My family, with the exception of my wonderful niece (who both understands the joy of giving and receiving a gift especially picked out by the giver for the recipient), pretty much considers the giving of holiday gifts (birthdays, too) to be an exchange of shopping lists. I hate this. I can't avoid giving them a wish list for what they get me -- if I don't, they'll just hand me cash; even if I do, they sometimes just get me a gift card, claiming it was too much trouble to find the gifts I requested. (Gee, who wouldn't love a gift with that message behind it?) But I do try to avoid asking for wish lists from them, and I try hard to find something that will please each of them.
Well, it's only September and SIL has texted me saying she and my brother want an iPad for Christmas, and that maybe I could go in with my parents to get it for them.
I can't think of anything that makes me want to buy her an iPad LESS than her flat out asking for one. Half the price of an iPad is a bit more than what I was planning to spend on the two of them together, and half the price of an iPad is probably more than my parents can really afford. Plus being asked for it just makes buying the present feel like a completely joyless exercise. On the other hand, if I get her and my brother something else, I will be complained at -- "but all we really wanted was an iPad." I can't cry poor, because DH and I spoil the crap out of my niece (because she APPRECIATES it, and doesn't act the least bit presumptuous or entitled about the trips we've taken her on or the gifts we give her). But boy, do I not want to give her what she wants!
I'm thinking they get a gift card to an electronics store, for considerably less than half the value of an iPad. What say you, e-Hellions?