Memorable Gift

[chochoice]

Thanksgiving is coming, you know what that means? Black Friday.

It is time for me to start planning/saving for the shopping list. Can anyone share some stories of their most memorable presents whether they gave or received? I really need some gift ideas

 

[rdowns]

I love Thanksgiving and the anticipation of standing on some long ass line with other idiots buying some Chinese made crap at not so really good prices. American traditions are the best.

 

[Gutwrench]

@chochoice - This idea probably isn't memorable in a heartwarming way like you might intend, but I recently bought a few Sonos products and like them very much. The Play1 (in the U.S.) are about $199 each. Their other products go up from there.

Also, I'm available to be a friend and get on your shopping list.

 

[cbrand493]

Thanksgiving is coming, you know what that means? Black Friday.

It is time for me to start planning/saving for the shopping list. Can anyone share some stories of their most memorable presents whether they gave or received? I really need some gift ideas

If by memorable you mean they'll last a lifetime some examples I've given and receive include:

Decent Swiss watches (Tag, Omega, Rolex etc depending on budget), been given and gave many over the years.

Fountain Pens. Especially to a College/University student. That lasts right through one's career. Some examples I have are Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 149, Graf von Faber Castell Classic Anello Ebony etc.

 

[Mousse]

Two gifts I easily recall giving, because of the ordeal I had to endure in obtaining those gifts.

1996 - Tickle Me Elmo. I remember 'rasslin' a 60 year old grandmother for the last one in the shop. Tap out, Granny. Tap out.

1983 - Cabbage Patch Kids. I staved off a mob of angry mothers while my partner made off with two Cabbage Patch Kids (Andy and Sue). We decided that I would be the distraction since I was younger and would heal faster.

I've pretty much given up on fighting the masses during Black Friday. I've become a Roger Murtaugh: "I'm too old for this s---."

 

[Tomorrow]

Bought my wife a Brighton handbag a few years ago. I thought it was pretty expensive and overrated for a handbag (I'm not really a handbag guy), but she absolutely loves it, and it's still her everyday carry. Makes it all worthwhile as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Bought my wife a Brighton handbag a few years ago. I thought it was pretty expensive and overrated for a handbag (I'm not really a handbag guy), but she absolutely loves it, and it's still her everyday carry. Makes it all worthwhile as far as I'm concerned.

That is a lovely story - and one that must be a source of quiet pleasure and pride when recalled. It is nice to get a present right. Anyway, I hope that she gets many more years of pleasure (and use) from the bag.

 

[yg17]

I love Thanksgiving and the anticipation of standing on some long ass line with other idiots buying some Chinese made crap at not so really good prices. American traditions are the best.

It's not a true American Thanksgiving unless you get to participate in a Black Friday stampede. You can even turn it into a game based off how badly you injure other people. 5 points for broken limbs. 10 points for traumatic brain injury. 20 for spinal injury. Automatic win if you kill someone.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I love Thanksgiving and the anticipation of standing on some long ass line with other idiots buying some Chinese made crap at not so really good prices. American traditions are the best.

I'm with you on this. Manufactured happiness and hysteria...

It's not a true American Thanksgiving unless you get to participate in a Black Friday stampede. You can even turn it into a game based off how badly you injure other people. 5 points for broken limbs. 10 points for traumatic brain injury. 20 for spinal injury. Automatic win if you kill someone.

And this cornucopia of delights is one I would be more than happy to give a miss to, as well…..

 

[Savor]

Two gifts I easily recall giving, because of the ordeal I had to endure in obtaining those gifts.

1996 - Tickle Me Elmo. I remember 'rasslin' a 60 year old grandmother for the last one in the shop. Tap out, Granny. Tap out.

1983 - Cabbage Patch Kids. I staved off a mob of angry mothers while my partner made off with two Cabbage Patch Kids (Andy and Sue). We decided that I would be the distraction since I was younger and would heal faster.

I've pretty much given up on fighting the masses during Black Friday. I've become a Roger Murtaugh: "I'm too old for this s---."

A real-life Jingle All The Way (1996) experience. Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmo? Those were the days. Remember Furby? I hated those little *beep*. Wouldn't shut up.

