GIFT IDEAS 2006

[midwestmi]

Can't wait to hear how he's done. Maybe he'll be able to give us all some advice!

[lady*b]

Aw, glad you like it.

[midwestmi]

That is really a great idea! I know one year for mothers-day I did a collage thing for my mother-in-law with my kids and her new dog at the time. She absolutely loved it. Even though the expense wasn't that much, in theory, it did take me a long time to get the pictures together, and cropped properly. I was back and forth to the stores numerous times. A personal calendar is a great idea for the "tough ones" that are really hard to buy for.

[lady*b]

Ha, the next Lebed in training.........

[lady*b]

How about one of those calendars where every month is a different photo?
They make them at http://www.shutterfly.com I think or even Walgreens now.

It would be cool to think about why each month is special, and a photo of it to remind them. Anniversary? Grandkids birthday month? Their parents anniversary month?

Those are sweet gifts and are around all year.


........or Ugg slippers. :)

[budge]

careful there, you may be faced with comuppance.

the simulation is really a good idea. a book on basics is good.

but.....nothing would surpass your personal time, one on one. nothing builds esteem like being taken seriously enough to merit someones time.

[serfdom]

Har! I'm setting him up with a simulator trading account from investopedia...he's decided to buy all computer/video game stocks.

Since it's very difficult to explain the merits of diversification to a 13-y.o., I thought I would just let him learn that on his own :)

Despite that, he will make a ton of simulated cash (beginner's luck?). I'll keep everyone updated...

[sublime]

pedicures and manicures.

[budge]

for the eldest....might i suggest a stool. a high one. sort of a "looking of uncle serfy's shoulder" type.

[serfdom]

Yes, good advice midwestmi...they don't really play sports - they are adopted, and both had some physical handicaps (which are mosty healed).

But movies and MP3 players - that's good kid stuff! :)

Merry Christmas
Serfy

[midwestmi]

I have 3 boys myself, 10, 11 &12 (turning 13 on Saturday) who are getting harder to buy for. They aren't even coming up with any ideas this year. If the 13 year old doesn't have an MP3 player, that may be a good idea. My kids do want that, only one of them has one. You can find inexpensive ones if you look around. At that age, they don't need the best one out there.

Are either into playing any sports? There are always things needed when they play. Mine are mostly into baseball, but with any sport, there is always extra equipment they need.

Movies are always good for that age range too. Or, if they have xbox, playstation, etc. games for those.

If all else fails, gift cards to a video store where they can rent movies or games, or to a book store if they are into reading. (I could only wish my kids were)

[midwestmi]

Any ideas for Mom's? One is in her 70's, the other in her 60's, and my father-in-laws wife who is in her early 50's. Those are always the hardest.

Any suggestions would be great. I'm trying to stay away from gift cards, but it might just come down to that.

[Phil(Hot Rod Chevy)]

I found a website that offers Christmas gift ideas:

http://www.christmasgifts.net/

Have fun,
Phil

[lady*b]

Just ordered some Ugg slippers for mom, now there is a treat!
http://www.uggaustralia.com/ProductsList.aspx?gID=w&categoryID=181&page=1

[lady*b]

Idea site (awesome): http://www.gifts.com They go on personality and gender/age.

[lady*b]

Those gifts are all so thoughtful, Churak. Thanks for that post!

[Tina]

How about stock gift certificates?

[FernBlade]

Fun board, Lady!!

Music...everyone can always use more....anything by Enya if you don't know the person's preferences. I've yet to meet anyone that doesn't love her music.

Candles...they set a mood, bring magic into a room......

Bubblebath.....total luxury at the end of a long day at work, or getting ready for an event......

Stuffed animals....noone is really too old for a teddy bear...

Thanks for this board!!

[Churak]

no grapefruit if you are taking cholesterol lowering medication!!!

[polkamatic]

I'm a polka bum (and a big fan of
fresh citrus fruits,lol) and a great gift
for me is a box of Texas red grapefruit (http://redcooper.com/index.shtml)
or oranges(http://www.thefruitcompany.com/cit_navel.htm)


Great board Lady! I love the Ambient stock orb, I found one on ebay
bidding now at $86 (free shipping!) ,fyi...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ambient-Orb-Track-Stock-Market-Weather-for-Free_W0QQitemZ160057362056QQihZ006QQc...

