Gift Guide #9: The Impossible-to-Shop-For Crowd (You Know Who You Are)

I got our daycare/preschool teachers a thing of really nice hand cream (L’Occitane Shea Butter) because they wash their hands so much! It’s a luxury version of a staple they need but might not splurge on for themselves. I stuck a card in there that said: “for the hands that help me grow.” And I put it all in a brown kraft gift bag that I let him color all over and design. It added a personal touch. Don’t know if that helps you at all but I had the same problem — I agonized for weeks until I landed on this.

Hi Christine,
Your offer is so lovely and appreciated. Reached out to you last week. If you’re able to get back to me, I would love it!
-Kelly

remezcla also has wonderful links to amazing Latinx artists and artisans full of the best stuff – my fave i found through remezcla was Sandia Stitches and her Choncha and Mazapán embroidery – ALL the heart-eyes!

I received between $15 and $25

I am a teacher, and I appreciate anything that is given to me. That said, for my daughter’s (middle) teachers and aides (she is autistic and has an aide to help in two class subjects), I get them $20 gift cards to Target. It can add up, but I think it’s a small amount to pay back considering what they do to support her.

Liz (and all): please don’t forget the others in your school: the librarian, the art teacher, the music teacher, etc. …. These teachers see your children every week, most likely. They know every child in the school and yet rarely get a thank you in the way classroom teachers do. Not to say you have to spend money on everyone, but a genuine, heartfelt thank you note is sure to be appreciated — especially at those times like Christmas or Teacher Appreciation Week, when the classroom teachers are being showered with flowers and chocolates and gift cards.

@Sarah Levy Thank you for the shout-out (teacher librarian here). I had 600 students at my last school, and knew every single kid, first and last name, and something little about them, at the very least. It took years to build relationships, and it was so kind and thoughtful when families thought of me for gifts (I particularly loved flowers and plants, but the Target cards were appreciated, too!).

One of the things our PTO coordinated to do around teacher appreciation week and the holidays was have the room parents collect money from each class (I think suggested donations were $20 per family, but there were families who definitely could not afford that, so others always stepped in). Then each class was assigned a specials teacher/staff member (art, Spanish, library, special ed, etc) and the room parents took some money out to buy a gift for the classroom teacher as well as the specials/staff member. For example, one year I got a really nice Visa gift card and a note from a 3rd grade class AND a 1st grade class. I was stunned!

On a funny note: one year a colleague got a massage as a class gift…and the masseuse was the room mom! This particular parent was well-meaning but a wee bit, ahem, zealous… and took every opportunity to conference with the teacher. This ensured that the massage would be possibly the most awkward thing on the planet (oh, sure, I’ll get naked and lie on this table…and talk to you about your student?!) Eeek.

I vote for a quality cooking knife and some new kitchen towels.

what about some nice, high quality olive oil or other fancy food item? He might enjoy cooking with something nicer than he would normally purchase

Thank you so much, Emily! These are great ideas! (I will save one for next year, too!)

In line with Emily’s suggestions, I recommend checking out https://www.mouth.com/ for some fun foodie gifts :) (think I may have actually discovered that site through CoJ!)

Maybe your uncle would enjoy a subscription to a money/finance magazine? I always think that’s fun because it’s a gift that keeps giving throughout the year! And is maybe something he wouldn’t think to do for himself.

All the men in my family were geeking out on Thanksgiving over the Meater thermometer. I bought them each one for Christmas! https://meater.com/

We’re in residency too! It’s tough to find gifts on all budgets.

Me!! I’ve never done before, but last night I ordered myself a pale pink velvet swing dress, super on sale. I’m so excited. I’m imagining petting sleeve repeatedly, like a cat.

.I never wrap anything for myself, but christmas is really the only time I go mall shopping, so I get myself a lot of things.

The Patagonia sweatpants are such a splurge ($70 bucks for sweatpants, seriously?!) but I love the company so much and think their things are great quality and they were flattering and soft so…. Merry Christmas to me!!!

Also- side note I’m a 3rd grade teacher and my students families chipped in and bought me a visa gift card. Supposedly they collected $20 dollars in October (they say it’s easier then because you aren’t spending money on school supplies like in August/September and Christmas gifts so it’s easier to ask for it). They gave me half of the gift at xmas and half at the end of the year. Together I was able to buy all the supplies my boyfriend and I needed to go on a 4 day backpacking trip to Alaska. When I sling my beautiful Osprey backpack over my shoulder I think happily about those families and children. It was cash yes, but it was so lovely and allowed us to plan a trip with expenses we could otherwise not afford.
(Also as a teacher who doesn’t drink coffee visa giftcards are a safe bet lol)

The Sun is so wonderful. What a thoughtful gift that would be.

