Actually after years of buying Christmas presents for kids, husband, in-laws etc. I am now on my own. I chose to not participate in Christmas gifts for the grand kids, and I quit buying for my daughters around the time of the divorce. I now buy Christmas presents exclusively for myself, and truly enjoy it. I am also staying home this year, to many moving expenses robbed my spending funds... but I just could not resist this one for myself.

Moni

Went on a Christmas cruise, once!

Does a new water heater count? Sigh!

I love wooden hangers. Wouldn't ever be without them.

Since my DH hates shopping, for several years I have been buying what I want and then give it to him to wrap and put under the tree. After 39 years you would think he would know what I want, but alas not so.

Sometimes I buy something and tell myself it is my Christmas present or birthday present. I don't really want anything this year. I am still saving money to buy a horse. I did get my husband a Christmas present and I never do usually because we don't exchange gifts but I was in a thrift shop and they had a ship's clock...called a port hole clock. Heavy brass and beveled glass....$10. Couldn't pass it up for his "new" shrimp boat. I already gave it to him though. He loves it.

I don't think of "gifting" myself, but I do find myself adding things I want to my shopping carts, whether online or in the stores. Ken did tell me to start finding some nice dresses for our cruise to the Bahamas in March. We like the 7 night cruises which have 2 formal nights. We enjoy dressing up now and then. So I'm on the lookout. Merry Christmas, Ya'll!

sometimes that's what I call it.

Yes, yes and yes. DH hates shopping so I not only buy what I want, I wrap it up nicely as well.

Sometimes we do go together. He always says that he wants me to have something I really want and will keep.

The nicest gifts are those that he surprises me with. Once for Valentines Day it was a small heart from David Yurman.

This year, he really is off the hook as I bought a few things and that is all I want/need.

Moni, good for you to do what is right for you. We have a small family and I have to admit, I still like to spoil my two daughters. I guess there will come a time when it will stop but until then, I personally enough getting them multiple gifts for Christmas.

Books. John Grisham, Louise Penny, C.J. Box, "Precious and Grace". I always love books. My biggest indulgence. (Other than maybe chocolate.:)

I wouldn't say I buy myself an Xmas present but I do get myself something on occasion. The other day I went and picked up a pizza to reward myself for clearing the driveway and sidewalk. First time I've been able to do that for years now. And I bought a new GPS unit because I deserved it. I don't do things holiday-specific but if the point is do I do something for myself now and then, you betcha!

I also love wooden hangers.

I purchased 2 orchids for my gift...this year.

We had to buy new furniture so that was our Christmas this year. On top of all the other expenses this year we can't afford to buy anything else except things we absolutely need. I guess paying off the stupid storage containers that ended up being a disaster will take a big chunk of money. Not the fun kind of spending money. Thank goodness they are finally gone.

I did order hangers because ours were destroyed. I ordered the Flocked ones from Costco because we had those before and knew they were a much better quality than most of that type. The wood ones take up too much room. I detest wire ones and those plastic tube kind those warp and sag and break. I do like the hard clear plastic ones with the swivel hook but I have a hard time finding the good ones.

I also bought for both of us a new mattress bag, it completely covers the mattress and zips shut, very protective. And a brand new cuddlebed mattress topper. I love the cuddlebed! I lost my others. And two new zoned latex King pillows, ahhhhhhh! I will definitely recommend the Z by Malouf zoned latex pillows in the firm it is a quality product. The plush one I think would be a disappointment it would be very flat.

Yes, I have for years now. It is the only way to be sure to get something (that isn't purely practical) that I really will want and/or enjoy. I stay pretty thrifty the rest of the year, and don't have gift exchanges with family (other than my DD) I guess I could treat myself at any time of year, but it pleases me to make it a Christmas gift to myself. This year I bought new lamps -- I was tired of the one that I had, and needed to add another.

Depends. And if I do, it doesn't go under the tree. It might end up in my stocking.

Lindaohnowga, Which ones did you get? I've gotten a couple this year. The set with the candle and jar, and the set with the train.

Those wire hangers? Buy some kitchen cotton yarn, the stuff you make dish cloths with. Take the end and tape it to the end of the hanger hook, with the working end of the yarn coming off of the end of the hook. The end of the yarn will point up towards the hook. Now you will half hitch knot all the way around the hanger. This will keep your clothes from sliding off. If you have flimsy wire hangers, double them. Just tape 2 of them together before attaching the yarn. When you get back to the beginning of the hanger part, tie a knot, trim fairly close, but not so close that it will come loose, and tie a bow around it the neck of the hanger. My grandmother made these for years and would top a gift with a couple of them. Love them!

