What will be on your Christmas list?

AprilZ81 · October 2016

DH asked me if I had started on my Christmas list yet so I did. I have an Amazon wish list with a bunch of stuff on there from last year and I'm trying to come up with more things to add so he and the in-laws have plenty of ideas to choose from.

I have some frivolous things on there (like Christmas dessert plates), some pieces for our Willow Wood nativity, and some inexpensive jewelry, but most of the items are practical. I want a second steam mop to keep upstairs, I want new door knobs and hardware for our upstairs doors (the brass has GOT to go!!!) and I want some new lighting fixtures for the house (again, the brass has GOT to go!!!!).

Last year I asked for a lot of matching felt hangers and while the in-laws laughed at me (in a kind way) they did buy them and it makes me happy to walk into our closet and have all matching hangers that don't take up a lot of space.

I don't need a new iPad, computer or other tech gizmo, there aren't any movies I want enough to buy and other than maybe some gift cards to buy books when I want to I would be really happy getting door knobs and light fixtures for Christmas. I know I'm a little weird for that, but is it really THAT weird?

MommyLiberty5013 · October 2016

I think practical is awesome! When I was in college, I asked my parents for a tool set. Still have it!

I think I am asking DH for a bird feeder this year. And new PJs.

smerka · October 2016

Christmas gifts I have received from my husband - a toilet tank lid and toilet brush (different years). This year I might ask for fire extinguishers and CO detectors.

ebl2016 · October 2016

An oven because mine is not working but it'll be an early gift because I need to bake for the holidays.

als1982 · October 2016

H and I don't exchange gifts, but I always ask my brother for a meat package from the small town locker where he lives - you don't get more practical than that! I told my mom that I wanted a leather band for my Apple Watch. But otherwise, she's a great gift giver and knows me well, so I probably won't provide her with any other direction.

Xstatic3333 · October 2016

My birthday is in early December, so sometimes my parents will ask me what I'd like in the $100-$200 range. If they ask again this year, I would LOVE a new pair of glasses from Warby Parker. I'd also love an indoor UV light for starting tomatoes indoors.

abrewer5 · October 2016

I don't think that's weird at all! I just want Lowes or Home Depot gift cards so I can buy stuff for my bathroom remodel. And maybe work clothes because I'm usually too cheap to buy them myself.

I wouldn't mind getting our banister supports in brushed nickel because that and the front door kick plate are my only items left to completely rid my house of brass.

@aprilz81 - It took me a while to get rid of most of the brass stuff in our house but shew it was a great feeling! We did it piece by piece which helped a lot but the mismatching for a while drove me crazy. :)Don't forget to check your door hinges too!

cupcait927 · October 2016

I love getting practical gifts for Christmas and my birthday. This year H and I aren't exchanging big gifts but instead we are going to buy ourselves a new coffee table and end tables. My mom usually gives me cash for my birthday and Christmas so we'll put that towards other house stuff as well. H's parents usually get us the frivolous gifts, which provides a nice balance between necessities and fun.

kmurphy2131 · October 2016

H and I don't always do christmas gifts. It changes year to year. I think this will probably be a year that we don't, but we will likely purchase a couple little things for the house and go out for a nice dinner. We always do a couple of small stocking stuffers and buy an ornament for each other every year. My goal is to get rid of all the generic ornaments on the tree over time,we are making great progress 4 years in!

Otherwise, I usually ask for kitchen stuff. I love to cook/bake.

LillibetteV · October 2016

I too prefer the practical gifts. The first Christmas we were married my husband gave me the expensive feather duster that no one bought from our registry - I was psyched!

