As my eldest son said "Mom I don't know how you do it but each year Christmas gets better and better." and he's 34!

This was a good year - all 3 adult children and their S.O's were happy with both the gifts they received and the gifts they gave. And the part I liked best was the gifts that both surprised and delighted them.

It was a huge hit this year. I was worried about DS's gift. I got him a highly rated tripod for his camera. He opened the gift and didn't say anything, just took it out of the box and started looking it over. I was really worried then and started telling him how it was rated, etc, etc. Then my DD's piped up and said "Mom, he loves it...he hasn't even opened any other presents yet". Sure enough, it was a hit.

And I got spoiled and the gifts were a hit, too. But even better was getting to spend two 2 hour drives alone with my son and seeing all 3 of my kids together with their grandma after 3 years.

Pesky, that sounds wonderful!

Our gifts to each other were a hit!! It was nice and quiet on Christmas day, since we moved and nobody knows where we live. JK, but we did Christmas Eve with the new neighbors, so they did not come by.

What was not a hit was what my BIL sent. We tried to get them to bring the kids to see their Grandmother, and they don't think they can fit it in......both working two jobs.....two boys in college...so busy.....but I will lay money they are on vacation right now! Sooooo...

They send an expensive gift basket. To a diabetic woman on multiple drugs,and your DB, who is severely allergic to chocolate and nuts, a big basket of ....wine, chocolate, and NUTS!! Of course! Why didn't I think of that??

Sorry for the rant, and thanks!

Nancy

The thing that thrilled my 25 yo niece was the small, magnetic, dry-erase board that I wrapped for her at the last minute. I picked up two on clearance for 68 cents each and decided to give one to each niece. That was the gift that she commented on with genuine enthusiasm. She even sent me a picture of it hanging on her fridge, with a thank-you note written on it.

I don't think my sisters were as excited as I was by the graters that I bought them. Oh well, I'm glad I bought one for me.

Two months ago while on vacation, I saw my SIL buy a gift card for me but I didn't spoil her surprise by telling her that. I played along that it was so unexpected.

My inlaws bought my husband a GPS; I guess they didn't know his car already has a GPS. My car doesn't so I can use it.

My husband's idea of the Keurig for his sister was a BIG hit. The bonus is now we can buy boxes of coffees for future gift-giving occasions.

These stories are great! Pesky, I especially like your's. Spending one on one time with our grown kids is special.

We picked up our gifts on Christmas Eve because of the storm, and I was told I forgot several. yay! lol. But what we did get were very nice.

My DIL must have a sixth sense. We draw names for stockings, and my DIL drew my name. She filled a bag to the brink. But the day before I ran out of my Philosophy Amazing Grace body butter. She got me the large one, along with Hope in a Jar. How did she know AG butter creme is my favorite?

I know my DS liked his Kindle, but with me not being there it's hard to tell what gifts were a hit or not. I hope they were!

Not sure if I posted this before, but I got 4 books. The best is Jimmy Fallon's "Thank You Notes." I have laughed and laughed and laughed!

DW was pretty sneaky this year!

Back on Sept. 16, my 51st B-day, She gave us 2 tickets to the Thursday-night NFL Vikings/TB-Bucs game in Mpls. Unbeknownst to me, the MAIN present was yet to come!

(many of you may know by now that my blood is PURPLE!!)

So...on Christmas, I open a small box that weighed nothing, & found.....TWO TICKETS FOR THE PACKERS/VIKINGS GAME THIS COMING SUNDAY!!!
* (turns out...to get tix for this Packer-game, you had to buy tix for 2 games!)
* She'd also called my boss back in early Oct. to see if I could get off early this Sat., and have the Sunday off!!
* This is one of those "Holy Grail" kinda games for a football fan!!
* It's a HUGE game for the Vikes! Win-and-they're-in the Playoffs! Lose...& they need help.
* The NFL moved the time of this game, due to its importance, to 3:30pm, from noon CST.
* Sooooo...this Sunday aft., I'll be screaming my little purple head off...and going deaf...at the Metrodome!!!!

