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We've bought a lot of tasty things from the Republic of Tea, so I was psyched to see that they have a whole line of special edition teas in honor of Bridgerton! If your gift list includes fans of Bridgerton (either the series by Julia Quinn or the Netflix show), this could be a great, affordable gift idea.
The special edition line includes Spice Chai (featuring Anthony & Kate from Season 2 / Book 2), Honey Breakfast Tea (featuring Daphne & Simon from Season 1 / Book 1), Queen's Cake Vanilla Fruit Tea, Ginger Biscuit (featuring Kate's dog Newton), and Blood Orange Mimosa Tea (featuring Penelope Featherington). It looks like Whistldown Punch (a hibiscus ice tea) is sold out for the moment at Amazon. Each tin of tea is $14.50.
(Whoa, they also have a Mandalorian-themed gift set of teas too for any Star Wars fans on your list!)
Note that the Republic of Tea website also offers a 24-tea bag pack that you can customize with up to 24 different kinds of teas if you want to sample a bunch.
Readers — do you have any favorite teas (or tea gift sets) that you absolutely love?
This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
Sales of note for 10.24.24
- Nordstrom – Fall sale, up to 50% off!
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off! Suits are included in the 30% off!
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, and redeem Stylecash!
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – Friends & Family event, 30% off sitewide.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Up to 30% off on new arrivals
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off entire purchase, plus free shipping no minimum
- White House Black Market – Buy more, save more; buy 3+ get an extra 50% off
Anon
I’ve been getting scam calls claiming to be fraud alerts from my credit card company. Each time, I listened for a minute for the caller to give his pitch, and then I hang up and block the number without sharing any information. Should I be doing anything more or different?
anon
Sign up for text alerts from your credit card company and stop answering calls from unknown numbers.
Of Counsel
And if you are worried, check your credit card’s website to see if there really is an issue with your account. I am signed up for text alerts and that is what I do if I can a message that there is a fraud alert – just to confirm that the text message is legit.
Ellen
I got a text message from someone asking me to respond to a survey. by clinking the link. I DID NOT clink on the link, and I warn the hive NOT to clinck on the link b/c it could be malware.
Anon
I would be hanging up faster than that.
Anon
Seriously! Hang up immediately. Or better yet, don’t even answer.
Cat
-independently check your card webs-te or contact customer service from the number on your card
-don’t answer in the first place
-if you accidentally answer, hang up immediately, why bother listening to the pitch??
anon
I got my first one of these last week, and what threw me off was that they said they were calling from Chase Bank (which is my bank). They probably just made a guess since it’s a popular bank, but it still creeped me out. I told them I was going to look up Chase’s phone number and call them right back, and at that moment they hung up on me.
Anon
It’s 2022, don’t answer your phone.
Anon
I never answer unknown calls. If it’s important they will leave a msg. I also get an alert for all transactions on one of my cards.
Anon
+1
Vicky Austin
This may out me, but my personal voicemail literally says, “If you don’t leave me a message, I will assume you are a robot and will not call you back.”
Cat
Mine says something to the effect of “you’ve reached my voicemail, please text me instead”
Ellen
I agree. It’s good to know others are aware of the scam’s. FOOEY!
Spam Freeeeee
I like to keep them on the line as long as possible while giving up nothing. Then eventually, after I feel satisfied with myself, announce that I won’t be giving them any of my information, I know what they’re up to, and that if they continue to call I will continue to waste their time so it’s better if they just stop calling me entirely and move on to someone else.
Just not answering/hanging up didn’t stop them calling but this approach did. Singing at them has also had good results.
Anonymous
I like to answer these calls and keep the person talking. That way he/she has less time to scam a senior.
Anon
I also report them on donotcall.gov.
NYC
Going to spend a day in NYC with my 9-year old daughter and mom next week. Any fun activities you would recommend?
Anon
If she’s a fan of american girl and you want to go to the store, make reservations for the doll salon and cafe ahead of time. The cafe is closed certain weekdays.
My 8 year old loves the Met and Museum of Natural History. Alice’s Tea Cup is also fantastic.
NYCer
These are good suggestions.
Here are a few more:
– Holiday tea at the Plaza could be fun if you are looking for something on the fancy end
– Rockettes show (particularly if weather is not great, will pass a couple hours indoors)
– Bryant Park winter village + ice skating (can also skate at Rock Center or in Central Park if you prefer)
– Top of one of the buildings if weather is nice (The Edge, Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, etc.)
