Funkyart, several years ago you shared the titles of some of the books you gave your nephew who enjoys history. I followed your lead and gave my grandson one of the books you suggested and he enjoyed it. I think you suggested the book about the famous spy. I would love for you to share some of your latest book purchases with us.

Happy2b.. so glad my list helped you! I am not a history buff-- my nephew is a voracious reader and he gives me a list each year. Very often the books are out of print and a fun challenge to track down. I should receive a list soon and will share in a separate thread-- i really like threads focused just on gift books. I will also try to go back through his lists from past years.

I gave my kids the same instruction I gave them last year for their lists. They all liked this idea!

-something I want

-something I need

-something to wear

-something to read

I may have gotten the idea from someone here, actually. I end up getting them more than 4 things because I find random stuff I know they’ll like.

I have one of these tops from Life Is Good and I like it a lot. Got one for my BFF for her bday and she loved it. So I got one for DS’s GF for Christmas…unfortunately they don’t seem to have the ones I bought, which had narrow stripes and just a tiny heart or flower on one side of the chest. But this is the same hooded top.

I agree with Funky…when ds was 13 it was lots of sports gear, favorite team jerseys, athletic shoes…newest Jordans are always fun, and Madden games for the Xbox. Teen boys love hoodies here…ds has a lot of Patagonia and Northface ones, as well as favorite colleges. Is he outdoorsy? Eno hammocks make a great gift.

Oh yes.. it's always the new sneaker dropping! My youngest nephew is 19 now and his tastes are shifting more towards the adult... but for years he built his Christmas gift from gamestop and Urban Outfitters. He also liked Champion and Ralph Lauren... and if you aren't into the $200 ++ sneakers, he still likes regular old vans too!

Tip: Urban Outfitters will run great Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales! And they also have fun stocking stuffers (as Mtn has pointed out).

TBH, I'm afraid to wait to get the must-haves. I'd rather pay a little more now than be disappointed by sellouts or mail snafus.

No new ideas here but i got quite a bit marked off my list today! I, too want to order early. i need to come up with some ideas for the Mr.! We buy for our best friends” 3 grandkids and i hope to knock that out this week. They are family to us ❤️

Figured out a few gifts for the kids today when they visited. 13 yr old boy has a new gaming computer he received for his bday and he told me he wants to update his graphics card. I told him to go to his dad. lol And then grandpa got excited because that's his thing too.

I asked both if they have an iPad pillow, and I asked what position they use it in bed. Neither had a clue what it was. Check!

When DGS was using his phone today to play a game I asked him if he uses a stylus. No, but he needs a new Apple pen or pencil. He didn't know what a stylus does and when I told him he can do precise taps he was more than interested. Check.

So they'll both get an iPad pillow, stylus, and grandson an apple pen. He loves WW2 history.

I also thought of getting DGD framed taxidermy butterflies, but they can be pricey.

@Oakley,

Paxton Gate has reasonably priced butterflies in acrylic paper weights. Their store in San Francisco is lots of fun!

https://paxtongate.com/collections/entomology/products/common-tiger-butterfly-paperweight

Here is a link to the full entymology collection.

https://paxtongate.com/collections/entomology?page=1

I bought my mom a framed group of 3 taxidermy butterflies many years ago-- she really loves it and two of the grand daughters were really hoping they'd get it when they moved into their first homes (they did not). I've been considering getting them each one of their own -- thanks for the link lkwrar! The shop where I purchased mine went out of business 7 yr ago.

Thank you lkwrar! Funky, get them one! I don't know anyone who has the butterflies and didn't know if they'd be well received. They will. :)

Holy Moses!! When DGS said he'd like an Apple pencil or pen, I can't remember which, it was going to be included with his iPad pillow. Not now! That thing is a hundred bucks! What?

I like to get my husband fancy upgrades for his favorite hobby: cooking. this year it's a walnut Boos Block.

Oakley, does DS1 have a shop vac? The long hose on it makes it perfect for cars, and will be very useful in the garage in general. It's not cordless, but this one is really little so you could put it in the truck while using it (seems easier than a big shop vac). and only $99! Dewalt is a really good brand too. https://www.amazon.com/DeWALT-Portable-Gallon-Wet-Dry/dp/B07BYHM9NK/ref=dp_fod_3?pd_rd_i=B07BYHM9NK&psc=1

Everyone has wonderful ideas. Thank you, Funkyart, it is so kind of you to offer to look back at past book lists.

