Christmas shopping for completely different generations and personalities

My best Christmas was the one when I bought everyone Aran sweaters - even a tiny one for the (at the time) only grandchild. One shopping trip, one wrapping session. All were well received, none were returned or exchanged.

Ive cut back an awful lot this year, plus, my family has varying finances. If anyone asks me what I'd like, I ask for something small. The men get money as they have various hobbies they save for. I also give them either sweeties or toiletries. It was all just getting too much. Not that we ever really went overboard anyway. In a way I think it's easier when it's only a small gift. The women family members/ friends are easy to buy for. Men are a nightmare to buy gifts for and of course I have December birthdays too.

For non dd/SiL* adults I now usually buy consumables only - we all have more than enough ‘stuff’. The other week I went to Kew Gardens (we’re members) on purpose to find some nice little bits in their extensive shop.

*For them, unless they’ve told me anything specific, it’ll be cash, with something to open. For manically busy dd1 I think I’m going to get half a dozen pairs of nice knickers from M&S, since I doubt she’d ever buy them for herself.

For sons in law, in the past (unless I’ve been told of anything specific) we’ve done deliveries of ale from a local brewery they like.

For teen great-nieces/nephews, it’ll be cash, with a token something, probably chocolate.

3 little Gdcs are the problem now, given that IMO they have too many toys anyway - but I still want to find something they’ll love. But how to find anything that a) they don’t already have, b) doesn’t come with ‘bits’ that are only ever going to get lost in a very busy house with 2 working parents, and c) isn’t plastic?
The youngest has a birthday in early January, too…
Still, if I can manage a) and b) I will be happy.

I love buying Christmas presents, but the Grandchildren aged between 17 and 22 all want money, its easy but it doesnt feel like an actual present.I still buy small things for my Son and Daughter. Husband I exchange small gifts.

We decided a few years ago just to buy for the children and encourage all family to do the same, they all have far more money than us and we would probably be insulting then with what we could afford. we spend the money on taking all the grandchildren to the panto instead.

I buy presents for the 3 DGC. Adult DC get biscuits, bottle of spirits, tin of chocolates and money. DIL gets box chocolates 2 bottles of wine and gin.
DH gets bottle of spirits or a shirt as we don't really bother much.
Last year eldest DGC wanted money so they had selection box, toweling bath robe and money. Hope they want money again this year as they save up for computer games.

I love buying and giving Christmas presents - well presents generally actually. I like to see people’s happy faces. I hate people saying ‘oh for Christmas I’d like this or that’! I like to buy presents that I think suit that person’s personality. I had used to love walking round the shops with all the lights and Christmas music and struggling home in the cold and dark with bags and bags of stuff , it was the start of the Christmas experience for me. However these days due to my health and most of the shops having closed down, I do my shopping on line. I try to use smaller independent traders to help them and because they sell more interesting items. But it’s still not the same as the proper Christmas shopping experience ?

We’ve done that the last couple of years. A lot less stressful and expensive. Obviously still get prezzies for the GC

I rarely see presents being opened, and the thank yous are so general or not at all, that I don’t feel like giving anything this year. I expect I will, though, but it will probably be money.

Off topic but can someone please explain all the family initials eg D1, DH, DIL, DD. Some are obvious but I must be a bit behind the times. What does the first D stand for? Many
thanks in advance (TIA!)

Um really going to cut down this year. My family don’t want the clutter. Hiw many scarves, gloves and candles do people want? Am going to go for consumables like food hampers. Experience days are good but how many people actually never redeem they’re vouchers? I hate giving vouchers but I love receiving them. Am really struggling this year.

Sorry so many mistakes in my post. Note to self - read before posting!

My daughter is amazing and will find things online for us to buy for her children and our other grandchildren. They are all teenagers now so we have no idea what they like.
Our budget is not large so I did wonder about giving each of our children £100.00 to use to take their spouses and children (they have 2 each) for a treat, be it cinema or out for a meal or a play or pantomime.

ds and his dds get money in cards as parcels are too expensive and i have no idea what they want anyway
my dd and her dds walked out on me just before last christmas and i have no idea where they are so they won't get anything.
my guy doesn't "do" christmas so there's a saving there.
so the only presents i buy are for my two friends so that's fairly easy ....... got one already.
so i think i get off very lightly!!

I'll be buying for 21 people aged 6 weeks to 84 years. Most difficult is one adult son & DIL and eldest grandson. I'll do all my shopping online, won't be traipsing round the shops. I suppose I ought to get started on it.....

I've decided as I'm not able to shop now that my adults will get Trees planted by The Woodland Trust.( We are all trying to save the Planet). The grandchildren will get Money as they don't need tat from Gran.

Our kids range from adult to nine, so a very wide range. Plus our 'adopted' AC, who's military, so can't really keep much on them in the way of things.

The youngest kids are easiest. The AC are pretty simple, since I remember being that broke, so I know that nicer quality items than they can justify on their budget are welcome, and gift cards are always the right size and colour!

It's the teens that are the challenge, since what they want tends to be a huge budget breaker.

Fir the past couple of years, all the adults in the family do a Secret Santa with a limit of £30. Each person provides a list of suggested gifts they would like and 'Santa' distributes the list. That way everyone has one present to open and the focus can be on the children. Some years 'Santa' even provides tge labels and wrapping paper so only he knows who has bought which gift

We do secret Santa (£30 spend) for the adults who are together on Christmas Day. The grandchildren are little so they are each getting toys, a book and a board game, all already bought. This year I’m going to buy consumables (thinking cheese hampers or chocolate) for any other households we buy for. I’m sending book tokens to other children on my list. The consumables are all I’ve still to purchase.

We buy for our grown up children and partners plus 4 granddaughters. All has vouchers last year due to Covid and not travelling. This year we will do the same probably. Hubby and I buy each other a token gift as neither of us need much.

We don't buy Christmas presents.
Call us Scrooges if you wish but it's not that we don't like Christmas.
There's only one person who gets a gift of cash, that way she can get what she wants without us having to guess and, more than likely, get it wrong.
Husband and I decided that, as we just buy what we want, when we want it, then it was pointless spending money for the sake of having a gift. We put the money into holidays.

We put the money into holidays. For just yourselves?

I used to think long and hard and buy presents I would love to receive.all has changed now. No contact with Ds#2 his partner and 3 GC anymore. DS#1 has virtually dropped from my compass over past 6 months due to some perceived sleight of his bird(used with sarcasm I believe) my 2step DS and laydeez are both well loved and are extremely normal ( no perceived sleights there) so my expenditure on others has shrunk considerably .so- we'll be treating our little selves big style forever.......or until #2 DS snaps out of his fug!

We are all agreed! We no longer buy gifts at Christmas for the adults. Gifts for children only.
Gifts are often exchanged between adults spontaneously throughout the year instead. Suits our families and it’s such a relief from the stress.

Merylstreep
Spot on.No adult presents.
Grandchildren get money.
DH and myself allocate money to ourselves and go treat ourselves in the sales if we want anything.