This year the only non-practical item I want is an android tablet. I use kindle, google books, and overdrive to read (depending on where I can get the book I want the cheapest) and right now I have an old kindle but I have to read books on the other two apps on my phone. It's killing these blind eyes of mine and a bigger surface would be nice.

cbee817 · October 2016

DH and I usually get each other new phones every 2 years. We're up for new ones this year so we're looking at the iPhone 7. Other than that, we like to get each other small things we wouldn't normally buy for ourselves. I really enjoy quilting and sewing, so DH will be buy me a fabric bundle I have been eyeing or spools of thread and needles (which actually make me really happy!). He likes the hardcover classics from Barnes and Noble (he's an English teacher) and I've been trying to find him a really nice The Great Gatsby (his favorite book) for years now. He really wants a Bills half zip up sweatshirt so I'm on the hunt for that too.
We mostly focus on spending time together and getting the girls a few items that they'll really like. We always include a book and some type of craft for their gifts. DD#2 wants another baby doll (the one she has now is about a year old and so ragged- she loves the love out of her dolls that's for sure) and DD#1 usually likes legos, although she hasn't said what she wants this year. I like to make them something too- 2 years ago, it was IKEA doll beds with a doll pillow, mattress, and quilt. Last year it was their own quilts for their beds. Since I'm already running out of time(!), it'll probably be 18" pillows that match their quilts.

Xstatic3333 · October 2016

The one thing I struggle with is getting practical gifts for my H. Every time I try to get him anything remotely electronic, it malfunctions, breaks, isn't the right model, or otherwise fails and disappoints. I've decided he's only getting clothes going forward.

hoffse · October 2016

I'm probably getting a car... I know, I know, but we have been planning it for two years! I do think we will wait until the very end of December to try to get a better deal during year-end clearances, but we are going to call it my Christmas gift since it's obviously a significant purchase. I'm probably going to get another CR-V. Mine is 10 years old, and I love it, but it has started making some really unfortunate noises that we can't figure out. It's time.

I really want a bird feeder too, but H's pinky was bitten off by a parrot when he was 9 months old, so he's anti-bird (true story). They keep eating the seeds I plant outside though, so I want a feeder so that they will ignore my garden. I'm thinking of being sneaky and telling my mom that's what I want so that she will get it for me... and then H won't be able to veto/object, lol

H really wants an apple watch. It's really frivolous, but he doesn't ask for much stuff like that, so I will probably get it for him. I am hoping to score a deal on Black Friday.

For BIL and SIL we will probably get them their ergo if they haven't bought it by then. Niece will be 3 months old at Christmas, so it's about the right time.

I have no idea what we will be getting anybody else.

smetter04 · October 2016

I haven't thought about this year's Christmas list, but I usually ask for a mix of practical and personal items. Last year I asked for a dutch oven and a nice whisk, and the year before that I asked for stainless steel frying pans. And I ended up getting an awesome All-Clad pan from H, who had no idea that All-Clad was a higher end brand lol. Although honestly I like when H gets me personal stuff instead of house stuff. Last year he really dropped the ball on my gifts so he has his work cut out for him this year haha.

cbee817 · October 2016

@hoffse - hopefully the back windows of the 2016 CR-V are better but I test drove a 2014 and 2015 and they are so tiny. (FWIW, I love Hondas- prior to buying a 2016 Subaru Forester, I have only owned 3 Honda civics. My first one was totaled in terrible car accident when I was 19, the 2nd one I gave to DH right after we got married because he had a 1991 Honda accord that was rusting out, and I bought a 3rd one when I gave DH my 2nd one). Anyway, with a tall Britax booster seat in there, I couldn't see a thing. If you can borrow a friend's car seat, I really recommend doing that when you test drive one.

hoffse · October 2016

@Cbee thanks - good advice.

I know what this board is going to say, but we are probably going to go with a 2017. The CRV was redesigned for 2017, and the safety features we want are finally available on the lower trim models. I would have to buy a touring to get them on the 2016's, so the 2017 should actually save us some $$. They haven't been released yet, but they were just announced and should be out by the end of the year.

The windows have also been redesigned and the interior is now taller. The windows appear to be better than on my current model. We will try to borrow a booster seat to make sure all works fine, but my fingers are crossed!

short+sassy · October 2016

hoffse said:

I'm probably getting a car... I know, I know, but we have been planning it for two years! I do think we will wait until the very end of December to try to get a better deal during year-end clearances, but we are going to call it my Christmas gift since it's obviously a significant purchase. I'm probably going to get another CR-V. Mine is 10 years old, and I love it, but it has started making some really unfortunate noises that we can't figure out. It's time.

