What do you want for your birthday? (or other up coming gift giving event)

madamerwin

cgss11 said:

I hoard gift card too, I thought I was the only one! I have like $100 to old navy/br/gap in my wallet. Then I go there and think "oh it's just a cheap tshirt, or leggings, etc, I don't want to waste it on this. I'll use it for something special." Repeat cycle endlessly.

This is my EXACT thought process every time.

princessleia22

I have the same problem. Anything that I want, I buy for myself.  So, it's near impossible for me to think of things I want for gift giving times.  For Christmas, I usually start creating an Amazon wish list around this time of year to be distributed to people that want to buy me things... the list includes things I like, but not enough to immediately buy them myself or things I can hold off on buying until after holidays. 

My mom has now gotten into the habit of hunting out Groupon experience deals for b-day gifts. Things like, riding in a glider plane or a helicopter ride.  The type of things we probably wouldn't go out and do ourselves, but we now have to go since she bought it and it's always a lot of fun.

Otherwise, Amazon gift card is always my go to gift.  I spend a lot of money on Amazon, so contributions to my obsession are always appreciated.  And for giving a gift to someone, it opens it up to let them get anything they may want.

DarthV8r

I want a cookie jar shaped like a squirrel. Basically anything I can get that will look "fall" for my home. I'm on a knick knack collecting/decorating binge.  I was super close to buying a bunch of Burlap today.  I was going to cover pumpkins with it and use it for table runners.  I don't know what's wrong with me. 

photokitty

I have strategically left a Danbury mint flier for a bracelet themed for my alma mater on the kitchen counter for a week now. Hoping DH takes the hint bc I am impossible to buy for. I have to be careful what I say I like, or even call something cute, bc he'll jump on it - I'm that difficult. Even my mom can't buy for me.

Teddy917

Does she craft? Maybe ask her to make you something. Or is there anything from your childhood memories that she has. Maybe you could ask her to pass it down to you. Like for Christmas a couple years ago, my family was getting a new Nativity. The old one we had had since before I was born and was one of my favorite parts of Christmas. She ended up not giving it to me, but instead gave me some of our old Christmas tree decorations.

emmaaa

becklertobe said:

My birthday is technically first, but it's only 10 days before Christmas (womp womp womp).

What I really want is a gun and to get my carrying permit. I am always too cheap to buy one for myself.

I really want my concealed permit also. I've had my gun for almost 4 years but haven't taken the class. I think DH and I are going to do it for our anniversary. 

ETA: The permit part is the cheap part though.

thisismynickname2

My small family and I all keep Amazon wish lists for these purposes. Right now I have several chick-flicks and the last few seasons of Supernatural on my list (which Amazon kindly reminds me of, to "treat myself" every few weeks... Thanks, Amazon). 

I would love an Amazon gift card too so I can buy full price e-books, because I'm cheap like that. I tend to buy the books that are $2-$3 and wait for sales on my favorite authors. 

thisismynickname2

emmaaa said:

becklertobe said:

My birthday is technically first, but it's only 10 days before Christmas (womp womp womp).

What I really want is a gun and to get my carrying permit. I am always too cheap to buy one for myself.

I really want my concealed permit also. I've had my gun for almost 4 years but haven't taken the class. I think DH and I are going to do it for our anniversary. 

ETA: The permit part is the cheap part though.

Ohh good idea. I got a FOID a couple years ago so I could go to the range with DH and his family, but I don't have one of my own. 

[Deleted User]

I want an electronic gadget that will convert VHS tapes to digital.  I have lots of old home movies to convert.  I plan on making that my winter project.

redwoodoriginal

jenna8984 said:

What is wrong with you people? Send me all your unused gift cards, I burn through mine like the hour I receive them.

Agreed!! With the exception of BBB GCs, I use mine almost immediately.

Things I would love as gifts: certificates for massages, amazon $$ to buy books, GC/cash for clothing, groupons for restaurants / activities, new bags, new uggs, a pair of hunters, a pair of sorells, a whole new wardrobe, $ to get my wedding dress cleaned, a maid service, a subscription to blue apron / plated / one of those meal delivery companys, GC for my manicure place, a pair of diamond / cubic zirconia earrings to replace the ones I lost so i dont keep buying the $5 ones at Claire's, cute headbands, new sneakers, new shoes for work (I'm a nurse and I refuse to buy those dansko ones bc $$ and i've worn my sneakers into the ground), new scrubs! I have the same 4-5 on rotation.... 