Faron

For the most parts the gifts I gave were well received, but something that I was excited with was met with big yawns. ;)

I got an email from AAA deals(automobile assoc.) about a product called Drop Stop, that fills the space between your car seat and console that items fall irretrievably into, and I was so excited to get one because I can't tell you how many times I have dropped money, my cell phone, or a receipt into that black hole. So I ordered one for every family member, none of whom seem to be as klutzy as I am about dropping stuff in the car.

The jury is still out on my big purchases. I bought my two married children Dell laptops, i7 processor, 8GB RAM, $150 off sale price. I was feeling pretty good until they decided Windows 8 is a nightmare. DSIL says he will figure it all out, DD not so sure. DS and DDIL are lost with it. Other than that they were well received. It appears that all the newer computers come with 8 - guess we will have to adapt. Thank goodness I bought mine is August with 7.

Just curious. What is Garden Webber's experience with Windows 8 -love it or hate it?

My boys were spoiled this year. Although my oldest had been away in the Navy for five years he lived with us after but this is the first year they were both on their own. Husband and I have been empty nesters for just about a year now and liking it. I started buying them clothing and shoes last May and took advantage of every sale that offered quality at a huge discount. I,m so glad I did to because they were both looking a little ragged. It was really a little obscene at the amount of gifts they received. They even got huge garbage bags stuffed with household things like toilet paper, windex, paper towels, swifter dusters, laundry detergent and food for the freezer.

My oldest sons favorite gift seemed to be a pair of Ralph Lauren polo black pants for work that I bought at the last minute off the sale rack for $14.95. They fit him like a glove.
My youngest seemed to be really happy with the slim dress shirts for work and ties and a cozy black sweatshirt fashioned into a casual sport coat style.

Oh and my sons girl friend LOVED her pearl earrings!!! He ended up getting ones with 14k yellow gold so I was hoping she would be ok with that. She was and wore them Christmas day. The 7mm were perfect for her little petit self and she went on and on about how they were just her style. I bought her a pretty dress with lace on top and a shortish silk skirt in cream. All was a hit!

My personal favorite gift husband bought me was "Clean" fresh laundry body lotion and bath and shower gel. After a long day in the kitchen and before bed it was nice to have some girly stuff.

Oaky, I received some Philosophy baby grace things too. I haven't used them yet but I do like the smell.

Marie cate, it sounds like your gifts were a big hit too!

Pesky, how special! My husband was just telling me how he spent the morning on the computer checking prices with the dream of us all spending Christmas in England with his family next year. I'm happy for you that you had some close family time.

Spring, oh my I'm so sorry that BIL tried to kill off a few family members lol. I hope this is something you can look back on with a chuckle. A friend of mine gave me two huge dollar store Santa coffee mugs with matching plates, what does one do with a set of two? Do I keep them in the kitchen cabinet never to be used or do I store them away and just get them out with the Christmas decorations? Anyway, there was also a good bottle of red wine in the bag that her husband picked so it all came out well. I ended up giving them both the big clock I originally bought for my bedroom (still in package) that she loved so much.

Faron, you must be one special guy who has one special wife...what a great Christmas you had.

Terriks, the Drop Stop is one of those gifts you will probably get thanked for down the road after people discover its usefulness. So glad you had a nice Christmas!

I am wiped out today. Think I have had a touch of a bug. I'm going to get cleaned up with all my new nice smelling stuff and lay around watching movies.

Everyone was good with gifts - those given and those received. My 2 1/2 y/o DGD was in love with her green fairy wings. She flitted around in them all day yesterday and showed them off to visitors this morning. Both DGD and 9 mo old DGS were amazed to have Santa stop by my house Christmas Eve. After 3 days chasing children and cooking, cleaning, wiping up spills, I think my fav gift was from DIL: a bottle of Skinny Girl White Cranberry Cosmo. I'm sipping and typing. Pls excuse errors!

Poor Terriks. lol. Ten bucks when your family finally does use them, they'll love it! I've been that way with gifts that I found boring before.