I really want a bird feeder too, but H's pinky was bitten off by a parrot when he was 9 months old, so he's anti-bird (true story). They keep eating the seeds I plant outside though, so I want a feeder so that they will ignore my garden. I'm thinking of being sneaky and telling my mom that's what I want so that she will get it for me... and then H won't be able to veto/object, lol

H really wants an apple watch. It's really frivolous, but he doesn't ask for much stuff like that, so I will probably get it for him. I am hoping to score a deal on Black Friday.

For BIL and SIL we will probably get them their ergo if they haven't bought it by then. Niece will be 3 months old at Christmas, so it's about the right time.

I have no idea what we will be getting anybody else.

Your H needs to put one of those big, red bows on it. Like in commercials, lol.

Aaaahhh, I realize he was an infant but that sounds awful. My H is really afraid of birds for some reason. He doesn't know why.

My H and I usually don't exchange gifts anymore, other than small things. We did before we were married and I asked for a blender one year. He initially didn't want to buy it for me because he felt a like a jerk giving his g/f a "small kitchen appliance". Like its the 1950s and I bring him a martini and his slippers when he walks through the door, lol. I had to assure him it was really okay, because that was what I needed and wanted.

Other than that, he usually bought me jewelry. But he always found cool, unique stuff. I don't especially want anymore jewelry, so I have focused his knack for cool and unique to barrettes. I have really long hair and usually pull back the sides and wear a barrette. I love having really different, pretty, and fun ones. Definitely on the weird side, but that is what I both like and use.

cbee817 · October 2016

hoffse said:

@Cbee thanks - good advice.

I know what this board is going to say, but we are probably going to go with a 2017. The CRV was redesigned for 2017, and the safety features we want are finally available on the lower trim models. I would have to buy a touring to get them on the 2016's, so the 2017 should actually save us some $$. They haven't been released yet, but they were just announced and should be out by the end of the year.

The windows have also been redesigned and the interior is now taller. The windows appear to be better than on my current model. We will try to borrow a booster seat to make sure all works fine, but my fingers are crossed!

Good! Glad to hear they changed their model because those other years were so bad. The forester was the first brand new car I've ever bought- I'll probably drive it until I give it to DD#2 in 12 years, so to go brand new makes sense. You clearly drive cars for a long time and if it's safe for you and your family in the years to come, it is well worth it.
Also, if you and your DH can take the car for the day and can't get a booster/car seat from someone, you can stop at BRU or BBB and take the floor model out to see how it fits in the car and when you're in the driver's seat. DH and I did that a few years ago because his old outback had really weird seats and some car seats wouldn't fit in his car no matter how much he tightened it or flipped the base of it to slope right... it was really odd. He couldn't wait to get rid of that car!

labro · October 2016

I love practical gifts!

I've actually been thinking about switching out our door knobs. They aren't bright brass (Thank GOD!), but I really want the antiqued bronze knobs instead. So maybe I can ask for new door knobs and new cabinet pulls for the kitchen. We didn't like them when we bought the house three years ago but we haven't gotten around to switching them out either. Normally H and I just exchange some small gifts...although 2 years ago he bought a shotgun for us. I might get him new houseshoes since his old ones are kind of falling apart.

formerlyjessica490 · October 2016

We stopped buying gifts for each other over the last few years, but this year it will probably be some small gadgets/tools/other man stuff for my H. H bought me an early 5 year anniversary/birthday/Christmas present in August. A fabulous 2 carat ring for my other hand to complete my wedding/engagement set. I just love it to pieces....

LillibetteV · October 2016

hoffse said:

@Cbee thanks - good advice.

I know what this board is going to say, but we are probably going to go with a 2017. The CRV was redesigned for 2017, and the safety features we want are finally available on the lower trim models. I would have to buy a touring to get them on the 2016's, so the 2017 should actually save us some $$. They haven't been released yet, but they were just announced and should be out by the end of the year.

The windows have also been redesigned and the interior is now taller. The windows appear to be better than on my current model. We will try to borrow a booster seat to make sure all works fine, but my fingers are crossed!

I think the whole point of being MM is so that you can save one what you don't care about and splurge on what you do. I don't care at all about cars anymore and will likely buy used next time around - but our last two cars were both bought new. We sold one when we didn't need it anymore and we're driving our current car until the wheels fall off.