I think I could go on and on.... lol

l9i

This is always hard for both DH and I around birthday/Christmas time, we're just both so practical.  Gift cards are always nice although sometimes we fall into the CG hoarder path.  We had a CG from our wedding it took us almost a year to use.  I still have a random CG for Cold Stone (I never go here bc I don't live by one) from close to 10 years ago!

My current list would be things for our upcoming vacation.  We are doing a lot of cold weather hiking, etc so I do need some things for that.  Luckily my birthday is a few weeks before!

sassercake12

An indoor bike stand so I can ride in my living room when winter hits, and a Lodge cast iron skillet. At least hoping for more Amazon gift cards so I can get them. Or that DH will get them for me.

[Deleted User]

l9i said:

This is always hard for both DH and I around birthday/Christmas time, we're just both so practical.  Gift cards are always nice although sometimes we fall into the CG hoarder path.  We had a CG from our wedding it took us almost a year to use.  I still have a random CG for Cold Stone (I never go here bc I don't live by one) from close to 10 years ago!

My current list would be things for our upcoming vacation.  We are doing a lot of cold weather hiking, etc so I do need some things for that.  Luckily my birthday is a few weeks before!

I have a giftcard wallet.  I've begun to actually use my giftcards because I know where they all are.  Discovering that M Burger is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant changed my life!  I've gotten like five "free" milkshakes and still have at least half of one left on my giftcard.

FrenchHouseCat

cupcait927 said:

I know you said you have a ton of running stuff, but what about things like more smart wool socks, gloves for cold weather running, hats, any of the little stuff? H has tons of running gear but he always loves getting more smart wool socks from his mom for Christmas and last year I got him a neon yellow shell for running in the winter/nighttime to make him more visible. 

My birthday is in November and it's become tradition for my mom to buy me a new winter coat. They're always so expensive and I hate spending the money so she gets whatever coat I want for me - this has helped me to get a nice collection of practical warm coats and dressier coats for work. 

In the same vein, it's now become a tradition for H to get me boots for either Christmas or my birthday. For the three years we've been together I've gotten Uggs, riding boots and last year a pair of Sorels that I was drooling over. This year I want Hunter boots to round out my fall/winter boot collection.

This is what I was going to suggest, I am going to ask for a new coat this year. Its one of those things that I never want to spend the money on myself. 

futurecptkirk

So my want list is really strange. I want new tennis shoes and a tree. I ruined the soles of my shoes on my half marathon and they are falling apart. And my backyard has no shade so I would love a tree. 

Also I'm a big sucker for anything travel related. My last birthday my mom bought me a Brooks and Riley carryon because I traveled so much for work that I broke my target bag in 6 months. My b-day is in a month and a half and I was going to ask for this Betabrand red eye jacket with a built in eye mask that folds into itself for my 2 international flights next year, but I kept looking at it too much and bought it for myself... whoops. 

We tend to do experiences in my family, not things, so we typically do trips or meals or something instead of physical gifts. 

arrrghmatey

My birthday is on the 11th next week and I never know what to tell people what to give me (I always feel guilty about receiving gifts). And because our wedding is in 2 months, I prefer people not get me anything--most of them are traveling for our wedding so that is plenty enough!

My sister/MOH sent me a pair luxury beach towels and a nice picnic blanket. The beach towels we can use on our honeymoon, and we registered for a picnic basket, so the picnic blanket would compliment well if we get it

But I actually prefer experiences over items. I've had enough birthdays of getting junk that just clutters up the place. FMIL loves to give FI and I things like a trip on the wine train or a brunch cruise in the bay for birthdays/Christmas. A gift certificate for a spa would be awesome this year that I could use right before the wedding,

themosthappy91

littlemushroom said:

I can never think of anything I really want either, especially after the shower and wedding gifts last year. Anything under $50, my H and I just get when we want it. So the only things I really want are expensive, like a PS4. Last year we had both sets of parents just get us gift cards to our favorite restaurants for birthdays and Xmas (both our bdays are in December). We got a bunch of $15-$25 cards for about 10 different restaurants, from fast food to more pricy. We have used them all year whenever we go out to eat and it has been awesome. We always tell our parents we used one and thank them all over again. They see how much we appreciate them and how much we enjoy them. We might end up doing the same thing this year. My mom does get me a subscription to Food Network magazine each year too. In the past I have done new sheets/comforter, a windhsield cover so I wouldn't have to scrape my windows anymore, and board games.

