Impending slew of crap—thread #2

[iris lilies]

Now is the time we have to barricade our doors for the seige of junk that enters our home in the guise of “thoughtful gifts.” At least, that is how I feel about it all in this Holiday Season 2018.

I do feel that Holiday Hell deserves its own Rant thread!

[Teacher Terry]

Funny IL! So far I have received 4 gifts from out of town friends that we have been friends forever and I don’t expect anymore. They were all thoughtful gifts that I will enjoy. 2 of the gifts were handmade which I love.

[iris lilies]

So yeah, it is only December 11 and I am DONE with the crap.

I belong to several organizations, and each one feels compelled to have a holiday event involving exchanges of physical objects. If I were going to a white elephant/Yankee swap event, this framed treasure I got in an exchange would be great:

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But this was given to the group pile as a serious gift. I guess. It is probably the fragment of a great grandmother’s hand embroidered apron, but I aint keeping it.

To the right is a small tube of Burt’s Bee’s lotion, a useful item. I didnt show all of the stuff in the haul from this particular party, just the best and the worst.

This all comes at an especially bad time because I am cleaning out loads of crap feom our attic. I am in de-clutter mode in a major way and take these stupid objects as a personal affront. Not the most mentally healthy way to view them, I know. Just relax Iris. Ooooommmmm.....

[JaneV2.0]

At this point, the only gifts I can use are the consumable kind.

I buy myself whatever I want, so additional stuff is rarely a happy surprise.

I'm with dear old Dad, who used to say "I'll give you a ten dollar bill, and you can give me the same. Merry Christmas!"

[Teacher Terry]

Yeah that picture is stupid. If you pass a thrift store on the way home from these events just make a quick stop:)). I did forget on Xmas day the party at my house includes a white elephant gift. But only one each and because we can steal or swap most people end up happy with what they get. That’s great that you are in decluttering mode!

[Tybee]

I think this is why we give our friend Starbucks cards.

[Chicken lady]

Um. Even the hoarder says you can get rid of that picture! Although, maybe you could use the frame for something...��

we are on the annual quest quest to find gifts for dh parents that cost the right amount of money to fake the correct level of affection. This is made not easier by the fact that they have everything they need, can easily buy anything they could possibly want and have no hobbies (except visiting new places in order to check them off their list of places they have visited), indulgences (entertainment or luxuries) or vices (food, alcohol, tobacco, sex) I found a book called “when your adult children disappoint you” but dh said no.

my mom is getting placemats that I know she will use and like but has not seen. My dad may be getting a garlic baker - I made it - if my mom thinks he will use it. Otherwise, he’s getting nothing. I will say “merry Christmas, I didn’t get you a present.” And he will say “thank you. Merry Christmas.”

dh is getting three months of trash service. With accessories. He wants to put a car lift in the garage. So I restarted the trash service and I am going to spend Thursday mornings from January until I finish (deadline end of march) bravely clearing out and organizing in the studio barn so that he can get a car lift in there.

also, he can throw away the can of trash he has filled in the 22 months we have had no trash service, and we can do a big cleanup of the yard. I think it’s a good present.

[ToomuchStuff]

What type of lift and is the structure up for it (high enough ceiling and proper concrete)?

Years ago, me and my family had a bit of a falling out over Christmas. I was off of work half a year due to surgery and lived that year on $8000. Multiple members of the family, thought I should go into debt to buy everyone presents, "just like everybody else does". I put my foot down and said only the kids get presents, no one else, and I expect nothing from anyone.
Two years later, they understood and with the number of presents the kids got from other family members between the sets of grandparents, etc. I was asked to just give the kids money, so they could do something like movies in the summer, etc. after how many presents/toys/clothes, etc. sat around.
When they started hitting 18 we stopped and everyone realized, we could all buy our own stuff easier, and they knew all the stuff I went through (nearly loosing everything twice), that I was the first one debt free (no mortgage), made them reevaluate.

Parents still buy me gifts, but ONLY things I either specifically request (a new pocket knife this year) or things like socks I tend to wear holes into. Practicality has been so much better in gifts for me.

