I’m extremely excited for Christmas, because by staying at my job for one week longer than I originally wanted to, I’ve saved up enough money and bought my man a PS2 for Christmas. (My parents pitching in as their gift to him helped, too.) I’m pretty sure he has no idea that getting a PS2 is even in the cards, but I know it’s the one thing on earth he wants more than anything.
I’ve also managed to buy some pretty neat stuff for everyone else on my list, despite my tight budget this year.
What gifts have YOU bought for those on your list that you’re most excited about giving this year?
I bought a couple really cute “tea for one” sets for my sick SIL and her caregiver. The caregiver doesn’t drink coffee or tea, but she could use the cup as a bowl, and it’s a hand-made piece. It works as a collectible, decorative art piece.
Ive been busy shopping for the last two weeks, just bought today Jelly Babies 2007 magnetic calendar and whiteboard. That wraps up the kids presents…
Now must buy that grab bag $20 gift to be traded amongst family feuders, Im thinking, nuts, handtowels, or a stack of blank discs. Or some funky ultimately useless kitchen gadget helper thingie. :dubious:
I’ve already exchanged gifts with some of my friends at a solstice party last week.
I bought Hamish a USB key, a book about gay life during the Enlightenment, and another about gay life in Canada published in 1972, that I tripped over in a used bookstore (he likes primary sources). I also got him a little package of incense matches. I got kung fu lola a jewelled hair clip, a glass ‘witch ball’ for Jen, cookies for Sammy and Heather, and chocolates for Geneviève.
Those I still have to give include a tea set for my friend Ros, a book on treason and a Bob Dylan CD for my brother, some gold earrings for my mom, and a hardback novel for Aunt Dianne (she’s who I got in the family gift drawing, which we hold each Thanksgiving).
Got my son two Rob Zombie shirts and two custom Dodge Viper Shirts.
Got my friend a Tshirt from Tshirt hell.
Got my mommy a Giordano’s Sausage Pizza and an Eli’s cheesecake sampler.
Got another friend a three episode DVD of Bonanza.
An X-Box 360 for my brother from the rest of the family. An espresso maker for my dad, he’s been talking for some time about getting one. A silver keychain for my stepmom - again, something she’s wanted for a while. An angel windchime for my mom, she collects them. Some clothes for my husband, he gets more excited about new clothes than anyone else I know.
I bought my dad a camcorder. He’s a late bloomer to modern gadgets – I bought him his first computer about 4 years ago – but he’s been getting his fingers into all manner of things. Photography is something he’s been into for the last few years because of the camera I bought him. Now he has expressed an interest in getting into video recording and editing, and as much as I know this is just going to result in more calls to me asking how the damn thing works and why it won’t do what he wants it to do and what all those damn kids are doing on his lawn, but I figure it’ll be worth it for him to see him happy with a new toy he can have endless fun playing around with.
The one I’m most excited about is the laptop for my sister. She’s going to school next month and I know it will really help her out. A close followup are the star wars themed games for my little brother, so far chess and risk. I really want to get him the monopoly for his birthday (the 29th) but haven’t been able to find it in stock anywhere yet.
Other stuff…a bedding set for my mom that she wanted, gift cards for other family members and Command and Conquer:Generals for my roommate. The SO and I haven’t decided what to do for each other yet. We’re thinking either a new TV or a trip to either Cabo or Hawaii. We’re waiting till after our holiday trip home to decide. A little thing for myself was Sarah Brightmans new CD Diva, I love Sarah so it just seemed appropriate.
I’m curious, what was the title of the book about gay life during the Enlightenment? I have a friend who would be very interested but I have no idea what to get him for his birthday in January - or didn’t until I read your post!
A grand total of ZILCH. Not a thing! Not for family or friends or anyone!!! I am broke and without a car and too tired when I get home so I am seriously considering wrapping up things in my house to give as gifts…
No, seriously, Mr. Mag and I intend to do our shopping all at once this Friday afternoon, which is a scary thought but thats when we get paid. Hopefully we will find good deals!
I bought my aunt a massage treatment. She was the driving force behind getting my father out of that apartment in Oshawa in which he was slowly going hermit, and (by steps) into an assisted-living facility. So I really thought hard about something for her, and asked my cousin to arrange it.
