My son's first Christmas is approaching. Six days afterward he will turn one. Help me make an awesome wish list as the grandparents are already asking for ideas. [more inside]
posted by rebeccabeagle on Nov 11, 2009 - 24 answers

My grandmother is sharp, independent, and in good health. but she's beginning to need a walker for long periods upright. What gift could help her function better around the house? [more inside]
posted by ormondsacker on Nov 11, 2009 - 19 answers

What is a good/luxury cooking item for around $50? [more inside]
posted by MaryDellamorte on Nov 10, 2009 - 65 answers

What are some great gifts for Holiday Season that convey a sense of luxury, yet cost between about $25-75? [more inside]
posted by Miko on Nov 10, 2009 - 41 answers

I'm looking for Christmas gift ideas for our kids. They are 11, 9, and 6 year old girls. Specifically, I'm looking for ideas to put together homemade 'kits' that combine multiple items making up a single theme. For example, a calendar making kit with heavy paper setup like an empty calendar for them to number the days, with space for monthly pictures; including markers, stickers, etc. Or a journal kit with the empty journal, stamps, stickers, etc. Or a 'game night' kit. The kit can be for the 3 of them together, or for one of them specifically. Thanks!
posted by GernBlandston on Nov 10, 2009 - 8 answers

It's that time again.. What are some good online stores to buy cool, unique Christmas gifts? [more inside]
posted by carpyful on Nov 9, 2009 - 30 answers

I want to make lots of neat little gifts to give friends for Christmas. I'd like these gifts to be useable, elegant, consumable, and grown-up (not decorative, artsy-fartsy crafty crap). My recipients are Pragmatic New Englanders, and would be irked receiving potpourri, eye pillows, embroidered towels, door-hangings, pine-cone-bird feeders, or anything of that ilk. Hence: consumables. In the past I've had past successes making figgy pudding with brandy butter and a collection of homemade ketchups, relishes, mustards, and chutneys, but this year I want to move out of the kitchen. Blow me away with millions of amazing little home-made gift suggestions. [more inside]
posted by mr. remy on Nov 6, 2009 - 28 answers

I need help buying a strobe tuner for a gift. I know nothing about them. [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on Nov 5, 2009 - 10 answers

In previous years I've made a lot of cookies to give away to friends and family around the holidays. This year I'd like to do something a little different, but still make it a gift of food. [more inside]
posted by sararah on Nov 5, 2009 - 42 answers

Please help me come up with a theme for our family holiday Yankee swap. [more inside]
posted by rabidsegue on Nov 1, 2009 - 9 answers

What are some wonderful things I can buy subscriptions to, other than magazines and newspapers? [more inside]
posted by Marquis on Oct 29, 2009 - 36 answers

difficult gift shopping filter: Help me find books, toys, comics, music, etc that provide a broad, varying, and largely non-traditional view of masculinity for my little brother, who is absolutely nothing like me or anyone else in our family. More details than necessary inside! [more inside]
posted by ellehumour on Oct 26, 2009 - 36 answers

Where can I buy a hammered-silver, round mirror for a Christmas gift? [more inside]
posted by Pomo on Oct 19, 2009 - 4 answers

What publicly owned items/monuments/etc in the US were gifts from other nations? [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful on Oct 18, 2009 - 15 answers

What can I get as a thank-you gift for my circus directors? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 18, 2009 - 4 answers

Grateful for inspirational suggestions for a contribution to a "Book of Memories" for my brother's golden wedding anniversary. [more inside]
posted by aqsakal on Oct 12, 2009 - 5 answers

My oldest, a HS senior, is applying to college and we are asking teachers to complete recommendations. Would it be permissible to include a note and small token of appreciation for each teacher in advance of the recommendation? [more inside]
posted by KWittman on Oct 1, 2009 - 22 answers

Help me find that elusive gift! [more inside]
posted by horseblind on Sep 24, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me keep a friend's spirits up during October! [more inside]
posted by rinosaur on Sep 21, 2009 - 13 answers

Calling all music Mefites: Can you recommend any good books about indie music or musicians? [more inside]
posted by bibliophibianj on Sep 14, 2009 - 24 answers

My fiancee and I are getting married next year, and since money is tight, we thought it would be a good idea to get the guests to contribute to paying for our honeymoon rather than buying material things. What is the best way to set this up? [more inside]
posted by Saddo on Sep 3, 2009 - 34 answers

What are some nice things I can do for my long-distance SO? [more inside]
posted by Aizkolari on Sep 2, 2009 - 23 answers

I'm looking for good engraver in NYC. My brother and I bought a Robert Indiana LOVE paperweight for our parent's 40th anniversary (they met at one of the artist's openings back in '67, the summer of... well, you get it). Also, do you think it's possible that it can be engraved given its irregular shape, or perhaps a plaque could be affixed? Have a look. It's made of aluminum. Our version is unfinished (i.e. silver).
posted by timnyc on Aug 28, 2009 - 3 answers

Buying Australian gifts for an American friend and her baby... [more inside]
posted by sunshine arakhan on Aug 27, 2009 - 13 answers

What kind of stuff does a 20-something "grown-up" not know he needs/wants? [more inside]
posted by Diagonalize on Aug 26, 2009 - 44 answers

How to tip my therapist? [more inside]
posted by tacit_urn on Aug 18, 2009 - 30 answers

Birthday party favour ideas for kids under 8? I’m planning a party for my 5-year-old daughter. There will be about 18 girls and boys ranging in age from 4-8. What can I give them as party favours? I like to give one useful item rather than a goody bag filled with trinkets. I don’t want to spend more than $4 per favour. In the past I’ve given jigsaw puzzles, jump ropes, balls, Hot Wheels, and Polly Pockets. [more inside]
posted by yawper on Aug 6, 2009 - 35 answers

