[**fancy**pants**]

I thought it would be nice to share some ideas for Christmas gifts. I like giving very personal, thoughtful, USABLE, gifts. I dislike having to buy something 'just because'. I should have started shopping earlier this year so I don't get into a pinch and just end up buying random gifts for some of the important people in my life.

What are some of the most memorable/thoughtful gifts that you have given? Or some of the gifts that have been well received?

I will start with a couple.....

A couple years ago I built a very nice digital photo book from my Grandmother who lives out of state. Not one of those crappy ones you can buy from Walgreens. But a nice one that is bound like a regular coffee table book (and that's where my Grandmother keeps it). I included photos of me, my Husband and kids, plus my Parents, and my Siblings and their kids. Every time I talk to my Grandmother or see her in person, she thanks me again for this book. I have heard that she takes it with her on her Bridge tournaments to show all of her friends, and that no one can come over to her house without seeing it. I use the same books for my personal photo albums. I highly recommend. Blurb.com

Two Christmas's ago I surprised my Mom with a trip to San Francisco. Just her and I. She cried when I gave it to her and we had an incredible time together. I've been to San Francisco a couple dozen times but have never taken the time to do all that touristy crap. We did Alcatraz and the Double Decker Bus to all the tourist sites and stuff.

And this one wasn't for Christmas, but as a 'Coaches' gift for the 5 coaches of one of my son's football teams, and for the wives of the coaches since they sacrifice time away from their Husband's during the season. I got each coach two tickets to one of our College Basketball games along with Gift Certificates to Dinner at a nice Bar & Grill right next to the Basketball Arena. So they can all make a date night out of it. They all said it was the best Coaches gift they have ever got. (Usually I see them getting a team photo or a generic gift card to Starbucks or something. This is something they can all go out and do together since the tickets are for the same game and in the same row)

I'm sure I will think of more....but that will get it started.

Also, if you want help with thinking of an idea for a specific person, say who they are in relation to you and a few things about them so we can all try to help!

 

[Debbielovesu]

Good idea!!

We do surprise vacations a lot with my family because I have no family close to me but with my husband's side we usually just do a name draw and gift exchange. I always spoil my kids SO much for Christmas and the kids are normally the ones we focus on more!

 

[maureenmarie]

i got one of those "entertainment" books at a gift exchange last year and at first i thought it was silly, but we have used it so much this past year it got us out to try different restaurants and things that we normally wouldn't have done and we saved hundreds of dollars using it :thumbsup

 

[ahlehsunlee]

Awesome thread!!

Not really relevant, but sort of. My mom usually gives my brother and I cash for Christmas after a few gifts, because then we can use it however we want. Last year, we woke up Christmas morning to see a bunch of envelopes on the tree and Trivial Pursuit on the coffee table. We had to answer a question correctly and then we got to pick an envelope off the tree. It was a lot of fun to see my brother grab the $100 and $50 envelopes and I kept getting $20s. He ended up having to give me the difference, but it was so much more fun than her just giving us a check.

My best friend just got married Nov 3, so I'm trying to think of tying that into her present. I'm debating framing my Maid of Honor toast to her. I've seen his/hers vows done this way and it's looked great, but I don't have a copy of his vows, only hers. =(

Pinterest has kept me VERY busy with awesome Christmas gift ideas...if only I had a crafty bone in my body!!

 

[Debbielovesu]

^ fun! My Grandma gave me a money tree before for x-mas. She lives so far away so she never knows what to get me, my husband and kids. She will ask me but I can never really think of anything. Normally it's just a check and we take the kids shopping and let them pick something out.

 

[morbid_gray]

It wasn't a xmas present, but for Bf's birthday, I got him a huge picture frame, and dug through his Grandma's photos to find a bunch of pics of him and his mom (who passed away last oct). I haven't done anything else super personal in years. Usually I just go with things I know people want/like/need.

 

[Debbielovesu]

okay so I do need help with a gift idea. My mother in law is SO hard to buy for. A little about her - she is a Grandma of 4 a mother of two, in her 50's and she had to move in with her mom (to help take care of her) so anything 'house hold' like is a no go since she would have to put it in storage. She basically has a bedroom and that's it. I have done all of the picture frame/scrap books things for her so that's a no go. So far I got her some NICE tweezers & an iphone case and now I am wanting to get her something special. She does a lot for my husband and I and everyone else. I just have NO idea's.

 

[disscogrl]

Would she appreciate a GC for a mani/pedi or even a massage or day at the spa, just for her to relax? I don't know if she would be able to leave your hubby's grandmother alone to do something like that but I would imagine some pampering would be nice.

 

[Debbielovesu]

Yeah I have done all of that for her before as well, plus she sets her own appointments for mani/pedi's now and get them done so often that it's not really a 'treat' anymore.

She is TOTALLY fine to leave the house, her mom can do everything just fine she is mainly helping her financially and to remind her stubborn ass that she is diabetic. :magwink

 

[maureenmarie]

It wasn't a xmas present, but for Bf's birthday, I got him a huge picture frame, and dug through his Grandma's photos to find a bunch of pics of him and his mom (who passed away last oct). I haven't done anything else super personal in years. Usually I just go with things I know people want/like/need.

stacy that is so sweet :love