<p>Yeah, I hate giving to relatives I rarely see. I am giving one a lottery basket. A bunch of lottery tickets arranged in a basket, kinda like flowers. I rarely buy lottery tickets, but this seems to be a hit with a lot of folks. I always have a basket on hand, buy the foam and metal “stems” at Michaels, some confetti to cover the foam and voila, done.</p>
<p>^that’s a fun idea. My college age S’s would love it. </p>
<p>S1 gave me a gift certificate for a massage for Christmas a couple of years ago. It was heavenly.</p>
<p>Looking for a restaurant via tripadvisor is a great idea! It’s hard though to be a good judge of their tastes but worth a try. I’m going to add one that seems to be hitting well this season - microplush sheets - (stretchy polarplush) - they are 10x better than my tshirt sheets, warm and very cozy. Gave them to my parents recently and eventhough my father is always cold and mom always hot, they worked for both of them. I was betting one wouldn’t be comfortable but they love them. Can get at BedB&B or if you find them at TJMaxx/Marshall’s they are about 1/2 price - about $20 for twins, $40 for queen.</p>
<p>The biggest hit that I’ve gotten my siblings are coffee-table books with collections of their favorite comics. My sister and her husband received the best of the New Yorker cartoons and I gave my brother Calvin and Hobbes.</p>
<p>Not very creative, but I always enjoy it when someone gives me a gift certificate to Nordstroms.</p>
<p>Maybe a crock pot? I have several related posts.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1015794-slow-cooker-recommendations.html?highlight=crock[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1015794-slow-cooker-recommendations.html?highlight=crock</a></p>
<p>You could give a Bed Bath & Beyond gift card suggesting crock pot or other item of their choice. Or do what I did - pick a model and ship it … then they can exchange at the store as desired.</p>
<p>My brother (50-something) still likes t-shirts, polo shirts, or rugby shirts from his college alma mater. My sister in law loves movie theater gift cards, as mentioned above by others. Regarding the amyrillis – my ex-H gave me one last year (do not ask me why he still gives me presents, I have NO IDEA, as I do not give him one). I struggled mightily to make it grow, and finally gave up on it. So only get that if they are green thumb types…</p>
<p>I have a recommendation for a product that my H and I and my mother love. It’s the Bucky warming pillow that you heat up in the microwave. We all use them at night, and I’m convinced it helps me fall asleep. Great for sore backs or knees or cold feet. There is a smaller neck wrap and a larger size, both under $50. My H wants another one for Christmas so he can have one on his neck and one on his feet!</p>
<p>bookiemom: that sounds like a great product. I googled it and found Bucky pillows, but not warming ones. Can you tell me where to buy the warming one?</p>
<p>Earth therapeutics has a line of these, they are carried at Kohl’s and Ulta, sometimes see that line at CVS. I have a neck one that I cook up in the microwave, is absolutely wonderful. Good idea!</p>
<p>I have to buy 4 gilfts around 40 range for our annual white elephant gift giving. We always have so much fun with the game. You guys are giving me some good ideas. I think I may get itune gift card or a bottle of wine or champagne.</p>
<p>How about something literally out of the box? My inlaws are “getting” two llamas donated in their name, through heifer.org. Or you can make a micro loan to an organization that reflects your relatives interests through kiva.org. </p>
<p>These are great gifts for those who have everything… and help make the world a bit better. </p>
<p>[Kiva</a> - Loans that change lives](<a href=“http://www.kiva.org/lend]Kiva”>http://www.kiva.org/lend)
[The</a> Most Important Gift Catalog in the World](<a href=“http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/?msource=TH1J100025]The”>http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/?msource=TH1J100025)</p>
<p>About 5 yrs ago, we made a pack to do just that - contributions to a charity with a token gift (so a pig ornament if you donated a pig in their name to Heifer) but that fell apart after a few years and again, the gift took over. I tried to do Kiva last year (I am big into Kiva) and unfortunately, the recipient needs to go onto the computer to do something with that money or it literally just sits there. And then when it gets repaid, people need to go back to re-loan out…my family isn’t quite with it to listen to an entire explanation of the nature of Kiva. I can see one sibling redeemed the certificate and then never loaned it out. The other loaned it out, was repaid and now has let it sit. I think Kiva put in something where unused funds got donated directly to them, so sooner or later, I suppose it will be put to good use! Nice thought though, just doesn’t work for my (stupid) family. :)</p>
<p>for my 50 some year old parents, I usually go with a tool of some sort for my dad (men love tools.) and something clothing related for my mother. both are sports nuts, so sometimes i get them sports related items also.</p>
<p>My mom’s brother always sends her an assortment of goodies from Cherry Republic. Unusual and delicious. She doesn’t open it all at once. Cherry nut mix; cherry preserves; cherry salsa; chocolate covered dried cherries - yum.
Consumables are great.
[Cherry</a> Republic: Cherry Salsas & Sauces page](<a href=“http://www.cherryrepublic.com/category/salsas-and-sauces]Cherry”>http://www.cherryrepublic.com/category/salsas-and-sauces)</p>
<p>I second the micorfleece sheets, we use them on all the beds in the house now. Flannel seems too cold now that we tried the fleece.</p>
<p>My SIL from Michigan sent us some of those Cherry Republic chocolate covered cherries and they were delicious. I wish she’d do it again this year.</p>
<p>I also send consumables from HI (tho you can buy most of them at nearly any US Costco for about the same price and NO postage). I send mac nuts, mac nut candy, and/or HI coffee and/or tea, sometimes some mac nut cookies and sometimes some HI calendars. This year, I also bought some jams & jellies, tho don’t really know who does & doesn’t like those (don’t know these folks well), but figure they can gift them if they aren’t into these things themselves. My in-laws send our kids checks & Visa/MC gift cards.</p>
<p>HIMom: I think Hawaiian honey is the best honey out there, just in case you want to send me some ;-)</p>
<p>We send Texas grapefruit and oranges to out of town relatives. Or Collin Street Bakery fruitcakes. (If you say you hate fruitcake, you haven’t tried one from Collin St. in Corsicana, TX)</p>