Gift Giving in My Family

[Merry Christmas Darling]

"Nearly half of women said they were extremely, or very likely, to buy themselves presents this holiday season. A third of men have similar intentions."
Emily Jane Fox, CNNMoney.com
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/holiday-shopping-women-want-men-153800266.html

[ornamentmaven]

Well, I am about half way done with my purchases for the year! Have 11 gifts purchased and wrapped and 11 more to go. When we were younger we all exchanged gifts - my husband and I bought for our parents, 2 daughters, 6 siblings (and 5 spouses), 11 nieces and nephews, staff and co-workers, as well as gifts for the kid's teachers and coaches. I would have in excess of 50 gifts to wrap! Now that everyone is older, I buy: 6 gifts for each daughter (mainly inexpensive stuff), 4 gifts for hubby, my Mom, my Mom-in-law, my grand-niece and my daughters' boyfriends. My budget is way down - thankfully - and life is easier!

[Merry Christmas Darling]

I must have been asleep when I started this thread! I meant to say that my husband and I usually bought our own gifts. We were both satisfied with that method.

[Merry Christmas Darling]

In the past I gave my granddaughter some ornaments that were on Darling's and my first Christmas tree. I thought she'd really treasure them. Now she's upset with me and won't invite me to her wedding. I'm really sad.


These were on our first tree (they were made in West Germany, large ones were purchased at Montgomery Ward in 1970):
http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/DiademRose/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/29Sept2010001-1.jpg (http://s774.photobucket.com/user/DiademRose/media/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/29Sept2010001-1.jpg.html)


I just got these on eBay(they haven't been stored as carefully as mine, but I think some will be undamaged):

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/DiademRose/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/ChristmasMadeinWestGermany_zpse3daf3c9.jpg (http://s774.photobucket.com/user/DiademRose/media/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/ChristmasMadeinWestGermany_zpse3daf3c9.jpg.html)

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/DiademRose/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/ChristmasMadeinWestGermanyforMontgomeryWardpurchas edon31July2013ebay_zpsc36d8866.jpg (http://s774.photobucket.com/user/DiademRose/media/German%20Ornaments%20and%20Gifts/ChristmasMadeinWestGermanyforMontgomeryWardpurchas edon31July2013ebay_zpsc36d8866.jpg.html)

[ornamentmaven]

My original ornaments were just like these. Our first tree was in 1978 and all of my ornaments were blown glass and glitter

[ornamentmaven]

Enough from you teo! Boobleheads are low-class gifts!

[tinkerbell2]

I must have been asleep when I started this thread! I meant to say that my husband and I usually bought our own gifts. We were both satisfied with that method.

Hubby and I always buy our own presents, have always done it that way....works well.....:elf3:

[Merry Christmas Darling]

Hubby and I always buy our own presents, have always done it that way....works well.....:elf3:

Glad we weren't the only ones.

By the way, I was eventually invited to the wedding and went.

[MinnesotaMike]

Interesting...My wife and I still buy gifts for each other. It's pretty easy though because we are both so grateful that there is never any negativity. At this stage in our lives, it's truly about the boys, and making the season magical for THEM! I always try to sneak in a "homerun" gift though. One I KNOW she will love! :)

[ornamentmaven]

I also still purchase gifts for my husband - even after 34 years! I keep my ears open all year for what he might like and then I akways know what he needs. He despises clothes shopping so usually a shirt and a pair of pants will do fine

[tinkerbell2]

Glad we weren't the only ones.

By the way, I was eventually invited to the wedding and went.

That's good to hear, Merry....:xmaskiss:

[ChantelleJoy]

Glad we weren't the only ones.

By the way, I was eventually invited to the wedding and went.


That's a relief. Those are BEAUTIFUL ornaments, and as someone who has JUST STARTED collecting vintage ornaments, I can say that they would indeed make a lovley gift!

As for the topic of this thread - my Husband and I buy eachother gifts, I LOVE the surprise, and he's really good at picking out things I'd LOVE :)

[*Snowflake*]

well I'm not married but my boyfriend and I buy eachother gifts:elf3:
It's just special to give someone close to you:santa:

[Fezziwig]

The link actually took me to an unrelated article but I initially assumed the quote meant that people were inclined to buy themselves gifts in addition to their holiday purchases during shopping (a pair of boots for so and so, a jacket for myself. A new set of pots and pans for this person, a new radio for myself. etc)

I am unmarried but generally buy the gift for my girlfriend -- I suppose it may be different when we share a budget and bank account but, for the time being, it works well.

[Merry Christmas Darling]

The link actually took me to an unrelated article but I initially assumed the quote meant that people were inclined to buy themselves gifts in addition to their holiday purchases during shopping (a pair of boots for so and so, a jacket for myself. A new set of pots and pans for this person, a new radio for myself. etc)

I am unmarried but generally buy the gift for my girlfriend -- I suppose it may be different when we share a budget and bank account but, for the time being, it works well.

Holiday gifts: What women want, men don't give

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)
When it comes to gifts, it's not the thought that counts. At least, not in America's wealthiest households.
Two-thirds of affluent American women want gift cards. But less than a fifth of men will give it to them, according to a report from American Express Publishing and the Harrison Group out Thursday.

Instead, 70% of women are gifted clothing or jewelry.

A survey of 625 households that represent the top 10% of the nation's wage earners found a wide gap between what people want and what they will actually get.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/18/pf/holiday-gifts-men-women/index.html

According to the article women don't buy what men really want either.