h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know a lot of people have trouble shopping for gifts... So I thought if we shared what we are all getting for our family and friends for christmas, maybe we could inspire each other and give each other good ideas

I myself have not bought that many gifts yet and am in desperate need of inspiration.

So far I have bought:

Stings biography "Broken Music" for my brother.
A batterie recharger for my brothers fiance.

What about you guys, done any christmas shopping yet? Or have you planned what you are going to get?

(Warning: Only post in this thread if you don't have any family and friends who frequent this place )

I've got nothing yet Dax!

Tell a lie - I bought my boyfriend a 3 month gym membership but he's already using it.

Alot of people like to play Xmas chicken - leaving gift buying to the very last minute. I'm too scared for that and usually start in the 2nd or 3rd week in December.

We got an electric 3 tier steamer from b/f's parents about a month ago - they like to shop early!

I've not done any yet, but need to do some in the next two weeks for people on the course I'm on, and I've not got a clue what to get them.....
I was under the impression that 'Girls' are easier to buy for as I can just buy a load of nice smelly and soapy and such like things from Boots or somewhere simular for them... I hope that is true as that would make life easier for more than half of the group on the ocurse.... I'm thinking of getting my Dad some stuff for the kitchen, he needs a new wok and I might get him a decentish new coffee machine too, and I was thinking of ordering a cheese selection from an online site too, though that is cheating a bit as I'll be able to enduldge in it myself when I'm home for Chrstmas my Brother is easiest, he just gets cash if you know what I mean Dificult deciding what to get though innit...

Ive got nothing yet n still have no idea whos getting what!i usually have a last minute spree with a budget in mind n just get what i see first someone would like

I havent boght presints for enabody yet besause i don't have eny body to go with after all i'm only 11.

Glad to see I'm not the only one having problems

I still need to shop for my mom, and she is impossible to shop for...

Hmm... thinking about the shopping problem with shopping for an entire class/cource whatever... If I were shopping for people I didn't know, what would I get? The smelly/soapy stuff as you put it is good for women, some women If it were me, I would prefer some candles and/or candle holders instead of the soapy stuff. If you don't know people that well, you may wind up getting them some smelly/soapy stuff that they are allergic to. Candles in all shapes and sizes usually go over well, just be careful if you buy sented candles, some scents may make some people sick (I throw up if I smell vanilla canles). Lavender and Rose candles are usually safe to buy, most people respond well to that, and lavender relieves headaches and gives peaceful sleep.

A part from candles you you try going to a special shop and getting some tea or flavoured coffee, maybe some chocolates. Maybe a little gift basket with all the items. There are many cool possibilities when shopping for people you may not know all that well.

Hope I inspired you a little

Thanns and boy's for girls we like jurily and flours and big flufy thins.

I won't tell you what I'm getting for Odo, because she might read this.

So far, the plan is:

'Poker For Dummies' for my brother
The Katie Melua CD for my Dad
A new purse for my Mum
Scented candles for my stepmother (the same present as I have bought her for every Christmas and birthday for the last 5 years)
A bottle of scotch for my Mum's boyf
A bottle of Baileys and some shortbread for my Nan.
Chocolates for Odo's family, who I will actually be spending Christmas with.

B

I came to the decision that I’ll do my Christmas shopping over Amazon this year. We’ll see if that’s a good idea... Probably it would be wise to start ordering soon – otherwise the items won’t arrive in time!

The problem of course is that I don’t know what to buy. Why don’t people have Amazon wish lists? It would make life so much easier!

Maybe I gonna do some handicrafts.



katkodl

Please, please, no more candles or bath smellies!

Hubby apparently hasn't noticed that I have showers, not baths and that candles only appear if there's a power cut or special meal (infrequent).

Why are they thought to be so suitable for women? Judging from the number of such items I see put out as raffle prizes, they are not the most popular of gifts!

My shopping will probably be internet based, mostly at Amazon. I'm getting a bit stressed at the lack of Christmas lists this year - I'm not good at thinking up surprises!

Personally I like candle gifts; scented and otherwise

As does my stepmother.

B

I think there are worse gifts than candles – for example ugly Santa- or angel-figurines. At least you can burn candles down quickly if you don’t like them, and get rid of them that way . Same with soap: just throw it in water and it will vanish ! No way to get rid of kitschy figurines that easily!

katkodl

I agree totally about the figurines. Never buy that sort of thing for someone unless you are sure that someone will like it...

You can always tell by the gift if the giftgiver knows you or not

Don't think my hubby knows me well then...........once in a blue moon he's inspired

I'm designated 'Bosses christmas pressie buyer' this year. So instead of lining the pockets of high street retailers we are going to adopt an animal - yet to be choosen- from the 'Born free foundation' putting our money to good use and not leaving the boss with a grimace on her face saying 'Oh its lovely, you realy shouldnt have' and meaning it!

How about giving a goat instead?

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/generationwhy/what_can_you_do/do_something_different/buy_a_goat.htm



G

Well, depends of course on where you all live, but I got a day trip to Paris on the eurostar for some close family. (What they do when they get there is their problem!!) but It's not too expensive! For the others, it's rather common-or-garden stuff. But I do like the shop "L'occitane" for smelly stuff!!And now, shopping on the net has the added attraction of not doing the shops!!!

The Hawkins website has some really good, quirky presents for people who already have everything (somebody you know would really appreciate a wine-bottle thermometer, or a package of frankincense and myrrh), and if you ring up in a panic 3 days before Christmas they can usually get it out to you in time (well, they have done for me in the past).

Last year I did 90% of my Christmas shopping in a single shop in a single day - it was Beatties department store - and then they delivered everything to my home for me. Easily the unstressiest Christmas shop ever.

One tip my sister in law gave me years ago was to spend as little as you can on presents for young children. When they are older and have acquired more discernment, only the proper stuff will do, so you can't get away with it forever. But small kids love stickers, kids' magazines, tubs of bubbles, their own version of grown-up stuff - SIC was thrilled the year somebody gave her a pink egg-cup and 20 thin bangles, total cost to giver £1, pleasure to recipient immeasurable (and long-lasting - she still uses the egg-cup). And trying to spend the same amount on siblings doesn't always work - young children don't understand money, but they can count.

A timely thread - must do my shopping this week ...

Mol

Well, I found some beautiful tealight holders that double as vases when you remove the top part. My mom wanted vases, so she's getting those.

Now I only need a gift for my boyfriend and I'm done; but that is the hardest one