[Susie924]

Another gift I thought of while I was in my car was concert tickets or tickets to a sporting event.

[lady*b]

The Ambient Stock Orb $149.99:



Technical Details

Works right out of the box with absolutely no configuration necessary. Just plug it into a power outlet to track the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Data is updated continuously via wireless network. No PC or Internet account required.
Can be customized to an individual's custom stock portfolio through a website or 800 number.
French-made frosted glass housing and bright, long-life LEDs glow millions of colors.
The Stock Orb can also track any dynamic Internet-based information, not just general financial information. Most popular Ambient Channels for the Stock Orb are: Stock Portfolio, Weather Forecast, Pollen Forecast and Web Traffic.

[Alex G]

A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
Saturday, December 02, 2006

Recovered Treasure

This wrapped present survived the 7 feet of water that swamped the home of its givers, Martha and Buddy Daussat of Lakeview, and finally reached recipients Gavin and Laura Smith, who have decided not to open it.

WHAT: A wedding shower gift

OWNERS: Gavin and Laura Smith of Granberry, Texas, were supposed to receive this wrapped gift at their New Orleans engagement shower, given Aug. 27, 2005, by Cecile and Paul Duselier, an aunt and uncle of Gavin's who live in Metairie. However, family friends Martha and Buddy Daussat of Lakeview inadvertently left it behind as they headed to the party. The celebration went on as planned, even though news of the impending hurricane kept some guests away. "At about 11 o'clock, when the party was still going on, we turned on the TV to see how the storm was doing," says Gavin's mother, Paulette Smith. "I told my husband, 'This party should be over; we need to get these people home.' "

COME HELL OR HIGH WATER: The next morning at 5, the young couple packed their car to return to Texas with the gifts they had received. "I told them, 'You have to carry it all with you because I don't know what we will be coming back to,' " Paulette Smith said. In the weeks that followed, with so many Louisiana family members and friends displaced, the Smiths began to question whether to go through with the wedding, planned for October in Texas. "I told Gavin, 'Don't cancel anything. I don't care if it is just you and Laura and your father and me, this wedding is going to take place,' " Smith said.

A GIFT FROM GOD? After the floodwaters subsided, the Daussat's daughter, Michelle, went to her parent's Lakeview home to survey the damage. Amid almost total destruction, she saw a pristine, wrapped gift on the dining room table. She telephoned her mother. "Who do you suppose came in your house and left you a present?" she asked. The gift, it turns out, was the one the Daussats had intended to take to the engagement shower the day before they evacuated. The table had apparently floated in the 7 feet of floodwater that swept through the home, carrying the present up and then back down again, undisturbed.

DON'T OPEN UNTIL: "It was really kind of freakish," Smith said of the eerily untouched gift in its totally destroyed setting. When Paulette Smith went to help the Daussats clear the debris from their home, they gave her the gift intended for her son and his fiancée. "Martha handed it to me and said, 'Here's Gavin's present,' Smith said with a laugh. Smith took the gift to Texas for the wedding, and finally gave it to her son. "How did Miss Martha save it?" he asked her. After hearing the story, he wondered what he should do with it. "My husband told him, 'It survived Katrina, I wouldn't open it,' " Smith said. "We suggested that he place it in a prominent place in his home, since it would surely be a conversation piece for years to come." The present (a box of wine glasses) still remains wrapped with a bow, in the Smiths' home.

-- JILL ANDING

http://www.nola.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living-1/1165042653198320.xml?LHGIO&coll=1

[Susie924]

Hmmm....interesting idea

[sublime]

yep..lol..u know how my weird brain works..lol

[mskatiescarletohara]

LOL!! Well, in that case, an Hermes scarf would be nice too! Love getting that orange and brown box under the tree!

What do you buy a man who has everything? Seriously.

katie...

[Churak]

Why not pay for green fees for a round at a nice club? Failing that...how about a tie?

[Susie924]

LOL.....is that a treadmill with a computer???

Wow

[Susie924]

I have a sister and a brother who are both married. Instead of buying gifts for each of us and our spouses, we each pick a name and buy a nicer gift for just the one person.

