What Gifts Are You Giving for Christmas 2008?
 

I just realized there are only 15 day until Christmas and I have purchased zero gifts. Share what you're giving... I'm looking for inspiration!

Hubby and I were going to give each other the Wii but it's been hard to find.

He doesn't know I've already bought him a new Nano.;)

My husband and I are looking for the Wii as well :( I am giving just about everyone gift cards, b/c that is was they want. My people are just too hard to shop for.

For the kids...

American Girl dolls for the nieces (the ones that look just like them). We've been buying them since April since a) they're so freaking expensive (even though we're going half/half with the grandparents) and b) we have 6 nieces;

Leapfrog stuff for my youngest nephew, Ticketmaster gift card for my 14 year old nephew (with the stipulation that he takes his uncle with him).

For the grandparents...

Framed pics of Mikey (who is going to be 1 a week from Saturday! He's a big boy!)

For the siblings...

Restaurant gift cards, with official babysitting service thrown in.

For the husband...

He's getting one big box with lots of little things; I've got a "favorite things" theme going. Right now, there's a couple of DVDs he wanted, a couple of books, a Family Guy dvd trivia game, a couple of puzzle books, a one-egg frying pan, and a couple of other things. It's been fun trying to fill the box.

Mom-I'm thinking a Pandora bracelet, or a pair of Brighton earrings she wants
Dad-No idea
Lil Brother-Letters
BF-New wallet, and he asked me to make him one of those no-sew fleece blankets. We've been looking for Wii to share joint custody of, but no luck so far.

BF: blanket, pillow, indians tickets, and some stocking stuffers
Mom: I think tickets to see Mary Poppins though I'm not sure they're on sale yet
Dad: French pocket dictionary since he's learning about his trip to France on Christmas Day!
Best Friend: more than likely stuff from Victoria's Secret since it's our favorite store and I'll probably through in something goofy too

Dad-annual donation to charity, though this year I asked if I could give to the local food bank, instead of his usual, because it's empty
Mom-GC for her nails
Sister in law and brother-one weekend of babysitting the kids at our house
neice-Dooney and Bourke bag-she's an early teen and I found a small one at Marshall's
nephew-outfit and something else
Father in law and wife-kitchen gadgets
Nana-flowers

I still have most of my list left too. I think I'll be reading this thread daily. Thanks for starting it!

If people have ideas for hostess gifts, I'd love to hear those too!

I challenged myself to spend as little as possible this year without being "cheap".

Mom - cashmere throw (had a gift card - if west elm has any left they are awesome!) and some of those aqua globes for plants (big indoor plant person!)

Dad - all kinds of coffees because this is one thing he refuses to spend money on

Friends - framed pics of our group of girls plus magazine subscriptions or gift cards (personal and cheap to ship!)

Friends with kids - sent a "Family Fun Night" box with popcorn, bowls, puzzles, and games. Cheaper than buying toys they will use for 2 months and forget.

Husband - we bought ourselves a nice camera because we're heading to India over Christmas

For hostess gifts, I've done the cashmere throws or fresh flowers from a local florist that sells in bulk.

I don't know why folks wait until now to get a Wii. LOL

I would have thought some people would have gotten it after the last 2 holiday seasons. I told my co workers back in September don't wait til NOW to look because they will be nigh impossible to find. 3 out of 5 followed my advice.

I do have 3 suggestions

1- Call and camp outside of a Target or Walmart very early Sunday mornings. Sometimes they get their shipments then

2. Ebay...I know I know....but hey if you really want it.

3. God forbid - craigslist and the best advice there is to test it first and take someone with you.

Dad- Wanted GPS so split w/ my brother.
Mom- Wants a learn at home french thing
Grandmothers- get perfume
Grandpop - gets a nice edition of a classic book plus a journal so he can write his thoughts
Brother- who knows? I am stuck

I split a nice GPS unit between my boyfriend and I, my brother and his wife for my dad.

We did a family gift exchange with my extended family and siblings.

For live-in, Nintendo Nike Air sneakers (I posted a thread about them) and a bottle of cologne that he wants.

For his mom, a Coach wristlet on super sale at the outlet.

For his brother, a mechanic's creeper (one of those things you lay on your back on and then roll under the car - he likes to play with cars).

Haven't got anything for his dad yet.

However, looks like my $40 limit for everyone is working, except live-in. We set that limit at $150. I know I look cheap but for crying out loud I'm still looking for a job!

My parents have told me and my sister not to spend a lot of money on their gifts and that having us home for the holidays is enough. Plus they're retired so that automatically eliminates easy gifts for my dad atleast (ties, dress shirts, etc.)

