Gifts for people better off than you

Sugar · #1 11-30-2006, 09:26 PM

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."

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 · #2 11-30-2006, 09:30 PM

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 · #3 11-30-2006, 10:17 PM

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

Sorry, I'm a bit wound up.

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."

Sugar · #4 11-30-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #5 11-30-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar

^^^ 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 · #6 11-30-2006, 10:23 PM

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

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

Sugar · #7 11-30-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Two bottles in some cases:

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

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

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 · #8 11-30-2006, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

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

Sorry, I'm a bit wound up.

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."

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

Tempting though...

strandinthewind · #9 11-30-2006, 11:03 PM

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 · #10 11-30-2006, 11:10 PM

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 · #11 11-30-2006, 11:34 PM

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 · #12 11-30-2006, 11:39 PM

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

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

----

Oh..I'm no help at all....but I like the wine idea for the people you're buying for

Or maybe a really good liquor

michelle2677 · #13 11-30-2006, 11:42 PM

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 · #14 12-01-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

super great advice & advice i follow also~

markolas · #15 12-01-2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar

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

Tempting though...

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