Xmas presents for 3 growen children-what to give?

[claridge]

I dont have to tell any of you out there with children how hard it is year after year to buy presents for teenagers. Birthdays are hard enough - but Christmas!. Suggestions please for a 17 year old girl, 19 year old boy and a 23 year old girl. The two eldest earn their own good money so can buy their own clothes etc (and I proberly wouldnt buy the right thing anyway, especially for my son) and Im thinking soaps and purfumes are more what their Grandmother sends them. I hope I dont sound a scrooge when I ask you if there comes a time in their lives when Christmas lunch or Dinner should be enough. Our present budget also will be limited this year - something we decided a couple of years ago when Jan/Feb came round and the bills arrived from that Christmas period Shocking!

 

[DebbieH]

Approximately, how much do you want to spend? That might help narrow it down for each.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[claridge]

No more than $50 each Im hoping - knowing they will at least comsume $20 - $30 worth of food and drink each on Christmas day as well.

 

[Debra L]

Most of the gifts we exchange with my husband's family are gift cards. Barnes & Noble, Amazon, & Borders are pretty popular - books, music, DVD's. Many malls have gift cards that are good at all of their stores, so if you know where they like to shop, you could do it that way & give them more options.

As for the amount, only spend what you feel you can afford. My husband's parents are retired & struggling with health care costs. We have not figured out a way to ask them to restrict their generousity & take care of their primary needs.

Debra

 

[Winter]

Hello,

As a child (32 yrs of age, single, make good money) I tell my parents and friends to spend thier money on a child or grandchild. I for one do not like to get knick knack things as they accumulate and nothing matches blah. blah. I think spending time together is more important.

How about spending the money on a get together - whatever that may be for where you live and what you like. In my town (small) it would be to go to the movies, bowling, golfing or out to eat. Maybe each of you rent your favorite movie and you hang out all day this winter watching movies, eating, laughing and just having a good time.

If my parents insist on presents I would like either something I can eat, a candle (no permanent things to keep), or gift certificates to my hairdresser or other places I go.

How about a basket of thier favorite foods or thier favorite beauty/bathroom products.

Good thing you have a few months to think about it. Turned them on to Cathe yet?

Good luck,
Winter

 

[michnola]

I had this problem with my parents and I did what Winter described.

Every year for Christmas, we make a special night out and go to dinner or to a play. This is the one night where my Dad does not try to pick up the tab.

My parents both love this and my mom starts thinking about where she wants to go in November.

My in-laws and my grown nieces and nephews have been moved into "my gifts whenever" systems. Gifts whenever means I buy gifts when I see something that is so right for that person or buy it for them when we are spending time together. They know they may now get a gift on their birthday or at Christmas but when the perfect gift pops up, whatever time of year, I buy it and send it over. Everyone loves this system too since they tend to get items that they would really want.

 

[mckeev5]

Do your children like movies? I have started giving movies baskets, except I buy large bowls and put in popcorn, different candies like at the movie theaters, etc. Then I buy gift certificates to video stores so they can rent movies and stay at home with their jammies on and relax with the goodies. That is what I am doing for several couples this year for Christmas. I have done it in the past and everyone seems to enjoy it.

 

[Madonna]

My husband and I decided to quit buying for my nephew when he turns 18. He is 17 now. Each year we give him money. Not a lot of money, usually about $50. He never likes what we get him anyway so this way he can buy what he wants.

We know that he will never reciprocate at Christmas (not that we want him to) but we think it is a bad idea to give and give to him because at one time we were beginning to feel used.

He only wanted to spend time with us because we were going to buy him something. Since we quit taking him on shopping trips, we dont see him anymore. He works and has his own car and never comes to see us.


It breaks my heart.


Love,

Madonna

;(