19
votes
Gift recommendations
What are some things that you enjoy, are useful, or recommend. I'd ask that you include the price in your native currency to give a ballpark and save folks the trouble of following links that are out of their budget.
Here's my list:
Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker - $70 US - I've had these for a few weeks any they are amazing. Super comfortable, I often forget I'm wearing them. Good sound quality, nice charging case, good app. They don't go in your ears, so you can hear what's going on around you. Recommended by our very own @cfabbro
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
$25 US - this undoes the crimp at the side of the can instead of cutting the metal. Not only is it easier to use, there are no sharp edges, and the lid can be reused. Seriously, this is a 100% a great kitchen upgrade.
African Rope Net - $18 - this link is for CeeCee's Closet where they are (I understand) handmade by Africans. This is better than the best Loofah ever. The rope actually has tiny little knots, so it's super scrubby. It's not bunched up, so it dries completely, and you can launder it. I bought it on the recommendation of our very own @definitelynotafae
Contigo Cortland Chill 2.0 - $16 US - this is a great water bottle. It keeps liquid cold for a long time, and it doesn't leak when it tips over. It works well with seltzer water (and doesn't leak when tipped over - I tried any other bottles, and most of them leak), though it does tend to "sing" if the pressure builds up for too long.
AINOPE USB C Cable (2-Pack) - $7 - these have a right angle USB-C end which is nice if you're using your phone in bed / a chair while charging. They have held up really well, and 6ft is a nice length. I've bought 6 or 8 of these.
I love my African net sponges. They're so good. Glad you enjoy yours.
I also picked up the African net sponge on your recommendation, I love it!
That can opener is legit and all of the OXO good grips lineup is also worth the money!
I got one of those can openers from my in laws a few years back. 10/10 gift, I used to be very nervous about sharp metal edges when I opened cans. No more! And it's held up well, I imagine I'll get another 10-20 years out of this one unless I mistreat it.
As someone who deeply sliced their thumb open on a can lid just the other day, this can opener just got added to my list.
Oh super ouch!? Did it close nicely and stop hurting by now I hope?
Yep! Fortunately it ended up okay, didn’t have to remove the entire thumb.
What Happened?! I'm asking because you're okay now (phew) but deep cuts from home situations are so scary to me! I've inadvertently nicked myself plenty of times but nothing a bandaid can't fix. Was it a loose lid in recycling bag you reached deeply into at a high velocity?
All prices USD. I like to give gifts that are slightly whimsical but useful.
For an upcoming White Elephant with gamer friends, I got a Spider-Man controller holder ($15 in-store) and Xbox controller bag clips ($5 in-store).
For someone who's into cooking, I got a kit of kitchen tools in the shape of animals ($30) and a cookbook holder ($18).
For someone into gardening, I got a mini terrarium ($14) and cactus-shaped fridge magnets ($8)
For myself, I'd want something like the Cardputer Adv ($30).
For inspiration, I checked out Wirecutter, World Market, Vat19, Uncommon Goods and OffTheWagon.
Nit: the “kitchen tools in the shape of animals” link is a copy of one of the other links.
The vibe of OffTheWagon reminded me of these prank gift boxes.
I like to give, "Oh, wow, that's a thing?" or "Oh, wow, I can own one?" presents. All are about 20-25 USD.
I've given 5000 year old Irish bog oak necklaces.
I've given 100 million year old fossils.
I've given slices of meteorites from outer space. Own a piece of outer space!
If you want to spend like 15 USD more, you can get more interesting meteorites: like when a meteorite hits a planet, and that planet ejects rock into the solar system, and that rock eventually hits Earth - that's a thing! Meaning that you can get slices of meteorites that originated from the moon or Mars.
My final one is only available intermittently, but you can send your name to space. NASA has this thing with their exploratory spacecraft; it's kinda a way for them to show Congress the interest their missions have from the general public. About 18 months or so before a mission launch, they'll post a "send your name to space" notice. They collect (and presumably do some kind of sanitizing on the names to prevent "Hugh J Ackoff" from being included) the names and then they're either included on a USB drive (boo!) or micro-engraved on a plaque (yay!).
They then generate a 'boarding pass' with your name on it that you can download. I've done this for various friends and family, then printed off the boarding passes onto a nice cardstock, and given those as presents. The cost is a little time entering the names, laying out the boarding passes, and the cost of ink and cardstock.
Edit: if anyone knows or any other weird/wow stuff, I'd love to hear about it!
Not exactly what you're asking for, but my wife and I were struggling to find gifts for my brother and his wife since we each got them in my family's secret santa this year. We decided to donate to a cause that means a lot to them (a scholarship fund for their friend who passed). We're getting them nice cards with a handwritten message in them. Heartfelt, nothing to wrap, don't have to worry about it ending up in a landfill, etc.
(Canadian dollars)
Two extremes:
(1) Quirky and completely useless shared memory gifts
These were what I most wanted as a younger person, my favourite for secret santa, from extended family, and of course from my closest friends. They're conversation starters, and it provides a permanent quirky memory link to that person I can look back upon fondly for years. Recently recovered an old Sigmund Freud action figure gifted to me in my teens, when we took AP psych together (eBay) ($25).
(2) Boring good quality item that allows me to throw away less good quality items finally
But. I'm just old now, and I have packed/moved long distances a few times, so I only want boring, good quality things I don't have to replace for a long time if they're meant to be used, and completely not useful things that go on the decor/memories shelfs that I won't feel guilty they're not serving their quirky intended function. Bonus points if the new good quality item allows me to throw out a bunch of less quality items. Bonus bonus points for things I already have but lost of few members of. Again, boring is key.
This year boring gifts I love: strong fridge magnets Kungsfors, from IKEA ($8/3)
(4) Slightly fancy food gifts that I wouldn't normally buy for myself: Truffles Pizza Kit (Costco, $30 USD); freeze dried / air shipped durian ($10-$50+); charcuterie ($30-100); imported Japanese snacks ($30-100) etc
I love gifting board games! I think that they're always fun to go on people's shelves, and you'll always have a good thing to do. It might be more work because you have to do research and play a few games with them to see what they like about each game, but I feel like anything from Kosmos is always fun (The Gang imo is good for people in general because it's pretty much Texas Hold'em, and I personally really like The Crew 2. Exit games are excellent for escape room lovers!)
If you know exactly what they like it's even better too, niche interests are definitely covered! Slay the Spire, anyone?
There's even games for themes if people like things like... plants, zoos, alternate history, or anything really. (just one of my favorites, the studio itself is excellent too)
I try and personalize my gifts for the most part, but I personally think a Towel Warmer (I don't know which model is the best to be honest because I don't have one myself) is the perfect gift for housewarmings and such. It's something I don't think anyone would willingly buy themselves for themselves, but it makes life just a bit better.
That's a great idea!. I actually got my wife and daughter this towel warmer ($68 US) last year. I had forgotten about it because it ends up living in the closet due to our tiny bathroom, but it works very well when we remember to drag it out.