Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with presents

awesome present for an awesome kid?

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:54:34 -0800

What present should my mother get for her 13/14 year old nephew? Complications within. Mom is visiting Russia tomorrow for a month. She hasn't been there or seen the family since 4 years ago and she doesn't really know his interests (other than that he likes chocolate). Also, his parents give him everything he wants/needs generally.

She needs to buy this present today and I'm guessing wants to spend less than $60 (she rejected my iPod suggestion). Any ideas, metafilter?

What to get the guy I just started dating for his birthday?

blithely — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:59:35 -0800

What is an appropriate birthday gift to give to someone you've only just started dating? His birthday is next week. Although we've only been dating for about a week, things have been going well so I don't think I'm getting too ahead of myself by assuming I'd see him then (at least I hope not!).

Maybe at this early stage of dating a gift wouldn't be necessary, but I would like to give him something anyhow. However, I'm kind of at a lose as to what to give someone you've basically just met. I would like to give him something a little more thoughtful than a giftcard. Would something like a book, CD or mixtape be appropriate?

Thanks guys!

gift for a skaterboi?

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:39:47 -0800

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?

What should I get for my friend

nimkip — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:34:13 -0800

Gift ideas for a friend who's really into Native American culture? Around $50 or under, please.

Help me be a cool older cousin and get awesome gifts for a 14 and 15 year old.

Mr Bunnsy — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:56:53 -0800

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 details: The older one has gotten into music lately, but she seems to mostly be into one band and has all their stuff already. (Both already have MP3 players.) She's a popular social butterfly type, goes to concerts and such with her friends all the time. Was very into Harry Potter. Has a boyfriend.

The younger one is a bit more nerdy, likes to read but doesn't have much time because she's very busy with school. She also does cheerleading, but contrary to the stereotype she's pretty introverted and quiet. She loves dogs (they have one), and likes to cook.

At that age I'd have wanted video games or computer stuff but they're entirely unlike me so I am baffled. Plus they're super polite and don't admit to wanting anything. I've even tried taking them shopping and only with great great reluctance did they let me buy a couple of DVDs and books. For birthdays I just gave them $50 apiece but that felt impersonal so I'd like to do real gifts, with approximately the same budget.

Thanks in advance!

クリスマスプレゼント!

doctorpiorno — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 01:36:42 -0800

Help me come up with some unique Christmas pressies to send to my business contacts in Europe... from Japan. Dearest Hive Mind,

Earlier this year I decided to finally take the plunge and become a freelance translator, and things have gone swimmingly so far. So well, in fact, that I managed to landed a gig to work on an on-site project in Tokyo for a few months, an opportunity that I gladly accepted.

The only downside is that this required telling my usual clients I would be unavailable to take on any other projects for some time. While they've been happy for me overall (as in: "Yay! Japan! You lucky bastard!"), I do realise that I'm letting them down to a certain extent and that it may be tricky to get their business again once this gig is over.

Knowing that, and since Christmas is almost here, I thought it would be a good idea to send them a little something to both remind them of my existence and express my gratitude for their patience and support. The problem is... what?

Sweets? The parcel will take a while to get there, and most of the really nice Japanese sweets I've seen are fresh and wouldn't survive the trip. Monaka seems to be about the only thing with a long enough shelf life. Any other ideas?

Bottles of sake? I know they would be appreciated, but I'm not sure how to pack them to prevent a disaster. Anyone knows if special mailing boxes for bottles are available in Japan? And what is a good place to buy good quality sake anyway?

Geeky goodies? My clients have close ties with the game industry, so manga and videogame merch is definitely an option. The problem here is mostly one of overwhelming choice and potentially skyrocketing budget.

Further complicating things is the fact that I speak very little Japanese, and that I should sort this out pretty quickly to ensure the parcels get to their destination (mostly UK and Spain) before the holidays. EMS has been pretty fast and reliable so far, but I would like to send everything before the end of this week at the latest.

So, essentially, do you have any suggestions of stuff that would make a good present and would be easy to both buy and send to the Old Continent? Bonus points awarded for presents that the recipients could share with their colleagues and can be found in Shinjuku and surroundings. Extra bonus points if it's something that can really be found only in Japan. My budget is about 5000 ¥ per pressie (not including postage), although I can stretch it a bit if needed.

Thanks in advance, Hive Mind. You're my only hope!

