What do you buy for your adult children?

[Pumkinpiecrazy]

My DS turned 18 this year and I want to do a more grown up Christmas for him this year. He isn't interested in the novelties or fun bits I still want to get the younger ones. I've down Christmas for children for 18 years and I don't know how to do Christmas for adults anymore!

I caveat this with my adult dc has autism so I partly do it because it feels safe as well.
But basically I buy favourite chocolate, a gift set of favourite wash bits, one gift last and then give money.
I actually think I'll do the same for other dc when they get older as it seems to work.

Ours either ask for cash or give ideas. For instance DD wants the remastered Green Day cd.

Do people still do stockings and things like that? I don't know what to put in it that is more adult? Do you buy any smaller bits or just what they ask for?

We are all autistic too! I think that is why I have done a set formula every year. But I need to upgrade it for him this year!

My sons are 27, 25 and 23. This is the first year we are just giving money. Two of my sons live out is state and usually fly home for the holiday so the last two years they haven’t even taken some of their gifts back with them. A huge waste of $ and time. I miss shopping for gifts though,

Ok, bear with me… until up and out of the house/settled etc we have gone with this.

Presents - we do one bigger thing they still ask for, plus aftershave/perfume, a Lego set or board game (are you ever truly too old?), make up or skincare, handbag or item of clothing, a voucher or cash and a mandatory selection box plus a few random bits.

When up and settled with DC they get Aftershave/perfume, handbag/item of clothing, voucher for a meal and a babysitter and sweets. This includes SIL/DIL too.

Anyone who stays here for Christmas gets pyjamas on Christmas Eve in the hamper then a stocking on Christmas morning.

I wish mine would just have money but what would they open on Xmas day? I find it all so stressful. National trust card went down well with one . Lego set for adults with another last year. Gift cards for their favourite clothes shop?

This is so helpful - thank you!

One of my dd's asks for money, the other two provide me a list with links to about 6 or 7 things they would like. This way they get something off the list they want but won't know what it is until Christmas Day. For years now I have bought them a 'special' Christmas bauble for there own trees - if appropriate to what is happening in their lives, engagements, first house, wedding, etc. Otherwise I choose ones that I think appropriate for the colour scheme of their trees.

DS2 (18) and at uni is sports mad and an Arsenal fan so I usually get the latest kit, he’s already asked for an Arsenal hoodie 😂 and Padel racquet. No doubt there will be more sports kit added. Eldest (23) will want clothes and money.

What kind of things do you put in a stocking for an adult?

Sweets/chocolate
Pencils with funny slogans
Tea towel
Toiletry items
Notebook with cover related to interests or jokey
Corkscrew
Journal/diary
Socks
Kitchen gadget ( small item like the crab spoon rest)
Puzzle book of some kind

I think this is a good website
www.presentindicative.com/

I do stockings still for all my adult children. This year they will get a wallet ninja, a mini aftershave, a mini bottle or can of alcohol, socks, chocs, a nice shower gel, a scratch card, a fidget toy and a pin badge that's either funny or to do with their hobbies.

4 of my children - 30/30(DSS)/27/26(DSD) have all left home my DD 25 still here. They all give a couple of idea what they would like for a main present, then they each have a Santa sack, if they are a couple this is shared as a couple. I wrap all the presents, ones with a red ribbon male green female no ribbon both.

I tended to phase out fillers as as they got older, though they all still get a selection box, but things like silly socks a book maybe, some kitchen gadget if a home owner, smelly stuff, clothes. I have a budget of c£100 per bag but I often over spend ! and to be honest they don’t get many presents each but they’re good fun. One thing I do insist on is that they always have some silly toy/game. Ie this year the boys all have a remote control plane of tik tok (it’s brilliant if anyone’s seen it, as good as they say ). I’ve got my DIL a rather nice hand made wooden solitaire I now she will love.

they often have some kind of drink - one of those glass and little bottle gift set things.

smellies - a must it’s tradition

I always put a few scratch cards in their stocking along with a chocolate orange, Percy pigs, gold coins and some little silly trinket.

We still do stockings as this is their favourite bit of Christmas although this year I have bought new smaller ones. In them i put smellies, chocolate, fun socks, small alcohol, any fun but useful things I see so a screwdriver set, fun corkscrew etc. perhaps some food bits as they love cooking. Then either a present under the tree or cash.

DD gets a stocking, but hers is (and has been since she was about 14), a receptacle for holding some/all (depending on size) of the presents rather than "bag of little bits". She gets what I think she will like really. She's got a birthday imminently so I buy lots of things and split them across both events - at the moment Christmas is looking like trainers, a coat, gig tickets, perfume, a couple of books and if there's anything else I see in the meantime.

Stockings here include (depending on which dc) tube of sweets, chocolate coins, mini perfume/ aftershave, socks, nice shower gel, makeup sponges, anime blind box, fidget, books, hair stuff, underwear, sleep spray, mini watercolour painting set, pens, moisturiser, foot cream , small game (chameleon, uno no mercy).
Bigger presents are shoes, clothes, lego, perfume, board game, toastie maker, sewing machine, airfryer, fridge for bedroom, colour changing light for uni room, blanket, cushions…

I have finished the stockings for this year;
Everyone has a pack sports socks (Nike/adidas/NB) depending on preference as all go to the gym.
Favourite chocolates or sweets.
Earrings for the girls and new Apple Watch straps for the boys.
Travel jewellery boxes for the girls and mini Lego sets for the boys.
Toiletries.
Terrys chocolate orange stuffed in the toe and chocolate coins on top.

Thank you so much!

Ah, brilliant, thank you!

So far I've bought DS aged 18 a trio set of miniature Baileys, chocolate gold coins, caramel scented candles, PJ bottoms, Terry Chocolate Caramel, Tony Chocolonely bar, Fireside diffuser ( White Company rip off - think it was Home Bargains)

My ds is a bit older so far I've got
Stocking:
Lindt box
2 deodorants
Car air fresheners
Greg's vouchers
Tube smarties
Shower gel
Aftershave
Nike socks

Tree gifts
2 north face tracksuits
2 plain t shirts matalan ones
2 north face t shirts
Pair of chinos
New gaming controller
Ps5 game.
2 lounge bottoms

I need to get a few other stocking bits
New car stereo as his is temperamental at times
Most likely some trainers He mentioned a jacket too but unsure if he means coat type jacket or as in a hoody jacket

The adult dcs x2 get the same spend and amount of gifts as the younger ones even though they don't live at home .
I also do DIL the same.

My eldest is 23. He’s getting a really warm coat from Uniqlo (his choice) and some after shave as his main gifts . I still do him a stocking which will have the following;
PJ bottoms
Small bottle of his favourite spiced rum
boxers
christmas socks
Nice goodies like fancy nuts, chocolate orange, matchstix, chocolate coins etc.
A christmas bath bomb and some nice showegel.