The hard to buy for person thread

[klacey1]

I need serious help on what to get for my two cousins. They live across the country and I only see them once or twice a year so I do not know much about either of them. Both will be flying to and from our Christmas location so it has to be something they can easily bring with them.

1. Male age 27. Likes computers and bicycles to work. Works for Google. Vegetarian. Rents a house, likes to read, progressive thinker.

2. Female, age 23. Soft spoken English major. Lives in NYC in rental. Likes to read, vegetarian, wants to become a writer one day.

We do not exchange gift cards and I like to look for deals on things and deals can never be gotten on gift cards so if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate it!!!

Male cousin: he may already have one, but how about a nice laptop case? Or, if he likes to read, and he's not super picky about his books, hit up the NY Times Best Seller List and then order one or two from Amazon. He'd probably really appreciate having something to read on the plane ride back!

Female cousin: Again, I'm sure a book would be appreciated by an English major. Or, we (fellow English degree here!) love beautiful pen and stationary sets. Those are easy to find on the cheap at places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

 

[princessbride6205]

I think I'm going to use the antique bulb suggestion for my mom.

My Dad is the hardest person to buy for in my family - very well off financially, works for magazine distributor (has tons at home), loves wine & golf but has all possible accessories you could think of. Last year I felt clever and got him "the gift for the patriotic American who has everything" - a donation to the USO in his name.

 

[luvflorida]

I bet there are a lot of elderly family members, relatives and friends that would love to have someone 'do' something for them instead of 'buying' something for them, especially those that spend a lot of time alone.

Maybe you (meaning any of us) have a family member that doesn't decorate for Christmas because they just aren't physically able to do so. You could offer to spend an afternoon stringing lights, hanging wreaths, putting up a tree for them, and then undecorate for them after the holidays. Or how about taking them out to lunch, or taking a meal to them and spending an afternoon or evening playing cards or board games. Do the grocery shopping for someone and when you deliver it, stay awhile. Bring a delicious treat to share with them. Have the little ones make holiday cards or draw pictures to give to elderly relatives.

Almost nothing makes me sadder than thinking of someone being lonely. Many elderly just like to have someone to talk to. Giving the gift of our time is one of the most wonderful gifts we can give.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I never have a clue what to get my dad. I got him an iPod for his birthday but his computer wasn't upgraded enough and that sort of fell by the wayside. He's not into computers but loved the "idea" of the iPod.

He doesn't have any hobbies. He works 6 days a week, enjoys his job, but he doesn't DO anything else. He is 65, has a nice house and doesn't need anything. I was thinking of giving him something to wear to his Christmas trip to Norway with his wife (She's from there) but he lives a half-mile from the ocean and would never use a warm coat or winter boots again. He is going for two weeks, so any ideas...I'd gladly take them.

I was thinking of a matching zero-degree coat and boots from Land's End. Good idea or bad idea?

 

[Handbag Lady]

Here's my tough buy: DBF's younger sister. She's 17. Normally, I could go with a "girly" something (the generic perfumes, lotions, etc.), but she's a little...different. She's "punk"/"goth" and into the Nightmare Before Christmas, the Dark Knight. However, I REALLY don't care to step into Hot Topic this season! I'm looking to spend $20 or under. I could revert to the make-up/ body products in a pinch, since she cares about her looks more than she wants to admit! However, if anyone has a good idea, I'd love to hear it!! Any websites anyone knows of would be super helpful, too!

Go to MAC (the make-up store, they also have them in Macy's et al) and get her a dark black kohl eyeliner. They run about $20 and would be perfect for her. You can even package it up in an inexpensive NBC coin purse.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Ideas for my Twilight addicted younger sister? She's seeing New Moon opening weekend and fallback plan is a GC for Hot Topic (aka the land of twilight) and the soundtrack is out since she's got it on preorder (if it helps, she's Team Edward)

 

[Disney Doll]

My SIL and her husband are hard for me to shop for. It may be because I don't really like them all that much. My SIL is silly and foolish and is about as deep as lilypad. Her husband isn't much better. He's germophobic, intense, and obsessed with complete cleanliness. SIL is diabetic and BIL is just fanatical about his healthy diet.

