Posts: 3,432
12/10/12 5:30 P

The ring sounds beautiful, Shirley!

Pops, the trail rides sound wonderful.

Posts: 7,701
12/3/12 6:37 A

Nce ideas Pop! Thanks!

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12/3/12 12:15 A

Ah, gift certificates for spa services. Once, I thought these were girly gifts, but after receiving one (which I thought was a joke), I discovered they gave massages. That sort of gift card is now always on my list.

Speaking of local ideas, I was on Amazon recently and opted in to notification on special promotions and deals locally. One was a French Chocolatiere (I can't remember the spelling) where all the chocolates were made on site, and in the rear of the chocolate store was a small French "Sidewalk Cafe" where you could get sandwiches and soups made in the French way.

The menu was limited to three sandwiches a day and three soups a day - Until they ran out. When my wife and I visited, I was adventurous and had the Watercress sandwich and Potato Salad. Can't say much for the sandwich, but the potato salad was both unique and flavorful.

In my area, gifts of trail rides are not uncommon - both for short (hours) rides and long (dawn to dusk). One must make sure their thighs are in shape before tackling one of the long rides, and, actually the short rides if it's been a while since you've ridden.

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12/2/12 4:13 P

Sounds like a great day shirley!

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12/2/12 3:59 P

Went to the sale on Cocina beach after church and bought myself a lovely sterling silver ring in the shape of a starfish.They have loads of booths and a lot of fresh fruits and vegtables.The view is beautiful too and we bought a picnic lunch at Publix.So much fun.

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12/2/12 10:53 A

Great ideas!

We stopped with the buying frenzy for the entire family years ago. With one side, we still do a gift card exchange. Each person buys one $25.00 gift card to exchange BUT, along with it is a white elephant gift...the sillier, the better. We spend less, recycle and laugh. We still buy presents for the two littlest ones.

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Posts: 7,701
12/1/12 10:13 A

I agree..holdiays should be full of warmth, music, love and charity. Ours were always simple. but special growing up. I tried to recreate that with my kds, and must have succeeded, because none of them go crazy wth the commercial aspects wth their own kids now.

Thaks for remindng me about the winter blooiming bulbs! Love those..

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11/30/12 11:27 P

Great list, Bridie! Theatre tix and winter blooming bulbs are a couple of my local favorite gifts to give.

To add to your list ... local independent gift stores and art galleries.

We have several Trade Days weekends around the metroplex that allow shoppers to meet the artists and find unique gifts. Also, several popular craft and holiday expos.

Another way to shop locally is Etsy.com - they have the option to search for local artisans vs. the international database.

On a similar note, I've started giving to local vs. national organizations. Non-profits have felt the pinch of the economy too.

In some years, when friends have gathered, we all bring non-perishable foods to donate to the local food bank - or to help someone we know that can use a little help.

When I was married with step daughters, I helped them make meaningful gifts for them and their dad. They were 10 & 14 and had never cooked their dad a meal, so I helped them plan, shop for, and cook their first Father's Day celebration. They were over the moon with excitement. At Christmas, I gave them the idea of a book of memories for their dad, since he missed them a lot, and for every page in the book, they wrote a favorite memory or reason why they loved him. Very low cost, but both full of "personalized love", and brought a lot of joy to the girls, their dad, and me. I think we lose sight of simple things sometimes with the business and commercialization of the holidays.

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11/30/12 5:25 P

Disclaimer: The term "holiday" gifts being used n this case solely for practical reasons, cuz many of us have Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Athiest and Agnostic and Christian friends we love equally and wish to remember.

From local businesses and artisans here we can get:

Locally made wines
Specialty foods
Handmade soaps and bath products
Gift Certiicates for local restaurants
Theater tickets for local productions
Gift certificates for spa services
Books
Plants and flowers
Pots of herbs,
and so many other neat things..how about your area? Also how about on a budget, cuz that's now a big factor with us too.

Edited by: BRIDIE5 at: 11/30/2012 (18:12)