Yes. From the dog. She got me a lovely sweater (-:

No Xmas present but I did buy myself a 50th wedding anniversary present. Why buy it myself? Because we were divorced 9 yrs after we were married! Ha! My father's siblings gave us a beautiful silver tea service as a wedding gift. It was 4 pcs plus the footed tray. It was a Reed &Barton silver plate pattern "Winthrop Hand Chased" - hasn't been made for decades. I've always wished I had the kettle and the waste bowl but they almost never appear at Replacements or anywhere else. So imagine my surprise to find the waste bowl on eBay in late Sept! I got it for a great price. When it arrived, I was very surprised that it had a gorgeous hand engraved sinker letter monogram ( no mention of this in the description), and it was my surname initial..in both my marriages (clever, wasn't I - all that monogrammed stationery and linens still worked!). It was just what my tea set needed - a kettle woukd be too much as this us a large tea service on a small sideboard. So I consider it a 50th anniversary present from me to me.

i adore a nice padded hanger. My mother used to give them to me out of the Neiman Marcus catalog (and a box of hard milled soap). I often gave padded hangers from Laura Ashley when I worked there decades ago, and when she died, I reclaimed them. The key us to buy good ones - they truly last forever. That and the hard milled soap are part of my philosophy of "life's little luxuries" that are quite affordable but feel special.

I don't call it a present. Sometimes I see things on sale that I want or need. I found a really pretty blue sweater the other day.

I did come home with a few things I found on clearance and told my husband he could consider that a part of my Christmas. He did have the courtesy to ask what he had bought!

Bought myself a Kitchenaid stand mixer several years ago. SIL was raving about hers and I just couldn't see spending that kind of money... not much into baking. She MADE me take it home on Thanksgiving with promise to return the following weekend. After pretty much just dumping ingredients for chocolate chips into bowl (including butter right out of the fridge), I was SOLD!

Ordered new Dynaglass (corrugated polycarbonate) material to recover our greenhouse for my Christmas present.

Wooden hangers were on my Christmas list several years ago and I have been enjoying them ever since. I did buy a diffuser, but I am using it.

I like Raven's bed choices. I bought the cuddlebed on her recommendation; now the pillows tempt me. Not sure about firmness though- low firm, high firm, low plush, high plush. When I finish Christmas shopping for the family, I will do my research.

I buy myself something nice every December since my husband passed away. I consider it my Christmas gift from him since he made sure I would be financially secure. This year it was a sewing machine.

I bought myself a few things, big stock pot made of cast iron ( enamel coated)...wondering why I did this since I can barely lift the stupid thing. I may eventually give it to Lauren. Also got a sweater because I have none that fit me. A shirt from China that I bought in xl but turned out to be teeny tiny and gave to one of my exchange students. She told me tonight she washed it and it is now a crop top for her. I also bought a paperback book, the second Game of Thrones book. I used to wrap them to put under the tree but I didn't this year. too tired.

Happy2b I would be happy to help you with your pillow decision if you are going to buy. Those Cuddlebeds are so nice I just had to get a new one . I have one on the rv bed and when I came back to the house I was missing it. I have no idea what happened to the one that was on my bed when they packed up the room. I may find it in a mis labeled box in the future . We thankfully finally found the wooden blinds this week , we thought sure they had been thrown out .

I did buy an aromatherapy diffuser for the house that might be considered a gift for me . It's helping to get rid of the construction smells .

I am getting a fridge :-) The grands got most of our disposable income this season.

I buy things as I see them, have a need for them and can afford them.

I'm too old to wait for celebration gifts. I prefer adventure or experiences for my treats. I recently bought a kayak tour on Groupon and I just finished a set of riding lessons. I got into horseback riding at the ripe old age of 65 and intend to continue. I still need new ice skates but my money is into horses right now. I also want to do an advanced firearms training course and then there is the upcoming "adventure" of advanced training with my dog. I haven't been whitewater rafting in years and with the rain it might be a good springtime/early summertime activity this year.

A lot of out disposable income is going into remodeling and upgrading the house right now. We want it to be I updated and in good repair while we can still do most of the work ourselves. We also do everything with thought to aging in place. In the process we are widening a few doorways, adding grab bars here and there and using products for ease of maintenance. That's our Xmas gift to us. Like DH said tonight, he giving his labor of love.

We only buy gifts for the grands and give a little cash to DS and his wife since they don't have kids.

I don't normally, but when I was outlet shopping, I went into swarovski and was looking around and fell in love with a bracelet. It's gorgeous, but when would I wear it? I mean I'm retired and live in jeans. I couldn't help myself. I left without it. Well before I left the outlets, I went back and got it. Those of you who know me know I love a bargain besides. So what the heck? It was 75% off!

