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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Tell us about the gifts you are excited to give!

68 replies

Suggestions2021 · 18/10/2021 13:29

Hello all,

I thought it might be fun to talk about the gifts we are excited to give and why, which might help someone else with an idea. I'll start:

Husband, early 30s
A projector. Not a fancy one, about £80 from Amazon. We have a small TV and a big blank neutral wall. Thought it would be fun for movie nights. I've also made a 'hamper' to go with it with slightly funky snacks including caramel nuts, bill tong and of course popcorn! For the hamper I am just using a recyclable gift bag. I've made a little cinema ticket (free templates online).

A box of favours. I saw this idea on Amazon so decided to do it myself, I've basically just made a dozen or so laminated favours - things like a hot drink (he usually is the tea maker), me to wash car, a takeaway of his choice. I bought a diddy gift bag for 49p and I put some mini mint lindors in the bag as they are making everything else smell of mint!

A scrapbook of our adventures this year.

12 days of Christmas socks!

A selection of games - few recommendations from here (Hive and Ticket to Ride) we enjoy games but usually play the same couple over and over again so I think he'll like them.

Dad, late 50s
A massive discounted bottle of Molton Brown (from outlet shop) as he works very hard in a physically demanding job and has a bath every evening to relax

Niece, 5
A massive craft box - even I think it looks like good fun.

Love to hear yours!

OP posts:
Original poster
Suggestions2021 · 23/10/2021 21:34

Thank you everyone for sharing. Some lucky people!

OP posts:
RestingStitchFace · 25/10/2021 22:44

My ASD son collects model buses. He especially loves buses that are close replicas to ones he's ridden on. Bought him a 2nd-hand mint in box model off EBay. It's our local bus company, a route number that goes past our house. He has no idea but he's going to combust with joy when he sees it. Grin

ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 26/10/2021 00:50

Everything 😆

My older dd has wanted a switch for a few years so she’s getting one this year. Got her lots of other bits she’s not expecting I know she will love everything.

My middle really wants an invisibility cloak. She likes her own space and thinks it will stop us finding and annoying her if she wears it hahaha. Also got her lots of other bits, one is a HP tin full of HP goodies including makeup brushes, eye mask and scented candle, she’s too young for that so I’ve swiped it.

My youngest has a Barbie car and play set she keeps asking for and a Barbie advent calendar.

FilthyforFirth · 26/10/2021 07:07

My DH is American sports mad but it costs a fortune to pay for shipping and I end up spending as much on that as I do the merch.

This year I have found a European site that sells NFL stuff, so have got him loads of stuff for his fave team, he is going to be very excited, especially as one item is a replacement hoodie for one that has fallen apart that he is very sad about!

2me2u2u2me · 26/10/2021 07:16

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

For impossible to buy for dh, especially since I got him a nice cashmere jumper for his recent birthday.

He really enjoys the garden birds and spends a bomb on food, endlessly topping up the feeders, so today I had the idea of blue tit nest box with a camera. Apparently they should go up nice and early for the birds to get used to them before the nesting season, so Christmas would be a good time.
I always give dh a Christmas card from the birds!

Oh I love this, my DH is the same as yours, always out there feeding and watching, what a great idea Smile
MissyB1 · 26/10/2021 07:31

I’m really interested in the bird nest box idea! My dh would love that too!

I’m looking forward to giving ds his basketball stand, he’s wanted one for a long time.

cliffdiver · 26/10/2021 07:40

I've bought DDs Tamagotchis - 1st Generation ones like I had when I was in primary school.

TBH I think I'm probably more excited for me Grin

DH (WFH) doesn't know he'll be looking after them whilst DDs are at school.

frazzledfragglefromfragglerock · 26/10/2021 08:16

I've got my best friend Lucy and Yak dungarees. She'd never buy them for herself but they're so her. I'm so excited for her to get them. They'd better bloody fit lol

Also my middle girl knows she's getting a new phone but is desperate for an iPhone 13. We've said no way but if we upgrade her contract we think we'll be able to get a reasonable deal so she will prob be getting one. She's going to lose her mind!!

HappySonHappyMum · 26/10/2021 08:32

My DD has asked for some crystals - I've put a box together with some crystals, crystal jewellery, a crystal guide, a grystal grid, some inscense and all sorts of other new age bits and pieces. All are individually wrapped and put in a decorated box. She is going to love opening it all up piece by piece and I know she'll appreciate the effort I've gone to.

