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Where can I find the best silly, colorful, creative socks? The ones with, like, bananas or dogs or funny sayings on them. But artfully done. And they should be nice to wear, too! Socks I like: Yellow Owl Workshop, Blue Q, Bombas Sesame Street Collection. Help me find more like these!
posted by the_blizz at 6:34 PM - 8 answers

I want a ring. I never got a high school or college class ring, not married, so have no rings at all. What should I get? Simple band is fine but I would like some kind of stone I think.
posted by one4themoment at 4:30 PM - 10 answers

Just that. Nice footie pj's. I am buying for 3 boys (cousins) who love trucks, farm equipment, diggers, maybe farm animals. I am willing and eager to introduce them to other stuff, but those are their current interests. And I am going to pair the PJ's with books. I have already checked Amazon and was not impressed with the availability of stock. I need to be able to order online and ship from the provider. And Santa has to deliver on time! Suggestions appreciated!!
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 4:01 PM - 7 answers

As an adult student and bicycle commuter, I frequently need to carry lots of stuff: rain gear, extra layers, and change of shoes (in addition to my textbooks and lunch). My dream would be to find a large commuter backpack with a dedicated bottom-zip compartment for the clothes/shoes... that also doesn't make me look like a high-schooler. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 12:38 PM - 10 answers

I just bought a Pixel 4 XL and I'm trading in my Pixel 3 XL for a $250 credit from Google. Combined with the Black Friday sale ($200 off) this is probably wiping out any profit they might make from the phone. It looks like Samsung and Apple offer trade-in credits too, possibly more generous than Google's. Why would they offer these credits? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 9:13 AM - 10 answers

Hi all! I am hoping Santa brings a few new containers for my own and my kids' packed lunches. But I have been frustrated to no end finding durable, reasonably responsible containers, especially sized for slightly oversized sandwiches but which still seal. The durable is key; we have years of school and work lunches ahead. What are your solutions? Lots of snowflakes below. [more inside]
posted by warriorqueen at 6:41 AM - 17 answers

I'm thinking of asking for a colour printer for my birthday. But I feel like colour printers have always been a PITA. Has that changed? Mainly I would want it for craft projects (e.g. printing templates to cover toy streetcars, printing test runs of picture books for my son, Santa's branding items). But if I had one, maybe I would also use for photos. There was an epson printer where you could get an ink subscription and any ink used towards photos was free. Now I can't find it. Should I get that one (if I can find it and the offer is available in Canada) Or which should I get? Or should I not get any? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:02 AM - 12 answers

Gift #1: Recipient is a thirty-year-old man who is building a computer. I know nothing about this though he's very excited and busy buying the fundamental parts. Are there any like ... accessories or something that would be a nice gift/addition to this process? Gift #2: Recipients are four boys, all brothers, ages five to nine. I want to get them one collaborative/shared gift vs 4 different gifts. Thank you!
posted by namemeansgazelle at 7:35 PM - 10 answers

I am involved with a small group that is buying holiday gifts for a small family: a woman and 6-year-old girl. That is all the information we are given about the recipients – no sizes, interests or wish list. We will do most or all of our shopping at Target. What do 6-year-old girls like these days? Anything special? What books or types of books are good? Crafts?
posted by NotLost at 6:35 PM - 21 answers

I need a store that can print custom hoodies for me, in adult and toddler sizes and have them to me in Toronto by Christmas. After spending all this time designing my hoodies online at a .ca. site, I go to checkout and discover they ship from the U.S. and won't come til January. Where should I order? Web site or etsy seller.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:58 PM - 3 answers

I would like to purchase a gift card for my 16 yo Goddaughter. In the past, I have sent Amazon cards, but I would like to move away from them. She is attending an arts school and is active in the theater department. Any good alternatives? Thanks!
posted by Don_K at 1:01 PM - 6 answers

My mom (Late 50s, Midwestern, Lovely) is visiting me in NYC next week and has requested a shopping expedition for a chic, not-too formal dress that she can wear to dress-up type events like an upcoming new year's eve party or she has or when she goes to Chicago for a play and a nice dinner. Not mother of the bride, not office wear, just something that looks great but is also easy and tasteful. [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 11:16 AM - 12 answers

On the holiday gift hunt for a plus size women's onesie pajama. Challenge level - size 4xl or 5xl, preferred with shipping in Canada, but will ship to Canada if that is the way to go. The few I have found only go to a 3xl. Any hints on places to look?
posted by MandaSayGrr at 11:51 AM - 5 answers

Today is Buy Nothing Day, and to show The Man we're on board, we're keeping the television off all day. But will any data-collecting entity even notice? Is this akin to hollering into the wind?
posted by BostonTerrier at 8:29 AM - 9 answers

Hi all, I'm doing a charity gift thing where we were given a kid to buy gifts for. This kid's big gift is a Disney Princess travel suitcase set, which we'll get. I'm looking for other suggestions she might like, based on this admittedly limited profile. [more inside]
posted by Miko at 7:15 AM - 13 answers

Where can one purchase a rock tumbler in Toronto or Hamilton, Ontario? Are there stores other than Mastermind? All the stores I once knew have gone out of business. Would prefer to avoid Amazon at all costs. Thank you!
posted by avocet at 7:22 AM - 7 answers

The last two Christmases I have done different things. The first one I went to my sisters. On the plus side, I enjoyed the lovely Xmas meal and the chat. On the minus, I had to go through on 24th and return on 26th, and it felt like I ran out of things to say. Also I'm 50 and just really like sleeping in my own bed, the sofa was uncomfy. Last year actually worked out better - I ordered Chinese takeaway for Christmas Day, and was able to visit my sister and return the same day on January 3rd or 4th and still have plenty of time to chat. I feel very lucky the online friends I chat with everyday by voice, a few will be on their own at Xmas Day and we will be chatting and have a quiz etc same as last year. I have set aside in my mind some money to make xmas nice but am not sure what to spend it on yet. [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 9:36 AM - 21 answers

Usually at Christmas, I just ship a bunch of stuff home to my family from Amazon and then wrap it up when I get there. This year, I'd like to step away from Amazon, but I need alternatives for places where I can find a good variety of toys (particularly) and housewares and other gifty type things that ship FROM WITHIN Canada. [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 7:10 PM - 18 answers

I have a friend who gives me a landscape art calendar every Christmas. She buys the same calendar for herself, so I know we're looking at the same picture every month, and sometimes we discuss them. It's basically the perfect gift: personal, gets used up every year so she can buy me another one, doesn't take up any space, and makes me think of her when I look at it. I'm trying to think of similar gifts that I could give to her and/other other people but I'm drawing a blank. Any ideas?
posted by missrachael at 12:18 PM - 7 answers

Amazon has problems with their labour practices, with their strong arming of local governments for subsidies, their tax dodging, and so much more. I don't feel good about buying from them. Unfortunatel, they also sometimes have products that are hard to find locally, or that are wildly overpriced locally. What charities are there that help fight Amazon or improve the things they make bad? [more inside]
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 6:37 PM - 11 answers