non-generic Christmas ideas - an Inspiration Compilation

[CatPancake]

Due to cost of living crisis I'm looking for ideas that will be valued and cost effective - and not adding to the hoard of commercialism and eco waste. Like most people I suppose!

I'm also looking to buy in advance and spread the cost a bit so I wanted a thread where other people could share their ideas. Obviously not everyone will want the same things but hopefully we can all find a spot of ideas in this thread

My list so far

A crystal/rock advent calendar for my DD

A Hawaiian shirt personalised with the dog's face for DH

Ceramic paint palette and paint pot from Etsy for me

A bird box with camera for MIL

Freeze dried sweets for FIL

Personalised door plaque for DD

Heated gloves for DM

- I have a Whatsapp group that I've set up with myself, (I create a group, call it "presents" and add my DH - then remove my DH and I've made a whatsapp group with just me in it.)
Then I add ideas throughout the year when I think of them. Would appreciate having other ideas to take the stress out of November. I also think of a lot of good ideas just after Christmas so having the Whatsapp group is v handy to refer back to a year later as it only keeps a list of things.

Something we have been building on to reduce waste is wrapping cloths.

We did buy some beautiful Japanese ones, then I also realised that fat quarters are a good enough size for smaller things like books which we gift each other a lot. I also got a wooden beer crate and 6 large, red, cloth napkins to wrap the fancy beers I gift my husband often throughout the year.

Great idea for a thread, thank you for starting it.

My DH is a nightmare to buy for .Whilst some of his presents could be called 'generic', I buy better quality than he would for himself (socks, boxers, toiletries, gin).
I also appreciate a better quality shower gel than my usual Dove or hand-cream.

Something I picked up years ago on a MN 'difficult to buy for men' thread was to replace a beloved item that had seen better days - DH's once white t-shirts often get replaced at Christmas and DS would never have decent underpants if Santa didn't bring some!

I'm an avid list maker and one of my favourite gifts a couple of years ago was a really good quality hard-backed notebook. I always drop handwritten thank you notes to friends/family for gifts or meals/parties at their homes, so I love slightly more expensive notelets than I would buy myself. Obviously you need to know that the recipient would appreciate them.

We entertain a lot and i have a selection of serving trays/platters/bowls in all shapes and sizes, many received as gifts from people who know that's my 'thing'. I have gifted similar to friends i know like that sort of thing too, sometimes with some artisan crackers / other nibbly bits.

I keep eyes and ears open during the year for ideas and add to a note on my phone (will take a look at the WhatsApp group idea OP!) DH raved about a wine we'd had at a restaurant last summer and I managed to get him a bottle of the same wine last Christmas and he was delighted. So whilst wine can be considered 'generic' this one has specific meaning. I've noticed my Aunt's gardening gloves have seen better days, she's unlikely to replace them herself. Keeping an eye on that as a gift idea, along with an outdoor plant pot and some bulbs.
Not sure if these are the sorts of things you mean but hope the ideas or at least the approaches might help someone.

Ah lovely idea, I'm most intrigued by the Hawaiian shirt and tempted to get my husband one 😂

Some great ideas here thank you!

Just coming on as I've thought my DD would love a posh faux fur blanket... and it would help me keep heating bills down

Have put freeze dried sweets on the list, thank you for that.

I also pay attention to what items shortly need replacing and upgrade where possible for gifts.

I’ve been experimenting with fabric drawstring bags though it’s very unsatisfactory opening those we find. I’ve used festive tea towels, scarves and a beach towel and sarong one year with the wrapping becoming part of the gift. Will have a look at fat quarters as we like gifting and receiving old books.

Also just thought of a posh hairbrush for DD - might help encourage her to brush her hair too!

One thing that my kids still talk about from when they were younger, is our homemade advent calendar. I bought 24 paper cups and attached them to a ribbon on the wall with pegs and in each cup was a different activity. They were activities like chocolate coin hunt, dance to Christmas music and Christmas card marking. They loved that more then anything else

Presents I’ve got so far!
Ds13:
Miss Marple books boxset by Agatha Christie
Colour changing light that looks like the moon
Raspberry Pi Hat (basically an add on to his raspberry pi mini computer that he can code to make a robot)
Royal game of Ur - an ancient Sumerian board game
German tank model kit

Ds7:
Stocking -
Minecraft mug with some fancy features
Premier League 2024 sticker book
Gumshield for rugby
Shinpads for football
Small Minecraft Lego set
Main presents-
Minecraft legends switch game
Gilbert rugby head guard
Lego ‘gadgets’ kit
Playmobil police van
Boden purple fluffy zip up fleece (he loves fluffy fleeces)

Dh:
Train 3D jigsaw model thingy
Eldritch Horror strategy game
Masters of Death book by Olivie Blake

I’ve almost finished for my household! I’m autistic and get overwhelmed if I don’t sort everything in advance. I need a couple more bits for dh and one more did ds13. Next stop friends and extended family!

So far..

DD7 - reborn doll + accessories, Barbie camper van, Barbie childminder set, Greek myth books, Squishmallow or other teddy, probably Koala, gerbil cage for impending new gerbils, some sort of craft kit, onesie.

DS5 - Playmobil pirate ship, Playmobil medieval castle, Mega Chomp shark, onesie, craft kit, set of story books, Ninjago Lego set

DH - 3D printer, Lidl bucket hat, set of books he's asked for, onesie, a replacement for his favourite white shirt that is now looking very tired, a coat.

PiL - annual cinema pass (3 couples chipping in)

Parents - hand held garden fork and trowel set, canvas prints of my kids (requested!!)