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Christmas

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

PLEASE help me bash through some of my Christmas list

36 replies

Unpresent · 09/11/2024 22:38

For some reason I'm drawing a blank for almost everyone this year. Usually love Christmas and choosing presents but I'm really struggling.
Have a new baby and we're moving house so no time for crafty things or trawling shops for inspiration really. Also budget is even tighter than usual, and I've cleared so much out getting ready to move I'm really averse to buying more 'stuff'.

Grateful for any and all ideas as I've often finished shopping by now but so far have one thing for DS1 and nothing for anyone else.

So, please tell me if you have any ideas for:

DM - generally difficult to buy for as almost anything we'd get her she can afford nicer herself. Likes: classical music esp opera, politics, good murder mystery novels and thrillers, gardening, the colour turquoise. Would prefer experience gifts. Doesn't like or want food gifts or knick knacks for the house.

DH - needs nothing, wants nothing except things to facilitate his Warhammer obsession. I don't know what but may just ask him. Also likes board games and computer games and has recently acquired a 3D printer. No interest in any sport. Listens to audiobooks via audible rather than reading so paper books get wasted. Not interested in clothes/ accessories/ grooming products.

DS1 - 10yo. Quite likes lego but has too much (he thinks so too). Not into video games or sports. Getting really into reading graphic novels but I think has read most of the obvious series. Likes Harry Potter, Star Wars, Percy Jackson. Struggles to read paper books due to severe dyslexia but loves audiobooks - already has an Audible subscription. Interested in archaeology/ treasure/ gemstones. Loved a silversmithing course I took him on for his birthday but not generally into crafty things. Has no idea what he wants apart from a Bitzee, which I'm not convinced he'll like but have purchased in desperation.

DS2 - 7yo. Also quite likes Lego but has a lot. Very into video games and very sporty/ physical. Particularly likes football but playing rather than watching, doesn't support a team, doesn't need new gloves or pads or anything. Does ballet but doesn't need anything for that. Also likes Harry Potter and Star Wars, loves board games but struggles with not winning so co-op games better. Loves animals esp. penguins. Has no idea what he wants.

DS3 - 5 weeks. Enjoys milk and cuddles. Hobbies include pooing, whinging and posseting. Clearly needs/ wants nothing but is going to have to receive something from Santa for the sake of DS2 🤦🏻‍♀️.

DSIS + SIL - they're expecting twin babies a week or two before Christmas, one of whom is certainly going to require an immediate operation and NICU stay. Have no idea what sort of mood/ state they're going to be in come Christmas and torn between focusing on getting them things that may help/ be useful or trying to make sure at least their Christmas presents are all about them rather than the babies.

Please spam me with suggestions for any of the above!!

OP posts:
Bonfirenightchaos · 10/11/2024 11:36

The best thing we ever did with the adults in both our families was a Secret Santa. Could that be an option?

wherethecityis · 10/11/2024 14:44

@banivani do you remember what that game was? I think my DH would love it

Needanewname42 · 10/11/2024 15:40

Op I might be boring but I'd take path of least resistance.

You and DH, t-shirt or top each and voucher for dinner. Do you have something to open and I'm sure you'd love to get your dinner out.

Mum, tickets to a show or cinema.

Ds10 Lego, Harry Potter or Star Wars, he might have lots but they'll always have something new. The new Great Hall might be a good shout I think they'll be more bits to add to it eventually

DS7 football goal or rebounder..

Baby A cuddly toy, bath toys and teethers.

banivani · 10/11/2024 21:18

wherethecityis · 10/11/2024 14:44

@banivani do you remember what that game was? I think my DH would love it

@wherethecityis

We’ve played a few from Exit The Game - here’s an Amazon link - although note I do not recommend Amazon particularly ;) https://www.amazon.com/stores/ThamesKosmos/EXITTheGame/page/244FDF98-9E87-4454-B796-20F0219C97F9

The one we played the other day was from a Swedish company called Hidden Reality hiddenreality.se so no good unless you speak Swedish but v worth it if you do!!!!

I’ve also played this one https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/354897/escape-from-the-museum which was fun and not very long, but we guessed the end before the last three clues were up. Exit is trickier so I like them better.

Thames & Kosmos: EXIT: The Game

Escape room games for the home.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/ThamesKosmos/EXITTheGame/page/244FDF98-9E87-4454-B796-20F0219C97F9?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-christmas-5206299-please-help-me-bash-through-some-of-my-christmas-list

Wefellinloveinoctober · 10/11/2024 21:47

Has your mum seen the Mousetrap or Witness for the Prosecution? If she is able to get to London for a matinee I'd recommend either of these, both fantastic plays.

Icarus40 · 10/11/2024 22:18

DS10 - subscription to Phoenix comics? Warhammer starter kit to play with DH.
Neon sign/LED lights for his room.

DH - arrange a trip to Warhammer World in Nottingham.

Mum - tickets for Hamilton/Wicked/whatever sort of Theatre she likes. The Ballet? Cirque de Soleil? Chelsea Flower Show? An evening with the stars from Strictly/Monty Don/Simon Reeve/other celeb of choice.

Icarus40 · 10/11/2024 22:20

DS7 - Spike ball set?

HoHoHoliday · 10/11/2024 23:24

Mum: Membership for the Royal Horticultural Society. Gives her entry to RHS and partner gardens, personal advice from gardening experts, monthly garden magazine, discount on gardening event tickets. See the RHS website.

Husband: On Amazon I saw a "3D printer accessories kit", does he have any accessories? I have no knowledge of warhammer so can't help with that. Would a food/drink gift be good for him?

Son 1 and Son 2: As a joint gift, a trip to Legoland or to Harry Potter World?

Son 1: Look on the website for the shop at the Natural History Museum. At a quick glance (and from memory) there is crystal mining kit, volcano making kit, crystal science kit, microscope. National Geographic also has loads of child-suitable gifts on the theme of archaeology and gemstones. What about some cool headphones for listening to his audiobooks? Some clothing or artwork for his bedroom related to the book series that he likes.

Son 2: Also some clothing or artwork for his bedroom related to Harry Potter or Star Wars. Sports bag to take his kit to and from football/ballet. Dobble game. Penguin sponsorship, the packs where you get a stuffed animal and occasional updates through the year.

Baby son: Congratulations! Well he is the easiest. Whatever he needs for the coming few months, doesn't need to be exciting, just pick some essentials and wrap them up. Santa knows baby son is too young to understand presents but he wants to bring something so he brings things that are useful instead.

Sister and SiL: What a stressful situation! Hope all goes well with the new babies and the operation. I think I would go for soft comfy slippers each and a cosy snuggly blanket to share - both useful for winter nights with new babies. A bag/box full of easily eatable snacks for the hospital. And then a Christmas decoration with all of their names on if the babies have names by Christmas - something to mark the fact that it's the babies' first Christmas and their first Christmas as a family of 4.

RogueFemale · 10/11/2024 23:50

Bird table for DM? I got this for a friend, really well designed with legs which can cope with lawn and a flat top so all size of birds can feed. Delivery is £10.

charlestaylortrading.com/products/hb241-extra-large-bird-platford-feeding-station?variant=44607440552186

Mossstitch · 11/11/2024 01:44

I got a warhammer t shirt last year for one of my adult sons from asda of all places online, been worn a lot so obviously liked it.

My youngest son had a thing about penguins, over the years he's had penguin socks, soft toy with net of chocolate fish around its neck (which he's still got nearly 30 years later, the toy not the chocolate😂), hot water bottle with penguin cover and bedding set covered in penguins. It's become a bit of a joke so even now if I find something with penguins he gets it as a stocking filler😀

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