Christmas / Chanukah gift ideas!

motivez · 11-18-2006, 03:32 PM

So what kind of neat stuff are you getting your family this year for Christmas/Chanukah?

I'm pretty much out of ideas this year. I've been saving up enough to finally be able to afford some decent presents this year, so I need good ideas!

Stylerod · 11-18-2006, 04:30 PM

My wife gave me a great gift already. She told me I can take my Leg Lamp out of my computer room and proudly display it in our living room with all our other Christmas decorations. Now if only we had a picture window that faced the street.....

motivez · 11-18-2006, 04:37 PM

curlyque221 · 11-18-2006, 08:15 PM

My father has built his own business over the past few years and has managed a number of clients. I got him an old fashioned roledex which he will hopefully use, instead of writing his client's information on post it notes and then sticking them to the wall.

My mom is really into cooking, so I have been visiting various cookware stores to collect up odd pieces (heart shaped measuring spoons, tupperware with whinnie the pooh on the cover, etc) that she wouldn't buy herself.

My brother started grad school and is teaching his first class as a TA. He is wayyyyy too confident in his computer and stores all his grades and assignments there and he's already lost some when his computer crashed. I bought him teacher's tools. A grade book, roll call book, teacher's planner.

I'm working on JaJae's present too right now.

It's best to take something they already have or know they will use, and buy a more extravagent version. Something exciting, but useful. Never fails.

7960 · 11-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Christmas is for the kids, really. We don't do as much as the kids would like but we end up doing more than we intended. They're getting toys and shit, but the 4 year old wants something with Superman on it, and the 7 year old wants new soccer cleats and a chess set (go figure).

The wife and I bought a motorcycle this year some I got her some chaps (nothing says "I love you" like assless leather

) and rain gear She picked out the chaps but the rain gear will be a surprise. She'll love it.

I'm also making her a gardening table. For the past few years she's been planting veggies and lettuce and herbs in boxes on the ground. She ruptured a disc in her back so gardening hurts now. I'm going to use cedar and make some tables to match the barn so she can work without her back hurting. It's a thoughtful (and basically free) gift that she'll really appreciate.

We're getting each other a 42" plasma TV.....picking it up tomorrow

Originally Posted by curlyque221

I'm working on JaJae's present too right now.

No matter what it is somehow incorporate a brass pole.....he'll appreciate the extra effort.

(in for vids

)

Ardentfrost · 11-18-2006, 11:44 PM

I'm going to let my wife spend $3-400 on outfits. She's been wanting to get a better wardrobe for a while now, so that'll at least beef up the outfits she likes already.

I'm trying to get her to get me a Wii

I don't necessarily want it for xmas day... they'll probably be easier to get after the new year anyway.

My dad recently got divorced and is living by himself in an apartment. I'm sure I could think of SOMETHING he could use in his place, I just don't know what yet.

With mom, I usually let my little siblings figure out what to get her, and we all go in together. My sister is especially good at figure out what she wants and does all the legwork.

The same goes for my little bro, my sis is good at picking out something I can just go halfsies on.

My little sis I usually get my mom to give me ideas, and my little bro and I go halfsies.

But with all of them, I have no idea yet. I probably won't know for another couple weeks

7960 · 11-19-2006, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

My dad recently got divorced and is living by himself in an apartment. I'm sure I could think of SOMETHING he could use in his place, I just don't know what yet.

I don't know what your relationship is like with your dad, or how close he lives, but if I was you I'd get him a book of coupons for local restaurants and take the time to attach a sticky note to every one of them saying "call me so we can have dinner."

Ardentfrost · 11-19-2006, 11:17 AM

We're close, but he lives a few hours away. Furthermore, he makes a good bit of money and ONLY eats out. I should buy him a nice prostitute

motivez · 11-19-2006, 02:44 PM

It's best to take something they already have or know they will use, and buy a more extravagent version. Something exciting, but useful. Never fails.

That's an awesome suggestion.. the hard part is finding out what they have an use but could be improved on!

avsp · 11-20-2006, 06:53 AM

nothing for no one

don’t join in

the whole deal massively distorts the operation of the market, shifting resources to over-consumption & production of needless & pointless cak that is bought in an ill-considered way

granted this thread is an attempt to avoid the ill-considered part but its still largely over-consumption, ..., & even if its not there market is still warped by having fart oo many purchases concentrated into a small period

This POV may not apply to sincere Christians

Lastly, it is also the season known as Newtonmass, ..., adherents give thanks for the blessings of gravity & those with orchards present apples to their brethren. There may also be instances of cross-dressing & general mardiness in memory of Sir Isaac.

7960 · 11-20-2006, 08:38 PM

we are two people separated by a common language...........wtf did you just say?

Thomas Crown · 11-21-2006, 10:33 AM

I bought my mom a bunch of Barbie stuff (she collects).

I bought my dad a surround sound system and a new HD DVR for his TV.

Don't know what I'm going to get my girl (we've only been dating for about a month and a half).

I bought my brother and nephew a new video card for their gaming system.

I've got others I need to buy gifts for, just don't know what to get them.

avsp · 11-21-2006, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

we are two people separated by a common language.

are you sure?

7960 · 11-21-2006, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by avsp

are you sure?

if I was really me I'd reply, but I'm not, so there it is.

In the past few days my 4 year old has been saying he wants a pogo stick.......he's 4. There's no way he can actually use a pogo stick. What would you do?

Ardentfrost · 11-21-2006, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

if I was really me I'd reply, but I'm not, so there it is.

In the past few days my 4 year old has been saying he wants a pogo stick.......he's 4. There's no way he can actually use a pogo stick. What would you do?

Take him outside and toss him into the air and let him fall to the ground about 10-15 times. Afterwards, ask if that feels good and explain a pogo stick would be acomplishing the same thing.

motivez · 11-21-2006, 01:38 PM

Maybe take him by a toy store you know has one so he can try to play with it. Chances are he'll find it's not as fun as he's imagining and not want one anymore

curlyque221 · 11-21-2006, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by 7960

if I was really me I'd reply, but I'm not, so there it is.

In the past few days my 4 year old has been saying he wants a pogo stick.......he's 4. There's no way he can actually use a pogo stick. What would you do?

They make pogo sticks for smaller children and they also make alternatives. There are other toys that bounce that could be fun. They makes inflatable toys with handles to bounce on...shoes to wear like slippers that have some bounce to them...if you have an educational toy store near you, they usually have other alternatives.

(I worked in a toy store for a year. No parent wants to buy their child a pogo stick and yet it is one of the top toys bought every year. Always clears the shelves.)

motivez · 11-26-2006, 03:31 PM

Alright, so people with kids....

I have a nephew that's going to be turning 7 in January. He's an outdoor type of kid, likes to ride bikes, etc.. as well as a niece who's going to be turning 5, who's very girly, not tomboyish at all.

I need gift ideas and have no clue what's cool for kids these days. I could probably think of some neat stuff for the boy, but the girl? I was in Walgreens and saw this kit of lipstick and eyeshadow and whatnot, but it said it wasn't for kids under like 9 or something

So, what should I get! What are you getting your kids this year?

curlyque221 · 11-26-2006, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Alright, so people with kids....

I have a nephew that's going to be turning 7 in January. He's an outdoor type of kid, likes to ride bikes, etc.. as well as a niece who's going to be turning 5, who's very girly, not tomboyish at all.

I need gift ideas and have no clue what's cool for kids these days. I could probably think of some neat stuff for the boy, but the girl? I was in Walgreens and saw this kit of lipstick and eyeshadow and whatnot, but it said it wasn't for kids under like 9 or something

So, what should I get! What are you getting your kids this year?

The make-up kit was for older kids because it can be risky business to give a five year old anything which they could use to color on walls or smear all over furniture. If you want to get her something along those lines, you can get dress up kits that are more "play pretend."

Arts and crafts are usually a safe bet, especially the new crayola color wonder, which works with water and clear liquids and cannot get on ANYTHING! True innovation in children's toys.

A doll would work too...A baby doll if you think she likes to act out scenes, or a doll that can change outfits if you think she's in to dress-up games.

Another option would be pretend foods or a cash-register.

As for the boy...would the parents object to a tadpole? You often can buy the kits that have all the supplies you need to raise the frog, as well as the voucher to send for the tadpole. (No, they don't come in the box). Sea Monkeys were really popular again last Christmas and the boys seem to love them. His little sister might like the fact that she could watch it too.

Hope this helps.

motivez · 11-26-2006, 04:21 PM

She doesn't like dolls apparently (

i know, no idea!), so that's out

I was thinking maybe some kind of locket or whatever, but I don't know if she's so young that she'd rather get some toy she can play with or whatever..

Never thought about the tadpole thing, that's a great idea. I'd have to see whether or not they'd object though for sure..