Gifts for people better off than you

[Sugar]

I'm certain I'm not the only one on this board with this problem, so hopefully this will be helpful for other Ledgies as well.

Both my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law and his wife are very comfortable financially...moreso than my husband and I. So every year I'm stuck trying to figure out what to get these people who are completly able (and willing) to buy whatever they need.

I've done gift certificates to Japanese resturants, favorite gourmet foods, gift certificates to a salon...essentially things they could afford but may or may not be able to easily justify spending the money on. But this year I'm feeling stuck.

I'm considering a gift subscription to Netflix for B-I-L and wife, but my M-I-L has already informed me in conversation that she's "not really into movies." :rolleyes: I also looked into various "of the month" clubs (Bonsai-of-the-month, anyone?) but they mostly want more than I can spend.

I know you're a creative and thrifty bunch ;) , what else can I do?

[strandinthewind]

Everyone loves a bottle of wine and there are some really good ones for like $20 -- just ask the guys in the liquor store. Also, on a more personal level, people love things like being taken out to dinner, or, even better financially, lunch. That way, you are giving your time as well as a gift.

But, if a gift is an absolute necessity, try a year's subscription to Time, Vanity Fair, etc. People love that IMO - I mean certainly would.

[markolas]

How about a donation in their name to the Socialist Party?

Sorry, I'm a bit wound up. :blob2:

I'm not much of a gift-giver. I would totally make a donation in someone's name to some worthwhile organization, though. Partially just because it would probably piss them off that I didn't get them a "real gift.":laugh:

[Sugar]

Everyone loves a bottle of wine and there are some really good ones for like $20 -- just ask the guys in the liquor store. Also, on a more personal level, people love things like being taken out to dinner, or, even better financially, lunch. That way, you are giving your time as well as a gift.

But, if a gift is an absolute necessity, try a year's subscription to Time, Vanity Fair, etc. People love that IMO - I mean certainly would.

I like the magazine idea! Especially something like Vanity Fair.

Wine is tempting. Some of those Wine-of-the-Month clubs I'd like to do, but they want like $2-300. I mean it's Christmas, it's family --I can go like $100, but not $200 or $300.

[SuzeQuze]

^^^ I like the magazine idea! Especially something like Vanity Fair.

Wine is tempting. Some of those Wine-of-the-Month clubs I'd like to do, but they want like $2-300. I mean it's Christmas, it's family --I can go like $100, but not $200 or $300.

I get VF and I love it. That is a great idea. You could do that and a reasonable bottle of wine. Done!

[strandinthewind]

Yea - $200+ is too much for a gift IMO - but the price itself is not bad for a bottle of wine a month, about $25 a bottle.

In the end, I think people love to get what they really want or will enjoy but never really buy, like the magazines. Also, if you have mikleage on airlines or other places, those can usually be used to buy gifts - just make sure you are not giving up a free plane ticket for a $25 subsription :laugh:

Another thing I LOVE is AMC movie gift cards, as I go to the movies all of the time and it gets pricey.

[Sugar]

Yea - $200+ is too much for a gift IMO - but the price itself is not bad for a bottle of wine a month, about $25 a bottle.



Two bottles in some cases:

http://www.club-offers.com/

Yeah it's really not that bad...if only there were less months.:laugh:

But you guys have reminded me of a local winery, kind of touristy, but the wine is decent and they have all kinds of cool flavors like Cherry, Apple, and Almondine.

Knew I could count on the Ledgies!

[Sugar]

How about a donation in their name to the Socialist Party?

Sorry, I'm a bit wound up. :blob2:

I'm not much of a gift-giver. I would totally make a donation in someone's name to some worthwhile organization, though. Partially just because it would probably piss them off that I didn't get them a "real gift.":laugh:

These are the in-laws...I gotta be nice!

Tempting though...:laugh:

[strandinthewind]

Ya know what I did one time? I went to the local sporting goods store and bought this couple I know the Russell cotton sweats (top and bottoms) for like $20 each. They LOVED it and used them all the time.

