1 Gift, 2 Friends

Dear GIM,

I hate holiday shopping and always try to have my Christmas gifts at least picked out in idea form by the end of October and I am getting a little behind with a lack of ideas!  I can’t think of anything to get a couple of friends of mine who are dating and live together.  They are super great people and a lot of fun to hang out with!  She loves shopping and he loves photography.  They are both very social, though both work hard to save money to pay off past school bills as all people in their mid-20’s as they are do.  I am looking to spend either $25-30 per friend or $50 for a gift for both (I like a gift for both idea best).

Your site rocks!

Bradley

Thanks for the kind words, Bradley,

Its a fun challenge to try to come up with one gift that two people would enjoy. I’ve recommended games in the past and I think this may be one situation where games may be particularly appropriate. When money is tight and the bills need to be paid, sometimes entertainment and going out is the first thing to suffer.  For as much as Gift Idea Mom enjoys going out with friends, having the option to entertain at home is good too.

Scattergories

A few months ago, I received the game Scattergories .  I was unfamiliar with this word list game but one night sat down with a few friends and decided to play it. I was really floored by just how much fun this was – for adults especially. I highly recommend it as a great addition to a home game library.  At $22, this game is way under your budget. As a Scrabble fan, I would add a Scrabble set to make a great game-oriented gift for the two of them.

Another thought is DVD Boxed Sets. Gift Idea Mom is a huge The Office fan, (both the US and the UK versions). Is there a tv series that this couple enjoys? Go through the list and see what you come up with! Old series, new series, documentaries, comedies – there’s a ton to choose from.

Good luck completing your gift list!
GIM

Getting a jump on holiday shopping

Dear Gift Idea Mom,
I am “attempting” to start my Christmas gift shopping early, and am already stuck!  My long-time friend is 26 and I have known her since we were toddlers and each year I run into a rut on what to get her for Christmas or her birthday (which comes two months after the holidays)!  A little about her… she is a writer, she loves shopping, she enjoys coffee, movies, music, she is independent but also very much a family first girl, and she has a very outgoing personality.  I am looking for either a single gift or a few small gifts but either way I can only afford to spend up to $40.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Ilse

Hi Ilse and thanks for writing!

Your friend certainly has a lot going on. She sounds like a busy woman who’s on the go. How about giving her something that will help her relax and destress, while doing both her mind and body some good?

Savasa Yoga Fitness Kit

This Savasa Yoga Fitness Kit includes a mat, body ball, strap and workout DVD. The nice part about it is, if its something she ends up interested in, when her birthday rolls around you can get her some nice workout gear or a new yoga DVD! With all that this kit includes, surprisingly its under your $40 budget.

Another thought is putting together a few romantic comedies on DVD that the two of you might enjoy watching together. Spending time with an old friend watching movies and catching up on things can be a fun way to spend an evening.

Whatever you decide, good luck with your holiday/birthday shopping!

GIM

My nephew is ‘driving’ me crazy.

Hi Gift Idea Mom,

My nephew turns 17 next month. For his birthday, his parents are getting him a car. Nothing fancy or new but its something that he’s wanted ever since he got his license last year. I’d like to get him something that he could use in his car or with his car. I’d like to spend about $50. Any ideas?

Auntie A.

Hi Auntie A.,

Lucky, lucky nephew to be getting a car and for having such a generous aunt. When my son began to drive, one of the first things I gave him for his car was something similiar to this AAA 73 Piece Adventurer Road Assistance Kit.

AAA 73 Piece Adventurer Road Assistance Kit

Not only is it a first aid kit, but it also includes a flashlight, hazard triangle and booster cables. Could give his parents a little piece of mind as well, right?
As alternative to that kit, the combination of this Black & Decker Simple Start 12-Volt Battery Booster and this TriGlo Safety Light would also make a great safety-minded gift.

Happy and Safe Driving!

GIM