Loth's thread on grocery shopping on amazon sparked this idea for possible gifts for next Christmas or other holidays. It would also be a way to really spread the cost of gifts throughout the year.
We each have food and gadgets that we really like and/or find really useful. Sometimes we see them on those deal-a-day websites, or at the checkouts, etc... or we have used them for a long time and don't know why everyone doesn't have and use one, Know what I mean??
Why not buy several of these items when you see them or buy one for yourself, and keep them in a bin or box until they are needed? Then make a nice basket or box of all of YOUR favorites for your loved ones? If they already have the item, another one can be realy handy to have on hand. If they haven't tried one, they can enjoy it as much as you do. Heck, if the whole family uses it maybe give them the item labelled clearly for Mom or Dad so that the kids are less likely to walk off with it (and get away with walking off with it, lol!).
Even grabbing 2 or 3 tins of Altoids or somesuch to put aside can be a nice item to add. It lets them see that you really thought of them all through the year and they will think of you each time they use it. The items do NOT have to be expensive or fancy or even pretty. Just a way to share things you enjoy and/or rely on with those you love.
For kids or distant loved ones, if you include a scarf or gloves you like or something on that line you can tell them that each time they wear it they are getting a hug from you. My parents did this when we lived far away and I could see it on Wiz' face each time he put his hat on that he was thinking about Gpa and Gma hugging him - and him hugging them back!
I know that we are just past Christmas, facing the bills that we now have to pay and that we are NOT thinking of gifts again. Likely you don't want to think of them for quite a while to come, lol - especially not the cost of them! It is for just this reason that I suggested this. We can decide if we want to spend the same amount next year. We can also keep our eyes open for deals on items that will hold until next year or whenever we need them - it is one of the best ways to keep the cost of gifts in check!
A handy tip - keep a list of what you have already purchased in your calendar or organizer (not where the whole family can see, of course). That way you won't end up with 12 of something by purchasing 2 or 3 each time you see it. Memo functions on cell phones and smart phones can be really great for this. I often make a fake contact and keep the list linked to it. It is easier to find this way, in my opinion.
We each have food and gadgets that we really like and/or find really useful. Sometimes we see them on those deal-a-day websites, or at the checkouts, etc... or we have used them for a long time and don't know why everyone doesn't have and use one, Know what I mean??
Why not buy several of these items when you see them or buy one for yourself, and keep them in a bin or box until they are needed? Then make a nice basket or box of all of YOUR favorites for your loved ones? If they already have the item, another one can be realy handy to have on hand. If they haven't tried one, they can enjoy it as much as you do. Heck, if the whole family uses it maybe give them the item labelled clearly for Mom or Dad so that the kids are less likely to walk off with it (and get away with walking off with it, lol!).
Even grabbing 2 or 3 tins of Altoids or somesuch to put aside can be a nice item to add. It lets them see that you really thought of them all through the year and they will think of you each time they use it. The items do NOT have to be expensive or fancy or even pretty. Just a way to share things you enjoy and/or rely on with those you love.
For kids or distant loved ones, if you include a scarf or gloves you like or something on that line you can tell them that each time they wear it they are getting a hug from you. My parents did this when we lived far away and I could see it on Wiz' face each time he put his hat on that he was thinking about Gpa and Gma hugging him - and him hugging them back!
I know that we are just past Christmas, facing the bills that we now have to pay and that we are NOT thinking of gifts again. Likely you don't want to think of them for quite a while to come, lol - especially not the cost of them! It is for just this reason that I suggested this. We can decide if we want to spend the same amount next year. We can also keep our eyes open for deals on items that will hold until next year or whenever we need them - it is one of the best ways to keep the cost of gifts in check!
A handy tip - keep a list of what you have already purchased in your calendar or organizer (not where the whole family can see, of course). That way you won't end up with 12 of something by purchasing 2 or 3 each time you see it. Memo functions on cell phones and smart phones can be really great for this. I often make a fake contact and keep the list linked to it. It is easier to find this way, in my opinion.
). They don't even spend their own money unless they know that the price is good - they even check online and for used items of many things. I have found great items at garage and estate sales too. Last year I splurged for my mom's birthday and spent $25 on a porcelain cardinal from one of the big name companies like Lenox (not that brand but that high quality). My gma, her stepmom, adored cardinals. Almost every single Christmas card had a cardinal on it and she just loved to watch them. The bird was at an estate sale and I got it for 20% off - then looked it up online and it was worth 10 time the $$ I paid - literally! I thought about keeping it, but Capn Morgan is really hard on things - LOVES to knock stuff off of shelves and is obsessed with birds. My mom has display shelves that her cats cannot get to and she LOVED it. Esp with the note about Gma that I wrote.
