@Noor
Your cousin and I may be twins lol. But this year (just for future reference if needed) I asked my husband to find me a set of really fabulous wine glasses. I hate one-offs, but I thought some beautiful, unique glasses would be fun to have (and not take up too much space). I also love a cozy basket- hot chocolate, blanket, candle, and whatever romance novel is topping the New York Times list.
@Jordy
Great ideas! I got wine glasses from Estelle Colored Glass from my bridal shower (from this same cousin and her family actually!) and they are stunning. I think they are a statement while also being mellow enough to never feel tired. Check them out if you havenāt already!
@Noor
You should suggest using Elfster.com for your Secret Santa! My family has done that for several years and it makes it SO much easierā¦ picks a person for you, can set a price limit, and includes ability to set up a wish list!
@Noor
Souper Cubes came out with some stoneware in the 1-cup and 2-cup sizes that may be good for her, if sheās using the freezer cubes!
My biggest spend is on my 14 year old stepdaughter, Iāve been in her life for 11 years. 14 is a tough age and this is the first year she doesnāt have a uniform so sheās discovering her style. My husband and I keep our finances pretty separate, so I handled all the shopping and he venmoed his half. Looking at it all listed out with prices I cringed but I think she will be very happy. The two biggest items were Ugg Tasman slippers and Nike Panda dunks. I also bought her 2 matching VS pink sweatsuits, 3 pairs of Aerie leggings, 2 Altard State sweaters and some other beauty things (Glow recipe drops, Summer Friday lip balms) I spent $860 total so $430 out of my own money.
Husband and I just do stockings, so I usually get him a gift card and candy, etc. I did get a new cocktail shaker that Iāll cram in there.
@Perry
She is going to love it. 14 is so hard and I think itās so important to stay involved at that age. What a great parent!
@Perry
Thatās so awesome for your daughter
@Perry
My step mom used to help me find my style growing up and spent more on me than she needed to. It meant a lot to me and still does. Youāre wonderful.
We have a really lopsided gifting situation in our family so I find this time of year a bit annoying. The husband and I donāt have kids but we have a lot of gifting obligations to the familyās kiddos etc. But we donāt really get gifts except from my mom. Iād love a secret Santa type situation but oh well! Anywayā¦ I think we did okay and there are some good ideas I think:
8yo niece - a really cool art kit with artist quality pastels and all the stuff to recreate four Degas paintings (sheās big into ballet and art). A ribbon wand she can use in dance. A super cute pencil bag filled with pencils and pens. And a little keyboard. We spoil her because her mother is a horrible person, things are tough.
3yo nephew. Truck and construction stickers. A construction site activity book. A really cool wooden truck toy. (Heās obsessed with trucks and construction.) Oh and an expansion train for his train set thatās the London tube.
18yo niece. Cash. A nice notebook and a fountain pen. Sheās a good kid and we always have to give her strict instructions to spend the money we give her on herselfāsheās such a generous girl.
MIL & Step FIL. A breakfast gift basket from Bluebird Grain Mill and a Rancho Gordo chili gift basket.
FIL & Step MIL. Fancy vodka from my city, they ask for it every year.
My mom (the only family we have to buy for on my side). Locally made jewelry and Iām working on a painting for her.
@Blakeley
For what itās worth, as a parent of a couple young kids, I donāt expect aunts and uncles to gift anything. I think itās one of those āitās nice if you want to but definitely not expectedā situations.
@Shae
Seconding this. I donāt expect gifts for the kids, and they get enough gifts as it is.
Jael said:
@Shae
Seconding this. I donāt expect gifts for the kids, and they get enough gifts as it is.
Same! We have plenty of things already. And even if people do ask for gift ideas, itās usually like 2 weeks before Christmas when Iāve already bought the things they/we want.
@Blakeley
My BIL is a pain in the butt, he would stir up so much drama if we didnāt.
Blakeley said:
@Blakeley
My BIL is a pain in the butt, he would stir up so much drama if we didnāt.
I think theyāre lucky to have you. Your gifts seem so thoughtful and everyone deserves that have that auntie and uncle in their lives they can rely on.
@Clare
Aw thank you! Theyāre sweet kidsāI always try to remind them that their weirdo auntie and uncle are there for them even though we are far away.
@Blakeley
There are seven adults in my family including me and not including parents - Iām one of 4 kids and all three of my siblings are married, Iām not. Secret Santa for the adults is a LIFESAVER. This year we are changing it up and doing high-end white elephant ($100 gift) but I like Secret Santa better because I feel like Iāll end up with something thatās fine but I donāt need, rather than one of the things on my wish list that I REALLY need or want.
@Layne
Similar for me - Iām one of three kids and both my sisters are married. We do a secret Santa between the five of us and my parents.
Personally, gift giving is my least favorite love language. Iām a type of person who appreciates the thought, but dislike gifts that become āstuff in my houseā. That being said, I absolutely adore gifts that are handmade and bespoke or something I would never buy for myself because I donāt āneedā it, but end up having utility or some function that makes my life easier.
Iāve been waiting for the right place to put this gift recommendation ā Thanks for this thread! I am a true believer that gifts donāt need to be expensive, but be thoughtful!
I have been loving this $12 fabric shaver and use it on sweaters, jackets, blankets, pillow cases, furniture, pants, etc. basically anything that gets pills or needs some freshening up!
It is something so small, but functional and in my opinion, a really great gift!!
@Channing
Iām not a gifts person either, my in-laws etc think Iām weird. But I just hate stuff and buy the things I want.
Blakeley said:
@Channing
Iām not a gifts person either, my in-laws etc think Iām weird. But I just hate stuff and buy the things I want.
I see you. I am the same.