When I was a teenager, my mother would take my sister and I to the mall where we would pick out clothes, try them on. While we waited outside, Mom would which items to give us for Christmas. This is not only a fantastic way to spend time together, but guarantees that there are not returns, and best of all, we were always pleasantly surprised when we unwrapped our gifts. Dad, my most difficult recipient, would go through Northern Tool or Harbor Freight catalogue and mark a bunch of small to mid sized items. We could order them in advance and have them wrapped for the holidays. Sometimes things ended up on back order, so we would cut out the picture and box/wrap that. Remember it is the thought that counts. The best give I have received as an adult? Our first year in our home, my husband bought and installed a new hot water heater. I enjoy that gift every single day! Another one is the afghan that my sister hand knit for me from wool that I selected. The fact that she took the time to do it is what made it precious. The heirloom rugs that my mother passed down to me that my great grandmother and grandmother made by hand. Often in my family, I ask what folks are looking for, but then fill things out with small trinket gifts. Often people would ask for simple things, earphone, recordable DVR/CD, jump drive for the computer, slippers, rechargeable batteries etc and so on. I have also learned that food gifts are really nice. I find out what a persons favorite not often had food treat is. Remember it is not about quantity. Some examples are imported chocolate ($2 bars offered a walmart/CVS), baklava, often used herbs/spices, cheesecake (home made), black & white cookies, mini cannoilli (sp?), spicy stuffed peppers. One year I caught my father applying squeeze cheese (aerosol can type) to cheetoes. Can you guess what he got? (silly father) One year I gave my step son a box of 6 mini cannolli. I told him it was a gift. It was all for him. He could eat some now or save it for later, share it or not it was his. The look on his face was priceless.

I go all out for my BFF of 50+years! I look for particular things, but I like to follow a 'color theme'~last year it was everything turquoise(because it's her favorite color), and the year before it was leopard print. I get things like mittens or gloves, scarf, wallet or purse, pj's, sofa throw, velour sweat suit, sunglasses, socks, and just about anything that I can find in whatever color i've chosen. A few years ago it was everything monkey's~~this year it might be the color pink, and since she loves cats, make it a *pink* cat theme. ;o)

I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this thread!!! (usually hang out in the Kitchens & Building side :-). Anyhow....I am in the process of putting together a recipe scrapbook for my mother as a housewarming/happy retirement present. I am starting with my own recipes and contributions from family, but want to leave room for her to be able to add to it as she has recipes falling out of every cookbook she owns!! ...as well as a couple of recipe file boxes, shoeboxes, etc. etc. etc. So here's my idea....I would LOVE some input/opinion on it! I am going to do 8 1/2 x 11" pages, as a larger 12 x 12 would not fit on the shelf with the rest of her cookbooks (too deep/tall). No lack of layout ideas here (ha!)! Going to insert all of the pages into clear page protectors to shield them from cooking splatter. Think that I would like to use a D ring binder to put them in so that the recipes could be removed or added to, and also so that they would lay flat (thus the "D" ring) for counter use. I'm having problems finding such a binder that doesn't look like something that belongs in a bank, though! Any ideas on a scrapbook/binder solution?? Anything that I've missed?? Thanks for all of your great ideas!

I was going to suggest too, things to do on the trip on the plane to keep them busy. Small items and things when used up can get rid of so they aren't over burden with too much. Yes, check the library for an up to date book of Germany and they can check out what there is to see. Journals are excellent to have, light ones though and make sure you have pens extra in case of losing one pen. Or run out of ink. Make sure you have a good camera for all of you to use and take pictures of. Maybe a scrapbook for them to make up about their trip when they come home? The library may even have language tapes to listen, can check on that too. Check out travel sites for good ideas to bring and see with you all. Rick Steves? has travelled with his kids and wife all over and so he should have good ideas. I know the one thing he suggested on tv was with kids is that they carry their back bag and only what they can carry is all they can have in it so that way you aren't loaded down with huge suitcases which you do not want in those countries. You want to bring and be very light, so rehearse way ahead and everyone pack all they want to bring on their trips, see if they can carry their backpacks with it all in? What can be illiminated? What is really necessary. Or bring stuff that can be dumped over there and left behind. There is nothing worse then too much stuff and being a hinder and ruining a great trip. Also make sure everyone has good comfortable walking shoes to walk lots. Check weather if you need to bring umbrellas or not or what? Less is better remember so check it all out ahead of time.