Do You Prefer Personal or Practical Christmas Gifts?

Okay, well honestly coffee grinders are like $15, so it's feasible she could get that and some other things. Maybe Christmas is her only time to feel "normal" and she wants goofy, unpractical stuff, although for the record, if she really likes coffee, a grinder isn't that unpractical. It seems like she realizes that she can't afford to buy one for herself, really wants one and would rather get it as a gift so that she can spend the money she does have on what she needs.

I like both types of gifts for myself. I probably prefer sort of the goofy, frivilous gifts, but then sometimes I get really weird stuff from my in laws so I think I'd prefer them to get me something practical!

Well, if anyone is asking I am looking for a new vaccume to be under my tree! Something that actually works well - I have a 5year old and 2 dogs!

I like useful gifts. There have been times that I asked for needed items and my hubby refused. One year I asked for nice pots and pans and he said we can get them anytime, but I said that was all I wanted. He did give in and got me a really nice Calphalon set. I perfer gift cards, this way I can use them anytime.

I like personal gifts as much as the next person but my preferance is practical ones. My list this year included pots & pans, plates, plants for my garden and baby stuff (we are expecting #4 but had given away our baby stuff last year).

This will be the first christmas where we are on a single income. We do not have the luxery of buying a lot of "wants" versus "needs".

I love receiving practical items.... BUT... I would feel anger if my husband gave to me a HOUSEHOLD item as a gift. An item such as a coffeemaker, microwave oven, new pots and pans, vacuum cleaner, etc. Anyone ELSE could give that to me and I would be very appreciative, EXCEPT from him. That would be like giving the present to himself, and I would not appreciate the message such a gift conveys.

i like practical stuff. people cannot get me personal stuff because i have a unique taste and unless they are taking me shopping, 9 out of 10 times, they would miss it completely.

I guess it depends on the situation really.

My husband's family ask me every year what I would like for Christmas and for the most part the first things that pop into my head are things I need. In those cases I will typically tell them the things I need but usually add that if all they wanted to give was a gift card it would be fine with me. Last year I really wanted a "Date Night" with my husband. So his family gave us "vouchers" for overnight babysitting with them; a gift card to our favorite restaurant and movie tickets. In a way it was needed and wanted.

I guess I would like a personal gift more but it is hard to say because I hardly ever actually have a Christmas gift. Since the kids were born the families are really all in agreement that Christmas is for the kids and that is who the gifts will be purchased for. I still am asked every Christmas but I've never been disappointed when I don't have anything under the tree.

practical or bust. :-)

M.:

For my birthday one year I wanted a new dishwasher - my husband was aghast that I wanted an appliance - but that's what I wanted (and needed).

I'm all about practicality. I love getting things I wouldn't normally buy for myself. As to the coffee grinder - why don't you ask your mom if she is going to get it and if she does - buy her coffee beans? it would complement the gift from your mom....and help save her some $$$ on the beans.

I love gift certificates for pedicures. I typically get them twice a month. I use my ebay sales money for them. I love purses. I use them for a long time. I typically don't spend more than $100 on them...I don't change them with every outfit either.

Does your sister currently buy her coffee from a cafe? If so, getting a grinder might be a cost saver if she is making the switch to brewing her own coffee.

I LOVE to get useful gifts! I have many items that are not used--like the dozen various crystal serving pieces/candy bowls/etc that we received for our wedding. They've been sitting in our china hutch for nearly 7 years!!

But, I STILL don't have the Kitchen Aid stand mixer that was on my bridal registry, as I would love to do more baking, nor do I have the photo scanner that I have been wanting for 3 years to do a project to digitize all of my and my siblings' childhood photos.

My mother-in-law never asked me once what I would like for Christmas. Therefore, she never bought anything useful. And if she tried to buy something "useful" for my husband, it was fanciful like a campfire fish cooker (my husband does not camp nor fish). To me, Christmas is about getting something you really want or need that is maybe one or two steps higher than you would normally buy. So like if you usually buy Folgers then a good gift would be a lb of Starbucks. My grandmother once gave me a necklace that belonged to her grandmother and that meant a lot to me, but other than that, give me a nice bottle of wine, a lb of coffee, or pajama pants and I am a happy lady.