So no candy or other food. No scents, soaps or lotions(too germy for BIL). They drink wine, but they are incredibly picky. They don't like gift cards. They rarely eat out or go to movies. They have no hobbies. They make about 4 times the money we make and they expect nice gifts. I'm just at a loss.

See, in my extended family we don't give gifts to each other. We do charitable works, either giving cash or volunteering. Half the fun of Christmas is finding out what my siblings did for other people in my name. I don't need any more junk. I don't need another popcorn tin, box of chocolate turtles, scented candle, paperweight, or cutesy angel with inane saying inscribed on its feet. I just want to scream "Please! let's stop buying junk for each other!" We have talked with them about giving to charity and they were horrified. They want gifts!

Are you related to my SIL???
She is the same way.
Gets all bent if she doesn't get gifts. Yet when I give her a gift, she didn't like it...actually will complain about them to my face, as in "Why did you get me this?", with a sneer in her voice.

A couple of years ago I decided to give a donation in her name. I figured I was ticking her off and wasting money with every gift I gave her, so, even though I would still tick her off, at least I would not be wasting money, because at least the money would be appreciated and used for a good cause by the charity. It did tick her off, we had several conversations about "why I didn't want to give her a gift". I explained that no tangible gift I gave her was ever good enough, so I might as well put my $$ to good use and besides, as the best Catholic in the family (her words) I would think she'd be happy to be helping those less fortunate. Of course, she said "How would you like it if I didn't give you a gift?". I, of course, responded, "It wouldn't faze me a bit because Christmas, for me, is about different things besides gathering loot for myself, and if you want to stop exchanging gifts all together, that would be absolutely fine with me". That didn't work for her. Last year, instead of doing a donation, I got her the "Daily Guideposts" book...a book of Christian-based daily inspirational prayers and readings. I was thinking it might help change her selfish, greedy, nasty attitude...hasn't worked yet. She'll get the same book again this year...maybe it will work this time, but I doubt it.

 

[Disney Doll]

My aunt/godmother is impossible! She's elderly and contemplating moving into a retirement place. She will have limited space so she's giving most things away. We can't get her flowers because her cat eats them. She's a picky eater with a ton of allergies. She mostly reads, watches some tapes on TV and music wise only likes one singer (can't think of his name- young, good looking and sings easy listening/jazz) but has all of his stuff. She doesn't like gift cards either.

That's the one I'm completely stuck on.

Stamps so she can mail letters.
A grocery store gift card.
A bookstore gift card.
A "certificate" for a lunch date with you. Maybe you can combine the lunch date with a trip to the bookstore or grocery store.
Books by the author(s) she likes.

 

[Disney Doll]

I need serious help on what to get for my two cousins. They live across the country and I only see them once or twice a year so I do not know much about either of them. Both will be flying to and from our Christmas location so it has to be something they can easily bring with them.

1. Male age 27. Likes computers and bicycles to work. Works for Google. Vegetarian. Rents a house, likes to read, progressive thinker.

2. Female, age 23. Soft spoken English major. Lives in NYC in rental. Likes to read, vegetarian, wants to become a writer one day.

We do not exchange gift cards and I like to look for deals on things and deals can never be gotten on gift cards so if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate it!!!

I get them both bookstore gift cards. I know you said you don't like gift cards, but what else do you get 2 people you barely know who live across the country from you so that if you get them something they don't like/can't use, they can't return it either because chances are, the store you bought it in won't be wherever they live.

 

[Disney Doll]

SIL *might* possibly look at a cookbook. I got my mother the 4 Ingredient Diabetic Cookbook last year and she loves it. SIL isn't very adventurous and she doesn't bake at all. I think she owns just about 4 spices--salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and cinnamon. Lemon pepper, paprika, thyme, cilantro--she would never try them. Too foreign and weird. How can people like this live with themselves? I mean, they have internet and cable. She just retired from the Air Force, not a slacker. She's just...pleasantly satisfied with her narrow outlook.

