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What are you making for Christmas for the adults in your life
I can cover our kids, but I have no idea what to make for our parents. DH's wallet was stolen a few weeks ago and a few hundred dollars of our Christmas money was in there. I really need tips to cut down on our Christmas budget. Problem is that our parents just go out and buy things when they want/need something so shopping for them is hard, and I don't have any clue what to make. I was thinking about a few holiday things for my mom (glitter ornaments, day of the week embroidered kitchen towels).
My mom is obsessed with her dogs (2 Bichon Frises). She works as an office manager. She enjoys shopping, and falling asleep in the recliner almost every night before going to bed. She definitely loves to be pampered (if she won the lottery she would have a masseuse on speed dial).
My s-dad is very outdoorsy. Their house sits on 4 acres and he spends a great deal of time in their woods walking the trails that he's made. They got a new hot tub and he's one of the few people that actually gets one and uses it all of the time). He's into deer hunting and 4-wheeling.
MIL is a vet tech and loves animals. She's also a very computer crafty oriented person (she made candy bar wrappers for SIL's wedding years ago, and does all of that sort of thing). She likes to watch movies and is always renting something from the library. She also loves snow because she loves to drive in it. She loves Red Lobster but rarely ever goes out to eat (we buy her GC's to there specifically so she has an excuse to go). She's overall very techy.
FIL enjoys sitting on the back porch having a few beers. He likes camping, fishing, and hunting. Every project that needs to be done is DIY. He loves cooking for others (I would not want to live in their house while trying to lose weight). He definitely expresses his love through food.
So, any thoughts for anyone? DH and I have decided that we're not going to exchange gifts with one another under the circumstances. Normally we spend about $75 per parent but I'd really like to trim anywhere from the budget possible.
Re: What are you making for Christmas for the adults in your life
Just a few ideas:
For your mom: make a "pamper yourself" basket. Bubble bath/salts, candles, a bottle of wine, and a book or magazine for her to spend the evening by herself in the tub.
For your MIL: Maybe a "night in" basket: Microwave popcorn, soda, "theater style" candy: the boxes of milk duds/skittles/whatever she might like, Maybe a blanket to wrap up in too? (I'm thinkng one of those no-sew fleece blankets)
For your FIL: what about "Mr. Beer"? It's pretty easy, but super fun!
I'm stuck for your s-dad, but if I think of something I'll let you know!
Hopefully these help get you thinking!
I definitely agree ith pp on doing a spa like gift basket for your mom, and I would even try to make some of the items like a body scrub or this: http://littleecofootprints.typepad.com/little_eco_footprints/2009/11/homemade-moisturising-body-bar-recipe.html walmart sells face masks (chocolate, cucumber peel in one use packages: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Montagne-Jeunesse-Chocolate-Anti-Stress-Masque-0.7-oz/15724140 can you sew? Im making some rice heat/cold packs for allmost everyone this year.
your Dad- get him nice warm socks, or knit him ear warmer head band.
MIL- I like the movie basket idea!
FIL- bake him his favorite cookies (or make just the dough and he can bake them when he wants) get him (or make)) a funny apron?
Mom-do you know how to knit/sew? You could make some outfits/toys/dog beds for the pups. How about some homemade bath bombs and/or soap?
S Dad - coasters to use by the hot tub? candles to light by hot tub? knit hat/gloves/scarf to use while hunting?
MIL - movie night basket, seasonings for popcorn
FIL - beer cozies, hat/scarf/gloves for hunting, sew him a manly apron, home-mixed seasonings for cooking