Posted on 11/05/2009 5:22:26 AM PST by Crusher138
With the economy in sad shape I have heard reports of people changing their gift giving habits this year. As the owner of a company that produces custom gifts, I would like to hear from Freepers what plans they have for gifts - both personal and business - this season. Are you planning on giving more, less, or the same? Are you cutting back on who you are giving to or are you giving to the same number of people, but changing the value of the gifts? Are you planning on giving more "home made" gifts? If so, what kind?
Eat good and lotsa hugs. We’re all grown up now. Things change.
Cash and gift cards for food and gasoline for my recently laid-off son. :(
Handmade tokens (food, crocheted hats, mittens, scraves, fabric tote bags, etc.) for close friends and other family members.
Salvation army donations. Not planning on spending much for gifts.
It is Christmas as usual at my house and for my family. Kids all live in other states, all flying and/or driving home for Christmas. No changes from previous years, gifts, food, drink...THEN, when the kids all leave on Sunday because they are all good responsible young adults and have to get back to their jobs, the wife and me head to Florida!
Christmas has always been about accentuating the thought which comes to me daily, the cosmic dynamic of the moment in which God came to earth, in a baby, to win us back.
Over the past 10 years, my giving has been almost exclusively precious metals. For non-family, they get a single silver eagle (current value approx $20). For children, they get a whole stack of 20 eagles ($400). It’s the kind of gift that people appreciate when they get it, and even more 10 years later. That can’t be said of any other gift I can think of.
Christmas has always been about accentuating the thought which comes to me daily, the cosmic dynamic of the moment in which God came to earth, in a baby, to win us back.
Over the past 10 years, my giving has been almost exclusively precious metals. For non-family, they get a single silver eagle (current value approx $20). For children, they get a whole stack of 20 eagles ($400). It’s the kind of gift that people appreciate when they get it, and even more 10 years later. That can’t be said of any other gift I can think of.
Christmas has always been about accentuating the thought which comes to me daily, the cosmic dynamic of the moment in which God came to earth, in a baby, to win us back.
Over the past 10 years, my giving has been almost exclusively precious metals. For non-family, they get a single silver eagle (current value approx $20). For children, they get a whole stack of 20 eagles ($400). It’s the kind of gift that people appreciate when they get it, and even more 10 years later. That can’t be said of any other gift I can think of.
We have cut back giving gifts for family adults - now we draw names for the extended family. We always give to the local Angel Tree and Toys for Tots; Wife makes jewelry for the women; we give gift cards (Home Depot, WalMart, etc.) to the men. We ask almost exclusively for gift cards. I have been giving myself ammunition all year. ;-)
I will be making a charitable donation in the names of gift recipients to a charity called, The Human Fund: Money for People.
As both a child and a Grandmother, I will be gifting my 2 children, 6 grandchildren and brother with items from my home. I have a fruit bowl that I think my oldest grandson and his wife would like. I have a bagpipe chanter that I think my brother would like. I have wrought iron wall decoration for my daughter in law. I have jewelry for my granddaughters and books for my grandsons. My daughter is hard to buy for, but I’m sure I have a pair of earrings she’ll love. My son in law was born on Christmas, so he’ll get two presents and two cards. Probably books from my library or my collection of historical textbooks.
My parents don’t want anything, as they’ve got everything they want to dust. However, I am thinking of sending them something like a wreath for the door from LL Bean, or something similar. Nothing “live” to water or “stuff” to dust. That’s their rules.
My BFFs will get gift cards for places to eat out. They’re not into “hand me down ‘heirlooms’” from their BFF.
We are doing what we did last year. We will adopt a family that is suffering due to job loss.
You can say that again ....
;-)
(sheepishly): sorry for the double post.
Food is a good gift. Everyone I know eats.
We have honey bees. Honey and candles are on the list.
My kids are getting older, so I'm buying (ugh!) flannel fabrics (with discount coupons) to sew pajama pants. T-shirts can be used to match the pants. I knit, so knitted house socks will complete the set. It's cheaper than buying store made by far. If they want i-pods, they can buy their own.
Another good idea is giving someone a steak dinner. Buy a frozen steak, throw in a potato and a bag of corn, maybe add a little something for dessert, and put it in a decorated box.
Corn bags are toasty warm. Sew a bag about 1 foot square. Sew rows in the bag, and fill the rows loosely with popping corn. Then sew a seal along the open edge. Put this bag in the microwave for about 1 minute, and the bag stays really warm for hours. It takes the chill out of a cold winters night.
Food is non taxable, too. If you go food this year, you can do it without supporting big government.
Cash for the kids (less than last year but it’s still what they need) and homemade treats for business associates. We’re cutting way back.
Hopefully spreading Christmas cheer to my wife. :>))))))))))))
Homemade treats, local Ohio products like wines and Amish cheeses, cash for the big kids plus popcorn poppers and rice cookers. The little kids and grandbabies are getting some toys, PJ’s and books.
For my grown kids.....clothing, kitchen items and gift cards. For out adopted granddaughters new winter jackets for a big gift, books, and a toy. For their parents a house gift, probably from Pier 1. My husband disconnected last year’s gift from the computer and it sits collecting dust. I am reluctant to spend money on him.
Times are tough, I will not be spending much this year.
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