I am definitely guilty of giving those standard gifts. It's the thought that counts right and that you completed the thought with a purchase. That really makes it better. Some people you do not know well enough to give a useful or helpful gift but I think we can all use chapstick with this weather so in addition to lotion and a cup I gave the school teachers chapstick. As a trend, I did manage to give a few more useful gifts. The first and favorite was to a neighbor that always helps me out in my laundry mom life jams, I gave her a wash card. Now she can wash her clothes on me a few times. I hope she will always think of me as she swipes her card in the washer and dryers.
Mailmen I like to give cash but since I am not ballin (yet) I cant just hand out $20s so instead I gave a tin of cookies and a $5 gift card to a good eatery. This year I picked Panera, usually it is Starbucks. Download the apps, they are always giving rewards. You know I love me a good freebie, Wink wink. I like to pick a place that maybe they don't always go to but that is good. A treat for them if you will.
So since I want to give useful gifts I would love to receive them as well. Duh! I have taken it upon myself to start asking for useful things (for the critters at least). Since I am a mom of 3 I don't really expect my family or friends to get me stuff just for the kids. For the holidays, for moms' day and my birthday I drop hints here and there. Please note, I only do this with my family like my sisters or any other family member that ask me what the kids need. We are blessed and grateful to have friends and family that remember about us and get us gifts at all. Don't want to seem like the standard gifts are unwanted. With my crew it is all about quantity and then quality, so the more gifts they have to tear open the happier they are.
I am not a Grinch and I don't want my critters to only open underwear and clothes on navidad that would def not merit classic pictures, yes all about the pictures.
There are other "fun"gifts they can get. The toys and toys are fun of course but they end up on the floor and I have the luck to step on them all. Yes OUCH. We lost some good toys that way #RIP.
Other fun gifts I asked for are fun sheets and my sister came through with emoji theme different for each critter and pjs. These are great because fun sheets help (well most times) keep the critter in their own bed and pjs are always fun. My middle critter is a homebody to the MAX so he loves pjs. The ones she got him are his new favorite, Angry Birds onies with the feet. He was super happy to see they had the feet attached so he does not have to wear socks. He has named his feet when he wears them Rag Doll feet. Got to love their creative minds.
Poop Emoji Pink Emojis Texting Emojis
Another fun gift are bath towels. I originally my Dad for their passports, yup how else are we gonna get the crew to DR to the Nick Hotel. #OneDaySOON. Of course, he did not get them LOL but he did get nice fun towel set for each of them. Towels help (again most times) to get the critter that did not want to get into the bath out of the bath. #MomLife.
Star Wars for the boys and Shopkins for the girl, Towel and Washcloths.
So although the holidays are done we all will have upcoming birthdays, graduations, end of school year celebrations, etc. Think outside the box and get a gift that will be used or make someones day easier. As a parent, at time I think we buy cheap or not so fun because we have to also buy food, clothes, pay rent, etc. When you have the chance to give or get everyday things that are fun or nicer than what you normally have or buy think that is great. Also, I like to think that the person will think of you more and maybe you will even hang out more this year. I know I am thinking of my loved ones more as I look into my critters room and making plans to hang a lot more.
Useful gifts are the best! And remembering batteries for toys! I never remember them. SMH.
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