[iris lilies]

Um. Even the hoarder says you can get rid of that picture! Although, maybe you could use the frame for something...��

we are on the annual quest quest to find gifts for dh parents that cost the right amount of money to fake the correct level of affection. This is made not easier by the fact that they have everything they need, can easily buy anything they could possibly want and have no hobbies (except visiting new places in order to check them off their list of places they have visited), indulgences (entertainment or luxuries) or vices (food, alcohol, tobacco, sex) I found a book called “when your adult children disappoint you” but dh said no.

my mom is getting placemats that I know she will use and like but has not seen. My dad may be getting a garlic baker - I made it - if my mom thinks he will use it. Otherwise, he’s getting nothing. I will say “merry Christmas, I didn’t get you a present.” And he will say “thank you. Merry Christmas.”

dh is getting three months of trash service. With accessories. He wants to put a car lift in the garage. So I restarted the trash service and I am going to spend Thursday mornings from January until I finish (deadline end of march) bravely clearing out and organizing in the studio barn so that he can get a car lift in there.

also, he can throw away the can of trash he has filled in the 22 months we have had no trash service, and we can do a big cleanup of the yard. I think it’s a good present.

Trash service is a good gift. Years ago I got DH a one year service for recycling services because he kept every newspaper we received, intending to drive them to the recycling center, but that car trip never happened. Our paper reculing area was overflowing.

Now is the time I can mention one of my favorite gifts, the UnGift. I get DH to agree to toss something sitting around here
And that is my “gift.”

[Tybee]

CL,how about getting your in-laws a AAA gift membership for a year? That's a nice present and shows concern for them,.

[pinkytoe]

I wanted to join a new local gardening meet up but their second meeting is for a Christmas party with a $10 gift exchange. Huh? I don't even know these folks so I guess I will skip the party.

[catherine]

IL, that is one pretty ugly picture--no offense to your friend.

I have been guilty of giving people wall art (just family--not friends), but I think that it's the worst gift you can give, because you invite a person over and they expect to see it hanging. What do you tell them if you didn't hang it up? If your friend doesn't go to your house, I'd bring it to Goodwill.

[catherine]

dh is getting three months of trash service. With accessories.

I love it. You know you're not in the metropolitan NY/NJ/CT area when you are giving gifts of trash service.

Having lived in Vermont this year, it seems like such a practical gift! We weighed getting trash service ($41/month for bi-weekly service) vs bringing it to the transfer station once a week ourselves.

We chose the DIY path. Our trash bill averages $3 a week, and the recycling is free. So not sure if I'd love trash service because I've come to like our Saturday morning routine and the guy who takes our three $1 bills, but it would certainly be a very relevant gift. Very nice, CL!

[iris lilies]

So yeah, it is only December 11 and I am DONE with the crap.

I belong to several organizations, and each one feels compelled to have a holiday event involving exchanges of physical objects. If I were going to a white elephant/Yankee swap event, this framed treasure I got in an exchange would be great:

2618


But this was given to the group pile as a serious gift. I guess. It is probably the fragment of a great grandmother’s hand embroidered apron, but I aint keeping it.

To the right is a small tube of Burt’s Bee’s lotion, a useful item. I didnt show all of the stuff in the haul from this particular party, just the best and the worst.

This all comes at an especially bad time because I am cleaning out loads of crap feom our attic. I am in de-clutter mode in a major way and take these stupid objects as a personal affront. Not the most mentally healthy way to view them, I know. Just relax Iris. Ooooommmmm.....

As I think about it, this picture, this framed fabric dress, may have been put into the pile by someone who thought we were doing a white elephant exchange. We did have some new people at the event and I have to say, in that viewpoint the thing is a brilliant white elephant gift!

Crap now I think I should go dig it out of the dumpster and save it for that time in the future when we do white elephant. It’s just that I don’t know how many years that will be because sometimes these group exchanges are made up of halfway decent things I don’t know, such a dilemma.

I hate that this season makes me waste my time thinking about this stuff.

[iris lilies]

I wanted to join a new local gardening meet up but their second meeting is for a Christmas party with a $10 gift exchange. Huh? I don't even know these folks so I guess I will skip the party.

’cause we all need more $10 items.

go! Go to thebparty and just sit out the exchange with a smile on your face. Believe me when I say they would rather have you attend with no gift than not attend at all seriously.

At our garden guild event last week somebody brought one of those amaryllis bulbs incased in wax. It needs no watering and is in its own cheery container,a fail safe present for gardeners. I think that’s kind of cool.

[JaneV2.0]

It looked like that. I would probably have donated it.