A much scarier experience were for launch day PS3's in 2006. And the majority of the buyers lining up were planning to sell it on eBay after seeing how crazy Xbox 360's went for the year prior. People were literally fighting and getting killed for them.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A real-life Jingle All The Way (1996) experience. Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmo? Those were the days. Remember Furby? I hated those little *beep*. Wouldn't shut up.

A much scarier experience were for launch day PS3's in 2006. And the majority of the buyers lining up were planning to sell it on eBay after seeing how crazy Xbox 360's went for the year prior. People were literally fighting and getting killed for them.

A surreal version of predatory capitalism at its lunatic worst.

To my mind, (but, then, I tend to value time over money), to queue for an age for something that I, myself, would like is borderline insanity and I would have a difficult time justifying it to myself.

To queue for an age in order to obtain an item merely to make what you hope is a financial killing by immediately selling it is a mental landscape I cannot begin to comprehend.

 

[A.Goldberg]

What's your budget? One of my most treasured gifts is a quality pen, engraved with my title. Can be well done from anywhere from ~$30 to thousands depending on the writing instrument of choice.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What's your budget? One of my most treasured gifts is a quality pen, engraved with my title. Can be well done from anywhere from ~$30 to thousands depending on the writing instrument of choice.

Well, in truth, I love beautiful pens, too, but they are the sort of gift that would be best appreciated by someone who actually writes quite a bit.

 

[Huntn]

I'm really hoping I can purchase an Xbox One (a gift) on Black Friday at Best Buy for $299 without having to stand in line at 5am.

Update: Found a better deal at Target, $299 + $60 gift certificate. Now if I can just order this online... Btw, my mistake, sales start on Thursday at 6pm.

 

[Huntn]

What's your budget? One of my most treasured gifts is a quality pen, engraved with my title. Can be well done from anywhere from ~$30 to thousands depending on the writing instrument of choice.

My favorite pen is the Pilot G2, blue ink.

 

[A.Goldberg]

My favorite pen is the Pilot G2, blue ink.

The G2 is my preferred all around pen, especially back in college. I prefer black ink, usually .7mm.

Alternatively the Zebra g-301 if I want to use something a little more stylish but not care if it gets lost. They run out of ink pretty quickly though. If I need to use ballpoint ink, then the F-301 is my choice.

 

[0388631]

To me, memorable gifts are something true and unique. Thoughtful gifts that took time and consideration to track down. Electronics don't really count as memorable because they'll last a few years to a decade and then die. One of the best gifts I've ever received was a signed first edition many eons ago. It's worth quite a bit now and is insured and also protected. I haven't had a lot of time to read in recent years and don't get to read more than 30 minutes a week now it seems, but I've always loved books. Not the biggest fan of reading, but I loved books of specific genres. I'm not sure that makes any sense. Ironically, one of the best gifts to myself was a Kindle. Cheaper prices than paperback or hardcover, and not susceptible to damage, like baby barf (RIP Bel Canto). The thing with Kindle is, that AZ is so committed to customer satisfaction, that they seem to replace broken units outside the warranty period. They make next to nothing on the Kindles, but they make a 30% cut on all books outside of their publishing houses.

In the first few years of our marriage, I did buy my wife some lovely hand crafted furniture like an armoire that has intricate carvings, inlays of special woods, etc. as a Christmas gift, IIRC. I can't really remember if it was for that or a Birthday gift, but it's still in use today and we'll probably pass it on when the time comes. The gentleman who built most of the stuff I bought was an Irish (I think) ex-pat who's long croaked since then.

I think a good fountain pen will be a great gift too. They will last indefinitely given enough care. Or a nice pocket watch or grandfather clock. Maybe I'm a little old fashioned when it comes to gifts.

It's not a true American Thanksgiving unless you get to participate in a Black Friday stampede. You can even turn it into a game based off how badly you injure other people. 5 points for broken limbs. 10 points for traumatic brain injury. 20 for spinal injury. Automatic win if you kill someone.

Or deal with family being annoying.

 

[chochoice]

No one enjoys waiting in the cold for who knows how long, but the satisfaction of getting that 60% off of the flat screen tv will surely change anyone's mind.

