Holiday Gift Ideas Thread

[QuikSand]

Doesn't everyone, at some level, have those hard-to-shop-for people? We're a community, we can do this. Post your ideas and recommendations for gifts that might be a good solution to your friends in this predicament. Items you personally endorse, things you have received and loved, and the like.

[QuikSand]

Just to pre-empt a few obvious tangents:

-Yes, we understand that gift giving is inherently imperfect, that cash or gift cards are better, and that people disagree about the propriety of this. Take that elsewhere.

-Yes, we understand that there's a lovely restaurant down in your neighborhood of Lake Charles or whatnot that serves a wonderful creme brulee. Please understand that practicality is important for this discussion.

-Yes, we understand that people shop in different price ranges for different needs, and that there are complicated matters of family politics, societal etiquette, and so forth involved. Again, take that elsewhere.

-reserved for future use

[sterlingice]

Creepy Furbys are making a comeback this year!
Amazon.com: Furby, Teal: Toys & Games (http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-A3174-Furby-Teal/dp/B008DKA3XI)

Wait- not the intent of the thread? :D

SI

[Passacaglia]

Elmo knows my name.

Seriously, good thread, I'll keep my eye out.

[JPhillips]

A high quality 8" cooking knife.

I don't even cook a lot, but my Global knife is my favorite present over the last five years. That one knife will do almost anything to need to do in the kitchen.

[sterlingice]

My wife is always big on food gifts whereas I'm a bit more for tangible items. However, I like food, too, so it's not a bad thing so much as preference.

One thing that gets pretty good reception across the board seems to be food gifts from your travels. For instance, a lot of my family loves chocolate and we went to San Francisco a couple of years ago. We came back with a crapload of Ghirardelli, customized for participant: i.e. mom likes dark chocolate so got her some of the 70%+, etc. It shows you're thinking about them even when you're out and away and I think that resonates with people. We did this with Frango one year and if we went to Hershey, it'd be the same thing.

In general, gifts from traveling abroad seem to be popular but I think disposable (food, usable items) are better than hard goods unless it's something the person needed. For instance, we brought back pasta from Italy and this went over well. Or, if someone you know likes leather, get a bag from one of the fashion districts, etc. But it's hard to get things that people are more particular about because their tastes are different than yours. Also, I've seen some awkwardness with bringing back some sort of trinkety item. Giving my grandmother an angel figure from the Vatican = good, since she has some place to put it. Giving a random person a random trinket just to get them something just would be awkward: "Say, did you get that when you were in France?" "I've never been to France but some friend gave this to me" -awkward silence-

SI

[JPhillips]

I also like small batch bourbon as a gift.

[QuikSand]

A high quality 8" cooking knife.

I don't even cook a lot, but my Global knife is my favorite present over the last five years. That one knife will do almost anything to need to do in the kitchen.

I am a really big kitchen knife enthusiast. Used to swear by an outfit from Ohio, but they seem to have cashed in on their good name and lowered their quality. Sad. Now I'm big into Shun - which for these purposes fits best into the category of "get someone an expensive upgrade to something they surely already own." At $150 or more a pop, they aren't what you'd buy for a casual recipient... But they are tremendous knives.

[QuikSand]

Here's a great, appealing, and affordable gift for someone who is into kitchen stuff

Misto Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer,Brushed Aluminum: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining (http://www.amazon.com/Misto-Gourmet-Sprayer-Brushed-Aluminum/dp/B00004SPZV)

[QuikSand]

A wonderful kids book, with a nice message. Suitable for ages about 3+. Uses the word "poop" and has a holistic sort of moral/message, so it may not be suitable for all audiences, but it's great otherwise.

Go To Sleep,Gecko!: A Balinese Folktale: Margaret Read MacDonald: 9780874837803: Amazon.com: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Go-Sleep-Gecko-Balinese-Folktale/dp/0874837804/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348095300&sr=1-1&keywords=go+to+sleep+gecko)

[wade moore]

I think this is a pretty solid catch-all gift.

They are Cast Iron Grill Grates. Many people do not pay attention when they buy their grill to get one that has cast iron, or it's just too expensive.

