Post your random holiday gift questions here

[mbcdefg]

I'm doing little gifts for my siblings and their SOs. I asked my brother what I can get for his girlfriend (she's 25, very "girly") from Ulta and he suggested nail polish, so I'm looking at their gift sets. 

My nails look like crap and I have no idea about polish brands. 
Which of these is better, or can you suggest something else in the $15-25ish range? Ulta preferred (but not mandatory) since there's one near my office. 

www.ulta.com/breakfast-at-tiffanys-10-pc-mini-set?productId=xlsImpprod14931037 

www.ulta.com/winter-collection-mini-set?productId=xlsImpprod14981011 

Is it dumb to add a pocket manicure set? www.ulta.com/professional-manicure-grooming-set?productId=xlsImpprod4680049 


I've also got my eye on a Coach skinny wallet for $99 ... for myself, lol. Plus 8% back on eBates. Should I pull the trigger? www.coach.com/coach-skinny-wallet-in-leather/51936+DKFOG.html 

Or could I do better at an outlet? The closest outlet is about an hour away and I really dislike in-person shopping, but if it's like $50 at the outlet I would do it. 

[yentl]

I would love that Essie set. I love Essie polish, it's my favorite brand.

I wish I could help more on the wallet. I like it but I'm totally unfamiliar with Coach pricing.

I'm thinking of getting my niece a beauty box subscription and wanted to do Sephora Play. I'm on the waiting list though. Does anyone know how often they open up memberships? Or does anyone have suggestions for a different subscription?

[nicechicken]

The links aren't working, but I like the breakfast at Tiffany's. HOWEVER, I would look at the following options:
Carli Bybel palette- I've heard this palette is awesome, I tested it, and if I didn't have so many matching colors, I would have gotten it.,
Lorac Glosses-LOVE these, got last years ones and they are great!
Nail polish-I like this one better-if only because it does have tiffany blue in it! And I would get this hand cream to go with it! 
Liquid lipstick-I love these too

[cajunmom]

I can't get the links to work either, but I love Essie polishes as well, much more than OPI. Nail polish is a great gift IMO because it isn't as particular as other makeup. Like, I wouldn't want anyone, even H, picking out shadows or lipsticks or anything else for me because I like certain brands and only certain shades work for me.

My question is...we are planning a quick 2 day Universal trip for H and the kids. DSS knows about it but the girls don't, it's their big christmas gift and the only other things they're getting are stocking stuffers. Should we get something Universal related to give them to open, or just tell them about it christmas morning, or.... We went to Universal for one day in September and they bought their own wands so I can't get those.

[steph96]

mbcdefg the coach outlet items are specifically made for the outlets. I haven't looked in years, but I'm pretty sure you won't find an identical item at the outlet store. Treat yo self to the one from the actual Coach store or a department store that carries Coach.

[steph96]

Nov 28, 2016 15:27:51 GMT -5 yentl said:

I would love that Essie set. I love Essie polish, it's my favorite brand.

I wish I could help more on the wallet. I like it but I'm totally unfamiliar with Coach pricing.

I'm thinking of getting my niece a beauty box subscription and wanted to do Sephora Play. I'm on the waiting list though. Does anyone know how often they open up memberships? Or does anyone have suggestions for a different subscription?

Idk about the wait list, but I just wanted to say that I love my Play subscription. It's my favorite.

[steph96]

Nov 28, 2016 19:46:34 GMT -5 poundcake said:

My mom swore by the Coach outlet. She said it was cheaper however she never went with the idea of something in mind because they didn't have what she wanted a few times.
Can you call and ask?

I'm stuck on my siblings and their SO's. My siblings never use what I buy and I can't spend what they would like. My brother and SIL are splitting up after the new year.

I'm just giving gift cards and Penzys spices. I just don't know where to get them.

Will any other family members do a joint gift with you? I much rather receive 1 awesome gift than 4 good gifts.

