Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with gift and shopping

Happy Feet slippers around Austin?

sentient — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:21:42 -0800

Where can I buy Happy Feet slippers in or near Austin, TX? Alternatively, where can I buy other fun/novelty slippers for kids in or near Austin? Hoping to luck out on this one. Is anyone aware of where Happy Feet slippers are for sale in Texas, ideally within an hour by car of Austin, TX?

The slippers look like cartoonish oversized sneakers, and I've seen them in other states in mall kiosks.

The website doesn't list locations, although an article [pdf] about the company says that there are 190 locations in forty states.

I tried the 800 number and got voicemail (large volume of holiday calls, etc.), and I emailed them to ask. No response so far. The website's "Live Chat" feature is offline as of this post.

Has anyone seen them? Any tips? I'd like to get them today!

As a backup, what places in Austin definitely sell fun/novelty slippers in big kid sizes? (Animals, paws/claws, giant-and-fluffy, look like other stuff, that kind of thing.) Thanks!

What are the limit of times to buy iTunes email gift card through iTunes store?

omaralarifi — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:34:09 -0800

Are there limits of how many times to buy iTunes email gift through iTunes store (do not get confused with price limit)? It says "you have reached the limit for buying gift card." What do they mran of the limits? How to overcome the limit? Any trick (if possible)? Thanks

What can I buy my friend who is having twins?

cymru_j — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:22:37 -0800

My friend is having twins. What can I buy her that would be very practical (yet not completely generic or impersonal)? My friend who lives out of state is due with twin boys in a couple of months, and I'd like to order something to make her post-delivery life a little easier. Do you know of any services that will ship prepared foods?

Another thought: she'll obviously need unimaginable quantities of baby care supplies and diapers. She did got a mother lode of stuff at her shower, but that just scratches the surface of all that's going to need. Would giving her an Amazon gift certificate be too impersonal? She and her partner are not particularly strapped for cash, and I'm not a huge fan of gift certificates generally, but I could probably be talked into the idea.

I'm leaning toward the food idea, since it's something she can use immediately, and it seems like a friendlier gesture. But I'd be interested to hear what you all think. Thanks, guys.

Non-Union Square Xmas gift for my mom?

Viola — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:30:31 -0800

I was a dolt and missed the deadline to ship my Mom's potential Christmas gift to my parent's house before I left town. So now I'm left with one weekend in NYC to find her something pretty for the home that's also small enough to fit in a carry-on suitcase. I need recommendations for classy, inexpensive stores in NYC that carry unique and/or handmade bowls, candle holders, tableware, etc for under $80. The centerpiece was sort of perfect for my Mom, but I can live (sob) with a substitute. Other possible gifts I considered from the same online store were this tray and this bowl, but alas, they won't make it to the house in time unless I shell out another $40 for 2-day shipping.

I swear I tried my darnedest to find a relevant question from the Ask.Metafilter annals, but nothing popped up. I know NYC has tons of stores like this, but many are very expensive or dull.

Thanks in advance!

Can one order up a miracle?

faineant — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:23:34 -0800

Online shopping in Calgary - help! ACK! I just got notified that a gift I'd ordered to be delivered in Calgary is on backorder (I am in the US). I will kill someone at the original company eventually, but for now I need need need (please, please, please) online shopable Calgary stores *that can deliver before Christmas* to a downtown office. I am willing to look at anything quirky, fun, geeky, motorcycle-ish, art, office toys, any cool stuff - even willing to do food (although that is low on the list) - if you know of a place in Calgary that does online ordering and can delliver - especially if it is one of your favorite places to shop - please tell me about it.

I already know Lee Valley, I have ordered from them before, and while they are great, their non-tool selection is a bit limited from the last time I looked, and nothing jumped out at me as a great gift for my friend. I have had horrible luck with Amazon Canada, and am not willing to do them again.

Any help truly gratefully received - thank you!

Airline Christmas Gift

Mroz — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:16:52 -0800

How do I give an airline ticket as a Christmas gift? I (in NJ) would like to give my friend (in AZ) an airline ticket to visit her best friend (in Ga) as a Christmas present. I don't want to send cash. I don't want to purchase it and get locked in because I don't know her schedule. Are gift certificates reliable? Who would I buy one from?

Is there another method that I'm not thinking of?

And no, an I [heart] NY shirt won't do...

jferg — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:37:25 -0800

NYCFilter: I'm in NYC for training for another 36 hours or so, and would like to find a nice, but not-too-expensive anniversary gift for my wife before I head home. Where should I go? Specific stores or general areas, either one. I can do something in the $50 to $100 range; and I don't really have too many preconceived notions about what I want to get. Something original, not something from a chain store that I can find at home, and not something huge that I can't fit in my suitcase. I'm in midtown Manhattan, but I'm comfortable taking the train just about anywhere within Manhattan (or even Brooklyn). Bonus for things that would be open later tonight, since I won't get out of training until 5ish.
Chocolates are overdone; lingerie and clothing for a larger woman (size 18-20) are possibilities, but wouldn't be able to be used for a while since she's 8 months pregnant at the moment. Cool baby and kid boutiques would be excellent, because I could get a "new-baby" gift as well as something for my 2-year-old. Otherwise, anyplace I can go with shops that have things that an educated 30-ish stay-at-home-mom might like would be cool.
(Yes, I know this is vague, but I'm too tired to be inspired right now.)