These slide right on top of your existing grates and are pretty friggin' awesome. I've had them for about two years now.:

https://www.mangrate.com/offers/offers.aspx?affiliatesourceId=1&linksourceID=1

[CraigSca]

In the same mold as the other kitcheny gadgets. I got this about a year ago and absolutely love it. People use pepper mills all the time, but I've found when a recipe calls for a teaspoon or more a legacy pepper mill just takes too much time or elbow grease. Enter this puppy, which we use everyday:

Amazon.com: Trudeau Graviti Battery-Operated Pepper Mill, Black: Kitchen & Dining (http://www.amazon.com/Trudeau-Graviti-Battery-Operated-Pepper-Black/dp/B000OLNC46/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_y)

[stevew]

I think this is a pretty solid catch-all gift.

They are Cast Iron Grill Grates. Many people do not pay attention when they buy their grill to get one that has cast iron, or it's just too expensive.

These slide right on top of your existing grates and are pretty friggin' awesome. I've had them for about two years now.:

https://www.mangrate.com/offers/offers.aspx?affiliatesourceId=1&linksourceID=1


How many different packages did you end up buying? I've considered getting them, but I think I'd need like 5 or 6 packages, which is kind of expensive.

[stevew]

Fancy candies always make a good gift.

[wade moore]

How many different packages did you end up buying? I've considered getting them, but I think I'd need like 5 or 6 packages, which is kind of expensive.

I have a fairly standard 3 burner gas grill.

I need one package (2 grates) per burner. I actually have one burner without them for now, haven't gone back to get another since generally I'm not cooking that much and I just use that burner for my vegetable basket, etc.

But yeah one package per burner seems to be about right for most grills.

[stevew]

Oh. Ok. I frankly don't find their site to be very informative, at least when I visited previously. Most grills are probably 3 burners, if they said "most people need 3packs-$60" I'd be more likely to order. I thought I was getting one 4" slab for $20

[corbes]

An immersion blender (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=immersion+blender&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1360&bih=587&wrapid=tlif134814812417610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15609906584901674229&sa=X&ei=yRtbUPXIEqfg0gGyt4D4Dw&ved=0CKQBEOUNMAA) (Cuisinart, $35). My friends had one and talked endlessly about it. I thought it looked stupid and gimmicky. They gave me one as a present. I gave it a chance, and now use it ALL THE TIME. It is much easier to use than either a food processor or a blender for most purposes.

[wade moore]

Oh. Ok. I frankly don't find their site to be very informative, at least when I visited previously. Most grills are probably 3 burners, if they said "most people need 3packs-$60" I'd be more likely to order. I thought I was getting one 4" slab for $20

I'm assuming it's packed the same way It was when I got it.

$20 seems like the price for one 4" slab? Maybe they've changed their packaging.

Busy today, but let me double check the site before you order anything.

[digamma]

We really enjoy Ferrari Olive Oils (http://shop.ferrarioliveoil.com/default.asp) as a nice kitchen related gift.

Very solid basic oils and vinegars, but also some really unique and good flavors. On the oils side, we like the basil and the lemon pepper. On the vinegar side, the black walnut goes great with a burrata salad, and the Bergamont Orange Lime is fantastic.

[sterlingice]

I think that since we've pretty much all come up with things in the kitchen or involving cooking (with one exception), that we're just a bunch of fatasses ;)

SI

[stevew]

Maybe buying someone a microwave is 20years past style(30years?)

www.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=02066993000P&sid=comm_sears_productpg

I have this guy and it's pretty sweet. All summer you can use the oven instead of having to heat up the house. Pretty solid microwave on top. Does good on the frozen pizza. Would be sweet for a downstairs bar type area.

[Raiders Army]

My brother was very hard to find a great present, but here are two that were touchdowns:

The tandem jump is the cheapest (without video): Skydiving.com Gift Certificates - Surprise them Now! (http://www.skydiving.com/skydiving-gift-certificates.php)
$249. FWIW, in most places a tandem jump requires very little training and if you solo it, it's usually at least two days of training.

Bobblehead: I used this website and the results were pretty good: Custom Bobbleheads (http://www.allbobbleheads.com/custom-bobbleheads.html)
The problem is getting a side head shot of someone. Most pictures you usually have of someone are from the front only. This will run you about $100.