[Chicken lady]

There was a lift in there before we bought the place. If you open the door all the way, you can park a semi in there with the trailer on. (Well, you could if I cleaned it out)

don’t bother with my inlaws. I’ll skip the AAA story, but only disappointing adult children are stupid enough to waste money on AAA for their pregnant wife traveling cross country with two preschoolers. They missed my dd’s wedding because they refuse to ever turn their cell phones on or buy internet access when traveling internationally - and mil had an elderly father in care at the time. We have offered to pay for international calling for our own peace of mind. Apparently because we are stupid.

mil has a carefully thought out formula for exactly how much to spend on each family member based on age and degree of relation. She begins complaining about you in August if you have not handed in a suitable list. Your list must not only come out to the right amount of money, it must yield the correct (mystery) number of packages equal to the number of packages received by all others in your category. It is the number of packages that is important, not their content, so one person might get a package containing a shirt and a book, while (and this has happened) another person might get a package containing a candy bar. (I got the candy bar. I asked for one expensive thing)

last year I got a zoodle maker. My entire category got zoodle makers to help us eat more vegetables. As I am a vegetarian who eats vegetables and misses them when I am at her house, and as I own several knives, I donated the zoodle maker. This year I asked for a pastry cutter. That was my whole list. Dh suggested she pay for one of my classes.

[iris lilies]

This afternoon I played chauffeur to crap. I drove crap around the city to drop it off.

* I dropped off an old hat that I once liked, I mean 1940’s old, So I couldn’t just send that any place or to the dumpster. I dropped it off as a donation to one of the vintage clothing stores, and that donation included a large old fashioned round hat box from the 60s and a Chinese purse I never like to but was forced to get because someone gave us a gift certificate to an oddball place.

* I dropped off a brand new T-shirt never worn with tags on it that is a Christmas T-shirt, Mickry Mouse. Because it will appeal to thrift store people I wanted to get it to a thrift store for this Christmas season. It was one of the several gifts we got in the plant society prize pile.

*I dropped off documents at the post office, mailing them this year rather than waiting to see the recipients at meetings. It cost nine dollars but it was worth it because now I don’t have to try to remember to look for every recipient at one of these meetings in upcoming 12 months. Nine dollars is worth it to reduce the number of tasks at meetings.

[Teacher Terry]

IL, I am like you and prefer to get stuff off my plate. Sounds like you are making great progress.

[KayLR]

IL, I showed that dress picture to two women here in my office. The Millennial laughed her head off, while simultaneously the Silent Gen woman remarked, "Isn't that gorgeous!"

ROFLMAO

[rosarugosa]

IL: Do you mean to tell us you don't dig the Mickey Mouse Xmas T-shirt??? :laff:

[iris lilies]

IL, I showed that dress picture to two women here in my office. The Millennial laughed her head off, while simultaneously the Silent Gen woman remarked, "Isn't that gorgeous!"

ROFLMAO

this is so so great! Haha, thanks for telling me this.

I heard the garbage truck dump vontents of the dumpster late this afternoon and thought about the awful picture. Too late to run out to save it!

[razz]

While the image of the picture is simple but quite lovely, the background is very severe. There is a story in that picture. An acquaintance designs such fabric-based items and they display and sell quite well. Her backgrounds are carefully designed to enhance the garment she created. She was on an art studio tour that I visited.
You do get some interesting items, IL

[Tybee]

I too thought the picture was not a good gift for you, but to clarify, is it your grandmother, IL? Then it kind of makes sense as a gift.

[iris lilies]

I too thought the picture was not a good gift for you, but to clarify, is it your grandmother, IL? Then it kind of makes sense as a gift.
To be clear, this picture was wrapped and in a pile of presents at our plant society’s xmas social. We play bingo and each time someone wins, they take a present from the pile.

so this picture has nothing to do with me.

[Float On]

What I dread worse than the gift exchanges are the cookie exchanges. Yuck. I'm not interested in cookies that come from a house with 6 cats. I've had a upper respiratory crud and you don't want cookies coming from my kitchen this week.

[frugalone]

My sister has a tendency to get me things I need to dust. Like, for my birthday, gigantic cookie jar. I don't even keep cookies in the house. It's cute and all, but...

She got me a set of plates for our anniversary. She actually has never been in my house, has no idea what my idea of decor is, etc. It's not that I'm ungrateful. I just don't know how to tell people "please, nothing I need to dust."

[iris lilies]

My sister has a tendency to get me things I need to dust. Like, for my birthday, gigantic cookie jar. I don't even keep cookies in the house. It's cute and all, but...

