I really wonder. I asked my mom for a watch (I figure that is the closet I will come to the gift of time, which is what I need more than anything). I don't really need/want anything else . . .and partly because I don't have time to use anything else! Would love time to sew doll clothes (and get better at it) for my girls.

lukk, let us know if you get it!

gscience, that sounds like the perfect gift!

Ipad2. I'm on it now in the bedroom and eating some chocolate covered cherries. Merry christmas to me!!

This year we've just bought new living room furniture and had some work done in the house (new kitchen counters, etc.), so we've done smallish gifts for Christmas. Most of the time I can't even think of something to tell hubby but he is good at gifts and knows I like to be surprised. I really don't like knowing what I'm getting.

tina

Pass the box of chocolates over here, would you please, Oakley?

Santa is bringing a watch for me. My old one is so old that when the big hand is on the 12, the little hand will be between 2 numbers, so I have to practically know what time it is before I check my watch! We went to Kohl's last weekend and got a (supposedly) $90 watch for $33. I chose it and DH and 5 year old DS went back to buy it as a "surprise" for Mama.

Other than that, I can't think of anything else that Santa should bring. I'm happy that my mom will be with us (at 82 years old) in good and vibrant health.

My DH and I are giving each other a small PV solar system to make some sun-power for our farm.

He's a professional inventor and has designed a novel way to make the panels track to capture the most sun over the course of a day. So he's putting up his device on one array and setting up three competing devices on other arrays in order to compare them.

It's a small system because it's essentially just to test the tracking equipment, not supply a whole-house sized amount of power. But I am thrilled because I have always longed for some PV here.

Because we have both been ill over the last few weeks (flu), it's not quite finished, but I plan to sneak out on Christmas Eve and decorate the poles with swags and ribbons so we have something pretty to admire in the monring.

Can't wait!

May all your Christmas wishes come true - I think this will be my best present, ever!

L.

Santa is bringing me a Coach handbag and wallet and I am going to confess they are not the first items from that store that have come to me this year! Now that my kids are older, for the first time in 20+ years there is money around that isn't going directly to them or to necessities. So I am indulging myself with things that I never, ever would have purchased before.

Since I do the shopping, wrapping and budgeting (and all he does is write the check to pay for the gift) my husband and I are both very happy with Santa's choice :).

I take whatever I get. It's more fun to see what gift ideas my sons & DH come up with than to request something & get it. Last year my oldest son got me Robert Caro's 3 vol. biography of Lyndon Johnson. I secretly wondered how on earth I was going to trudge through such a dull, dry subject, but cheerfully thanked my son anyway. Well, I started the books this summer, and they are fantastic. Who knew LBJ was so interesting?

I see my family's gifts to me as a chance to try something new -- keeps me from getting stale.

All-Clad Stainless 14-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan. Haven't officially received it because it's wrapped and under the tree but I can tell because DH wrapped it to shape. He loves doing that!

I'm really hoping that Santa will bring me a few days at the beach. I've asked for a trip to go see my Mother and our DD, both who live on the coast (but about 100 miles apart) and just be able to take the dogs for a run on the beach. So, I hope he comes thru. It was freezing here today (about 28deg) and I heard that the coast was in the low 50's...practically tropical!

Other than that, I've not dropped any hints to Santa...we're doing our Christmas in February and that will be my best present ever (DS will be home!!)

I'm getting new drapes for the family room, dining room and bedroom. A new ottoman for the family room and an upholstered headboard for our bed. We did a whole house reno last year and this is the last that has to be done. The best thing was having my Dh agree with me to hire an interior decorator to do the final pull-together of colours throughout the house and for the drapes. They'll be installed at the end of February. I am so excited.

I don't need/want anything else except for my family to be safe and happy at Christmas. And those sentiments are extended to my GW family and friends. May God and Santa be good to you all.

I think we're buying Sibelius, which is musical composition software. DH and I are both musicians (when not out actually earning a living) and want to try our hand at some arranging.

Our presents arrived last month - we had a whole house generator installed at our vacation home in the mountains where we have frequent power outages - sometimes for 4 or 5 days. And we picked up our black lab puppy 2 last month - Miss Margaret or Maggie for short.

And knowing my DH he probably has some wonderful surprise that comes in a little box hidden until Christmas morning. And I have a new 25 slot knife block to hold his prized Henckels knives.

You will love having the generator, Marie Cate. Hope you received a transfer switch too!

