What to Buy the Folks Who Have Everything
Little Man and I are still settling in. Some nights are good, others not so good, but that’s part of being a Mommy. Last night definitely was among the not so good ones, but it’s nothing that a good cup of coffee can’t fix. 
I’m slowly chipping away at my Christmas shopping list, but it’s really hard when Little Man is still nursing every two hours during the day…and each feeding lasts about 45 minutes…it gives you an hour and 15 minutes to play with. Add in the transportation time, and you end up with only 45 minutes to shop. That said, I’m doing a little more online shopping than I normally would. Yesterday, I finished shopping for my grandparents. I really feel so lucky that 3 out of the 4 are still living. My maternal grandmother turned 90 this past September, and my paternal grandparents are also in their 90s. It amazes me how well they’re doing, and I hope they keep enjoying a good quality of life as time goes on.
It does seem that there are always people on the shopping list that are difficult to buy for. Sure, you can always do gift cards, but it does seem a bit impersonal. I thought I’d brainstorm some of my top gifts for the People Who Have Everything, and maybe we could all offer up our favorite gifts in the comment sections. It might help all of us!
So, here we go:
1. Towels–Have you ever noticed that towels eventually get “crunchy” as the fluff factor deteriorates? You can always use new towels, especially the soft Egyptian cotton or Turkish ones. 
2. Food–The old standby still works. I’ve sent stuff from Hickory Farms, Gethsemani Abbey bourbon fudge, Harry & David fruit, Swiss Colony chocolates. Do you have any personal favorites?
3. Music–This one is a little riskier, but my grandparents have often enjoyed CDs by Josh Groban, Celine Dion, etc.
4. Handmade gifts–If you’re talented at quilting, needlepoint, or cross stitch, sometimes personalized gifts can be really special.
5. Tickets to see a broadway musical, concert, or theater event.
6. Gift certificates for airline tickets or restaurants. Yes, gift cards are impersonal, but if you make it part of an event, it’s not quite the same.
What do you buy the folks who have everything?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:13 am | Viewed 2907 times
heidi Dahlquist Says:
If the gift is for a female, I’ve found picture frames and candles work well. I also like to send something called “kringle”. It’s a Danish pastry made only in my hometown of Racine, Wisconsin. Two bakeries make it, Larson’s and O&H. They are both listed online and I have never had someone NOT love this gift.
Kringle is a flat pastry which is formed in a ring. It’s light and flaky with a light frosting on top and comes in flavors like pecan (the best one), cherry, raspberry, cheese, etc….there are tons of flavors. It’s always a hit! For family, I’ve made calenders with the family pictures.
kacey Says:
Well, if it’s grandparents who have everything, I think a nice picture of the grandkids in a cute frame is always appreciated.
For other hard to gift people? Well, if they are the type who never appreciate the gift anyway, I don’t spend much time or energy on it. If they DO appreciate it, then I try really hard to come up with something they’ll like. Which, of course, drives me crazy.
Gina Black Says:
I agree with Kacey about a picture in a frame. That’s a great present.
But you also nailed it with Harry and David. We’ve been getting my FIL (who is in his 90’s) the Royal Rivera pears for years. He looks forward to them!
Glad you are getting some sort of a balance. My first nursed in the 45min-every-two-hour pattern too. Plus, she’d wake up whenever I put her down. I did a lot of reading–with a baby sleeping in my lap–but not much else back then.
Tori Lennox Says:
Personally, I love getting gift cards. I ask for gift cards. Not that I always get them, but it isn’t from lack of trying on my part. *g*
Michelle Styles Says:
Josh Groban has just released a new Christmas album — Noel btw.
And I remember those days…I always found it was once I started getting more sleep that the tiredness returned.
Kim A. Says:
My dad and his family are German; we always had Kringle at Christmas, even though traditionally it’s for birthdays. Mom still makes one every year; however, since I don’t live near either parent, I don’t get to share.
I enjoy taking pics and have lucked out with a number that have turned out really well. For gifts for parents, I’ve framed a few — you can get such nice multiple photo frames these days.
My step-dad is VERY hard to buy for and he’s never overly enthusiastic/appreciative. For him, gift cards work well!
Have a lovely day, everyone. Michelle, I hope you finish your shopping soon and that little James Patrick has a good day and night, so you can get some rest.
-Kim
Kelly Says:
Love those ideas! I’m all over the food and homemade gifts. I also like donating money to a worthy cause in someone’s name.
Donna Alward Says:
My sis is one of those people who I love to buy for because she often gets a new cd of music I’ve found that I know she’ll love, or homemade something because she loves that kind of thing….but I can’t do anything scented for her.
Candles and such are usually great for women. One of my favorite things anyone has given me is a teddy bear fleece blanket. It is folded and on the end of my couch, and my girls and I snuggle underneath it all the time. In fact - they are under it together right now!
ANd I love Hickory Farms.
But my favorite thing to give anyone who has everything are the Li Bien ornaments at Pier One. They are handpainted from the inside and sooooo pretty…and new designs every year. My christmas contest winner got one in her box. And I always give them away and never save any for myself!
Phillipa Says:
Michelle. This is completely off topic but I saw your latest book in WH Smith in Lichfield, my home town and almost did a little dance. Here’s a link to what Lichfield looks like: http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/images/2007/03/10/lichfield_winter_420×315.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/image_galleries/winter_wonderland_gallery.shtml%3F4&h=315&w=420&sz=65&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=AcdN3gO1DEZC6M:&tbnh=94&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlichfield%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DN
Mary Says:
Audio books. My dad and stepmom have long commutes, and they enjoy listening on the drive. I’ve got my stepmom hooked on Nora and Jenny Crusie.