The past couple of years I've gotten my employees some gifts:

Fake scratch off lottery tickets: Fake lottery tickets, fake lottery tickets, gag lottery tickets (http://www.noveltieswholesale.com/whlsllotto.html)

Screaming Monkeys: Slingshot Flying Monkey | Slingshot Animals (http://www.officeplayground.com/Slingshot-Flying-Monkey-P225.aspx?gclid=CIuH-_WmxbICFXSSPAod8EMAng)

This year, I'm going a little more expensive and I'm getting baseball cards made of them with the years they've served and the positions they've been in. http://www.mytradingcards.com/products.aspx?id=topps_2012&cattid=59096

[StLee]

For the sports fan, it's hard to go wrong with sports memorabilia. I've never bought myself a jersey, but I got a Brees jersey from my parents last Christmas and loved it.

[QuikSand]

Here's a badass gift that I could only wish someone would buy for me:

Randall Made Knives (http://www.randallknives.com/)

Disclaimer:

*****Important--Please Read Before Ordering****** Current order deliveries are being scheduled for delivery in 54 MONTHS, year 2017.

Randall order limit is a single knife every three months per household. Effective November 1, 2007, extra features are limited to five chargeable features per knife. We strongly recommend obtaining the catalog to view all features before placing an order. Model and feature change orders are limited and there is a charge for change orders. A deposit of US$50.00 per knife is required to place an order. Deposits are not transferable and non-refundable. Credit card user name must match the individual's name placing the order. Shipping charges are determined by Randall Made Knives in the year of delivery. Mimimum age to order is 16 years old.

Online Catalog (https://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php)

And the model I think I'd go for, myself:
Online Catalog (https://www.randallknives.com/catalog.php?action=modeldetail&id=24)


So, in the event you have read this far... you heard that right. $50 down now as a nonrefundable down payment on a knife you'd then get to pay $500 for in 2017.

Awesome gift idea for a niche audience, obviously.

[Passacaglia]

Almost five years for delivery? Might as well just pick it up, and maybe avoid shipping fees, too.

[Bobble]

Mrs. Bobble is into candles as I think many chicks are. I've gotten her candles as an add-on gift but she'd probably just as soon pick out her own. I've been holding this card up my sleeve for the future: candle shadow casters. Relatively inexpensive, permanent, not something you get every day.

[JPhillips]

QS: Have you seen this guy's knives? Sunday Morning ran a story on him a while ago.

http://kramerknives.com/

edit: Sorry, image too big. Just check out the gallery at the website.

[QuikSand]

Serious stuff. Looks like he teamed up with Shun on a series.

[QuikSand]

While this isn't exactly the sweet spot in the Shun lineup, this is a great price and would make a nice gift:

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/shun-classic-paring-knife-set/

[stevew]

Men Shaving Kits, After Shave & Men’s Grooming Supplies - ClassicShaving.com (www.classicshaving.com/Home.html)

Some of the stuff here looks like it would be great for a dude. Lots of fancy old school shaving products.

[korme]

Well I'm 3 days out from my brother's birthday and drawing blanks. This thread is all about knives.

[Jughead Spock]

Remote control helicopters. Can find them in every price range, from $20 to actual hobby-level monsters. Have had good luck with those with people I don't really know.

[QuikSand]

Since this is the thread that veered into knife territory... recently got a full size knife from this outfit. It's tremendous. My sharpener told me it's the equal of the Masamoto that someone else local brings to him occasionally - and that one is a 4-5K item.

CUT BROOKLYN (http://cutbrooklyn.com/)

[dadico]

Why not consider custom bobbleheads (https://www.cheapbobbleheads.com/collections/custom-bobbleheads)? I made two bobbleheads for my cute kids, it's really simple, you can make it with just one photo.

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

you know what, this is a quality bump. you win, dadico. well done.

[tarcone]

I wonder if anyone got their knives is 2017?

[Edward64]

you know what, this is a quality bump. you win, dadico. well done.

Kids actually got me a personalized bobblehead. Good gag gift IMO, still have it in my office.

[QuikSand]

I wonder if anyone got their knives is 2017?

I have occasionally thought about this, too...

[QuikSand]

...anyone pacing the floors awaiting their second order from Randall?

[NobodyHere]

...anyone pacing the floors awaiting their second order from Randall?

I admire your dedication to thread necromancy.

[sterlingice]

Randall Made Knives has an extended delivery time. Your deposit will hold the next available production spot which is approximately a FIVE (5) to SIX (6) year wait. Please contact us (https://www.randallknives.com/contact) prior to making an order if you have any questions. Your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Now we're up to a 5-6 year wait. No one is immune to supply chain issues

SI

[Izulde]

What happens if you literally die waiting for your knives?