Ellen
If your mom wants to see NYC from a high place, go to 1 Vanderbilt, right next to Grand Central Station on 42nd Street. There is a lookout you can go to that costs money but it is very high and very cool. You can eat nearby @ Grand Central very inexpensively if you want, and if you want to see the tree at Rockeveller Center, that is only about 10 blocks up 5th Avenue.
Also, if it is not to cold out, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It is FREE! and you get to go right by the Statute of Liberty! I love it and it was where I first kissed my ex. That was gross, but the atmosphere was lovely.
Anon
The train show at the Botanical Garden, good for adults as well as children.
Anon
Random request: cheapest best diapers out there? And period products?
We are doing a diaper (including adult) and period product drive for scouts that will acquire and parcel out these items. I think we have gone picky-premium in our house, but the diaper bank assures us that quantity is more important (like diaper deficit is a very real thing in their world). I can go to WalMart but don’t have a Sam’s membership. Good Walmart brands or generics?
[We found that my kids butts worked for Pampers or Luvs but Huggies leaked. One kid was in pull-ups at night for a very long time, like past school aged, so I get that that is a need also.]
Anonymous
For the period stuff, I think Always pads are great. Go for something with wings and non scent and perhaps a heavier flow option in bigger size since or smaller bodies can always wear bigger but bigger bodies can’t always do smaller without it leaking (gap between edge–the wings help with this though). Smaller flow can always wear more but heavier or overnight can’t do less. I’m suggesting pads since they also can help if mothers or others have urinary leak issues.
Vicky Austin
+ a million to non scented!
Anon
Costco has good deals on the Always pads.
I just donated a bunch to our local women’s shelter
Anon
This may be bottom specific. Huggies are a godsend in our house and pampers were much more blow out prone. We also had issues with the bougie ones like coterie.. We’ve also been very happy with Kirkland diapers, if someone has a costco membership.
What a wonderful idea!
nuqotw
+1, specific to the person. The hospital where I gave birth clearly had some arrangement with Pampers but they gave kid 1 a terrible rash so we never bought them for kid 2. We were a Huggies/Kirkland house but Target was fine too.
Anonymous
My kid had a Huggies butt! It is amazing how specific they are.
Curious
Ours too, or Costco. Costco diapers are amazing. Supposedly they and Target are all Huggies but Huggies and Costco (Kirkland) leak way less for us.
Anonymous
Costco switched to Hello Bello last time I checked, which didn’t work as well for us.
Curious
That explains some hand me downs we got. Agreed, not as good.
Anon
All my kids were in Aldi diapers (up until a month ago woohoo!!) and they worked totally fine for days. They were cheaper than target brand, but I didn’t compare with Walmart.
Anon
Luvs is the sweet spot on price and quality. I’ve heard good things about Costco/Kirkland, but have aged out of multiple diaper-showers per year, so no firsthand experience with them. Having spent my 20s flat broke and in the trailerhood, Luvs was the brand of choice by a landslide to both give and receive.
Mouse
I always get store-brand tampons and they’re fine! No real difference in my opinion.
Anon
Ask friends if they have a Costco or Sam’s membership. The big boxes of diapers are amazing and the cheapest way to get them. Ditto the big boxes of pads and tampons.
startup lawyer
walmart diapers work fine
Anon
we used the Target brand with no problems. they often have deals like buy 3 and get a $20 gift card, which you could then use to purchase mroe
Anon
Reusable period pants like Modi Bodi are a godsend. They are so much cheaper in the medium and long term; much easier as you rinse them then wash them (or hand wash straight away) so you aren’t dealing with stinky trash and they sit much more securely so fewer worries about leaks.
Anon
I’m sorry but if we’re talking about poor people, this is a no-go. Same with cloth diapers. It’s a luxury to have access to in-house laundry, and stuff like this is well-intentioned but bougie AF.
Anon
If I were going for reusable period products to help someone save money, I would lean towards a cup or a disc. Even if you have in-unit laundry, you may not have the space or the energy to have a mini hamper full of wet or stinky period products around.
Anan
All three of my kids liked different diapers so I don’t know that there is a “best”, but I will say, I used to volunteer at a Diaper Bank and sizes 4, 5, 6 and pull ups were the most in demand, so I would maybe check and see if they have a size preference as well.
Anon
Have lots of family staying over the holidays. Any favorite recipes recently to feed a crowd? Ideally somewhat kid-friendly too.
