Buying for people not on your list?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
November 29, 2011 8:39am CST
My original list of people I had to buy Christmas gifts for were my children and husband, my mother and sister, the children's teachers and possibly my FIL (we were told on Thanksgiving that he probably won't survive until Christmas).
Then, my son's daycare decided to adopt needy children, and each family has to supply gifts to one needy child. Of course this isn't a simple little thing I could spend $5 on. They requested a toy and an outfit, or something along those lines. So, I went out and bought a toy, a puzzle, a coloring book and crayons, an outfit, hat & gloves, some choclates, and a hair brush that comes with hair ties. Spent $50 on this child I don't even know!
Then, the same son's daycare tells me they do a gift exchange with the other kids in daycare, so I have to get a gift for another little boy. I plan on using a gift I basically got for free on Black Friday.. it was buy one, get two free, so each of my youngest 2 boys will get one, and the third will be the daycare child's gift.
Then I found out we are doing a secret santa exchange at work, and since I am still so new there I hardly know most of my coworkers. I went out last night and got the gifts though. I got a cute little candle set, a mug with some chocolates in it, and a funny little button that says funny phrases when it is pressed. I'm hoping this coworker has a sense of humor, LOL.
Now I find out yesterday that my Kindergartner's class is also doing a gift exchange. The gift has to be a book costing less than $5. They want absolutely nothing but the book. So it's not really a big deal, I just have to go buy a book.
It is still not even December yet, so I am wondering how much longer my list can get! Hopefully the surprise additions are done now.. but who knows.
Have you had any suprise additions to your shopping list?
3 people like this
11 responses
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Nope no surprise editions to our list. I'm sure we'll have to come up with a lil gift for the gift exchange for Girl Scouts. I was thinking getting a little something for the tutor since she's volunteer but not sure what to get. I was thinking something like a Christmas Cactus, since I know Pointsettias are poisonous and I know she has a dog.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
30 Nov 11
That's a good idea. Though I dunno if I go into a Starbucks if they'd let me pick what I want or have a preset amounts? Some places are preset and others you can pick whatever your hearts desire for an amount.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
1 Dec 11
I can't see why Starbucks wouldn't have $5 gift cards.. it's a coffee shop, who would spend $20 at a Starbucks... wait scratch that, I would.. but still. lol
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Nov 11
With my kids' teachers I buy a $5 gift card to a coffee shop, like Dunkin Donuts. Can't go wrong there. I figure teachers already get so much chocolate and little ornaments or whatever.. that a cup of coffee would be appreciated.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
29 Nov 11
No....and my younger sister and I are in charge of our family Christmas this year and decided to forgo exchanging gifts. Part of the reason was that every year I buy all the little ones a gift....last year one of my great nephews had a melt down because he didn't like what he got....so I figured that's it....everyone has so much that a gift doesn't meet up with a 6 years olds expectations so that's that. My grandkids are never there as they live too far away, no one makes any effort to get a little something for my grandkids....so my sister says.....let's just forget it! I took the money that I would usually spend on the "greats" and bought extra toys this year for toys for tots.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Sounds like a good idea. I would never allow my child to throw a tantrum if they didn't get exactly what they wanted! I've taught them to be gracious and accept what they are given and be thankful for it.
1 person likes this
@soulist (2985)
• United States
29 Nov 11
My shopping list hasn't grown: yet. It began to at work, but I lost my job so I dont have to worry about that too much. The only thing that would make my list grow is if our group of friends decide to do something, but we always have dinner together where one couple brings something so that helps on the gifts. My church does do an angel tree where we pick an angel and get agift for the age of child we get, I got a 2 yr old girl.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Nov 11
A 2 year old is fairly easy to buy for, and needy children always need clothes!
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Wow your list is really adding up! I am usually not caught by surprise because I have about the same thing every year. We do adopt a family at work so I always factor that in to my yearly gift list. We also do a gift exchange at work so I add that in too.
The hard thing is that now there are 7 kids under 6 in our family. Actually it's sort of easy at this age because they will like almost any toy, however as they start to get older it is going to get harder! So we just put a price limit on each kid and that way we can stay in check and not over spend.
So far no surprise additions, but like you said it's not even December yet so we will see :)
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Well my son is new to daycare, and I am new to this job, so these were surprises for me. Next year I will be more prepared.
1 person likes this
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
29 Nov 11
I have a really short list. We don't buy for each other, I don't have an exchange at work and we do a draw with the in laws. Which is fine with me right now, I think Christmas without kids is kind of... pointless I guess. It's hard to get into it without little ones, for me anyways. I just think that all the magic of Christmas comes from children.
I know it's terrible, but I kind of hate buying gifts. I know it's super grinchy but I would honestly rather just not get gifts than have to buy them. I know! I'm awful! I like to buy for kids, and have no problem spoiling my niece and nephew but it's frustrating trying to buy for grown ups who already have everything they need & want. And I hate having to come up with gift ideas for myself for the same reason - I don't need anything!
