Sitting down to write my list of people to buy for.

[CakeNinja]

And I have got gaps next to every single name
I know most of these people so well, how can I not think of anything to buy?
Would anyone like to share their lists of people/presents?

Get the to the bargain thread. Lots of ideas there.

My list is -

DD - iPad and case
Dolls
Craft bits
Lego
Board games

DH - aftershave
Overpriced face gunk
Nice chocs
Books possibly a kindle

Mindees and friends children - orchard toys game

Parents - fancy coffee set, pjs and booze

Dneices - build a bear toy, board game, chocolate
D nephew / older teen neice - cash

Hmm, I looked at the bargain thread but of all the dc I have to buy for, there are much older teens and then younger ones who aren't particularly into toys apart from my Lego crazy niece!
And nothing took my fancy for any adults either.
I haven't put the dc on the list yet, still far too early to start asking what they want, and besides, they're easy enough to buy for.
It's all the others!

DS1 (7)

• lego (ninjago and star wars)
• Marvel mashers
• Lightsabre buildy thing
• Kinetic Sand
• Mip robot (maybe)
• Disney infinity 2.0

DS2 (18 months at Xmas)

• Happyland
• Megabloks
• Cosy Coupe
• Clothes
• Cars
• Doc Mcstuffins Doll

Both DSs

• Giant craft box
• Wooden train table

DP

• Turntable
• Woodcraft kits
• Monopoly (special) to add to collection
• New phone

SIL (who is also best friend)

• Perfume
• Handbag
• Wine
• Chocolates

SIL2 (18)

• Unicorn stuff
• Zelda monopoly
• Ocarina

SILs Boyfriend

• Probably a PlayStation game

BIL (15)

• Dragonball Z stuff
• Marvel Book
• Comic Drawing Tutorial Book
• Cool pen drives

My Sister (17)

• Giraffe Plate
• Emoji Pillows
• American Sweets hamper

My brother (12)

• Quad biking day
• Scale models of army tanks
• Minecraft hoodie
• Bear Grylls book

My mum:

• Tigger pyjamas
• Beautiful South CD
• Madness CD
• Photo of boys

Mums wife:

• Something to do with pugs
• Chocolates
• Ghost walk tickets

Big family all here for Xmas, struggling a bit with mums list, haven't seen or really spoken to her in 5 years, haven't even met her wife, it'll all be alright on the night

Agree with glen though, loads of ideas on bargain thread, I got some very cheap but nice scarves from a post there for teachers etc for Christmas.

Just realised how mad the giraffe Plate sounds for a 17 year old girl or anyone for that matter it's a running joke and she will love it.

Hate that too - some people though I could buy 5 times over for while others I'm racking my brain like mad.

MIL - a cushion and a book so far, bit stumped but she likes family pics so may have to just do a framed pic of the grandkids out of desperation!
FIL - no idea currently but he's always very happy to just get a selection of books, dvds and sweets so not too hard to sort.
SIL - got a gorgeous dress for her that's exactly her thing, and a little tealight holder (which will piss her off because she'd rather have 20 'cheap crap' presents than 1 or 2 great ones but I've given up caring!)
BIL - no idea, has a few specific interests but we've already bought all the stuff we can think of for those over the years
Married SIL & BIL - agreed with them to just buy a very small token present and have a joint meal out instead of presents which we did last year too and was one of the best ideas ever!
DM & DF - going to get a joint 'experience' type present as they have a house full of crap stuff and don't want any more, will probably be tickets to a show but not sure what yet, looking around for ideas.
DB - some nice clothes from the Gap sale
DN - still only a baby so had to cut down on choices rather than search for them! A couple of nice books, jumper and a cuddly toy which speaks and makes annoying noises

HTH?

Thanks for sharing your lists, I'm still absolutely stumped.
I think I have got to the stage now where id rather buy my own things and find presents a bit frustrating because although the thought is lovely (truly I know it is), what I receive tends to be not quite me!

My mum is a prime example of buying crap because it's cheap and then tries to find someone to give it to. For me, I think of the person first and then try to come up with the present.

I have 42 people on my list, and 18 of them also have birthdays between December 5th and end of feb so makes it harder!

What about some experience vouchers? Theatre, restaurants etc. Or suggest a nice afternoon tea?

Lovely smellies. Got 20% off at L'Octainne this week and some lovely bits for my DSis and MIL.

I do the list with what people want then match the bargains and discount codes to it.

The Entertainer are having a secret lego sale at the mo.

Can you start listing who you have to buy for and roughly what they like and see if we can inspire you?

I have:

DD: (3)
Kiddizoom camera
Orchard Toys games
Barbie/Disney Princess books
Glitter tattoo kit

DS: (will be 11m)
Little Tikes Activity Garden
Books
Latches board

DH: (Stocking presents only max £30)
No idea other than a cinema ticket for Star Wars!

My mum and stepdad, dad and stepmum, and FIL are all getting hampers of homemade goodies (jam, chutney, chilli jam, Christmas pudding vodka, small Christmas cake, fudge etc). We did this last year when low on cash and they all loved it and have requested the same this year. I'll probably put a nice picture of the kids in there too. And my mum will get a little something extra - not sure what yet.