Help me put together a unique letter writing kit for a friend going away to college! Details appreciated. [more inside]
posted by newtux on Aug 3, 2009 - 10 answers

Gifts to bring to an office in Ukraine from the US? [more inside]
posted by phoenixy on Aug 2, 2009 - 5 answers

Looking for ideas for interesting gifts/souvenirs/foods that I can buy in the Boston area and bring to friends and relatives in other parts of the country. [more inside]
posted by Metroid Baby on Jul 22, 2009 - 21 answers

It's my boyfriend's birthday soon, and I want to make the present giving AWESOME! Have already purchased presents and booked flights to be with him. Am organising special birthday meals for him, and a couple of activities too, so most of the day is pretty much sorted. But I really really want the present giving/opening experience in particular to be super fun for him. I'm thinking along the lines of a treasure hunt with clues so he has to hunt for the presents... Or wrapping the presents in a giant box and painting it like a cake with sparklers on top! Or multiple layers of wrapping disguising the present...Or, um, something else. But I don't know what exactly. I just want to make it a completely excellent fun surprise for him. [more inside]
posted by t0astie on Jul 21, 2009 - 10 answers

Invited to spend holiday in France in a gigantic villa with a couple who are only acquaintances and their friends. There will be 15 adults and as many children (age baby to 12). Lodging is gift to all invitees. I can't come empty-handed! What on earth to bring? I thought local chocolate and coffee (Vosges chocolate and intelligentsia coffee from chicago) but friends cringe, as it is FRANCE. anyway, coffee and chocolate is not enough probably. Also thought of the kids but other than age range, i know nothing about them. Please help! I don't think any others are american, but not 100% sure. thank you thank you thank you
posted by dublin on Jul 10, 2009 - 57 answers

Gift-filter: Help me think of an awesome birthday gift for someone who recovered my stolen purse.. and who happens to be my boyfriend? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso on Jul 7, 2009 - 12 answers

What funny little novelty items could I put in a going away pack for my girlfriend who is going to Australia for the summer? [more inside]
posted by lukeo05 on Jul 7, 2009 - 12 answers

What are appropriate smalls gifts from Japan, for Japanese acquaintances in the U.S.A.? [more inside]
posted by dubitable on Jun 21, 2009 - 12 answers

What would be an appropriate gift to give a nun? [more inside]
posted by Joey Michaels on Jun 16, 2009 - 24 answers

My partner is about to go backpacking meditating in India for over a month. I'll be missing his birthday--what useful, light gift(s) can I get him in the $50 range? [more inside]
posted by stray on Jun 10, 2009 - 18 answers

Help me convince a snob that comics are worth reading. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on May 18, 2009 - 66 answers

My partner and I have broken up because of a move but have decided to correspond with one another through handwritten letters. Please help me be a better letter writer! [more inside]
posted by SkylitDrawl on May 16, 2009 - 18 answers

What gift should I bring when I go to visit my boyfriend's parents' house? [more inside]
posted by sarahj on May 11, 2009 - 25 answers

One of my favorite professors is retiring at the end of the semester and I would like to present him with a token of my appreciation. He taught me assembly language as well as other systems classes and I thought he might appreciate a vintage 8086 processor for symbolic reasons, of course. [more inside]
posted by aereoperro on May 7, 2009 - 11 answers

Help! Clueless dorks need to come up with a baby shower gift for our Dungeon Master. [more inside]
posted by seasparrow on May 7, 2009 - 13 answers

PuzzleFilter: What books would you recommend for a sudoku addict who's already worked through a "fiendish"/"super fiendish" sudoku collection and would like to try more challenging puzzles? There seem to be a zillion sudoku books that are available. Please help me narrow down the selection, based on a few other things I'm looking for... [more inside]
posted by macguffin on Apr 30, 2009 - 11 answers

What is a good gift for a departing friend who enjoys barbecuing... [more inside]
posted by chickaboo on Apr 29, 2009 - 15 answers

Graduation gift for a psychology student [more inside]
posted by jinatrix on Apr 29, 2009 - 14 answers

Executive Gift Filter - maybe something Custom Engraved? Our company's 20th anniversary is coming up. Help me find a special gift for the boss. [more inside]
posted by GuffProof on Apr 28, 2009 - 14 answers

According to the google, I have up to a year after someone's wedding to get them a gift. Then why did I get an email that asks about my "unaccounted for gift" and how should I respond? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 27, 2009 - 34 answers

SillyThingsThroughTheMailFilter: my temporary job is a couple hundred miles away from my other half, and I'm looking for suggestions of fun packages I could send him. We're both into computers, science, BDSM, socialism and making things. [more inside]
posted by teraspawn on Apr 24, 2009 - 9 answers

I need ideas for modern groomsmen gifts. My groomsmen don't really smoke, drink, golf, or wear french cuffs, which eliminates 99% of the results for "groomsmen gifts" from Google. Mainly our common interests include coffee, photography, design, and vaguely geeky 30-something interests (1980s Spielberg/Lucas movies, Tron, Atari 2600, Apple products). (We're not the kind of geeks that wear the term with some sort of goony pride, so ThinkGeek is right out. So are things like knives, flashlights, and AirSoft toys) Any ideas?
posted by entropicamericana on Apr 21, 2009 - 44 answers

Can anyone recommend a good animal stethoscope? I'd like to get a nice one for a friend who is graduating from a veterinary tech program, so a nice, high-end one, not a typical office one. Something under a couple hundred dollars preferably. Mail order, or a shop in Chicago would be best.
posted by crush-onastick on Apr 20, 2009 - 3 answers