[mbcdefg]

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

[countthestars]

Any recos for a cheap-ish drone? It's for a 15 year old boy and I'm looking to spend ~$50

[puppylove64]

On coach outlet's website the white wallet is $60. I don't see any other colors mbcdefg

[snowflurry]

Nov 30, 2016 10:00:57 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Any recos for a cheap-ish drone? It's for a 15 year old boy and I'm looking to spend ~$50

From everything I have read, the Syma x5c gets the best reviews for the price.  You can find them at nextegg (sold by propel, I think) and Amazon for less than $50.  The X5c-1 upgraded version gets better reviews but is about $56-$60.  I have read that the x5sc and x5sw are not as good.

[MrsDarcy]

Nov 30, 2016 10:00:57 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Any recos for a cheap-ish drone? It's for a 15 year old boy and I'm looking to spend ~$50

We have this one and like it:

m.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=59128026&gclid=CK_Cnq_-0NACFdgMgQod784PjQ&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID20765785:TRUS&cagpspn=plat_20765785&eESource=CAPLA_DF:59128026:TRUS

[MrsDarcy]

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

My 2 year old likes play food a lot. The Melissa and Doug sets are fun. And my 5 year old likes Lego a lot. Neither are "trendy" but they're fun.

[countthestars]

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

Paw Patrol, Disney Princesses, Minecraft, Star Wars, Shopkins all seem to (still) be popular this year

[glynn]

My two oldest are adults with SO and I hate it. Christmas is not fun when I don't know what to get people. I have never met DS SO and she is coming next weekend for 3 weeks....

[blondemoment123]

I drew my supervisor in Secret Santa. She likes golf. Any gift recommendations around $25?

[blondemoment123]

Nov 30, 2016 17:54:51 GMT -5 glynn said:

My two oldest are adults with SO and I hate it. Christmas is not fun when I don't know what to get people. I have never met DS SO and she is coming next weekend for 3 weeks....

3 weeks!?

Restaurant gift card?

[mainelyfoolish]

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

For donations, I try to stay away from toys for preschoolers because more people donate those as they are cheap and cute.

My suggestion is Legos, super hero dolls/action figures, or American Girl knockoff dolls (Toys R Us has Journey Girls, Target has Our Generation). You can get an Our Generation deluxe doll set which is a doll, a book and a couple of outfits for $35 (or less if it's on sale).

[mbcdefg]

Nov 30, 2016 20:51:59 GMT -5 mainelyfoolish said:

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

For donations, I try to stay away from toys for preschoolers because more people donate those as they are cheap and cute.

My suggestion is Legos, super hero dolls/action figures, or American Girl knockoff dolls (Toys R Us has Journey Girls, Target has Our Generation). You can get an Our Generation deluxe doll set which is a doll, a book and a couple of outfits for $35 (or less if it's on sale).

Thanks!

I placed an Amazon order yesterday and I included a Shopkins set and a Minecraft Lego set. 

I'm probably going to get my brother's GF something from Ulta ... so while I'm there I'll look for something like a nail polish set or a lip gloss set for a teenager. 

[UnderProtest]

sfy, I think it was you that had a friend with a website similar to uncommon goods. What is it again???

[glynn]

Dec 1, 2016 12:30:40 GMT -5 hellomarriedlife said:

Nov 30, 2016 17:54:51 GMT -5 glynn said:

My two oldest are adults with SO and I hate it. Christmas is not fun when I don't know what to get people. I have never met DS SO and she is coming next weekend for 3 weeks....

Is this couple driving in or flying in?

If they are not flying, and the SO likes wine, you could get her some from a local winery. 

Other ideas:

Pair of leather gloves

Food from a local small business. My town has a highly-regarded locally owned candy store that makes its own chocolate.a

Also, I know that this isn't going to sound very girly, but a popular gift in my circle is a "car care" kit that they sell at Wal Mart that has windshield wiper fluid, wipes for cleaning the inside of the car, etc.

