We’ve got a budget, we might as well go ahead and get started using it. I’m going to share a few gift guides that are more related to the types of people that I have to purchase gifts for. Mom is up first!

I don’t know about your mother, but mine has pretty much everything. She’s at the point where she’s asking for a new dishwasher…again. We’ve already done that and as much as I am a huge proponent of giving people what they ask for, this is a little ridiculous. So for those of you who are like me and want to get a gift for the mom who has everything, here are a few ideas.

1. Tickets to a show or concert – I have two words for you: Experience gifts. These gifts are where you should look for those hard-to-shop-for people in your life. My mother loves musicals and enjoys the occasional concert. So far, I’ve gotten her tickets to see Wicked, Grease and Chicago (the traveling shows). She’s loved each show. If you’re a big baller and you’re on the east coast, go ahead and plan a trip to New York to see a Broadway show. For a lower cost option, see what shows your local theaters have coming up for the rest of the season.
2. Classes – Again, experiences. Wine tasting, pottery, crocheting – whatever she might be interested in. You could send her to a winery with a tasting and tour, the whole she-bang.
3. Jewelry – My mother doesn’t believe a lady should leave the house without earrings. Unfortunately, she is constantly losing them. To avoid a meltdown on my part and heaps of guilt on hers, I avoid the expensive stuff. Instead, I head to places like The Limited (the Glimmer Flower Studs pictured above are currently on sale for $9.95) or Ann Taylor and get several pairs. She has more options and I’m not bothered when she inevitably uses them 3-6 months later.
4. Photo Book – Artifact Uprising (from $17) – The selfies you snap with her and put on Instagram that she never sees, the pictures on Facebook of you and your siblings that she doesn’t know exist, the random shots you take of your kids that you forget to send… Parents tend to appreciate gifts like this, especially if you are not geographically close. Order by tomorrow and you’ll have your book in time for Christmas.

In case you’re wondering, I’m going with option #1 for Mommy (yes, I still call her Mommy) this year, along with #3 and a few other items.

Photos of tickets and wine from Pixabay.