practicals gifts that you have given/received

**pita1213** · 03-12-2005, 08:28 PM

i usually prefer to give a practical gift because i know it will be used. last christmas i gave my folks and sis and bil mostly hm food gifts. i knew they would be eaten and wouldn't be something else to have to take care of. bil loved the brownies that sis made with the brownie mix i gave her so i'll be giving her that one again. but i'd also like some ideas of useful things y'all have gotten or that you have given and were well recieved.
one thing i was given was one of those allweather fold up blankets (like this one http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...=-1&SKU=105015 ) my sis gave it to me last year because of us having kids in sports and so far we've used it to go to the park and to go to soccer practice. definatly useful.

ok so what do y'all like to give? and what have y'all found really useful thatyou were given?

**homesteadmamma** · 03-13-2005, 11:06 AM

I like practical gifts too or homemade gifts.

I love it when my mom gives us cash. We can then buy what we want/need. The kids usually get me fat quarters for quilting which I always can use more of. Dh and I don't exchange gifts at Christmas unless he has made me something out of his workshop. Two years ago it was a clock. I love it.

I always make pjs for the grandkids and there is usally a quilt going to someone at Christmas time. Dh is now making wooden toys for the smaller grandkids.

**AmyMCGS** · 03-13-2005, 11:15 AM

I have given:
-- A stationary/greeting card kit to my sister in college. It had paper, envelopes, an assortment of greeting cards, and stamps, so that she could keep in touch with everyone without spending a lot of $$. She loved it.

--Last year we gave that same sister (now out of college) and her boyfriend a joint gift-- an Entertainment book. Neither of them is making much money, and they like to go out to eat, so we thought that would be useful. She's told me many times how much they like it and now they plan dates around those coupons.

--Pizza gift certificates as a new baby gift, especially for parents with other children-- I figure they already have most of the basics. That way the new parents can get a quick meal delivered when they need it. That's been well received. (Of course I've also delivered several meals personally, but, for distance the gift certificates work great!)

One good practical gift I have received was a small sewing kit from my grandma-- just enough supplies to do mending. Very practical, and very useful!

**Michele Annette** · 03-14-2005, 08:50 AM

I love receiving practical gifts. Any clothing from my family I USE (wear out) and it's always greatly appreciated to get something NEW! I love getting money as well just in case I would like to put it in savings or use on a bill.

We give:

Homeade food gifts every year. Last year I made homeade bath and body items. It was a fun change. We have also given gift certificates.

**blueknitter** · 03-14-2005, 09:09 AM

One year, after the layoff, I got lots of Aldi's gift certificates. That was my favorite practical gift. I totally restocked my pantry and that made me able to stop worrying about where the grocery money was going to come from.

I also like hm soaps and lotions or bath salts and things like that. Hm food items are also a huge hit at my house. I had the kids make hm bath baskets this past year for all the aunts and grandmas, and those were a huge hit as well.

I've knitted scarves and mittens for family for gifts, and those are normally very well received, too.