I forgot to add that I also got DH warm, wool socks. Tickets to sporting events? A magazine or newspaper subscription?

Is there anything he'd like to do - like tickets to the movies, a play, ziplining, etc.? A certificate for the two of you to go out for dinner or a coupon for a massage or something like that? My DH is hard to buy for, too. I got him a jigsaw puzzle and a heating pad type of thing. I'm pretty stumped myself. I found a game he might like.

I agree. Someone needs to rule out anything physical that is causing the cramps (I was also thinking endometriosis). I'm sorry that she's suffering.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. It's wonderful how you include him in your Christmas traditions. :grouphug:

Another vote for Apples to Apples, Jr. We have a big age gap between kids and have loved that game for a long time. It's still my kids' favorite game and we laugh a lot when we play.

I am very sorry about the loss of your friend.

I think it's wonderful!

Stuff for her hair - hair ties or headbands, lip balm, scented lotions, soaps, or body washes...

How about a personalized gift - like an ornament, photo mug, etc.? Gift card for books to read, bookmark that matches her interests, special food she likes or a certificate to eat with you at a favorite restaurant, ice cream store, etc.? If it's cold where you are, fleece leggings, fuzzy socks, hoodie, mittens, etc.? Does she like puzzles - jigsaw, crossword, logic, word finds?

I wouldn't. After two hours, if the food isn't kept over 140 degrees, then it can make you sick.

I wouldn't think anything of it either.

Thank you! We always use MLA and I will make sure my dd is exposed to APA as well.

My oldest son (not homeschooled) used to be obsessed with office supplies when he was around 11 or 12. He would spend hours looking at things like the Office Max catalog and making out his Christmas wish list. He's almost 26 now and still has plenty of supplies! And he did get a file cabinet for his birthday as well. :)

I have problems finding meals, too. In my family of six, there is not one meal that we all will eat. It's ridiculous. My kids aren't picky at all, but they do have special diets they follow and I can't please everyone. I was thinking of making things easier this year and just eating out or bringing food in just to avoid the huge mess to clean up after dinner, but I have to figure something out that most of us will eat.

For Christmas Eve we usually do raviolis - baked and boiled, garlic bread, cranberry sauce, and Christmas cookies. Christmas morning - still trying to find the perfect breakfast. I made a sausage/egg casserole last year that was really good. This year, one of my sons requested bagel sandwiches with eggs, sausage, cheese. We used to always have cinnamon rolls. Christmas Day we spend with the in-laws. They usually serve ham, roast, potatoes, rolls. Lots of cookies and candy.

We also bought from Amazon to replace an old mattress. My adult sons love the new mattress! We are going to replace our old mattress with one from Amazon as well.

I use one pod all the time for a medium-sized load!

Great suggestions, but I wanted to add some kind of baked pasta casserole with cheese. If you want to have meat for all the guests besides the vegetarian, you could have meatballs on the side. Plus salad, dessert, etc.

I have a Samsung stainless steel french door. I hate it because it's defective. It's fairly new and we are going to need to replace it soon or have repairs done. I do love the capacity, but wish the freezer had a way to organize better. Sometimes I feel like I'm rummaging through a toy box trying to find stuff on the bottom.

Wow, that is unbelievably obnoxious!

:grouphug: For Hilltopmom

My dd (14) is like that. It's hard for me to understand because I was so social at her age. She seems perfectly content, though.

One of my sons had one removed last year with just a local anesthetic. He said he was glad he did it that way, but it was weird when they were actually pulling the tooth out - mostly the sounds and pressure.

I don't throw out the photo cards and I keep some cards with personal messages in them. I know they are not for everyone, but receiving Christmas cards from certain people makes me very happy. Obviously, the ones sent out of obligation are meaningless to me, but others mean a lot. Just today I received one from a friend I don't know well and I was so touched that she included me on her Christmas card list. She has a beautiful family and sent a photo card with a newsletter and I was absolutely thrilled - it made my day and I told her so.

Maybe. I have one electrical engineer and two computer engineers. They all do a lot of writing, but not the standard five-paragraph essay.