I need a gift for my 80-year-old auntie

AgentRocket — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:06:39 -0800

Help me find a good gift for my beloved, octogenarian, Luddite Aunt. My auntie turns 80 this year and we are throwing her a nice party. My wife and I love her to death and would like to get her a good, meaningful gift but - like every other time we've shopped for her - we have no good ideas.

She lives alone and has a house full of chotchkes, so a little statue or other trinket is out. She likewise is up to (and over) her ears in hats, scarves, gloves, etc. She likes TV and is reliant on her old-school VCR Plus to record shows. We thought of a TiVo but she is too intimidated by it to use it. That same reasoning rules out all but the simplest technology. She likes the St. Louis Cardinals and Notre Dame football, but has tons of gear from those teams and can't travel well so a roadtrip to a game is out. She's got 79,000 photographs in an equal number of frames so that's not really an option. We want the present to be meaningful or lasting.

Our current best idea is a flowers-of-the-month club, where a nice bouquet will be delivered to her each month. That's pretty, and will provide fresh flowers to her year-round. And she is a widow so she doesn't really have anyone to send her flowers otherwise.

Is there a brilliant idea we have not considered? All suggestions (including good f-o-t-m clubs) are welcome. Our budget is variable, up to several hundred dollars.

Birthday present

dnthomps — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:09:33 -0800

What do you put in a survival kit present for an 18th birthday? My sister is turning 18 this year and instead of getting her one present, I am planning on getting her a plethora of things. She is a Senior in highschool and also just got a new car, so I was thinking of getting typical car survival things, such as burned cds, jumper cables, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, etc. Also, I was thinking of filling it with some of her favorite candy, but I would like some more ideas.

Here is some info on my sister, she is in both track and swim, works full time, and is planning on going to college after graduation. She loves music, any genre, and fashion and is very social. I know these are typical things, but she is not very picky and is a very easy going girl, definitely a one of the guys type.

Be sneaky to my 3 year old, with my blessing!

artifarce — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 07:17:54 -0800

What gift would you give to a three-year old to tease her for her half-birthday? We've decided to do small celebrations for our kids' half-birthdays, mainly because we wanted the excuse to see their reaction upon waking covered in stickers. In other words, we want it to be silly, goofy, quirky, and an "un-birthday" (for more context, they love April Fools' Day). We've also planned the "dinner that looks like dessert" and "dessert that looks like dinner," but we don't have a gift. Given this theme I'm conveying, what small gift would you give a playful 3-1/2 year old, that's silly or tricky in either its nature, or wrapping, or how she has to go about getting it? Because of her young age, she probably wouldn't be interested in practical joke gag items, but she is relatively precocious otherwise, or likes to think she is at least. ;) She also pretends that she's a cat most of the time, if that gives any more ideas, but I'd like the gift to still be something she'd enjoy after the party (i.e., no cans of cat food).

Thanks in advance, creative sneaky mefites!

I want an espresso machine.

sneakin — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 05:42:16 -0800

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? So, my girlfriend and are going to tie the civil union knot. We are leaning towards just going to City Hall, doing the deed and then having a big ol' party sometime after. Here's the thing, I am greedy for some of the trappings of a traditional wedding-- like registry gifts. Is it kosher to still have a registry even if people won't be present to witness the nuptials? I guess I'm a bit insecure that the more non-traditional we get from our end (same sex wedding, no ceremony, etc.) the less traditional we are allowed to be in what we ask from our guests.

Opinions? Experience? Suggestions for other ways to do stuff? Thanks a lot in advance.

Sugar, Spice, and....?

niteHawk — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:05:04 -0800

Ack - 1yr old girl BirthDay Gifts? yep - there's... I completely spaced out - my god daughter's first birthday is very very soon, and I neglected to get presents for her... I have very few Ideas, as my son is almost 4, and in addition to being a boy, I just don't remember what he liked at that age.

Anyone have some good ideas on some "classic" toys for a 1 year old? Neither her mother or I are into electronic whiz-bang toys, but like more of the traditional things for the kids. I have some ideas I have been thinking of, but Im not sure they are age-appropriate... help me oh great Hive mind..