She got me a set of plates for our anniversary. She actually has never been in my house, has no idea what my idea of decor is, etc. It's not that I'm ungrateful. I just don't know how to tell people "please, nothing I need to dust."

Only if your request will be respected is it worth making the request.

Otherwise, smile, nod, thank, and chuck the gifts when you get home. That is what we do.

[KayLR]

"I just don't know how to tell people "please, nothing I need to dust."

How about this: "When you're considering a gift for me, picture it with layers of dust. Cuz, ya know, I don't dust. Then decide."

[gmpg54]

We can no longer dust...the bible says "dust you are to dust you will return" or something like that...
Could be a friend or a relative!! LOL

[iris lilies]

Gifts opened, paper and boxes and other crap ferried to the dumpster (recycling dumpster pretty much full) but I managed to jam in the crap before others get to it.

Our friend who over gifts promised not to give gifts this year, but I am not stupid and didnt believe her and of course she gave gifts, but a modest number, like 5 for our household. We had a really nice dinner and visit with friends and the focus of the evening was NOT sitting in a circle opening the mf presents. It all was fine. She gave me Scotch! My new obsession.

DH gave me an excellent present, a new shower device that is exactly the same one we have in Hermann which is THE BEST SHOWER DEVICE IN THE WORLD! He said he had trouble finding one. No kidding, they hide it from everyone because if everyone knew about it, no other device would be sold ever! Hahaha.Now, he just has to install it.

[sweetana3]

We also kept the junk out. Got a bottle of Reposada tequila, a bottle of maple syrup aged in bourbon barrels, a couple of tshirts I will wear, and a good cookbook from a friend.

[HappyHiker]

I respect everyone's ritual/custom of gift-giving this time of year. Or not. Spouse and I opted out a few years back. Just felt tired of feeling compelled to go out and buy something because of a certain date on the calendar. This year, my gift to spouse was bringing him a slice of pecan pie and coffee in bed this morning. No gift wrap required...

[rosarugosa]

No crap given or received! I got $100 and a bottle of wine from my housekeeping job, and $100 and some primo chocolates from my dog walking job. My little side jobs may not pay as well as my corporate job did, but the holiday tips are great!
A friend stopped by today with some regifts of Starbucks ground coffee and Trader Joe's chocolate bars and a neat calendar. I already have a calendar, so will pass that along, but I love the consumables. I gave her a vase of holly from the garden. DH brought home a bottle of blood orange EVOO from his boss. A friend gave us a wreath and we gave her a Trader Joe's gift card.

[catherine]

Well, we have just done our supposedly "minimal" gift giving. I'm exhausted, but part of it is because our house is filled in a good way--DD/DD's SO, and DS from VT, and my NJ family spent a couple of hours here as well.

The favorite gift I gave my DH was a crapper. I told the UPS guy: "It's not every wife who gives her husband a crapper on Christmas!" It's an RV/camping/boating toilet. Nothing fancy, but practical.

Favorite gift I got so far (we still haven't finished opening gifts) is a lumberjack plaid vest and a "Dream Without Limits" Dog Mountain hat.

Yes, we are rampant consumers on Christmas, but and we haven't yet figured out the "minimalist Christmas" thing. Oh well. There's always next year..

But it was a great day--not because of the acres of wrapping paper but because it was great to be with the kids.

[Chicken lady]

Dh loved his present. I did not get a present from him, but that was expected. I got several new needed items leading up to Christmas.

gifts I got from the kids: a yak wool scarf and little clay yak from ddil’s trip to Nepal, a cow bell from dsil’s trip to Switzerland, a hand carved spoon from dsil, a very useful and attractive large lidded blue yarn and sea grass basket from a fair trade fair, a new t-shirt designed by dd, a book, and a fantastic numbered chicken art print. Ds said he wanted to get me the original piece of chicken art, but it was very expensive and also 3’x 5’, so he got me the 1/4 scale (9”x15”) print.

[pinkytoe]

DH's family exchange checks and gift cards. Seems like the amounts spent on each side cancel each other out so not sure the point of continuing but until the matriarch passes to the other side, it shall continue.

[Tradd]

I got a book on Lake Erie shipwrecks and some tea. That’s it.

I gave only two gifts. I gave $30 towards the small netbook computer ($110 on sale online from Best Buy) for my goddaughter. Her parents and maternal grandparents also put towards the gift. The grandpa found the deal. Plus Coffee mug for a friend that she loved.

