Help me think of a gift

[7costanza]

My sister has a new boyfriend and he's going to be at Christmas eve with my family so I feel like I need to get him something. I've met him briefly twice, and all I know about him is that he's about 35, likes cats (he has 5), and our local football team. I'd like to spend around $20. Any ideas?

[dexteroni]

Football team baseball cap and a little thing of cat treats or a toy.

Food's always good - meat and cheese basket, good chocolates, etc.

Or ask your sister about him so you have more info to go on.

[fences]

Hat or tshirt w/ football team logo
Ornament w/ logo or cat ornament
Candy, nuts, cookies, or a mix? I always default to food when I don't know the recipient.

[kwynn]

At first, I thought he was 35, loves cats, and was ON the local football team--like he was a pro? I was like "What an interesting combo!"

I've got nothing as far as ideas. NFL gear?

[flatlan]

Do you know if he drinks? If he does, you could do a "Game Day" basket with a six pack of beer, summer sausage, cheese, nuts and other snacks. You could even put in a beer glass or mug from his favorite team.

[belovedbride07]

As someone who "likes cats" and was apparently pegged as such by my in-laws early on, please, for the love of God, do not get him cat-related shit. Not cat toys, not cat dish towels, not a cat letter opener, no cat figurines. :-(

I vote for the "game day" bucket or other edible item, although the movie ticket (or maybe restaurant GC) idea is good, too.

[holly116]

The responses to this post are hilarious.

I vote for football team related stuff. My DH is a huge fan of his college football team and related stuff is always a safe bet. Maybe check the bookstore for books about the team or former/current players.

[mrst2]

Itunes giftcard, giftcard to local restaurant.

[mbcdefg]

NFL hat or clothes (try Marshall's or TJ Maxx)
gas station gift card
beer or wine paired with snacks
supermarket gift card
gift card to a local pizza place

Do you have a Five Below near you? They carry pro sports team merch.

Dec 17, 2012 1:03:21 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

As someone who "likes cats" and was apparently pegged as such by my in-laws early on, please, for the love of God, do not get him cat-related shit. Not cat toys, not cat dish towels, not a cat letter opener, no cat figurines.

I vote for the "game day" bucket or other edible item, although the movie ticket (or maybe restaurant GC) idea is good, too.

DITTO. I get a ton of useless "crazy cat lady" stuff from my mother every Christmas and birthday.

Why is the guy a loser just because he has five cats? Unless he's always talking about them or obsessively treats them like human children, what does it matter? Maybe he's fostering them, or he took in a stray who had kittens and he couldn't adopt them out, or he pulls them out of the shelter when they're scheduled to be euthanized. Maybe he just has a big heart.

[jennistarr1]

restaurant/movies gift card so it's more for your sister and him...and something personal

[niemand88f]

Dec 17, 2012 10:15:29 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

NFL hat or clothes (try Marshall's or TJ Maxx)
gas station gift card
beer or wine paired with snacks
supermarket gift card
gift card to a local pizza place

Do you have a Five Below near you? They carry pro sports team merch.

Dec 17, 2012 1:03:21 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

As someone who "likes cats" and was apparently pegged as such by my in-laws early on, please, for the love of God, do not get him cat-related shit. Not cat toys, not cat dish towels, not a cat letter opener, no cat figurines.

I vote for the "game day" bucket or other edible item, although the movie ticket (or maybe restaurant GC) idea is good, too.

DITTO. I get a ton of useless "crazy cat lady" stuff from my mother every Christmas and birthday.

Why is the guy a loser just because he has five cats? Unless he's always talking about them or obsessively treats them like human children, what does it matter? Maybe he's fostering them, or he took in a stray who had kittens and he couldn't adopt them out, or he pulls them out of the shelter when they're scheduled to be euthanized. Maybe he just has a big heart.

Yea that made me sad to read. One of the things I like best about FI is that he loves animals so much. We only have 2 cats because that's all our apartment allows, but we would definitely have more if we could.

I would say a small gift card to a pet store, but no cutesy cat stuff. Then football stuff to make it a little more personal.

[badtzmaru22]

Dec 17, 2012 1:03:21 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

As someone who "likes cats" and was apparently pegged as such by my in-laws early on, please, for the love of God, do not get him cat-related shit. Not cat toys, not cat dish towels, not a cat letter opener, no cat figurines.

I vote for the "game day" bucket or other edible item, although the movie ticket (or maybe restaurant GC) idea is good, too.

I feel your pain. Signed, owner of a bunch of pug tchotchkes and some bulldog (because MIL can't tell the difference?) junk.

OP: I vote movie passes or restaurant gift card.

[7costanza]

Thank you everyone! My sister certainly knows how to pick 'em... This isn't even the weirdest bf she has had. One was about 5'5" and was going to spend a good sized inheritance on an extended trip to Germany for a leg lengthening surgery, and the last one spent all her money, ruined her credit and asked for an open relationship (and I think showered/brushed his teeth about once a week)

She's actually living with the current one, and brought her two additional cats - so they have a total of 7 cats living in a two bedroom condo. I can't even imagine how bad that place smells. +o( And from what I can tell he does talk about them a lot and treats them like his children.