Anon
It has a lot of names, but I’d do the dish that is ground beef (or turkey), macaroni, pasta sauce, and sautéed veggies. We do sautéed peppers, onions, mushrooms with the beef, pasta and sauce and have cheese on the side if people want to add it. We serve with garlic bread and a salad, it’s always a winner.
Ellen
I have a recipe for Wedding Chicken, which is easy to make and cheap compared to filet mignon. Kids like chicken, and if it burns, it can still be eaten
On another note, I recommend this Harvard Business Review article to the hive.
https://hbr.org/2022/12/choose-courage-over-confidence
It is particularly good for us women who need to face difficult situeations, and do it with success. I think if you read this, you will become a stronger person, both in your busness life as well as your personal life. I live this every day! YAY!!!
anon
Lamburger Helper. Link below. You can cut down the spice for kids, and it works fine with lactose free whole milk instead of cream. And, if lamb is out of stock or not your thing, works fine with beef.
anon
https://www.cowboysindians.com/2019/09/recipe-chris-shepherds-lamburger-helper/
Aunt Jamesina
I can’t believe that’s an actual magazine title.
Anonymous Canadian
Yikes. So dreadful.
Anon
I’d make a roast chicken or two with a bunch of roasted veggies and a carby side like scalloped potatoes. Everyone loves scalloped potatoes.
anon
Baked ziti. Pizza.
Anonymous
Smitten Kitchen baked ziti.
Anon
Assemble-it-yourself taco bar
dear reader
Pinch of Yum Sarah’s White Chicken Chili. Every time I make it for a group it gets rave reviews. Like asking for the recipe reviews and will let me send home leftovers reviews. My picky niece and nephew liked it too. I do generally leave out the jalapeño to make it less spicy and it’s plenty flavorful without that.
Anan
My kids will always eat spaghetti and meatballs, mac n cheese, Asian noodles (pad thai, jap che, lo mein), burrito bowls (big pot of beans, big pot of rice ans toppings), chili, and soup.
Also we always make sure to have sandwich fixings so people can help themselves.
Anon
I have an annoying male coworker who is constantly giving me (IMO bad) advice regarding my career. E.g., you should focus on this, not on this, etc. How do you shut it down? I am constantly annoyed/infuriated as it feels very condescending and honestly it’s not even good advice. It is also told in a condescending way (“you should” type language). This has been going on for years with this particular co-worker, but has become worse recently. Otherwise we work together well and are friends outside of work, and he has been immensely helpful to my career in some ways.
Nesprin
“Huh, I’ll think about that” + a quick topic change if you want to avoid the subject,
“I’m not sure that’ll work for me”+ also topic change to be more direct.
Anon
It’s mansplaining. It’s a thing. What has worked for me is to call it out, gently like “if I need help with this, I will come to you, but I’ve got it for now.” Less gently “why are you giving me advice on something I didn’t ask you about” and “are you really explaining my own job to me?”
I had to use the last one with my perpetual mansplaining pest.
Anon
Those last two sentences do NOT make sense with the rest of your post. How has he been helpful? Is the current behaviour related to the past helpfulness (like you were genuinely clueless and he helped)? Did he help you network? Why are you friends with someone who is condescending to you?
Anonymous
if this guy is actually your friend outside of work, then speak to him like any other friend who is doing something annoying. “my dude, just stop” kind of thing…
Trish
This! My good friend and work colleague loves to give unsolicited advice. I just tease her about it instead of getting mad or insulted.
Curious
I am SO getting this for my (exasperated-by-Bridgerton, but tea-loving) spouse.
Anon
There’s a clip from the Graham Norton show where some of the cast was on and they talked about how their family goes for a strategic cup of tea when the on-screen action gets too steamy, and how that, after the first season didn’t work so well because they were ALWAYS heading to the kitchen for another cup of tea. Their telling of it was much funnier than mine :-)
Curious
Hahaha okay I have to find this.
Cat
so I started watching Bridgerton season 1 at home, but didn’t get to anything terribly juicy before I downloaded a few eps to pass the time on a plane ride. That escalated quickly. I had to hide and tilt the screen toward the window (at least I had a window seat!) and close the shade (so it wouldn’t be reflected to other passengers).
Curious
Hahahahaha that’s amazing.
3:41 Anon
Found it… “tactical pots of tea!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEkJYPZmdGo
Anonymous
if you have an assistant, what are you getting them this year? i want to do cash plus some small gift…
Anon
Does anyone know if skincare gift sets go on clearance after the holidays? The types sold at Sephora/Ulta. I just want to buy it for myself, not as a gift :)
Anon
I don’t think they do, I think they just disappear.
