Childfree (by choice) Disney Lovers!

[HockeyKat]

Kat ITA!! I love getting and giving those kinds of gifts!

DH and I were xmas shopping last night (for the guys at his shop, he is a mechanic) and he did get a "gadget" for one of them. The guy is turning 60 and his eyes do not work like they used to. LOL He got him a "talking" tire gauge at Restoration Hardware. Since he can't see the #s on the gauge- he can "hear" what the pressure is. The sales woman was telling us that she bought one of these for her female neighbor who's husband passed last year. She was always asking her husband to check her tire pressure. Now she can do it herself

We walked into J. Crew (I was looking for a scarf for myself) and I saw all these people shopping for sweaters etc and I thought to myself "another sweater for xmas for someone"

I do love those weird little gadgets from Restoration Hardware and the Pottery Barn though- some of them are cute as stocking stuffers.

I thought this little pill box from Pottery Barn was cute
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/silver-plate-pill-box/

I think the gift of a tire pressure gauge that reads for someone that can no longer see it well and needs it for the job, is a nice gesture.

However, the stocking stuffer thing. Taste is SO individual. I don't disagree that the box is cute, but something like that would wind up regifted or donated in my household.

I think what makes the first gifts you mention perfect, is that it shows that attention was paid to the person's needs/wants, and not to something that the giver likes. That, to me, is actual gift-giving.

And hey, I could use a few more sweaters!!

 

[maddhatir]

I think the gift of a tire pressure gauge that reads for someone that can no longer see it well and needs it for the job, is a nice gesture.

However, the stocking stuffer thing. Taste is SO individual. I don't disagree that the box is cute, but something like that would wind up regifted or donated in my household.

I think what makes the first gifts you mention perfect, is that it shows that attention was paid to the person's needs/wants, and not to something that the giver likes. That, to me, is actual gift-giving.

And hey, I could use a few more sweaters!!

Sure- you can't give that pillbox to just anyone. That has to go to the right person. Those that you know carry their meds with them. I know I keep aspirin and antihistamines in my handbag at all times- I have a little pill box so I do not have to carry the bottles with me. They take up too much room.

Actually every holiday and b-day we buy FIL a sweater. DH insists b/c we ALWAYS see FIL wearing the sweaters we give him. I don't think FIL has had to buy a sweater for himself in the past 10 years

When he opens the gift - I always yell out "SURPRISE!!!"

I do love getting gift cards too- just b/c I love to shop.

 

[franandaj]

I do not do any shopping though- they all get $$. I say this year after year- I would rather gave them money every holiday then give them toys that will just be thrown out or given away in a few years. I know their parents save the $$ for the kids- so they will appreciate it when they are old enough

My family is really uncreative. Everyone emails "lists" so that you need to purchase from the prescribed items so as not to give things that are unwanted!

This drives my DP nuts because she thinks you should actually pay attention to things about people and choose thoughtful gifts.

DH and I were xmas shopping last night (for the guys at his shop, he is a mechanic) and he did get a "gadget" for one of them. The guy is turning 60 and his eyes do not work like they used to. LOL He got him a "talking" tire gauge at Restoration Hardware. Since he can't see the #s on the gauge- he can "hear" what the pressure is.

That's really cool! I want one!

My family gave up exchanging a long while back. My parents still insist on getting us something, though. I guess you never get over being someone's child!!

We've been so bad in the past we've called it Excessmas! We tried to suggest that we not exchange between all the adults, just give to the kids, and everyone balked at that! Even my sister whose husband barely has a job and might lose his part time job, they have three kids that they can't really afford! My Mom sent hers and Dads lists tonight and asked where ours were. Dad's company he worked for went out of business last year so Mom is the only one with a job, and they might have to sell the home I grew up in and downsize to a condo and THEY still want to exchange gifts.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I am thankful we don't exchange gifts with anyone. Heck hubby and I don't really do that. I wonder why I even put up a tree with no gifts under it

Being childfree means you can buy stuff throughout the year when you need or want it. Hmmm that would make some parents heads explode

 

[maddhatir]

My family is really uncreative. Everyone emails "lists" so that you need to purchase from the prescribed items so as not to give things that are unwanted!

