Emailing a gift

November 3, 2005 9:26 AM

What is a cool gift I can email to someone? I've procrastinated on a gift for my brother who is a senior in college. I've sent an itunes gift cert once before, so I'm hoping for something just as easy but, of course, unique and representative of my deep affection. <=$40 would be good.
posted by jbradley to Shopping (16 answers total)

I recently got a 3 month netflix gift subscription as a gift - and forwarded me the email that had the activation code in it. I LOVE it.
posted by echo0720 at 9:28 AM on November 3, 2005

Quick Gifts lets you buy a gift certificate online that can be redeemed for a gift card from any number of major retailers. I know this is still a gift certificate, but it's nice that he could choose exactly where to spend the cash.
posted by aebaxter at 9:29 AM on November 3, 2005

Why not an Amazon gift certificate?
posted by chiababe at 9:54 AM on November 3, 2005

You can package an iTunes mix or album, which is a little more personal.
posted by gramcracker at 9:57 AM on November 3, 2005

These online restaurant coupons are great. I've used them a couple times. It depends on where you live and if there are any good participating restaurants in your area.
posted by wsg at 10:07 AM on November 3, 2005

Or an iTunes gift certificate, which is less personal.
posted by alms at 10:08 AM on November 3, 2005

If your brother is into film, The Criterion Collection has some really awesome DVD releases of international/film noir/independent/classic movies. Most are between $30-50. I gave a friend of mine who studies poli-sci but wasn't really into film "The Battle of Algiers," which he loved. If he's into science fiction he might enjoy Terry Gilliam's "Brazil."
posted by vkxmai at 10:17 AM on November 3, 2005

I just tried out audible.com for the first time, listened to Freakonomics, and now I'm hooked. I don't know for a fact that their gift certificates are available electronically, though, but I don't know why they wouldn't be.
posted by kimota at 10:30 AM on November 3, 2005

A super certificate from http www.giftcertificates.com. They're good for a whole bunch of different merchants.
posted by undertone at 10:54 AM on November 3, 2005

Many charities offer the ability to donate via the internets in somebody else's name. The World Wildlife Federation, for instance offers online adoption of tigers, pandas, and gorillas. They'll send a thank you email to whomever you designate.
posted by viewofdelft at 11:13 AM on November 3, 2005

If he's a geek like me, he would love a Flickr pro membership!
posted by kdern at 11:59 AM on November 3, 2005

See if the person has an Amazon wish list, buy somthing off that, and have it shipped to him/her.
posted by cahlers at 12:44 PM on November 3, 2005

How about something from Harry and David? I'm a big fan of food gifts, especially when I was in college.
posted by alteredcarbon at 1:41 PM on November 3, 2005

Depending on where he is and what he's into, you can often buy tickets for events online. Goldstar usually issues e-tickets or will-call tickets to theater, wine tasting, and other events. And I've been noticing that more performance venues are selling gift certificates online, so you don't have to lock the recipient into a date.
posted by occhiblu at 1:50 PM on November 3, 2005

Oh, or museum / film society / other club memberships. Since he's a student he might already have free access to those sorts of things, but I thought I'd throw it out there in case he doesn't.
posted by occhiblu at 1:52 PM on November 3, 2005

This might be too geeky, but I got a friend a subscription to GameSpot Complete a few years ago, and he seemed to enjoy it. It's one of those things that's too frivolous to buy for yourself, but can still be cool to have. Netflix sounds like a good idea, too. Or a magazine subscription. All provide instantaneous delivery.
posted by Sibrax at 3:33 PM on November 3, 2005