Yes. I used to get my mil harry and david pears–huge treat for those who lived in the depression.

That’s exactly what I gift to myself on my birthday every year….?

THIS is a great idea

I LOVE sending food. I send Baked by Melissa cupcakes to my sweet out of town friends when they have their second or third children (they have so many clothes, but late night cupcakes, come on!) or my friends going through rough times, or for engagements or congratulations… anything really! It’s a bit of an expensive, $48ish for 25 mini-cupcakes, but they get rave reviews and it’s just a small gesture I can do (instead of flowers). I send them about once a month or so I wish they had a loyal buyer club haha

Does he like to read? My dad fits that stereotype, and I always get him a couple books for Christmas. He loves WEB Griffin, Tom Clancy, and Dale Brown. Those, coupled with a cross word-esque book (I’ve gotten those, Word Roundups, and the Now I Know Trivia book), a nice card, and maybe some snacks would round out a nice basket.

He might like a vintage or reproduction tin sign to hang in the garage?

I have a couple ideas!
–A subscription to a nice, glossy motorcycle magazine (there are a couple of these and they have dedicated followings, it’s pinterest for bikers!)
–some sort of food/meal delivery to help him during his recovery (if he loves meat, a steak of the month delivery, or a local veggie delivery subscription)
–Comfortable home clothes (I got my dad the sweat pants from outdoor voices and he loooooves them and he doesn’t care that it’s hip or anything, they’re just so comfortable and he can wear them to the grocery store)
–if he likes yard work generally, maybe a nice indoor plant he can tend too, there are pepper plant sets and mushroom logs, The Sill makes gorgeous indoor plants that ship

You sound like a kind daughter in law-ish, I’m sure whatever you and your boyfriend choose to give him will be very appreciated!!

Does he have a favorite sports team? Pro or college? We always default to sports-related shirts/hats/accessories/gifts for my dad, who sounds just like your boyfriend’s dad. Also, we once got my dad a pair of wool-lined slippers that were a surprisingly huge hit — good luck!!
https://www.ugg.com/s/UGG-US/men-slippers/ascot-slipper/191142827065.html?source=shoppingsite_PLA:%7bcampaign%7d:&kpid=:::ggl:&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkN3rhJCd3wIViCaGCh14HAwREAQYASABEgIGqfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

what about a book? maybe he’s not a reader yet, but if he’s recovering from surgery a book may be nice! I gifted my dad Red Notice by Bill Browder last year and he loved it!

My grandpa sounds very similar (loves working on his car especially) and every year my mom buys him a different kind of light. As in, some years for example its a set of LED headlamps with multiple colors, a higher end ultra bright flashlight, or a new light for his workstation. It has become a tradition and if you look around you can find some pretty cool stuff. It might not be the coolest or most creative gift but it’s always something that he can use and it provides my mom with a general framework each year when she goes to hunt for something. Plus they usually aren’t crazy expensive. You can look on Amazon or at Cabelas. Basic auto parts supply stores possibly too.

If he’s recovering from surgery, my vote would be something cozy. A soft sweater or sweatshirt (is he into his alma mater, a sports team, a favorite city?) Sheepskin slippers? A scarf?

Thank you for all these wonderful ideas!! Very helpful!! Another thing i thought of after reading others comments (in case anyone else is in a similar situation) one of those fancy ice cream delivery gifts sounds awesome.

If he’s a reader – I HIGHLY recommend Endurance by Alfred Lansing. It’s a fantastic day by day account of Shacketon’s voyage to Antarctica. It doesn’t sound that exciting, but it seriously was one of the most gripping books I’ve ever read. Make sure it’s the Alfred Lansing one, as there are a few versions out there by other authors, and he was the only one with direct access to the survivors’ journals.

What about a model car/airplane kit that he could tinker with while he recovers? Or a fun board game to play with family?

What about a pocket knife or multi tool, steaks (like from Omaha Steaks), a nice pair of slippers, or a “coupon” for a nice homemade dinner?

Love these!! Thank you! You guys are the best! Now I have too many ideas haha, going to try to pocket some of these for when his birthday rolls around. xo

TD, oh my gosh, I love Endurance, such a thrilling read. Highly recommend, even if you’re not a self evowed Shackleton nerd.

What a fantastic bunch of recommendations in these comments! COJ readers are the best.