DH and I rarely gift, although we have surprised each other over the years. Once we had children, the holidays were for them and we've never gotten back into it. After 30 years, my sister still does not get it. We buy whatever we need or want during the year - when you shop vintage/antique, you buy when you see it or it disappears. Then who wants to wait months! ;D He bought a new coat, unexpectedly, last week and said that could be his gift. I bought several new things for Christmas decorating and said the same. I guess the biggie for us is a gift that keeps on giving - we bought a new shopping center last week. Our children give me a hard time about owning them when I don't usually shop at stores that sell new things.

Maire, we have one too. Was a blessing after Hurricane Gustav.

we bought a new shopping center last week

Nice! ;)

Santa brought me a Boos cutting board a few weeks ago. Dh & I don't exchange anymore.

Well, my DH never really got the gift giving thing, so long ago we (read "I") decided that I would tell him what I wanted and he would buy it. Aside from a few times where he tried to surprise me, this system has worked wonderfully.

Two days ago, I was driving home from work and spied my husband exiting a high brow kitchen store carrying a kettle. I honk and he jumps in the car to catch a ride home.

Our convo is as follows:

DH: close your eyes. I don't want you to see your gift.
Me: we have a kettle.
DH: I know, but I can't get it to work properly.
Me: I know, but it does work and I've shown you how it works.
DH: so you don't want a kettle for Christmas.
Me: Maybe I could wrap it up and give it to you for Christmas.
DH: I don't want a kettle for Christmas.

Daisy, that conversation should be sent to Saturday Night Live. And Folk. The watch story was hysterical. You made checking time and your watch an oxymoron!!

Great thread! I bought a new vacuum cleaner for myself for Christmas yesterday but I have had a wonderful Christmas. I don't expect anything under the tree will be for me. That is just how it is around here.

iMac desktop from DH because he has decided my HP setup is so outdated it's embarrassing. I'm not really for this gift because I will either lose or have to transfer all the stuff I have on this computer...I hope I like it! :-) I told him I was keeping my old computer side by side with the new one until I get everything I need off of it.

Also, getting some gas logs for our office fireplace. The old owners took them with them when they moved out. Who'd have thought that you needed to specify leaving gas logs in the contract papers. Guess I learned a lesson on that one!

Merry Christmas everyone. Getting ready to go to the grocery to get the ingredients for my green bean bundles to go along with our beef tenderloin Christmas dinner!!

Carole, if you're not comfortable making the transfer any Apple store will be do it for a small fee. That was my choice when I made the switch from PC to Mac. You're going to love it!

After 39 years of marriage, DH and I pretty much buy what we want when we want it. We bought a 55 inch flat screen for the basement a couple of weeks ago, and I got a Chesterfield sofa delivered a couple of weeks ago. I did buy an expensive bouillotte lamp, which arrived on Tuesday; I bought it, but DH decided I couldn't look at it until Christmas.

We do try to buy at least one "surprise" gift. I bought the book trailrunner suggested for him, and a dremel thing he told me he wanted a while back that I think he thinks I forgot.

I took the grandkids to see Arthur Christmas last week and Santa and Mrs. Claus are in bed and she hands him a wrapped gift and he hands it back to her and says, "Merry Christmas. What did I get for you this year?" That's us.
Dee

This has been so fun to read, Daisy, I love the conversation, hilarious! I told DH I wanted to put the tv on hold until the change of models early next year. Today while elfing, I bought myself a new crockpot and declared it part of Christmas. And DH has said he wants us to upgrade our phones to Iphones or Androids.

It's nice to see that we're not the only ones who don't really gift each other and prefer instead to spoil ourselves all year long.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday, thanks for sharing. Generator huh? What a great idea, maybe I'll suggest that for next Christmas!

No exchanging here. We've only exchanged stockings for years. When we want/need something, depending on the item, we usually just buy it, either individually or together.

DH has always been so opposed to the commercialism aspect of Christmas, specifically the pressure put on people by retailers' commercials. Actually, I feel somewhat similarly with the exception of buying for the kids. I wouldn't want to send him over the edge with a gift request list. My poor DB, his wife gives him a list a mile long every year. Each and everything on the list has to come from him. IOW, if I ask what she needs, he can't assign me something from the list. Unfreakinbelievable!

In years past, there have been things that DH surprised me with. Certain very specific things I've seen that he knows I wouldn't go out and splurge on. Those gifts have been really special because of the unexpected factor. I guess if I really wanted to receive gifts at Christmastime, then I probably wouldn't receive the (insert a random day) gifts that DH has surprised me with over the years.

IDK, some of my more acquaintance-type friends are very into "what did your DH buy you for Christmas?", as they present their newest bauble. Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable making an explanation, and the showing off of the things, really makes me cringe more so. I guess I am getting old and crotchety (is that a word/is it spelled correctly)?