That said, I have friends that couldn't believe when we bought a house in our pricey neighborhood. They live in cheaper towns further from the city so that they can have two shiny news cars in the driveway. Neither is wrong - but I would bet that we have the same total outflow of cash but just on different things.

hoffse · October 2016

short+sassy said:

hoffse said:

I'm probably getting a car... I know, I know, but we have been planning it for two years! I do think we will wait until the very end of December to try to get a better deal during year-end clearances, but we are going to call it my Christmas gift since it's obviously a significant purchase. I'm probably going to get another CR-V. Mine is 10 years old, and I love it, but it has started making some really unfortunate noises that we can't figure out. It's time.

I really want a bird feeder too, but H's pinky was bitten off by a parrot when he was 9 months old, so he's anti-bird (true story). They keep eating the seeds I plant outside though, so I want a feeder so that they will ignore my garden. I'm thinking of being sneaky and telling my mom that's what I want so that she will get it for me... and then H won't be able to veto/object, lol

H really wants an apple watch. It's really frivolous, but he doesn't ask for much stuff like that, so I will probably get it for him. I am hoping to score a deal on Black Friday.

For BIL and SIL we will probably get them their ergo if they haven't bought it by then. Niece will be 3 months old at Christmas, so it's about the right time.

I have no idea what we will be getting anybody else.

Your H needs to put one of those big, red bows on it. Like in commercials, lol.
Aaaahhh, I realize he was an infant but that sounds awful. My H is really afraid of birds for some reason. He doesn't know why.
My H and I usually don't exchange gifts anymore, other than small things. We did before we were married and I asked for a blender one year. He initially didn't want to buy it for me because he felt a like a jerk giving his g/f a "small kitchen appliance". Like its the 1950s and I bring him a martini and his slippers when he walks through the door, lol. I had to assure him it was really okay, because that was what I needed and wanted.
Other than that, he usually bought me jewelry. But he always found cool, unique stuff. I don't especially want anymore jewelry, so I have focused his knack for cool and unique to barrettes. I have really long hair and usually pull back the sides and wear a barrette. I love having really different, pretty, and fun ones. Definitely on the weird side, but that is what I both like and use.

Yeah my H doesn't remember it happening, but he is missing the part of his right pinky where the nail should be.

His parents had a pet scarlet macaw that his uncle brought back from South America back when you could do that sort of thing (he was doing field research down there). They must have kept the cage really close to the ground. H learned to walk around 9 mos, and he pulled himself up on the cage, and the parrot bit it off.

The crazy part is his parents kept the parrot. The had always thought it was a male parrot, but eventually discovered it was a female parrot because she went into distress trying to lay eggs. They took it to UGA's exotic animal hospital where they gave the parrot surgery to get the eggs out, and she died on the table.

H also has a really bad scar on his other hand from helping open a dog food can when he was about 5.

We were helping his mom clean out his old bedroom last year and found an essay he wrote in the third grade titled "Why Am I Unlucky With Pets?"

brij2006 · October 2016

Haha. This is a funny topic. H made fun of me for my list so far.

Cognac colored ankle boots
A nice $75 hose reel
A rain barrel
Muckluck slippers

FutureMrsMerati · October 2016

I, too, am a practical gift recipient (and giver) most of the time. I genuinely want to give and receive gifts that will be enjoyed and used. One of the best gifts I ever received was one of those over-the-door jewelry organizers from my mother, and everyone who sees it loves it too!

I keep a running list in the notes section of my phone of things people mention they like or things I think they might like, and then by the time the holidays roll around I've got my go-to gifts already lined up! Since so many people I know post photos online, I stumbled across this company called Framebridge that will frame your Instagram photos that a lot of people otherwise never print but like enough to share with the world - a pretty good indicator in my opinion! I'm thinking that will be my default gift for millennials and I'm hoping to score a nice deal on them during Black Friday/Cyber Monday!

https://www.framebridge.com/services/instagram-mini

Xstatic3333 · October 2016

brij2006 said:

Haha. This is a funny topic. H made fun of me for my list so far.

