Gift giving is important to me, but I can't specify one particular reason. Growing up, the only form of 'affection' I received was having things bought for me, so in part, i feel like if I don't buy someone something, they'll think I don't care (I feel serious pressure around gift buying!). I love buying things that people actually want/need and seeing them happy.Bonus if it's something they weren't expecting! I like wrapping the gifts too.
I unashamedly love receiving gifts, BUT! it has to be something well-thought out otherwise I'd rather the person not bother. I'd prefer to have a 50p chocolate bar that I like than £50 worth of stuff that I've never been interested in. I see it as the giver either doesn't know me/doesn't care/felt pressured into buying something. As spoilt as it sounds, I find it more upsetting knowing someone has splashed the cash on expensive stuff that has never been me just to show that they'd bothered! I'd rather have a happy birthday text.
I buy things from a list AND add in surprises. I usually get things not asked for but linked to things the recipient likes etc. I'm reasonably good at getting surprise gifts; I did buy some iffy ones for my kids when they were younger. I fell into the quantity over quality trap and bought silly little things that they did not like lol.
I've never made a homemade gift! I'd love to be good enough at something to do that though! Not sure if it counts, but this year I'm making homemade advent calendars and filling them with gifts/activity things.
Arrgghh, gift closet is non-existant. I haven't bought anything so far! I am gathering ideas though, so I'll probably start in August.
Can i be the first to say "all i want is a nice day"?
There isn't any big ticket items I want, mainly upgrades of things I own. Like nicer pjs, a new pair of jeans etc. I'd like beeswax candles! Anything I need I get myself.
I LOVE stocking gifts! Ours are decor and used practically. We didn't hang them above the fireplace last year because we have a dog that loves socks/soft things, but we did fill them and put them on beds.
Ours are all individual; mine is a massive one I had as a kid, we have an Eeyore one, gingerbread man, a lion one that was handknitted in Africa... they're all quirky!
The kids usually get small collectable things (trading cards/surprise box stuff), novelty erasers and pens. The last few years Ive put in Japanese candy and drinks (have you ever tried Marble drinks? They're an appreciated treat in my house!) I like to squeeze in a book too. General stuff that they've asked Santa for as he does the stockings
I try and stay around the £30-40 each mark for stockings and I find it such a challenge. It's very easy to overfill a stocking with cheap nasty tat for pennies, but buying stuff my kids will like/not end up in landfill AND fill out a stocking is difficult on a budget. I made the mistake of buying said cheap nasty (mainly plastic) rubbish when they were much younger, so now when I go to buy a few well-thought out gifts that don't entirely fill it, I feel guilty. Doh.
I do a stocking for dh too - he gets stuff like coffee, protein bars, maybe a magazine. If anyone has ideas for mens stocking fillers that would be great!
I don't stick to a theme; i do like the "something to wear..." one, but again, that's four gifts and I get bad mum guilt around buying very little. Does anyone else get this? I did like the sensory idea from the previous thread.
They tend to be filled with similar items year to year. Last year I did cut back on gifts in general and it wasn't noticed, so I'll do the same this year. I'm trying hard to think "less but better".
I used to (with the kids) try and buy them the same amount of gifts for the same price. Took military level planning! I asked them last year whether they care about cost/amount and they looked at me like I was mental and said "it only matters on whether it's stuff we like". I think i put myself under too much pressure!