Yuuup, same. My mom gets annoyed with me every single Christmas- my family is one of those that likes to have a million gifts for everyone and take hours opening presents and I'm like "Realistically there is not a lot I want under $100 (because I've already bought it for myself) so I'd much rather you get me the $350 coat that I will use literally forever and nothing else"... but that does not fly with her. So I end up getting a bunch of junky scarves, books I've already read or will never read, make-up items that would make my skin break out... and I feel like a dick because it's the thought that counts but I'm frustrated they spent the same amount of money on me on stuff I will never use as one thing I really, really wanted would have cost. BUT the upside is I get to feel good donating all that stuff to charity!

monkeysip

I was just thinking about this.  I have a birthday and X-mas in december, so my mom is already asking what i want.  Then my dad usually buys me something, plus H's parents always buy all their children and children-in-law tons of gifts.  And they all want to buy me physical gifts.

All I want is money or gift cards.  H and I need a garage door opener, and an actual door because we want to put a door in connecting the nursery and master bedroom.  

Otherwise, all I want are restaurant or salon gift cards.  I've started buying all my clothes fair trade only, so I can't ask for physical clothes, or even gift cards to any brick and mortar stores.  The only stores I would buy from are online.  And my mom is one of the last few people who has no idea how to use the internet.  And H's parents really just don't buy people gift cards.  So this year I expect to just get more throws, fuzzy socks, scented candles, etc. lol.  I know I shouldn't complain--a gift is a gift!

HappyAnjel

themosthappy91 said:

Yuuup, same. My mom gets annoyed with me every single Christmas- my family is one of those that likes to have a million gifts for everyone and take hours opening presents and I'm like "Realistically there is not a lot I want under $100 (because I've already bought it for myself) so I'd much rather you get me the $350 coat that I will use literally forever and nothing else"... but that does not fly with her. So I end up getting a bunch of junky scarves, books I've already read or will never read, make-up items that would make my skin break out... and I feel like a dick because it's the thought that counts but I'm frustrated they spent the same amount of money on me on stuff I will never use as one thing I really, really wanted would have cost. BUT the upside is I get to feel good donating all that stuff to charity!

My family is the same.. My mom would rather get me 20 shirts that don't fit/aren't my style or random things I don't need or want like 4 jelly bean dispensers + 6 pocket cell phone chargers. Than one practical gift. It was great when you're a kid- but now I have to transport, dispose of/ store it all.

Jells2dot0

My birthday is in November, and this year, I can actually go out and do something. So, that is a plus. I think we'll do what we normally do- one steak dinner (Ruth's Chris), one fondue dinner (Melting Pot), and he'll buy me a new purse when I'm in London later that month. We usually get what we want throughout the year, so birthdays and Christmas are super hard.

redheadbride15

My birthday is at the end of this month too (yay, for September birthday girls!!!). I have no idea what I want, but you should ask my DH because I know he's been not-so-subtly keeping notes in his phone every time I off-handedly mention something I'd like to have. I can't remember any of them - haha! I have been on a strict "buy only what you need, not what you want" routine to try to build back some of the savings we spent on the wedding.

ElcaB

Do you like to cook? One of the best birthday gifts I ever got was a Paderno Spiralizer. It makes noodles out of vegetables and I use mine ALL THE TIME. It makes cooking fun and eating healthy easy. 

AprilH81

My MIL wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas a few months ago.  lol  I told her I hadn't even thought about it... 

I've been working on my Amazon Wish list today and it is 90% boring practical stuff that I want/need but won't  buy for myself because I've been out of work so since March.

I my most "frivolous" item is a Sauder sewing machine cabinet so I can leave it set up and keep my stuff organized.  

I have a new vacuum (our Dyson broke and we've been making due with my old canister one), a steam mop, air tight storage containers for flour and sugar and a few other things like that.

I have some inexpensive earrings and some sports clothes as well.  

Last year MIL and FIL made fun of me because I put a bunch of felt hangers (all matching) on my list.  I've always wanted matching hangers for our closet but I'm too cheap to replace hangers that work just fine.  They ended up buying them for me and I was super excited.  

hellohkb

My birthday was last month so the next gift giving holiday is Christmas. I would like a pair of pearl earrings, candles and scarves.

arrippa

My birthday is tomorrow so I have already asked for a microplane and grater. Knowing my dad, I will get an Amazon giftcard so I will be getting myself one of those items. My mom always send me a bottle of wine, so that's also very appreciated.