This year we're spending Christmas with my husband's extended family and his sisters want to do stockings for everyone so we have to buy a little gift for like 10 people. I don't even know his extended family very well so this is just a big pain in the butt for me. So they're all getting a $4 fruit cake. Call it a gag gift I guess, I'm really just too busy to be anything but annoyed by it, lol.
Yep, I'm a scrooge.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Nov 11
I too have trouble buying for adults, except for my mom who has very little because she lives on disability.
The trouble with me is the only thing I really need is clothes.. but nobody else can pick them out for me because they probably won't fit right or I won't like them. I don't want anything else because anything I would like to have would get destroyed by my kids. I don't do candles because of the danger, I don't do knick knacks because the kids would play with them and break them, DVDs get played with. Anything else on my list is too expensive.. like I've been telling hubby he needs to buy me a Coach purse for Christmas.. but I am not counting on it due to finances.
At least you have the niece and nephew to buy for, that makes it fun.
1 person likes this
@junivat (49)
•
29 Nov 11
i have not bought gifts yet.
the spirit of Christmas can be done many ways,
sharing is the best thing to give happiness to others.
we have Christmas traditions like singing Christmas carols
visit Godmother and Godfather and ask for gifts.
if you have money to spend, it can be converted to gifts to loved ones.
or people who are mostly in need of food, shelter and clothing.
as long as we share and give happiness, that will make us happy too..
Merry Christmas to everybody..
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
1 Dec 11
wow! That is alot...You should have been able to choose either a toy or outfit. I'm thinking they shouldn't ask families with money problems themselves..I think it should be a volunteer thing or for them to ask for donations to help the families..so maybe it doesn't have to come from one person only.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
1 Dec 11
Hey, where have you been? Haven't seen you around in awhile!
I think being that it's a daycare, they assume most families have the extra cash to spend on donations. I'm probably the only one who uses this daycare who isn't well off, LOL.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160907)
• United States
30 Nov 11
No, not really. I have adult children. My daughter does not want too many toys, etc. for her kids, she wants to keep things simple. My son is divorced, had step kids. He does have a girlfriend, and I should buy her something, as well as her two girls. I wish I could do more for more people, though
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
30 Nov 11
I think we always wish we could do more for people.
When I first discovered I had to buy gifts for a needy child, and it wasn't exactly optional, I felt a little angry. Someone else to spend money on.. and I don't even know them!
But after I calmed down a bit I realized I sort of always wanted to do something like this, donate some toys to a needy child.. I just never had the funds to do so.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
30 Nov 11
I would have said NO to the whole thing. Family gifts ONLY, because that is only as far as my budget stretches. In this day and age what makes people think that families can afford this many gift exchanges? Just because it's the friggen Christmas season doesn't mean they're going to be able to guilt me into it either!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
30 Nov 11
In previous years I probably would have.. but of course in previous years I didn't work and I didn't send my son to daycare. And, in previous years I have been that needy family who accepted gifts from charities. So now I'm working and was able to spend a lot more on my kids and needed no help doing so.. I suppose it doesn't hurt to pay back the favor.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
30 Nov 11
Hi kats! Are you sure "you're" not Santa?
My cheapo
creapo bf said he's not buying me anything for Christmas, so in other
words Christmas is cancelled at my house so you want to adopt me too?
Only kidding~(well sorta). OMG! I can't imagine what the total of your
gifts must be! I sure hope you're finished with the "surprises"! You already
went "crazy" with the kids alone. I honestly don't know how you do it with
5 of them as it is. You are one incredible Mom and I hope that when they
grow up they will realize it and appreciate it. You really bust your butt
for your family and I mean that in the nicest way! Your kids are happy and
healthy and are growing up in a loving family. I hope they realize how very
lucky they are to have two wonderful parents like you and your hubby. I hope
you have the most wonderful Christmas ever because you really deserve it!
Love and Hugs, Opal
My cheapo
creapo bf said he's not buying me anything for Christmas, so in other
words Christmas is cancelled at my house so you want to adopt me too?
Only kidding~(well sorta). OMG! I can't imagine what the total of your
gifts must be! I sure hope you're finished with the "surprises"! You already
went "crazy" with the kids alone. I honestly don't know how you do it with
5 of them as it is. You are one incredible Mom and I hope that when they
grow up they will realize it and appreciate it. You really bust your butt
for your family and I mean that in the nicest way! Your kids are happy and
healthy and are growing up in a loving family. I hope they realize how very
lucky they are to have two wonderful parents like you and your hubby. I hope
you have the most wonderful Christmas ever because you really deserve it!
Love and Hugs, Opal
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
8 Dec 11
My son's school has something like that. Although it's a semi-private school, they've taken in a few poor families that get to go there for free as a way to help the community. And they've also asked the other families if they can give out some gifts, as these folks literally have nothing.
I guess I don't mind making the list longer, if it's for something like this.
