Your Christmas wishlist

Yes agreed, vouchers for whatever they particularly like. And an afternoon tea somewhere elegant is such a lovely gift IMO.

Not too long now everyone! Ha ha! October is nearly over. Round here some enthusiasts actually put their trees up in November!

I must say that being retired makes it all less stressful. I used to work in the city centre and the shops were so crowded and the crush on the bus at night are things I don't miss at Christmas. Also people saying 'as you work in town, could you pop and get me such and such in your lunch hour?' Now I can shop at my leisure.

I have just bought three presents!!! and it is still ONLY OCTOBER! How did that happen? I have to go and lie down now - I've come over all unnecessary!

Thanks AdeleJay. that's been the problem really. They seem to have everything they really need. I do love the garden centres idea. My mum pottering in her garden all year round and they'll definitely get used. Her birthday is also just after Christmas so I feel I've got enough ideas here to see me through for that too!

Finnishline, I'm so impressed that you are asking for advice. It is difficult to buy for people who seem to have everything/need nothing. I too write a Christmas/Birthday list (December birthday) with items in different price ranges. I love vouchers (Boots is always good as are ones from garden centres). What about one from the Hairdresser? I had a lovely gift voucher one year for a massage - bliss. Scented room diffusers, pretty notebooks, a couple of new vases, new mugs are all on my list. I did love the idea of a voucher and a little present to unwrap - brilliant

Some absolutely amazing suggestions here - thanks so much everyone. And apologies again to those who didn't want to hear the C*** word yet. Will make sure I bear that in mind for next year .

I would miss the panic excitement of last-minute shopping, KatyK, though in practice, I do a lot of it on line nowadays. Ah, but nothing beats that dash to M&S on C****** Eve to pick up a suitable gift for DiL's mum who, as I've just discovered, is also going to be there...

That's a good list gillybob. I'm going to get some of that for DD1. You're not much older than her.

anno My DD usually has all her gifts bought and wrapped in September! I think it's due to finances so understandable I suppose. I must say reading these posts has given me some ideas so I am being a bit hypocritical!

We used to have an agreement about that, KatyK but that was quite some time ago. Perhaps next year we need to re-make that agreement as this year seems to be a lost cause.

Great minds kitty When I saw this post, I was going to reply with 'my wish list is for people not to mention the C word in October. Sorry to be unhelpful

You sound like a very thoughtful DiL finnishline (my own buys lovely gifts).

Personally I love a good diary (Cath Kidston is my favourite) a pretty scarf, PJ's (BHs and M&S both have 20% off events at the moment) a bottle of nice fizz (if she drinks, or a posh cordial if she doesn't) something from Lush (I love the soaps and the bath bombs) a special packet of coffee, posh tea bags, body butter (can't beat body shop for the price) smelly candles, cosy socks, a nice fleecy throw (bhs again excellent value), a Cd compilation, a good biography, pretty little earrings, a box of Florentines (M&S are my fablvourite and a real Christmas treat for me at around £3 ) .... All within your budget I think.

Good luck.

I'd love to be back in my house for Christmas, but it's not going to happen.

A personal Christmas wish for me is that my youngest son and his family would be reconciled with his two older brothers and their family. They split apart when my DH passed away 3 years ago and the little cousins have never seen each other. Not much chance of that happening at the moment. Writing this seems to make it more of a possibility.

Garden Centre vouchers are always welcome as are Boots Vouchers. Supermarket Vouchers always seem a bit mundane but then again you can buy lots of luxury items with them. A bigger gift could be a hamper with Christmas food etc., Cookery Books if cooking is a hobby, or other Hobby Books.

I recently bought a Thermos Flask mug for one of my sons who spends a lot of time at his desk with his coffee cooling by his side.

My parents have n subscription to the county magazine 'This is Wiltshire ', I'm sure other counties have similar journals, as well as a food hamper made up of little treats.

My inlaws were nightmares to buy for, MIL 'recycled' anything she was given, FIL's presents were never acknowledged- I suspect his went the same way!

My DCs don't buy us presents, we prefer to have a lovely family meal out together instead, often followed by a country walk and home for a 'proper' tea

We received a garden centre voucher one Christmas and we put it towards a bird bath which is still enjoyed.

We could have spent it on Spring flowering bulbs too I suppose.

We do a secret Santa for adults using a secret Santa generator. Everyone gets an email anonymously with the name of the person they have to buy for. There is an agreed budget and people can put a wish list of suggestions on it. Has made Christmas shopping so much easier, only 1 present to buy apart from the children. Link below.
www.drawnames.co.uk/secret-santa-generator

I always buy my dils Next Vouchers. They can buy things for themselves or for their children. I send my eldest son an e mail saying "things your old mum might like for Christmas." usually something on line which helps him because he's always busy.

finnishline I always like a framed photo of my grandchildren because they change so quickly.

Sorry Nonnie didn't see the budget too full of thinking what DH has asked me to make a list . Some good ideas on here.

In our family everyone prepares a Christmas list of gift ideas that other family members can consult or ignore. Sometimes the list starts a thought process that results in a completely unexpected but just right present.

books please,I have a list should you be asking me,and the peace and quiet to be able to read it,in my new pjs that you have bought me so that I can be comfortable and look gorgeous whilst eating the chocolate brazils you have bought for me,and sipping my Baileys/wine,whilst waiting for my christmas meal to appear in front of me,and my empty plate placed in dishwasher along with your own and not placed on top of dishwasher I would be indeed a happy nanny,if this is my darling resident teenager who is pretending to be a DIL who would like to know how to make me happy for christmas....just a thought

One of my daughters bought me a bird of prey experience and I loved it.
I really don't want more 'things' and your parents and in laws probably feel the same so how about taking them somewhere nice for a meal?
I was in M&S with one of my daughters the other day and she spotted some pjs that she fancied so I bought them for her for Christmas. I spotted some that I like too so she can surprise me as well!

I love getting vouchers, then I can go to the sales and choose something to wear. Maybe if you could find out where she likes to buy most of her clothes? Or even Boots vouchers, then I can buy toiletries and makeup that I like, or spend it on something I want to try out but am worried that I may not like it. Crocus vouchers for the garden, Amazon vouchers - I think I like my DD's approach, she buys me a voucher and then something small to unwrap, like little cheap pretty slippers that are good for taking on weekends away, or a jewelled pen or nice notebook.

Apart from the photos (very thoughtful), just a good book and some chocs (marzipan, if they're for me ). Nicely wrapped, please!

Though I did notice yesterday while in T K Maxx that I am by no means the only woman who can spend over half an hour inhaling the glorious perfume of their scented candles and then move on to their posh soaps.

The older men in my family seem to like booze and comfort top socks.

Since I've have had everything I need or want and really don't want any more clutter in my small house, I have asked my family not to give me presents, but instead to give gifts from Save the Children Wishlist to families or communities who do need them. Of course, unless your relatives have asked you to do this, they might get a bit of a shock if they were expecting little luxuries.