Anon
And then some of them reappear at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s in February and March! Seriously, I get so much awesome clearance skincare from Marshall’s after Christmas.
Anon
Any tips for dealing with the friend who’s always complaining about his job…and hasn’t figured out that HE’S the common denominator? He works in my old field, and I hear him complaining about things that are just the way the things go (disorganization, pointless meetings, etc). I’ve said some variation of, “Oh, yeah, that can be frustrating, but that’s just the way it goes” more times than I can count. I’ve known him for 7 years and he’s early 40s, and he’s had a couple different jobs in that time and all “mysteriously” have the same problems. He’s filed HR complaints at different offices for things that seemed harmless to me, but I wasn’t there and only have his side of the story, so I just respond with noncommittal platitudes. He’s a nice guy, but really kinda astoundingly clueless. (I’m assuming this is just his life as he’s firmly in adult territory and this is who he is, but if there’s a way to open his eyes or redirect him, that’d be great since I feel bad for him constantly having problems.)
Anon
I did have a friend like this and I did a slow fade. It’s not our job as friends to fix him. It’s up to us to accept that this is who he is, and decide whether we really want a friend like this.
My former friend visited me in the hospital and complained about his job for 99% of the visit. I was scared and sick and alone and he was dumping on me just like he always did. That was the eye opening moment for me.
Anon
Comment in m0d, pls check back
Anon
Options:
Bow out od the conversations. Say that you have no desire to discuss this.
Stop hedging and lay it on the line. (Would he respond well to this?)
Suggest a career coach.
Anonymous
If it’s a friend, I would maybe say something like how it is hard to hear about things happening in the old field and that you would like to talk about something else. Rinse, repeat.
I think it’s easy to fall into this rut with people who have been in the same field since it’s sort of like shared battle scars. It’s also sometimes hard to recognize this “work talk” to pass as social lubricant unless someone points it out. (I was the dorky kid who would talk about homework with other kids until my Mom actually explained that other kids don’t want to talk about that socially usually. LOL)
If he is a good friend, I might be more explicit like my mom was with me.
If you are OK with hearing some work stuff but not only work stuff, then I might actually do him the favor of explaining what HR “is and typically isn’t” there for, so he doesn’t end up on the receiving end of a blow up at some point.
anon
As someone who needed to be told as full-grown adult with a bar license that certain topics were off-putting for everyone, +1 million that it’s kind to tell a good friend that you don’t want to talk about certain things. I only would with someone with whom I close, those.
Lizard
You might suggest that if he’s unhappy he should consider a career coach. The coach might be a professional, objective third party who can tell him some hard truths to get him to see where he’s getting in his own way.
Anon
I have gotten so much helpful advice and so many great recommendations from here, I thought I’d share my latest.
I bought this at the vague suggestion of my doctor to take something daily to help prevent UTIs. What it’s really helping with are my daily bathroom habits. So good.
Align Women’s Health, Prebiotic + Probiotic, with Cranberry for Feminine Health, Help Nourish & Add Good Bacteria for Digestive Health, 50 Gummies https://a.co/d/iXFOYKt
I just pull out the two gummies and place them next to my teacup in the morning so that I remember to take them. They taste good!
Anonymous
Thanks for the tip! FYI, if you struggle with UTIs I cannot recommend Uqora enough. I have been using it for 2+ years and it’s been life-changing. Before Uqora I had reached the point where my only option was to take an antibiotic every time I gardened and that was not something I wanted to do forever.
ISO bidet
Has anyone added a bidet to their toliet? If so, any brand or model to recommend?
Anonymous
we got a mid-level Tushy a few years ago — maybe it has changed since then but it sucked because it’s spraying cold water. some of the more expensive ones have heated water, which would be preferable. i think others have sworn up and down that they love their Toto.
Anon
I replaced my toilet with a model with a built-in bidet during a recent remodel and I love it so much. No recommendations for an add-on model but I’m sure you’ll be happy.
Senior Attorney
Same, word for word.
Senior Attorney
Oh, and if you need a testimonial, we had a Very Fancy older couple as guests at Thanksgiving, and apparently after they got home the wife demanded that the husband supply her with a heated bidet for their toilet, because he texted me for all the details!
Anonymous
+100. Whether it’s an add-on or built-in, the bidet feature is life changing.
