When it comes to asking for specific gifts, what could be more practical that giving me the opportunity to buy food and/or deeply-discounted clothing or housewares? I told my husband that I really, really only wanted a gift card to the grocery store as my gift from him. To my surprise, he was enormously pleased with what I wanted. I guess this made gift shopping super easy for him this year. I'd also say it's very easy to wrap a gift card, so I made his "job" that much easier. And what I ask from one of my daughters was a gift card to Value Village (thrift store chain).
Now why would I want grocery and thrift store gift cards? When I'm grocery shopping, not only am I shopping for value, but I'm also shopping for items that my whole family will enjoy. Fairly often, I want something that I rarely buy, either because I'm the only one who would enjoy it, it's an expensive item for what it is, or both. I also wanted the ability to buy special foods for myself to help jump-start healthier eating in the new year. So, I'm a happy camper when it comes to grocery shopping now. As for the gift card to Value Village, my daughter knows that I love buying casual tops from there for the value (if I ruin them, no biggie), shopping the housewares departments for bargain kitchenware, and I now have a need for a new pj top to go with my newly-made pj pants (fabric courtesy of my other daughter).
How about you -- what are some of the most practical gifts you've ever asked for?
