Emma, Her Parents and A Plane Trip

FROM: Emma

What should I get my parents for Christmas? It has to be able to go on a plane, in my luggage. They live in a small town in the midwest. He loves classic cars and she loves expensive dolls. Not very wild or crazy in their food tastes.

Hi Emma,

How about a Jet Blue gift certificate for them to come and visit you next year? If they’re computer savvy, a Logitech Quick Cam would be great so that they could view you and your family without leaving home. If you want something more ‘gifty’, how about a digital picture frame that you could preload with photos before giving it to them. This Philips 8.5-Inch Digital Picture Frame (Clear) w/3 Additional Colored Frames is great because they can use whatever frame matches their home.

Whatever you decide, have a safe trip and happy holidays,
Gift Idea Mom

Darcy and her sweet auntie

FROM: Darcy

I am looking for a great gift for my aunt/godmother. She is fifty, loves to shop, has a tattoo of a music note on her ankle, and isn’t into bath/makeup stuff etc..Budget is 5o

Thanks!

Hi Darcy,

     Your auntie sounds like loads of fun – I found this Krups Espresso Maker that she might enjoy. Nothing like a quick espresso with steamed milk to get your day started!
Not a coffee drinker? Take a look at this Bentley Tea Chest – a lovely assortment of teas in a pretty wooden chest.
It may not be ultra-glamourous, but if she’s a woman who is out and about in her car, a great Road Adventurer Kit by AAA contains jumper cables, flashlight, air compressor, first aid kit and so much more packed and organized into a neat little case that she can keep in her trunk. I gave my own mom one of these in hopes that it could give her some help in case she ever got stuck somewhere.
Finally, I know it may sound silly or quaint, but sometimes when I have a relative that I love and am stuck on a gift – I write a note about how important they are to me and what they mean to my life. Put the $50 towards an afternoon lunch with her if you can and explain that in the note. Put the note into a card and hang it on the tree or mail it to her if you don’t see her on the actual holiday. Sometimes time spent with another person is the best gift of all.

Rock on,
Gift Idea Mom

Joyce and her handy husband

FROM: Joyce

Help me find a gift for my husband; he is so hard to shop for! 3 facts: a) no clothes, he is XXLT and needs to try on everything first; b) he is into technology–computers and stuff, not software, though. He wants me to get him a hard drive which I don’t think is a good present; c) he likes football, basketball and golf and if I can add, he likes home improvement project. I want to spend no more than $300.

Hi Joyce,
Gift Idea Mom’s sweetie is a 6′8 XXLT too! Really! We’ve been shopping a lot at Casual Male XL and find they have a nice selection of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama and other popular brands.
Does he have an Ipod? This one is a fave of mine: 80G Ipod
If he wants a hard drive, I have to tell you that I own 2 of these 120G Hard Drive and not only find them so useful, they’re sort of cool and sexy – yes, sexy – in their little zippered neoprene case with a smooth, shiny black body. Can you tell I’m a computer geek? Its late and I’m tired, but I’ll sleep on this one and add a few more suggestions tomorrow.

Till then…

Gift Idea Mom

Nervous Shopper needs help

FROM: Nervous Shopper

Looking for a holiday gift for a co-worker.
She has it all….and I have a tight budget. Help!

Dear Nervous Shopper,
You don’t mention your budget, but I’ll try to keep it under 20 bucks. If you work at a desk with a computer, there are all sort of clever USB gadgets – some fun and silly, others very practical – that could serve as a great holiday gift. Here are some of them:

USB Plasma Ball
USB Mini Aquarium
USB Glitter Lava Lamp

And here are some non-USB suggestions:
Tarot Cards & Instruction Book
Zen Soy Tranquility Candles
Zen Nectaire Reed Diffuser
And, of course, you can never go wrong with CHOCOLATE!!!
Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee Gift Box
Good luck and happy holidays,
Gift Idea Mom

Meg and her 90yo Aunt

FROM: Meg

GI Mom.. can you help me find a nice cuddly blanket/throw for my 90 year old aunt’s gift. In the $50 range? Even better if I can get it monogrammed. Thanks!

Hi Meg,
If I were 90yo, which I won’t be for awhile, there’s nothing more than I would like than a warm, cuddly blanket. Great idea! The Company Store is a great resource for blankets, comforters and other toasty linens and apparel. Best part is, they have an excellent monogramming service. I found this blanket/throw specifically Naturelle Blanket that looks lovely, but if you begin to search that site, you’ll see they have many, many wonderful options.
I also came across this clever Personalized Cuddle Blanket that not only looks warm and comes in a variety of colors, but also has a deep pocket at the bottom to keep your feet tucked in and warm as well as a little accessory pocket for glasses, a remote control, etc. Order this one early to be sure you get the personalization done in time for the holidays!
Stay warm and cuddly!
Gift Idea Mom

Celeste, a boy and a girl

FROM: Celeste

Hi! Thanks for doing this! I need ideas for the following:
6yo boy: Loves to be outdoors; riding bikes (has one); playing with friends outside; building forts. Loves Legos (getting a very large set). Any ideas for large gifts to stocking stuffers?