Ok for Christmas.. not so much for birthdays.. Birthdays are more persona....

I think a gift card to get her hair done ($80) and get her a Kohls or Walmart/Target Gift card for another ($80) this way she can get her hair done, get that coffee grinder and an item of clothing. Or you could find a small grinder, and give her the gift cards (or just one) with her christmas card.

If she can save on her hair, maybe she will be wise enough to pay her bills with the money she saved.. OR NOT...but either way.. she knows you love her. That should also be enough.

ha! i am so pracitcal! i could see through the wrapping on a gift exchange gift and knew it was 50 bucks worth of toliet paper! I snabbed it quicker than anyone ! ppl were telling me dont pick it that they thought it was toilet paper and I told them I knew! The person who brought it ment it as a gag but I loved it! Did not have to buy toliet paper for 6 or 8 months!

As far as your sis goes: first, how incredibly rude of her to cry in dissapointment over a gift that someone gave her. shame shame! second: my husband is the same way. Christmas is a time for giving fun stuff not useful things??? IDK to some it is. I have heard of the wives who get MAD when husbands bring home a new vaccume for there gift. While I still really want a steam mop. It just depends on the person. With all her financial issues I would suggest she listen to Dave Ramsey on the radio. Make great choices now so she can live a lush life in a couple years. Have a budget and know her limits. 12 bucks for a hair cut at super cuts isnt always a horrid haircut when you get a stylest that knows what they are doing. There are all sorts of things a person can do to keep within a budget.

As for your mom buying a super expensive set of silverware. I think that was some what silly. Your mom would have been better off buying a cheap set at Target and getting her something she would like too. Something practical and something personal.

I like both! My hubby always seems to remember stuff I mentioned in passing that I would like and gets that. Like the pink blender I got last year etc. To me, if someone wants to get me a gift, it doesnt matter what it is I am happy. I am fairly easy to please and just get excited over pretty much any and everything. I also think that as we grow up and mature the things we would like change. For example, as much as I would like to have a few new movies or cd's, if I were to get some new towels or sheets I would be totally excited! My parents were asking what we would like for Christmas this year and the only thing I could think of was some sort of gift certifcate to get some pictures printed. My mom usually uses Kodak.com or something like that. So my mom and stepdad decided to get us a printer instead that way we can print as many as we want. To me that is the most awesome gift ever because it is a gift that keeps on giving. Sure we'll have to buy refil cartrigages but it is something we can use and treasure for a long time.

I love this question by the way!

These days I am into practical unless it's jewelry of course :)
Needing a new laptop but probably won't buy one for awhile. I don't need knicknacks like candles etc...I have a whole drawer full. I appreciate things that I can use for me or the family. Gift certificates are nice but it depends on where they're from.

I like both. My husband did get me a crockpot one year, but I asked for it. Lately, I've been complaining that we need a new vacuum, but if I got one for Christmas, I would be angry. I guess the difference is I enjoy cooking, but I hate vacuuming!

My mom hated getting practical things for Christmas, but she loved giving practical things. I don't know how many times she gave my brother and me socks and underwear. One year she didn't and we were all, "Hey! Where are our socks and underwear?"

It totally depends. I love getting stuff I do not usually buy for myself, like pricey bubble bath, but if I needed something and I could not afford it my mom has given me plenty of "practical" gifts that I have dearly loved...she has given me sheets, new towels, my bed spread, and last year I got an inexpensive vacuum cleaner because mine had died unexpectedly. I have a friend who has been talking about buying her daughter a new washer and drier and I think that is a fabulous gift.

I don't think a coffee grinder is ridiculous, you can buy an inexpensive one for under $20 and coffee beans are about the same price as buying it ground. Some people really love their coffee...I have a coffee grinder and an espresso machine....and I pretty much live paycheck to paycheck, my coffee is my one indulgence.

I love practical gifts. Maybe i wouldn't love them if i hadn't asked for them though, if you follow me. Its' one thing to tell hubby all i want for my birthday is a vaccum. And quiet another if i'm content with the vacuum i have even if hubby doesn't like it for what ever reason and HE decides to get me a new one. i doubt this was the case but if your sister didn't have a problem with having mismatched silverware and your mom get her the new set that she didn't want or need ( in her mind) then that might be a bit disappointing. Crying over it !!!! That seems ridicious!

