Summer ends tomorrow. Of course we may well get a lot of hot weather yet but there’s no denying that colder weather is on its way.
With the colder weather are there Christmas gifts you received that will now get used?
Aside from the fact that shops are full of summer things in November and December, most people seem to think of gifts with immediate use. So I see t-shirts, bathers and shorts given for Christmas much more often than jumpers and jackets for example.
Sometimes I do manage to think ahead and give a gift that is not related to December/January – especially if someone has a major life event later in the year – and often buy a general present (i.e. something that can be used at any time). I admit I rarely buy a winter-related item as a Christmas gift though.
Are all your Christmas gifts relating to summer (or winter if you’re in the Northern hemisphere obviously) or do you plan ahead?
Would you prefer to get some gifts ready for another season?
From a practical point of view (and I prefer practical and useful gifts overall), I see seasonal Christmas gifts differently depending on birthdays.
For children with late summer/autumn birthdays, kids can get winter clothes as birthday gifts and summer clothes at Christmas which is really handy. Summer only clothes for Christmas to kids with birthdays in late winter/spring means we buy all their winter clothes. Ditto for summer/winter activities and equipment of course.
But buying for immediate use is easier – the shops have summer things leading up to Christmas and who knows what kids will like in 6 months time (Bob the Builder today, Lightening McQueen tomorrow and Harry Potter next week!)
I envy you Aussies. You get Christmas during summer time while the rest of us freeze our butts off during the holiday season. :-p I’d love to be able to go swimming on christmas day 😛 Sadly, can’t do that. Oh well.
Lol! To be honest, Smokey, many of us are too busy at family functions to do a lot of swimming but we have that choice. Growing up, I spent most of Christmas afternoon playing on the sand at the beach – I’m not sure why we didn’t swim much (probably adults telling us not to swim for about 3 hours after eating a Christmas lunch!)
I get very few clothes for others, but see nothing wrong with making them seasonal – much better to enjoy a present right away then to wait six months.
Of course, a jumper in the summer can still be chucked on and checked out as soon as it’s been unwrapped.
As for Christmas in the winter – best time to have, what else are you gonna do while it’s freezing out!
Ha, that’s a good point – if it’s too cold to go out eating and sharing family time is a good activity!
I don’t plan ahead, I generally wait till a month before to buy gifts. I see no point in buying gifts in advanced for holidays or birthdays. Probably because I feel I will forget and end up buying another gift even though I already did.
I do hate it though after Christmas I get stuck with 30 gift cards to places I don’t even go to. I spend 6 months trying to barter with people for cash for the gift cards lol
Yes, I have walked through shops wondering if I have already bought a gift for someone, too, romes – I try to keep a list of names in my wallet and cross them off once I buy something.
Gift cards can be annoying – I have received a few for inconvenient places, too and would be happier with a card from a cheaper department store than an expensive place that doesn’t suit me (at least the department store give me a range to choose form!)
I’ve never tried altering the cards for cash though! Does it work well, romes?
This is a very interesting subject because I just usually give gifts and not thinking if they would actually use it on a specific season. It’s a good idea to be imparted to me now because this will make me put a lot of thought on my gift, after all that’s really what it counts. Thanks for this insight!
Always a pleasure to give inspiration, especially when it comes to Christmas gifts 🙂
Here in the US it is is the opposite as we have Christmas when it is cold. People typically give gifts that relate to the winter season rather than gifts that could be used later on (say when summer comes for instance).
Would you like to get some more summer related gifts, mommy2senji? I know as a parent it is handy to get gifts that can be used throughout the year otherwise my kids have heaps of summer things and very little for winter!
Getting all the gifts ready ahead of time of special holidays is pretty awesome. Like someones birthday or something. Getting it ready one month in advance? Then you can just cruise along and not have to freak out last minute 🙂
I always used to have my CHristmas presents sorted before 1st December – it made life much easier so I could relax and enjoy the Christmas activities. Plus I hate shopping in the Christmas crowds! I’m not quite as organised nowadays with four kids and a business…
I’m bad at practical gifts all together so if someone asks me for something, that’s what they’ll get. I do get the impression that here in the UK that’s quite common though.
I think it’s probably common in most places – if someone asks for something they get it. For one thing, that way you know they’ll like/use what you get and it does save the giver time and energy.
So most people, however, ask you for something that can use soon or something for later in the year?
When choosing for a Christmas gift, season is not the thing I consider. I usually buy practical gifts that people can use any time of the year. Last Christmas, the things on my gift shopping list were notebooks, planners, clothes, and umbrellas. I think they’re very useful and people can use them anytime.
I like that idea – just something practical regardless of when they could use it.
