Holiday

[Winkk]

Gift cards

[smoochy]

one living adult child who lives overseas. I send money to her through our bank accounts. It's the only way. Any material gift takes weeks to arrive if isn't stolen. 

[Sakuya]

How about asking your children for a Christmas idea list. You can pick something in your budget from the list and bonus is you know they will like it. The kids will be surprised because they don't know what you will choose.

[Love my grandkids]

@Bettyanne Donations to charities they support. Our family does this. No need to go overboard with gifts.

[Tricia from TN]

I have 7 adult children plus spouses.  This will be the first year I am not buying 

for everyone.  Instead, I am joining them for Secret Santa using "Elfster." It is online, and my daughter enters all of our names and emails in September.  The computer program sends you an email with who you have,  It is a secret until Christmas morning.  Elfster allows each person to form a gift list for links to gifts you want.  It is always

so fun, and my kids come up with fun and meaningful gifts.  I am sad not to shop for everyone, but excited to be a part of it this year.  Elfster keeps up with who has been picked in prior years so you don't get the same person.  Highly recommend!

[Marsha2003]

My girls are married with well-established careers and really need nothing material.  I send them a Valerie balsam wreath every year as a way to say Season's Greetings.  Of course, if they ever want a contribution to a particular goal of theirs, I'm happy to provide funds at any time of the year.

[Mom2Dogs]

We give my husbands two adult childen and spouse money.

Our grandkids get gifts and their kids get gifts (we have two g.grand children)...way to many gifts for the great grandchildren.  They have lots of family on the 'other' side and buying something unique is impossible, and how can they really enjoy their presents when they get so much?

If we did not get together I would just give money but they would be bored and disappointed if there were not presents.

I put money back each week for Christmas....so Christmas is paid before the holiday is here...we never go overboard on spending.   I have a budget and stick to it.

To be honest, I really don't enjoy the holiday, but I do host the evening and we have an ok time but the grandkids really are not good at making conversation,  I feel like I am juggling balls in the air most of the evening to keep the conversation going.

[nikkisaunt1]

I usually give Amex or Visa cards, or gift cards to local breweries, restaurants, spas, etc. along with one item to open. The item can be almost anything.  For example I bought the girls body butters one year and paired those with gift cards to the spa. Another time the guys got the Primula cups with their gift cards inside. Another year I bought a beautiful roaster and paired it with a gift card from Williams Sonoma and a personal recipe.  

[LindaSal]

I give Amazon gift cards so they can purchase what they need for themselves.

I also give some small gifts that I still wrap for them, keeps it fun!

I get some puzzles from Springbok as they are made in the USA, learned about them on here.  They love doing puzzles, they call it their therapy.   I usually can come up with some practical gifts , this year it's throws, Fiesta pasta bowls with a pasta gift set from Stonewall kitchen inside the bowl,  and some thermal socks made in Iceland I bought when I was there in the summer.   Things like that, plus DH and I cook up a big meal which they are always so appreciative for.

I say do what you can, gift cards are really enough on their own but thankfully I am able to spend a bit more.

[meallen616]

@Tricia from TN,