Gifts from Santa - Wrapped or Unwrapped?

anastasiav — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 09:04:25 -0800

When you were a child, did the gifts you got from Santa arrive wrapped or unwrapped? As we set forth to celebrate the first Christmas with our son, we've run into an unexpected cultural divide. You see, when I was small, Santa always brought me three gifts (no more, no less) and they were unwrapped and unboxed and completely set up, waiting for me under the tree.

At my partner's house, Santa always left a random number of presents, and they were carefully wrapped in paper that was different from any of the other paper on the other gifts. Large items, like a bike or a dollhouse, might arrive unwrapped, but even those things had a bow and a tag on them.

I maintain that Santa doesn't have the time or resources to wrap everything, plus the wrapping would get all tattered in the sleigh. He maintains that Santa can do whatever he wants, and unwrapping gifts is part of the fun of Christmas.

Popular culture isn't any help -- many cartoons, etc. show Santa physically leaving unwrapped toys being left under the tree or in stockings (see The Island of Lost Toys, etc.) but others (ie: A Christmas Story) clearly show children unwrapping gifts from Santa.

Is this a regional thing? (Our families come from two different parts of the country.) Or just random decisions made in each household? I'm trying to sway him over to the "unwrapped" side of the fence, but he says my family tradition is weird and that most children get wrapped gifts from Santa. What did your family do?

Korean office-warming present?

phaedrus441 — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 08:27:33 -0800

What's a good office-warming present for an office full of Korean people? I go to an orthodontist near my office that is just great-- everyone is friendly and helpful and one of the employees is a friend of mine. Oddly (partly because of the part of town I work in), every employee there is Korean and I was finally told after about six months of going there that I am the only white patient they've ever had. They just moved into a brand new office and I'd like to get them a little present, but really have no idea about Korean customs and didn't know if there was some perfect thing to give... Any ideas?

What's the cutest $50 thing in the world?

symbebekos — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 05:56:06 -0800

What's the cutest thing in the world? I'm looking for a birthday present for a friend and am a little bit stuck. I want the cutest, most adoreable thing possible; my only condition is that it not be alive - no puppies or baby chicks. Any ideas?

What presents should people give to me for my own birthday?

mr_silver — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 02:17:47 -0800

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? Based on my own present buying habits, I'd say they're looking for about £30 (approx $56) each although some may group together if the present is right. Previous years they've relied on a girlfriend giving them some hints and ideas but this year they won't have that advantage and as such, they're looking at me to suggest things.

Herein lies the problem as I don't really know what I want.

I like music, but I already have an iPod (and many accessories) and every album I currently want. In addition, CD's aren't really that exciting as a 30th present.

I'm trying to buy my own place but have most of the furniture already from relatives and asking for a toaster and kettle is so boring (I also already have them). In addition, I can't ask for specifics until I know exactly what the type of house will be and how I'm going to decorate it. What I do know is that it'll be a flat in London and so I won't have a garden.

I've got some skiing items I'd like which I've already asked for. I have a bunch of gadgets that I'd like (wireless router, PVR, PS2) but they're pretty damn expensive to ask friends to buy. My computer has no components that are out of date (I also don't use it much) and I already have a nice monitor.

I'm not a big reader, which means I've got all the books I want. I have plenty of alcohol of the spirit and wine nature. I don't own a car. I like playing the odd computer game, but since I’m not very good at them, you can’t call me an avid gamer.

I like squash but already have a decent racquet. I like tennis but asking for a racquet for that means they'll need to give me money (as the season is now finished here thanks to the UK weather) and as I'm pretty reasonable I'd be looking at a £100+ one and will want to go to a place that allows me to try them out.

I've already asked for clothes. I’d quite like to try Sky Diving, but that is rather expensive.

I've looked through Amazon, IWantOneOfThose, ebuyer and John Lewis and haven't found much inspiration. I've also wandered around the big department stores and not seen anything that has leapt out at me.

Can you suggest anything I might like to ask for? Alternatively if you know of places that I can look to get ideas then that would also be appreciated.

Finders Keepers?

fake — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 06:54:34 -0800

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. Details: Lost the wallet, drivers license, and about 600$. This person and his wife found the wallet, searched for me for three days, and returned it perfectly intact. As you can imagine, I'm both incredulous and also completely unbelievably grateful.

About the finders: early 30's, man and wife. Probably have money, as they had a nice car. I've been told that the husband is some kind of famous tennis trainer. The wife is an English teacher here in Obninsk.