For my budget wise, I have prepared about $500. The presents are for friends who I have known since middle school, which makes it a little harder since we have known each other for so long that we have practically given all the typical things. (friends include both genders)

I have given engraved Zippos to my guy friends before which seems to be a hit, but girls are much harder to please....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

To me, memorable gifts are something true and unique. Thoughtful gifts that took time and consideration to track down. Electronics don't really count as memorable because they'll last a few years to a decade and then die. One of the best gifts I've ever received was a signed first edition many eons ago. It's worth quite a bit now and is insured and also protected. I haven't had a lot of time to read in recent years and don't get to read more than 30 minutes a week now it seems, but I've always loved books. Not the biggest fan of reading, but I loved books of specific genres. I'm not sure that makes any sense. Ironically, one of the best gifts to myself was a Kindle. Cheaper prices than paperback or hardcover, and not susceptible to damage, like baby barf (RIP Bel Canto). The thing with Kindle is, that AZ is so committed to customer satisfaction, that they seem to replace broken units outside the warranty period. They make next to nothing on the Kindles, but they make a 30% cut on all books outside of their publishing houses.

In the first few years of our marriage, I did buy my wife some lovely hand crafted furniture like an armoire that has intricate carvings, inlays of special woods, etc. as a Christmas gift, IIRC. I can't really remember if it was for that or a Birthday gift, but it's still in use today and we'll probably pass it on when the time comes. The gentleman who built most of the stuff I bought was an Irish (I think) ex-pat who's long croaked since then.

I think a good fountain pen will be a great gift too. They will last indefinitely given enough care. Or a nice pocket watch or grandfather clock. Maybe I'm a little old fashioned when it comes to gifts.




Or deal with family being annoying.

Pens and watches are terrific gifts (well, I think so) but they are also the sort of gift that you want to be sure that the recipient will appreciate, enjoy and like.

Personally, I love books, but that doesn't mean I love all books. People will buy rubbish, and, unless they know me very well, and have made a serious study of my preferences, they tend to make a mess of the 'book as present' idea. That is why book tokens are an excellent gift for book lovers.

No one enjoys waiting in the cold for who knows how long, but the satisfaction of getting that 60% off of the flat screen tv will surely change anyone's mind.

For my budget wise, I have prepared about $500. The presents are for friends who I have known since middle school, which makes it a little harder since we have known each other for so long that we have practically given all the typical things. (friends include both genders)

I have given engraved Zippos to my guy friends before which seems to be a hit, but girls are much harder to please....

Engraved Zippos are a brilliant idea.

Re female friends, don't fall into the trap of thinking along gender lines, try to think of the person as an individual and what they might like.

 

[rdowns]

No one enjoys waiting in the cold for who knows how long, but the satisfaction of getting that 60% off of the flat screen tv will surely change anyone's mind.

You can't get no satisfaction.

A whopping 93% of stores surveyed are offering customers year-old products for the same "discount" that was offered last year, according to a recent study from NerdWallet. While that may not be a huge issue for things like furniture and cookware, it does matter when it comes to tech and electronics that can be outdated or of poorer quality.

"It's probably not worth waking up very early for," said Matthew Ong, an analyst at NerdWallet.

It's not just the repeats that customers should be watching out for. Ong said that major retailers, likeWalmart (WMT) and Target, (TGT) have special products, like TVs or other electronics, manufactured especially for Black Friday. The prices are great, but the items are of lower quality.

"If you're fine buying a TV that won't last until next year's Black Friday, I guess that's ok," Ong said.

The study analyzed 27 Black Friday advertisements, and found that 25 retailers listed at least one product for the same price in 2014 as in 2013. Office Depot (ODP), for example, offered the same wireless laser printer this year and last year, at the same $349.97 price point. Target, Walgreens(WAG) and PetSmart (PETM) also made the list of repeat offenders, along with many others.

The study also found that Black Friday discounts are offered at the exact same price at other times throughout the year.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/25/news/economy/black-friday-deals/

 

[Scepticalscribe]

One other thing to bear in mind when choosing gifts is to remember that not all woman like stuff that is purely decorative. Speaking personally, I don't. It must have a function, and be able to be used for that function - so, something that is both beautiful and useful, might be worth bearing in mind.