Anyhoo, my biggest gift came on this past Monday. A very capable surgeon - his skill made my DD's surgery go so well. DD's home and recouperating, the best gift I could ever receive.

We will be together over the holidays with our extended family. We have a new baby neice to gush over. I still have both of my parents, DH still has both of his (divorced, but we all get together and no one sustains injury, lol) at Christmas Eve dinner. At this stage in the game, I just don't feel that I really need anything more than I am already so fortunate to have.

Now oakley - pass me that box of candy.

A NEW CAR!!!!

Santa isn't bringing me anything, but Skype is bringing my family closer.

Daisy, too funny!

I have no idea what I'm getting for Christmas from DH or DD. I pretty much never do (DS is in Afghanistan again and won't be sending anything which is understandable).

But, DH is a real romantic. He doesn't even want a list from me, but always comes up with some pretty nice gifts, like sweaters, jewelry, a book, a laptop last year, etc. He's got great taste, so I never worry. This year, I can't think of a thing I want . . . except our son home from the war, all safe and sound for Christmas, which isn't going to happen till maybe late-Summer.

Anyhoo, yesterday he did tell me how excited he was with the gifts he's bought me this year.

But, his big gift from me this year is a totally custom designed Stetson. I went with him a few days ago to choose all the features (crown height, color, brim size and style, hatband, etc). In fact, he's picking it up from the shop right now. I'm making Christmas coffee cakes, so he ran by after work for me.
Lynn

DD2 and I were just discussing what her DH would get her for Christmas. She spoils herself, so didn't want anything, but he insisted. So she said she'd like an Adele concert DVD. He went shopping last week but could't find it, but the other day the two of them were at a store and there it was, so he bought it for her and gave it to her right then.

When she mentioned that she'd wanted him to give it to her for Christmas, he said "well, since we need one, how about I buy you a new espresso maker and give it to you on Christmas?" Poor kid...she's married a man just like her Dad.

Colorblind! How exciting what kind of car are you getting? My sister is buying a new car too. She's picked the Honda CVR.

That's the problem with initials, lol. Girl next door just got a Chic Runabout Vehicle.

natal too funny lol - have to tell DH he's driving a Chic Runabout Vehicle.

A white "BMW" X5....had a black Toyota "RAV"

Irish, you will love your X5. We are on our second one. Our other car is a 2011 Prius 5 and I love that car for other reasons.

I might be getting an iPad2. MAYBE. If I get it, it will be after Christmas, I think.

Santa planted a black Furla handbag in my path a week ago, and whispered in my ear: "Get this for yourself, it's perfect " ...... so I just had to.

DH is off the hook, I've been gifted.

I already shared what I'm getting, but I think I have hit the holiday jackpot this year with what I'm giving my husband. I finally asked a colleague at our university multi-media lab to transfer the VHS tapes I've had sitting for YEARS onto DVD.

I will be giving my husband the first one tonight at his family's holiday gathering. It was all taken with the first video camera we ever bought, in 1990-our son's first birthday party complete with lots of footage of my FIL, who is no longer here. Not to mention family and friends, all 22 years younger! That will make him smile, as will the footage of our house 8 months after we moved in. The first real boating outing with our boy, 14 months old at the time. Lots of sequences of my husband and our son together. Playing, getting teeth brushed (son, not husband :), dad feeding the little one breakfast. Just ordinary moments but oh my when I saw them again it just knocked me out. It also reminded me once again what an incredibly loving, tender and doting parent he was, and always has been throughout the years with our kids. It is all there, shining through in those simple everyday times that were caught on film...there are no words.

Have six more tapes to transcribe but I know my husband will be so pleased to finally have these memories accessible. I can't wait to give it to him and to watch him watching himself 20+ years ago with our family and loved ones.

Ann

Ann, I did that with our old family movies. My dad took miles of 16 mm film when we were kids. First I had it transferred to VHS and then to DVDs. I also had my own family's 8 mm film transferred to DVDs. Mostly they are fun to watch, but some is unsettling.

My dad's films have pictures of my great grandmother, taken in the 1950's. AMazing. I bet not many people have that. My dad really liked taking movies. Maybe I will get them out and watch them this week.

Great idea for a gift.

Dh did that too years ago ... to VHS ... then gave copies to all his family. Never made the transfer to DVD.

DH and I finally gathered up all the video tapes, even have some 8mm video, and that is on my list to do in the New Year. In fact, since we're celebrating Christmas in February, I might do that for the kids. Some great memories on those tapes!