Cognac colored ankle boots
A nice $75 hose reel
A rain barrel
Muckluck slippers

Good call! H and I have both wanted one of these for a while. Maybe he'll get it as a moderately selfish gift.

jtmh2012 · October 2016

AprilZ81 said:

I want new door knobs and hardware for our upstairs doors (the brass has GOT to go!!!) and I want some new lighting fixtures for the house (again, the brass has GOT to go!!!!).

When we moved in, I started a mission to replace all the "gold/brass" doorknobs in the house. Took me a couple months because the darn things are expensive, but they're all gone. I haven't done door hinges. I debated it, but they're not as noticeable as the knobs were. I'm also working on all the lights now. I have a couple hallway lights, but can't find anything I like. Open to suggestions.

I've also been replacing bulbs with LED bulbs. My goal is to never have to replace them again.

As for Christmas presents, we've pretty much hit the "if we want it, we've bought it" phase of our lives. The exceptions being anything too expensive and things you wouldn't normally buy as presents. Thanks honey for the new sports car....*wink*

smetter04 · October 2016

jtmh2012 said:

AprilZ81 said:

I want new door knobs and hardware for our upstairs doors (the brass has GOT to go!!!) and I want some new lighting fixtures for the house (again, the brass has GOT to go!!!!).

When we moved in, I started a mission to replace all the "gold/brass" doorknobs in the house. Took me a couple months because the darn things are expensive, but they're all gone. I haven't done door hinges. I debated it, but they're not as noticeable as the knobs were. I'm also working on all the lights now. I have a couple hallway lights, but can't find anything I like. Open to suggestions.
I've also been replacing bulbs with LED bulbs. My goal is to never have to replace them again.
As for Christmas presents, we've pretty much hit the "if we want it, we've bought it" phase of our lives. The exceptions being anything too expensive and things you wouldn't normally buy as presents. Thanks honey for the new sports car....*wink*

To the bolded - my H is working toward this, too. Every time we walk into the hardware store we buy a LED bulb or two, lol. It drives me nuts because they're expensive and I'm like, haven't we replaced all of them yet?!?

jtmh2012 · October 2016

smetter04 said:

jtmh2012 said:

I've also been replacing bulbs with LED bulbs. My goal is to never have to replace them again.

To the bolded - my H is working toward this, too. Every time we walk into the hardware store we buy a LED bulb or two, lol. It drives me nuts because they're expensive and I'm like, haven't we replaced all of them yet?!?

We have a lot of high ceilings. So not having to climb ladders and step stools is a high incentive. Sadly, I need to return one under warranty, but I guess it's just the cost of postage vs a $10 bulb.

labro · October 2016

@jtmh2012 There are tons of flush light options out there that look nice and are affordable. That's what we have in our hallway now but TBH I'm considering switching to recessed can lights for a more modern look with better lighting. Our hallway only has two lights and I think we could totally get a third light in there.

Something like this kind of look.

jtmh2012 · October 2016

labro said:

@jtmh2012 There are tons of flush light options out there that look nice and are affordable. That's what we have in our hallway now but TBH I'm considering switching to recessed can lights for a more modern look with better lighting. Our hallway only has two lights and I think we could totally get a third light in there.

Thanks for the picture. Never considered going recessed. Might have to think about that one.

I think part of my problem is I need to find something that's not Home Depot and Lowes. Can't seem to find anything in the styles I like and the flat LED ones just seem "cheap".

That and I've just not dedicated any serious time to it. Had other higher priority items like HVAC that needed handling.

Is that your house?

labro · October 2016

jtmh2012 said:

labro said:

@jtmh2012 There are tons of flush light options out there that look nice and are affordable. That's what we have in our hallway now but TBH I'm considering switching to recessed can lights for a more modern look with better lighting. Our hallway only has two lights and I think we could totally get a third light in there.

Thanks for the picture. Never considered going recessed. Might have to think about that one.
I think part of my problem is I need to find something that's not Home Depot and Lowes. Can't seem to find anything in the styles I like and the flat LED ones just seem "cheap".
That and I've just not dedicated any serious time to it. Had other higher priority items like HVAC that needed handling.
Is that your house?

HAH! I wish it was! No, but after looking at this picture I definitely just added "switch out carpet for wood floors in the hallway" to my wish list for staying in the house instead of moving.

What will be on your Christmas list?

Re: What will be on your Christmas list?

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