Welcome to my stop on the 12 Days of Giving Hop. Thank you so much to Lia Davis for setting up this extravaganza.
Get your mind
out of the gutter! We’re not talking swinging here. Instead, it’s the concept
of adults exchanging gifts at the holidays. Some years, family do a “children
only” gift exchange, some make gifts, some draw names and others go full out.
What’s your take on gift giving?
Of course, the
first issue is the budget. What can you afford to spend? Sometimes, there is a
gift limit during an exchange. Plus, for me, it’s what can you feasibly do? I’m
not much of a creative, gift-making person. I can bake, but shipping food
stuffs isn’t the easiest thing. My fellow Black Hills Wolves pack member TL
Reeve was making these adorable hot chocolate jars for the holidays. (Leaded or
Unleaded, LOL.) Maybe I could handle that!
The next thing
to keep in mind is knowing the person you’re buying for. Don’t buy a generic
gift but something you think they would like. Easier said than done, right?
Often, I employ the tactic of “Would I want this?” and I confess, at times, I
even end up buying two!
Having a list or
guidelines can be helpful. Notoriously, a few months after the holidays my
stepmom returns or gives away presents that were bought for her (I often get
them back!). My hubby probably still has clothes I purchased 10 years ago that
he’s never worn because although I liked the style, he doesn’t.
For my birthday
in October, I put together a wish list on Amazon and gave the link to hubby. He
complained that everything on it was $10, and bought nothing. (Fortunately, my
aunt gave me a gift card and I used it toward goodies.)
As I’ve gotten
older, the surprise in gifts has decreased, which is probably why I’ve signed
up for a few Secret Santa exchanges! And I’m super sad to be missing a get-together
of friends next week where they’re doing a “naughty” gift exchange.
Tell me: What are your thoughts on
gift giving? Too stressful? Are you still like a child? What’s on your wish
list for this year? What is your favorite type of gift?
Giveaway: A gifted copy of “Claiming the She-Wolf” (my
first Black Hills Wolves book) via Amazon or ARe, and a Starbucks Hot Chocolate
Kit (U.S. mailing)! Please leave a valid email address and comment.
~*~*~*
Winter Solstice
Ménage
Sugar isn’t as
sweet as her big brother, Yas, believes. After he leaves the big city to
venture a small pack in the hills he’s heard about from their mom, she decides
to let loose in all the best ways. Except when all hell breaks loose and she’s
faced with some tough decisions, she runs … to her family.
After growing up
in Los Lobos, twins Derek and Tyler Baker lived through all the hardships under
the former Alpha leader. While one twin is happy playing the dating field, the
other wants something more special. They both find what they’re looking for
when newcomer Sugar comes for a visit.
Where Sugar
goes, trouble follows. It’ll take more than one member of this pack to tame the
new shifter she-wolf. But will the Winter Solstice Ménage be enough to convince
her to settle down?
Remember to enter the Rafflecopter for
the major prizes!
Grand
Prizes
1 Kindle Fire
7"
1 $50 Amazon
Gift Card
5 $5 Amazon Gift
Card
Make sure to visit the other stops on the hop:
post date
|
Name
|
Blog URL
|
12/1/2015
|
Lia Davis
|
|
12/2/2015
|
Kerry
Adrienne
|
|
12/3/2015
|
Amy Gregory
|
|
12/4/2015
|
Merryn
Dexter
|
|
12/5/2015
|
Lauren Smith
|
|
12/6/2015
|
Jessie Lane
|
|
12/7/2015
|
Emmy Curtis
|
|
12/8/2015
|
Virginia
Cavanaugh
|
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12/9/2015
|
Louisa Bacio
|
|
12/10/2015
|
Sheri Lyn
|
|
12/11/2015
|
TL Reeve
|
|
12/12/2015
|
Alyssa
Richards
|
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Get for the personality special gifts not alot but more meaning I do for kids and grandkids
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGet for the personality special gifts not alot but more meaning I do for kids and grandkids
ReplyDeleteIm still like a child. I love getting gifts. Just ask my grandchildren! lol At this years Christmas party there are 5 grandchildren doing the gift exchange I said put my name in to make even so guess what? I'm getting a gift too!! I love the idea of gift exchanges for every age!! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic Tina! How fun.