Inevitably I get my brother although we haven't picked yet this year.

I never know what to get him!

He's a golfer but I think he's tired of golf things since every year he gets a ton of them.

[sublime]

walk n trade, the perfect gift only $5000..lol

[Susie924]

Do you have someone's e-mail addess that you would like me to send that to as a hint of what you would like????

LOL

[mskatiescarletohara]

Yes, I know, I can relate. It's fabulous when someone gives me the Erno Laszlo Hydro Therapy Cream Soap and the Hydro Therapy Hand, Body Cream lotions. It is tres expensive, I have a very hard time splurging on this, and haven't in a while since my daughters get all my money these days. You should see what they want this year...geez.

katie....

[Churak]

Should I enroll you in Bill Panetta's boot camp?

[Susie924]

LOL....speaking of which that's another idea for people who play stocks.

There are tons of books out there on charting and stuff.

[Churak]

a thank you note for your stellar stock picks...

[Susie924]

I wouldn't get this for your wife or significant other but another gift card for people who drink a lot of coffee is a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks gift card.

[Susie924]

What are you getting me this year?

[janniebgood]

You're welcome. I'm sure the wite will flourish toward Christmastime!

[Churak]

Oh...and I also used to collect funny, obscene cards when they were a novelty. I used to send out very funny cards for birthdays, Christmas etc. I think one of the funniest cards was sent to MATTY...by MMMMMARY of course...

http://www.investorshub.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=1107406

[Churak]

I think the best gift I EVER gave (and you are NOT advised to do this or the breeder will kick your ass) was to get my wife a dog. Our first & best pet. I cannot stress enough that pets are the #1 most regretted gift and once the novelty wears off, many end up at the Humane Society & if not quickly adopted, destroyed. So think twice about getting a pet as a gift cause a dog comes with a 15 year commitment to "someone" that becomes part of your family & is like a kid that doesn't grow up.

Having said that, I think the second best gift was the following. The first person I ever met online decided to pay me a visit. So he's driving here and he comes across a street here with his last name. Kinda freaked him out as it ain't that popular a name. So prior to Christmas that year, I called up the City Streets Dept and asked them if they had any old street signs lying around with that street name. Guy thought I was nuts...like he would remember what garbage signs they have? So I say...so can you make me up one & I tell him the story of my bud seeing his name...blah blah blah. He thought that was a hoot & says, he will make one up for me & I could pick it up the next day. I send it via FEDEX to the guy's place of work & he freaks out when he opens the package. I think he put it up in front of his office.

Finally...and I am sure y'all are happy about that...what has become very common for birthdays & other special occasions around here is to give me/us movie passes. We go to a lot of movies so if someone likes movies or buys books, gift certificates are a pretty good idea. So you know what someone spends...who cares if they will get use out of it. Better to give something that will be used than standing in line to return something. Some malls around here even have gift certs that can be used at ANY store in the mall.

IMHO, FWIW, BTW & WTFDIK

[Domerfan17]

She might like one of these....XL, in white though because I, er, she has green and navy,

[Domerfan17]

Awesome album.....

[Domerfan17]

Keeping her in a bag is certainly no answer to your dilemna....

[Alex G]

oy vey!

[wickw50]

We are making nite lights out of the old glass building blocks...you know ..the kind they used to build walls with....we stuff them with brite colored non flammable ..say plastic plants and then put the light inside...the on/off switch is just outside so it is not a problem to turn them on/off...a big bow on the outside is special..

[lady*b]

Pretty much anything she wants, and I have her in the grab-bag this year. hmmmmmmmm

[lady*b]

One of the BEST gifts I've given: An autographed album of 0U812 (Van Halen) for a family member, who always was a fan. I put it in a frame and it's a great piece in their home now.

Ebay has lots of signed items.

[Alex G]

she has EVERYTHING?.. that's sickening

how about trying something that money can't buy

make something with your hands

just any little thoughtful thing will do

or you could just buy her a vacation away from your brother, and join her there!

[lady*b]

Thanks Jannie.

[lady*b]

Good point, Susie. It's always a treat to get a favorite scent. I don't like to buy it for myself either.