NationStates Jolt Archive


Buying presents...

Dakini
29-09-2007, 22:57
...so yeah, I hardly ever know what to get people for birthdays, christmas et c, but every once in a while I have an idea.

I was going to get one of my friends a specific album on vinyl because he used to own it, but it was borrowed by someone he no longer speaks to... however, after going to every record store in the city I can't find it. Now I'm thinking of getting him a nice peppermill (he bought peppercorns a while ago that he can't use because he doesn't own one) or a mortar and pestal... but these seem like lame gifts... though safer than just picking another LP that I think he might like...

Does anyone else have such difficulties thinking up what to get their friends or family members or am I just a bad friend?
Wilgrove
29-09-2007, 22:58
Eh my dad is very hard to shop for, and basically I just have to ask people what they want because I don't know what to get them either. It does ruin the surprise of the gift, but whatever.
JuNii
29-09-2007, 23:06
...so yeah, I hardly ever know what to get people for birthdays, christmas et c, but every once in a while I have an idea.

I was going to get one of my friends a specific album on vinyl because he used to own it, but it was borrowed by someone he no longer speaks to... however, after going to every record store in the city I can't find it. Now I'm thinking of getting him a nice peppermill (he bought peppercorns a while ago that he can't use because he doesn't own one) or a mortar and pestal... but these seem like lame gifts... though safer than just picking another LP that I think he might like...

Does anyone else have such difficulties thinking up what to get their friends or family members or am I just a bad friend?

I'm terrible at buying gifts. which album if I may ask?
Dakini
29-09-2007, 23:09
I'm terrible at buying gifts. which album if I may ask?
I was looking for Thick as a Brick.

I've seen it online, but since I put off this whole bit of buying it, I won't be able to get it on time for when I see him next (it's already a late present, I just haven't seen him since his b-day).
Call to power
29-09-2007, 23:13
I have 15 days to think of something for my friends birthday

and what does she want? why she doesn't want anything! :rolleyes:

I'm thinking of an industrial sized dildo just because shes being a woman when it comes to presents
Wilgrove
29-09-2007, 23:18
I have 15 days to think of something for my friends birthday

and what does she want? why she doesn't want anything! :rolleyes:

I'm thinking of an industrial sized dildo just because shes being a woman when it comes to presents

ROFLMAO! I would totally do that if I were you. :D
Dakini
29-09-2007, 23:22
ROFLMAO! I would totally do that if I were you. :D
I second this motion. At the very least it would be funny.
Call to power
29-09-2007, 23:24
ROFLMAO! I would totally do that if I were you. :D

the question is would I be the only one laughing :p
Geniasis
29-09-2007, 23:25
I'm the worst at getting gifts. I've never been able to find a good one to save my life. I usually just ask someone else.
Dakini
29-09-2007, 23:27
I give a bunch of small weird gifts.
This might be my approach, it usually works out alright...
IL Ruffino
29-09-2007, 23:28
I give a bunch of small weird gifts.
Rasselas
29-09-2007, 23:36
the question is would I be the only one laughing :p
Not if you're in a pub or some other public place when you hand over her present ;) *has done this before to awkward friends (in all fairness, she had been complaining about her lack of a sex life - I figured maybe it was a hint :D)*

My Dad used to be difficult to buy for, until I found out he liked pretty much every product on firebox.com.
IL Ruffino
29-09-2007, 23:43
I have 15 days to think of something for my friends birthday

and what does she want? why she doesn't want anything! :rolleyes:

I'm thinking of an industrial sized dildo just because shes being a woman when it comes to presents
"Here, get yourself something nice."
This might be my approach, it usually works out alright...

Got any odd stores around you? I usually go to Spencer's and shops I find randomly.
JuNii
29-09-2007, 23:53
I was looking for Thick as a Brick.

I've seen it online, but since I put off this whole bit of buying it, I won't be able to get it on time for when I see him next (it's already a late present, I just haven't seen him since his b-day).

