I bought this for my dads birthday. He’s 80 and has everything he needs so it was hard thinking of something. This is the upgraded model to my waterproof portable speaker that I use a lot. I spent weeks on Spotify doing a playlist I thought he would like and shared the link ( I’m a premium member). I also included songs he and his wife would enjoy together (after looking on her FB page of music likes) and also put in a mild mix for different age groups. Dad is still very much an active outdoors man and also has a (hate this word - ManCave) and boats , motorhome etc...

It was a HUGE hit. I have to say though that the first few days he was grumpy figuring out the UE app download for his phone and the Spotify app but after that he loved it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FFV59PY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

EDITED to add: if Interested in this product, look around as dads exact same model was $40 less.

I bought this towel warmer for my husband last year for his birthday. We didn’t have the proper plumbing for a more traditional built in warming rack so I took a chance on this one. He uses it every day and says it is one of his favorite gifts ever. Towels come out like they’ve just been in the dryer. My daughter tried it when she was visiting and now she wants one.

Same company but different color.

https://www.wayfair.com/Zadro--Ultra-Large-Luxury-Free-Standing-Electric-Towel-Warmer-TWB01-L3811-K~ZPS10005.html?refid=GX140429330078-ZPS10005&device=m&ptid=808776233416&network=g&targetid=aud-354999624671:pla-808776233416&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=88845539&fdid=1817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjt_20uik5QIVOYNaBR1PsAQ7EAQYASABEgLTOPD_BwE

Glad you started this! I’ve been thinking about gifts more lately.

I buy a lot off Etsy.

Currently really like these handmade ceramic mugs. Might get one. The ’crystals’ are supposedly positioned outward So you won’t poke your eye.

He has other things too.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/629541712/design-your-own-classic-crystal-mug?ref=hp_rv-1

Animal/ornaments.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/103379869/needle-felted-super-bear-flying-with-jet?ref=hp_rf-1

I would have loved these as a kid.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/716597525/unicorn-jiggles?ref=user_profile&frs=1

Custom pet ornaments.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanillaBrandiArt?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=510426512

This lady makes jewelry from china and will make custom pieces with yours too. Not really my style but I think it’s a unique gift.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DinnerWearJewelry?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=681783800

Bought these for DS1 but I’ll admit I’m really excited to hopefully get to make one. :)

They have all kinds of perler bead sets

https://www.amazon.com/Perler-Beads-Super-Crafts-Activity/dp/B074P7F6CS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=mario+perler+beads&qid=1571376547&sprefix=mario+perler&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWEtQSTNaRjlYN0JEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTI0NzMyMjg3N0tRNUc1V0lBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NTA5MTUxMEtMOFZYT0M2UjJKJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Sorry the full links are posted. On my phone there’s no add a link option.

Jojo

I love the idea of a towel warmer but it seems there isn’t a convenient place to plug them in in most bathrooms.

Something that I just got and LOVING would make a good stocking stuffer is an LED head lamp light you wear on your forehead. I just got a super cheap one at dollar tree if you can believe which included the batteries too and I love this thing. I am always doing things that need lots of light but don't really have a good light source. I can see details that I didn't even know existed with this thing on! You can buy better ones of course. What got me wanting one was my male neighbor. He was outside doing the brakes on his truck and had one on. I asked him about it and he said "this thing is awesome!". He had paid like $30 for his LED headlamp though back when they just came out. You can get them for a lot cheaper than that now for even a nice one. Just make sure it's LED though so it's good and bright. It would be great for people that sew I think. I'm mostly using mine for dog related tasks such as Dremelling the toenails.

Arkansas girl thanks for reminding me about the headlamps, DH has mentioned we should get some new ones(cant find the old ones since moving). We use them dog walking.

Jojo, living in the NE as you do I bet those towel warmers really come in handy.

ARgirl, I've worn the head lamps in caves and we were given one as a gift a long time ago but I never knew what to do with them. Great idea about extra light!

For book lovers, THESE are great gifts One year I gave them to everyone and I've used mine many times, especially when the power's out.

At a local art fair, I saw a photographer who takes old photos and combines them, like an overlay, with the same scene today. He sells them as individuals works but also had books for several cities. I bought the book of Chicago images for my brother who lives in the city and knows a lot about the old places. The book is on heavy paper that lays flat when opened.

Kids love the headlamps! Two years ago I found some really cute ones to put in with my more practical gift (LOL, they get so many toys!!) I found some cute animal ones at Target. I'd love to hear more stocking stuffer/small gift ideas. My family quit doing gifts years ago but now that we are such a small group, we siblings give little things to each other. We do larger gifts to our Dad and my husband's mother.

Bpath, do you have a site for those? Sounds cool.

I have bought two presents. Tickets to see Porgy and Bess at the Met for DH and I. I have never seen it and the NYT raved.