I have received this year's list.. i will post it later this evening. It is shorter than usual but I should be able to pull up old lists later this week.

One thing my daughter, who's in her 20s and loves to cook, discovered in the past year and a half -- online cooking classes. We live in a remote rural area so there are no local classes, and one silver lining of the pandemic was a cooking school in the big city pivoting to online classes. It's been so successful that while they've been able to go back to in-person lessons, they're still offering a lot of online courses each month.

My daughter already told her boyfriend, when he said he had no idea what to get her, that she would love a gift certificate for a couple of classes. I might help him get some special ingredients and cooking supplies to round it out.

Our oldest son is an avid outdoorsman. He hikes for miles to go hunting and fishing. I read about this set in a magazine and ordered it for him. Messermeister Knife Set

My dad doesn’t really need anything and only expressed interest in a new beanie hat. Dad retired to the U.P where winters can get cold. After visting a few online sites for keeping a bald head warm recommendations , I decided on three. Although in his eighties he is still an active outdoorsman. I bought one cap for inside or light weather, a fleese lined beanie for cold and a Sheepskin Fur Russian Ushanka for freezing snow storms.

I gave him clues on what he was getting and that they would be coming separately for fun. He said this year he wasn’t waiting for Christmas to open. He seemed almost excited.

My picks.

Grandpa hats are cool again. Kango 504 cap.

Ozero fleece lined beanie.

Zavelio trooper sheepskin Russian Ushanka fur hat

Everyone else is getting practical things they need in a nicer variety than they would buy themselves .

I find my very best gift ideas from the catalog and their online store www.signals.com
BTW, I don’t work for them or know anyone who does, I’m just consistently blown away by their gift ideas. From books, to clothing, to kids gifts, gifts for gardeners, the house, etc., etc!

More from their catalog today:

Lynn, I forgot all about Signals! I used to get their catalog a long long time ago. Today I got Plow & Hearth's catalog which is always full of ideas for gifts.

I did go online and order the Far Side collection for DS, but via Amazon and the soft back edition instead. Oakley, my Plow and Heart catalog just came today. I still need to look through it.

I did go online and order the Far Side collection for DS, but via Amazon and the soft back edition instead. Oakley, my Plow and Heart catalog just came today. I still need to look through it.

@Oakley Check Etsy for framed butterflies - new and vintage.

@User DH has that DeWalt shopvac for his truck.

Costco sells two Amaryllis kits. I sent to friends last year, and sending DD2 and DGD one this season.

Sent this to DGS recently, who immediatley read it for two hours then told DD2 random things he had learn.

Last year I bought DH a grypmat. I was impressed by the quality. They would be good for a diy mechanic or handyman. I also think the silicone trays would work well for crafters. There are some knock-offs on A, that are of course cheaper, but I worried they would be thinner than the original which were very nicely made.

@tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM I might have to buy one of those for my husband! We were just talking about Christmas gifts this morning (the first shipment of Christmas gifts arrived!!). We neither one need anything and cannot think of anything we want. We tried to think of something we wanted for the house, etc. and failed on that too. LOL I guess we are to that stage!

@tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM I ordered the grypmat. Now my husband is no longer in danger of swallowing the nuts, bolts, screws he holds in his lips when he is doing a project.

There is a coupon PETROLBOX20 worth 20% off.

Oooh, I want a Grypmat! Also, I just had an idea: what about a magnetic wrist cushion (like what tailors use)? Not all types of screws/nails would work, but the most common ones are steel, so that could work.

My husband's retirement project is working on his 1970's muscle car. He is definitely getting a Grypmat!

My husband loves watching Shark Tank so occasionally I watch with him. I totally remember seeing the Grypmat folks when they were on. My husband could have used that in years’ past but work has been too busy for him to handle most home projects at the moment, otherwise I might consider that for him.

I juat bought this for my 20 y/o son. He plays a lot of golf in his free time at school but needs to practice his putting. His offcampus house has a covered back porch where this will fit perfectly. Perfect Practice Putting Mat

I am probably too late to do what I'd like to do.. but late this summer my nephew travelled the Northwest Passage from Alaska to Greenland on a NOAA ship. He has some amazing photos and I'd like to get him an engraved/embossed leather photo album. I know so much is digital now but he has an old soul and likes things old school and classic.

i am very very late to start looking. Would very much appreciate any recommendations for where to get a high quality photo album and with quick turnaround. I am thinking the fallback option is a leather book with an engraved plate (which i can have done locally).