My dad was similar-ish… not into cars or motorcycles really, but outdoorsy, liked to work on/fix things all the time, not into tech gadgets or fancy clothes. He didn’t read books (so many books for dad-type recs below!) but loved his National Geographic magazine subscription (there was always one next to the toilet, lol)!

I would recommend some food delivery service. Omaha Steaks makes good precooked meals that are easy to put in the oven and eat. But there are tons of other meal delivery options out there as well.

You said he likes motorcycles? Has he watched Sons of Anarchy? (I LOVED/ LOVE this show) you could buy him a box set of all 7 seasons so he has something to watch when he recovers. Good luck!

Some comments mentioned Endurance about Shackleton’s trip to the South Pole. You might also consider another book: Endurance (same title) by Scott Kelly, about his recent year in space on the International Space Station. I listened to Scott read it on Overdrive (so I very much recommend the audiobook if you have a recipient who likes to listen to books!), and it was gripping and interesting. It would be perfect for guys who were in the service, space nerds, people interested in the current state of international politics…. The list is long. I highly recommend it.

It’s kind of a strange object, but my father, who loves his woodchipper and riding mower and etc etc for the yard work, is completely obsessed with this hand tool.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007WFG2I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It’s apparently absolutely perfect for trimming and helping planting and etc etc.

I think your best bet is one of these! Search the web/pinterest for the recipes with the best reviews:

DIY Bath salts
DIY bubble bars or bath bombs
DIY sugar scrubs
DIY scented candles

I know you said no baked goods but what about other consumable things? A friend of mine once made a bunch of vanilla extract bottles from vanilla bean seeds and vodka (I’m sure you can find a recipe online). Another friend made homemade hot sauce. I was so happy to get both of these!

Homemade vanilla extract

What are the diet restrictions? I find that food items are often even better for people with restrictions because it shows that you took the time and really thought of them to get it right. They also miss out on a lot of the usual holiday treats that they can’t eat and probably get a ton of gifts they can’t eat from people who don’t know them well. Baked good can be tricky with restrictions but there are a lot of other food items that are easier.

Candied orange peels are an easy but festive and fun treat and work for anyone except people who can’t have sugar or citrus. If people can’t do sugar, savory spiced nuts are good. If they drink, I find that infused liquor is always a hit and with fruit and herbs there are so many options to customize it.

-Handmade wreath or swag (Depending on the plants you choose, it could work in other seasons too)
-Cutting/division from a houseplant you already have
-Handmade cloth napkins (Purl Soho has great patterns!)
-I third the vanilla extract!
-Limoncello (super easy)

You could use a website like shutterfly and make a photo calendar or notepads or coasters or something like that. You could use family pictures, or take some nice nature pics or something like that. Handmade, but very little actual crafting involved.

Try hitting a local craft show; our town has them at a few local elementary schools on Saturday mornings. I usually hear about them through lawn signs.

Or, just go to Mountain Rose Herbs, buy a large bag of French clay, repackage it in smaller personal size containers and Voila! you have a home-made gift facial mask.

good luck!

Herb infused salt or butter or olive oil? Or, let’s be honest, vodka?

here’s a vanilla link for you! i make my own and it’s so good. easy AND v. classy gift. :)

https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/01/make-your-own-vanilla-extract/

I second the shutterfly calendar suggestion. I do these for my family every year. You can personalize the calendar itself with birthdays on the actual dates, including pictures of people’s faces. The calendars are inexpensive when they have a 50% off sale (almost all the time). They take around an hour to make once you get the hang of Shutterfly’s software. Its much easier to use on a computer than a mobile device, in my opinion. My family goes WILD for them. I make everyone’s a little different, include different photos, etc., and they all enjoy looking at them when we open gifts.

thekitchn.com has amazing DIY gift ideas.

photo book, recipe book, crochet scarf (easy to learn a basic stitch and quick to make if you get extra chunky yarn), homemade kombucha is super easy

Homemade limoncello! We have done this as a homemade gift and its a hit! Pretty easy too!

if the other ideas doesn’t work out I would maybe get a plant, with a simple clay pot and repaint the edge. Just a geometrical pattern or a stripe may not be too hard to make and would look pretty. something like this:?0kUAyePyjyr_3yNK7aFSwFp_eAkCdep7
Love the idea of only handmade gifts :)

beeswax candles- you get a kit with beeswax sheets and the wick- you simply roll the beeswax sheet around the wick and you are done- beautiful colors, yummy smell, very little time to create ( like 5 minutes!!!!). easy peasy

I’m a non-Starbucks-drinking-teacher, and I end up reselling all my Starbucks gift cards on Cardpool for about 75% their value…