MetaChat - Ask Metachat What Do I Want For Christmas?

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11 November 2005

Ask Metachat What Do I Want For Christmas? →[More:]I'm not being frivolous, this is a serious problem in my life.

I need to make a Christmas list of at least five physical objects that I wouldn't mind owning, since various members of my own and my SOs family are hell-bent on geting me "stuff" for Christmas rather than what I'd prefer, which is donations or nothing or something homemade or (worst case) gift cards.

If I don't provide them with some guidence (Amazon wishlist, list on paper, something..) I end up with crap gifts on Christmas morning (actually, I'm sure to get some sparkly kitch figurine crap anyhow, but I digress...)

But nothing speaks to me. My normal fallback is books and DVDs but I'm running out of storage space for either of those. Do you have any suggestions?

I've considered asking for an iPod nano, but I'm not sure I'd ever use it.

We have a turn-of-the-century Queen Anne house, full of antiques. We cook quite a bit but have a very small kitchen, so gadgets need to be small. I have several hundred books. We entertain a lot and also have monthly board game parties.

What can I ask for that is easily purchased, not junk, under $100, and that I will actually find useful? (Bonus points for hip, cool things).

post by: anastasiav at: 18:49 | 14 comments

I suppose sex toys are out of the question.

posted by mr_crash_davis 11 November | 19:14

*snerf*

posted by anastasiav 11 November | 19:32

Well, if I were you, I'd ask for pretty bottles filled with things (see next thread). But that's my passion, not yours.

What about tickets to shows or concerts you've always wanted to see? Not physical enought I guess. If I were you, I'd just look around online for the most ridiculous presents ever, then re-gift them. But I'm not you, so...

posted by muddgirl 11 November | 19:55

Now here's a problem I wouldn't mind having!

Things I've lusted for but won't buy for myself:

Books (colorful, expensive sorts)
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
As much of the complete Peanuts set as I could get (I have volume 1, a gift, and it's so well put together and charming.)
Little Nemo in Slumberland (over your budget, but perhaps available elsewhere more cheaply)

Kitchen toys
A really good hand mixer
A slow cooker
Decent stemware for a change
Pretty mixing bowls

Utter decadence
Fresh amazing citrus in winter

I think the last is my favorite. I don't know what foods you like, but the best chocolate, the best coffee, the things you love but can never quite budget for yourself: why not ask for those?

(Also, if you're a member of Salon, in the past they've run little articles from people about their favorite consumer objects, some of them obscure; I'm no longer a member, but they may still be doing it.)

posted by melissa may 11 November | 19:56

I'd combine the weight of 5 gifts for the Little Nemo, myself.

hmmmm...A Little Nemo sex toy would surely sell like hotcakes.

posted by reflecked 11 November | 20:12

mmmmmm, hotcakes.

posted by terrapin 11 November | 21:36

A bottle of Hennessy Paradis.

posted by kenko 11 November | 22:05

Oh, under $100.

A Clear Creek eau de vie, or some such.

posted by kenko 11 November | 22:06

I understand the wanting to give stuff thing. I like giving stuff over money. It just seems better and then you can watch them unwrap; it's more Christmasy,I get it. So, my suggestions:
Plastic flamingos. They are always good. Also cheap and entertaining. I myself have about 8.
A chimenea. Then you can build a fire outside and go huddle around it when your inlaws drive you crazy.
Martini glasses, nice ones with different colored stems. Or wine glasses, same thing. You can't really have too many; they break.
Wine stoppers.
A really good corkscrew, which is worth its weight in gold.
Beer of the month club.
Fruit of the month club.
A nice calendar - I tell my relatives that I want zen or asian art calendars, and I usually get a beautiful one.
A trifle bowl.
Art. Tell them to go to a good craft fair or an art student sale and get some glass or pottery or a nice print.
If all else fails, coffee mugs.

posted by mygothlaundry 11 November | 22:48

Or decide on something you're just going to go all out on - collecting hippopotami, decorating for Christmas like nobody's business, silk scarves - and then let the word get out. Before you know it you will be inundated. People are so relieved when somebody has a ruling passion - it makes their Christmas much easier.

posted by mygothlaundry 11 November | 22:49

Build up your bar. Exotic cordials can be nice.

posted by LarryC 12 November | 02:09

This, this!

And then as another gift, a selection of loose teas from the same place. (From Frisbee Girl's link in another thread.)

posted by taz 12 November | 04:00

beautiful teapot taz!!!! or how bout one of these to go with the loose teas? They really are cool - I have one myself. Brews right in the cup w/o the packaging waste.

posted by chewatadistance 12 November | 07:49

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions ... melissa may, in particular, seems to have my taste. stemware, hand mixer, and another kitchen gadget I found while looking at the hand mixer.

yay metachat!

posted by anastasiav 13 November | 15:10

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