<p>I always LOVE a little help completing my Christmas shopping!!! :)</p>
<p>I think we did this before - tell a little bit about what you’re looking for and give a little info about the intended recipient if it’s pertinent (like kids - good idea to mention their age). Other CC’ers can give their two cents on ideas/links for you!</p>
<p>I’ll start. Three gifts I’m looking for:
Brain teaser type puzzle (not jigsaw) for an exceptionally smart 13 year old. Could combine brain teaser and building (he still likes LEGOS). Something along the lines of these: Perplexus Twist ( has anyone tried that one??)
Decent table top air hockey table for 9 yr and up that costs < $50ish. Not too big because they will have to transport it home from Michigan to NYC in their smallish car.
Informational book on flea market finds/listings/values. There is a 9 yr old collector of old gadgets in the family! LOVES cruising flea markets/antique stores for items. Intellectually he’s very smart so he can handle pretty much any reading level - does not need to be kid-oriented.</p>
<p>Ok, help me with mine and I’ll help you with yours!!! :)</p>
<p>No idea on the flea market guide, but if he lives in Michigan, I know there are tons of weekly flea markets in the suburban/rural SE along with all kinds of garage sales as well. (to specify, I know the village of Armada has a bi-weekly flea market at least during the summer. We’ve checked it out and even though it’s a smaller town, it’s a fun place to be with music and all kinds of different people) </p>
<p>As for the brain teasers, I plugged that in to amazon and there were a bunch of cheaper < $10 kinds, and some did seem to be hands-on. </p>
<p>Hope that helped a little bit!! </p>
<p>To anyone that can help me, I’m looking for good ideas for my 57 year-old mother. We’re of lowish income and don’t have a lot, and though I plan on buying her some replacement cooking equipment, I’d like to spoil her as well. </p>
<p>She loves the Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music and Bob Seger, and she’s a devoted preschool teacher who truly loves her craft. She’s very old-school, but she’s accepting and interested in newer technologies.</p>
<p>Well I’ve been getting help in the fitbit thread, but I’ll post here as well. I’m looking for a Fitbit Force in black, size large. It seems to be out of stock everywhere or on backorder. I’ve searched everywhere I can think of. If anyone happens to see them back in stock anywhere, please let me know!</p>
<p>I ended up ordering one of these used Garage Sale and Flea Market guides…it’s a couple of years old (the one I ordered, not this one) but I think he’ll enjoy looking through it - 500 pages of bliss for a flea market junky!!! :)</p>
<p>VAMom2015, I know you probably have checked all these, but maybe if you check through the entire list a few times a day (I have good luck very early in the AM with online hard-to-get stuff). <a href=“Fitbit Retailers”>Fitbit Retailers; Good luck & stay warm!</p>
<p>AllThis–Thanks! I actually finally found one at a Radio Shack. I was able to search for availability at RS’s in the area and there was one that said they had them in stock. Called to verify, then drove over there. I bought the only one they had in the store.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip on when to search online. That will come in handy I’m sure!</p>
<p>harvestmoon- if you’re in SE Michigan, be aware that Andrew Lloyd Weber’s new version of The Wizard of Oz is going to be at the Detroit Opera House in June- tickets aren’t on sale yet, but you could print out a little certificate saying you’ll get those tickets for her. I only know this because I have a season subscription to Broadway in Detroit this year and they canceled “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber” and put the Wizard of Oz one its place.</p>
<p>Ooh, a Panni maker seems cool. We love to make all kinds of different food. I’ll have to look into that! Thank you! </p>
<p>And oh my gosh, she would LOVE to see the Wizard of Oz!! That would be perfect!! Her birthday is in June as well, so it could even work as a birthday gift! Thanks so much for the heads up. I will be tracking ticket sales :)</p>
<p>harvest, I saw the new Wizard…a few new songs by Tim Rice, some awesome special effects and the best part was Toto! Dog was true professional–we were in awe! enjoy!</p>
<p>I bought a Cuisinart Griddler to replace a George Forman grill and Panini maker. It also flattens out to a split griddle, so I just donated my griddle also! One appliance to replace three!</p>
<p>I just read on another thread that our older children (mine is 25) no longer probably need “things”, they would probably appreciate “experiences” or something to that effect. With that in mind, I had the thought to purchase for my son in NYC tickets to a Broadway show. He’s been in NYC for 4 years now, but has never been to a “real” Broadway show. I have an idea which show he might like to see, Wicked…but a google search brought up way, way, way too much information. What is the best way to purchase tickets, and what are the best seats to buy for a Broadway performance. I’m willing to spend some $$ to make sure it’s an experience he’ll remember for a long time. I just don’t want to get taken advantage of…</p>
<p>^ Whenever we’ve traveled to NYC, we’ve found show tickets last minute at the TKTS booths which generally have a range of selection options. Also, you don’t have to purchase last-minute tickets, you can buy in advance as well. So gift certificates for TKTS might work for your son?</p>