Christmas shopping for the unshoppable

[farmerlor]

In my house, by golly you'd better have a Christmas list made out well in advance of the holiday. I don't put up with whining because you got something stupid or you don't like going to the store to make exchanges or they won't exchange something because you waited to long. Make me a LIST!!!! Put everything on there from a new pair of nail clippers to replace those you lost to the purely silly stuff like a vacation to Alaska. You may just end up with a pair of Alaskan nail clippers (Badgers) in your stocking.

 

[chicknerd]

I would ask.

My elderly aunt, who is 79 and still drives, works her garden, etc and raises chickens was quite frank. "I have too much, I want only things that are consumables." So I got her a 1lb bag of bulk meal worms, and a gas card.

 

[purr]

how about a home made gift.My stepdad loves my lasagna so I make him one of those for birthdays and yule

 

[purr]

For my Grandma a couple of years ago we all signed an apron for her. It must have had 50 signatures on it. She passed a few months ago and it was put in the casket with her.She loved her apron

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

When I give photos, I include a frame. However, I would suggest taking into account the style of decor in the recipient's home. For DH's birthday he was given a very nice (professionally made) collage of photos of the grandkids. It is lovely, but the frame is quite contemporary. Nothing else in our home is even close to contemporary.

 

[dandelionheart]

Food. Like a case of Slim Jims (if that is what he likes) and yeah, a case of beer. Things that may be something they would normally buy, but in a huge quantity so that they can indulge a little more than usual. For my grandma who is like that, I get her specialty jams, teas, etc... that are expensive, because she likes that stuff but won't spend the money for the good stuff. Good luck, I haven't even started my shopping yet!

I'm a list free girl... kinda boring if I know what I'm going to get (although my MIL and mom always insist & I oblige).

 

[ams3651]

I would go with making his favorite cookies or fruit bread. or something from the kids like decorated coffee mugs or a very nice sentimental card and a gift card for their favorite restaurant.

 

[Whispering Winds]

If they like to send cards, buy them a bunch of DG or Dollar Store cards, stamp them and put them in a pretty box to keep them in. I use to do this for my mom and she LOVED it.

Do chores, make coupons if you have kids. Grannnies and grampies love to have "help" and its quality precious time spent with them.

Write a letter about how they have made an impact on your life and frame it. My DD did that for my mom one year, I typed it, she decorated it around the edges and we framed it. . .mom treasured it all her days, and now my DD has it at her house. A legacy for sure.

Garden seeds, or a GC to a seed catalog is also a good one! I would like that.

 

[Hound]

Quote:
That's not a worry I promise. I loathe animals being given as gifts unless asked for (although i'd love to receive one LOL) and they are not pet people. They live overseas. He just loves one of our dogs though.

 

[NoelTate]

My parents have all the "stuff" they could possibly need or want. After seeing them debate for several years over what to do with gifts or comment that they can't get rid of something because someone gave it to them, I started rallying my siblings. We all go together and get them one large gift. We have done a big screen television, stacks of restaurant gift cards or gas cards, and hotel rooms for a weekend away. They appreciate them so much more than the other stuff people used to give them.