Unsure of the rest of my family but it’s become a running gaga to get my mom the cheesiest custom-printed throw blanket we can think of. This year’s is a horribly cropped screenshot of a text conversation we had a while ago about buying groceries from Dollar General
The best gift ever is that my family all agreed not to buy unneeded things for each other. The gift of not stressing, not having to go shopping, and not spending money just keeps on giving.
Bathing salts, a chair cushion, a calendar, a cooking book, slippers and some chocolate.
It all sounds random but what makes them good presents is that I have reason to believe my family actually wants those things.
That said, I think next time I’ll be giving less thought into it because apparently half my family would like to stop with the presents cause they feel like they don’t need more shit and also don’t like being obligated to buy stuff for other people. Fair enough, but if it’s small things I still like gifting stuff.
I live in Colorado, so generally some unusual form of weed for those who enjoy that. A dispensary near me has THC chocolate truffles, those usually go over well.
Got my husband a light for his desk that is in the shape of the bon fire spawn/save point in the Dark Souls series. It’s in one of those clear resin blocks and it glows. Then we’re going to a bougie ass resort for a 2 day stay cation where he doesn’t have to worry about anything!
Got one of my besties who enjoys D&D a bottle opener called “Tool of Opening”, a dunce cap for his dice when they disappoint him, and a t-shirt that says: “Lawful in the Streets; Chaotic in the Sheets”. Basically a bunch of little kitschy things based on his interests.
Another bestie is (probably) getting some kinda Critical Role merchandise. Maybe a wooden sign for his room that says “Entering Dave’s Dungeon Roll for Initiative”. Still deciding on him.
When we sold our house, I opened investment accounts for my niece and 2 nephews, and I just throw money in there for every birthday/Christmas. As infants/toddlers they’re going to be too young to appreciate it for a while, but I grew up bouncing between “lower class” and “lower middle class” so I want them to have more opportunities starting out than I did. They’ll appreciate it one day. I hope.
For the most part our family has decided to not get gifts this year. We just spend time together, eat something nice and enjoy each other, except for the one child in our family that of course still gets something.
For my wifes side of the family, we decided to do secret santa this year and cap ourselfs at 30.- CHF for value.
Byo food in this case? Lest this causes more than one person to bring potato salad, lol.
Best tip for this is to designate types of foods instead of asking what they’ll bring to avoid back and forth. Eg. Someone’ll make the salad, someone’ll make a pastry, someone’ll make dessert, etc.
A friend of mine drives an SUV. I’m getting him a sticker of Jason for the back window, with an “arm” holding a bloody machete that attaches to the back window wiper. When the wiper is on, it looks like Jason is hacking away with his machete.
I think it’s kinda corny, but he loves stuff like that!
I use a strategy for some gifts which I call “luxury consumables”. Get someone something that they will use up (food, cheese, chocolate, olive oil, soap, booze, tea, etc) but that’s a bit nicer than they would get for themselves. If you can afford that!
For instance, flavored oil and vinegar for the chef. Fancy chocolate for… everyone. And in this case, smoked cheese! Sounds tasty AF.
Hell yeah this has been my tactic too. My family had stopped making the habit of gifting because of the unnecessary gifts, and so this is a great way to ensure they’ll actually use the gift.
I found plantable paper stars/snowflakes that can be used as gift tags or tree ornaments. The paper contains wildflower seeds so you can plant this paper star into the ground in spring and it will sprout flowers.
Get them a nicer version of things they already get. Fancy coffee, hot sauces, soap, candles, pens, that sort of thing. It loses some of its charm, but that could also mean a gift card to a nicer restaurant. Just make sure it’s enough to cover the meal.
This works especially well if they’re pretty cheap and wouldn’t get things like that, simply because they’re too expensive.
You can also go for some very pseudo-luxury items. Vermont Maple syrup (or Maple candies - seriously, it’s just crystalized sugar, but it seems so rich), sausage and cheese sets, chocolate oranges…
Finally, here’s the biggest tip - Don’t wait until December to think about it. Pay attention through the year. They will almost certainly mention something offhand to you. A passing comment like “we never have enough -----” or “---- never works right” are perfect opportunities. Just make a note on your phone. Feel free to ask probing questions and even tell them that’s what you’re doing- if it’s before Halloween, they’ll almost certainly forget by Xmas anyway.
Stepdad is a pain in the ass to shop for and last year the wire cheese cutter didn’t do so hot on meat so this year is a guillotine cutter and a big summer sausage box.
Brother is getting a sports team hoodie.
Nephew is starting reading and a huge pokemon fan so hes getting the most recent Ninja Turtles game on Switch (previously hed get Kirby games. Coop means dad can help.) and Pokemon chapter books. Probably a trip to the bookstore as well a bit later.
Niece is teenaged, getting her a book as well since I encourage them to read, along with a nice blanket robe.
Grandpa is a vet and so this year we got a framed print of the ship he served on.
Uncle is a D&D nerd so hes getting a D&D book he wants.
Other folks will prob get candies, alcohol, and the like, as the situation and kinship merits.
Just a heads up, books are a very personal gift to give. I’ve never had it work out. Not saying you don’t know your family, but it’s hard to guess exactly what types of books they like. Especially if the only goal is encouraging her to read, that book will prob end up not being touched or given away.
I’ve had family I know really well gift me many books over the years, since I was a kid who liked to read, and it was always something I would never be interested in.
Now a Barnes and Noble/Books a Million gift card? Those are always awesome! Even though I know it feels lame to give gift cards. That could encourage her to get into a bookstore to shop for exactly something that catches her interest, and maybe shows her a whole series or author she can come back for, even!
Anyways, I hope you and your family have a happy and smooth holiday!
I got a system in place. Been giving niece age appropriate books for years along with other gifts. I also take her to the bookstore after Xmas to let her pick whatever.
Nephew is a new reader and a pokemon fiend so I’m pretty sure if a Pikachu is on the cover he’ll give it a go.
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