Gift ideas from Amazon, specifically

December 13, 2023 11:54 AM

My husband has been asked by a business associate to select a gift for himself off of Amazon, for less than $70. He has no idea what he wants.

He likes gadgets and electronics; sci-fi (but reads mostly e-books and audiobooks); gaming; jackets/hoodies in big/tall sizes; geeky stuff in general. He's also spent the last year learning to cook and is now what I'd call an accomplished beginner, so a cool/fun/useful kitchen item could be good. Suggestions for cool items he doesn't even know he wants would be good as well.

We're looking for ONE item that comes near but not over the $70 limit. And it must come from Amazon, as that was the terms of the offer. He will be sending a link to the gift-giver who will be purchasing the gift, so they will know what he selects.

Any ideas?

posted by Serene Empress Dork to Shopping (22 answers total)

Some of my kitchen faves from another "accomplished beginner": an enameled cast iron dutch oven, a cordless immersion blender, a gooseneck electric tea kettle, a fun KitchenAid attachment, really nice olive oil or other luxury ingredient, an upgraded paring knife. These are all available at a variety of price points on Amazon.
The mischievous part of me would be tempted to do choose something a little playful and eccentric, like $70 worth of gummy bears, but maybe that's not the most professional look.
posted by Otis the Lion at 12:12 PM on December 13, 2023 [5 favorites]

Perhaps a swank brand name vertical mouse? Logitech Lift or MX depending on hand size; the sort of thing that might be great but hard to justify getting for yourself before you know if you'd like it. But they're really close to the limit so it might be good to know if the $70 is before or after tax.
posted by foxfirefey at 12:42 PM on December 13, 2023 [4 favorites]

I think kitchen items are a good area for this.
Here is a link to “Customers Most Loved” kitchen items, filtered for the $60–$70 price range.
I second Otis the Lion's suggestions and add a slow cooker or nice steak knife set.
posted by D.Billy at 12:43 PM on December 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

I’d want this 8 cup Yama stovetop vacuum coffee brewer.

I’ve broken two of them unfortunately, but they both lasted for more than a year, which is pretty good for me and glass coffee makers, and they make a wonderful cup of coffee.
posted by jamjam at 12:57 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Handheld massager? Could be nice after some long gaming sessions
posted by MadMadam at 12:59 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Mod note: Hi folks -- two comments deleted. Please answer the question being asked. Thank you.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:15 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Nutribullet mini blender thinger? Smoothies, hummus, sauces, etc without having to break out a big blender. ($58 list today)
posted by Glinn at 1:23 PM on December 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

I have a rolling tilt table/desk that I love and use every day. They come at a lot of different price points. This one is $50.
posted by FencingGal at 1:46 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I would like a nicer wok with a lid, like this one.

An immersion blender is amazing-- I find it more convenient to wash than a Nutri-bullet type of thing, and also really good for mixing powders into liquids, and for times when you just want to chop or blend a little and not get the big blender out.

If there is a specific food or drink that you love and simply cannot get locally, that is a fine thing to get as a gift. It's not weird to ask for that one soda or whatever that you can't get in your region. If I were the giver, I would be delighted to both gain the insight that you love this specific local treat, and make sure you got some.
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:52 PM on December 13, 2023 [3 favorites]

For kitchen stuff:

This food scale. (I love love love my kitchen scale.)

This Nakiri knife or a decent knife or combo at this price point.

This is a good roasting rack.
posted by vunder at 3:35 PM on December 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

Here is Serious Eats best gadgets list most of which are available from Amazon.
posted by mmascolino at 6:20 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I also recently replaced my baking sheets that I loathed with two sets of these and I am so happy about it.
posted by vunder at 6:46 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Otis the Lion has great suggestions- the classic Le Creuset Dutch ovens are going to be more than 70$ but an immersion blender, ceramic paring knife (my fav), great kitchen scale, electric kettle (someone actually gave me one and I use it at least 3x per day), and so on...these are really great ideas. Maybe really great pots if he doesn't already have them- like a heavy saucepan or skillet.

Also Vunder your link doesn't work and I need new baking sheets so..I would love to be able to see your suggestion!:)
posted by bquarters at 7:28 PM on December 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

> This food scale. (I love love love my kitchen scale.)

Seconding. It really is a great scale.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:19 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

An indoor drone such as the Simrex X300C - - gadget folks might love to try one, but not be willing to spend their own discretionary funds on it.
posted by fairmettle at 10:06 PM on December 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

Also Vunder your link doesn't work and I need new baking sheets so..I would love to be able to see your suggestion!:)

Aw shit, Amazon’s linking on mobile is bad. It’s the Nordicware trio: “3 Piece Baker's Delight Set” it’s a half sheet, a jelly roll and a quarter sheet. $28 for the set, I got 2 sets.
posted by vunder at 10:35 PM on December 13, 2023 [2 favorites]

Nordic Ware would be great!

And the Lodge enamelware is good: their Dutch oven would be perfectly serviceable.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:54 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]

A top quality flashlight, inexpensive binoculars, a tote bag with his name embroidered, a dress shirt with his initials on the cuff, a cruise ship quality bathrobe, a new razor, a box of wine, an electric pepper grinder, a mortar & pestal.....
posted by SemiSalt at 4:30 AM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Immersion blender (there are a lot of cheaper options but this has some accessories and gets you close to the limit)

Butcher block, if your kitchen has the space

Sous vide
posted by DoubleLune at 5:48 AM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

I love my USA Pan baking sheets! I have this set (currently on super sale) and use both sizes at least a few times a week. And it's one of the few products with "USA" in the name that's actually made here.
posted by jabes at 10:58 AM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

I agree with getting a Sous Vide Immersion Circulator. It can make cheap cuts of meat amazing. The ability to precisely control how the item is cooked, the evenness, and the lack of time sensitivity is a game changer for a beginning cook.
posted by Sophont at 1:31 PM on December 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

A streaming service, or two? Audible? Another that he'd never usually get for himself? That's a gift that keeps on giving.
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 8:34 AM on December 16, 2023 [1 favorite]