So what did ya guys get?

I voted the last. Christmas is about giving from the heart not the wallet.

I went to Vegas a few weekends ago and that was my present. There are some more things under the tree for me though We haven't opened our gifts yet. My stepson opened his gifts this morning and Mel is taking him to his mothers right now so I am waiting until he gets back.

The only thing I really wanted was Angel perfume- I am running out. I did drop a hint and I know Mel got it. I have seen the Angel for men and other samples in the bathroom

Of course the material possessions are not the important thing, but it is fun to give something to the one you love that you know they would like and appreciate. Both of us set up WISH lists over on Amazon, plus we have other things that we let the other know about. If we got none of them, it would be fine, but it makes it easier to choose a gift when you know it is something the other would like to have. So, I got some of the books and music I wanted - and so did he. I gave him a new cordless mouse that he wanted for his computer plus made a donation to one of his favourite charities as his 'main' gift (he 'adopted' a wild gray wolf for a year:-)); he enrolled me in the National Genographic program - something I have wanted to do for several years. It has been a wonderful Christmas - and would still have been wonderful even if we had no gifts just because we are together.

What do you guys think about gift cards? This year I got a bunch and thought it was so impersonal. I'm not saying I demand something, but putting a little thought into a persons gift is what I believe its all about. Getting a gift card is just to say "here... i got you something" and they can check mark you off their shopping list.

No, gift cards are good and will always be good. Sometimes people don't know as much about us as they think they do and buy us things that are absolutely awful. I had this happen yesterday. It was so awful that I would have rather had a gift card 90 times over or gotten nothing even more. I guess the worst thing about this gift was that it was given out of the spirit of forced giving. I hate that part of Christmas.

Christmas this year sucked but not because of the presents...

Marylin,
What happened?

long story and I don't want to drag this thread down... sorry

Yes. I gave hubby a list with the links to where to buy, how dificult could that be?

We had a great Christmas. Although we all got a lot of nice material gifts, we all agreed that the best gift we've had is the chance to spend family time. We spent most of Dec 24 finishing up hubby's "Nativity Scene" project ... mostly painting. Then, when it was all done, we relaxed in our living room with a glass of wine (sparkling cider for our 15 year old son) and talked about what 2007 meant to us. Christmas day was spent at home.

I see what you mean but I like gift cards a lot these days.

There wasn't any one specific thing I really wanted this year. I didn't want clothes because I am pregnant, have enough make up and such, so one thing I wanted was gift cards to starbucks. I got 3 , yay!!! I won't have to buy it myself for awhile, LOL. I got lots of cute things, nothing I didn't like. And it's really not just about the presents. I feel blessed to have gotten stuff. Me and hubby didn't even buy for each other this year. We have a baby coming and that's our present, costs a lot! We gave other people gifts and they gave us gifts.

We said we wouldn't buy any gifts for each other...just for the kids and family. It was a great Christmas - first one together. We had the laziest of days on Christmas day - didn't even make it to Mass , but Jinky has been working so hard and had to be back at work early the next day, so we just stayed home, ate frozen pizza and slept like pigs in a pen.

Job sent off a letter to Santa last Sunday (didn't even put a stamp on it) and then Monday, he received a letter back from Santa with stamp! Both his mom and him were both excited to see it. We even left out a cookie and some milk by the fireplace. He ended up getting way too many gifts, because I know he would have been content with only a few. I hope that next Christmas we can coordinate with family so that the children don't get so many gifts...it really lessons the preciousness of each gift when there's so many of them.

I love gift cards. But that's because I'm too picky when it comes to buy me something. I like to have the option to choose.

No i didnt get what i wanted
I sent a letter to the fat guy in the red suit, but i didnt get what i put down on my list. The bad thing was there was only 1 thing on the list. 1 little thing and i still didnt get it. The letter read.....
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Dear Santa
I have been a good girl all year long. Here is my christmas list.

1. I want Hayz here from Lebanon


Thanks
Amanda

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see now a huge list of unusual demands. Still cant beleive i didnt get what i asked for.
Oh well better luck next year.

I see the impersonal part of it, but gift giving can be impersonal too (I've gotten gifts before that I had no idea what to do with). On the practical side of things, I think gift cards can be great, especially for someone who needs practical things.

(((((((Marilyn))))))

Me? I got some nice pressies, cooked a tasty dinner and was knocking back Bailey's by 3pm. Perfect.

Re: gift cards, I think they're especially a good idea for teenagers. That and, well, money.
I got what I wanted this year for sure: a family gathering that was actually quite fun, Rey and his brother sharing the holiday with my family, and, um, a really beautiful camera.

I wanted to spend time with my family. I got what i wanted. I always chose books or items that are inspirational or spiritual to our growth as human beings. Hard to do that for the kids, but my son did get me a beautiful glass with an angel etched in it.

I put yes, although what I really wanted wasn't possible as we don't even have our NOA2 yet. However, I got a new stereo system so that was pretty cool. And I got to spend 1 1/2 hours on the phone with my fiance.

It was my hubby's first Christmas in the States so I'm happy about that. We had a great time with friends and we talked to my family since we couldn't be in NY.
We didn't do much present giving but I got a really nice (and needed) new purse.

Lira got me a Dean Koontz novel I've been wanting, called "Intensity".

An embassy case # on Fri the 21st? Dam skippy i got what i want

Well, this year, i got the best christmas present ever that i could treasure, care and love forever and that's my future hubby, Frank.
Wish you all a Prosperous New Year!

cool..and congrats

Not to name any names but is someone here jealous that his son got more gifts than him?