I might sure enough get them some wine glasses. They do like a good bottle of wine and they'd probably enjoy the glasses better than any wine I come up with(I am not much for picking out wine.)

Even my MIL is easier to buy for--and she lives in a Nursing Home!

I think I'd go with the winglasses then. If they like wine, it's a good gift that they will always use. Depending on how much you want to spend on them, get them a couple of really nice crystal glasses. I have Waterford crystal wine hocks and they are a pleasure to drink wine from...makes it very special.

 

[RadioNate]

Need ideas for my mom.

She is another one who would be FURIOUS if I made a donation in her name. She thinks that is the stupidest "gift" ever! One year my cousin donated to the WWF in my DS's name. He got a certificate telling about his animal and a plush of the animal. My mom was LIVID that my cousin couldn't be bother to buy a 'proper' gift. My DS loved it!

She is 62. Retired. Not married. Has no hobbies, unless you count gambling. Likes jewelry but only good (meaning $$$) jewelry. Would likely scoff at anything handmade. Very picky, yet thinks she is easy to buy for. Won't like a gift card.

 

[puffkin]

My go to gift recommendation this season is the Keurig coffee maker for those "hard to please" crowd. For the casual coffee drinker (or tea or hot chocolate) they are great! Practical, great conversation piece and fun!

 

[boomersmom]

We have sent Omaha Steaks to hard to buy for relatives. They have several options available.

 

[SC Minnie]

This year for my parents (divorced) and their spouses I am making a calendar including pictures of the grandkids from my side and their spouses- 2 different calendars. I am including all birthdays and anniversarys. It is not an expensive gift but I hope they like them.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My in-laws own a small business and give us Costco membership cards under the business name.

For everyone on my list whom I'm stumped on what to buy, I get them a Costco gift card. It gives them the opportunity to do some shopping at Costco that they only have if they came shopping with me or another member. I've been doing this for a few years, and it's very well received.

So if you have a warehouse club membership (Costco, BJ's or Sam's Club), that is my suggestion--give those gift cards to recipients who don't have a membership there.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Great thread, I have a couple of hard to buy fors..

Male 53, loves football, family tree research, old sci fi movies, would probably enjoy a gift card but I always seem to get him them, Haunted Mansion obsessive?

Female 22, isn't a real girly person but not a tomboy either, she likes stationary sorts of things, loves David Bowie, unusual handmade things.. she always gets me great personal gifts and I can never match it!

 

[Disney Doll]

Need ideas for my mom.

She is another one who would be FURIOUS if I made a donation in her name. She thinks that is the stupidest "gift" ever! One year my cousin donated to the WWF in my DS's name. He got a certificate telling about his animal and a plush of the animal. My mom was LIVID that my cousin couldn't be bother to buy a 'proper' gift. My DS loved it!

She is 62. Retired. Not married. Has no hobbies, unless you count gambling. Likes jewelry but only good (meaning $$$) jewelry. Would likely scoff at anything handmade. Very picky, yet thinks she is easy to buy for. Won't like a gift card.

Give her money to go gambling. make life easy.

 

[RadioNate]

Give her money to go gambling. make life easy.

I can see it now...Harrah's gift card.

 

[3boymthr]

Michael Buble?

If so maybe this for a big time fan
http://www.michaelbuble.com/store/product/exclusive-fan-edition-crazy-love

My tough one is my Dad. He is a golfer. But really has everything for Golf. He likes word puzzles(but I bought him the nytimes crossword books several years ago and he "saves" them - doing only one a week.) He lives alone. I got him an ipod last year and he still hasn't used it yet. My teenager is going over to show him how to use it.
But really no ideas. Thinking of just taking him out to dinner.

How about a GC to this place http://www.findalesson.com/

 

[suejai]

Great thread, I have a couple of hard to buy fors..

Male 53, loves football, family tree research, old sci fi movies, would probably enjoy a gift card but I always seem to get him them, Haunted Mansion obsessive?

I don't know what your budget is but I ordered an Ancestry Search from Ancestry.com for my DS for Christmas. I ordered both paternal and maternal tests. They will send you back the data that tells you where your ancestors are from.