Gransnet forums

Christmas

presents to myself

(103 Posts)
karmalady Fri 28-Oct-22 08:01:14

Since I was widowed:

I buy christmas presents to myself, so I too can have some nice things to open on christmas day. I shall be going for a visit to one dd over lunchtime but need to feel a bit of excitement when I come home, otherwise the house will just be too quiet and an anti-climax

My advent calendar box has arrived, a sewing box from beyond the pink door. I can hear all the items rattle when I shake it. Exciting for me and safely put away until december 1st

Namsnanny Sat 29-Oct-22 11:27:59

Well, that's what we need in life. A Christmas toast, To Things That Make Us Smile🍻🥂☕

Ailidh Sat 29-Oct-22 08:48:58

Lifetime singleton here. I really enjoy Stuff. I don't buy myself things for Christmas - but my two dogs do..... I buy them presents too; and wrap theirs and mine; and unwrap them ceremonially on Christmas Day. It makes me smile.

teabagwoman Sat 29-Oct-22 08:21:48

Thank you for this thread KL, it’s prompted me to think about how I can make the return to an empty house less depressing. I’ve been a widow for 27 years and never really given it much thought before.

BigBertha1 Sat 29-Oct-22 07:01:29

KL your ideas about Christmas are marvellous and I hope you can enjoy what otherwise might be a very sad time.

karmalady Sat 29-Oct-22 06:38:21

I am not into buying handbags, cashmere jumpers or make up. That is just `stuff` to me. I am not into `stuff` never have been

Thank you for the responses from the empathetic people on this thread smile

NotAGran55 Sat 29-Oct-22 06:10:05

Thankfully we are all different.

Enjoy your lovely treats karmalady especially all the little surprises in your calendar.

MissAdventure Fri 28-Oct-22 22:17:06

I used to be able to do the Rubik cube.

Nothing clever, it was just repeating set moves until it went into place.

I'd have to learn all the moves again, and I don't think I'd remember them, now.

Namsnanny Fri 28-Oct-22 21:48:40

by the by it's buy not by

Namsnanny Fri 28-Oct-22 21:45:12

Funnily enough there is a new version of Rubiks cube on the market just in time for Christmas.
I nearly always by a puzzle for the Christmas tree.
Perhaps you would enjoy it MissAdventure?

MissAdventure Fri 28-Oct-22 21:20:02

I'm not sure why it puzzles people that others aren't exactly the same as them.
I find it puzzling that people are puzzled, I suppose.

Forsythia Fri 28-Oct-22 20:49:49

I think it’s about the OP looking forward to Christmas in as much as she can in her own way.

Grandma70s Fri 28-Oct-22 20:47:52

I feel rather puzzled reading this thread. I’ve been widowed for many years. If I want something and can afford it, I buy it. I don’t think of it as giving myself a present, “treating myself”. I don’t feel guilty about it. One of the few pleasures of widowhood is that you don’t have to justify your actions to anyone.

Waterloosunset Fri 28-Oct-22 20:34:04

I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to return home to an empty house, let alone on Christmas Day. So well done KL for thinking to nurture yourself - it’s your happiness, above all, that matters x

Cressy Fri 28-Oct-22 20:14:14

I am not alone but have seen some lovely embroidery kits ( for beginners ) and also a kit to make a model sewing room. They will both be on my Christmas list and I usually buy my own. ?

halfpint1 Fri 28-Oct-22 20:07:14

Its taken me a few year of giving out the same message but
it has sunk in now with my family:
If I can't eat it , its clutter

Norah Fri 28-Oct-22 19:54:17

First, I'm sorry you were widowed. My worst fear is to lose the love of my life. Well done you finding little gifts for yourself.

We have a lovely Advent calendar, it was a gift 62 years ago. I enjoy Sunday Advent celebrations, much more than Christmas - one day. Enjoy!

The spinning wheel kit sounds as if it was a wonderful idea. Would you consider purchasing wool (and maybe lessons) to spin?

Jaylou Fri 28-Oct-22 19:29:17

A friend of mine buys herself a little something nice each month. She then wraps them up in the same paper, so come Xmas and birthday she has 6 gifts to open that she has forgotten what they are. 6 little surprises that she knows she will like.

Granniesunite Fri 28-Oct-22 19:20:39

This is a lovely thread gransnet at its best sharing and caring. Well…nearly all sharing and caring. Thanks karmalady

Forsythia Fri 28-Oct-22 19:15:25

Thank you. I bought 3. One for each daughter and one for me (us) as DH wouldn’t buy one as he wouldn’t think of it. They have different designs too and the lady at the till said they sell out very quickly.

Granniesunite Fri 28-Oct-22 19:10:57

Haven’t seen those in marks forsythia I’ll be keeping an eye out for them. Emjoy.

CanadianGran Fri 28-Oct-22 19:09:22

I am lucky to still have a heathy and happy DH, but he's not the best at buying gifts! He will either remind me to pick something up for myself, or to tell him what I would like. So it's not a surprise, but a guilt free reason to have something I covet.

Like many others there are things I may want but don't need.

It will be my birthday next week, so I may go around the shops on Saturday to have a look. I will even bake my own cake to share with family. Butter pecan cake with cream cheese icing.

It's always good to have some small indulgence to look forward to.

Ilovecheese Fri 28-Oct-22 19:09:09

Karmalady is it the Hemline Advent calendar? I treated myself to one of those a couple of years ago and had great fun. Some useful bits and bobs in it that I am still using.

maddyone Fri 28-Oct-22 19:05:29

Enjoy your candle Forsythia.

Forsythia Fri 28-Oct-22 19:04:31

Why not treat yourself to something to look forward to on Christmas Day. Good for you. If it helps you get through a lonely time then why not? I’ve just been into town and bought myself a light up candle from M&S, something nobody will buy me so I bought it for myself to use at Christmas. I know I will smile when I use it at Christmas. Not a luxury either at £10.

MawtheMerrier Fri 28-Oct-22 18:58:08

“So could you please…”