Holiday Season

[ChickenMomma91]

Alright I know it seems too early for Christmas/holiday shopping but I'd like to try to be prepared this year. I'm getting my mother and SIL gardening items. Mom is getting sweet pea seeds and gardening paraphernalia in a bucket while SIL is getting lavender seeds and the same. Its the rest of the family that has me baffled. I got my grandmother some sewing/knitting notions last year, my big bro got a DR. Pepper themed basket and my younger one got a cooking based one. I know the teens are happy with money and I've told my family that's what i want this year, gift cards. They try to say its not fun doing gift cards but they will go towards my new roof and or installing a dishwasher, things i need rather than stuff to fill my already over stuffed house. How can i convince them that I don't need more stuff while at the same time shopping for them?!?!

 

[sumi]

Considering I made and gave away a few of them, yes! I do love making them and I can't keep them all though, so… I make people happy with them

 

[Beekissed]

We stopped the whole holiday gift giving some time back and it's been bliss! No frantic shopping or wondering what everyone wants, no hoping we don't get more STUFF around here that we don't need.

Just a relaxing time of year and time spent with family that is easy and stress free. The only holiday we actually observe now is Thanksgiving, so no decorating and such either...makes the whole season so much more peaceful.

 

[sumi]

About 300-350 hours for a double bed. In days it really depends how much time I can spare. I usually spread it over 3-6 months, depending how busy I am.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Wow - that truly is a labor of love!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

That's awesome!

 

[Beekissed]

@sumi , we used to have a most awesome quilter on this forum called Morel Cabin and I think you'd enjoy her art....very lovely! Wish she would come back, lovely person all around.

https://www.sufficientself.com/threads/morelcabins-quilts-entered-mccalls-contest.1138/

 

[CrealCritter]

Alright I know it seems too early for Christmas/holiday shopping but I'd like to try to be prepared this year. I'm getting my mother and SIL gardening items. Mom is getting sweet pea seeds and gardening paraphernalia in a bucket while SIL is getting lavender seeds and the same. Its the rest of the family that has me baffled. I got my grandmother some sewing/knitting notions last year, my big bro got a DR. Pepper themed basket and my younger one got a cooking based one. I know the teens are happy with money and I've told my family that's what i want this year, gift cards. They try to say its not fun doing gift cards but they will go towards my new roof and or installing a dishwasher, things i need rather than stuff to fill my already over stuffed house. How can i convince them that I don't need more stuff while at the same time shopping for them?!?!

Kaite Your Recipe is making my mouth water --- http://owlnestfarm.com/home/ham-and-bean-soup

 

[sumi]

I bought a real poinsettia plant at the supermarket this week, but I always loved those plants, so it's not for Xmas. I bought it because it was there, it was cheap and I like the plant!

 

[tortoise]

I'm transitioning more and more toward consumable gifts! I feel like I'm honoring their tradition of gift-giving without the consumerism. I hope it helps them consider non-cluttery things as valid gifts.

I'm giving homemade blueberry-basil vinegar to my mom and my bestie (actually for her hubby). I will probably give blueberry jam or jelly or syrup to my MIL. I haven't picked what to bring DH's under-materialistic family, but local fudge was well-received 2 years ago. I know my bestie wants seeds, but I might do a gift certificate to a seed company. My sister's family is lower income and striving to be minimalist, so I will ask her what her kids need and want rather than guess.

Gift receiving is a bit harder! I've been giving grandmas wish lists for the kids. They're fairly decent about sticking to it. My MIL will buy stuff not on the list and rip the package open so I can't return it. annoying. goodwill still takes it! They're almost always not developmentally appropriate and super obnoxious battery toys. My mom buys used stuff at thrift stores, which I love. Even if her choice doesn't fit, her purchase didn't trash the planet.

DH is pretty good about noticing something I want or getting something I ask for. 2 years ago he got my a nice broom for the barn - at my insistence! Sometimes he misjudges. He got a pool for my birthday.... I did not really want a pool! I was going to fill up a stock tank for a "kiddie pool"! LOL

Maybe you can counter your family with "it's not fun to.... ". have to find a place to put this. to dust this. to pretend I love your gift choice. to feel guilty and obligated to keep it. etc. Not sure how close you are with your family, but honesty can be a beautiful thing.