This drives my DP nuts because she thinks you should actually pay attention to things about people and choose thoughtful gifts.

We used to write down our name and what we wanted on a piece of paper and we would all pick one. We would do this on Thanksgiving since we were all together. Like I said, it got ridiculous b/c we would set an amount and it was like exchanging $$. Why bother?

 

[MIGrandma]

DH and I are not childfree, but they are adults with lives of their own. All our trips to Disney have been just the two of us. We going to Disney by ourselves. We always have a wonderful time. We're going next month and CAN'T WAIT!! I've heard some people say Disney is just for kids and I think they're wrong. Disney is for everyone.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I totally agree with you MIgrandmother!

 

[mskayjay]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

I'm so sorry!

 

[lakelandgal70]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

Mskay I am so very sorry. You and you hubby will be in my thoughts!

 

[maddhatir]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

I am sorry to hear that

How long have you worked for the company?

 

[franandaj]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

I'm so sorry to hear it.

 

[zima-cheryl]

Sad........

Vice President told me yesterday that I am done at work on 12/31/10.

Sorry to hear that... what a crappy thing to learn right before the holidays.
Crossing my fingers that you can land another job right quick.

 

[mskayjay]

I have been with this company on and off for almost 7 years now. Hired as a 3 month temp, kept on for two years, gone for over a year, back for over a year, off for a month, brought back for 4 months and hired on permanent finally last November. It has been a truly difficult year with the project we had but I really am upset to be let go like this. I have worked my butt off to make it successful and it is not because of lack of success with the project and the end of the funding for this project but more I feel because of my supervisor and I not *clicking* these last 5 or 6 months. She will get the credit for the project being successful (in fact she already did!) and despite my protests that it was because of my work, that is the way it will be viewed. I love the company, love what they are and what they do but really feel I got hammered on this one.

I can only ask that you say a prayer that something else opens up for me and if you don't pray, have a good thought on my behalf. To replace my income in this economy is going to be tough. Anyone with connections in northern NY, let me know......

 

[maddhatir]

I can only ask that you say a prayer that something else opens up for me and if you don't pray, have a good thought on my behalf. To replace my income in this economy is going to be tough. Anyone with connections in northern NY, let me know......

Sending positive thoughts your way!

 

[franandaj]

I just wanted to wish all my childfree peeps a Happy New Year!

 

[zima-cheryl]

I just wanted to wish all my childfree peeps a Happy New Year!

Back at ya!
Mine officially ends tomorrow when I have to go back to work.

I can only ask that you say a prayer that something else opens up for me and if you don't pray, have a good thought on my behalf. To replace my income in this economy is going to be tough. Anyone with connections in northern NY, let me know......

I realize it has just been a couple weeks, but how are things going?
Hanging in there? Any leads? Fingers are crossed for you!

 

[franandaj]

Mine officially ends tomorrow when I have to go back to work.

I hope you enjoy going back to work. I sort of miss having something to do other than what I do now.

 

[mskayjay]

Hi all! Been thinking about all my online buddies but I have been in a wicked mental rut since this lay-off. On week three now of trying to keep myself busy. Our market here in upstate NY is just awful..... 10%+ unemployment in my county so finding a new position is going to be hard but replacing that level of income is going to be really tough.

On the plus side, I'm doing a bit more focusing on me and have dropped a few pounds with many more to go, lots of little projects that were going to be done "someday" are getting taken care of, etc.

Hope everyone is doing well and that you guys are someplace warmer than me! It is freeeeeeeezing here!
hugs
K

 

[zima-cheryl]

Hang in there... It can be so tough being unemployed. Good deal on getting the projects done. Give yourself credit for not sitting & watching Jerry Springer & soap operas all day/every day!

Keeping my fingers crossed that an opportunity opens up for you soon.