Useful Christmas Gifts

[Anonymous]

Gifts should reflect the person you’re giving it to so I find the fact that you’re asking strangers about useful for gifts for a person they know nothing about to be quite odd. This means you’re giving the gift out of obligation and not from the heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Portable cell phone charger, fruit basket, gift card to a local restaurant or movie theater.

Nothing says you matter to me like a fire blanket, portable cell phone charger, or fruit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of lists for people who “have everything” but I have several adults who I buy Christmas gifts for who aren’t well off. They aren’t destitute, and giving cash or gift cards is not appropriate. But I want to give things that are genuinely useful. In the past I’ve done fleeces, water bottles, calendars, etc. I don’t know them well enough to know exactly what they might need at a given moment. A few have dietary restrictions so I’m looking for some non-food gifts. Any good, general ideas? I spend about $50 per person or $100 per couple. Appreciate any suggestions!

The best buy ever: heated mattress pad. My feet are never cold and there are dual controls and I can be as warm as I want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Portable cell phone charger, fruit basket, gift card to a local restaurant or movie theater.

Nothing says you matter to me like a fire blanket, portable cell phone charger, or fruit.

As someone who suggested one of the above… I love useful gifts and perishable gifts (such as fruit that will be eaten or a restaurant GC that will be used). What I don’t like are items that could be clutter.

[Anonymous]

Packing cubes

[Anonymous]

If a friend takes a lot of photos on their camera, I would get them a gift certificate for Shutterfly / one of the other companies who do this, equal to the value of one of their printed photo books. I know you said no gift certificates, but this is to buy one specific thing that I personally would love (take a lot of photos).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Packing cubes

As a poor person, I vote against this. I travel around once every five years. No need for packing cubes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Portable cell phone charger, fruit basket, gift card to a local restaurant or movie theater.

Nothing says you matter to me like a fire blanket, portable cell phone charger, or fruit.

As someone who suggested one of the above… I love useful gifts and perishable gifts (such as fruit that will be eaten or a restaurant GC that will be used). What I don’t like are items that could be clutter.

One thing I do for seniors is ask if there's anything that they would like for a gift that they can't find locally in their stores. A lot of seniors still aren't comfortable with Amazon or random online specialty merchants. Here are a couple things that I've purchased for them:

-Personal care products discontinued in local stores (skin care, eye care)
-Canned Queen Anne cherries (yellow)
-Pie crust shields

[Anonymous]

These aren't very expensive, but super helpful to have around the house:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Crescent-Wiss-Titanium-Tradesman-Heavy-Duty-Pro-Shear/484912628?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wmlspartner=wlpa&cn=FY25-ENTP-PMAX_cnv_dps_dsn_dis_ad_entp_e_n&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222297484912628_0000000000_21835691471&wl0=&wl1=x&wl2=c&wl3=&wl4=&wl5=9008062&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=484912628&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyfe4BhAWEiwAkIL8sDguo7NXuf4H-aHkkhISGaLz6f_scxtY1mTmCC433s7CYLNNQr8imBoCxfMQAvD_BwE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gifts should reflect the person you’re giving it to so I find the fact that you’re asking strangers about useful for gifts for a person they know nothing about to be quite odd. This means you’re giving the gift out of obligation and not from the heart.

Not necessarily. OP says she likes to give useful gifts and is asking for ideas. Perhaps she intends to look through the ideas to decide which gifts are appropriate for each recipient.

Whatever the case, it's really none of your business anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holiday decor...never would spend scarce dollars on it but fun and festive to have. Fresh dishtowels and pot holders? Bathroom soaps?

Yes. This is a great idea. Go to Home Goods and buy up $100 worth of holiday decor and throw it into a gift bag.

/s

[Anonymous]

Smartwool or darntough socks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A gift receipt so they could return the gift and get something useful.

Here's a list of things that my recipients have liked. Some are more thoughtful/personal vs. useful but aesthetics and a personal touch are also good gifts to receive.

Do you know them well enough to understand their lives? Do you know what they have or don't have in their houses? Are they seniors?

Here are a few things that worked over the years for me:

-Personal recommendations (mainly books)

-A donation to Donor's Choose "in honor of" that generated a fun thank-you letter from a class that received a bookbinding machine

-IKEA collapsible nylon fabric drawer organizer bins

-New Pyrex refrigerator organizer containers

-fun or joke gift that is personalized (ex: solar-powered waving statue)

-computer peripherals - new mouse, ring light

-Lego for grownups (there are floral arrangements now). These are a nice break for people who do jigsaws regularly.

-Seasonal flower arrangement with evergreens

I would love this, tbh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smartwool or darntough socks?

Or Bombas. Those are good too.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the gift receipt. I think it is very difficult to know what was actually well received because people are gracious and grateful but that does not mean they wanted or will use a battery organizer.