What are you getting your grandma this christmas?

[HappyDude20]

Both of them are always the toughest to shop for.

Last year I got them both humidifiers.

Humidifiers!

I have no idea what to get them. I only ever see my grandma(s) reading the bible. I've always wanted to get them an iPad but whenever they mess with mine they think its so complicated and see no real use for it. I mention to them the bible app, but she ponders why.

I can understand that.

2 X-Mas' ago I got them each a gift basket (from Target) each filled with like women stuff; such as moisturizers, exfoliators, scrubs, etc.

Just thought i'd ask for advice, figuring i'm sure i'm not the only one in such a jam.

Aside from the grandmas, I still gotta find something for my aunt (probably an iPod Shuffle), my mom (no clue), and my dad (probably an apple tv)...

As for the Apple TV, I may go for the 1st gen, considering I know he'll never uses iTunes on his old Windows laptop and the old ATVs can hold a bunch of movies, of which i'll add from my iTunes and present to him.. My only concern is is the old ATV can do HD Netflix and HD YouTube..

But I digress.

 

[roadbloc]

Probably an iPad. Her Windows PC I got her about 7 years ago is coming to the end of it's life. She needs something simpler.

 

[keen-on-mac-1]

wow, you sure are buying some nice but expensive gifts for your family.

And for a grandma I think the best present is to spent some good time with her family.

 

[iGav]

Flowers.

 

[KnightWRX]

I don't buy presents for anyone. Christmas should not be about crass consumerism.

 

[Mr. McMac]

Nothing. Both are long gone

 

[maflynn]

I don't buy presents for anyone. Christmas should not be about crass consumerism.

No, but as an expression of love and caring it can be a very generous act.

I buy presents for my wife, children and parents with the idea that I'm not increasing their materialistic desires but showing that I love them. that doesn't have to mean I buy them a TV, but other thoughtful gifts.

 

[KnightWRX]

No, but as an expression of love and caring it can be a very generous act.

I buy presents for my wife, children and parents with the idea that I'm not increasing their materialistic desires but showing that I love them. that doesn't have to mean I buy them a TV, but other thoughtful gifts.

There are better ways to show your family you care for them than physical goods. I prepare the food for the family diner, I made Roasted Duck with tons of fruits last christmas, this year I'm in charge of desert.

 

[maflynn]

Yes there are but that doesn't mean buying them something is particularly bad. I find that there are different ways to express your love and purchasing something is but one.

 

[KnightWRX]

I find that there are different ways to express your love and purchasing something is but one.

I find that purchasing something is not a way of expressing any kind of love, but feel free to believe in consumerism.

 

[-aggie-]

I find that purchasing something is not a way of expressing any kind of love, but feel free to believe in consumerism.

Feel free to believe in being cheap.

 

[beatzfreak]

Both of them are always the toughest to shop for.


I have no idea what to get them. I only ever see my grandma(s) reading the bible.

What would Jesus do?
Make a donation to a charity in each of their names. Maybe a christian one, or if they go to church, one associated with their church.

 

[keen-on-mac-1]

What would Jesus do?
Make a donation to a charity in each of their names. Maybe a christian one, or if they go to church, one associated with their church.

This is definitly a good idea! I'll probably do that myself.

 

[redwarrior]

I have no idea what to get them. I only ever see my grandma(s) reading the bible. I've always wanted to get them an iPad but whenever they mess with mine they think its so complicated and see no real use for it. I mention to them the bible app, but she ponders why.

/snip good ideas

I like to buy things for others that they would not buy for themselves, but that I think would be useful and/or appreciated. It can be very hard. Since I don't have a job this year, it's cool and crazy cards from Cracker Barrel!

Edit: (forgot my suggestions!) Lighted magnifying glasses, reference materials, gift certificate to a Christian bookstore, and I like the donation idea as well. I have always wanted one of those Bibles with several translations side by side in the text. But I use my computer now and take it to church with me, so I don't really feel the need to have one any longer.

I don't buy presents for anyone. Christmas should not be about crass consumerism.

It's not up to any of us to decide what Christmas is about for other families. I like your traditions, but my kids wouldn't! I love watching them open their presents.

 

[KnightWRX]

It's not up to any of us to decide what Christmas is about for other families. I like your traditions, but my kids wouldn't! I love watching them open their presents.

Don't get me wrong, the kids get presents. I don't buy presents for my GF (she's spoiled enough year long), parents, grand-parents or any other adults. I prefer to serve them a nice diner in a warm and friendly house where everyone can just be together. Buying trinkets is not love, that doesn't mean being cheap. Throwing these family parties is quite expensive.

But of course, some people think that if you don't buy trinkets, you're just being cheap. Obviously, a lot of the believers in crass consumerism don't have imaginations.

