by choice) and find having loads of stuff very annoying!

Considering having an adult gift amnesty in our family this Christmas.

Agree. I'd rather a cake, nice chocs or caramel vodka than jewellery set from the garden centre (nickel allergy), candle or body butter.
I've cut down on spending and let the adults know. I started last year.
I'm much happier to meet up for food, drink and fun, presents mean nothing to me and clog up my home.
The charity shop is refusing all donations.

I love adult presents , we only have 4 children in the family, possibly 1 we'll actually see on the day, so without adult presents Christmas would be a huge void. My dad and in-laws give us a cheque, which goes on clothes for me and cricket membership and match attendance for DH., Plus small presents.

Without this I'd probably not have smelly baths or new books to read during the year.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners

I am with you on this. I don't like receiving hand creams or something like that and I don't give gifts like that either. I am confident when I give someone a present, even if it is just a second hand book, that they can recycle afterwards, that it is something that they will like and find funny.

And if people do take the time to think about you carefully and get you something that is right, it does make you feel very understood and happy.

I usually just cook stuff for my friends, or make their kids birthday cakes or make them lunch or something like that (I am a good cook). And I have a small family - 2 sisters and my Dad and we all get each other stuff we actually want. Other than that I concentrate on my children.

I have a very small family too, just a sister, my parents and 2 adult kids. My parents and sister are very well off so they give me cash which is very, very welcome. So that just leaves my kids to give me an actual present. I instructed them very clearly many years ago to get me bubble bath, a box of chocolates and something cheesy saying that I'm awesome ie a Best Mum mug. I don't care if I had to ask for it, I want that mug/photo frame/cushion/slippers every year as long as it extols my virtues!

No, I always receive thoughtful and sometimes personal gifts

curly I have a note section on my phone and "collect" wishes and ideas when I'm talking to people - for example my dad mentioned that he would love to go to a medieval banquet, so when he retired i had an idea for what to do as a celebration. My mum retired this year, so for her birthday I bought her a senior railcard, because my dad and her plan to go on days out.

With theatre and gig tickets, I either find out in a roundabout way if they are busy on a particular day by talking about my plans for that day and then asking if they are doing anything, or will check with their partner, and let them into the secret, so it still surprises the recipient.

I have found that by writing ideas down as they come to me, I can then arrange them in advance of the actual event, and I rarely have a last minute panic

We havent done adult Christmas gifts for about 20 years. For my birthday, DH usually upgrades my bike in a very generous way. He’s a bike geek. I like to cycle. He earns a lot more than me. If he wants to buy my super light wheels, i’m not going to stop him. He wouldnt be buying a Chanel handbag otherwise.

CurlyhairedAssassin
That’s a good point. However, I do listen to what people like and don’t like. Most people don’t like getting gift sets/bath sets so if I knew they didn’t like those things I would never give them. For example, my friend doesn’t like bath stuff, she prefers to buy her own. But I do know that she likes a certain chocolate, makeup or brand. She like candles, but doesn’t like receiving them because she probably won’t like the scent so I would never give them to her. I always make a mental note of what people like. If in doubt, get a gift receipt!. I would get a gift reciept if I’m not sure if this piece of clothing is their style or fit. Especially if I spent a lot of money I would get one.

As I said, if you really knew someone you can always think of something . Don’t be afraid to ask either what they like. We are all going to get things that we don’t like especially if it’s from a distant relative-they don’t really know you so they give you something generic.