@Allison0704, thanks for the tip about the Amaryllis bulbs. I just ordered 18. I’m giving 6 to neighbors (we give food or trinkets) and DD is giving 12 as teachers gifts.

Every year at the holidays, Le Creuset and Staab greatly reduce the prices on a number of their bestsellers.

I have been getting great joy from my latest Le Creuset pan and will be purchasing the same for one of my sisters.

and my nephew has requested a cast iron loaf pan for his sourdough sandwich loaves. The lodge is sooo much cheaper but this Staab has such a nice finish.

Great ideas, everyone. I find being creative for holiday gift giving overwhelming.

Funkyart, my son roadtripped from Chicago to Seattle and back this past summer prior to returning to college, and had a fantastic time with amazing photos. Another just took a wonderful fall break trip to Colorado. I'd like to incorporate these photos as gifts... your idea is wonderful! I'll take a look around for ideas, too.

I tend toward Justterri's strategy of upgrading what they normally use. I asked my kids weeks ago for gift ideas, and heard crickets. Until this afternoon when my older one replied he'd like some tea (he enjoys hot tea). So I'll just go put together an extensive collection of teas beyond his usual Bigelows.

Allison, the Brittanica book would be perfect for my young niece--thank you!

Feathers, consider Tea Pigs, kinda pricey and no fancy packaging, but really superb tea. And the not fancy packaging is actually pretty cool ecologically, zero plastic, including the tea bags, which often have some plastic in them.

Thank you, Zalco! That's a great recommendation, and I appreciate it--the eco is right up his alley.

“Costco sells two Amaryllis kits. I sent to friends last year, and sending DD2 and DGD one this season.”

Does anyone know how they are packaged? Is each in a seperate box….2 or 3 gifts for the price of one?

We need a bunch of $10.00 gifts, these might be perfect.

For small gifts, I have loved Trader Joes amaryllis bulbs in wax. So easy and mine have always bloomed nicely. I hope they sell them again this year.

Both signals.com and plowandhearth.com have amaryllis in wax. very pretty.

I know i mentioned my love for Barbour products in a thread earlier this month.. i shared the wash bag (dopp kit) i gave as gifts last year.. and a lunch bag I just love. Here is another product I just ordered this morning..

I am a yeti girl but my family is split. Not all like the Yeti cups. I have ordered a few of these travel cups.. and as in the photo below, they also have a bundle that includes the ear muffs.

and i don't think i mentioned this previously-- my guy friend does not like wool on his neck. That makes it a challenge to find handsome plaid scarves. The barbour acrylic scarf is by far the best non-wool scarf I have found. (The also have cashmere/lambswool for those who don't mind the wool on their necks).

Another small gift I found is this ceramic flower frog. It will fit on top of a mason jar and is great for those who bring flowers inside. I am hoping that Santa brings one for me, too.

Last year someone recommended the San Juan Island Sea Salt Shop. I have enjoyed the caramels and the Girl Meets Dirt jams - so delicious. The owners are young and so nice to interact with. All the products are vey tempting.

I ran across this Amaryllis that was a good price: https://www.hollandbulbfarms.com/wax-amaryllis-red-base

The ones at TJ are under $10.

This is rotten, because I'm thinking of what I want, but maybe it will help someone else? I want to get a remote starter for my car. Parking in our garage isn't an option due to a motorcycle collection and a sports car so my car can get icy and cold. It would be heaven to get in a warm car (or cool one in the summer). I'm told they are about $299 installed here in PA.

Oh Jojo that brings back memories. When i was in college I dated a guy who was working on developing a remote car starter He had a patent attorney and everything. Wonder whatever happened.

I looked up this post because my DD just borrowed the wrap below. She gave it to me for my Bday a year ago.Not a new idea, but these are very nice quality.

https://www.slownorth.com/collections/therapy-packs/products/neck-wrap-therapy-pack-hidden-falls

I think this is such a great idea -alas, I don't have any babies or new parents to buy for......Custom Baby Board Book

mtnrdredux_gw, what other things are popular with your young people? I need ideas! Also looking for fun stuff. A few years ago there was Google glass, and those fun glasses to look at the tree lights. What fun new things are out there??