Among Friends

[Iwantcoffee]

When my son ask me I say either candle, journal, or book. These are things I enjoy and will use. I have sent a link to something I see on Amazon that I would like as a suggestion after he ask. I am not expecting him to purchase for me but an idea for him so he won't have to spend time deciding what to do.

[Venezia]

DH and I stopped buying gifts for each other years ago.  We just buy what we want or need, when we want to.  And we're at the stage where we're trying to get rid of "stuff", so we don't want to add to what we already have.

If someone wants to buy us a gift, I suggest something that we can use up - chocolates, toiletries, things like that.

But, I agree with others, I'd rather just go for lunch or dinner; time spent together.  I did that when my sister-in-law had a major birthday.  We had a great lunch at a place of her choosing and enjoyed the time to chat and relax.

[Still Raining]

Depending on a family's makeup, I have seen a no present rule working well.  Or else a redeemable token for a meal or trip.  Together time can be a gift.

[RescueLover]

All your sweet ideas made me cry. Oh how I wish I had my dad still here to ask what he wanted for Christmas.

It’s so true… @Still Raining Time together is the Best gift of all. ❤️

[QVCkitty1]

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@wagirl wrote:

My 45 year old son, yesterday,  asked me what I wanted for Xmas this year---and I honestly couldn't think of one thing to tell him so I told him--nothing. And that is completely true--I don't need a thing. But it made me stop an think----- In this day and age, when I want something--I get it. Already bought myself my to-me from-me xmas gift----what would you have said? I think the thing I appreciated was that he actually asked.

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@wagirl  Most children hate that answer. Just come up with something simple and call it a day. 

[Janey2]

Time spent together is the best gift. There is no material gift better than that.

[lgfan]

My mother tells me the same thing when I ask her what she wants for her birthday. I still buy her her face moisturizers and a cake. She is happy to receive them.

[wagirl]

@Carmie --I have to respectively disagree about asking that question-----to me, getting a gift that has nothing to do with anything in your ballpark, is much worse than not getting one at all. Have had a few of those weird, what in the world will I do with this--in my life-- a waste of $$---stupid ex got me some jewelry--a nice thing--but I WANTED/NEEDED a new kitchen sink/faucet !!! If the idiot would have asked----and then he treated me like I had totally rejected him personally---dumb jerk!!!

My son and his new wife and me and DD, get together once a month for dinner. 

[wagirl]

@KittySoftPaws --No, he isn't that way at all--it won't hurt his feelings--we still do birthdays---usually dinner out and small gifts then---xmas time is always so expensive for everyone and he and new wife have plenty of people they gift---I think it's a tiny relief that I don't require anything. 

[World Traveler]

When someone asks what I want, I try to make it easy for them by saying a gift card to one of the following: Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, or local confectioners in my area. It's like a sigh of relief I see on their face/shoulders.

I don't do the "just having you spending time with me is enough," etc. Even though I don't need anything, I know if I personally asked someone what they would like to have, I would want an item I can go out and purchase or I wouldn't have asked them. And also, I fully realize that they would go out and try to find something anyway, so why not tell them up front what you want or could use?

My family is very good about giving me gift cards and I appreciate that. I don't have to return an item that didn't fit, wasn't my color, didn't like in any way, shape, or form, etc. Easy for them and exactly what I wanted and I am guaranteed to use!

Same with my birthday.