Buy it and give him a sappy IOU poem about finding the perfect present for him.
Dakini
30-09-2007, 00:06
Got any odd stores around you? I usually go to Spencer's and shops I find randomly.
Dollar stores are pretty sweet.

As are random hippie stores.
Dakini
30-09-2007, 00:10
Buy it and give him a sappy IOU poem about finding the perfect present for him.
Well, I figure there's always christmas, I can get that for him then.

There are some other vinyls I don't think he's bought that he might like and I might get him one of those (I know at least one of them does exist in a record store in this city). Then there's the peppermill idea... or some other assorted kitchen items... he likes to cook too. I was thinking that getting him a good knife wouldn't be bad, but that might be a bit weird. Hitting up the dollar store for random shit seems fun too.
Bann-ed
30-09-2007, 00:49
Well, I figure there's always christmas, I can get that for him then.

There are some other vinyls I don't think he's bought that he might like and I might get him one of those (I know at least one of them does exist in a record store in this city). Then there's the peppermill idea... or some other assorted kitchen items... he likes to cook too. I was thinking that getting him a good knife wouldn't be bad, but that might be a bit weird. Hitting up the dollar store for random shit seems fun too.

Be careful with buying anything from the dollar store that you would eat/drink/cook with, because I hear things about the chemicals used in the goods as being dangerous for the health.

However, I was under the impression that dollar store items were just items other stores didn't manage to sell. Though, there may be a reason for that, such as a recall on all of a certain item.
Dakini
30-09-2007, 01:16
Be careful with buying anything from the dollar store that you would eat/drink/cook with, because I hear things about the chemicals used in the goods as being dangerous for the health.

However, I was under the impression that dollar store items were just items other stores didn't manage to sell. Though, there may be a reason for that, such as a recall on all of a certain item.
Uh... I was thinking of like raiding the toy section or something.
Vectrova
30-09-2007, 01:22
I just ask people what they want. If they say they don't want anything, they don't get anything. In turn, I do the same.

Of course, this naturally results with putting me at odds with the rest of my family, who were all somehow hinting at something that I apparently missed or call me inconsiderate in spite of them knowing I wouldn't do a damn thing if they didn't ask. Bah...
Smunkeeville
30-09-2007, 01:26
I suck at buying gifts, I tend to ask for things I need rather than want because I feel like it's an efficient way to get them, so when shopping for hubby et al I tend to buy things they need......like socks, gloves, tools etc. I have gotten better lately at buying things they might want like I bought hubby the first season of Heroes, and also a game for his gaming system (but it didn't work so he had to go try again and again and still we don't have a working copy, damn gamestop)

Hubby is awesome at buying gifts for me, he doesn't get me anything I asked for, but always things I want but didn't think I should have, like sea monkeys and stuff.
Bann-ed
30-09-2007, 01:47
Uh... I was thinking of like raiding the toy section or something.

Ah.

Am I the only one who has bought kitchenwares from the dollar store?
Bann-ed
30-09-2007, 01:52
I download mine.

Intense.

For a dollar? Peso? Euro?
IL Ruffino
30-09-2007, 01:54
Ah.

Am I the only one who has bought kitchenwares from the dollar store?

I download mine.
IL Ruffino
30-09-2007, 01:57
Intense.

For a dollar? Peso? Euro?

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/images/smilies/pirate.gif
Bann-ed
30-09-2007, 02:01
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/images/smilies/pirate.gif

:eek:

Kitchenware Pirate!
Smunkeeville
30-09-2007, 02:03
Ah.

Am I the only one who has bought kitchenwares from the dollar store?

I buy like those disposable aluminum pans there because they are like $7 at the grocery store or $1 at the dollar store......and I have bought place settings there before.

I mostly buy stickers for scrap booking and cleaning supplies there though.
Gun Manufacturers
30-09-2007, 02:11
...so yeah, I hardly ever know what to get people for birthdays, christmas et c, but every once in a while I have an idea.