I did my 2nd year of photo cards featuring diving pics that were a massive hit with everyone. Did a lot of cards.

[herbgeek]

The only gift received other than from hubby, was a set of pictures from my nephew's wife of their family which I treasure. Hubby really seemed to be listening/watching me this year and each item was spot on. Only bad thing at Christmas is recognizing the depth of my mother's memory loss. She did not recognize one of my brothers.

[rosarugosa]

Oh no, Herbgeek, so sorry about your mother. Mine was recently diagnosed with early Alzheimer's, so I can certainly empathize. My MIL is also currently in a rehab facility with some cognitive as well as physical stuff going on. It isn't easy.

[Lainey]

I got a book on Lake Erie shipwrecks and some tea. That’s it.

...
I did my 2nd year of photo cards featuring diving pics that were a massive hit with everyone. Did a lot of cards.

Tradd,
somewhat related: I thought of you this week when I watched the NOVA documentary on the rescue of the boys and their coach from the cave in Thailand. I know you're not a cave diver, but I was in awe of the professional divers and also the logistics required for the rescue. Especially since it was their monsoon season and with the waters rising in the cave, it was a minor miracle that they all got out. Would recommend it to everyone if they're interested, especially if you need a feel-good story.

[Teacher Terry]

DH bought me a book on Ireland with beautiful pictures because that will be our next trip in a year. He thought it would help us plan what to see. Did the white elephant gift game yesterday so each guest brought a gift for $10 or less and went home with one. I used 2 necklaces that a friend in another state gave me. People loved them and were stealing them. I made the main course and everyone brought something so not a ton of work. Really had a good time.

[Tradd]

Tradd,
somewhat related: I thought of you this week when I watched the NOVA documentary on the rescue of the boys and their coach from the cave in Thailand. I know you're not a cave diver, but I was in awe of the professional divers and also the logistics required for the rescue. Especially since it was their monsoon season and with the waters rising in the cave, it was a minor miracle that they all got out. Would recommend it to everyone if they're interested, especially if you need a feel-good story.

I watched that online the day after it aired. It was awesome. I have friends who cave dive in Florida and Mexico. Not my idea of fun. It’s jokingly called “looking at wet rocks in the dark.” :)

The documentary should still be available on PBS’ website for those in the US.

[KayLR]

Thankfully I didn't receive any crapola. I only received about 3 things, 2 from DD and 1 from sister. DH & I had agreed on no gifts---we did a wkend getaway instead.

Tradd: I almost spewed my tea at "looking at wet rocks in the dark." Ha! My take on it too.

[beckyliz]

This year, we gave very minimal gifts because we're going on a trip in March. It was so freeing! Very stress-free season for me.

[mschrisgo2]

I got 4 gift cards: Starbucks, Lowes and Home Depot, and the local quilt shop! That translates to iced tea when I run errands for the next 3 months, plants to add to my landscaping, and a quilting class and materials! I am very pleased.

I went in on a cell phone for DGS2 (his brother paid the other half), a sort of expensive tee-shirt DGS1 really wanted, and batteries for DGS2's new drill. Gave my DD $100 cash because she didn't know what she wanted.

We have only given gifts off a list for the last 10 or so years. Gift bags and boxes are reused. Minimal packaging, no crap at all.

[razz]

Over the years I have collected fabric with a Christmas theme that was highly discounted. This year, I had some awkward shaped presents so decided to make fabric sacs of all sizes to be tied with a ribbon from the Dollar Tree. If the present is very small, it does not get wrapped but put in the stocking as is. This has worked out quite well. I will simply launder the sacs and use again next year. Why did I not do this years ago?

[Tradd]

Tradd: I almost spewed my tea at "looking at wet rocks in the dark." Ha! My take on it too.

:D

[happystuff]

Over the years I have collected fabric with a Christmas theme that was highly discounted. This year, I had some awkward shaped presents so decided to make fabric sacs of all sizes to be tied with a ribbon from the Dollar Tree. If the present is very small, it does not get wrapped but put in the stocking as is. This has worked out quite well. I will simply launder the sacs and use again next year. Why did I not do this years ago?

I made these many years ago. When the kids were little I also had them string letter beads spelling out everyone's names. We always use the cloth gift bags and pin the name of the recipient onto the bag with the beaded names.