DeleteTina -- It paid off for you! You're the official winner! I'll try to find you on FB!
DeleteI absolutely love trying to figure out just the right gift for the person!! Usually it is just a small token, but I hope it is something that will make them smile. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis year with the extended family, we're doing an exchange where you bring a gift for another woman or man, and then we'll pick, choose, etc. In those instances, I usually go with what I want.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love finding the perfect gift for each person on my list, as for me I just want books. HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!
ReplyDeleteGift giving can be stressful especially for my husbands family. I make things a lot for Christmas gifts. They arent always well received. Like...you made a gift? What? Where's my gift card? I'm like wow! So, yeah it can be a little stressful. Although anymore I dont care. Ha! They dont like my super cute homemade gifts they can snow blow themselves! ;) My family however, is mostly easy. I think the most difficult is my dad and husband actually. However, whatever I get them they are grateful for. As far as wish list? I don't necessarily have one I guess? There are things I need sure but as far as want? Not so much. Just how I was raised I guess. I love watching my nieces and nephews open gifts though. I dont hand-make theirs because come on they are kids but I get them gifts I know they'd dig. Gifts dont matter to me its the thought, but I do love receiving handmade things or gift cards to Starbucks cause I am a SB hooker! LOL. Otherwise I'm pretty darn easy to please. Merry Christmas & Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy shopping for people for the Christmas holiday and
ReplyDeleteI enjoy when my children surprise me with their gifts :)
Lori
lorih824@yahoo.com
We stopped giving gifts about 25 years ago. Quite frankly, I think we were all relieved. (We have no kids otherwise I'm sure we'd be giving to them.)
ReplyDeleteacm05atjuno.com
I (or I should say Santa)spent way too much money on my daughter! And we always make presents from my daughter to everyone. This year we are making ornaments with her picture in them.
ReplyDeleteMichele
mjdahlquisttrucking@yahoo.com
I'm usually really into gift-giving but it's been a teensy bit stressful this year with our first child due in 3 weeks... gift cards it is! ;)
ReplyDeletevandango33@gmail.com
I love giving gifts, especially for the people I love. Sometimes, gift shopping can be a pain but I actually love carefully picking out gifts that suit and interest the people I care about most. I love them so much so I never want to just buy a gift just to get it over with. For myself, I really want maybe a Coach, a Michael Kors, or a Kate Spade purse. Just a little something nice.
ReplyDeletesabrina_joy314@hotmail.com
can be fun
ReplyDeletelike gift cards
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I am a minimalist gift giver, small gifts to my parents and a few of my friends just for the joy of giving. I like your exchange idea.
ReplyDeleteI am Heather Bartley on Facebook.
DeleteI love giving and receiving gifts. One thing I always try to do each year is to pull a name from the Sharing Tree and buy gifts for that person. It feels me with joy and helps to remind me to always be thankful for what I have.
ReplyDeleteI would love a new Kindle for Christmas (I dropped mine and cracked the screen *sob*) Email: barbiefan@comcast.net
Thanks for the chance! Happy Holidays!!
I love giving gifts to others. My kids and I usually get 2 or 3 names off the giving tree to get local needy kids presents.
ReplyDeleteI love giving gifts! I like to do the gift swaps, and even Secret Santa. I usually buy my own gifts from my husband, and children. Occasionally, he will get me something else. And, we do stockings that are personal and sweet. I'm not that picky, but he hates to shop.
ReplyDeleteI love giving gifts but it's often the budget part that stresses me out lol.
ReplyDeleteI love giving gifts. Finding something special for all my friends and family is a so much fun and I love to see them open them.
ReplyDeleteI love giving IF I can tell that I'm in the mood to choose wisely :). There is nothing like giving a perfect gift. I don't want to write my email, but if you click on my profile you can see it.
ReplyDelete-Daria