Useful Christmas Gifts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

You're not the target audience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

You're not the target audience.

So obtuse. Clearly I am not. But there is no consensus on here by “poor people” on what would be a useful gift. That is the only point I was making. Ask them what they would find useful!

[Anonymous]

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.

Uh, speaking as someone who fits this demographic and has a heated mattress pad, I love mine! I also strongly prefer to sleep cool, but am often freezing in the house. They have timers, so I set mine to head up 30 minutes before going to bed. It's nice and warm when I get in, then shuts off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another gift I loved was a boxed assortment of nice greeting cards, along with stamps and a nice pen.

https://www.amazon.com/Hallmark-Occasion-Handmade-Organizer-Birthday/dp/B079J9NQVM/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gM9BXz1u0CXWdjU8mtZJYkZ9oGJPF0wY2eLhivFeyW5y606E_d0ZXdsA3MatQzdP1gd431yKyJnbemTJOO6cpLguxruvqWeY32oCXqMJie3jFKq-PEUGvpUl_EaazLluASbMm4_NBCRsFaM9GtuGROiirE27PaF4CUlYK_k-DE1G6fQgZB3XEORNlIsGRFYp8EYnVd9tbfqCDxh0kF7z4JzCHts0iLk-1QzHp5XIFAcNQwi0tGwLaXqLpwFNvtSaZdIbzKkY0AJZFP3Y5GB2h8ubGPqkIzlBEGqpXtad6Uw.IJKhcsOeKWtW2YMMxbqLLVVNjfvjpE1zGe0l_Omkjh4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=694005656327&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=9190075&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11456959610913476774--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11456959610913476774&hvtargid=kwd-444082559661&hydadcr=11310_13307366&keywords=amazon%2Bboxed%2Bgreeting%2Bcards&qid=1730068578&sr=8-5&th=1

Did you receive this gift in 1991?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

You're not the target audience.

So obtuse. Clearly I am not. But there is no consensus on here by “poor people” on what would be a useful gift. That is the only point I was making. Ask them what they would find useful!

You are the obtuse one but it is understandable given your tone deaf responses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Older people are wandering into Staples asking for help figuring out Quicken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Older people are wandering into Staples asking for help figuring out Quicken?

Yep. I live 1000 miles away. He bought the computer there and figures they are there to help. It’s sweet really.

Staples has a service angle, BTW, and you can pay for technical help.

[Anonymous]

Bombas socks is my go to. When I couldn't afford them I was so happy to receive them. Plus they are easy to regift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

For me, I’d prefer it to be for Ticketmaster specifically because if it were a Visa gift card, I would have a hard time “wasting” it on concert tickets. It depends on the individual.

[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.

+1

I'm getting my adult son a car dash cam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The VISA gift cards are a pain in the butt to use. I appreciate the thought, but they always end up being a hassle to use. They get rung up as a credit card so if you only have a partial balance left, you have to know exactly what's left on it otherwise it's a pain at check out. I'd rather have cash or a gift card than a VISA card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

For me, I’d prefer it to be for Ticketmaster specifically because if it were a Visa gift card, I would have a hard time “wasting” it on concert tickets. It depends on the individual.

+1 If I got a VISA gift card I'd end up using it on something lame. Ticketmaster would force me to use it for something fun.

[Anonymous]

You will never get a consensus on what is a great gift from a large group and you will never know if they really liked it or not. Pick something you would appreciate and is easily exchangeable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A heated throw has been well-received by everyone.

Link?

[Anonymous]

Leaf blower
Bath and Body works gift bag
Puzzle
Ballcap of local team
Book about famous historical figure