 

[MacDawg]

Don't get me wrong, the kids get presents. I don't buy presents for my GF (she's spoiled enough year long), parents, grand-parents or any other adults. I prefer to serve them a nice diner in a warm and friendly house where everyone can just be together. Buying trinkets is not love, that doesn't mean being cheap. Throwing these family parties is quite expensive.

But of course, some people think that if you don't buy trinkets, you're just being cheap. Obviously, a lot of the believers in crass consumerism don't have imaginations.

Whatever dude

I don't have my parents or grandparents anymore, but I bought both my grown kids and spouses trinkets... uh, Apple TVs, something they wouldn't buy for themselves

 

[redwarrior]

Don't get me wrong, the kids get presents. I don't buy presents for my GF (she's spoiled enough year long), parents, grand-parents or any other adults. I prefer to serve them a nice diner in a warm and friendly house where everyone can just be together. Buying trinkets is not love, that doesn't mean being cheap. Throwing these family parties is quite expensive.

But of course, some people think that if you don't buy trinkets, you're just being cheap. Obviously, a lot of the believers in crass consumerism don't have imaginations.

I agree with you on a certain level. I don't buy my parents gifts and my boyfriend and I will probably end up just doing things together instead of any gifts (can't speak for him, cause he has a tendency to try to surprise me, and he spoils me quite well all through the year too! )

But as far as the consumerism part goes. It's not bad for the economy as long as people don't spend beyond their means. When I was working I would buy gifts for my friends and family all through the year and just wait to give them to them at Christmastime. It worked well for me, and I never felt stressed out because of the money. I certainly don't believe that anyone should feel pressured to put themselves in a bad situation because of having to "buy Christmas" for others. (I hate that phrase.)

 

[maflynn]

Don't get me wrong, the kids get presents.

I find that purchasing something is not a way of expressing any kind of love, but feel free to believe in consumerism.

wow, so you're indoctrinating the kids into consumerism

 

[redwarrior]

Whatever dude

I don't have my parents or grandparents anymore, but I bought both my grown kids and spouses trinkets... uh, Apple TVs, something they wouldn't buy for themselves

I read this as YOUR spouses!

 

[KnightWRX]

wow, so you're indoctrinating the kids into consumerism

Indeed. Except try to explain what consumerism is to 7 years old. They'll get it later on.

As for this thread my point is this : How about instead of trinkets, you just go see your Grandma, spend a few hours with her and cook her some lunch. That's a much better present she'll appreciate instead of an iPad. Gifts don't need to be bought.

 

[redwarrior]

My daughter, when she takes the time, is quite a poet and an artist. I got her a calligraphy kit one year and she made personalized gifts for our family from her. They were very special gifts, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Me, I'm not creative or artistic.

 

[yourwiseguy]

Maybe you could buy them tickets to a play or symphony going on in your town. I'm taking my girlfriend to see Beauty and the Beast at the Ziff Ballet Opera House in downtown Miami. They get a wonderful experience alone with time spent with their grandchild.

 

[MacDawg]

Gifts don't need to be bought.

Nobody said they NEED to be bought. I don't feel obligated to give to my kids, my GF or my spouses
I give because I want to give and I enjoy it, not out of "crass consumerism", whatever the hell that is in your world

Every situation is different and every family is different
If you don't care to buy for your loved ones, that is your choice
But to characterize everyone else who enjoys it as falling prey to "crass consumerism" is a little judgmental IMO

If I had a grandma that could use an iPad, you better believe I would get her one
If she had no use for one, I wouldn't, but I would express myself in some other way
That may or may not involve a present
But I refuse to feel guilty if it did

 

[KnightWRX]

Nobody said they NEED to be bought. I don't feel obligated to give to my kids, my GF or my spouses

WOOOOOSH. Did you miss my point on purpose ?

I didn't mean that you have to buy gifts, I meant that a gift is not necessarily something you've bought in a store. A gift can be simply being there with someone and spending time with them. It can be something you make.

My daughter, when she takes the time, is quite a poet and an artist. I got her a calligraphy kit one year and she made personalized gifts for our family from her. They were very special gifts, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Me, I'm not creative or artistic.

Maybe you could buy them tickets to a play or symphony going on in your town. I'm taking my girlfriend to see Beauty and the Beast at the Ziff Ballet Opera House in downtown Miami. They get a wonderful experience alone with time spent with their grandchild.

Both good examples of "not buying trinkets" yet still offering presents/gifts.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Buying trinkets is not love ...

It also doesn't mean that buying trinkets isn't not showing someone love. It all depends on one's motivation. I could cook someone a nice dinner but wish I didn't have to. That's not showing them my love.

Anyway, I give my grandmother (one left) and other adults in our family family photos and they love them every year. That's most likely because almost no one else in the family gives them current/updated pictures yearly. It helps when you live far from most of your family.