This is my thinly-veiled request for Christmas ideas for a bunch of people I need to buy presents for - some of whom I don’t see all that often and know all that well. I thought it’d be handy to have a thread of present ideas that we can all crowd-source off each other. The best ideas are going to be neat stuff that people won’t know exists and won’t have already bought for themselves. I’ll end up getting some people obvious stuff like alcohol and nice chocolates. Those aren’t really he ideas I’m looking for.

I don’t want to make rules, but I think we need a couple:

  1. Let’s at least cap them at $50. Telling people you want a Drone, a Steam Deck or PS5 simply isn’t realistic. I’m not looking for ideas in that price range (even though I’d probably love all these, myself).
  2. Avoid intimate stuff. I’m not talking sex toys (though avoid those too - I’m not buying my sister-in-law a dildo), but more things that are really personal like jewellery, watches and stuff that you need to know the person’s tastes to get right.
  • anotherspringchicken
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 hours ago

    Books or bookshop vouchers, vouchers to places they might not think to go (eg CERES in Melbourne - sorry, can’t think of something in Perth), something regularly used but gourmet (like the olive oil suggestion), tickets to events (like galleries or wine/cheese tasting), an unusual t-shirt or 2 (eg from redbubble, but only if you know their taste well enough)

    Am keeping an eye on this thread for ideas!

  • Ilandar
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    6 hours ago

    Paintable garden gnomes (there is a cheap pair at Bunnings).

    • NathOPA
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      4 hours ago

      Off to Hammerbarn to get me a husband!

      For reals though, I like this one. Assuming they don’t peel and fade by the end of summer when exposed to the elements.

      • Ilandar
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        3 hours ago

        Same, I hope they like it too. This year we have tried doing a bunch of these smaller impulse buys throughout the year instead of buying things later that are more expensive, more serious or have been specifically requested. Trying to bring back a bit of that childlike magic and fun to Christmas gift giving for the older relatives, plus it makes shopping less stressful since we don’t have to do do as much in December or manage our money.

  • INHALE_VEGETABLES
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    24 hours ago

    If they like plants, get them a voucher from a nursery. Bonus points if you choose a native one.

    Everyone loves plants.

    Also, we all chipped in this year and got your sister a rubber fist.

  • Taleya
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    edit-2
    2 hours ago

    anyone of an eco bent? Check out skipper or biome or ethique.

    Failing that, quality towels. Everyone mocks until they touch them. ohh they are sinful

  • Catfish
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    22 hours ago

    I want the Simon’s Cat pins that are now out of stock. Grumpfh! And a Numbat.

    • Ilandar
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      6 hours ago

      Olive oil is a good shout, the prices are pretty rough at some supermarkets now that the specials have dried up.

  • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    22 hours ago

    A meshtastic node. The ones you put together yourself can be purchased for like 20 or 30 bucks, but the ones that are assembled already can cost anywhere between about 60 and 100.

  • NathOPA
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    1 day ago

    To start things off:

    Bluetooth transmitter: Neat little gadget that you plug into your TV and then transmits audio via Bluetooth. The fancier models broadcast two channels - so two people can listen simultaneously. Great for parents with sleeping kids to get some TV time.

    Microfiber glasses cleaning cloth: If your recipient wears glasses, they’ll have a few of these already. But they’re boring. You can get them with nice pictures (My wife has Starry Night by Vincent Van Gough on hers), or you can even get them with custom photos, but that costs a lot more.

    I’ll add to this as I think of more. 😃

    • Australis13@fedia.io
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      21 hours ago

      The only issue with the BT transmitters is potential lag. Some models are shocking (I tried one exactly for the purpose you described, but the audio lag was bad enough that I couldn’t use it).