I felt motivated this morning to ask about our Christmas shopping. Whether or not we bought Chinese-made items, US-made items, or crafted things for your loved ones.
CHAT Christmas shopping/crafting? Chinese-made, US made, or homemade?
- Thread starter Dennis Olson
- Start date
I don't buy Chinese stuff unless there is no other choice. i.e. computers. I don't buy stuff from Pakistan either. There's a couple other places I won't buy from. Period.
It makes clothes/shoes shopping and gift shopping quite the ordeal, but I find it also really limits purchases which saves me money in the long run.
I try to make some homemade gifts when I can. A gift from the hand and heart beats store bought gifts.
It makes clothes/shoes shopping and gift shopping quite the ordeal, but I find it also really limits purchases which saves me money in the long run.
I try to make some homemade gifts when I can. A gift from the hand and heart beats store bought gifts.
luluwhtbrd
Veteran Member
No gifts anymore, maybe for the two littles, ages 1 1/2 and 2 1/2, older grands will get $$. None for our kids. Done with it!
will try my darnedest NOT to buy “made in china” . We shell see….
will try my darnedest NOT to buy “made in china” . We shell see….
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Other. We give either cash or gift cards. There are no little ones, so cash and gift cards are always welcome.
All I’d like are Christmas cards with a few hand-written thoughts. But I never get any. I might as well be on the moon.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
OC and I don't buy gifts for each other, we buy household item type gifts and this year it was a new butter dish. If I buy anything for my best friend it's typically a craft book and the ones I buy her are published and printed in the UK. Ditto her buying me a gift... for the crafter artist types out there check out Batsford Publishing! A good majority of their books are available either through Amazon or Abe Books.
Textile Art & Crafts - Batsford Books
www.batsfordbooks.com
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
You'd have to settle for a homemade card if I were to send one, regular xmas cards are incredibly expensive, and rightfully so if the artist is going to make any money...
Intestinal Fortitude
Have Faith
. . . . give advice and directions
bethshaya
God has a plan, Trust it!
We do just kids and elderly (token small gift, usually handmade)
For the Kids, we following this limerick"
Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
So the kids may get a small toy, clothing, underwear/socks and then a book.
For the Kids, we following this limerick"
Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
So the kids may get a small toy, clothing, underwear/socks and then a book.
Macgyver
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Hard question.
Family is going to get honey and booze. Some booze might be imported but definitely not China.
My wife will have a couple of items she gets every year from me because she wears them out. Sneakers, bedroom slippers etc. I honestly never looked at where they came from because they are specific items she wants.
I'll just assume not from the US.
Family is going to get honey and booze. Some booze might be imported but definitely not China.
My wife will have a couple of items she gets every year from me because she wears them out. Sneakers, bedroom slippers etc. I honestly never looked at where they came from because they are specific items she wants.
I'll just assume not from the US.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
We buy gifts for our kids and grandbabies, but it's small scale, and sometimes those gifts are gently used from yard sales. The kids and I will be making gift baskets for close friends and family. I plan on making cookies and fudge from my DH's PCP and his office and a local business we purchase from.
Tristan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
mzkitty
I give up.
On Black Friday, my son told me to go on Amazon and look for the white Indian cotton blouse I've been wanting for a long time now, since they're not around anymore. I looked and looked and the only thing I saw was too expensive and it didn't quite look like the ones I used to be able to buy here. So I went on this bathrobe site and I'm not sure where they are made, but I had him order me two pretty ones. He wants new sneaks and I had already given him money for those. Other than that, I don't have people to buy for anymore, but I might make a batch of Christmas cookies for his housemates. And him. If I get REAL ambitious maybe I'll make a few loaves of orange bread or lemon bread with glazed tops. I think I remember but the cookbook they were in got left behind when we moved to FL. They keep well and you can freeze them too.
As for cards, Dennis, I literally have not gotten one in the mail for a good ten years now, maybe more. People just don't send them since they're so expensive and so is the postage.
I wasn't sure what answer to put on your poll, since I'll have to wait and see where they were made.
As for cards, Dennis, I literally have not gotten one in the mail for a good ten years now, maybe more. People just don't send them since they're so expensive and so is the postage.
I wasn't sure what answer to put on your poll, since I'll have to wait and see where they were made.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
Sneakers - Altra brand. They are expensive! They are made in Denver, Colorado from recycled materials. If her feet swell any at all she will love these sneakers. They were designed by marathon runners and the mesh fabric stretches and contracts with your feet so if they start to swell the fabric stretches, if she puts her feet up and the swelling comes down the fabric contracts. I bought mine at Brown Shoe Fit Co., and the kid told me that orthopedic/foot doctors are sending their patients to buy Altras. Brooks is a close second, they have a pair that's supposed to do this in their line up, but I don't know if they're still made in the states or not.
Handbags - Sherpani brand, made in Colorado and again of recycled materials. They also have an interesting work force in that many of the women working for them are either trying to escape the shelter system or were former convicts and are learning real life work skills. I bought my bag over on Amazon through Sherpani's store, lots of styles, lots of colors, and great prices. I bought my 'Sadie' bag for $39, my last Sherpina bag lasted about eight or so years, and still has plenty of wear left in it, but was getting a little worn looking.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
You had to mention nice bags. I am the orig bag lady who does not need another one. Was gifted some coach bags and brighton bags earlier this year. My grands love under armor brand clothes from tjmaxx. Can't do it. Have to walk past all those nice leather bags....
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
I have a nice handbag collection, and an equally nice shoe/boot collection. I don't think twice about it and neither does OC since I don't do hair, nails, or makeup, or perfume for that matter. I also have six different frames/glasses that I wear and can change out with whatever outfit I'm wearing.
