Among Friends

[KittySoftPaws]

@wagirl  That makes sense. Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. 

[Isobel Archer]

People who won't say what they'd like as a gift, sometimes act disappointed with the gift the get.  Not saying that's the OP, but even if not, not eveyrone is wondeful at gift giving and/or reading someone's mind about what they'd like.  And when, as OP says, if she wants something, she immediately buys it, that just makes it all the harder to come up with something special.

Give him a break.  If you'd like to go out to dinner - that's one option.  Books, tickets to plays, gift cards are others.  

[Etoile308]

@wagirl, if you are at a point in life where you don't really need anything, then I think it comes down to what you want.

So what are your wants? Is there something you would like to indulge in? Is there a type of food you enjoy? For me, I like to try different brands of smoked salmon. Trying different brands than what I find in my grocery store would tickle me. I have a loved one that eats pizza every Saturday night. It's a ritual. So a subscription to Goldbelly for their pizza of the month worked out.

Do you enjoy going out to sporting events, movies, theater? Tickets for the experience...because experiences lead to lasting memories. Only you know your family and how easy it would be to incorporate them into the gift, even if it means going to do something with the grandkids like to see Disney On Ice.

[kitcat51]

They don't have to ask, they all know what I want...a photo tucked inside a card with a handwritten note, they've been doing that for years & my photo album is full of happy memories.

[Eileen in Virginia]

When asked, I request gift cards from my favorite nursery. Since I don't buy much during the Winter, I save my gift cards for the Spring and buy a plant that I might not get otherwise. 

[Zhills]

I have a friend that brought me a gift from Morocco. 

I appreciate the thought but it was 2 orange painted plates...

I don't have another thing ORANGE in my house!

[wagirl]

@Isobel Archer ----yes, those are all valid requests----but nothing I  need or want --- as for  giving him a break--well, I think by telling him that I don't want a gift--that is a break---he is not miffed and neither am I. 

As I stated previously--we do get together for meals out, we attend family functions together and if I need help with anything, he comes over to help. 

[wagirl]

There have been some very interesting comments here about the question I posed. I think that every family has their own ways of figuring out the holidays and what works for them. I still am ok with my answer of no gifts for me. I will not feel bad about that decison or  make anyone feel guilty for following my requests. And if I do get something then I will be very appreciative and except gracefully. 

Thanks to all for your opinions!!

[Mom2Dogs]

@wagirl.  You answered your son like I would have answered...I have no need for anything and to be honest I have never felt comfortable with gift receiving...I can give but am uncomfortable when I am gifted. I do like the idea of going for lunch with him.

I used to exchange gifts with a friend, we stopped 2 years ago and she still complains about it....it was always a struggle to come up with something as we have been exchanging for years, I do wish she would quit bring in up..

[Isobel Archer]

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@wagirl wrote:

@Isobel Archer ----yes, those are all valid requests----but nothing I  need or want --- as for  giving him a break--well, I think by telling him that I don't want a gift--that is a break---he is not miffed and neither am I. 

As I stated previously--we do get together for meals out, we attend family functions together and if I need help with anything, he comes over to help. 

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I guess I don't understand the point of this thread.  Why did you ask us what we would have said in response to his asking you what you wanted if you believed you had already provided the appropriate response.