Christmas gifts...
#227300 - 11/25/05 05:34 PM
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I have two sisters and we all chip in on parents gifts, don't worry about our generation and buy for our nieces and nephews until they are 21.
Though my kids don't have everything, they have enough that I am having a hard time decided what to buy them! We aren't doing ipods or cell phones (though you wouldn't believe how many 11 & 12 year olds have them).
I like the thought of keeping the holiday simple and celebrating the birth of Jesus...this commercial stuff makes me tired.
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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I love the whole Red Letter Day thing we have over here...you buy someone an experience, like learning to scuba dive or having a facial...pretty much anything's available! They're great for people who have everything AND if you pick the right one (ie. learning a new skill) it's something your kids will always have. 
Man, I ALWAYS wanted books when I was their age - I was easy! 
Edited by Linz (11/26/05 06:50 AM)
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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So Rachel, what's the solution here? I have 2 nieces and 2 nephews and their parents have intilled no morals in them at all. For them, it's all about money and who got them the best present...sad, but true! They don't even take the time to thank the person half the time....unless it's money which excites them the most.
Well, this nerdy aunt has no money...so I can't compete with my brothers who spend 100s of dollars on them and have become quite popular with them. I don't feel like I could possibly pick out anything that they would be happy with. Plus, most are 11-14 years old...so I have no idea what is "in" with this age group. Any suggestions? BTW, did I mention I have no money????
What are you getting your mom or grandma? I am clueless this Christmas. I went to the mall yesterday (surprisingly not crowded) and everything just looked like commercialized junk...the usual sweaters, jewelry, etc. Nothing personal or anything that stood out. Just store bought, overpriced crap! 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I am going to heifer.com and purchasing a cow for a family in a third world country on their behalf.
Inexpensive gifts for nieces....yarn and knitting needles?
Nephews, I have no clue.
I am so grateful that our family is not about competition as to who can buy the best gifts. I don't think I could take it.
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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My sister is 14 and loves glitter! She's a huge fan of fashionable earrings, bracelets etc, the shinier the better. I'll probably be getting her something along those lines, or maybe some clothes. Are your nieces girlie girls? My sis is so all pink and fluffy things work, as to smellies from drugstores, you can pick up some really nice ones around Christmas for not too much, again with my sis the pinker and glitterier the better! The pink and glitter works for everything even socks and slippers too, as long as they are pretty she's delighted with them.
My brother is 11, almost 12 and he loves books, his favourites are ones like "Top Ten of Everything" and he also adores the "Lemony Snicket" Books and the "Horrible Histories" ones. Otherwise he likes cool clothes, but luckily not expensive ones.
I went to a shopping centre (mall) today and it was CRAZY! I haven't really thought about what I will get my family or husband for Christmas yet, will have to think about it, got some ideas today though. P's work have a discount night (20%off!) on Tuesday for a fabulous crafts store so we should get something for three or four people there.
Ho Ho ho!
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S.
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I'm not sure what your budget is, but I have a few ideas. I'd say for girls aged 11-12, they might like a cute diary/journal w/ glittery, colorful pens. If they're in the 13-14 range, a scented body lotion and/or matching candle would be cool. Someone mentioned body glitter or lip gloss - that's a really good suggestion.
For the boys, how about "Scene It"? It's a DVD trivia game that comes in different themes (music, movies, sports, TV, Disney, Harry Potter, etc.). Something I'm thinking of getting my 12 year old cousin is a 20 Questions handheld game. I think this would be great for the girls too!
Personally, I always liked getting books and games, but I have enough female cousins to know that most of them prefer "pretty little things."
Edited by SPASMTASTICAL! (11/26/05 10:15 AM)
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A Horse (thats what i would want and i'm 12 )
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Puppies Are Cute But I'm Cuter
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I just checked out that site (it's actually heifer.org), and what a great way to reinforce the true meaning of GIVING! I'm definitely inspired to give such a gift to members of my family (although maybe not a cow since that's way beyond my budget). Thanks for posting this!