Lizbet
Brondell Swash SE600 Bidet. I never use the drying feature — would take too long — but I have had this since 2018 and it’s going strong!
Anon
I love my Tushy! I don’t have one of the fancy heated ones but I love it nonetheless. I actually and legitimately miss having it when I travel. My friend’s husband feels the same way about theirs.
BB
Toto Washlet! I splurged and got the S300e back in 2017. It’s still working great, and I moved once with it.
Anon
We have a Toto Washlet on each toilet in our house. Ours are mid-range with remote controls. We spent about $300 each (bought online) and I installed myself (after having an electrician added outlets).
anon
I have a very basic Luxe model, which is mechanical and just hooks up to the cold water supply because we don’t have an outlet anywhere near the toilet. It works fine and I don’t mind the cold water. It’s $35 to $40 on amaz0n. If I ever splurge it would be a Toto.
Anon
this one, about 220$
SmartBidet SB-2000 Bidet Seat
game changing. should be mandatory for all but especially older adults, pregnant, mobility impaired, etc
seat warming
warm air dry
you can plumb for warm water easily
uti reducing!!
Sunshine
My folks have the Toto washlet add on that they bought at Costco. After trying it at my uncle’s house, they bought it. It’s been so helpful for my mom who has chronic digestive problems. She now has less ring of fire so to say.
You do need to have power outlet installed near the base of the toilet.
startup lawyer
Any recommendations for in person bra shopping in NYC?
Anonymous
Iris Lingerie in Brooklyn!
DC Anon
Journelle
Anon
If anyone is looking for a festive holiday dish, I just made some risotto with beets and a few beet green leaves sliced into ribbons. It’s red and green and gorgeous.
Served with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a squeeze of lemon – yum.
Anon
Similar to this recipe but I didn’t make a purée of roasted beets. I just cut the roasted beets into chunks and added them right after the rice. I used my own chicken stock + water as the risotto liquid. And I used pecorino (about 1/4 c after grating) as the cheese as I don’t have any Parmesan right now.
https://www.wellplated.com/beet-risotto/
anon
I cut an acorn squash in half to make two “bowls” then roast the halves and fill them with risotto. It’s like a fancy, more nutritious bread bowl.
Wheels
How do you handle a husband who wants to open gifts on Christmas morning but doesn’t want anything? He complains it’s boring if I give him practical gifts like underwear or kitchen utensils; he is particular about clothes so that’s not a good gift; he already has lovely wallet (thanks to a suggestion from here a few years ago), leather work bag and accoutrements. He’s off booze at the moment. I bought him gardening (not a euphemism) equipment and he opened the box before I got home. Experiences are out because of my limitations.
I know him so well and should be able to think of something, but I’m having a whinge because he’s such a challenge!
Anon
Does he collect anything or is there something he’s sentimental about? Would something silly go over well? Books? Coffee table type books, aka adult picture books, on topics of interest to him?
Anon
Wrap up the gardening equipment and put it under the tree. Add a small consumable and call it good.
Sorry but I have no patience for “whoops I randomly opened this box right before Christmas.” My mother pulled Hinson me years ago – I had something shipped to her, told her when it would be arriving, and she opened it anyway. “Oh I didn’t know it was your present!” Well were you planning on getting any packages from that company on 30 November or not? If not, maybe don’t open. Nope, not getting you another present because you “accidentally” spoiled the surprise.
Anon
Give him the stuff he already opened. :)
dear reader
For sure wrap what you got him! I had to tell/show DH a pair of fancy sunglasses I got him for Christmas this last weekend because he literally was about to buy the same pair in another color (other color came back in stock and he got an email – so I showed him to make sure he didn’t want me to exchange them). I took them back and will absolutely be putting them in his stocking as planned. We laughed about it but are adults; it’s kind of the DINK life to have mostly non-surprise presents for us.
Anonymous
Books. Newspaper subscription – you could wrap up one copy under the tree to open and then give him the electronic subscription info. Art for his home office or office at work, could also work with a cool lamp, one of those retro music boxes or something else that falls in the category of decor that he may like but wouldn’t buy himself. External speakers for his computer if he listens to music. Nice car mats if he’s into car things – other car accessories work too and there are often nice packs with ice scrapers etc but more ideal for someone who likes cars or else you’ll get the same reaction as you get to the rest of the useful gifts.
Wheels
Newspaper subscription is a good idea I hadn’t thought of! Good plan, thank you.