I’d also like to try making personalized gifts like posters and homemade picture frames. It would take a lot of effort but I’m sure creative minds would really appreciate those kinds of gifts.
It’s just creative people who appreciate your thought and effort – in fact, non creative people are often amazed at what you can do! Personalised gifts are fantastic, I think.
Thank you. I really make serious effort in choosing the gift I give. It is indeed delightful to see my family and friends using the gifts I give them. Or when I see them displayed at their house, I can’t help but smile. 🙂
There is nothing like seeing your gift make someone happy – I love that feeling, too.
I really like the idea of giving sleds for Christmas, especially in areas that get a lot of snow. Kids love sleds! But it makes sense to also give gifts thinking ahead to other times of the year. For example, if you know someone has a big beach trip coming up, why not buy them a nice set of beach chairs or some flip flops and a wrap?
I think the gift recipient would appreciate the thoughtfulness in such a gift because it would show that you did spend some time thinking about the ideal present rather than just buying something random.
Sleds don’t make a lot of sense down under but I know what you mean, Anna – our kids get cricket sets and beach toys for the same reason.
But thinking ahead to a major event is a lovely way of showing you care – probably means more than the actual gift itself that you thought of them.
I am all about food gifts for Christmas. There is a gift for all ages in a box of candies or a cheese basket and it also shows that you care about there nutritional well being and is thoughtful when you give a gift of someone faviorite treat!
I once gave someone a food basket as he had lost his job a month before Christmas – I filled the basket with yummy salad things that were more expensive (so not lettuce or tomatoes) so he’d have nice meals for a few days even while on a tight budget. Everyone loves getting home-made food for Christmas, too.
Can’t say I’m a big fan of chocolates or lollies as a gift though – I adore eating chocolate though 🙂 – but prefer to give gifts that I have thought about rather than what is often an easy gift. As an extra I do it, but not as the main gift. And I agree with your idea of nutritional gifts (which chocolate & lollies can’t truly be described as!)
Often I get the kids and my relatives the gifts which will be used for a year round function. I do not see the point of getting gifts which are only seasonal because they tend to be wasteful and easily forgotten, but I want the gifts I give out to be remembered for years to come.
I like the idea of gifts being remembered and used long term, too, Waynefire.
I usually receive gifts that can be worn in any season. For example,if I receive a three piece pantsuit, I use all three pieces when the weather is cooler, and once summer arrives, I shed one layer.This also works well with a dress and mathing jacket. Wear the jacket when you need to, and store it away for next winter when the weather is warmer.
I don’t think I’ve ever received a set of things like that, SantaLover, but the idea is great 🙂
I admit a lot of the presents we exchange are designed to be used in summer. However some Christmases my family buys each other season passes for the mountain, as we are keen snowboarders and if you buy passes in advance you save a few hundred dollars. Snowboard accessories are also on sale in summer.
Probably the vast majority of presents are suitable for any season though electronics, games, books ect..
Thinking ahead for snow passes is a great idea – saves money and is a thoughtful gift that will save the recipient time and money in their interest later in the year.
I think the shops in Florida are delusional. Despite the fact that it is hot here year round, the stores still sell winter coats when the calendar says it’s winter time, even if it’s 98 degrees outside. Also, as I mentioned in another post, all the holiday cards depict snow and snowmen ,even though it doesn’t snow here. For obvious reasons, all my gifts are suitable to be used in summer weather.My daughter would think I had lost my marbles if I gave her mittens or snowboarding lessons.
That’s mad!
We get the Christmas imagery of snow and ice, too, but at least our shops stock approrpaite seasonal clothes and activities!
I’m always thinking what will be a great gift no matter the season. Christmas time here is all about winter things, so if I’m planning on something for that special gift I have usually planned for it so I am not scrambling to find it.
My daughter and boy friend love to camp. A Christmas or two ago I made a camping cooking quilted tote bag. I bought a small box of camping pot and pans and some utensils. Made the bag with pockets to hold each item and left the inside for things like fly swatters, Bug repellent and citronella candles. Needles to say, I couldn’t find them. I learned my lesson and start planning ahead in the spring.
As a camper, I love that bag idea, pocs 🙂
Yes, buying seasonal things has the advantage of being easy to find in shops (certainly no worries in Australia to find citronella candles, etc around Christmas time! Although we do have them in shops all year really).
I’ll keep that in mind when preparing to fill stockings. I don’t have a love for camping as some do so any tips for gift giving is greatly appreciated.
Will see what I can think up for you, pocs 🙂
I have been working on something that will help you here, pocs. Just got some finsalising to do and then I’ll share it with you 🙂