Ask Lemmy

Sharing in a peanut butter pie from Costco would be a nice gift.

Unsure of the rest of my family but it's become a running gaga to get my mom the cheesiest custom-printed throw blanket we can think of. This year's is a horribly cropped screenshot of a text conversation we had a while ago about buying groceries from Dollar General

The best gift ever is that my family all agreed not to buy unneeded things for each other. The gift of not stressing, not having to go shopping, and not spending money just keeps on giving.

We stopped doing gift exchanges. We were just getting things we didn't want. Ymmv, that doesn't work in all families.

The joy of my presence.

I don't know, I'm in here to scope ideas.

Bathing salts, a chair cushion, a calendar, a cooking book, slippers and some chocolate.

It all sounds random but what makes them good presents is that I have reason to believe my family actually wants those things.

That said, I think next time I'll be giving less thought into it because apparently half my family would like to stop with the presents cause they feel like they don't need more shit and also don't like being obligated to buy stuff for other people. Fair enough, but if it's small things I still like gifting stuff.

Drugs and alcohol

Got my husband a light for his desk that is in the shape of the bon fire spawn/save point in the Dark Souls series. It's in one of those clear resin blocks and it glows. Then we're going to a bougie ass resort for a 2 day stay cation where he doesn't have to worry about anything!

Got one of my besties who enjoys D&D a bottle opener called "Tool of Opening", a dunce cap for his dice when they disappoint him, and a t-shirt that says: "Lawful in the Streets; Chaotic in the Sheets". Basically a bunch of little kitschy things based on his interests.

Another bestie is (probably) getting some kinda Critical Role merchandise. Maybe a wooden sign for his room that says "Entering Dave's Dungeon Roll for Initiative". Still deciding on him.

When we sold our house, I opened investment accounts for my niece and 2 nephews, and I just throw money in there for every birthday/Christmas. As infants/toddlers they're going to be too young to appreciate it for a while, but I grew up bouncing between "lower class" and "lower middle class" so I want them to have more opportunities starting out than I did. They'll appreciate it one day. I hope.

For the most part our family has decided to not get gifts this year. We just spend time together, eat something nice and enjoy each other, except for the one child in our family that of course still gets something.

For my wifes side of the family, we decided to do secret santa this year and cap ourselfs at 30.- CHF for value.

Not helpful for gift ideas I guess though^^

Smoked cheeses.

A friend of mine drives an SUV. I’m getting him a sticker of Jason for the back window, with an “arm” holding a bloody machete that attaches to the back window wiper. When the wiper is on, it looks like Jason is hacking away with his machete.

I think it’s kinda corny, but he loves stuff like that!

Get them a nicer version of things they already get. Fancy coffee, hot sauces, soap, candles, pens, that sort of thing. It loses some of its charm, but that could also mean a gift card to a nicer restaurant. Just make sure it's enough to cover the meal.

This works especially well if they're pretty cheap and wouldn't get things like that, simply because they're too expensive.

You can also go for some very pseudo-luxury items. Vermont Maple syrup (or Maple candies - seriously, it's just crystalized sugar, but it seems so rich), sausage and cheese sets, chocolate oranges...

Finally, here's the biggest tip - Don't wait until December to think about it. Pay attention through the year. They will almost certainly mention something offhand to you. A passing comment like "we never have enough -----" or "---- never works right" are perfect opportunities. Just make a note on your phone. Feel free to ask probing questions and even tell them that's what you're doing- if it's before Halloween, they'll almost certainly forget by Xmas anyway.

I found plantable paper stars/snowflakes that can be used as gift tags or tree ornaments. The paper contains wildflower seeds so you can plant this paper star into the ground in spring and it will sprout flowers.

Have you considered getting them copies of the Barbie movie on Blu-Ray? I heard it's a good movie.

My in-laws are in Arizona where there are scorpions. I’m giving them a powerful blacklight flashlight so we can go look for them when it gets dark out.

Stepdad is a pain in the ass to shop for and last year the wire cheese cutter didn't do so hot on meat so this year is a guillotine cutter and a big summer sausage box.

Brother is getting a sports team hoodie.

Nephew is starting reading and a huge pokemon fan so hes getting the most recent Ninja Turtles game on Switch (previously hed get Kirby games. Coop means dad can help.) and Pokemon chapter books. Probably a trip to the bookstore as well a bit later.

Niece is teenaged, getting her a book as well since I encourage them to read, along with a nice blanket robe.

Grandpa is a vet and so this year we got a framed print of the ship he served on.

Uncle is a D&D nerd so hes getting a D&D book he wants.

Other folks will prob get candies, alcohol, and the like, as the situation and kinship merits.

Socks, fucking shit loads of socks, I had 42 pairs arrive the other day. I have a weird thing for socks (no not like that) and have bought everyone a pack of my favourite socks that don't seem to ever die (I have a 12year old pack that are still in great condition despite wearing them regularly).

Everyone gets a 5pack of my favourite, 1 pair of merino wool socks, and a box of sweets or chocolate depending on their taste.

Except for the children, they get toys and games too.

It's clichéd as fuck, but made my life easier and we all prefer focusing on the kids as it's their day really.

Stainless steel wine glasses. My SO keeps breaking her glass ones.

For my sister, compression socks (she's a runner), a box of toilet paper (how is she always running out?!), and some shirts with her business logo on them For my niece, we're going to see the Nutcracker and going ice skating For my dad, books

When I'm struggling to come up with a gift idea I usually resort to something nice that can be eaten or drank. Some nice chocolates, coffee or liquor can be a great gift that won't leave someone with something they never use.

I do secret Santa with my family so I only have to get my cousin a gift. He built a race car in the past year so I had a guy on fiverr make artwork of it and then had it printed and framed

Bougie chocolate blocks / boxes

A few months ago, my brother and I were playing online but we communicated through chat instead of talking because he didn't have a headset. I'm hoping he still doesn't have a headset because that's what I got him.

I am thinking about getting dad an Airspy stick and a Raspberry pi, we both love Flightradar24, and he has spoken about setting up a node in the network for them.

My family asked for a pocket knife, guitar strings and picks, a pastry blender, shoe trees and shoe care items, and a hammock.

I'm getting my mom a rowing machine because she wants one to help her exercise more. I'm getting my SO a Chromebook because his old one is like 7 years old now.

Apologies.

Trust me on this.

Children under 5 get a giant Christmas card, the kind the whole office is supposed to sign. Little kids never get mail, so you'll make their Christmas. Give parents cash to get whatever the kid actually needs.

Children 5 to 10 get a GI Joe or a Barbie. Doesn't matter if the kid likes that toy, what matters is that they can trade it in the school yard. It's like sending someone in jail a carton of Newports.

Ages 10 to 20 get cash.

Over 20 gets a nice bottle of booze. Even if they don't drink, they can regift it easily.

If you know what their interests and hobbies are at the moment, then get equipment and other stuff related to those. Books and craft supplies are often good ideas. A giftcard to a store they often visit is always nice. A nice mug is a good gift for many people, because it's useful and beautiful. For kids, you can ask them what's their favorite animal, and then get them a plushie of that animal. They'll probably love it. Getting them a trendy toy (such as a Squishmallow rn) can also be good. If you still have no idea what someone wants, then you can get them a nice card with some cash and maybe some candy.