Comments on: Stumped for Christmas Ideas

By: One Frugal Girl

One Frugal Girl — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:52:47 +0000

So many amazing ideas!

@Amanda - I love the idea of a mortgage gift. You could provide someone with a house shaped ornament with a check inside :-)

@Merveilleux - I'm desperately trying not to be one of those annoying people that doesn't provide a list. I love the idea of a spice rack and chocolates. I don't know if I've ever asked for chocolates before.

@Maureen - I've tried the gift card route, but I think my relatives are getting bored by this answer :-)

@graduatedlearning - A tasty gift from the heart is a great idea. My mom makes delicious fudge.

@Muttersome - Travel trinkets are a great idea as is the wine class. I don't drink wine but I would love to take a class in making sushi!

@Heather - I always have spa certificates on my list! It's a nice way to indulge without footing the bill for it. I also just switched to glass containers. I should've waited a few more weeks so I could have put that on the list too.

@Stephanie - I asked for knives a few years back. My husband bought me a set and now we cook at home much more often!

@halfdozendaily - I love the idea of creating an experience out of something simple like a book. You buy some nice slippers, tea and a book and now it's not just a book, it's a whole reading experience! Love it!

@Dreamin - I've asked for donations before, but no one has ever taken that approach. I think they still want to buy me something :-)

@Pam - Time is a wonderful gift. I never considered formalizing that idea, but I think I'll create some small paper certificates for my grandmother. You know simple things like lunch out at her favorite restaurant or dinner somewhere she chooses. Great idea!

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:38:09 +0000

I ask for time. I don't live close to my family, so when my husband asks what I want for Christmas my answer is always "take me home." I have a friend whose birthday is the day after mine, so to celebrate our birthdays we take each other out for lunch. If you live away from family, ask them to take the funds they would spend on your Christmas gift(s) and save it to meet you at your beach home (or somewhere in the middle).

By: Dreamin

Dreamin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:50:56 +0000

Another option, might be, to ask for donations to your favorite charities in the amount that someone would have spent on a gift for you. Win Win situation.

By: halfdozendaily

halfdozendaily — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:09:03 +0000

I don't get much in the way of gifts at all, but we do exchange names for gift-giving on my side of the family. I asked for a wooden bench for my front patio, (would love to sit out in the spring & summer with a tea & a good book!) a warm pair of slippers, and an apron! lol!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:54:09 +0000

We asked by parents to split the cost of a professional knife set with us as our gift. It is a larger purchase but one that we will be able to appreciate for years, and splitting the cost makes it more resonable from a gifting standpoint.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:12:37 +0000

I second the gift certificates for spa treatments! Also, kindle allows for gifting books now to other kindles, so requesting books is a great way to share in an experience but not add clutter to your house. We have been getting rid of all the plastic in our house (which touches food) so I have requested glass storage containers.

By: Muttersome

Muttersome — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:18:54 +0000

I like to ask for things that can enhance my experiences. For example this Christmas my husband and I upgrading to a new and better digital camera so we can record our travels. Other gifts that I've asked for and received in this vein: good headphones for traveling, cute luggage tags, sample/travel sized cosmetics.

I would love to take a wine class and I think that would be a great gift idea.

By: graduatedlearning

graduatedlearning — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:06:36 +0000

I also have trouble figuring out what to ask for. I feel greedy making a list, and there's nothing that I really would be upset if I didn't get it.

So I end up coming up with things that would be nice to have, but I'd be happy with a tasty treat made especially for me :)

On my "nice to have" list are things for my kitchen, and a few video games and board games.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 10:36:06 +0000

I love receiving gift vouchers, and so I end up giving them out as well. How about some spa treatments for girl pressies. Guys are way more difficult, but an itune or iphone voucher usually goes down well.

By: Merveilleux

Merveilleux — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 05:51:29 +0000

I like experiences also but I'm asking for a spice rack, scarves, itunes gift cards, chocolate...

Nothing too extravagant.. I hate having a bunch of "stuff" to put away on Christmas morning.. having to find new homes for a bunch of things.

My pet peeve though is when I ask people what they want and they say they don't know. Then I'm left at square one and it's understood we exchange gifts with each other so why not just give me an idea instead of leaving me hanging?? Drives me nuts..