Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 13:26     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Great gifts for cold climates
Car battery jump starter
Car ice scraper/brush
Portable snow shovel for the car

Handy gifts
Set of Allen wrenches
Jeweler’s screwdriver set
Nonstandard batteries that fit smoke alarms
Multi tool that cuts through thick plastic blister packaging
Label maker
Duct tape of different colors

Random entertaining stuff that is good to have on hand, but does not occur to people to buy
pie server
cheese knives
serving tongs
big platters and serving bowls
tiny spoons and forks for charcuterie
cocktail napkins and holder
Large serving utensils
Wine chiller


these are great ideas! actually even better if in not-so-snowy climes--you never know when you might need the snow scraper!


Speaking of cheese knives, has anyone ever bought/used a butter spreader with the little holes (Williams Sonoma has one). Looks cute but wonder if it's useful and also I hate to say many people nowadays buy tubs of whatever is not actually butter...
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 08:52     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wood cutting boards - since all my cutting boards are plastic and now I need to replace them because of the tiny shards of plastic we are accidentally consuming!


But wood cutting boards can't go in the dishwasher and shouldn't be used for raw meat. So what's your plan then? I think replacing plastic ones more frequently is really the answer.


Try these - they are the best... "Crafted from high-density pine leaf sustainable material and made in the USA, this fiber-wood cutting board" goes in the dishwasher.

https://www.amazon.com/Elihome-Composite-Dishwasher-Eco-Friendly-Non-Porous/dp/B08R56YHLP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=BGG85K9Z2BUM&keywords=elihome%2Bcutting%2Bboard&qid=1702425303&sprefix=Elih%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1


The preserve ones are better because they’re recycled.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 08:50     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:I hate all of these ideas. My parents or MIL have given us most of them and we have returned or donated their bomba socks, first aid kits, decorative crap, bidets and a lot of other suggestions I see here. We are adults. We have first aid kits. We will NEVER use a bidet. I don’t want those overpriced socks.

Know the person you are buying for. A practical gift I’d use is a case of toilet paper, method cleaning spray, tooth paste… something consumable that the family goes through a lot. Please don’t clutter my house with stuff you think I need.


You’ll never use a bidet? Gross. How do you properly clean yourself? Dry tissue doesn’t clean it all!!!!
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 07:50     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Really nice plungers for every sink and toilet

That ikea tool box w/ all the different tools including different screwdrivers

Swingline stapler and staples

Custom stamp with family name and address

A really good broom and dustpan


Please do not ever buy a plunger as a gift. Or broom/dustpan.


+1000 Please!! Just don’t.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 07:31     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Dude wipes and toilet paper - the good kind.


Not unless you also give them a really, really generous gift card to a good plumber.

Scott1000FORLYFE


#TeamScott1000

Saw me through the pandemic.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 07:22     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:I hate all of these ideas. My parents or MIL have given us most of them and we have returned or donated their bomba socks, first aid kits, decorative crap, bidets and a lot of other suggestions I see here. We are adults. We have first aid kits. We will NEVER use a bidet. I don’t want those overpriced socks.

Know the person you are buying for. A practical gift I’d use is a case of toilet paper, method cleaning spray, tooth paste… something consumable that the family goes through a lot. Please don’t clutter my house with stuff you think I need.


I was feeling like such a high-maintenance B for the past couple days, thinking wow, all these ideas really suck. With the exception of just a couple things, there was absolutely nothing on this thread I'd love. I'd appreciate the thought, but the gift would just be clutter and likely go on our buy nothing page by next Christmas.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 07:18     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
I hate all of these ideas. My parents or MIL have given us most of them and we have returned or donated their bomba socks, first aid kits, decorative crap, bidets and a lot of other suggestions I see here. We are adults. We have first aid kits. We will NEVER use a bidet. I don’t want those overpriced socks.

Know the person you are buying for. A practical gift I’d use is a case of toilet paper, method cleaning spray, tooth paste… something consumable that the family goes through a lot. Please don’t clutter my house with stuff you think I need.
Anonymous
Post 12/13/2023 00:37     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Decorative items for the home! You can get really nice stuff at Home Goods and Ross!


There is literally nothing decorative at Home Goods or Ross that I would keep. Expect rictus smiles and forced thanks if you go this route.


You are an outlier - everyone I give stuff from Home Goods or Ross absolutely loves and cherishes it.


you are probably one of those people who has good luck and good eye - my mom and one of my friends are like this, very good at finding the really good finds as discount stores that are good quality and one of a kind, not the discounted le crueset/all clad pans but quality serve ware, soft beautiful cushions, just really nice one off things. Some people just get overwhelmed and cant really 'thrift'.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 23:46     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The OXO y-peeler is a good suggestion. Got one several months ago and could not believe what an improvement it was!


OXO is the best. They have consistently high quality materials. I love buying their kitchen stuff. Just got some fridge organizers from them and they're amazing.


It's true, they do make good kitchen tools. Even if I have a peeler or can opener or whatever, chances are an OXO version will work a little better.
I’m left handed and can only use oxo peelers. They’re awesome.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 22:58     Subject: Re:Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
A portable/runs on car lighter (or wherever they call that now) tire inflater. Perfect to top off tires whenever needed without having to find an air pump at a gas station and can do bike tires too.

A Pinch Provision kit- has actually come in handy multiple times. Cute enough to feel like a treat while still being practical.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 22:21     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Decorative items for the home! You can get really nice stuff at Home Goods and Ross!


There is literally nothing decorative at Home Goods or Ross that I would keep. Expect rictus smiles and forced thanks if you go this route.


You are an outlier - everyone I give stuff from Home Goods or Ross absolutely loves and cherishes it.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 18:56     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wood cutting boards - since all my cutting boards are plastic and now I need to replace them because of the tiny shards of plastic we are accidentally consuming!


But wood cutting boards can't go in the dishwasher and shouldn't be used for raw meat. So what's your plan then? I think replacing plastic ones more frequently is really the answer.


Try these - they are the best... "Crafted from high-density pine leaf sustainable material and made in the USA, this fiber-wood cutting board" goes in the dishwasher.

https://www.amazon.com/Elihome-Composite-Dishwasher-Eco-Friendly-Non-Porous/dp/B08R56YHLP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=BGG85K9Z2BUM&keywords=elihome%2Bcutting%2Bboard&qid=1702425303&sprefix=Elih%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 16:52     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The OXO y-peeler is a good suggestion. Got one several months ago and could not believe what an improvement it was!


OXO is the best. They have consistently high quality materials. I love buying their kitchen stuff. Just got some fridge organizers from them and they're amazing.


Ooh, strongly disagree. I hate how much space they take up! Maybe in a suburban house with a half-acre kitchen, but in my itty-bitty city house, I can't have one spatula taking up the space of four normal implements.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 16:50     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The OXO y-peeler is a good suggestion. Got one several months ago and could not believe what an improvement it was!


OXO is the best. They have consistently high quality materials. I love buying their kitchen stuff. Just got some fridge organizers from them and they're amazing.


It's true, they do make good kitchen tools. Even if I have a peeler or can opener or whatever, chances are an OXO version will work a little better.
Anonymous
Post 12/12/2023 16:47     Subject: Extremely practical gifts most people would appreciate
Anonymous wrote:The OXO y-peeler is a good suggestion. Got one several months ago and could not believe what an improvement it was!


OXO is the best. They have consistently high quality materials. I love buying their kitchen stuff. Just got some fridge organizers from them and they're amazing.