StillSadAboutTiffanyMitchell · 26/10/2021 09:31

@RestingStitchFace

My ASD son collects model buses. He especially loves buses that are close replicas to ones he's ridden on. Bought him a 2nd-hand mint in box model off EBay. It's our local bus company, a route number that goes past our house. He has no idea but he's going to combust with joy when he sees it. Grin
Love Reading all of these, I'm sat here with a big cheesy grin on but this one brought a happy tear to my eye. What a lovely post and how amazing that you managed to get that bus.

I have nothing to add.. yet as I need to pull my finger out and get some ideas going.

Hetyanni · 26/10/2021 20:28

My kids are getting their first Playmobil sets - they are going to love them. Also a set of books each that are gorgeous. I've also got DH tickets to see our favourite comedian who, I discovered, happens to be performing in our home town on DH's birthday!

mummymayhem18 · 26/10/2021 20:58

I've ordered my daughter an IPhone 13 Pro from Apple but the trouble is there are delays for them and it's saying delivery end of November/first week of December. So I'm praying that it does arrive before Christmas. She will be over the moon with it. 🎄

CornishGem1975 · 27/10/2021 09:34

@HappySonHappyMum

My DD has asked for some crystals - I've put a box together with some crystals, crystal jewellery, a crystal guide, a grystal grid, some inscense and all sorts of other new age bits and pieces. All are individually wrapped and put in a decorated box. She is going to love opening it all up piece by piece and I know she'll appreciate the effort I've gone to.
That's a lovely idea. My teen has suddenly got into crystals so I might steal this idea if you don't mind!
hiredandsqueak · 27/10/2021 13:03

@FilthyforFirth please can you point me in the direction of the site for NFL merchandise as ds is a huge Packers fan and concur the postage is extortionate.

themadcatparade · 27/10/2021 14:18

I've just bought the girls a snuggles advent calendar so excited to surprise them with that on dec 1st 😁

Other than that we haven't bought anything else yet

themadcatparade · 27/10/2021 14:33

@cliffdiver

I've bought DDs Tamagotchis - 1st Generation ones like I had when I was in primary school.

TBH I think I'm probably more excited for me Grin

DH (WFH) doesn't know he'll be looking after them whilst DDs are at school.

Thanks for this I've just been inspired to order one each for our girls from Amazon, we were a bit stuck on what to get them this year. I used to love mine!
themadcatparade · 27/10/2021 14:35

@HappySonHappyMum

My DD has asked for some crystals - I've put a box together with some crystals, crystal jewellery, a crystal guide, a grystal grid, some inscense and all sorts of other new age bits and pieces. All are individually wrapped and put in a decorated box. She is going to love opening it all up piece by piece and I know she'll appreciate the effort I've gone to.
How lovely!
themadcatparade · 27/10/2021 14:35

@themadcatparade

I've just bought the girls a snuggles advent calendar so excited to surprise them with that on dec 1st 😁

Other than that we haven't bought anything else yet

Smiggles, not smuggles
noscoobydoodle · 28/10/2021 00:37

@hiredandsqueak- official NFL Europe website, JD sports, sports direct and fanatics.co.uk all have NFL merchandise (without the extortionate postage!)

lurker101 · 28/10/2021 00:52

@noscoobydoodle @hiredandsqueak make sure you register with NFL Europe and give them your birthday - they send me 20% off voucher codes on my birthday month

Cherryrainbow · 28/10/2021 10:05

My OH is a raiders fan, I got his stuff from JD sports, sports direct and amazon.

On a side note for basketball fans there's loads of la lakers and Chicago bulls stuff in primark x

Snowdropsandbluebells · 28/10/2021 10:21

I got lovely huge toadstools to make a fairy forest for our dc. I know they would really really love a switch. I could put other stuff I have bought away. Might have a think.

BearSoFair · 28/10/2021 11:03

Boss SY-1 guitar pedal for 19yo DS1, he's played guitar since he was 11 and over the last couple of years has gotten into synthesizers, this creates synth sounds from the guitar being played. He knows he's getting a 'big' present because we asked if he'd be ok with one gift taking most of his budget, but he has no idea what it is!

DiamondBright · 28/10/2021 12:07

I'm looking forward to giving DP his new tablet, fingers crossed he doesn't decide to buy himself one before Christmas.

ConfusionIsNothingNew · 28/10/2021 12:24

A Nintendo Switch for DS (7). He's been asking for one for the last few Christmas's but we've said no as we thought he was a bit too young.

He broke his leg in March this year and was in a full leg cast for 7 weeks, he was so good and never complained, even with the six months of physio that followed.

He's also been doing really well at school and is a great big brother so this is the year he finally gets it....he's going to absolutely freak out when he opens it!!