Some people really have strange priorities. to me shoes would come before the hair do. but buying the kids shoes just isn't as much fun i guess.

I would love to recieve something useful that i wouldn't buy myself. Crock pot liners!! A new Belt!! a welcome mat for the front door! All of those things i consider extras. i can live with out them but man it would be nice to have them.

With the economy like it is, my whole focus has changed. I now want practical things that I need. Personal things are a luxury that seem to be down on my list now.

As a side note, my brother is a VERY practical giver. For my high school and college graduations he gave me a VERY expensive set of knives and a card table set. I rolled my eyes at the time but still have them both and I've used them daily now for about 30 years!!!! Good quality and practical all the way... :)

Practical IS personal to me. Amazon gift cards, etc. I hate stuff have to dust.

We make plenty of money, so I buy the things I need, when I need them. Keep in mind, even though I make plenty of money, I choose to spend my money wisely. We go to Children's Orchard and buy as much of the kid's clothing there, as possible. I love Kohl's and Home Goods. I am thrifty with my money. I get a hair cut 2 times each year AND never color it. My kids get haircuts at home or at the barber for $9....same with the husband. we spend money on things like fresh food from a local farm, great vacations and a nice camera. Otherwise, we really don't spend a lot of money. I feel like saving for retirement and not stressing about that is more important than a coffee grinder, but then again, I don't drink coffee, so that saves me money right there.

We have friends who will go to Whole Foods and buy a $14 pie and give it to us, but can't afford to buy their son shoes, who had a hole ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH THE SOLE???? I went out and bought hism shoes. Oh, and we don't eat pie. We don't even bring sugar/sweets into the house...and rarely eat them out. REALLY????

I am all for the practical.

Some of both...if I needed a new vacuum and asked for one then I would be thrilled if my husband got me one. The older I get the more I really do appreciate gifts that I can use to make my life easier. That being said sometimes it is also great to get that bottle of perfume that I just would not buy for myself....

I'm like you.

I'm a practical person, so in general I like to get those kinds of gifts. However, it's almost like a combination. For example, I like and use bath gels, but I always buy just the basic, for x-mas hubby will splurge and get me the nice more expensive kind.

Also, my list this year includes a toaster oven. Now I really don't need one, but I think it'll be nice to have so I don't have to turn on the oven to heat up a quick snack.

I just want my husband to put thought into whatever he gives me, and he always does. For example, one year I got a laptop, which I needed for school (totally practical), but he got me a pink one which made it personal. I live in a house full of boys, so I love anything girlie! :) My mom always gets me personal things, nothing practical at all, and I love it. My husband is a great shopper whether he's being practical or personal, so I have no complaints. :)

no, I like getting fun presents. I even told my husband to get my stuff that I don't need, just things that I would want. Like clothes or a massage or something like that.

I generally don't like the idea of necessities that are not for me. I dont drink coffee but that sounds like something specifically for your sister. I would probably be more bummed about pots and pans. Which I think are more for my family. Once my husband was going to get me a waffle stick maker because I had said it was cool. We I didn't want it for a christmas gift! Maybe as a gift for our little family which we occasionally do but not specifically for ME.

However I do currently find myself in a sort of paradox as we are in escrow for our first house. Its going to need a little work (personalization, paint, carpet, nothing crazy) so I totally want things for my house this year. I feel weird asking for paint and such so I am asking for home depot/lowes gift cards. HA. the Bad (embarassing??) part is that years ago hubby's cousin was in a similar situation and I thought it was the stupidest idea EVER that they wanted home depot gift cards to fix up their home! So I guess until you walk in the other shoes what a person wants or what will make them happy is what they want.

I do have a funny thing with my sister in law (brother's wife) when i draw her name and ask her what she wants she tells me pj's. I have drawn her name several times and when I ask her she tells me pjs. I told her it seems funny/odd that that is what I buy her for almost every christmas but she says that it is not something she buys herself, that she needs, and can totally use. I feel unoriginal but it IS what SHE wants/needs so who am i to complain.