And one of my DD was on the hunt for mahogany color crocodile boots. She wanted midcalf and (for some reason) she hates hates stacked heels; the heel had to be covered with the same crocodile pattern. I convinced her that the midcalf ones now in style were not flattering and she should get to the knee, which never go out of style. She didn't want a Western vibe, wanted something classic. She looked and looked and the only ones she liked were like 700-1000 pounds. Umm no. Not to mention buying shoes internationally is unwise if you can't try them on and they are hard to return.

SO I found these and had to buy them:

PS Does it still count as a Christmas gift if I caved and gave them to her already? oops

Mtn, totally OT, but I thought you might appreciate this. About 10 years ago something came up that conflicted with our tickets to see Porgy and Bess at the SF Opera. I remembered really not liking that opera from my 8th grade music class, so without batting an eyelash called up some friends and gave them our tickets instead of rescheduling. Next opera night, bump into another one of the subscribers who says that performance of P&B was the best opera she had seen since subscribing in 1968! Talk about feeling like an idiot.

MtnRd, Here is the website for Time After Time Photography. He has photos for many cities. His website has a section for universities, but it’s empty, it would be cool though. He also does custom work (sea captain’s houses, for example?)

His prints are great, but I especially like the books. They really are good quality and open flat, the paper is fairly stiff. I bought from him the second time I saw him at another art show, and offered to pick up the book since he is not far from me, but he of course doesn’t keep the books in the house, they are mailed. I was quite mystified, however, to receive a package from Shanghai a few weeks later! Never thought they were produced there lol

The San Francisco images are mostly Great Earthquake aftermath matched with the same location today.

Bpath, thank you. That is so interesting! Great find.

Zalco, We like opera but really for us that means the same dozen or so Italian and French operas. Never got into German opera for example. When I read the rave reviews, it seemed like an easy to one to add to our repertoire.

Mtn, I almost always cave and give gifts early. I’m the worse!

I bought this faux leather & lace vest for a close out of state family member for Christmas and liked it so much I bought myself one.

Its killing me trying not to send it now.

Most people have their pictures stored on a PC & a great gift are pictures you've taken or someone took and you downloaded it. I love hard copies of photos.

I take a ton of pictures of my kids and grandkids and those I consider "frame worthy" I get copies made and framed, at various sizes. I also choose a lot of pictures and have them made at regular picture size, so the recipient can put them in a photo book.

My son's are too lazy to do all of that work and they are extremely grateful. I like to see their eye's widen when they open the gift.

A month ago I ordered THIS for myself since I'm notorious at writing notes to myself. I was so impressed I'm going to give them as gifts. They're made where you can tear a thick stack for each room of the house.

Good quality paper and the price is worth it.

DH is an avid photographer and we have been to some real photo-worthy places in the last few months: South Africa, Bostwana, fields of sunflowers close to home, Albuquerque hot air balloon festival, the aspens in Santa Fe last week, etc...I am thinking of giving 8x10 or 11x14 framed photos to everyone on our list this year!

I really like giving handmade (not necessarily made by me! but by someone with talent) gifts and try to focus on that for holiday gifts. Or, for the people who have everything, gift cards that are slightly different from "the usual" -- maybe for a stay at a bed & breakfast, or a well-reviewed restaurant in the recipient's town, etc. Having said that, I never know what to get for my dad, who has everything he needs and will be 85 soon.

OT, sorry, ...SueB, how was your trip to NM? And how is the "empty nest" going, though it seems you two flew the nest as well for now (great strategy, I shall have to steal it).

We looooved Santa Fe! I was going to post some pics on a dedicated thread but the photo-posting wonkiness made me give up. Empty nest description involves every emotion in the book. We are getting used to it. DD is really happy at school!

Glad to hear it, Sue! : )

Lots of great ideas here. I just ordered monogrammed soap for my sister‘s birthday. I thought she might use it in her guest bathroom. the package of three came and look and smell wonderful. She has everything ...the sad part is she might already have some. Americanstationery.com

I am uncharacteristically behind on Christmas shopping and ideas.. I have a few items for my mom including a coach fanny pack and fleece lined tights/leggings. Her computer was hacked a few weeks ago and I realized she's still running on Win7 so I think we'll likely pitch in and get her a new computer.

I have very few ideas for the remaining family/friends. Keep the posts coming!

I just purchased two of these -- not sure who I will give them to but since I have two sisters and 4 nieces, I am sure I will gift at least one of them.

I have a similar bag in Italian leather (also from Banana Republic) that I bought last year. Mine has a strap to "close" it on top but the size is about the same. I love it for carrying a folder or two into/from the office and especially for my day trips to Philadelphia on the train.

I don't have one yet, but I'm planning on purchasing this Flight Flap phone and tablet holder for myself, and one for my adult kids' grab bag of gifts. I think that it will be great for plane travel.

We have these reading lights and they are also useful for taking out the trash at night.

reading lights

The towel warmer looks awesome but our bathrooms are tiny.

I made some gifts on Shutterfly last year: a calendar of our concert photos, mugs, and they have pretty much anything you can want.