My husband's second cousin and her mother are very generously hosting a baby shower for me. How much would it be appropriate for me to spend on thank-you/hostess gifts for them? (My sister said the amount I was planning to spend was too much.) Does it matter if I give the presents before/after instead of during the shower? Any suggestions of a good grown mother/daughter gift? (One idea would be to get gift certificates for two manicures they could use together, although I generally don't like gift certificates.) In case it matters, this is in the San Francisco Bay area.
posted by espertus on Jan 22, 2010 - 8 answers

2010 is the year of My Happy Wife. Oh Wives, Girlfriends and other partners, help me find things - large and small - I can do with/for her, and give her, that will help make this her best year ever. [more inside]
posted by HopStopDon'tShop on Jan 5, 2010 - 41 answers

Give me your best fortunes! [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam on Dec 19, 2009 - 52 answers

What gifts do you give (or receive) either every year to the same person, or gifts that you always give to people at a particular age? Or, are there any products or books that are released each year that you think are worthwhile. I am, of course, after suggestions of things you like / the receiver genuinely appears to like. For example, does the newest baby in the family always get a Bunnykins set for their first Christmas? Does your aunt always get you a pair of cashmere socks for your birthday? [more inside]
posted by AnnaRat on Dec 10, 2009 - 43 answers

I need a way to keep a browser state with tabs, cookies, passwords, forms all saved but password-protected and inaccessible. I have Mac OS 10.5.7 and I usually use Firefox, kinda hate Safari. [more inside]
posted by kathrineg on Dec 3, 2009 - 7 answers

Help a "non present" person adjust their attitude during this holiday season, or any time of year for that matter. [more inside]
posted by Melismata on Dec 2, 2009 - 23 answers

One for the ladies - should I get my unemployed girlfriend some nice jewelery, or some nice green cash? [more inside]
posted by smoothvirus on Dec 1, 2009 - 41 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 - 45 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

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

Help me find a good-looking (retro?) and affordable camera for a present. [more inside]
posted by cincinnatus c on Jun 25, 2009 - 10 answers

I need a simple Easter game that my whole family can play. The winner needs to be determined quickly. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by banished on Apr 10, 2009 - 17 answers

Quality firepit recommendation? [more inside]
posted by jenfu on Apr 3, 2009 - 2 answers

Is there a name for the dislike of the anticipation felt on receiving or opening gifts? [more inside]
posted by Sova on Mar 5, 2009 - 21 answers

When does your family open Christmas presents from each other? [more inside]
posted by Point n Click on Dec 19, 2008 - 30 answers

Christmas fliter: Need help finding a present for my brother. [more inside]
posted by complience on Dec 16, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me send virtual gifts to my kids overseas. [more inside]
posted by nax on Dec 13, 2008 - 5 answers

[Xmas Filter] I'm doing my Christmas shopping, and I'm a bit stuck on what I need to get my mother. She likes culinary-cultural history books, preferably with recipes. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Weebot on Dec 9, 2008 - 40 answers

Help me create a MacGyver.-theme silly present. [more inside]
posted by dejah420 on Dec 8, 2008 - 18 answers

Please help me find (online, or in a major Canadian store) some slippers that fit the following strict requirements: fluffy on the inside, thick comfy sole, and, most importantly, are closed around the heel without being a boot. It seems that everything I find that fits the first two requirements is clog-style, and that absolutely won't do. The closest I can find are moccasins, but the gift recipient doesn't like leather/fur. Any suggestions?
posted by arcticwoman on Nov 16, 2008 - 8 answers

I need creative Christmas present suggestions for my brother! [more inside]
posted by I_love_the_rain on Nov 8, 2008 - 7 answers

Special gift for a special gentleman? [more inside]
posted by Skyanth on Oct 20, 2008 - 24 answers

What are the most memorable, awesome or useful handmade gifts you've received or given? I'm in search of some inspiration, as well as cautionary tales. [more inside]
posted by carbide on Oct 19, 2008 - 38 answers

Book filter: Getting a head start on Christmas presents - what books would you recommend for my kung fu instructing, deadwood watching, social work teaching freemason father? [more inside]
posted by Acer_saccharum on Oct 13, 2008 - 16 answers

What (item) do you wish you had when you graduated from college? [more inside]
posted by AceRock on Aug 29, 2008 - 20 answers