[michelle2677]

I have no earthly idea what i am going to get my grandparents. They have more damn money than quaker has oats so i dont know what to do. I have to come up with something fast because they are coming to town in two weeks so keep the ideas flowing!

[catinthedark]

for my friends and relatives who are better off than i, i don't worry about the money. i focus instead on just finding something they will love. i try to make it as personal as possible - something that just lets them know that i know them well, and value them in my life. it may cost $100 - it may cost way less. in the end, i think people (rich or poor) really appreciate the gifts that suggest the gift-giver has put a lot of thought into to find the perfect thing.

[DrummerDeanna]

I stopped even trying on the gifts for people in my life better off than I...each year I'd kill and overextend myself getting my sister and brother-in-law gifts (one for each) and then I'd get a ten dollar dvd from both of them :rolleyes:

No thank you...so this year they're getting one gift between them and I'm not spending more than $20 :p

----

Oh..I'm no help at all....but I like the wine idea for the people you're buying for :nod: Or maybe a really good liquor

[michelle2677]

I pride myself in making very good gift purchases. Always thoughtful-and usually expensive. I once bought a boyfriend a $1,000 microphone because he mentioned it as a joke. He wouldnt tell me what he wanted so thats what he got. But with the g-parent unit. Im at a loss.

[GODDESS6]

for my friends and relatives who are better off than i, i don't worry about the money. i focus instead on just finding something they will love. i try to make it as personal as possible - something that just lets them know that i know them well, and value them in my life. it may cost $100 - it may cost way less. in the end, i think people (rich or poor) really appreciate the gifts that suggest the gift-giver has put a lot of thought into to find the perfect thing.

super great advice & advice i follow also~

[markolas]

These are the in-laws...I gotta be nice!

Tempting though...:laugh:

Eh. It's more fun to give them to children anyway.

[SuzeQuze]

I pride myself in making very good gift purchases. Always thoughtful-and usually expensive. I once bought a boyfriend a $1,000 microphone because he mentioned it as a joke. He wouldnt tell me what he wanted so thats what he got. But with the g-parent unit. Im at a loss.

One year I got my grandparents this mini Christmas tree from 1800flowers.com. They LOVED it and raved about it to my Mom. It came complete with ornaments and was about $35.

Oprah's Dec magazine has a ton of ideas including this organic maple syrup, one with bourbon and one with vanilla infused, the set is $50. If interested I'll look up the Website for you.

On edit: Here is the tree. http://1800flowers.com/product.do?baseCode=3483&dataset=1012&cm_cid=d1012

[strandinthewind]

I'm surprised a fruitcake has not been suggested as the perfect gift :eek: Then again, Curtis cannot be given to everyone :]

[markolas]

I'm surprised a fruitcake has not been suggested as the perfect gift :eek:

If I'd thought of it, I would have. :laugh:

[markolas]

I think a big lump of coal is the perfect gift for anyone, actually.

[SuzeQuze]

I think a big lump of coal is the perfect gift for anyone, actually.

That or a good kick in the pants!

[ELIUD]

I agree with catinthedark too about the thought that goes into a gift being more important than the cost. But if you are completely stumped and don't want to spend a lot, go with the wine idea but wrap a really nice scarf around it or a good pair of flannel boxers. That way doesn't look like you just ran to the grocery/liquor store on the way over.

[michelle2677]

I think a big lump of coal is the perfect gift for anyone, actually.
perfect! How many peices do you want? 6? 10? How 'bout i just fill up the stocking? Im in the "giving" spirit. ;)

[Sugar]

for my friends and relatives who are better off than i, i don't worry about the money. i focus instead on just finding something they will love. i try to make it as personal as possible - something that just lets them know that i know them well, and value them in my life.

This is part of the goal; the problem is that these are my in-laws and since I only see them a few times a year I really don't know them very well, and what I do know I've already exploited., My husband is very little help and I'm certain that if it was up to him he would get them a Home Depot gift card and be done with it. :laugh: I won't do that.

[Sugar]

I'm surprised a fruitcake has not been suggested as the perfect gift

I do this for the neighbors, except I make what they call a Hummingbird Cake whick has bananna and pineapple in it. I like to think of it as the fruitcake people actually like. :thumbsup:

[Sugar]

I think a big lump of coal is the perfect gift for anyone, actually.