Anon
Tell him to stop complaining! If he’s whining about not having something fun enough to open but he’s already opened his presents, that’s his fault.
Lizard
I mean, him wanting to open gifts but also not wanting anything or liking anything you buy is an inherent contradiction. You can’t overcome the rules of logic. He’s being sh!tty.
anonshmanon
yes, and I think he deserves to open gifts that are tagged with his name, but are really for the family/for the home/secretly for you. A new boardgame, a piece of art, fluffy blanket, nice set of juice glasses, fun kitchen item, more garden stuff, what the heck, give him a scented candle already!
Wheels
Love this idea, thank you!
Senior Attorney
Agree with all of this!
Anonymous
Can you push this back on him a bit? My husband pushed for our family to share links for Xmas lists the way his family always does. At first, I thought that sort of took away some of the magic. But it has reduced the mental burden on everyone a TON. The reality is spending money on things that people don’t actually want is wasteful. And I would rather have them actually enjoy a gift then try to pretend it’s something they want when it isn’t. If you have kids, this is also hugely helpful for those who are close to kiddo but not seeing day to day changes in taste (like a grandparent or aunt or whatnot). I still do a few small surprises, just to give a little bit of mystery. But the pressure is so, so much less and it has minimized all of the post-holiday rush on returns, etc. that was always so unpleasant and difficult to juggle in January. Make great meals. Decorate together. But don’t let shopping (and a bunch of returns) eat up time together this time of year.
Wheels
I like your suggestions about spending time doing Christmassy things together, we both love Christmas so I’ll invest my attention there instead of worrying about gifts to open. Thank you.
LaurenB
I think it takes away exactly none of the magic. Around Halloween, my sister and I share links to things our family will want. That way everything can be bought, wrapped and done by Thanksgiving. Zero holiday stress. That doesn’t preclude, of course, that you see a fun gift for person X and add it to the list … but to knock out holiday shopping in front of a computer in a day or two is glorious. Then you have a day of wrapping with some nice holiday music and a cup of tea … it’s all good. And everyone gets what they want.
NYNY
Consumables are the best gifts for picky and otherwise hard-to-shop-for people. I would do:
– splurgy or fancy non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled mocktails, shrub vinegars, or bitters to go in seltzer
– nuts, popcorn, jerky, or unusual chips if he likes salty snacks
– Miami fruit gift box of unusual tropical produce
– fancy chocolate bars
– books (if he reads for pleasure)
– subscription to a streaming service that feels extra – you’d have to write it on something, but you can still put that in a box and wrap it
– socks, but either fancier than his usual kind, or a ton of them, like enough to replace all his old ones
Anon
It’s not really fair of your husband to want to open gifts Christmas morning but then complain about everything you could possibly get him.
But you already knew that.
I’d go with consumables and a nice fleece like Patagonia, with all of the tags and a gift receipt.
Anon
I propose you go with a Russian Doll type of set up for boxes so that he can open one wrapped box and find an another wrapped box and so on.
Curious
and a Hershey’s kiss in the middle!
Wheels
Haha! Love the idea of making him spend lots of time unwrapping, I think he’d enjoy that too!
Anonymous
Luxe grooming products from Aesop or Molten brown or Kiehls. Stay warm coffee mug or to go mug. Catchall or wireless charger for his nightstand. Yeti cooler. Fresh winter gloves or hat in cashmere or from a luxury brand. Updated tee of his favorite sports teams or band or tv show or his college. Sad light if he’s complaining about winter already (my husbands getting this). High quality umbrella. sunglasses. Fancy keychain. Framed picture of you two for his desk. Cologne or the cologne sampler for Sephora. Cool board games if you guys play them or puzzles of you do those. Luxe hangers if he’s a clothes dude who doesn’t have those.
Anon
So helpful thx!!
C
Gifts to a charity he would support? Many provide gift “certificates” you can print off and wrap in a box. Could do in combo with the Russian Doll idea above. And then if whining occurs: “Oh, you don’t actually WANT to support these other worthwhile causes even though you refuse to provide me with ideas/OPEN THE FREAKING GIFTS I ALREADY GOT YOU??? Maybe you’re a jerk! On multiple levels!” Of course, that is maybe not a conversation you actually want to have but opening the garden tool box is a full-on jerk move if deliberate and should not be rewarded. If rewarded, it may be repeated, and then you’ll have to figure out another alternative next year… and next….
Wheels
Thanks, wonderful women, for all your fantastic responses, suggestions and commiserations!