What are you getting or giving this Christmas?

[ringbling17]

Hi everyone,
Just wondering what everyone is getting or giving their significant others this Christmas season.
As for me and my husband, we usually don't exchange, because his money is my money and vice versa, so it's kind of hard to trick each other without noticing money is gone from the savings account.

I am not finished with my Christmas list yet either. Still have to get a gift for my parents, my in-laws, my SIL, my babysitter, and a few people at work.

Hopefully, by the 24th, it will all be done!

Edited to say that all I really want is for everyone in my family and who I know to be healthy and happy this holiday season.


I hope everyone here has a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous holiday season!!!

 

[Mara]

This is budget Xmas for alot of us and our friends...plus esp for us because we are buying our place. So we got gifts for fam and a few friends but that's it. Normally I buy almost 2ce as much but not this year..boo hoo.




For Greg, who I love buying presents for....he always says he doesn't want anything and then he loves my gifts....I am getting: a gift cert to Griots Garage (www.griotsgarage.com) because he's a big gearhead and we are finally going to have a REAL garage...so he'll have some fun buying stuff for it. Also, some overalls from a local hardware store that he has been coveting for working on the cars AND I am going to have them embroidered with 'Greggy Bob' in the name area as a tribute to Mississippi and their excellent naming structures.

Then I also got him some trendy suede lace up shoes, a digital tire gauge that talks to you, and a very cool wine tote for when we bring our wine to dinner with us at restaurants. Oh and stocking stuffers which is something like 'stainless steel soap' which removes any odor, 'Box of Coal' gum, and a Mr. Happy Boo Boo soother (ice pack in the shape of a cartoon animal). I am also still on the hunt for some casual trendy shirts like this one I got him last year that he loves because they are thin and comfortable, but I can't seem to find them this year!




He loves interesting gifts that he can tinker with and loves a good giggle and joke gifts. So he should be pretty happy this holiday--best part was that everything was under budget and he gets multiple items....(I'm a big fan of multiple items...more present opening).

I asked him for a handful of things (so he can pick and choose) which included a massage (professional!) & also gift certificates to Pottery Barn, Hold Everything, Restoration....for the house. GC's are on the top of my wish list because I'm going to buy the stuff ANYWAY so why not make it easier on both of us? hehehe.

 

[Kamuelamom]

We normally don't really exchange gifts for the same reason as Kayla, but this year I got him a couple of new wallets and a really neat head massager (which has feet that look kind of like a spider). Against my better judgement, I actually asked (more like begged

) him for something this year.....it's a 1ctw 5-stone diamond band which was up for sale from one of the gals on DT. I'm waiting for it to come in and he gave me strict instructions NOT to open it when it does arrive.

I have a band, yes, but I cannot wear it as a stand alone because of it's contour shape, so I really wanted a band I could wear by itself. This was something that just came available, otherwise I wouldn't have gone looking, especially since we are saving all our funds for the home construction. I knew I was pushing it especially since I've only had my ring for slightly over a year, but thought what the heck, all he can do is say no. The thrill of him saying "OK" was good enough to convince me that maybe he actually agrees that a girl can never have too many sparklies.

Then again, I did wait nearly 13 years for that.

 

[Mara]

Ooh a new ring! Can't wait to see pictures

What you have sounds like 'The Tingler' which is an awesome copper head massager, I got that for Greg last year from RedEnvelope, my fav place online for boutiquey fun gifts

 

[bht122]

I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet. Yes, I'll be regretting it come Saturday!
However, I'm pretty sure of what I'll be getting everyone though.

For my fh, I'm getting him a corduroy jacket that's he's been eyeing, cd's, a "relaxation" kit and some books.

 

[bht122]

Mara,

My fh just tried out the Tingler for the first time this week and is hooked!

I love red envelope also...in fact, I was just eyeing this: http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=112892&BV_SessionID=@@@@0743657799.1071710004@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccddadckegmikffcefecefedfgfdfmh.0&bct2=occasion&bcp2=1&bcm2=1$$-8031&bct4=romantic%20events&bcp4=3&bcm4=1$$-8040&bct5=for%20her&bcp5=4&bcm5=1$$-8066@@2$$2&refPg=%2fproduct_display%2fgift_results.jsp&oid=3816923

 

[ringbling17]

Mara,
Now, is that what you call "budget shopping"?

Well, of course Greg deserves it. He did get you the e-ring and the diamond studs. I won't be surprised if he gets you that chandelier set (earrings and pendant) that you want to wear for your wedding, this Christmas.
I love PB and HE. I have never actually bought furniture from PB, but I have purchased my lamps (bedroom), a few mirrors and a couple of things for my daughter's room there. I have my eye on some storage baskets from HE, but I am a little too lazy to go to the city to get them and I don't want to pay the shipping and handling to have them delivered.
I normally get red envelope catalogues and at one point was about to purchase a lucky bamboo arrangement from them, but wound up making it myself. The funny thing is, I didn't save too much money. I think the one from RE was $50, and it cost me $20 for the container and black river rocks ( from Pier 1 Imports), plus another $20 for the bamboo.

Kamuelamom,
That massager sounds really neat. Maybe I should get one for my DH. Hmmm, something to think about. I think I know which ring from DT you are taking about. I actually sold my Royal Crown setting to someone on DT and got the price I wanted.

I think I will have to surf red envelope soon.

 

[ringbling17]

Here's a picture of one lamp. Don't mind the comforter, I usually don't use the better one to sleep in. It's only for displaying when I have company!!!

 

[Mara]

Yes that's huge budget shopping for me!!!

I am good at finding bargains and I did 99% of my shopping online this year, all with free shipping (found codes all over the internet) and some with up to 20% off (other codes).




I actually was just eyeballing tonite in the HE catalog a dark dresser-top leather valet for Greg..he needs one so badly, he just throws his items all over the top--and we are getting a new dresser for the new house so he won't be allowed to nick it up!

Hmmm.




I am a HUGE PB fan, all of their subsidiaries as well, like Williams Sonoma and Chambers. I actually worked 2 xmas's ago part time for holiday at the new PB store at Stanford. Basically just for the discount (40% off!) because of course they hardly pay you anything. It was kind of fun, kind of not...I'm not a retail person at all and hated the whole feeling of being in service to someone else..hee hee.

But the discount was awesome!! This year I thought about doing it again, it would have been perfect, with the house and all--but time just got away from me.




There is a HE store in Palo Alto which is pretty cool. Their items are pricey but they have some really unique items here and there. Like for our new house we bought a U shaped suede couch (two chaise lounges and a armless loveseat in the middle), so now we can't use my coffee table any longer. So we are getting one of the 'woven storage ottomans' in the HE catalog, there are a few styles...to put in the middle of the U to function as a table and also to be storage for my TONS of magazines and catalogs that are usually hidden away from sight under the coffee table in a basket. There is one in the HE catalog that is 28x28..huge! But I think we may get one of the smaller round or square ones that are 18x19. I will just have to go through my catalogs/mags and recycle them quicker.

So I've got LISTS of stuff for the new house. Lamps, mirrors, tons of bathroom items (love the magazine racks for the bathrooms that you screw on the wall)....Gift Certs would be the best way for him to go, we'll see what he actually gives me.

 

[Mara]

BTW bh..the hugging bears are so cute!! I love getting RE items, they are so personal and yet not super expensive in the end. Plus you can almost always find a discount on the internet somewhere. I bought my stuff this year with a 20% off and 5.95 shipping coupon, saved me about $25!!

 

[canadiangrrl]

Mr. CG is getting *shhhhhhh!* a 35' Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura putter.

And a bunch of stuff in his stocking. I really love buying him gifts.

I asked for a D&G winter coat. Don't think I'm getting it though, I think I asked too late.

Edited to add - I *know* he got me some new perfume - Narciso Rodriguez For Her - because he lurves it.

And on the same (perfumed) note, an email from my mother has just informed me that she has purchased a Drakkar Noir gift set for Mr. CG. Don't laugh, it smells sexy as hell on him and I wish he'd bathe in it.

 

[KittyTiger]

I'm so terrible with gifts. I'm still stressing over what to get my hunnie. =( It always seems like I end up getting very non-creative stuff.




What are some good sites besides RE? There's lots of good stuff on there..... I already see some stuff I can get girlfriends.... But I'd like to know where people shop on the web?

thanks!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I was actually pretty good with what I got him this year & didnt spend as much as last year. Last year he got a chain & braclet & then in Feb. I gave him a Tag watch for our engangement. This year, I got him a dresser valet. Mara, mine throws his stuff everywhere too. I ended up getting him one from Bombay Comp., I also got him a ear/nose trimmer. Ok, not that exciting, but he needs it.

LOL The best gift, & is hiding at his brothers place, is a remote control Ski-Doo MXZ. Its identical to the one he used to own. Yes, he's a kid at heart. He saw it on the back of the Sears Christmas Wish catalogue & was staring at it for hours! See, he's an avid sledder, but last year he sold his sled to pay for my ring. I've never known anyone to be that generous or giving. Really, the machine was his pride & joy. I didnt know any of this till after he put the ring on my finger or I wouldnt have let him do it. He really loved that machine. He said he wasnt going sledding anyway that winter so why keep it stored up.

As for what I'm getting, I want a couple pairs of white gold hoops (I have double peirced ears). I printed off about 8 kinds I liked so at least he has an idea of what I want. LOL Poor guy, needs some hints sometimes.

Judy

 

[Mara]

Yes Judy sometimes they need a bit of help don't they? Hee Hee. The other day Greg asks me...so what size are you? I just stared at him. He goes 'small right'...HA HA good job honey! But NO. Hee Hee.




Where do I shop online? Tons of places, wherever they have what I want. But my tops are www.redenvelope.com and this year I spent alot of time and $$ at www.wishingfish.com which is kind of like a RE, but they are hugely swamped with orders due to some unexpected press. Also www.tocca.com has some great soaps, candles, laundry wash for girly stuff. www.saks5thavenue.com has some cute kitschy stuff sometimes in their accessories or beauty sections, www.ebay.com for the random stuff that you can't find elsewhere or antiques/vintage; and then of course my standards: www.crateandbarrel.com for house stuff; www.potterybarn.com for house and/or holiday stuff; and www.williamssonoma.com for kitchen stuff.




I tend to see ideas in catalogs or in stores then go online and run Google searches to find the best deal. So I have my favorites for shopping but I always end up making some new random purchases, like with this online cigar company one year for Greg's cigars, and www.quincyshop.com this year for 15 boxes of 'coal gum'...for coworkers and friends.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Hey Mara..Down the road I think "Greggy Bob" Would like a 1966 or 67 Ford Mustang Fastback

Maybe when you are making a the big purchase for him whenever that might be down the road you can keep this in mind...Lol

Well I bought April (Our 9 year Old) some Bratz Dolls that she just adores..They're these cute little hip dolls (New Age Barbies) with cool little outfits and all the dress-up stuff... April also likes science so I got her a couple How in the World Books...Mostly these books are full of scientific facts and neat little trivia like...(How high is the Empire State Building)...She also likes geography and wanted me to get her a big wall map of the World with all the different countries flags to put on her wall...

Regina will be getting a new ring and wedding band....We've been together going on 4 years and been engaged a little over a year. She's starting to put the clamps down on setting a date..Lol...

I am also getting her some fun sexy outfits from Victoria's Secrets to add a little

spice

to the holidays..(She'd kill me if she knew I was telling you guys)...




She has been asking me questions and dropping me hints lately about the compatability of the newer scanners on our computer....I hope I get one so I can share some fun pictures of sledding we just got developed...She says I am hard to shop for and I guess I am..I am the type that doesn't want anything, but is always happy with whatever I get..I think she gets frusterated this time of year because I never come up with anything I want....It's not stubborness...but just the way I am I guess...I told her I wanted a Rolex Submariner in two-tone gold/stainless steel with a blue face...The look I got tells me I will have to settle with the scanner this year..

It's not the getting I enjoy about Christmas it's the giving..I enjoy the simplicity of being around family and loved one's....Laughter and sharing human experiences is what it's all about...I think that's what I enjoy most about this forum...All of us have a lot of things in common...

Whatever I get I wish everyone the best of health and hapiness and family...

 

[Mara]

Haa Haa Josh...actually Greggy Bob already has a 1946 old Dodge PowerWagon...he rebuilt it from scratch over the period of 2 years. (see picture below) That's his baby. It resides at his dad's house in Maryland because we don't have room for it out here.

He's also got a 1992 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo that he's rebuilt about 3 times and will NEVER give up as long as it still goes. It's actually a pretty sweet car...rivals the power of most of the newer BMW's and Mercedes. He says....why should he buy something new when his car rivals 99% of what is on the road. Good point.




However, he is a 'collector' as is his dad, he wants one of this and one of that and one of that over there...hopefully one day we will live in a place that can accomodate all of his cars and the 'shop' he wants out in the garage. Part of me knows that will not be in N. California....more likely somewhere in the East Coast...

But until then...I've got him committed to our new townhouse for at least a few years...we'll think about later when it comes around.

 

[Kamuelamom]

----------------
On 12/19/2003 2:39:04 AM Mara wrote:



Haa Haa Josh...actually Greggy Bob already has a 1946 old Dodge PowerWagon...he rebuilt it from scratch over the period of 2 years. (see picture below) That's his baby. It resides at his dad's house in Maryland because we don't have room for it out here.

He's also got a 1992 Dodge Stealth Twin Turbo that he's rebuilt about 3 times and will NEVER give up as long as it still goes. It's actually a pretty sweet car...rivals the power of most of the newer BMW's and Mercedes. He says....why should he buy something new when his car rivals 99% of what is on the road. Good point.


However, he is a 'collector' as is his dad, he wants one of this and one of that and one of that over there...hopefully one day we will live in a place that can accomodate all of his cars and the 'shop' he wants out in the garage. Part of me knows that will not be in N. California....more likely somewhere in the East Coast...

But until then...I've got him committed to our new townhouse for at least a few years...we'll think about later when it comes around.

----------------

Josh, Regina is a lucky girl. Enjoy your new scanner--we expect to see those new pics of yours.

Mara, Greggy Bob sounds like my Eddie Boy.....except......that he is a Chevy Man.

Last year we traded out a fully restored '51 Chevy, beautiful purple/black paint job, for a truck that my whole family can ride in...what a concept, eh?

I love it when he comes to me and says, 'oh honey, this is something *you* can drive too.' Yeah right.

Before that it was a '70 chevy that he also took two years to build and restore, only to sell once gas bills for that puppy reached nearly $400/mo.

Oh, and the shop in the garage thing? I can relate to that too! Eddie wants his shop out in the back yard

! Eeeeeek! I requested that it had to match the house we're building.

Which will make it virtually impossible to do.

I think I nipped that one in the bud----for now anyway.

[edited to add] Mara, thanks for all those great sites you posted. I've never heard of Red envelope. I'll check it out when I have a chance but please summarize for me what type of store is that? Sounds interesting.

 

[Mara]

Kam..RE is best described as a boutique site...they have something for everyone, part of their charm. And most of it isn't expensive either, which is great. They do monogramming as well, so I have gotten Greg things like a monogrammed cigar lighter which he LOVES and showed to everyone. One of their other charming features is their distinctive red gift box...see their site when you float onto it...$5 for the box and it comes with your gift already packed inside. So easy.




I've gotten my mom, who is SO picky, hooked on RE gifts. The other night she asked what I got her for Xmas and I said...oh something from Red Envelope and she goes...'Ohhhh that's GOOD.'




It's overall just an excellent gift site.

Greg too wants a shop out in the garage or yard somewhere. I also told him it had to match whatever house we had. No rickety old thing will be in existence on my property!

He jokes around about living in the shop and can't wait til he has a 'shop cat' which I won't allow in the house, etc...he's hilarious when he gets going. For now he'll have to make do with our new 2 car garage--something we don't have at the old house.




Does your man know about www.griotsgarage.com? I found it through a friend, awesome car and garage stuff for the gear heads...I got Greg a gift cert for Xmas from there so that he can start to outfit our new garage with some fun items for him to play with.

 

[KittyTiger]

I thought I'd chip in a site too. I just remembered there's www.sharperimage.com for all the cute little gadgets... and a lot of them are very well priced too!!

 

[Kamuelamom]

Hey Mara, thanks for the rundown of RE. LOL at your mom. OOOoooooh, that's good!

That other site you posted looks cool too. Eddie is not a real shopper kind of guy, especially online (thank God) so I can still keep the surprise element if I consider anything from there.

Looks like it's just up his alley, or down his lane.

 

[haunani]

This is a bit of a tight Christmas for us due to unexpectedly adding a horse to our 4-legged family!

Most of the close family for both of us (me and bf)are getting calendars that he designed/assembled at home from MANY pictures that we have taken over the past year. I know I'm a little biased, but they look GOOD!!! The only real big gift is flying out the two of us and my mom to Phoenix to visit my uncle and grandparents.

Oh yeah... and Dale and I will be exchanging rings when I get mine! (I sent it out a little bit late so it'll be back to me after the holidays)

 

[daboyzmomi]

Well I told Daboyzdaddy not to show up unless he had this with him,,,,,

CLICK ME CLICK ME!

But,,if that doesn't work out I will settle for a new pair of jammies. I did however drop a hint that I am sure with one small phone call to Whiteflash I could have a beautiful new bauble,,buttttt,,,,I won't hold my breath on that one either ,,,sigh.

He is getting a new Ipod

and a few other nifties. Daboyz are having a huge electronic Christmas complete with new computer ( mommy is tired of sharing hers), TV (from Nama) and Playstation2 (from aunt

) and a cooooooool couch to sit on in style and play. UGH,,,enough is enough,,lol. Gotta wrap it all now.

 

[Mara]

A new iPod! Sacrilege!!!




Creative Labs Zen Xtra is 30% cheaper than iPod for the same storage capacity!

 

[winyan]

True Mara, but for those of us who've experienced both PC driven and Apple driven products, there's nothing like an Apple.

win

 

[Hest88]

Like Kayla and Kamuela we also have a rather transparent joint account, but that doesn't stop us from trying to surprise each other with gifts anyway! This year we're also being frugal since we have the unexpected expense of car payments so we agreed to just get some pictures framed as our Xmas gifts. However, I still got him his yearly stocking stuffer--Molton Brown body wash, and I'm going to pick up an art book I saw the other day. I know he's getting me stuff as well, but I don't know what!

 

[Mara]

Only if you are a Mac lover, Win!!

 

[winyan]

Well, Mara, having used a IBM pc from the very beginnings, a lowly, no hard drive, 2 floppy drive machine, and the so called 'luggable' COMPAC (thing weighted 40 lbs!), and having had 'fun' w/dos/windows etc, I'll take the hard to crash MAC any day. My desktop is a Windows machine, my laptop the top of the line powerbook.

win

 

[Kamuelamom]

Win, OT...did you get my PM?

 

[Mara]

Win...we too have a COMPAQ computer...back from when I was 9. We still kept it. It was my first computer...I have all the stuff and it still runs too.

So from the very beginning I was a PC lover...I've used both PC's and MAC's and am fluent on both (I even have an old MAC Classic), but trust me...I can crash a MAC just as easily as a PC...and I like PC's because they tend to be more of a challenge to use. Call me crazy.

 

[KittyTiger]

Finally! I have something to contribute here!

This is one of the gifts that I got for my bf that will be in his gift bag/basket. He loooves to make steak.. and really good at it too.. So I thought this steak brander will be fun to play with.