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Here's a similar site-
http://www.concerngifts.org/gifts.php
Although a word of caution with these gifts, I "gave" a goat to my aunt two years ago and she was visibly very very disappointed not to get a gift "for her". She made a number of comments about it throughout the day and then proceeded to tell a story about a bad experience that she had had with the charity I bought it through. I was disgusted with how ungrateful she was. I bought her a vase last year.
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S.
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I noticed that AFTER I posted. I can't afford a whole cow either...I love this idea though. Glad you liked it!
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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I guess I've got to think about the person I'm gifting to. I know my stepdad would really think it was a cool gift, but other family members would probably make a joke out of it.  Still, I wouldn't get it for certain family members who are struggling financially and would really appreciate something fun or personally useful to open on Christmas day.
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I got my mom a gift certificate to the hair salon that she goes to for hair cuts. She just retired on Wednesday at the young age of 58  (lucky her!)so she won't be having an income anymore.....My grandparents (ALL 4 of them are still alive!!)The one set of grandparents I get them a gift certificate to their favorite restraunt and the other set of grandparents we all chipped in and got them a snow plowing service for the winter. That way they don't have to shovel or even go outside. They are just getting too old to do that!!!
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~~~Lisa~~~
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I think this is great for the "those who don't need anything" group. I just learned from my sister that my nephews are strapped for cash so it looks like the hiefer will wait until next year!
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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My niece is not a girly girl at all! She likes black a lot, unfortunately. I wish she was more girly...she would be easier to shop for!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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There is a story in the newspaper today that I would like to share with you, but I don't know how to post the link to it. If you want to read it, go to www.charlotte.com. Click on the link underneath the photo. It says, "Gift giving: No presents please."
I think this is a great idea! My family has decided to do this this year, and I'm so excited. We are going to exchange Christmas cards, explaining to each other who benefitted from our generosity, whether it was a gift of time or money.
I'm not trying to tell others what to do at Christmas, but if you are as tired of the commercialization of the holiday as I am, you may want to give this a try. I think it is going to bless our family---and others---and help us to rediscover the real meaning of Christmas.
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I am running the drive for our local IHN shelters families to have a much needed Christmas... things they need to get settled in their new lives (homeless being helped to get housing) more then the typical gifts..
Amie
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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Maybe the latest Harry Potter novel? Silver jewelry (as opposed to gold)?
Maybe TAKE her shopping for some clothes she would be into? Or give her a gift certificate to a store she likes (ask mom first) and then take her there?
How old is she...
Beth...wish ya were my relative *hugs*
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Re: Beth
#227953 - 11/29/05 10:22 AM
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lalala
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 2634
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I think it's great that your niece has her own style and doesn't follow the crowd. I used to dress in black a lot too when I was in the 8th and 9th grades. Hmm...Maybe I'm not such a good example.
Have her parents given you any ideas or suggestions?
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Does she have a hobby? If she's into art...maybe take her to get some new paints, for ex.
Music? New sheet music maybe?
I agee...I was also into my own thing a lot growing up 
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I like your idea for sheet music, if she plays an instrument. I've never thought of that before!  I like this thread - I'm getting a lot of original, thoughtful, and original gift ideas!
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too bad we can't pick are families because some of us got "jipped!
She's 14 and I couldn't afford the stores she shops at! Honestly, this girl has no hobbies, she hates to read, does nothing but hang out with her friends. She is so unlike her aunt Beth!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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My mom is taking her shopping and have her pick out her own presents, then my mom will wrap them up. This isn't what Christmas is suppose to be about.
I need to relax and let this go....I know no matter how much I spend, or what I choose, it won't be "perfect". All the kids will have plenty of other things so I'm going to try to take the pressure off of myself.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Have a blessed day!...Rachel
stable and sooooooo thankful!
I have IBS but it doesn't have me!
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If you want to get away from the commercial part of it - how about your volunteer with them at a hospital - or encourage them to go through their toys and donate them to a locate shelter or needy family.
Then when they receive the "commercialized christmas presents" they will be much more apprecitive for what the receive.
I know I try to do something for someone else each year. Be it a donation of a food basket to a food bank. Presents for sick kids in the hospital. This year I am doing a 10% discount on purchases for anyone who donates clothing, toys or maternity clothes to the neighbours upstairs in my building whom house a Pregnancy Crisis centre.
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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