Day 8: Hobbies to the Rescue!

There are a few family members on my list who are very difficult . . . to know what to do with for Christmas, and they're all men. The main reason these people are challenges is that: A) They would be fine with getting nuttin' for Christmas, and B) They already have everything they want. But we haven't reached a point in our familial evolution at which it has become the norm to not exchange gifts. We've definitely simplified and streamlined as our children have gotten older (and what a relief that has been!), but we still like to give at least a little something meaningful to each person in the family (unless we have an agreement - in writing - that neither of us will give each other anything).

I just went ahead and called my brother today and asked him what he wanted for Christmas. His first reply was, "Nothing." Expected that. We eventually got around to the idea of gift cards, and the baby brother finally gave me the go-ahead to get him some magical plastic (that's a gift card) from an online photography site. He loves photography, so yay!

I'm not a person that thinks gift cards are impersonal, but I know some people do. If you're one of those, consider making them more personal by focusing on your recipient's favorite hobby. Here are some thoughts:

Bakers: Bake It Pretty
Coffee Lovers: Starbucks, Keurig
Cooks: The Cook's Warehouse Online
Writers and Readers: Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble
Jewelry Makers: Fire Mountain Gems
Musicians: Sheet Music Plus, J. W. Pepper, Musician's Friend, Amazon.com
Runners: Running Warehouse, Super Runners
Scrapbookers: Scrapbooks.com, Michaels, A.C. Moore
Yoga: Gaiam, Yoga Accessories

I don't have experience with some of these stores, so I can't vouch for their awesomeness (or lack thereof). Nevertheless, it's a starting place.

What do you do if your challenging recipient doesn't have any hobbies that you know of?  Or what do you do with someone who loves to give but hates to get? Stay tuned...I'll have to tackle these issues soon, whether I like it or not!

TALLY:
11 Friends and Family: DONE!
4 Charitable Gifts: DONE!
Stockings: Half Full! (Leaving room for Santa, of course.)