I'm sensing some sort of subtle dissatisfaction with the holidays from you. Is there something you'd like to share with the group. :laugh:

[sara1998]

I think a big lump of coal is the perfect gift for anyone, actually.

They actually sell small tins with coal in them. I know because I bought my father one a few years back. Lots of laughs...

What's your address, Markolas? :laugh:

[Sugar]

Oprah's Dec magazine has a ton of ideas including this organic maple syrup, one with bourbon and one with vanilla infused, the set is $50. If interested I'll look up the Website for you.



This looks like it:

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/200612/omag_200612_gifts.jhtml

Thanks for pointing me in this direction!

[SuzeQuze]

This looks like it:

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/200612/omag_200612_gifts.jhtml

Thanks for pointing me in this direction!

Yeah, cool, same lists. This is the syrup http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/food_200612_artgifts_350_101.jhtml

[rbs3676]

For most of my friends and co-workers, I compile a CD of my favorite songs from that year. The one year I didn't, people asked "Where's the CD? I really look forward to that". So, it's a tradition.
I'm big on bottles of wine as well. I just had a great 2001 Avalon cab last night that was wonderful and the cost was insane -- $13.99!
Can't beat that!

rbs

[Sugar]

Yeah, cool, same lists. This is the syrup http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/food_200612_artgifts_350_101.jhtml

I'm also intregued by this:

http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/home/gifts/slide/200612/home_200612_nategifts_350_101.jhtml

What an old married woman I've become...:shocked:

[JazmenFlowers]

I'm also intregued by this:

http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/home/gifts/slide/200612/home_200612_nategifts_350_101.jhtml

What an old married woman I've become...:shocked:
don't say that. that does sound awfully luxurious to me as well! ;)

[sasja]

I always thought this was an interesting one:

http://www.nameastarspacelaunch.com/?src=google/

If they are nice maybe Donate in their name to WorldVision?
Buy a couple of chickens or maybe a goat, or so?

http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/master.nsf/home_wad_2

Or buy them a massage!

Sasja

[golddustwoman77]

I think a wonderful gift for them would be a bundle of your favorite, "can't live without" CDs. People always find other people's CDs interesting, and they are usually tired of their own collection to some degree. Obiviously, you care and know about music, so this even gives this gift a personal touch. You could purchase some of CDs new---your top one or two favorites, then you could purchase a few others used or burn them. Wrap them up with a nice bow----BAM!!!! perfect gift, and you haven't spent a crazy amount of money!!!!!:thumbsup:

Another possibility for the person who has everything: you can name a star in the night sky after them. The custom one is $54.00. This site is for real, and you receive an extremely nice certificate, etc. Here is the site: http://www.starregistry.com/

[carrie721]

don't say that. that does sound awfully luxurious to me as well! ;)

well, to be fair ... you're an old married woman, too. you're mine, baby! :laugh:

[DrummerDeanna]

well, to be fair ... you're an old married woman, too. you're mine, baby! :laugh:

Yea! You're listening to Sgt. Peppers!!

[michelle2677]

One year I got my grandparents this mini Christmas tree from 1800flowers.com. They LOVED it and raved about it to my Mom. It came complete with ornaments and was about $35.

Oprah's Dec magazine has a ton of ideas including this organic maple syrup, one with bourbon and one with vanilla infused, the set is $50. If interested I'll look up the Website for you.

On edit: Here is the tree. http://1800flowers.com/product.do?baseCode=3483&dataset=1012&cm_cid=d1012


oooohhh!!! that is a good idea..thank you!!! :xoxo:

[bretonbanquet]

If they are nice maybe Donate in their name to WorldVision?
Buy a couple of chickens or maybe a goat, or so?

http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/master.nsf/home_wad_2



This is what I've been doing for quite a while. You get to give to charity and at the same time you don't have to think about choosing presents for people who already have everything they want.

You also get to see what kind of people they really are if they have a really disappointed look on their faces when they see that some African people get a present and they don't :woohoo: