My friends and I were talking about gift giving- how/if we've changed the type of things we give because of the economy or for any reason. I have definitely changed to giving useful things instead of more dust collectors. One friend still insists on giving knick knacks because they're sooo cute. Another friend is the worst gift giver of all- she continues to buy silly singing picture frames, or bargain books that are supposed to be funny, but don't really apply to the recipient at all. It's a joke in our crowd because everyone hopes that she doesn't pull their name for polyanna.
Anyway, it just got me wondering what other people do. What types of things do you buy as gifts these days?
I try to buy something that the recipient will actually use. It can be a video game, a photo album, or a gift certificate to a store, but I try to get things that will be used and enjoyed, rather than just sit on a shelf.
I was once one of those knick-knack buyers, too, but I realized many years ago that they are useless. Nice to look at, yes, but as you said they are basically dust collectors and add too much clutter.
I came to this realization thanks to my Mom. She loved buying me knick-knacks of all sorts, often. After having it accumulate in my apartment, running out of places to display things, and so on, I stopped buying that type of thing altogether. I won't even get one for myself, even if I think something is completely adorable. Most of my knick-knacks are packed away nowadays, and sit in the garage in boxes.
Many years later this was reinforced when I had to sit down and go through all my Mom's things after she died. I didn't realize she had so much crap! And going through it all, I again thought of how useless it all is.
Now most of her knick-knacks are sitting in lots of boxes in my garage, too, waiting for me to sell them on eBay.
I try to give things that are practical and thoughtful. Often I'll give bath wash/bubble bath/scrub sets, or I'll give more of whichever brand they use, perfume, lotion, or things that I've seen them admire or heard them comment on. For my fella, anything RedWings, or Nascar (Gordon) will win me BIG points. I gave my cousin a $50 prime rib roast once, and he said it was the best gift he got that year. For little kids, I usually give bath products that I know their mom will use on them, that way she doesn't have to buy them.
I definitely tailor what I give to the recipient. I only give knick-knack type stuff to people I *know* for a fact want it. If someone collects something, then I do try to find those things to give. But there's also someone who collects something (like my MIL collects David Winter cottages) vs. someone who once said "gee, I like cows - they're cute" and is suddenly inundated with cow stuff.
Mostly I take their hobbies into account when I can.
One friend loves to cook and so I always buy her something from the local gourmet kitchen store (which has a great return policy so she can swap it out for something else if she wants).
My guy is harder to buy for becuase what he wants he gets ... so I have to be creative and get things that he might not think to get for himself. Books are always a good bet - non-fiction and interesting or obscure topics.
I love gift cards myself and I don't think they're in poor taste any more nearly as much as they used to be. I think they're a good choice for someone who you might not know as well and yet still need to give something.
If someone collects something, then I do try to find those things to give. But there's also someone who collects something (like my MIL collects David Winter cottages) vs. someone who once said "gee, I like cows - they're cute" and is suddenly inundated with cow stuff.
Oh my gosh yes. My bathroom is rubber ducky theme, and now that's all I get from people. Lots and lots of rubber duckies. They're adorable, but my bathroom is only so big! And now it's getting to the fancy rubber ducky stage so people like to see how original they can get.
LOVE the thought - but running out of places to hide the ducks! They're taking over my dorm!
I vote for practical gifts or something that you know the recipient wants. I go out of my way to find gifts that are either very specific to the individual or gifts that get used up. I give a lot of homemade goodies at Christmas time.
I almost always give gift certificates for spa services. It's what I love to get too! My sister's b-day is today and I got her a gc to a spa we both like going to. My mom's b-day is at the end of the month, so she's getting a pedicure.
They're also perfect for bridal gifts as well as baby shower gifts.
You have to be careful with spa certificates though. I used to give them a lot .. .until my SIL had one that she never used for over a year. Turns out she's hugely shy (I never really knew) and is embarassed for *anyone* to see her in her undies. She also has a phobia (a true phobia) about anyone touching her feet. She's a beautiful woman, slender, and attractive ... but desperately shy about her body.
She never used her certificate and was embarassed to tell me that she didn't.
So now I make sure that people who I give spa certs to are actually going to want them.
I try very hard not to give gifts that are clutter. Hubby and I are sort of minimalists and knowing this my MIL constantly gives us crap! Hideous porcelain bears or my favorite is my annual christmas house set that she is building me- from the DOLLAR STORE!!!!! The last time we moved we got rid of an entire garbage bag FULL of beanie babies and stuffed animals AND an entire garbage bag full of figurines and other junk that just isn't US and we will never one.
The worst thing though has to be the broken noah's ark book ends she got me for my future baby, knowing that 1. i'm not religious 2. we're not having children. we weren't even married!
i know she has good intentions but jeez! Especially for her I make sure to get a gift that is- a gift certificate or something she can go do. I don't think she needs any more junk!
I guess what I'm saying is- you run the risk of someone not appreciating your gift of STUFF at all. I always go for a gift card first.
My mil was really bad at giving the "dust collectors" or things that just made you scratch your head like, "why???" lol. But now she has gone practical. She gets us things we need and can use and I love that. Where I always appreciate anything given to me, I really appreciate the more practical things so much more. My DH has tons and tons of crap from his mother, and bless her heart, she spent sooooo much money on it and a lot of it, we have no room for in our apt, so she has it stored at her house!
I say if the people collect something specific and have room for it, then that is great, but if they live in a small house or apt and do not have room for it and possibly are in need of other things, then maybe the more practical gift is better.
I like gift cards myself. I used to think how cheesy (or whatever) just to give a gift card, but my attitude has completely changed. In the last two years I received and gave gift cards. When I am buying a gift card for someone, I make sure it is for a store where she shops - here, for example, one cannot go wrong with Home Sense or Winners. There is hardly a woman that does like those stores.
I got a gift card for a manicure recently - it says "manicure" on it but I am going to phone the spa and ask if I can have a facial (and pay the difference). I am pretty good doing my own manicures and although I often thought I would like to get the French manicure (with the faux nails) I am afraid of the maintenance. Plus, I am constantly doing something around the house or in the garden so there never seems to be a good time for it.
I never buy anyone clothing or anything that's "supposed to be funny." I would HATE for someone to buy those things for me. I love getting and giving gift certificates to clothing stores or book stores. And, at least around here, it's perfectly acceptable (and even preferable) to give money -- there's nothing wrong with $50 in a nice card with a well-written message inside.
I really try to find things that fit the person and sometimes a gift card is the best way to go. The Christmas after my BIL and his wife had their first baby, we gave them a gift card to a very nice restaurant and my other SIL (who lives closer than we do ) gave them a babysitting "coupon" so they could have a date night. They loved it.
I know my preference as far as what I like to receive has changed since I've gotten older so I try to keep in mind that my friends and family have probably changed too.
Gifts- practical or not???
) gave them a babysitting "coupon" so they could have a date night. They loved it.