Useful Christmas Gifts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

OP, please do not buy this for a woman in peri/menopause, lol.

[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.

Id love fruit! Sumo gift basket or something. I dont know what a fire blanket is...

[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?

I'm not well off, and live in a tiny apartment. I don't have space for extra dishtowels and pot holders and random holiday decor. At this point I have everything I need, and only want things to replace things that are no longer working - like for my recent birthday I asked for a Great Jones quarter pan to replace my old one that has been peeling. And I had to specify to the person I thought might get it for me that I have an apartment sized oven and quarter size is all that will fit in it because they live in an actual Victorian mansion with a six-burner stove, double oven, and a griddle plate thing. They have the "bigger is better!" thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fire blanket (I haven’t used one but they seem like they should work and I have them in my kitchen, garage, etc.)

Then other useful things like a strong flashlight that is a magnet and can stick to the fridge. So, a variety of useful items. Bunch of gloves they could keep in the car maybe? Really great umbrella?

BIG NO to fire blankets. The fiberglass embeds hundreds of fibers into your hands and wherever it touches. There are numerous accounts of people suffering greatly from this. The other suggestions are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got my brother a battery organizer filled with all the batteries-super helpful and practical but also doesn’t feel lame

Those battery daddies are great!!

[Anonymous]

Self care gift baskets (lotions, candles, body spray, etc)
Dish or pot sets, Tupperware utensil sets
Coffee tea gift basket
Comforter/sheet set
Slippers, glove and scarf set

[Anonymous]

Useful for me:
Kitchen items (to replace old ones)
Cold weather stuff: fleece jackets; rain jackets; nice umbrella
Set of nice towels

[Anonymous]

As someone who has been very poor I would suggest that whatever you give make sure it's beautiful and high quality. Like it's fine if it's a water bottle or a blanket or a kitchen appliance but I would focus on it being attractive and really good quality.

I had a baby when I was struggling financially and I had some wealthy family who gave me stuff like diapers and burp cloths and bottles. Some of them gave me high end stuff that is probably what they used with their own babies and using that stuff made me feel so good. I wasn't upset to get pampers or stuff from Target -- grateful for any gift. But I remember using these organic cotton swaddle blankets my cousin gave me and just feeling so good to have this very high quality and beautiful thing to wrap my baby in. There's something psychological about it. It's something I never would have bought myself but it made me feel really good.

In terms of specific ideas I always appreciate cold weather gear this time of year -- hats and gloves, nice long underwear or a flannel robe, that kind of thing. When I was broke I always felt like I had insufficient cold weather stuff (which really hits hard when you also have to ration your use of the heater).

[Anonymous]

Cashmere hats and gloves.

[Anonymous]

A heated throw has been well-received by everyone.

[Anonymous]

What are the dietary restrictions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love gift cards to restaurants we might not spring for ourselves. A $100 gift card to a nice restaurant is a gift anyone would enjoy. Truly.

This is very true. $100 doesn't go far nowadays though.

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing wrong with gift cards. Something like a spa or restaurant or bookstore.

[Anonymous]

Streaming memberships. If they already have the service, this can extend the contract.

[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!

Most people have enough of the things you are giving. I'd prefer a gift card to a restaurant we like.