DNephews: (17, 15, 14, 13, 8)
Amazon gift vouchers apart from the youngest who likes a present but hasn't requested anything yet!

DNieces: (11, 2)
iTunes voucher for eldest, books and a toy for the youngest

DSisters:
Jar of homemade caramel sauce and hot chocolate mix in a jar (we tend to buy presents for each other's children rather than each other)

Godsons: (3, 1)
Harry Potter dress up outfit and Buzz Lightyear dress up outfit

Some years ago, my siblings and I got together and..... decided not to buy for each other or each others kids any more...

The relief was, well, immense. we can all focus buying for our own kids, and not have a load of crap stuff we don't want.

I've always tried to avoid getting into buying for friends or their children too.

Christmas is sooo simple now, and quite a lot more fun.

Mum - rebinding two of her favourite childhood books

Dad - pretty much no idea. He likes reading but has very niche taste in a foreign language.

Brother - last year I bought him an experience and might do the same or cinema vouchers as he suffers from MH problems and struggles to go out without a reason.

DH - GoT latest season.

Cousin 1 - always a book recommendation plus a voucher in case she really hates my suggestion.

Cousin 2 - not sure

DS1 - guitar (10)

DS2 - camera (8)

DS3 - tablet (5)

We actually all provide lists - as long as possible so that it is still a surprise.

Dd 19 no idea. I'll wait for her list
Dd 16 driving lessons
New man .no idea.

That's it.

My list is:

Whatever they ask me for!

I should really start asking them what they want, although with the DC that'll change 97 times before Christmas!

DS (2) variety of stocking presents and smaller gifts plus swimming float and bag plus camping chair plus a toy crane from Santa. Stocking presents things like plastic mugs, dvd, wind up toy, chocolate coins, smaller gifts things like a Papo toy knight, schleich shark, annual, kiddie binoculars

DD (4) As above but a new doll and doll's bed from ikea from Santa instead of the crane

Niece (1) Happyland bakery and a dress

Nephew (3) Orchard game and a puppet

DH - no idea yet, maybe a posh dressing gown

My mum - no idea yet

My dad - a personalised sign for his study door

And I don't buy for anyone else.

I've been watching out for good offers and have taken advantage of the 40% off at Gap voucher to get lovely tops and pyjamas for a few nieces and nephews. Also the Build a Bear two for £22 offer did another four kids, they come in the special boxes so it'll be a real wow present. Also got the Thorntons 5 for £20 offer so they will be additional presents for a few adults and our cleaner.

I started off with 42 people to buy for including our son whose birthday is on Boxing Day. I'm on maternity pay so I've had to shave ten people off that list by telling them early on not to buy for us (hopefully this trend will continue not just for this year).
It's the four teenagers I'm struggling with. I think I'm just going to give them a tenner each.
My brother who is 23 and lives at home and is very into cooking I've bought a pulled pork set with sauce, cooking pot etc that I got from Costco. Also got one for my husband which he will love.
My dad who is the most non materialistic person ever, I've bought a multi tool torch thing as he likes to be prepared for everything and walks his dog in the dark.
My stepdad has got crystal cognac glasses (another Boxing Day birthday) and tickets for the cricket next year.
My mam will be happy with a decent bottle of champagne as she's not a stuff person.
Ripleys Believe it or not annual is a great present for any 6-11 yr old kids who like a bit of gore. My son loves it.
Our baby has so far got a bubble machine for the bath and a jigsaw.

Oh Also Dmil and Dfil - no thought about them yet though

likesilver and any others with star wars fans to buy for. my DP got tickets to this for next year.. may be helpful for others toowww.starwarscelebration.com/Tickets/Buy-Tickets/

Okaaaaayyy...
Here are some of my problems.

Mil (lovely) - into allotment, baking, travel. Has got every tool, cooking gadget/cool book and travels most months so has all travel gadgetry. She likes L'Occitane stuff but bought some for her birthday recently.

Fil - works from home at PC, accompanies mil on holidays and to allotment. Likes sudoku but has numerous books. Good present for him recently was a fancy letter opener.

Step mil - no real hobbies although tinkers in her garden a lot. Does not express particular interest in clothes/music/grooming etc. cannot buy her anymore bloody scarves!

Mum - just bloody impossible! Has plenty of money, asks people for vouchers then uses them to buy other people birthday/Christmas presents

How about a treat your mum can do with you eg afternoon tea?

And a thermos for the allotment for ILs or a hamper of treats for snacking on when there?

Good lord I don't want to volunteer myself to spend more time than necessary with her!
She doesn't drink tea, is disabled, only really likes drinking alcohol - we get on to a point but I do find her incredibly difficult to get on with. She has an abrasive personality!

Ils have thermos flasks already but as allotment doesn't have toilets they don't drink tea there or loiter longer than needed - and they can buy their own food!

Sorry, thank you for the suggestions, I appreciate them, but they really are tricky

Thought about taking my sister to the ripleys museum thing in London, might book tickets for her.

MIL, tickets to Chelsea flower show perhaps

FIL nice pen

Step MIL and Mum nice champagne and glasses

Tickets to flower show is a good idea, thanks.
Possibly a pen for FIL but he does have a very fancy one bought for him by his work.

unfortunately I dont give my mum alcohol and my step mil doesn't drink at all!