[razz]

I made these many years ago. When the kids were little I also had them string letter beads spelling out everyone's names. We always use the cloth gift bags and pin the name of the recipient onto the bag with the beaded names.
That is a great idea to use bead names and pin them on the bags. I used mini paper labels this year stuck on the ribbons and didn't like them much.

[Float On]

I rec'd one $40 Lowes gift card for the garden from son#1, son#2 gave nothing but he's a broke college kid and I don't need anything, my parents gave me cash. That's it so far. I expect maybe 2 more checks in the mail.
We had maybe 5 little pieces of trash after opening gifts. Everything was wrapped in either fabric gift bags or tins we've used for years and everything was useful or gift cards. The one item that came in a large cardboard box I wrapped with a table cloth. That cardboard box will be used to mail stuff back to college for son#2.

[Tybee]

I gave my husband a copper waterbottle and a second hand book about wildflower propogation. He gave me a sketchpad, a little cardinal, and a cookie cutter.

Happily, my dil loved the earrings I bought her at a farm fair this summer from a lady who makes them from washed up beach glass. I also gave them a set of their china that she started buying from the goodwill last year--found a complete set at our goodwill one day. It was horribly expensive to mail, but it is their new everyday china and she loves it. So that was a real win!

GD loved Madeleine, which was one of my favorites when I was little. So that was so fun, to share that with her. Oh, and I found a couple of novels that are my all time favorites at estate sales this summer and sent them to my son, so he gets to share that.

Other son's rescue pup ate the game I sent GS, so that was kind of a holiday low, but funny.

[Teacher Terry]

How lucky to find a complete set of china that she wanted! Funny about the dog.

[pony mom]

My most useful gift was a package of nine pairs of black socks. I walk so much at my job that I wear holes in socks and was tired of mending them. Two other coworkers were hoping for new socks too.

I refuse to participate in gift exchanges because I know I'll get something I don't want. Plus I don't work directly with all of my coworkers on other shifts and don't know them well.

There's nothing wrong with regifting.

[happystuff]

I re-gifted quite a few things this year and the recipients all seemed very please. I love finding homes for things that others will use but I will not.

[iris lilies]

I like “used” items, that isnt what I mean by regifting. There is nothing wrong, agreed, with passing on an item that you believe will give pleasure to someone else.

[JaneV2.0]

I bet that was what my aunt was thinking the Christmas she wrapped a handful of random perfume samples for me...:D

[iris lilies]

December 20, 2021

Time to complain, holiday edition.

So far, 4 gifts received.

2 are bearable.

2 are unbearable and just make me angry.

I don’t exchange gifts with these people, I don’t want gifts from these people. I resent having to open the things, deal with the extensive packaging, send acknowledgement, and of course find a way to get rid of the unbearable.

Bah, humbug.

[sweetana3]

We got three gifts. One was a bunch of handmade sweets. Gave Mom the cookies for her friends, threw out the bars and sadly ate the candy. It was not very good. I have no resistance. Brother sent me a corporate basket of wine and fairly crappy edibles. Threw out a lot and gave the wine away. Last was a large coffee table book on an artist who was just on Netflix and did cat art in the early 1900s. I have no coffee table. Sigh.

[Chicken lady]

I’m impressed that someone who was doing art in the early 1900’s has the stamina to appear on Netflix!

[razz]

This year I gave family members - fruit cake for those who enjoy it with alternative for those who don't, a joint family rechargeable spotlight that can flash when walking in the dark ( I love mine so got another for myself when they were 75% off for Black Friday), some socks and an alpaca scarf each which is wonderfully soft and warm. Simple and easy to mail.
Keeping it simple works well.
While I appreciate thoughtfulness, the pressure to respond to an unwanted gift at Christmas time is a pain.

[sweetana3]

Thank you Razz for the idea of safety equipment. I am going to order Mom a 5 way power radio for those times she loses electricity. She loves her battery lamp that has come in handy many times and the radio would help connect her to weather and news.

[Tybee]

I've been going back to edible gifts, like Starbucks cards or restaurant cards for adult kids and wives. Sent one brother maple syrup and pancake mix from Vermont Country Store, expensive and kind of coals to Newcastle, but don't know when I will see him, and don't want pressure to have to deliver a gift, and don't want to send nothing. Other one got Starbucks.

If you know they like pancakes and maple syrup, maple syrup is always a great bet because it has gotten so expensive. So some people won't buy it for themselves.