What would you buy? I'd already written off the money, so I'm not opposed to an expensive gift. Any suggestions are welcome. They need not reflect Russia or Russianness.

Stories about giving

hamfisted — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 11:13:48 -0800

Classic stories or fables about gifts/giving. I'm looking for a story or fable to use as a centre-piece for a speech I'm writing and Google isn't helping. I'd like to use a story about a gift or present, to illustrate the importance of, well, giving (it's for a graduation, although not at all in terms of fundraising). I'd like a classic story, or something multicultural. Any ideas in the collective brain?

Baby Shower etiquette for men/dummies

iTristan — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 14:43:10 -0800

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?

Quotation For My Mum's Birthday Gift

biscotti — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 10:06:19 -0800

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.

What gift should I get for a famous graphic designer?

jeremias — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 14:27:57 -0800

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? My first thoughts would be a cool USB drive or a design book of some sort. Obviously, I want to get him something he doesn't have but that's always hard to assess.

gifts for my elderly FIL.

mecran01 — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:08:53 -0800

GiftFilter: What do I get my 76-year-old Father-in-Law for Christmas? (additional parameters inside) He is smart, likes CNN and the weather channel, books on math and physics (I got him Wolfram and he liked it), a former Boeing engineer and department of environmental quality employee, and has a fairly new Imac that he likes. Doesn't like pop science reading as much. Widower. Likes talk radio. Needs to get out more. Lives alone. Budget: around 40 bucks. Likes walking. Cooks simple meals. Thank you.

Tea help!

peep — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 11:04:38 -0800

Calling all tea experts . . . My mom asked for a teapot for Christmas. She is an almost-daily tea drinker. She's not an expert or a snob, she just enjoys hot tea, which she uses to replace soda after being diagnosed with diabetes.

I'd like to supplement the gift with some accessories and some fantastic tea. I'm totally open to suggestions of any kind - tea bags, loose teas, herbals, etc. Is there a brand or type of tea that is considered the "world's best"? The only problem is that it has to be available for purchase in Portland, Oregon, or online with delivery before Christmas. Thanks!

Wanted: gift ideas for employees

cyniczny — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 22:01:11 -0800

What should I buy my employees for Christmas? I manage twelve people, all women, with ages ranging from 20 to mid-60's. This is my first Christmas as their manager and I would like to buy them all something. I don't want to purchase individualized gifts, because half of them have been with me less than 6 months, so I don't know them well enough for that. However, this is coming out of my own pocket and I want it to have some thought and care put into it, but can't seem to think of anything unique.

I've purchased a lot of small gifts used as motivation (sales environment) and would like to stay away from the same types. Some items I've used in the past are: Starbucks cards, movie tickets, Bath & Body Works lotions, etc. Items I can't/don't want to give: alcohol, time off, money, lottery tickets, food. Items previous managers have given: desk clock, hand-made Christmas ornament. My price range is under $20 per employee.

Any suggestions for such a wide range of people and so many limitations? I'm truly stumped.

On Pet Gifts Given to Pet Owners

brownpau — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:57:23 -0800

A petty question for pet owners (or animal companion parents, if you prefer) on pet presents: what are your feelings on pet accessory gifts (e.g. cat toys, dog shirts, hamster wheels) given to you for birthdays and holidays? That is, on special occasions, do you find it uncouth to be given gifts which are actually for your pets? (e.g. Dear Joe: Happy birthday! Here is a catnip mouse for Furry Felicia. Have fun! Love, Jane.)

Help me get ideas on how to spoil my cat.

atom128 — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:52:24 -0800

My cat is dying, any ideas on how I can spoil the hell out of him in his last few months? Took him to the vet today, and his lungs got x-rayed. Hes always had asthma (as a result of being the runt of the litter and a case of worms as a kitten), but the prednisone we've been giving him to keep the attacks away weakened his immune system. There are white spots in his lungs that the vet thinks is cancer. I don't want to put my cat through a biopsy surgery and cancer treatments, hes already lived longer than we thought he would due to his frailty. So I've decided to just let him ride it out, and will put him to sleep when I feel it's time.

But until then I want to spoil him, let him have some nice things and make the last few months of his life as nice and comfortable as possible. Anyone have ideas of nice things to buy cats? I've never really gone past what was availible at the local pet store.

Thanks.