The Coffee House

[jeffashman]

Morning all. At the risk of sounding like Scrooge, I have a question for the group. At what age do you start slacking off on Christmas gifts, Birthdays, etc., for your adult children and grandchildren? With 3 kids (plus spouses) and 10 grandkids (from age 7-30), it's getting pretty expensive.

We are still going strong, but we really don't go for the expensive things... more of the coffee mug/body wash/socks/spirits sort of gifts. We pick a day that is convenient to everyone, and get together for food, drink, gift exchange, and spending some time together. This year I made a charcuterie board, caprese salad with smoked mozzarella, and DW made deviled eggs, jalapeno-cranberry sauce over a block of cream cheese, and spinach artichoke dip. The tamales will be for the weekend, possibly watching a game with our DIL's family. I should add, the grandkids get nice stuff, things like the lego flower kits, and our 17YO got a nice entry level Pfaff sewing machine that she wanted.

 

[SquarePeg]

Morning all. At the risk of sounding like Scrooge, I have a question for the group. At what age do you start slacking off on Christmas gifts, Birthdays, etc., for your adult children and grandchildren? With 3 kids (plus spouses) and 10 grandkids (from age 7-30), it's getting pretty expensive.

We adults do a yaknee swap. The kids participate once they’re old enough because it’s fun. Currently the “kids” are all in their 20’s and unmarried so they get gifts from parents and from aunts/uncles they get small personal gifts plus some cash. I used to say once my nephews graduated from college I was cutting them off the list but that didn’t happen. I’m thinking once they get married it will be a joint gift and once they have kids the gifts will be for the kids and the adults will be left with just the swap.

That sounds like that would be a lot of fun! One of my kiddos starred in a community theater production, and that was fun to watch. I have not seen that documentary, but I will look for it. He really did do a lot to communicate the Victorian Christmas flavor to future generations.

It’s not a documentary. It’s a historical dramedy that is probably far from accurate but very entertaining.

 

[smoke665]

adults do a yaknee swap. The kids participate once they’re

Down here it's called "Dirty Santa", I'd forgotten it. That might actually be a good option for the ones that attend.

 

[SquarePeg]

Down here it's called "Dirty Santa", I'd forgotten it. That might actually be a good option for the ones that attend.

We change it up every year. Sometimes we do a theme like “as seen on tv” items or sports fan gear or even gift cards to unusual stores. If we don’t have a theme we switch up how we play. Last year we used dice - each number signified an action, for example 4 might mean pass the gifts to your right and 6 might mean swap with anyone at the table. We go around 3 times then you get whatever gift is in front of you.

Another fun option is the Saran Wrap ball. You create a giant Saran Wrap ball and inside the layers you put money, candy, gift cards, scratch cards etc. you pass it around and whatever loot you can uncover during your turn is yours to keep. Your turn ends when the next person rolls doubles and grabs the ball from you. It’s a lot of fun. We collect $ from everyone to buy the loot.

 

[snowbear]

@snowbear those are nice. Since you've been doing this awhile I'm sure your aware of the toxicity of Cocobolo dust. As I've gotten older I've become more sensitive to all dust in the shop. A mask has become a necessity

In other news all you northern members would someone please come and get Mother Nature. She's drunk again, and down South freezing us out. 19 degrees right now.

There are two kinds of people: those alergic to rosewoods, and those that will be.

 

[nerwin]

Today's my birthday and I feel bummed out.

 

[SquarePeg]

Today's my birthday and I feel bummed out.

Happy birthday! As for feeling bummed out - Did you have some expectations for yourself or others around today that are not being met? I know some people are really into celebrating their birthday like it’s some kind of national holiday. I treat my birthday like any other day. At the most I’ll have dinner or lunch with a friend.

 

[nerwin]

Happy birthday! As for feeling bummed out - Did you have some expectations for yourself or others around today that are not being met? I know some people are really into celebrating their birthday like it’s some kind of national holiday. I treat my birthday like any other day. At the most I’ll have dinner or lunch with a friend.

Thank you. I mean I guess it's the first birthday I've spent entirely alone with nobody even remembering my birthday when they've always had. Kinda made me feel like I'm truly alone and nobody cares if I exist or not. But yeah you're right, it's just another day.

 

[jeffashman]

Today's my birthday and I feel bummed out.

Happy Birthday! Brighter days are coming!

 

[CherylL]

Today's my birthday and I feel bummed out.

Happy Birthday!

 

[CherylL]

Morning all. At the risk of sounding like Scrooge, I have a question for the group. At what age do you start slacking off on Christmas gifts, Birthdays, etc., for your adult children and grandchildren? With 3 kids (plus spouses) and 10 grandkids (from age 7-30), it's getting pretty expensive.

It can get expensive. I don't give birthday cash anymore for the over 20 crowd. I was going to quit sending birthday cards this year, but I picked up a bunch at the dollar tree so I guess I'm sending out this year. A dollar and the cost of stamp. I do get the young grands something.

We have an inherited IRA from MIL and each year take out the RMD and that is our xmas cash for the grands and kids. It is only $800 so I budget that for 12 people. When that runs out I'll quit

 

[CherylL]

In spite of waking up yesterday with a head cold moving into my chest, I got two of the ornaments done. Nothing fancy but still a bit of practice. These are cocobolo ( a member of the rosewood family). Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow so I can get the other two done after work.

View attachment 270554

Wow, beautiful work!

 

[snowbear]

It can get expensive. I don't give birthday cash anymore for the over 20 crowd. I was going to quit sending birthday cards this year, but I picked up a bunch at the dollar tree so I guess I'm sending out this year. A dollar and the cost of stamp. I do get the young grands something.

We have an inherited IRA from MIL and each year take out the RMD and that is our xmas cash for the grands and kids. It is only $800 so I budget that for 12 people. When that runs out I'll quit

Six.

 

[smoke665]

@CherylL As they get older and spread out all over the country gift giving becomes harder, so the next thing you know it's nothing but a cash swap. The youngest of our bunch is still close but even they are getting harder to buy for. Think we're changing some things next year.

 

[cgw]

We re-jigged Christmas years back by separating gift-giving from favorite traditions involving decorations, cooking+baking, and connecting when possible with loved ones, related or otherwise. We gift each other year-round with stuff that supports current interests, needs and appetites. We're a small crew that attrition, feuds, relocation and remarriage have reduced steadily. But it's still Christmas and no one among us stints on celebrating it. This year it was luminarias beginning on 12/12 for the Virgin of Guadalupe and some pagan roots/Solstice stuff with evergreen boughs around the outside doors. Keeps the small-town Ontario neighbors guessing!

Best wishes to all!

Toronto: Kensington Market.
A favorite underground bar entrance shot 12/2019. Sadly closed in early 2020.