Ending the Insanity of Holiday Gift-Giving
sameboat
10 years ago
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emma
10 years agojannie
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Corporate but personal holiday gift ideas.
Comments (11)DH and I have this discussion every year because he gives gifts to his department of 8-9 people who work under him and he is stumped almost every year. Often, he gifts gift cards to restaurants. One year we had gone to Italy so he gave everyone handmade-paper notepads from Florence along with the gift card. Sometimes it will be a joke gift along with a gift card. Their department is pretty friendly and close-knit, so he has also given gift cards specific to each person's interests -- like one for REI for the hiker/outdoorsy type. One year his dept. was all women so he gave them gift cards for a day spa near the office. Oh, and he has given books before -- a book that he read that was somehow meaningful -- along with a GC. His boss has give him/us: a crystal clock (totally not my style), fancy wine bottle opener, hmm, can't remember what else. And DH's staff has given him a lot of restaurant gift cards, which we both enjoy! One year when the company was smaller, the head of the company gave everyone these arty glass paperweights by Josh Simpson, which was cool. I think most people could incorporate something like this into their decor, or simply use it on their desk at work. Here is a link that might be useful: Small Planets...See MoreHoliday gift giving as children grow up
Comments (17)Would you believe-- my kids are still young (9, 6, 4, 2 and one more coming soon), and I have this problem, too? How many things do we actually want or need? Most people I know have enough, or more than enough . . .we are middle class people, too. Not wealthy compared to the 1% in the US, but wealthy if you think about the rest of the world. I wrote about this on another thread, but I am keeping in mind what my friend does: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. Something you need could be something like some socks or gloves. I made a spreadsheet with each category for the kids so I could keep track of this. I also included some items like each of their dolls getting something, and a small family gift. Anyway, my friend uses this for her DH, too. IMO, there is always a let-down after the presents are unwrapped (even when I was a kid) so I want to make Christmas like a party. We had a Hallow e'en party this year w/others this year, and it was a lot of fun. While I won't be inviting others over for Christmas, I am going to plan activities as a party for US. Once the presents are done, there will still be cooking decorating, crafts, karaoke, etc. Whenever anyone would rather go play with their new x, of course, they can! My friend is having an open house, so that will help as well. My mom gives us $, but she always gives a physical gift, too, so that we have something to unwrap. I think it's fun to buy for my mom-- one of those people who does not have or want excess but has the means for it . . .this year we got her a Keurig coffee maker. Something she would NEVER buy for herself, but she likes to use ours when she comes over....See MoreHoliday food gifts
Comments (30)I've made Ann T's cream cheese danish a couple of times, it's easy to substitute an artificial sweetener in the cream cheese filling for my diabetic father I always make her Cream Cheese Brandied Cherry Balls for Amanda and lots of fudge, but the thing that everyone likes the best is the maple butter twist, kind of like a cinnamon roll, but twisted into a wreath. Everyone loves it. Sometimes I drizzle it with maple glaze or a white glaze and decorate with cherries. Sometimes not, depending on my mood but everyone loves them. Maple Butter Twists INGREDIENTS 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°) 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°) 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten 3 tablespoons sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour FILLING: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring DIRECTIONS In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 14-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Combine filling ingredients; spread over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, cut each roll in half lengthwise; carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut sides up. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 coffee cakes. I put the dough into my bread machine, my big one will handle a double batch. Shaping is done by hand, and I put each one on a pretty plate. I usually get those plates at the dollar store with a Christmas theme but sometimes I get something really special and the recipient can keep that plate. Annie...See MoreNeed Ideas for Holiday Gift for Men
Comments (3)I make tool rolls....basically a rectangle of denim with bias tape on one end. Fold into uneven thirds with the bias taped end being the short one. Sew bias tape around the outside of the now squarish, and double item. Leave tape ends about 12" long at the beginning/ending spot. Sew channels in the end with the shorter pocket, for screwdrivers, wrenches, etc., roll it up and use the tape ends for ties. It will then fit in the motorcycle bag/storage and not rattle. I also make fabric insert/covers for plastic buckets, with pockets that hold gardening/home repair tools...the bucket part holds bigger items. Email me if you think I can make this clearer than mud!!! :^)...See Moreemma
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