Man, if the only people I had to buy gifts for were those who loved design, life would be so easy. Where are the gift guides for your 60-year-old parents who don't want or need anything and when they do, they just go buy it themselves! Argh! Christmas shopping stinks.

@LSUgrad03- I do donations in their name to a charity they would like. The best ones are where you can buy a "thing," like chickens for a poor family, instead of showing a dollar amount. Plus, you can do it online and it only takes a couple minutes.

amen, lsugrad03. amen.

@lsugrad03 and gretchenalexis: homemade food presents.

Lovely post, beautiful offerings. But alas, few in my immediate circle (gift recipients) would appreciate such. Finished my Christmas shopping yesterday, actually...a new personal record. Now I'll just enjoy sitting back & watching the craziness. Good luck & have fun!

just found this out today, if you have a discover card and shop at amazon: you can currently get 5% cashback for up to $250 spent there. And you should pretty definitely qualify for free shipping unless you buy from a 3rd party. I'm considering putting my cart into permanent "save" mode until I have everything on my list then checking out. Then, I will have gotten back a bit of money and be done done done. I'll even be able to do all the wrapping at once, instead of waiting for things to arrive. This year, I may finally get to make Xmas cookies with my girls... :)

um, I just realized that I kind of a high-jacked this post with my previous comment. Probably nothing in the post can be bought at Amazon. Sorry I jacked your post, Marcia! These things are lovely and I wish I could have any of them!

I'm in the same boat, literally and figuratively. My dad doesn't need anything AND he lives on a boat.

I can't even take a new family pic to give to him.

I dunno if this helps but I have a few pointers to buying pressies and usually get it right

1) Watch what your mates/ family really like and buy them a 'clever' present. The sister cooks and bakes so I bought her 'blank' cookery book, she loved it of course. Get intelligent about presents, really watch and listen.

2) If they're broke or under 25 yrs, $50 in a card is really appreciated. Another sister who was struggling really gushed over that one, and I remember when I was broke...

3)And finally, if they're like my Mum and have everything... something you 'consume' that's a little 'more. A bottle wine, Champagne etc. If they're none drinkers, some designer cordial or home made cake.... folk really appreciate homemade (and I think it's very gentrified to give a cake you made). My Mum did it one year when she was broke (her speciality, boiled fruit cake) and EVERYONE asked for the same the next year!!!

Me, I have everything and always struggle with clutter, a bottle of vino (decent but cheap) and I'm happy out.

Check this out:

http://kaleidographtoy.com/

Perfect stocking stuffer for people who love design + their kids:)

http://designenvy.aiga.org/the-kaleidograph-norman-brosterman/