Bottles of wine are great gifts, too.

[rosarugosa]

Tybee: I think bottles of wine are the best gifts, along with flowers and fine soaps. Now you all know what to get me, lol.
I don't anticipate a slew of crap this year. We are only exchanging gifts with Sis and her SO/roommate, so if any crap is received, it will at least be minimal. We got them a gift certificate to a restaurant they like. I have a Calathea roseopicta 'Rosy', and my sister has been wanting one, so I divided mine and potted up one for her in a pretty pot I got for $5.00 at OSJL. I feel good about that gift, frugal, green and I know it's something she wants.
We got all bird food items for Mom, no Stuff, since we are spending so much time cleaning Stuff out of her house. Buying more Stuff for her would be downright masochistic.
I gave my usual amaryllises to people I give them to every year, after checking in to make sure they like them and want me to continue.
I have envelopes for my hairdresser, the mail carrier, and the trash collectors.
I am not happy about the Covid surge that caused postponement of the 1/2/22 party and Yankee Swap, but nothing wrong with appreciating the silver lining, is there? Actually, there was a group e-mail where the hostess asked what everyone thought about doing a swap. I said what I thought, and apparently that was a faux pas, but then why the hell not just say "there WILL be a Yankee Swap, but participation is not mandatory." (I had suggested that we use the monetary resources towards a group charitable donation instead). Anyway, that can just got kicked down the road a bit, so deferred impending crap, something to look forward to in the new year. :laff:

[catherine]

Our family did decide on Secret Santa and I can't believe how much stress it's taken off my shoulders! And also, I don't have to look forward to hours and hours of wrapping!

I pulled my eldest son to give a gift to, and he's really good at telling people what he would like, so he utilized the wish list feature on the online Secret Santa tool that I set up for people to draw names. He wanted a nice ratchet set and that's what I got him. DH is bought the grands a couple of toys each, and I'm buying them some clothes. I bought my brother an Amazon Echo Dot on sale at Amazon for only $29--he saw my previous generation Echo and he loved it.

I believe the family is happy with this new tradition.

I haven't bought DH anything yet, but will tomorrow or Thursday. I might even have time to bake cookies--the gang is coming up on Christmas Eve.

[Tybee]

Cookies sounds wonderful! I bought DH a Powell's e-gift certificate which will arrive Christmas Eve. He'll be happy.

[KayLR]

My sister-in-law brought me two gifts of really cheapo junk jewelry the other night (the green skin turning kind). I graciously accepted them because she works very hard and it was very sweet of her. BUT now the guilt. I will never wear these items unless I'm around her (which is infrequently). So, there they sit in my jewelry box.

[iris lilies]

One of my Bearable gifts is now inching into the Unbearable category. Food, mostly disgusting.

But to balance that, one of the Unbearable gifts may be useful-ish. Jury still out.

[razz]

When is enough for a teen? An adult? Interesting article.https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/my-15-year-old-doesnt-want-anything-for-christmas

[iris lilies]

When is enough for a teen? An adult? Interesting article.https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/my-15-year-old-doesnt-want-anything-for-christmas


that is cool about this teenager who wants nothing. I thought the most expensive and newest electronic Doohickey would always please them though, I think we are safe with that. But I understand he has all the clothes he needs and through digital mediums has all the entertainment and educational things he needs.

I do wonder about you Canadians and your love of Timmy Hortons. We had Tim two blocks from my house and he did not last long here. I didn’t get it, I thought it was …not good. Sorry!

[sweetana3]

Our Tim Hortons lasted 4 months I think.

Our lovely neighbors just dropped off a loaf of his sourdough bread. Fantastic Xmas present. Last year I gave him my vintage sourdough cookbook hoping it would expand his knowledge.

[rosarugosa]

I got an unexpected gift today, but it was a bottle of organic Malbec, so I am less annoyed than I might be otherwise at this very lovely person with whom I had a no gifts discussion, and to which she had agreed.
Tis the season to piss me off mightily.

[razz]

that is cool about this teenager who wants nothing. I thought the most expensive and newest electronic Doohickey would always please them though, I think we are safe with that. But I understand he has all the clothes he needs and through digital mediums has all the entertainment and educational things he needs.

I do wonder about you Canadians and your love of Timmy Hortons. We had Tim two blocks from my house and he did not last long here. I didn’t get it, I thought it was …not good. Sorry!

