Christmas 2024

[GB72]

Simple games are good. I have bought a shut the box set for a few secret santas and it always goes down well. Otherwise the small hamper idea is good

Also Uno works pretty well. Good game for Xmas day, easy to learn, good for all ages and a bit of fun round the table on Xmas day

 

[Orikoru]

Booze or chocolate normally works for all doesn't it?

 

[Neilds]

Also Uno works pretty well. Good game for Xmas day, easy to learn, good for all ages and a bit of fun round the table on Xmas day

But can you double up on cards?

 

[Fade and Die]

Guys and gals, today I come before you begging for some inspiration!

I am in a seven-way secret Santa with my family. Me, wife, my mum and dad, my brother and his wife and my auntie. Thing is though, you don’t have a specific person to buy for. Each man buys a gift suitable for a man, each woman buys a gift for a woman. At exchange, piles of presents go in the middle and you pick at random from the man’s or woman’s pile (obviously not your own!)

Budget is £15. Wife and I have no idea what to get. Parents and auntie are in their 70s, us kids are in our 40s. So it’s a difficult brief to get something that could be suitable both for a 70-something and a 40-something!

Auntie doesn’t like candles or body creams so that sort of thing is off the table for the woman’s present. My dad doesn’t drink much any more so alcohol is a no-no.

Wife and I are struggling for ideas. So….help!

PS. Don’t bother pointing out what a stupid system this is. All that will happen is that I will wholeheartedly agree with you! It was conceived a couple of years back by my mum and my sister in law as a way of still exchanging presents with each other but limiting the number you have to buy and the amount you have to spend!

EDIT. I did have the idea of just buying 15 quids worth of scratch cards and/or lotto tickets. Wife thought that was a good idea and says we should do that for both man’s and woman’s presents. Not sure if it shows a bit of a lack of effort though…?

Tub of Heroes and 5 Scratch cards. Sorted.

Better than all the other tat that no-one wants.

 

[AmandaJR]

There's an advert on TV. I was going to say I'm not sure what for...but then I assume it's for the National Lottery. Anyhow, the family are playing musical scratch cards. Great idea. They either scratch the lot I guess if the music stops on them, OR just reveal one "thing". Looks good fun.

 

[Don Barzini]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Some good ones here!

 

[Voyager EMH]

Bit of both for me. Been with mine 15 years but still don't have a clue what she would want until she tells me.

We are about to have our 46th Christmas as a couple.
We made it very easy for each other many years ago.
Tell the other one exactly one inexpensive present you would like. Sometimes we almost can't be bothered.
A bit boring, but avoids disappointment. And the other close rellies get to buy you all the other stuff and not be upstaged.

 

[Fade and Die]

We are about to have our 46th Christmas as a couple.
We made it very easy for each other many years ago.
Tell the other one exactly one inexpensive present you would like. Sometimes we almost can't be bothered.
A bit boring, but avoids disappointment. And the other close rellies get to buy you all the other stuff and not be upstaged.

Sounds Awful

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

12 days to go!
Im getting prepared for the family dinner.
The sprouts are bubbling nicely.

 

[Tashyboy]

12 days to go!
Im getting prepared for the family dinner.
The sprouts are bubbling nicely.

Sprouts

 

[Red devil]

Sprouts

I'm with you. I love all veg bar sprouts

 

[PJ87]

We are about to have our 46th Christmas as a couple.
We made it very easy for each other many years ago.
Tell the other one exactly one inexpensive present you would like. Sometimes we almost can't be bothered.
A bit boring, but avoids disappointment. And the other close rellies get to buy you all the other stuff and not be upstaged.

Exactly what we do. So much less faff

Also people worry about it. March around the shops etc

So much easier to just ask "babe what you want for Xmas" or alike

Surprises are for the kids

 

[rulefan]

In over 50 years since moving to this house we have always hosted Xmas dinner. Originally it was both our widowed mothers and latterly our sons and their families.
But this year we are being taken out by our sons et al for the full works at a hotel, including an overnight stay.
My wife is saying she won't know what to do with herself for the few days leading up to the 25th.

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

In over 50 years since moving to this house we have always hosted Xmas dinner. Originally it was both our widowed mothers and latterly our sons and their families.
But this year we are being taken out by our sons et al for the full works at a hotel, including an overnight stay.
My wife is saying she won't know what to do with herself for the few days leading up to the 25th.

Sherry.

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

Sprouts

Youve obviously been undercooking them!

 

[rulefan]

Sherry.

She beat you to it. I've just had to buy a bottle. But she told me she really wanted Baileys and a drop of brandy in her morning coffee

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

She beat you to it. I've just had to buy a bottle. But she told me she really wanted Baileys and a drop of brandy in her morning coffee

I think she wants a morning coffee followed by a Baileys followed by a brandy followed by another bandy, a braileys and a coffin mornee.... hic.

 

[Beezerk]

Sprouts

Fried with bacon/lardons, game changer

 

[rulefan]

I think she wants a morning coffee followed by a Baileys followed by a brandy followed by another bandy, a braileys and a coffin mornee.... hic.

Not quite. The brandy must be in the coffee to start. After that she might just abowt mnage to eet the lurch and fall in to be...

 

[Golfnut1957]

On the Mrs side of the family we do a Secret Santa..there's 10 of us and if we buy pressies for everyone it ends up with a remortgage of the house...
50 quid limit organised by my Niece
Perfect....although getting to the limit can be tougher than you think

We put £400 a month into a separate account each month for my wife to spend at Christmas on every man and his dog. It make her extremely happy.