Useful Christmas Gifts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Exactly what I was thinking! I'd prefer something that would make my bed a constant cool temperature like the ground deep within a cave.

https://bedfans-usa.com/products/bfan-usa-plug?variant=8789202010156

[Anonymous]

A personalized Yeti mug or bottle. Choose the color and add a name or logo on their website. Great as a gift bc Yeti products are top quality.

[Anonymous]

As a poor person I agree with one of the posters above - high qualify, fancy, expensive-ish items are always great to receive. I mean I’d rather get an $20 fancy item than an $50 cheapish one, if it makes sense.

Power banks: there are anker nano banks that are cordless, you plug them into the phone itself; there are also magnetic options.

I like the collapsible grocery bags idea very much too.

Loop earplugs are something on my list I can’t justify spending money on.

Ive heard good things about ugg fuzzy socks

Peter Thomas Roth face moisturizer is the best one I’ve tried so far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A personalized Yeti mug or bottle. Choose the color and add a name or logo on their website. Great as a gift bc Yeti products are top quality.

Do not personalize. Then it can not be returned or shared or given away.

[Anonymous]

My sister is always broke. I give her a check, her favorite coffee, plants, magazine subscriptions, and things she cannot afford. Ask instead of guess.

[Anonymous]

Here's what's gone over well for older guys: smart wool socks, nice insulated leather work gloves (for yard work and outdoor home projects), sweatshirt with his favorite team logo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to give:
-box of cards and stamps
-detergent
-nice shampoos and conditioners

People send cards? Through the mail?

Rude! The elderly do!

I do, for condolences. What do you send? An "I'm sorry your mom died" email?

I’m the pp who said that. My grandparents in their 80s or 90s send birthday cards to their dozens of grandchildren and kids. And both my parents and I laws send cards to my little children on all holiday. Kids go crazy for holiday cards!

No they don't go crazy for holiday cards. They are just trying to be polite.

[Anonymous]

For older folks, my kids work on their technology for them. They ask what is bothering them about their computers/iPads/etc. and fix it. Usually pop ups, etc.

My dad got a new computer and so I bought him Quicken for Christmas, and my kid installed it for him and input all the categories he needs for his accounting. He was really appreciative because that kind of thing takes him forever or he has to go to Staples for help.

[Anonymous]

This thread is fascinating because almost none of the things listed would be useful or desirable for me. Which just goes to show that if “useful” is your criteria for a gift (great idea) then you have to ask or know the recipient very well. Otherwise you will more than likely be buying them unwanted clutter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to give:
-box of cards and stamps
-detergent
-nice shampoos and conditioners

People send cards? Through the mail?

Rude! The elderly do!

I do, for condolences. What do you send? An "I'm sorry your mom died" email?

I’m the pp who said that. My grandparents in their 80s or 90s send birthday cards to their dozens of grandchildren and kids. And both my parents and I laws send cards to my little children on all holiday. Kids go crazy for holiday cards!

No they don't go crazy for holiday cards. They are just trying to be polite.

DP. That's your kids. Mine love them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is fascinating because almost none of the things listed would be useful or desirable for me. Which just goes to show that if “useful” is your criteria for a gift (great idea) then you have to ask or know the recipient very well. Otherwise you will more than likely be buying them unwanted clutter

I bet you're not poor.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a lot of disposable income. Here are things I would love to receive:

Ticketmaster gift card
Annual subscription to a streaming service
Yeti tumbler
Pyrex food storage containers
Nice, basic tool box
Luxurious sheet set
High quality towels
Portable phone charger
Knife set

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a lot of disposable income. Here are things I would love to receive:

Ticketmaster gift card
Annual subscription to a streaming service
Yeti tumbler
Pyrex food storage containers
Nice, basic tool box
Luxurious sheet set
High quality towels
Portable phone charger
Knife set

A Ticketmaster gift card is a great idea. While I’m not poor, I feel poor every time I look at Ticketmaster.

Also from another PP, heated vest sounds awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is fascinating because almost none of the things listed would be useful or desirable for me. Which just goes to show that if “useful” is your criteria for a gift (great idea) then you have to ask or know the recipient very well. Otherwise you will more than likely be buying them unwanted clutter

I bet you're not poor.

You’re right. I still don’t think I’d want stuff like a heated blanket or a battery organizer or holiday decorations, though. The gift cards to stores/restaurants seem the best to me but sounds like OP wants to get a thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a lot of disposable income. Here are things I would love to receive:

Ticketmaster gift card
Annual subscription to a streaming service
Yeti tumbler
Pyrex food storage containers
Nice, basic tool box
Luxurious sheet set
High quality towels
Portable phone charger
Knife set

A Ticketmaster gift card is a great idea. While I’m not poor, I feel poor every time I look at Ticketmaster.

Also from another PP, heated vest sounds awesome.

I think a Visa card would be better, though, with a note like "I know you love music/art/whatever. Please treat yourself to a performance/exhibit/whatever." You could print out a selection of shows you think they might like and try to match the cost of one. That way they could choose it to go to ticketmaster if they wanted but not lose any leftover money, or choose another venue that doesn't use ticketmaster. Or use it on groceries if they need to but not have it feel as much like charity.