Christmas shopping ideas

[Barbas]

I have no idea what to buy for my relatives this Christmas, because I have no idea what they would want. Any ideas what I should get for them? Preferably something sensible and practical that they'd be able to use for a while to come. Or maybe just some nice snacks/drinks I can order over the internet.

On another note, this is fun:

Spoiler

 

[DefunctTheory]

I mean... what?

What do they like? Do they need any small appliances replaced? What kind of books/movies do they like? Fans of knick-knacks? Are they white supremacist?

Or, you know... a 5 pound bag of skittles or M&Ms.

 

[Barbas]

I mean... what?

What do they like?

Goooood question, that. They're not the whitest people I've met. My father enjoys novels by Ian Rankin, Lee Child and Michael Connelly, but I'm hesitant to get those because I reckon he'll already have picked up the latest one. As for my mother, she already has some perfume that another relative is getting for her. As far as I know, nothing is broken that needs replacing and the house seems to working fine in all respects. I don't really want to get clothes, as they both have plenty (and my father is a man who believes that a shirt should not be disposed of unless it is on fire, hence I calculate he will not be short of tenable clothing until approximately 2035). I think that narrows it down to knick-knacks and comestibles.

It might be a safe bet to go for some nice gift boxes of chocolate and alcohol, since humans seem pretty crazy about that stuff. They also have no allergies there. Otherwise, a novel or film that approaches history or language from an unusual angle would likely fascinate my father. My mother insists that she doesn't really want or need anything, but I've always tried to get her something in the past.

 

[DefunctTheory]

My mother insists that she doesn't really want or need anything, but I've always tried to get her something in the past.

Oh God, my mother and father have been telling me this since I was 6. Can't stand it. Got my Dad a coffee maker and 3 bags of coffee (With the promise of buying 6 months worth of whichever one he likes best) and my mother a pressure cooker this year because fuck if I can get anyone to admit what they really want.

As for your parents... I dunno. Sounds kind of rough. Defaulting to booze and sugar may be the way to go.

http://www.amazon.com/Zachary-Fine-Assorted-Chocolates-48/dp/B00DNNEUA2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450115578&sr=8-1&keywords=zachary+chocolates

 

[Frezzato]

Oh come on, man. This is sad.

First off, you said relatives, not parents! Parents > relatives every time.

So if you're gonna go chocolate, then I suggest La Maison du Chocolat [http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/#/home], or at least buy their sampler through Willians Sonoma [http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/9532032/?catalogId=92&sku=9532032&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=default&cm_ite=default&gclid=Cj0KEQiA7rmzBRDezri2r6bz1qYBEiQAg-YEtjcQJLUsgGtqY6GcptF1Ev55hKhQ6gWsO-6cX1DgwQIaAtB78P8HAQ&kwid=productads-plaid^94125425143-sku^9532032-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^45527542423]. Make it easier for you.

And I guess you could just buy your dad an Amazon gift card. Or I dunno, a Leatherman Wave, or like, a telescope. Or a decent, comfy office chair.

 

[DefunctTheory]

Do your parents have moccasins? If they don't, get moccasins.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=moccasins

 

[kurokotetsu]

I would go withan experinece if they say they don't want things. What experience? Treat them a little time off in a place tey like, a cruise, a vacation, a class they want to take, a day in a spa, something that isn't a thing but they can enjoy. Buy them a nice dinner for themeselves or with you, something different than the standard. Take them out of the routine and let them enjoy somehting they want. Sometimes people want more than things and treating them to a nice memory and experience can be a nice change of pace. That seems like a good option if they aren't wanting for things.

 

[Albino Boo]

Ann Summers vouchers and a bottle of you mother's favorite spirit. Your father will be grateful for both.

 

[Artina89]

My parents do the whole "you don't have to get me anything" routine, and I nearly always get them something. For example this year I have got my mother tickets to go and see Dynamo as that is her favourite magician and she has always wanted to go and see him. As for my father, I am currently on vacation in Montreal, and he is fond of Canadian football, so I have gotten him some Montreal Alouettes merchandise, as well as a Canadian national team hockey jersey.

As for ideas, why don't you give your parents money if you are stumped for gifts? It might be a bit impersonal but they can use that money when they see something they like, or maybe get a gift voucher at a store of their choice if you want something a bit more personal.