Tims is popular because it is predictable and clean. I like their decaf coffee. It became popular, I think, at the time when people stopped visiting at each other's houses but met at the coffee shop instead. I cannot remember when that became the norm.

Funnily enough, it is now owned by an American conglomerate

[catherine]

When is enough for a teen? An adult? Interesting article.https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/my-15-year-old-doesnt-want-anything-for-christmas

Yeah, I'm taking a break from wrapping. We agreed to do Secret Santa, but DH is having a hard time letting go. He bought a bunch of little stocking stuffers that to me make little sense--Lobster socks, canoe socks, those fuzzy slipper socks. A magnetic baking conversion table--2 of them. Stuff like that. Things that aren't much worth the wrapping paper.

But he LOVES doing this kind of stuff and while I'll be mortified giving my SIL lobster socks, my guess is all these weird, cheap gifts will be appreciated. DH is the quantity guy, and I'm the quality guy. I bought the grandkids one thing--winter coats. He likes buying a bunch of little, fun crappy things. Another way in which we are different, yet complementary

[Tybee]

I am definitely the lobster sock buyer in our family, although I did buy a winter coat for my little fashionista, as we have watched the Parent Trap twice now and she loves all the dresses.

Yesterday we went to an antique store which was next to the hardware store and I bought two more presents for the little girls because they did not have anything fun, just more serious and practical gifts. Note to self--shop for Christmas at the antique store--lots of cool things under twenty dollars.

Kids are coming over today and opening presents, so I am excited to see their reaction. That's probably why the secret santa thing does not work as well for some people. I've floated it in the family, but I really do like buying things for people.

[catherine]

Kids are coming over today and opening presents, so I am excited to see their reaction. That's probably why the secret santa thing does not work as well for some people. I've floated it in the family, but I really do like buying things for people.

I completely understand about that. This has been really hard for us to pull back. I went out just now with a last call for Christmas and I couldn't get my head out of "Oh, I didn't get M anything!" "Oh, N doesn't have a spouse--shouldn't I get something extra so they have something to unwrap?"

I cheated because my daughter told us a couple of weeks ago that she's pregnant! Her first! We're not supposed to utter a word for the first trimester or make a big deal about it, but DH and I wanted to do something subtle. So Victoria's Secret had really soft, plush tartan robes on sale for $35 so I bought her one of those. I'm not abusing the spirit of Secret Santa. This isn't for Christmas--it's for a different celebration! :)

It's so easy to find ways to cheat. That being said, I'm just hanging out waiting to set the table for the kids coming tonight. So different from prior chaotic years.

Tybee, have a wonderful time with the family!

[iris lilies]

You know, As a longtime veteran of no gifting, I fully accept that people will give me gifts even if we talked about it and they said they wouldn’t. That’s just how people, especially parents, roll. If I were your kids, I would not be especially annoyed by it. I might be curious and ask you “hey I thought we decided not to give gifts? What is up?” but in the end people are going to gift no matter what.

To help temper it, just keep in the back of your mind that some of us consider it a huge burden, this crap that you are unloading on us.:laff::laff::laff:

Also since both of you have small grandchildren, that keeps the whole gifting frenzy alive. Once everyone grows to adulthood that kills the spirit.

[iris lilies]

DH wrapped up the offensive food that is now full into “ unbearable” category. He’s going to freeze it and take it to Hermann where he will chomp away on it and I don’t have to see it. He thinks it is OK but not very good. I think the thing cost a good $70 if not more.

edited to add: $99. The tasteless thing mailed to us cost $99 and that includes “free” shipping.

[Tybee]

We had a wonderful time, and congratulations, Catherine, another grandchild--that's a true Christmas present!

We opened gifts and it was really terrific--this was the first Christmas eve we had spent with them in 8 years, although we did get to go to their house for Christmas last year, for the first Christmas time together in 7 years. So it was pretty special, and I have to say, everyone really did enjoy buying for each other--the biggest excitement was for the presents the girls bought each other, and they were so excited to give them and see the other one's reaction.

Maybe because we have been apart so many Christmases, the gift part was super fun. I kind of think we all like buying gifts, too, because the adults were very excited, too. There were three records from the Goodwill exchanged, so not pricy, but special for each person. I gave my son a painting that he had admired and said he wanted to inherit--so I thought, why not give it now, and I can always see it at his house.

If we had to buy gifts for people outside the family, I would not enjoy it at all.