Help me choose!

[Immadismom]

I have to spend $150 in the next 5 days. This is a gift from my boss. We must purchase physical items, not gift cards. I am struggling with what to get! Here are my current choices:

1. Fill a cart on Amazon with a couple items I planned to buy for my family as stocking stuffers, along with a couple of hair care items I regularly buy for myself but hate the cost of.
2. Use toward my son’s Christmas gift. It will cover just over 1/2 the cost.
3. Purchase a robot vacuum - Amazon has an iRobot on sale for $179, so I’d have to cover the difference. I also would prefer a Shark robot vac, but they’re much more $, and not really in my budget at the moment.
4. $150 worth of candles from BBW‘s candle day…ends tomorrow. Already bought 6 today.
5. $150 worth of nonsense from Ulta…. There is a perfume I’m interested in, but it’s only about $50, and I just bought a different perfume, so I probably don’t need this….

None of these ideas is really “wow-ing” me. I hate buying stuff for myself! I just upgraded both my Apple Watch and my phone, so no need to put it toward that. I also just got a new pair of Brooks running shoes, and I live in those, so not interested in any other shoes.

Any better ideas??

 

[Marrila]

I'd be tempted to have a look online through Williams Sonoma or Macy's.

 

[Carol_]

Get the vacuum. People keep telling me how great they are, especially the self-emptying ones.

 

[anniemae]

I would go with option 1.

 

[Immadismom]

Get the vacuum. People keep telling me how great they are, especially the self-emptying ones.

See, this is why I’m hesitant, because I really want a self-emptying one, and that’s out of budget at the moment.

 

[Southernmiss]

1

 

[nene0182]

Oh wow, I don’t know what I’d pick. I like all of the ideas except #2, only because I think you should at least splurge on something for yourself.

 

[mommasita]

I would do the second 1/2 of number 1, and spend the rest on #5. That is if it can be split. This is a gift for you! No vacuum, no gifts for others Spoil yourself, you deserve it

 

[sam_gordon]

You and SO go out for a nice dinner?
Tickets to an event (sports, theater, etc)
Spa treatment?

Sorry, you're probably not looking for other ideas, but I'm not crazy about the ones you listed. If I had to choose, probably #1.

 

[LuvOrlando]

To save money, use it for your son.
If it's for you I LOVE our robot vacuum, it's been so much better than I expected. I was such a skeptic but nothing nicer than running at night and clean house without work the next day.

 

[prairie_girl]

I say go with #1 on your list. It’s the first one you thought of so it must be something you consider a really good idea.

 

[sksjasams]

What about a year of Disney Plus, Hulu, or Netflix?

Nice box of meat from someplace like Omaha Steaks, or some other food/treat spurge for the holiday?

 

[disneychrista]

Anything YOU want for YOU. Even if it for things you need not want. I got a $50 visa gift card last year from work and ended up adding it to my Amazon account and used it to buy a new pair of work shoes.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I’d buy a new purse or a great pair of boots or a fun jacket. Or a great dinner out for the family. It’s like found money. Enjoy it.

 

[fly girl]

Out of all of the choices I like #1. Esp the hair products as I don't like spending the money either, but it is worth it. Maybe you can find something you'd buy at Ulta on amazon for the same or lower price?

I also like the robot vacuum too if you are the sole person who does the vacuuming. There is a $139 one that is by eufy on sale on amazon now. The reviews are quite good. I watched a video comparing it to the next model up and they ranked the same except the newer model had the app from your phone you could use. The person I am gifting it too won't use the app, so I went with the cheaper version. LOL

I say make sure and get something for yourself, even if it is just the hair stuff. I would say no to the candles as you already bought 6. I love those candles too, but been there - done that.

 

[lisaviolet]

None of these ideas is really “wow-ing” me.

Find something that does.

Take a quiet moment, close your eyes and picture it. And since you find splurging for yourself so difficult, maybe think of something you love but would super crazy judge yourself for buying - under normal circumstances.

Hopefully you will get a voila!

 

[Nolcrest]

Your Boss gave it to you to spend on yourself. I too have a hard time buying for myself. I'm a retired teacher and always received gift cards. I rarely spent them on myself. That being said I believe your boss would like to see you get something for yourself. You can order a nice dinner from Omaha Steaks or something like that and cook it up for Christmas or New Years if you can't think of anything else for yourself. Or a nice handbag or shoes or boots etc. I know this is hard when we tend to be givers. Wish you could put it towards the vacumm. I love my Roomba and use it every day.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

#1 for sure. Splurge for yourself too! And there are always candle clearances and sales. Don't waste $ on that!
t/

 

[loves to dive]

Politely tell my boss thank you but ask him to give it to charity instead. I don't like gifts that are given with a caveat. Either give me a gift or not.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Season pass to an amusement park
Annual pass to Cinemark/Regal/AMC
Annual membership to Netflix, Amazon, Disney +, Hulu, Peacock Premium, or Paramount Plus
Fruit of the Month Club or X of the month club (like cookie, flowers, snacks, wine, etc)
Craft subscription box
Live theater tickets or annual theater subscription
Annual pass to a museum/zoo (with reciprocal membership)
Tickets to a local holiday event/light show

Since you have a son, I would lean to the "family" membership fun stuff b/c it's a gift that will keep on giving...