2yo girl: Loves dolls, dora, diego. Already has a kitchen, stroller, doll crib, doll high chair.
Any ideas for large gifts to stocking stuffers?

Hi Celeste -

Its always fun to shop for the little ones.
For the 6yo: Matchbox Cars, or a Lego themed gift (like this LEGO Kids’ Watch) are always a hit. There’s a best selling book that I gave my own nephews this year – and though the 6yo may be a bit young, I’m sure mom or dad will have a ball sorting through it to find all sorts of great activities: The Dangerous Book for Boys. Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera is a fun gift for the aspiring 6yo photographer (and what 6yo isnt?) He can snap to his heart’s content and then you can download his photos right to your computer via an easy USB connection. Remote Control Cars are a popular item among the 6yo set and this one by Cyclone is durable and recommended for ages 6 and up.
Brio Wooden Blocks are a classic that every 2 yo needs (the 6yo will love them too). Duplo Zoo Set is a great choice considering the older child likes Legos. Duplo and Lego can also be used together.
Gift Idea Mom LOVES Raffi and Singable Songs by Raffi is a great collection of some of his more popular songs. My own darling daughter listened to this as a 2yo and even now, college age, I still find her singing them occasionally.

2yos and tea parties just go together, don’t you think so? This Fisher Price Musical Tea Set is adorable, rugged and includes music and magical pouring sounds! How cute.
Hope those suggestions make your time shopping for the little ones a bit easier…
Cheers!
Gift Idea Mom

Rachel and Friends

FROM: Rachel

I need gifts for 3 girls in their 20s. One is in Law school, one is in medical school and one is in college. All three are very stylish smart women. I would like to spend up to $60 for each of them and do not want to do gift certificates.

Thanks!

Hi Rachel,

Personally, I love Bliss products and recomend them every change I get. Currently, Bliss has packaged the best of the best into one cute and clever gift set called Best of Bliss Set

If you’re looking for something a little more ‘off the beaten track’, yet cool, fun and very unique, take a look at Swiss Army 1G Pocketknife . Yes, yes – you’re wondering what an Army knife has to do with 3 urban college girls. Well, if you look carefully, you’ll see THIS pocketknife not only has the usual knives and gadgets, but it also has a 1 Gigabyte USB drive, great for transporting files, documents, etc. to and from school, work and home. These will definitely put a smile on their faces.

I know it did mine,
Happy, happy,
Gift Idea Mom

Christina has a great mom with an ‘interesting’ boyfriend

FROM: Christina
hi – i have two tough ones…

#1 – my mom, 57, decided she wants to start travelling. Just bought a time share..

#2 my mom’s boyfriend who will not be travelling with her prob. He is really lazy and just lays around in a robe and slippers – which i bought for him last year (really nice new robe and comfy slippers).

Junda’s nephews, 6+12

FROM: Junda

I need a gift suggestion for two nephews ages 6 and 12. Have everything children could want so hard to buy for. Don’t want to just give an Itunes gift card — would like to spend around $40 each and can be a combined gift for the two. They are sports fans, do have Xbox but don’t need any games. One has an ipod the other does not. Thanks!

Hi Junda,
Have you thought about going old school and instead of providing them with the latest and greatest, go back to the old classics – Erector Set for the older one and possibly a Hot Wheels Play Set for the little guy?

If those don’t do it for you, a themed gift, like watches for both of them can be great and age appropriate. Take a look at this one for the older guy Timex Boys Camo Watch and this ever cool Timex Digital watch for the 6yo (though I’m sure they’ll both be switching off periodically!) Maybe the same watch for both of them to keep it even simpler and avoid the arguments. Here’s what Timex says about this Kid’s version of their Ironman watch: “IronKids digital watch is the junior version of Timex’s vaunted IronMan performance sport watch, and it features a tough, durable case and easy-to-use timekeeping functions for your active youngster. It has an easily readable digital display with large, recognizable icons for the chrono, alarm, and timer functions, and a durable nylon Fast Wrap strap (with Velcro fastener). It also offers water resistance to 50 meters (165 feet), 12/24-hour time, day and date feature, translucent silver resin case, large, black function buttons, and Timex’s unique Kids Loss Protection Plan. It’s recommended for children ages 6 and older.” And here’s the link… Times Kid’s Ironman Watch
Good luck!
Gift Idea Mom

Sophie and Her Hunter Dad

From: Sophie:

1. My dad is a hunter

2. My dad is 57 years old

3. My dad is very outdoorsy.

I would like to spend between 50-100 dollars.

Hi Sophie,

I know just the thing your dad would love to wear those cold mornings that he’s out hunting – best part is, no one knows he’s wearing them but him.

Eddie Bauer Fleece Lined Jeans