One year, my dad gave me jumper cables to keep in my car. I actually used them to help out somebody else. SaveSave

Thanks for ideas... She is driving in and they are driving back together. My son is here after getting out of the Marines. She is 10 hours away in NY. They are planning on moving in togther when she gradutates from College in May. He is planning on moving back out of my house in Jan. back to NC where he was stationed. He will probably be in Maryland by May for work. My DD1 and her SO are 5 hours away and they are driving in together.

The 3 week visit is a little scary for us both i think. My son said she is scared also.... This is the first time I have had to deal with a serious GF... I have known and interacted with my DD1 BF for 2 years and this is only the second time he is coming here to stay. I have visited my DD1 many times and he has been around but they do not live together.

[alleinesein]

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

Are you a Costco member?  Our Costco had some great art/how to draw kits that would be great for the older kids.  I think they were around $20-$25.  

[mbcdefg]

Dec 1, 2016 20:06:21 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

Are you a Costco member?  Our Costco had some great art/how to draw kits that would be great for the older kids.  I think they were around $20-$25.  

Yes - thanks!

[sfy]

Dec 1, 2016 9:34:25 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

sfy , I think it was you that had a friend with a website similar to uncommon goods. What is it again???

Hi .  I'm late on this, but I think you may be thinking of LoveTrains , whose responded to a thread I made that her friend made the glasses sold on Uncommon Goods or a similar site.
SaveSave

[LoveTrains]

Dec 13, 2016 9:46:16 GMT -5 sfy said:

Dec 1, 2016 9:34:25 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

sfy , I think it was you that had a friend with a website similar to uncommon goods. What is it again???

Hi .  I'm late on this, but I think you may be thinking of LoveTrains , whose responded to a thread I made that her friend made the glasses sold on Uncommon Goods or a similar site.
SaveSave

My friend is one of the owners of this company, The Uncommon Green:

theuncommongreen.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA1b7CBRDjmIPL4u-Zy6gBEiQAsJhTMGakaF4jnKoxRiotALn-V-9bfayW89wEUy90rXH6LC0aAvrb8P8HAQ

They make map glassware and all kinds of other cool stuff!! State cheese slates! Marathon glasses!

Buy your stuff from them!

[genet313]

Nov 30, 2016 9:31:08 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

My office is doing a toy drive for kids aged 2-16. 

Any suggestions for popular toys/gifts this year? Maybe in the $30 range?

For my toy drive purchases this year, I got some Tonka trucks, some duplo blocks ($15 at Costco) and a bunch of puzzles from Melissa & Doug.  

Also, these are not cool, but I got these for DD this year because she's "oooo-hhhh"-ing over them when I show her the catalogue.  Well, actually, I played with the cash register tonight and it was pretty cool.  


www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C930%2C507&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1478918833163





www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C930%2C484&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1478917630060



www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C928%2C435&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1478918853880



www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C931%2C400&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1478918960816 

[mbcdefg]

Thank you for those who suggested Melissa and Doug! I got some reusable sticker books for our friends' kids and apparently they really like them. And they're very MM at under $5! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JHDC4IW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

I wish I'd ordered more of them, for some young extended family members. 

[Susie]

Anybody want to recommend favorite gift boxes or items from Penzeys? That's my plan for my friends. (We often are not super timely, so "new years gift" timing is fine, lol.)

[moolarkey]

Dec 13, 2016 21:16:09 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

Dec 13, 2016 9:46:16 GMT -5 sfy said:

Hi .  I'm late on this, but I think you may be thinking of LoveTrains , whose responded to a thread I made that her friend made the glasses sold on Uncommon Goods or a similar site.
SaveSave

My friend is one of the owners of this company, The Uncommon Green:

theuncommongreen.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiA1b7CBRDjmIPL4u-Zy6gBEiQAsJhTMGakaF4jnKoxRiotALn-V-9bfayW89wEUy90rXH6LC0aAvrb8P8HAQ

They make map glassware and all kinds of other cool stuff!! State cheese slates! Marathon glasses!

Buy your stuff from them!

I wish I'd seen this earlier, I need custom work for 2 different schools. I see they will start accepting custom orders at the end of December. They'll make great birthday gifts!