That's stunning, Annie. I think you made the right decision. If I'm on the fence about buying something I ask myself how I'll feel when I get home a) if I bought it, and b) if I didn't buy it. It usually becomes pretty clear what I should do. The 75% off would probably help swing it too. ;-)

My family is trying something different this holiday. Instead of exchanging names for the significant gift, we each bought and wrapped ourselves our own "splurge" gift. On Christmas day, they will be unwrapped and we'll take turns trying to match the gift to the person.

My oven broke two days ago so I might get one that I really want....or be cheap and fix the one I have and am not crazy about. I bought my husband a coffee pot but I really want it. Does that count? I'm not even sure what I want. He bought himself a cordless drill set. I don't have much time right now but will browse rest of thread for ideas later!

Annie, that bracelet looks like it could go with jeans, and maybe a slightly fancy top.

Of Course!! one for me, one for him/her.... not really but pretty close!! DH hates to shop, so i am left to "fend" for myself. fine by me. every once in a while, he will surprise me something i would never buy myself., so it all even outs!!!

I agree Annie, it would give a totally classy look to jeans and a nice top. Accessories make the look. And 75% off, you got a deal!

I forgot to say, that if anyone deserves a little "extravagance" and self-indulgence, you do OklaMoni!

Side story: We are back to the tradition of going on vacation during my DH"s Birthday. It's in January. For the past few, I have been getting jewelry while on vacation. Nothing extravagant, just nice keepsakes.

Not really, but I have to admit to buying pretty much what I want when I want it. I'm lucky.

Raven, for those construction smells? Go buy a few big bags of regular charcoal. Not the stuff that doesn't need lighter fluid. The plain stuff. Put one in each room, and open it. In a week or so, the smell will be gone. The charcoal will absorb it. And if there is any bacteria that causes odor, that will also be absorbed.

Annie, beautiful bracelet!

Annie that will look great with jeans, dress them up just fine. A little bling for the season.

(tami......no charcoal brand 'needs' charcoal starter fluid. I haven't used it in my entire adult life.) But the coals really can help absorb odors.

I renew our various memberships for Xmas....the botanical garden, museum of art, Broadway theatre league, and the symphony orchestra. That's a big gift to both of us many times a year.

True, but most people don't realize that and I wanted to be sure the correct charcoal was used! :)

No, I don't buy myself a Christmas present. Which is not to say I don't buy something for myself or the house when I come across a great price while shopping holiday specials.

I MAY buy myself a gift this week, but not to wrap and put under the tree. DH and I haven't exchanged gifts on Christmas for a number of years, focusing mostly on children in our lives and my mother then a couple of charities. But I lost an earring in July. My everyday pair that I could wear without removing for weeks at a time, often only taking them out for more special occasions or on my way to have my hair cut and colored (where I don't wear jewelry). They weren't exceptionally valuable, but little white gold hoops with small horizontal baguettes. Now I don't have hoops, I have hoop.

Long time jeweler here is retiring first of the year and I don't know the young man who has bought his business. The jeweler has been generous with his trade ins, I may go see if he has what I need on the chance that policy will be changing when the store changes hands.

Yes. I bought myself a power wheelchair!

Holly that will make such a wonderful positive difference in your life, happy for you.

nice to read everyone's replies.

Update on me! I splurged and ordered me a pair of polar fleece lined pants. I got a pair while I was in Albuquerque over Thanksgiving and just LOVE them. Wore them the last three days straight... and decided I need a second pair. They make me feel so much warmer in my house, as well, when I venture out for a walk. Eddie Bauer had a 50% off coupon, and thus, they were affordable. :)

Moni

I love Christmas music & always buy myself a new Christmas CD every year. This year I bought 2! :)

Holly, that's great! Moni, good, you need to stay warm. And 50% off is a great deal.

Yes, I started doing this a few years ago. So far this year I've bought myself Chanel Number 19 Soap and Lotion, a Dooney & Bourke wallet, a Dooney & Bourke credit card case, a Michael Kors Bracelet, a wool plaid scarf from Talbots, and some chocolate covered strawberries.

Always! Everyday is Christmas for me. I buy whatever I want. When the kids were home, I would always go out shopping for me, wrap everything up and put it under the tree. To tell the truth, by the time Christmas rolled around, I forgot what I bought and it was always a nice surprise when I opened things and exclaimed how much I loved it. and thank DH for the wonderful gifts The kids would all laugh because everyone knew. Frankly, I never saw any difference from what I did and my friends who would give their husbands a list, and tell him what stores he could find things in. It was much easier to just go buy it myself. I always knew it would fit, be the right color, etc. and didn't have to go through the pain of exchanging. DH would always buy one or two things on his own and wrap them. Worked for us. I still buy a little something, not much because there isn't much I want or need. This year I bought an Echo.....I think we'll both enjoy that.