I experienced something similar. Since we all lose power at one time or another, some times for days, two Christmases ago I bought 6 clip-on book lights for all the adults. I loved mine when I used it so I assumed everyone would like it too.

When I watch my DGK's, I noticed the book lights are in their toy box, even though they have a million little flashlights to play with! One day I found both of them and set them on the kitchen counter, kind of sending a not so subliminal message that these were not to be used as toys.

A couple of weeks later they were back in the kid's bedrooms, on the floor. Suffice it to say, it still angers me. :) All six of them came to about $70.00.

Terriks, if I were on your gift list I would have KISSED you for a drop stop!! I'm going to order some as soon as you tell me you like yours. (You did get one for you, right)? I often have to eat in my car and the crumbs...ugh. I bought a special tool for my Meile vacuum that works pretty well, but it's raining 9 mo. out of the year and I seldom want to haul my vacuum outside to vacuum it at home.

So I am excited enough for all the people you gave it to!

Yes, I bought one for myself. French fries are another thing that I have had to dig out of that crevice, lol. I installed mine and it works great! Tested it by dropping some coins on it.

We gave DD, age 11, a "fancy" camera ($200 Olympus) and she has been carrying it around with her everywhere, so that was a big hit. She's very creative and has already taken some great pics. DH is really into photography so I'm hoping the two of them will go off on photo-taking adventures together! Another of her gifts was a necklace that I bought as an afterthought, not really knowing what she'd think, and her face completely lit up when she opened it, so that was a bit hit, too. My two older DS were very happy with their gifts but they were less fun -- electronics and clothes, mostly.

My favorite gift was a raw sapphire necklace from DH. He also gave me a very pricey handbag from Longchamp that really is not my style, so that needs to go back but I'm on the hunt for a replacement. I always feel bad when I have to return something, but for what he spent, I really need to looooove this bag, and I really don't!

We spent a lot of time with various friends and family over the last several days, which really was the best treat of all. I'm exhausted today, though.

My brother recently got divorced and was able to take nothing from his house but his clothes. So I got him a little drip coffee maker that sits on a mug, plus the filters for it and some coffee and he was thrilled. Plus I went in with my sister and got him some bedding--pillows, sheets and a comforter.

Got my sister several things, but she seemed most happy with the book about the Duchess of Cambridge, which has lots and lots of pictures--she obsessed with the Royals.

My other brother sent me a sort of tapestry-like tablecloth and napkins from Afghanistan, where he is stationed. The colors are perfect for my dining room. We stayed up very late on Christmas Eve to Skype with him early on his Christmas morning, before too many people were up and on their computers over there--they don't have much bandwidth and Skyping doesn't work well during the day. That was probably the "present" that was most appreciated.

I am now the proud (?) owner of this, from yet another brother. It lights up and the light flash. Not sure what occasion will be special enough trot this out for, though.

My kids are 8 and 14. We did way fewer gifts due to big ticket items...iPad mini, iPhone 5, American Girl, autographed and professionally framed MLS jersey. I did not round out with the usual socks, underweat, pjs this year. I expected disappointment at the number of gifts under the tree. No complaints whatsoever! Each kid was happy and engaged with the gifts they received. Maybe I have raised them right after all....

Our gifts were low(er) key this year. My 'kids' are 24 and 21 YO and have all the big ticket stuff so no computers, phones etc for them. Instead I bought lots of gift cards for stores they like. My husband is a minimalist in a big way-if that makes sense-and also one of those people who will just go get what he needs when he needs it,so he is the most incredibly difficult person for whom to buy. But I scored on two gifts for him: fingerless gloves for canoeing and of all things, a certain type of pasta he ate years ago but which isn't for sale locally. On Christmas night when he opened up the Amazon box containing a case of bucatini you would have thought he had gotten a gold ingot with a key to a yacht taped on top! He was so thrilled.

I got a wonderful gift too. I long ago took over holiday shopping for my gift from him; I get what I want and give husband the receipt so he can pay for it out of his fun funds. Works like a charm, and this year was finally time for me to join the modern world with a Kindle Fire. Got the HD 8.9" and started playing with it yesterday. I am in love. So easy to download content. I already have Amazon Prime membership so all the free movies and tv shows are a terrific bonus along with books. Not to mention my email, and my online subscriptions and web browsing. Oh my.

