What to give them?

Perhaps you could compile a photo album of the family.. from births.. most people only have photos on line.. and it's such fun going through them together

I would try taking them at their word this year, and see what happens!

If they honestly mean that they do not want you to spend time, money and energy buying them presents, then don't.

I don't much care for the thought, but it seems to be the trend these days "Oh, we don't need anythig, - we buy things when we need them".

Lucky youngsters, or are they? Doing themselves out of the fun of being surprised, or of receiving something they did , want, but couldn't persuade themselves they could afford to buy themselves.

Bulbs that you have planted yourself for them are a great present as others have said. A little work but so worth while.

Charity gifts are a great idea, and I have received many of these over the years with much pleasure.
It's a little late for this year, but next September, you could force some hyacinths by planting them in baskets garnered from charity shops, putting them in the dark until December, then bringing them into the light.
A gift of beautiful, fragranced blooms for January, costing you just a few pounds and lasting the recipient for years, as they can be put into the garden to bloom every Spring.

In this family, all the older adults (well over 60s) just don’t want any more ‘stuff’- we’re mostly trying to get rid of things. Hence little edibles only for 🎄, because it’s still nice to have something to open - we think so, anyway.

I have bought a wind spinner for my son and dill. It's made of copper and spins in 2 directions at the same time. Also has a solar light. Have a look on Amazon.

A meal together is a lovely idea. Depending on where you are spending Christmas then a contribution to the food for the day would also be welcome. Perhaps buy the turkey or vegetables, Christmas pudding, sweets, chocolates or wine would be much appreciated.

We say the same to our AC’s and invite them to lunch so we can all get together. We arrange a buffet lunch and just spend time laughing and talking. We often get old photos out which means lots of laughter

I pride myself on being able to buy something very personal to those the gift is going to thinking firstly what hobbies they may have eg personalised book mark for readers of you can't afford a book a scarf or neck warmer for someone with shoulder pain a journal for that interesting person I always thought slippers and sockets were quite boring tbh makeup for the friend who would a lippy who would never treat herself a reed diffuser for the one who compliments the smell in your home I find it exciting buying gifts for people I write a list of people I would like to buy for what their interests are and take it from there xx good luck ☺️

National Trust offer purchasing to donate a tree. I’m thinking of doing this for my grandsons, starts at £7.50 which is very reasonable

Sons get money, tin of biscuits and tub of chocolates, bottle of spirits. DIL gets Next voucher, box of chocolates bottle of wine. 2 eldest DGC 12 & 15 get money, selection box and bath gift set.
Daughter sends me her wish list and I pick something from there, also biscuits bottle of spirits and tub of chocolates.
Then we come to the youngest DGC age 10, and no idea what to buy them!

Another charity I buy from is
lendwithcare.org/

Adults have quite enjoyed this!

Oh yes, that was the other thing. One year I was away, so I just bought them all posh jerseys! Or you could get cashmere wrist warmers or neck warmers….

As well as sponsoring animals at Hillside sanctuary, you can also buy carrots!
shop.hillside.org.uk/hillside-carrot-appeal/

Never know what to buy our son for his birthday (I know the thread is about Christmas) he’s a high earner so doesn’t really need anything. My suggestion and we did this one Christmas, is give to a small local charity rather than one of the big ones who get a lot of support.

I’m housebound at present, so I’m going to buy vouchers for different workshops according to interests, so a fermentation workshop, an advanced sourdough workshop etc. I’ve had these gifted to me and enjoyed pottery and candle making, also a spa day. I’ll also buy books to give children from charity shops. Plus a couple of small items, unlikely this year! My friends and I always set a £10 limit and buy presents for each other from charity shops, it’s good fun.
Sorry, I’m new on here and don’t know all the jargon!

For the past few years I’ve told dh not to bother buying me a 🎄present (except for the obligatory big box of Maltesers!)

I go and do a fairly big shop just for the food bank - that’s his present to me. (Yes, he could do it, but TBH he really wouldn’t know what was best to get.)

I do buy him something, usually sheepskin slippers if the old ones are getting worn, or yet another lambswool jumper - he never buys such things for himself. He always wears it to death for the next 12 months!

Among all other adults in the family we just do nice little edibles, preferably the sort of things we maybe wouldn’t buy for ourselves.

We’re finding it more difficult every year to find presents for our dgd’s. We already have little bits for them but wondering about giving them some money this year. They are 8.5 and 11. What is a reasonable amount? (We are doing secret Santa between us adults which has proved a godsend! - but, of course, not for the young ones.)

What about an outing of some sort for everyone? A meal if it's just the adults who are hard to buy for, or a trip to the zoo or something age-appropriate if it includes children. Everyone can chip in, so the present problem is removed across the board.

Or a Secret Santa where you set a budget and get a named person to buy for, so everyone gets to buy and receive one gift? Again, children can be included or excluded depending on age and inclination.

I like to give plants but a Christmas scratch card could be fun if one of them won.

I'm giving gift cards related to what they enjoy. Also some small parcels to unwrap.

The joy of buying for family members has gone. They are comfortably off. Gc have everything any young person could want. Dh and I dont exchange gifts. We will donate cash to local charities and put bits into the local food banks.

We always give our ACs and GDs money now, as we really have no idea what they want or need. A request for ideas is usually met with ‘ we shall be pleased with anything’. So we buy those lovely Indian gift envelopes and make a false money note, rather like a more decorated Monopoly one. They seem to enjoy getting them anyway

If they have simply requested your company just sigh in relief!! Failing that a garden centre voucher . Enjoy the Christmas period.

Thankyou we have agreed to no presents on the whole but I hate to turn up empty handed on the day. I think the bowl of bulbs is a great idea. Thanks for all the suggestions.