AAhhhh, I give up.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 12-02-2008, 10:50 AM

Why is it so hard to shop for certain people?

Case in point: my BIL likes to play squash, poker and he's into organic things. That's all I know, and that's really all my SIL knows. She's already got dibs on a worm farm for him, his sister has dibs on other stuff, and basically I'm stuck. I've been looking online all day for organic things but most of them are pretty expensive. I wanted to get him a mini-composter but they're like $250.

I thought of something poker related, was going to get him at least a poker book. However, I need something else.

My FIL apparently wanted us there for his birthday (which is on the 21st) as his present. We're getting him something for his ATV (which is a 1991 Honda TRX something or other), and I bought MIL's gift online (a food processor that I almost took for myself

). I got DH a Two-to-Go Coffeemaker and a tool box, plus the kids are pretty much done for smaller gifts. We're considering the $150 we spent on hooking up their computer downstairs as their big gift this year, so that's done.

Why is it there's always one person that's so tough to buy for?

Oh and my SIL will be easy. We got her and BIL a compact grill for their kitchen. We're set the limit for $50 per present and $10 per Christmas stocking, plus we bought one of the $10 or less "pick" gifts already like way back in September. I also have books to give the kids that I bought throughout the last part of this year, and a ShamWow! for both MIL and SIL's present.

**Patty A** · 12-02-2008, 11:03 AM

I think its always that way, always has been and always will be one of those most hated things about Christmas, someone is always HARD to buy for. They challenge us in every way to find something that will "fit" them and their needs or wants. It really makes you dig deep to find a fitting gift for them. I wish you luck, as I still struggle even after 32 years finding something to buy for my MIL!

**TexasPeanut** · 12-02-2008, 11:12 AM

The problem you are having figuring out what to get the adult members of your family is exactly why 4 years ago our family changed all the rules. For years too many of us couldn't figure out what to get others, what they needed or wanted and it just wasn't working well anymore. So from that Christmas on, no one buys anything for anyone outside their immediate household. We figured spending time visiting and getting together was all the adults needed really. The grandparents still buy for the kids under 18 and they keep it at a $40 limit, but that's it. It's made it much more pleasant and less stressful. Not to mention less strain on everyone's bank account. ....and there's always the added benefit of you not dragging home some "thing" you will never use that will end up in the bottom of a closet or cabinet lol.

**Jeanna** · 12-02-2008, 11:32 AM

I do not know if he has room to do this, but how about a good book on organic gardening? Maybe some gardening tools,videos, or gift card to a garden center or catalog that specializes in organic gardening? Just somethings that come to mind.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 12-02-2008, 11:53 AM

I actually took a look around and with madhen's help, found something that'd be perfect!

A backyard composter.

I might get the kitchen one that I've been eyeing if I can find a place that either ships to Canada for less than $45 just for shipping alone, or sells it here already. I did find a really neat backyard one for $40 in-store at Home Depot, so we're going there this weekend to check stuff out. I'm gonna look around some more, but I figure the composter thing would be great since SIL is getting him a worm farm.

**madhen** · 12-02-2008, 12:09 PM

Another option would be to buy him a bag of worms for his vermi-composter. They don't come cheap, and I think the general rule of thumb is 2,000 worms for every adult in the household.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 12-02-2008, 12:18 PM

Good luck on finding him something that he will value this holiday season!

**kittykatstrong** · 12-02-2008, 12:23 PM

One year down, 30 more to go.

What a great gift idea, my dad might like that gift also.

**zakity** · 12-02-2008, 01:14 PM

What about a gift card to a local organic restaurant?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 12-02-2008, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by zakity

What about a gift card to a local organic restaurant?

I think that might be my next gift idea to tackle. I talked to SIL and she said they already have a composter.

DH also said BIL has probably read every poker book that's been written, so that's off my list. I might end up getting him an organic gift basket with tea, jam, etc in it that I saw online today. It was a bit pricey, so I'm going to see if there's a place around Calgary that has one without enduring the cost of shipping.

**ladykemma2** · 12-02-2008, 08:11 PM

don't get him a composter because the vermicomposter will take all his "greens". he will not be able to make enough kitchen waste for both.

instead, get him some nice packets of garden seeds?

**Katybird** · 12-07-2008, 04:40 PM

My idea of the perfect gift for those that you absolutely have to buy for....Visa Gift card. If you would rather not let them know how much you spent...my second favorite....a donation to a favorite charity in their name.

**guest002** · 12-07-2008, 07:00 PM

How about re-usable or recycled shopping bags or produce bags?

**geckoace** · 12-08-2008, 09:30 AM

i second the produce bags, they are the hardest to find as reusable bags. my bff and i are green-types and i bought her some mesh bags in a 4 pk from the dollar store and some cloth napkins for use in her and her hubby's lunch, they run out alot . if they drink alchohol pair that with a nice organic beer/ or wine i have also found reusable 6pk totes fill up 4 slots with different beers and the other 2 with cloth napkins and produce bags as a nice gift basket...thats what im doing