There's a mens crossbody bag by Patricia Nash that'd make for a perfect field bag, painting stuff, that I'd love to have. Dillards, Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines, carries them. My problem was I couldn't decide which one of the three I wanted the most, they were all perfect and for different reasons.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
In that case you just buy all 3.
my gay hairdresser had great taste in leather man bags.
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
In that case you just buy all 3.
OC might have drawn the line at that one, it's the North/South messenger bag, it comes in leather or canvas, three different colors, and I just couldn't decide on which one to buy.
amazon
Veteran Member
I'm taking a break and need a purse. So I'm watching youtube on my TV. I search for Sherpani purses. 5 min later I get an ad for them on youtube. Good grief.
Thanks for sharing that though!
bracketquant
Veteran Member
Do the elves use PO Box 24?
packyderms_wife
Neither here nor there.
that's pretty much with anything these days. OC has been looking for a battery converter thingy that you attach to your 20 volt battery so it'll work in an 18 volt battery operated dewalt drill. I know this cause I'm getting ads on FB, YT, and in my email side bar. I also know he's been shopping for a new pressure canner, because of the ads.
Melodi
Disaster Cat
I put down "other" mostly my housemate and I give each other items to craft with though sometimes we make things for each other. When Nightwolf was alive I did a combination of ordering from other craftspeople and artists, along with making him socks and sweaters.
If someone really needed electronics or something, I'd probably get that, but we don't do much gift exchange with our friends except for some years when I make homemade cookies or jam. Both are frequent "friendship gifts" along with "Christmas Cakes" and Mince pies.
My housemate gives her family members (all atheists but they celebrate Christmas as a traditional German Holiday) inexpensive toys for the kids (often educational or crafting). This year she made hand-knit cowls for all her nieces to go with their toys, last year she made socks. She often gets her parent's books or something they really want (like Irish tea bags or something) and her Mom is an artist and always sends both of us calendars with her own artwork on them.
So not much to buy really, my housemate spent today wrapping up her stuff to send to Germany - and that's pretty much that.
If someone really needed electronics or something, I'd probably get that, but we don't do much gift exchange with our friends except for some years when I make homemade cookies or jam. Both are frequent "friendship gifts" along with "Christmas Cakes" and Mince pies.
My housemate gives her family members (all atheists but they celebrate Christmas as a traditional German Holiday) inexpensive toys for the kids (often educational or crafting). This year she made hand-knit cowls for all her nieces to go with their toys, last year she made socks. She often gets her parent's books or something they really want (like Irish tea bags or something) and her Mom is an artist and always sends both of us calendars with her own artwork on them.
So not much to buy really, my housemate spent today wrapping up her stuff to send to Germany - and that's pretty much that.
bracketquant
Veteran Member
I voted other. I grow seeds for gifts.
Donna_in_OK
Veteran Member
Own a large embroidery machine... so you guess what people are getting.
The way to get on people's Christmas card list is to send out a card to them, so they have your address for next year. Kinda like the old saw: To have a friend, first you have to be a friend.
Christmas cards are a nice touch, and hope people will continue the tradition. Lot of times, especially with extended or remote-living family/old friends, it's the only time there's contact, but it's still contact. They aren't expensive if you hit the after-Christmas clearance sales. Of course there's postage, but hey...it's Christmas.
babysteps
Veteran Member
Made soaps, scrubs, and goodies for most of the family.
Littles (ages 9 and 3) are getting books, clothes, and a couple of small toys each. Olders (ages 16-26) are getting books, fleece sheets, and car bobs for each of their vehicles.
So... some of each category, I guess. The sheets and some of the bob items are definitely chinese. The clothes are a mix of chinese/other made and US made. The toys are US made. And then some homemade items.
Littles (ages 9 and 3) are getting books, clothes, and a couple of small toys each. Olders (ages 16-26) are getting books, fleece sheets, and car bobs for each of their vehicles.
So... some of each category, I guess. The sheets and some of the bob items are definitely chinese. The clothes are a mix of chinese/other made and US made. The toys are US made. And then some homemade items.
Doc1
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Here's a thought and it's something I used to do years ago. Take black & white portraits of your friends and families and print it - or have it printed - on conventional paper. That's fast becoming a lost art. If you're a good photographer you don't need my advice. If you're not, shoot 24 or 36 frames under natural light and select the best one. You could also shoot five or six frames of different subjects on the same roll of film.
You can pay someone to develop and print your film or do it yourself. If you're paying someone, ask for what's called a "contact sheet." That will produce dozens of tiny photos on a single sheet of paper. You then use a magnifying glass to select the one(s) you want and make enlargements. Digital photography has virtually eliminated silver halide photography. As a result, if you look around hard enough, you can find development tanks and enlargers dirt cheap. The same is true of high quality film cameras.
You can still buy black & white film, paper and chemicals, but it's become a hobbyist's niche. After you collect the equipment - which again, can be found dirt cheap - the photos you give as gifts will be very inexpensive.
Best
Doc
You can pay someone to develop and print your film or do it yourself. If you're paying someone, ask for what's called a "contact sheet." That will produce dozens of tiny photos on a single sheet of paper. You then use a magnifying glass to select the one(s) you want and make enlargements. Digital photography has virtually eliminated silver halide photography. As a result, if you look around hard enough, you can find development tanks and enlargers dirt cheap. The same is true of high quality film cameras.
You can still buy black & white film, paper and chemicals, but it's become a hobbyist's niche. After you collect the equipment - which again, can be found dirt cheap - the photos you give as gifts will be very inexpensive.
Best
Doc
You need to turn off targeted advertising.