I bought my friends with the solar-powered house an Arrogant Worms CD.
I got my other friends a willingness to pay for tickets to We Will Rock You, the performance featuring Queen music. They will select the time, I will haul out the debit card.
I bought my dad a book about shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
I finished my shopping on Friday. Whew. All wrapped and everything too.
Got mom a four slice toaster. I took a family portrait of us at Thanksgiving and framed nice 5x7 matte prints - one in black and white for her office and one in color for the house. I also printed a nice picture of a flower in black and white for her office. I got matted frames with brushed silver for her office - they look pretty awesome.
Dad got a new dress shirt and some random little things from the Harley store. He traded in his sport bike for a boat when I was in grade school, and three boats later he is dying for a bike again. He’s gonna get one, but I thought he’d like some Harley stuff beforehand. Decal that matches his truck, nice keychain and a mini toy Harley as a joke.
Brother got a new CD case and a DVD he wanted.
Best friend got a plush Black Knight from geektoys.com. You can rip the arms and legs off - velcro. I was glad I drew her for Secret Santa because I saw the toy beforehand and wanted to get it for her. Got one for myself too…haha.
Grandma got framed family portrait of us and another empty frame for the full family shot I’m going to take on Christmas and mail to her.
Aunt and uncle got an Oster blender. My brother is buying them a bottle of nice tequila to go with it (they love making margaritas).
Little cousins (10 and 16) got Uno Spin and a Hollister gift card, respectively. I don’t know how people shop in Hollister, that store is dark. Hardly any lights.
For our big family (my dad’s side is huge - he’s one of 8 and everyone in the family participates in this after they graduate high school - so half of us nieces and nephews do it too) rob your neighbor, my girl gift is a perfume sampler set from Victoria’s Secret. It has 5 little spray bottles of good perfumes and a cute little silver holder for them with pink and red rhinestones.
Went nuts on the boyfriend’s gifts: a Roboreptile (it was on sale for half price! and I want to play with it too!), a medieval knight’s helmet (totally frickin’ cool, could actually be used in combat, if it were the Crusades), clothes, and a book.
Bro and SIL got a 6 month subscription to Netflix.
Dad wanted a gray sweatsuit. He actually said to me, “No FUBU or Sean John-- just a regular track suit please!” How the hell did my 74 year old father find out about Sean Paul? So I got him Nike.
Best friend got Brokeback Mountain on DVD and a book he wanted called 1492.
I bought some things from the Southwest Indian Foundation: coasters for my brother and his wife; potholder that ended up going to one of mom’s friends; kitchen towel which still needs a giftee.
I also bought something at Archie McPhee for my SDMB Secret Santa giftee.
I got two friends sticky note cubes from Despair.com, got another friend a shadow/memory box; another pal got a fleece blanket; one niece will get mints and a compact mirror; the other niece gets mints and two novelty bracelets.
I have no idea what to get my cousin, but it may be a Panettone.
I got mom a good sized bottle of her current favorite perfume, helped her pay for a new TV/DVD/VCR combo, and also got her a seaweed aromatherapy shower massager thing.
clothes
men’s manicure set
gap gift card
old navy gift card
starbucks gift cards
grill seasoning gift set
random fun stocking stuffers
Aquadoodle
solar system floor puzzle
Thomas train accessories
target gift cards
children’s clothes
children’s book
baby bibs
salad spinner
portrait photo of myself (requested)
amazon gift certificate
michael’s gift card
flashlight
shutterfly mug featuring photo of myself and niece/nephews (not requested)
dog toy
dog biscuits
Chris Botti CD
photo stamps (not featuring myself)
John Deere Parking sign
I made that list just so I could look at it. Dang.
Well, I’m very proud of my Christmas project for this year. It took me almost a year to do. I scanned the family photos into my computer, then bought a set of 10 picture frames for everyone. I chose photos specific to each family and put them in the frames, then boxed it all back up so it looks like I’m giving them a box of picture frames :D. There are pictures of my grandparents when they were teenagers and first in love, my granddaddy in the navy, wedding pictures, etc. I hope they all like it.
Faerie, it was the Matter and Form shirt. We’re all big VNV fans. Two of the five concerts I’ve ever been to were VNV. I want an Assemblage 23 shirt, if I can find one in Toronto.
