It’s always sad to see the queues of people in the stores after Christmas, taking back unwanted gifts. The trouble with surprises is they don’t always turn out to be what people want.
So how’s this for a solution? Before Christmas, adult family members could simply give each other cash to buy gifts for themselves. They could wrap their own presents without telling anyone what they’ve bought, and put them under the tree ready for the big Day. There would still be the element of surprise as they out what they’ve bought each other, and everyone would get something they want. A win-win situation all round!
Christmas at Grandma’s
Of course, this wouldn’t work for children or dogs.
If you’re looking for a last-minute stocking filler for a young reader, my middle grade novels are available on Amazon. The Slapstyx are a tribe of grubby goblins who fill people’s homes with dust and grime, and Gateway to Magic features a gaming fanatic who is trapped in Fairyland where tech is banned by law.
Merry Christmas!
The Literate Lurcher 
In this case would you need to swap money. I think the surprise would be seeing what your relatives have chosen to buy themselves 🙂 Interesting idea and have a great Christmas
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Thank you! I probably didn’t explain it very well… people buy their own presents with the money they’ve been given, then those who’ve given the money have the surprise when they see what the recipients have bought themselves. Incidentally, that’s what we’re having to do for my mother this year, as she isn’t up to buying presents herself – she’s given us money to buy our own presents from her, then we’re going to wrap them up and put them under the tree to surprise her with what she’s bought us! 🙂
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Btw, the swapping of the money is symbolic 😉
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I haven’t read Slapstyx (yet), but I’d recommend Gateway to Magic/Slapstyx for kid lit gifts! 🙂 (I read Gateway to Magic already)
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Thank you, that’s much appreciated. I’m glad you enjoyed Gateway to Magic. 🙂
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This is a very sensible idea. I have a brother who buys me gifts he would like to receive himself – like board games and albums he likes.
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Oh dear… not great if you don’t share the same tastes!
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We dont! Lol!
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😀
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Ahh what a great idea! Wishing you and Lyra a wonderful Christmas!
🎄🎁❄️⛄️💕⛄️❄️😉🎄
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Thanks! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas also xx 🙂
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😉🎄❄️💕🎁
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What a great idea!
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Yes, it would certainly save a lot of stressing about what to get people!
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