Christmas present shopping

[Gemini]

Plant telling us how many family Christmas presents she has to buy made me wonder how many present's we all buy, for family and friends.

Do you buy a lot, a few, or do you give the money?

I have scaled back a lot on present buying over recent years.

I used to exchange gifts with a number of friends, and of course I had my parents and in laws, and as we all probably did I would buy extra presents for the grandparents from my children.

Last year I suggested to the last few friends I still exchanged presents with that we stop, and all were glad to.

So now its just three DDs, two SILs, four GC, OH and my sister. I also get small presents for the friend who makes us a photo calendar and won't take any payment, and for the staff where my sister is. Auntie G and I have never done presents, but when we see her near Christmas I will usually take a little Christmas plant.

So now for me this is a fairly short list. I do almost all of it online so its easy in that sense, no traipsing around the shops.
Knowing what to buy teenage GC and SILs is another matter! DDs give us a list for the older GC and we will buy something from that. I find the SILs hardest to buy for!
I often resort to restaurant vouchers for the couples, and just a small thing each. SIL3's birthday is on January 6th, so I shop for that along with the Christmas shopping.

I have little Es presents (three year olds are easy ) I have something for the calendar making friend and I have OH's sorted.

[Lizzie48]

I don't do any at all, I get the GD's things as they need them, all year round!! Money for their birthdays, I ordered a few things for them both the other day, well, they ordered!

[Oma]

We only buy for Finn ( already have his)
GS and Lucie,
We do a secret Santa and keep it to £20 for the rest of us,
We did used to buy for everyone but it's a chore trying to find the right present ,
DD Suggested Secret Santa a few years ago and we all readily agreed,

It doesn't have to be serious presents either we have had some very funny gifts ,

One year James got B as his secret Santa and James went to the £ shop and bought 20 £1 presents ,
It was hilarious, one was a tangle free hairbrush, B is almost bald 🤣🤣

We laughed so hard ,
It was a lovely gift giving day that Christmas,

[Gemini]

You may remember me suggesting the Secret Santa idea to my family last year.
It didn't go well

[Daisy]

Gem, I remember how unpopular your Secret Santa suggestions was. So you still have a lot of presents to buy, and it's not easy knowing what to get, let alone the cost of everything.

Our present-buying list has increased slightly this year. GS2 has a lovely long-term partner, and we get something for her as well as GS2. One of our youngest nieces and her husband now have a baby, and although I'm sure he will be inundated with presents - it's 12 years since we last had a baby in the family - I can't resist sending him a gift. DIL1 has a gentleman in her life now. We're delighted about this, and he's a lovely man who we already knew, so again, we wouldn't leave him out. If either or both of DIL2's parents join us for Christmas dinner we'll get them a small token present - a plant or chocolate.

[Plantaholic]

The adult members of the family have a Secret Santa between them but for some reason I have never been included in that, perhaps I should suggest it. They mainly buy me things to eat or drink. Alternatively I might give them money.

[Gemini]

Plant, I think money or vouchers are often welcome especially when you have quite a few t0 buy for as you do.

I am getting on a bit with my shopping now. I have got or ordered gifts for all 3 DDs. Their main presents anyway.
Little E is sorted, I am waiting for lists for the older three.
SIL2 appreciates a hamper of nice food and drink so I think I will make one up for him.
I have OH's in hand, half of my sisters bought, so getting there!

[Oma]

GS &Lucia asked on Sunday what we want for Christmas,
We said nothing we would rather they treated themselves,
They were insistent though so I said I wouldn't mind a nice candle, B asked for a Aston Martin 🙄🤣greedy man 😁

[Daisy]

Unusual for me, but I've bought part of OH's Christmas present already, while it was on offer! I don't know what else to get him yet though. I'll probably give both GDs money. I know GD1 needs a new phone, so I'm sure money will be appreciated. I'll have to get advice from DIL1 about presents for both GSs, GS2's GF and DIL1's friend.

Oma, I hope B gets lucky with his Christmas present.

[WeeGranny]

I’ve got everything for GS and a couple of small presents for DD and SiL. DD has suggested a voucher for a restaurant they like so I think I’ll do that. DS has a couple of Cotton Traders rugby shirts, but nothing else. The only other big present is for GGN and I shall have a look when DD and I have a day out next week. I’ll give my neighbours a bottle of wine and a little present for their GD who lives with them.
MyDB and I agreed years ago not to give each other presents and we give any children something until they reach 21 and then we stop.
We have a Secret Santa at book club but that’s it. We exchange presents at our Christmas dinner.
Oops, forgot the dog! He’ll never forgive me if he doesn’t get something!🦴

[Gemini]

WG I have ordered the cats presents

[Daisy]

Gem, I find it hard to choose a present for DIL's cat. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Plantaholic]

Hardly started yet and I have 19 Christmas presents and 3 birthdays before Christmas.

[Gemini]

Gem, I find it hard to choose a present for DIL's cat. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Daisy I was ordering some cards and a diary from the Cats Protection League and just added a couple of catnip toys .
If she still plays( and most cats do throughout most of their lives) then catnip toys or chasing toys, a bit like a little fishing rod may go down well. Or little bags of Cat Treats are popular.

[Daisy]

Gem, thank you for those suggestions. I think I got her catnip toys one year, but she wasn't very interested, and the dog chewed them up. She's never been particularly playful - she's a hunter, or was when she was younger. The Cat Treats sound a good bet, though. She likes her food, and gives you a proper telling off if you are late feeding her!