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I have been racking my brains over what to get close family and friends for the holidays and thought it would be great to start an ideas thread. Everyone in my family buys stuff when they want it. So far I have come up with these items, post up what you've got. The key is cheap and fun. I am the gift coordinator in my family, I tell people what to buy and typically coordinate several like gifts from other members. *If images don't work its because I am hot-linking from websites that are blocked to you.
My wife is a book worm. Easy, getting her a a fancy new Kindle Touch. If you've got a reader in the family, this gift for less than $100 will please anyone. Don't fork out for the expensive 3G version, these little e-readers have an outstanding capacity -they can download several books before a trip. If they are very-frequent travelers, then consider it. Also, these e-readers come with-and-without special offers. Essentially ads that run when you are not reading on the device. The battery life is a couple months, btw.
I am having my wife's mother get her a carry case with integrated light that is powered by the kindle itself. That's two gifts, for one idea.
Next on the list, Bucky Balls. Seriously the best toy ever invented... For those of you structure & technical individuals, these will keep you entertained for hours. Each time I pick them up I make something new. I know, just a bunch of magnets... who doesn't love magnets? They come in several finishes.
My dad is a movie buff, he has the media room and more movies than Netflix. I am got him an original print Jurassic Park movie poster -kind of an odd idea, but I know he'll like it.
My sister is always borrowing my DSLR. If you have an artsy-fartsy typed relative consider getting them an entry level DSLR camera. Nikon or Canon, the two are pretty closely matched these days. I am actually having my parents get her an older model Canon T3 Rebel, they found a "kit" camera (which includes lens and everything needed to take pictures) for under $400. They are getting her Canon because that's what I have, and its nice to be able to share lenses. This is where the deal sweetens, everyone in the family can get her camera shit now! Her boyfriend is buying her a cheap 50mm fixed zoom lens, I am getting her a camera bag and some entry level DSLR books, one of her friends is getting her a tripod... a home run gift.
If you've got a gun lover, get them ammo. Seriously, it works great. Get a cool metal military ammo box for under ten bucks at an Army Navy store and load it up with rounds.
I really enjoy puzzles and board games. So I typically load up on gifts that make people think and use their brains. Thinkgeek.com has received quite a bit of business from me over the years...
I put a simple piece of jewelry in one of these last year, it took my mom a month to figure it out (I think she ended up googling it). We all still laugh about it...
More cheap stocking stuffer puzzles... really challenging, terribly fun.
Gaming systems are fun, but board games are what really get the family together. I hate American-styled board games where everything falls on luck and no skill... This game is great packaged as a family gift. "Settlers of Catan" is a game anyone can learn (anyone)... yet requires thought and half a brain. I swear by this game, read the reviews if you don't believe me.
My wife is a book worm. Easy, getting her a a fancy new Kindle Touch. If you've got a reader in the family, this gift for less than $100 will please anyone. Don't fork out for the expensive 3G version, these little e-readers have an outstanding capacity -they can download several books before a trip. If they are very-frequent travelers, then consider it. Also, these e-readers come with-and-without special offers. Essentially ads that run when you are not reading on the device. The battery life is a couple months, btw.
I am having my wife's mother get her a carry case with integrated light that is powered by the kindle itself. That's two gifts, for one idea.
Next on the list, Bucky Balls. Seriously the best toy ever invented... For those of you structure & technical individuals, these will keep you entertained for hours. Each time I pick them up I make something new. I know, just a bunch of magnets... who doesn't love magnets? They come in several finishes.
My dad is a movie buff, he has the media room and more movies than Netflix. I am got him an original print Jurassic Park movie poster -kind of an odd idea, but I know he'll like it.
My sister is always borrowing my DSLR. If you have an artsy-fartsy typed relative consider getting them an entry level DSLR camera. Nikon or Canon, the two are pretty closely matched these days. I am actually having my parents get her an older model Canon T3 Rebel, they found a "kit" camera (which includes lens and everything needed to take pictures) for under $400. They are getting her Canon because that's what I have, and its nice to be able to share lenses. This is where the deal sweetens, everyone in the family can get her camera shit now! Her boyfriend is buying her a cheap 50mm fixed zoom lens, I am getting her a camera bag and some entry level DSLR books, one of her friends is getting her a tripod... a home run gift.
If you've got a gun lover, get them ammo. Seriously, it works great. Get a cool metal military ammo box for under ten bucks at an Army Navy store and load it up with rounds.
I really enjoy puzzles and board games. So I typically load up on gifts that make people think and use their brains. Thinkgeek.com has received quite a bit of business from me over the years...
I put a simple piece of jewelry in one of these last year, it took my mom a month to figure it out (I think she ended up googling it). We all still laugh about it...
More cheap stocking stuffer puzzles... really challenging, terribly fun.
Gaming systems are fun, but board games are what really get the family together. I hate American-styled board games where everything falls on luck and no skill... This game is great packaged as a family gift. "Settlers of Catan" is a game anyone can learn (anyone)... yet requires thought and half a brain. I swear by this game, read the reviews if you don't believe me.
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