What to get for a new teacher?

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:01:41 -0800

Gifts for soon-to-be teachers? I have a brother who will be an elementary school teacher (some day soon, probably later this year). What gifts are good for new teachers, that aren't hideously expensive (i.e. no laptop suggestions, thanks).

Gift for Brewers fan?

airguitar2 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:43:57 -0800

I need a cool gift for a Milwaukee Brewers fan. Help! Any suggestions for a gift for someone who loves the Brewers, history, and also the Packers? I know very little about baseball/football, but am wondering if there are interesting historical artifacts from the team(s) that might be cool. Any thoughts mightily appreciated!
Thanks.

Gift for a coworker?

Coffeemate — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:35:43 -0800

I want to buy a gift for a coworker who took a promotion and will be leaving my department. What's something cool but not overly sentimental that she might like? When I started my job a year ago she was phenomenally helpful, always willing to answer questions, and a terrific mentor. I will be moving into the position she’s vacating.

She is:
About 50, but acts and feels younger
A wine lover and cat owner
Vegetarian

Her gift should be:
About $50
NOT a desk tchotchke
Fun and cool - and it need not match perfectly her interests listed above

Any ideas? I’ve looked through RedEnvelope.com, gifts.com, uncommongoods.com, and not been grabbed by anything. I’ll also be writing her a sincere thank-you note.

Between the hammer and the anvil...

Blazecock Pileon — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:57:27 -0800

A birthday present for someone into blacksmithing? This individual is very hard to shop for, because the only recent interest of his that I know of is blacksmithing. He built his own gas furnace recently. A real engineering, DIY, tweaker type. Any thoughts what I might be able to get him from, say, $100-200-300 that would help him with his hobby?

What is a typical American souvenir

arruns — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 08:27:49 -0800

What is a classic American Souvenir? I am visiting the States and my coworkers in New Zealand are expecting some little peice of America when I get back. Given customs restrictions wine/liquor is limited and foodstuffs most likely will be confiscated. Any ideas?

Where can I buy fancy sausages online ?

duckus — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 08:18:16 -0800

Where can I buy fancy sausages online ? My in-laws have recently moved out of state, out of the San Francisco Bay Area. They are German foodies and are missing the type of fancy meats and sausages provided by Drager's and the like.

During our last visit, they mentioned ordering some meats from a retailer, which they said they liked, but was too expensive to do regularly. I thought it would make a nice Xmas gift.

Of course they didn't mention a name .. and my vegetarian self has no prior knowledge of where to buy this stuff. A gift basket would probably work. Is there such a thing as a Sausage of the Month Club ?

They have a taste that goes toward Euro-Cosmopolitan. Any suggestions on where to get this kind of thing online ?

Where can I find a bathrobe in Toronto?

ltdan — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 14:32:16 -0800

I'm looking for a super-comfortable bathrobe for my wife. I'm in in Toronto, and I need to buy it locally (no time to order it). Little help? My wife and I will celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary soon and I'd like to get her a gift that matches the traditional style (i.e., cotton). She's mentioned that she'd like a bathrobe -- the short kind that goes about mid-thigh, not the long style -- and I'd like to get her a really nice, soft one. If a bathrobe's comfy she likes to spend the whole day in it, and I'm not about to discourage such behaviour. I'm thinking Frette, but if someone knows better I'm all ears.

Swiss-Army USB Drives

edlundart — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:11:35 -0800

More xmas-shopping: Does anyone know of a store in NYC I can buy those swiss army knives with USB hard drives? I know they have them at thinkgeek and amazon etc, but I need it, like, yesterday. Other weird USB devices are also of interest.

I need an Australian wine glass vendor who carries this model and will ship to Brisbane

ashbury — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 10:20:38 -0800

Australia shopping filter: I'm looking for wine glasses that look like these for a friend who lives in Australia. They are an Xmas gift, so I would like to find an Australian vendor who would ship it to Brisbane. My google-fu and yahoo-fu are failing me. Anybody have any ideas?

Where can I find a "Bridget Jones' Diary" diary?

JtJ — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 03:17:08 -0800

My daughter (18) is a great fan of Bridget Jones. On her Christmas list this year is 'a diary'. Putting 2 and 2 together, I have been searching for a Bridget Jones Diary er, Diary (if you see what I mean).

You know the kind of thing. Imagine a "Winnie the Pooh" Diary with pictures and information (as well as being a diary too). But with stuff from the Bridget Jones Film.

Can't find one anywhere. Have the marketing people missed this wonderful opportunity for Christmas and 2005?