I was going to get one of my friends a specific album on vinyl because he used to own it, but it was borrowed by someone he no longer speaks to... however, after going to every record store in the city I can't find it. Now I'm thinking of getting him a nice peppermill (he bought peppercorns a while ago that he can't use because he doesn't own one) or a mortar and pestal... but these seem like lame gifts... though safer than just picking another LP that I think he might like...

Does anyone else have such difficulties thinking up what to get their friends or family members or am I just a bad friend?

My dad is both easy to shop for, and difficult to shop for. Tools are always a hit with him, but he has access (through work or home) to most of the ones I can afford to buy for him (and a lot of ones I can't afford to buy for him). So I usually just get him a Home Depot gift card so he can get what he wants/needs. In fact, I need to stop there and pick one up, as today was my dad's 60th birthday, and we're having a family dinner for him tomorrow.

My mom, older sister, and aunt/godmother are the same way. Craft items are a definite winner, but there's too many choices there, and I don't want to get them the same stuff (birdhouses and plaster knick-knacks) every year. So I always TRY to find some craft that I know they haven't done, simply so they can see if they'd like it without having to spend their own money on it.
Infinite Revolution
30-09-2007, 02:15
i hate buying presents, i never have any idea what to get people and never have the money for what they want. DVD boxsets are fucking expensive.
Ultraviolent Radiation
30-09-2007, 02:18
...so yeah, I hardly ever know what to get people for birthdays, christmas et c, but every once in a while I have an idea.

I was going to get one of my friends a specific album on vinyl because he used to own it, but it was borrowed by someone he no longer speaks to... however, after going to every record store in the city I can't find it. Now I'm thinking of getting him a nice peppermill (he bought peppercorns a while ago that he can't use because he doesn't own one) or a mortar and pestal... but these seem like lame gifts... though safer than just picking another LP that I think he might like...

Does anyone else have such difficulties thinking up what to get their friends or family members or am I just a bad friend?

Just tell them that you've granted them the privilege of being in your presence and accuse them of avarice if they ask for more. :D
Ilie
30-09-2007, 02:31
Some people are just really hard to shop for. My newest kick is getting things on etsy.com, doing photo presents with snapfish.com, or getting people a favorite book that I really love that I think they might also like.
Gun Manufacturers
30-09-2007, 02:32
Ah.

Am I the only one who has bought kitchenwares from the dollar store?

I don't need to. My mom is constantly giving me kitchen and cookware for free.
MrWho
30-09-2007, 02:49
I don't really buy presents for people that often. Mostly just my friends. For them, I just give them money or buy them a video game that they want.
CharlieCat
30-09-2007, 05:07
I have a reputation for buying good presents, but I'm not sure I deserve it.

I tend to remember when someone has said they want something and store it away until a birthday.

I bought a friend some silver charms to put in her wedding cake just because she's getting married and I thought she'd like them - you attach a ribbon to each one and the bride's female friends pull a ribbon each.

My nieces and nephew think I'm cool because once a year they get a parcel addressed to all of them containing 'un-birthday' presents. The real reason I do this is because I can't remember their birthdays.

Re the original poster and the vinyl - I'd order the vinyl but I'd but a blank CD case and print a copy of the album cover the size to fit in the CD case with either a message inside saying the vinyl is on its way - or record a message to CD saying the vinyl is on its way.
Posi
30-09-2007, 07:13
I get people hugs for their birthdays.
IL Ruffino
30-09-2007, 08:23
I get people hugs for their birthdays.

You know what you can get me for my birthday?

A fucking add on facebook. :upyours:
Posi
30-09-2007, 08:42
You know what you can get me for my birthday?

A fucking add on facebook. :upyours:
NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
IL Ruffino
30-09-2007, 08:48
NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!
Posi
30-09-2007, 08:58
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!To bad, I only give hugs.

*hugs*
IL Ruffino
30-09-2007, 08:58
To bad, I only give hugs.

*hugs*

*has scabies*