tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post5894128016128555050..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Buying better giftsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-51818766390498714852007-11-13T12:42:00.000-06:002007-11-13T12:42:00.000-06:00The photo above (and also below) were taken at a l...The photo above (and also below) were taken at a local patio furniture shop which transforms into a winter wonderland each year.<BR/><BR/>This is the first time we've toured their trees for ideas. It was a lot of fun.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-43653749614351840582007-11-13T12:23:00.000-06:002007-11-13T12:23:00.000-06:00For the anon who has relatives who expect more exp...For the anon who has relatives who expect more expensive gifts, my best advice to you is to continue doing what you're doing and try not to let their expectations get to you. Choose gifts for them carefully with their interests in mind, then give it with love. If they truly are concerned about dollar amounts spent, then there's really nothing you can do to change that attitude. If they're disappointed, they're disappointed. But they're also acting like boors, considering you don't HAVE to give them anything!<BR/><BR/>The only other suggestion is to set a spending limit with them. No gift can cost more than $25 or whatever amount is comfortable for your family. <BR/><BR/>My husband and I have no children. My sister and her husband have 4 kids. They don't usually spend as much money on our gifts as we do on theirs. BUT, we also know that their money is used to give their 4 daughters a great Christmas. I wouldn't DREAM of expecting them to spend less on their kids so they can spend more on us. Perhaps your childless relatives don't quite get this.Anne Marie@Married to the Empirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16600919522369171555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-62310877439917942412007-11-13T11:54:00.000-06:002007-11-13T11:54:00.000-06:00meredith, have you seen the felt play foods at mah...meredith, have you seen the felt play foods at mahardrygoods.com? Sushi, canollis, extra cute!<BR/><BR/>deb meyersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-89796868340707090652007-11-13T08:09:00.000-06:002007-11-13T08:09:00.000-06:00The picture on this post is extravagantly lovely. ...The picture on this post is extravagantly lovely. Where was it taken?marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09164689050291726804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-56831670278756520452007-11-13T07:58:00.000-06:002007-11-13T07:58:00.000-06:00Thankfully MOST of my family are very gracious and...Thankfully MOST of my family are very gracious and thankful receivers of gifts, even homemade ones. I will admit that sometimes homemade food gifts go to waste in my house, but that's only because hubby and I can't eat them fast enough. We're very thankful nonetheless.<BR/><BR/>There is one person in my family who tends to be a little ungracious if they don't like a gift. This person tends to get gift certificates or a combined gift for them and their spouse. This person has been a better receiver since not having enough money for gifts one year and gave handmade gifts that were promptly unappreciated by their side of the family.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05961614872895512970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-73218013674708489522007-11-13T07:24:00.000-06:002007-11-13T07:24:00.000-06:00Great Article!Great Article!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-20059236887990452582007-11-13T07:05:00.000-06:002007-11-13T07:05:00.000-06:00I really enjoyed the article. I've found the same...I really enjoyed the article. I've found the same thing to be true for myself and our family.Christihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17732288654277612085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-53020069342326428472007-11-13T02:48:00.000-06:002007-11-13T02:48:00.000-06:00Hi Meredith, I ready your blog regularly, and I wa...Hi Meredith, I ready your blog regularly, and I want to ask you a question about frugality. . it's quite a long question, do you have an email address, or you could email me henrietta@momys.com; I'd value your opinion and that of your readers.<BR/><BR/>I could ask it on my own blog, but I don't think my readers are into the US Frugal Housewife thing<BR/>Love<BR/>HenriettaThe Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278520269119195703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-49384565701048371772007-11-13T00:01:00.000-06:002007-11-13T00:01:00.000-06:00Yes my husband is a Marine and has done several to...Yes my husband is a Marine and has done several tours in Iraq (under various conditions) and I found the soldier link to be dead accurate. He said they are always swimming in baby wipes, personal hygiene products, and beef jerky. He also got tired of candy and cookies. <BR/><BR/>He most appreciated gourmet food items like specialty coffees, nuts, Carr's crackers, smoked salmon, etc. - it was nice to have a taste of luxury over there. Also protein powder (for the weight lifters) and current magazines were always popular.<BR/><BR/>I agree, talk to real soliders and Marines and find out what they really want and need. The unit chaplain is often a good source for info since maintaining troop morale is one of their primary jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-56001384435529630162007-11-12T23:27:00.000-06:002007-11-12T23:27:00.000-06:00If you continue reading the entire linked post, yo...If you continue reading the entire linked post, you will find specific items that are wanted by soldiers. <BR/><BR/>It was an eye opener to me, especially the items that AREN'T wanted. <BR/><BR/>I ran this article by two friends members who served in Iraq this year--and they both agreed.<BR/><BR/>Either way, the message is the same: send what is needed, not what you think they need.<BR/><BR/>Jenn at Frugal Upstate has additional hints for good care packages.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-4316640832212535922007-11-12T22:23:00.000-06:002007-11-12T22:23:00.000-06:00anonymous: I did NOT read that blog as the soldier...anonymous: I did NOT read that blog as the soldiers did not need anything. But, rather, the soldiers do not need what they are receiving. If the blog you point to is asking the soldiers what they want, they are already taking into account what this soldier says.MommyLydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15608956553350425075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-35391210259827893352007-11-12T21:58:00.000-06:002007-11-12T21:58:00.000-06:00Dear Meredith,The blog you link to has a link to a...Dear Meredith,<BR/><BR/>The blog you link to has a link to a soldier saying that most soldiers are very comfortable and really don't need much. I strongly suggest that readers check out anysoldier.com to see just how much our troops do need letters and packages. <BR/><BR/>This is a wonderful program and our soldiers send specific request every day.<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much,<BR/><BR/>HeatherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-62311737045936046762007-11-12T21:42:00.000-06:002007-11-12T21:42:00.000-06:00Hi Meredith, I really enjoyed this post. It has b...Hi Meredith, I really enjoyed this post. It has been on my mind too lately. We have family members who are able to spend a lot on our family, but we cannot afford to spend that much on them, and I can tell that they expect more. These have everything they want and more, but I think they feel it is unfair subconsciously. I have thought of asking them to do the no-gift thing. I cannot imagine saying just kids (they don't have young children) and not give them anything. I also believe they would be hurt if I were to say let's just stop doing gifts and just give hugs. I've wondered if it was just me, but I'm not the only one who has noticed. So now it is my job to look harder for deals. So what nice and affordable gift ideas do you have for someone who has everything and expects a comparable gift? (One year I was given a $100 Longaberger basket).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-75197104265589787502007-11-12T21:12:00.000-06:002007-11-12T21:12:00.000-06:00Very good points you made and I totally agree!Very good points you made and I totally agree!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10325019109696888587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-35067232368558459612007-11-12T20:23:00.000-06:002007-11-12T20:23:00.000-06:00oh great queen of frugality, we would never boot t...oh great queen of frugality, we would never boot thy hiney out of the club.....<BR/><BR/>we love ya too much...<BR/><BR/>it was a great post...<BR/><BR/>now a question, what are your favorite holiday books for the kids....classics in your mind, those that impart the real meaning of christmas..<BR/><BR/>celina in canadaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com