My New Year's resolution is to be on time, and believe it or not this Kindle is going to help me do it! If I've got that little toy to keep me occupied I'll never ever worry about sitting in a waiting or conference room again :).

Ann

Sueb how nice to get a new necklace! I think I have made it too easy for those who buy for me.

Camlan, what the heck? Lol what are you planning on doing with the hair piece?

Runcnmom, that's what my friends who have teens are saying... their kids are ok with less if they get a few things they really wanted. This is good! Glad you had a nice Christmas.

Running, you will have to keep me updated on your kindle fire. For some reason my old kindle will no longer take downloads due to "it says" different modem #? We re-entered but no good. I have been rereading all my books. Guess its time for an upgrade.

I have just bookmarked the DropStop page! That is a very good gift. Both DH and MIL have December birthdays, so buying for them is always a challenge. I just saw a commercial for the Weather Tech car mats, and that is something I also need to keep in mind for DH.

As I posted in the other thread, MIL was very happy with her coffee basket. We got her DD coffee and a Cuisinart grinder and put them in a basket for her. She also gave us some suggestions for other gifts which she seemed to like.

She tends to overbuy for us, and since she had foot surgery in October that was a little reduced this year. However, there are still some huge items that we will have to figure out what to do with them. We do want to use them, but maybe that will give us the impetus for the home office remodel. Realistically, I am not going to have time until May to even tackle it since this holiday break is so short.

From DH, I got the Nate Silver book, the KA stand mixer food chopper/grinder attachment, and an iPad stand that has speakers in it.

Pesky and Faron, you will appreciate that I got DH the Iron Maiden soccer jersey. :) He was pretty happy about that. I also got him Rush "Clockwork Angels" and some more clothes.

My favorite gift was a surprise - dh and I went to Ireland a few months ago. While there, I bought several pieces of pottery on the second day we were there, as well as woolen goods and a beautiful painting, plus some things for our kids. The pottery and painting were shipped home by the stores, but our extra suitcase was full of the sweaters, etc. So on one of our last days there, the B&B we were staying in had these gorgeous, unique teapots. When I mentioned them to the B&B owner, he told me they were from a pottery shop in town. We stopped there, and not only were they expensive, but I didn't have room to bring home with us and shipping wasn't worth it to me for the one thing. After we got home, I told dh I regretted not buying it b/c it was truly a unique and interesting piece of pottery (plus I drink a lot of tea!). At some point, dh called the shop owner and ordered one for me for Christmas!

We only had one thing that was a dud of sorts. I'm pretty strict about electronics with my kids - seems that most of their friends own expensive electronics from an early age. Dd was 12 before she got an iPod Touch (whereas my younger sons' friends were getting them as early as age 7). So that was kinda the benchmark for my younger kids. So my next oldest was getting one this year for Christmas (he turns 12 next week). To keep this story relatively short, after much contemplation, we decided to give our 10 y/o one too, mainly b/c he had many personal obstacles this year (and always seems to) that my other kids have never had to deal with. As it turned out, my adult neighbor had one that she was no longer using and asked if we wanted it for free. She wiped everything off it, still had all the original packaging, etc. He wouldn't really know the difference. So he got it, was all excited, I had charged it ahead, etc. Well, I go to download some game apps that he picked out and nearly all of them wouldn't download and I was getting some sort of pop up about the software. So after googling it, I determined that the iPod was one of the earlier "generations" and that the software had been upgraded so much that most of the game apps will not run on the older ones! So I had to pretend something was wrong with it and told him we'd go out the next day and replace it. Fortunately, he had no clue what the deal was, but I felt like an idiot! So much for trying to save $200! THe old one will download some apps and can still be used for other things, but the most important thing, the games, was the one thing that he really wanted it for!

I finally got around to take a picture of my favortite Christmas gift. This is from my toddler grandbabies.

Ignore the mess and the sheet on the sofa, Grace sheds all year long.