Mom- sweater and GC to her hair salon
Dad- no idea yet
Sister- Victoria's Secret shoes
Boyfriend- 2 sweaters, 1 oxford Polo shirt, Polo hat, Kenneth Cole wallet
Dog- assortment of toys that came in a stocking for only $5!

When my kids left for college I got them a tackle box and filled it with First Aid items and things (bandaids, Bacitracin, antihistimines, cold meds you name it). This year after both got the stomach flu/virus and were too sick to go out to the store, I have gotten large plastic containers and put things like : peppermint tea, jello, can of applesauce, small package of instant mashed potatoes, Gator Ade powder and bullion cubes. They will laugh at me when they unwrap it but next time they are sick will be grateful.

For those of you looking for Wiis - sign up for Amazon's mobile alerts. I was able to buy three that way.

Gifts being given in general:

limted edition/collectable UK maker's mark bottle
study/application bibles
legos
make up
lia sophia jewelry
books
The Body Shop products
blood alcohol level checker keychain
portable iPod speakers
hollister gift card
american eagle gift card
hallmark ornaments
kinex
heated booties
holiday dishes
CD's
Candles
UK Alumni Assoc. membership
T-shirts
Harry & David's gift tower

I'm done shopping. Husband has a few more gifts to buy and he'll be done.

Mom-Gift card to her favorite store, and probably something else. She's hard to shop for.
Dad-Sweater (a nice one that he's been asking for)
Sister-a great pair of pearl earrings
Niece-Gossip Girl DVD
Nephew-some video game

I'm not sure about my grandmother, cousin for the gift exchange, and work Secret Santa.

Just bought my son's stuff via gamestop.com and amazon. I did secure Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour for his Xbox 360, so things are good. He also is getting some video editing software that he wants and that's pretty much the budget for his gifts.

My daughter is getting a new cell phone, a lighted makeup mirror and some books/CDs.

I got my dad and his wife a digital picture frame which I plan to load up with pics of the grandkids.

My brother wants an Ikea gift certificate.

My 5 year old wants the now-discontinued Fisher-Price Imagentix Castle.

Toys R Us ran out before I got my paycheck.

Amazon.com has it - for close to $200 dollars.

I went on ebay, and there were some going for over $100. I then found an auction about to end - I bid $30, AND GOT IT. It arrived today - my Christmas is made! I'm so, so happy!

I know it's a bit of a cop-out, but iTunes Gift Cards are what the teens in my life want, so that's what they're getting!

[For hostess gifts, I've done the cashmere throws or fresh flowers from a local florist that sells in bulk.[/QUOTE]

Wow! Cashmere throws? When would you like to come to dinner. :-)

Let's see...

Mom - I only know part of her gift. We watched the enitre series of The Office thus far over the summer, and I saw this little "The Office" calendar. I don't know what else though...

Dad - No clue!

Brother - Some kind of accessory for his iPhone

BF - A body pillow (long story) & beach stuff cause we're going to Puerto Rico two days after Christmas!

BFF #1/Roomate - She's the girl who has EVERYTHING! So a gift card to Outback (she's obsessed with the Aussie Cheese Fries, and makes her version of them in our apartment at least once a week... lol) and this cute fruity shot chaser set.

BFF #2 - No clue!

I think I might give my girlfriend some Phi Sigma Sigma jewelry and some nice perfume. I don't really know what else to get her and I figure you can't really go wrong with jewelry.

My presence is gift enough. :D

Awww, ThetaPrincess, it's so sweet of you to send me something so thoughtful! :D

My husband stands in line at Liquor Barn for those each year. He usually buys 4. He keeps one for himself and gives the rest as gifts.

Limited edition/collectable UK maker's mark bottle (2007 edition)
 

http://news.uky.edu/news/Media/feqN0t.jpeg

Psst. I've been very good this year! :)

Nice try. My dad is getting the bottle :) He and husband both collect Maker's Mark and Woodford Reserve bottles.

My parents also told me not to worry too much about Christmas this year as well. I haven't done a lot of shopping yet, so these are mostly ideas:

Dad: Some vintage hi-fi speaker fabric that a local antique shop was able to get for me, plus some padded slipcover things I made to cover his antique radios.

Mom: I made her some ornaments, and most likely "Mamma Mia!" on DVD.

Kid Sis: A bunch of gag gifts (including a copy of "Yo, Check the Perm!") and maybe something else. I also made her a stocking.

Older Sis: I made her a stocking, too. I'll probably get her a few mangas as well.

Additional older siblings: Ornaments.

Nieces: I'll continue on the My Little Pony collection I've started for them.