I think DH may have gotten me an iPad. I had to sign for a box from Apple! I also asked for a few specific items -- DH isn't a creative gift giver, but he is generous and just needs me to tell him exactly what I want. I asked for a specific necklace last year, and got it, and now I want earrings from the same artist. Had to show him exactly which ones I liked on her web site. Asked for a few other things the same way. Oh, I also asked for the Clarisonic Mia that people have discussed here. We were SUPPOSED to only do stockings because we ordered some furniture, but DH broke that rule a few weeks ago when the Apple box arrived. I didn't have any great ideas for him, but fortunately (!) the strap on his briefcase broke last week, so I got him a really nice new one. He'll be surprised.

lukkiirish...I'm trying to be a little more financially and environmentally responsible, so I sold my gas guzzling, insurance busting Range Rover Sport (as beautiful as it was) and opted for a new tricked-out Jeep Grand Cherokee...I still need a large SUV for my big Bernese Mountain Dog. Brought home the Jeep today! Love it almost as much as my Range Rover!

Sue, you will love the iPad. I hardly use my PC now, except when I need to do a lot of typing. Family wants me to bring it tomorrow so they can teach me stuff.

Warning. No instructions come with it.

Colorblind, enjoy your new Cherokee! I saw a commercial last night for the 2012. It was a beauty! Dh keeps trying to talk me into something new, but I LOVE my 2000 4Runner! And now that his Honda Odyssey is paid for I'm thrilled to not have a car note.

We are giving each other a 15 day Hawaiian cruise for Christmas and our upcoming 40th wedding anniversary (I can't believe that number!) During the year we usually buy something if we really want it, rather than wait for special occasions. I'm more excited now to watch the grandkids open their gifts and have so much to be grateful for.

By the way, I love my Honda CRV.

OT:My 5 year old CRV which was a Christmas present 5 years ago and now has less than 100,000 km (about 60,000 miles) has so far had the air conditioning replaced, the rear differential replaced, the wiper motor replaced, and it now needs a new transmission. We have refused to pay for any of it and I will admit that Honda Canada has stepped up and paid for most of it but I will never buy another one. I am tempted to attach a bunch of lemons to it and park it in front of the dealership.

Santa brought me pink eye. And a new toilet. My life is so sexy.

Colorblind, I think you will LOVE the Jeep! I ride on a lot of dirt roads and in varied weather so I have a smaller version with the Liberty but I've had it 6 years now and still love it, love it, love it. I seriously doubt I will ever drive anything else. I hope you enjoy your Jeep as much as I enjoy mine!

Thanks natal and lukkiirish...It's only been a couple of days, and I keep finding reasons to run errands...not quite a Range Rover, but love my Jeep - it's sexy in a rugged sort of way!

I drove 3 Jeeps, including Grand Cherokee and I loved driving them on our muddy & snowy roads. Now I'm driving a Durango and I like it because it's a tad bigger. I'm sold on 4wD.

I hope everyone got some toys today! I'm playing on mine right now. Now that I have Angry Birds and Words with Friends downloaded, I have no clue how to play. lol

DH & I don't exchange gifts either, but DS gave us both wonderful gifts. This is one of mine.

After 40 years without music (I recently received a cochlear implant), DS gave me an MP3 player that can be hooked up directly to my implant's processor. He took the time to download tons of songs that I remember from the late 60s & early 70s. Some of them I can't understand, but the ones I do - it's magical. DS got the idea when he heard me listening to the song by DeeDee99's DH here on GW.

We know another couple that exchange only stockings. They put Scrabble letters in a hat & each pull one, but keep their letter secret. The stocking they make for their spouse must contain only things that begin with that letter.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sounds like Santa was good to everyone! I know "he" treated me well. I got a Kindle Fire, some girly stuff like perfume, body lotion, cosmetics I've been wanting, pretty lingerie, earrings, and a carrying case for my drum. Thanks, "Santa"! ;-)

I feel like a little kid again because Santa brought me a shiny new bike! Actually, that sneaky Santa brought me a new water bottle in a small wrapped box, and just when I was being a good sport, saying oh how nice because I needed a new water bottle, that's when I noticed the brochure underneath the water bottle with pictures of a beautiful carbon fiber frame Cannondale. Oh but Santa sure fooled me...

Santa has two naughty little elves who decided to give Mom some presents early. One of those elves got me some beauty care items and a VERY lux hand cream (apparently it's the one J-Lo uses) and a purse I'd had my eye on. The other elf got me Belle D'Opium by Yves St Laurant. It's an updated, less intense version of Opium, which I didn't care for back in the 80's, but this new one...ooooh, yummy. DH likes it too, which is unusual because he rarely cares for the perfumes I like.

Glad to see the everyone was treated so well this year!