Oahu filter: If you could only hike once, where would you go; where would you buy tiki objects to bring back with you (some sort of cross between cheap and beautiful?); and is tonight, 08/08/08, special in Chinatown? [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Aug 8, 2008 - 7 answers

What item do you use all the time and wonder how you ever lived with without it? [more inside]
posted by HotPatatta on Aug 4, 2008 - 106 answers

What's a nice goodbye and good luck present for a former boss of similar age and temperament? [more inside]
posted by harperpitt on Aug 4, 2008 - 3 answers

What present should my mother get for her 13/14 year old nephew? Complications within. [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel on Jul 15, 2008 - 11 answers

What is an appropriate birthday gift to give to someone you've only just started dating? [more inside]
posted by blithely on Apr 26, 2008 - 28 answers

My bf's birthday is in two weeks and well I have no idea what to get him. He has been skateboarding for a long time in the NYC area (his spot is the Globe and some parks in the city) and very much into the culture, which I don't know too much about. I would like to get him something skate related but don't know what exactly where to look or for what. I'm thinking of possibly dvds (he likes watching skateboarding videos) or clothing. He has his own board so I won't be getting him another unless he is there to pick it out, but I want to surprise him so.....any suggestions?
posted by anonymous on Feb 21, 2008 - 10 answers

Gift ideas for a friend who's really into Native American culture? [more inside]
posted by nimkip on Jan 3, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me find gifts for remarkably un-greedy teenage girls: they are 14 and 15, and absolutely refuse to tell me what they want (I think their mother, my aunt, raised them too well.) [more inside]
posted by Mr Bunnsy on Dec 18, 2007 - 24 answers

Help me come up with some unique Christmas pressies to send to my business contacts in Europe... from Japan. [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno on Dec 3, 2007 - 6 answers

Help me find a good gift for my beloved, octogenarian, Luddite Aunt. [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket on Nov 7, 2007 - 15 answers

What do you put in a survival kit present for an 18th birthday? [more inside]
posted by dnthomps on Oct 6, 2007 - 24 answers

What gift would you give to a three-year old to tease her for her half-birthday? [more inside]
posted by artifarce on Jul 3, 2007 - 19 answers

Can my partner and I still make use of a gift registry even if we are not doing a traditional ceremony-then-reception type event? [more inside]
posted by sneakin on Jul 2, 2007 - 15 answers

Ack - 1yr old girl BirthDay Gifts? yep - there's... [more inside]
posted by niteHawk on Feb 13, 2007 - 28 answers

When you were a child, did the gifts you got from Santa arrive wrapped or unwrapped? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav on Dec 7, 2006 - 111 answers

What's a good office-warming present for an office full of Korean people? [more inside]
posted by phaedrus441 on Nov 20, 2006 - 13 answers

What's the cutest thing in the world? [more inside]
posted by symbebekos on Oct 19, 2006 - 34 answers

It's my 30th birthday soon and my friends are telling me that I'm really difficult to buy presents for. They’re pretty much right as I don’t really know what I want. Can you help me come up with some interesting ideas for them? [more inside]
posted by mr_silver on Oct 17, 2006 - 25 answers

Lost and found: I lost my wallet in Russia. Someone found it and managed to find me and give it back. I'd like to buy them a present. [more inside]
posted by fake on Jul 3, 2006 - 16 answers

Classic stories or fables about gifts/giving. [more inside]
posted by hamfisted on Jun 21, 2006 - 9 answers

If my wife hosts a baby shower, fairly large (30+ people) for her friend (with all the expense, labour and effort that requires) would she still be expected to give a present to her friend on top of this?
posted by iTristan on Jun 11, 2006 - 20 answers

QuoteFilter: For my mum's seventy*coughcoughcough*th birthday this year, I found a bunch of postcards from her hometown in England. I'm putting them into a book, and I'd like a nice quotation or something to write in nice script on the outside. Something about roots or birthplaces or something, and amusing Oscar-Wilde-style or touching-but-not-saccharine would be preferred to glurgey-sugary-weepy.
posted by biscotti on Mar 13, 2006 - 7 answers

Design metafilterites: If you had $100-150 to spend on a thank you gift for someone who is an acclaimed and famous graphic designer what would you get? [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Feb 27, 2006 - 29 answers

GiftFilter: What do I get my 76-year-old Father-in-Law for Christmas? (additional parameters inside) [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Dec 16, 2005 - 16 answers

Calling all tea experts . . . [more inside]
posted by peep on Dec 2, 2005 - 38 answers