Nephews: No clue yet.

My mom & baby sister are getting Vera Bradley bags. Other sister is getting a Primp hoodie in a lamb print. Still searching for a gift for dad, gift card I think.

Husband & I are going to Paris for the Christmas week so that's our gift to each other :)

How about this? We have to be in KY to deal with more of Mom's estate stuff after Christmas, so DH said I could get tickets to the Central Michigan game! Merry Christmas to me!!! Looks like it will be my youngest son's first trip to Lexington and Rupp as well!!!!

With the exception of a few gift cards and a lot of stocking type gifts, I just finished the bulk of our shopping tonight. Although it's a lot easier to shop now that they boys are older, I really do miss the days of Santa Claus.

Mom- Cottage bird house...she loves to sit on the back porch and watch the birds in the morning before work
Dad- Planet Earth DVD set
Nieces- Puppet theater from Restoration Hardware for the 4 year old and soft blocks and embroidered robe for 4month old
Sister #1- Trip to Brazil in April
Sister #2- Gift certificate to Maison Lacour in BR for her and her husband
Brother- Bacon of the month club...my husband's idea!
Grandmother- Oscar de la Renta nightgown (you can't buy this woman anything...she gets mad if you spend money on her so it's always a challenge!)
Aunt and Uncle- Gift Certificate to Ruffino's in BR for dinner
Mom and Dad- Gift Certificate to Mansur's on the Boulevard in BR for dinner

Everything I give has to be easily shipped since they all live in Louisiana, and I live in Baltimore.

Hey, it was worth a try.

By the way, I did not know that Woodford Reserve did collectors bottles until you posted it. Thanks for the info. I will now add Woodford Reserve collector bottles to my "wish list".

http://horseracing.about.com/library.../woodford1.jpg

And just to be clear, I am happy to receive a non collectors bottle of either Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve any ole time of the year. :D

Sweet!
---
Memo to self: Make plans now to be in Kentucky for Christmas 2009!

So does my dad! He also prefers to receive Jack Daniel's Green label anytime of the year and hubby likes Four Roses any time of the year. I should check into seeing if they make collectable bottles...

We're getting our younger kids something that our older kids loved. We're ordering personalized books (these came off of the Disney site but you can google lots of firms that make them)...you know, the kind where you send in the name of the child, his birthdate, 3 of his friends' names, etc., and they put them in the story.

Hubby stood in line at 7:30 am this morning for the Wii (note I was asleep, lol) so his Christmas will be happy.

Even happier when he sees what I got him.

I have him a few ideas; there's nothing i truly want cause I keep buying myself things (nothing really expensive, mainly decorating stuff for our next house, lol.

It's just my 2 brothers/family and hubby and me on my side. They've got an expensive 2009 coming up so we've decided no gifts; on the other side of the family, we just draw names.

So I'm done unless I'll probably do some kind of family gift (prob food) to take Christmas Day.

I had a book like this when I was younger and loved it. I also remember it had a pic of me on the back cover and I thought it was the coolest thing. Great idea!

I've seen romantic ones of those where you put your mate and your name in the story, but I've never seen any for kids. that's a good idea!

We've gotten a bunch of those books for the kids over the years--mermaid and ballerina stories mostly, and Pirates of the Caribbean and Winnie the Pooh this year but the best one was the Snow White book I got my husband when we were in our twenties. It had him as the star and his dog and buddies as the supporting cast. I read it out loud at his birthday party ("and then Mr. Carnation screamed, "Snow White! Sapphire is my birthstone too!") and we all had a great time with it.

If you google "personalized books", you can find companies that do them for less than Disney and let you include more friends' names.

2 nieces and 1 nephew - Webkinz. Got them this summer on clearance.
2 kitties and a pug.

1 nephew - A baseball which clocks your pitching speed.

1 nephew - the new one - a Pottery Barn personalized frame with spaces for a picture for each month. Yes, it's more for the parents, but he's 2 months old. ALSO - my Pottery Barn hammock was recalled, so I was able to pay for it with the card I received in compensation.

1 nephew - need to get him a GameStop gift certificate - he's autistic, and games are pretty much all he does. I can't afford a whole game, so hope he will like this.

Gypsyboots - I'm not telling in case she checks!

Gypsy's sister - got her an i-pod this summer with the understanding that it was her Xmas gift.

Boys - 5 - 7 - a dear friend is buying them bicycles. Thank God - they will have a gift from Santa under the tree! The aforementioned castle for one of them, and a Peter Pan ship I got over a year ago for the other.

Husband - he gets to stay married to me. What could top that??:rolleyes: