Christmas Gift Tip Thread

[latenightapplepie]

I'm useless at giving Christmas gifts. And I'm assuming some of you out there are too.

So, in hopeful belief of the old 'two-heads-are-better-than-one' theory, this is a thread dedicated to discussing how to buy good presents for loved ones, and for those ungrateful office colleagues.

For my most recent birthday I was inundated with books of a particular field of interest. I was and still am interested in the subject matter but I couldn't help thinking that all the gift-givers were being lazy and/or I was becoming very one-dimensional.

What are some good gifts you'be received/gotten? More importantly, what made them good? What are your theories on what makes a gift good?

 

[Hey Joe]

I'm giving all my companions a signed photograph of me.

It'll be worth BILLIONS in a few years.

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

I'm giving all my companions a signed photograph of me.

It'll be worth BILLIONS in a few years.

Can I have one... I already have the photo. Okay I have many photo's of you...along with some hair.

 

[Noamuth]

Cash vouchers are always good. Lets people sort out what they want on their own.

Um.. What else. As lame as they sound, hampers are good. Little bits and pieces chucked together.

 

[latenightapplepie]

I'm giving all my companions a signed photograph of me.

It'll be worth BILLIONS in a few years.

Of Zimbabwean dollars?

 

[qbert4ever]

I'm giving all my companions a signed photograph of me.

It'll be worth BILLIONS in a few years.

Of Zimbabwean dollars?

I don't know, $12.50 still seems a little high. Unless you mean all in total.

On topic, cold hard cash is always good. And if all else fails you can do the unthinkable and ask them what they want.

 

[Dommyboy]

Giving people DVD's of British comedies and Jackass, what more could you want?

 

[Dr Pussymagnet]

I once got a gas scooter, and I rode it through the neighborhood non-stop that day.

But now it's broken.


:(

 

[the monopoly guy]

I'm giving all my companions a signed photograph of me.

It'll be worth BILLIONS in a few years.

Of Zimbabwean dollars?

10 billion Zimbabwe dollars=4 USD.

 

[Souplex]

A dradel and some shiney new menorahs for all the little menches who dont drive me meshuggenah.

 

[Smiles]

people are terrible at getting me gifts, no one seems to care what I would like, and no one cares enough to take the time to find out.

I never ask "what would you like". For me that seems lazy. when I get gifts for people I pay close attention to them for long before I go shopping, paying careful attention to what they say when things they like come up, or noticing when they say they "wish they had, or need" this/that. If I go to their houses with them(I am not a crazy stalker) I notice what their interests are if I don't happen to already know. I am the best gift giver I know, and my friends tell me that I always give the best gifts, even when I don't spend a lot of money.

for them it shows that I do pay attention.

 

[vede]

Um... I can hardly even figure out what I want for Christmas or my birthday...

Mostly, I just go for games, TV shows, or music. Things that won't be gone after a couple days are better than things that will. Dice for P&P gamer friends would probably be good.

But don't take my advice... I don't know how good I am at this...

 

[Smiles]

Ask me ask me!!! I AM good at this!

 

[haveyouseen_mywallet]

i think gift cards are lazy gift , it should either be something the person likes/can relate to or something on the other end of the spectrum that will open them up to new experience or hobby.

 

[Radelaide]

I think Gift Cards are nice. I like iTunes vouchers or book vouchers.

It all really depends on who you're buying presents for. Always ask someone what they like and try to buy a gift with that information and you can't go wrong!

 

[dukethepcdr]

For the gamers on your list who have Xbox 360s or Wiis, how about points cards? They can always use more points to download stuff on their consoles. Also, you can't go wrong with a gift card to a game store that they have in their area.

As for your relatives who don't play games, I have found that a hand made Christmas card works wonders. Grandmas, Moms, Mothers-in-law, sisters etc. just love getting my hand made cards. They are cheap to make but are really appreciated, especially since hardly anyone does that sort of thing anymore.

 

[Ultrajoe]

I always ask for money, and i always give money where i can.

The world's most universally accepted gift voucher, as far i'm concerned more thought goes into that gift than anything else you can possibly fathom.

 

[Reaperman Wompa]

I always ask for money, and i always give money where i can.

The world's most universally accepted gift voucher, as far i'm concerned more thought goes into that gift than anything else you can possibly fathom.

Exactly. It says I care enough about you to give you something necessary (seriously) while at the same time not limiting the person to a single thing, giving them the option and the freedom to spend it on what they really want, not want you think they want. If you are good at really personal gifts then fine, but money is an under-appreciated gift idea.

 

[Graustein]

I always ask for money, and i always give money where i can.

The world's most universally accepted gift voucher, as far i'm concerned more thought goes into that gift than anything else you can possibly fathom.

The problem with that is that my parents will refuse to give me much more than a hundred dollars, but they'll have no problem buying me two hundred dollars worth of stuff for Christmas. It's a bit of a waste because, apart from the games and books, all my other presents are usually forgotten about in a few weeks. It's a rare gift that has any kind of lasting appeal with me and is neither programmed nor written.

I've been wracking my brains trying to come up with something that's not Metroid Prime 3, No More Heroes, gamecube controllers, a few books I want or an ocarina.
Well, at least I know what to get my sister.

 

[Jaythulhu]

How about the gift of freedom from hallmark and retailer holidays? Let's face it, christmas has no meaning other than buying crap to give to people you don't really want to give gifts to, since it's not their birthday or any event of actual significance.