Christmas gift ideas

almax · Post by **almax** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:09 am

if any of your are like me, you are really REALLY good at buying presents for yourself

but shithouse at buying presents for people you have no idea about and dont spend much
time with, for example my mothers/father husbands/wifes kids, technically my step sisters/brothers
but as i have never really spent much time with them (other than at christmas) i have no
fuckin idea what to buy them, sure i could just buy some chocolates or some wine, but
i hate to be predictable, but i also hate shopping for hours.
So, who has been shopping and seen some awesome "generic" presents and where are they?

One i have found (well i walk past it to the train station everyday) was in Melbourne Central,
you can buy a hamper with a bunch of dressings and chutneys etc in it, looks nice.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:19 am

I am lucky my family has a lot of readers in it, so I usually go somewhere like Readings (who put out great Christmas brochures with all the new releases ), and can knock over a lot at once with their books, cd and dvd collection. They're also open until very late, so that means shopping when you feel like it.

Gourmet gifts were my choice for the relatives this weekend. I hit this great Italian deli, Maria's on Nicholson St and got lots of nice stuff that was only $10.

Wine that is uinque or special works well too. I dropped into St Jude's Cellar on Brunswick and found some inexpensive French bubbles for $21, that look special, & taste good according to the shop dude.

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:40 am

For sure... making up your own hampers are also a good idea. you can put all sorts of things in there, depending on the person. For my Mum one year, we put in gourmet deli bits and pieces, wine, a book and a CD.

Al, that collectables shop on Chapel is a winner. As long as you know at least one movie/band/TV show that someone is mad about - and most people are pretty mad about one, then you can pick up a wicked "Scarface" doll, or a "Biggie" doll, etc etc.

Worst comes to worst... gift vouchers.

gnat · Post by **gnat** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:48 am

i am a gun present buyer. i've completely finished and have no generic presents or gift vouchers in my stash

garden stuff is good- like a potted lemon or lime tree, jap maple etc. or sunloungers/ chairs such good presents.

harris scarfe has the best sales to get kitchen shit too. this year i've bought a mad roasting tray, a le creuset copy casserole dish, canningvale towels and a mad stainless steel water pitcher from there for fuck all- at least 40% off

for food stuff can't go past peter watson- in sth melbs and collingwood. best

i scour catalogues and mags and rip stuff out for months pre xmas and also buy online. i could be a present buyer for a job i reckon. i lovvve xmas and getting presents for everyone

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:51 am

Direkt wrote:For sure... making up your own hampers are also a good idea. you can put all sorts of things in there, depending on the person. For my Mum one year, we put in gourmet deli bits and pieces, wine, a book and a CD.

Al, that collectables shop on Chapel is a winner. As long as you know at least one movie/band/TV show that someone is mad about - and most people are pretty mad about one, then you can pick up a wicked "Scarface" doll, or a "Biggie" doll, etc etc.

Worst comes to worst... gift vouchers.

BIGGIE doll ? Fa real, me wants.

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:53 am

gnat wrote:harris scarfe has the best sales to get kitchen shit too. this year i've bought a mad roasting tray, a le creuset copy casserole dish, canningvale towels and a mad stainless steel water pitcher from there for fuck all- at least 40% off

do you know if theres a sale at the moment? we still need a le creuset (or copy)

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:53 am

Yeah mate... LOVE it... such attention to detail.

$60, but I've seen them on eBay heaps cheaper, there's 4 different models.

This is the one I have:

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:00 pm

Direkt wrote:Yeah mate... LOVE it... such attention to detail.

$60, but I've seen them on eBay heaps cheaper, there's 4 different models.

This is the one I have:

DOPE as man !
I know what ill be getting for xmas this year, haha.

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:01 pm

Do it Rod.

He's even got fat rolls under his top! I think the doll is around 9" tall.

almax · Post by **almax** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:08 pm

does he have bullet holes in his dome too?

Gnat, buy for me ill pay ya! i hate it
But great ideas, where is this Harris scarfe you speak of?

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:09 pm

almax wrote:does he have bullet holes in his dome too?

He got shot in the torso, not his head... asshole

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:15 pm

Magazine subscriptions are a good gift for some.
Most people are into SOMETHING out there.
Bores and Babes, Horse and Cart, Future Music etc etc !

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:17 pm

^ true, great idea. The gift that keeps giving for 12-months.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:06 pm

I'm a fan of the mag subscription. My sisters have done a good job on that for me in the past.

Also other years I have been given charity gifts, like ducks and school equipment through CARE and Oxfam. You have to be careful when giving those presents though. Not everyone is into that, so its best to ask for it for yourself if not sure.

Kaiproject · Post by **Kaiproject** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:55 pm

Check this out : http://www.wired.com/reviews/package/wishlist2008

Especially this- http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr ... ay_model_c

Quite affordable hey

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:01 pm

Might get a couple.

same o · Post by **same o** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:10 pm

Robot Rod wrote: Bores and Babes

sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funny

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:10 pm

Kaiproject wrote:Check this out : http://www.wired.com/reviews/package/wishlist2008

Especially this- http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr ... ay_model_c

Quite affordable hey

Aldi shit !

The little edison kit looks cool though.
Might get it myself for a little fun.

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:14 pm

sAme'0 wrote:
Robot Rod wrote: Bores and Babes
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo funny

Man, i still look at the cover in amazement when i pass by it in the newsagents.
I would love to meet a gal that has been in that mag and take her home to meet me mum.

" hey love, what do you do with ya self ?"
"ohh, you know, i flip me vag out while stroking a blood soked bore "

same o · Post by **same o** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:20 pm

hahahahahahahahahahaha

gnat · Post by **gnat** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:23 pm

i keep trying to post and it fails. HS is at knifepoint al but may also be one at chaddy?.. yeh i'll do it for a fee

FS- big w had some fake les creuset in their catalogue on weekend http://www.bigw.com.au/home/kitchen.html

big dub catalogue has some good ideas actually for rellos- esp that patio range stuff- tablewares and solar lights and stuffs

Post by **huge** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:49 pm

i fucken suck at buying presents. i cant even buy myself presents. so annoying.

almax · Post by **almax** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:05 pm

gnat wrote: HS is at knifepoint

so is that how you get stuff cheap?

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:14 pm

www.abbotsfordbisciots.com.au

Yummy biscuits, fudges, cakes that give something back to our local community.

Not the highest qaulity control in the world, but that would be missing the point.

These gourmet biscuits are made of the highest quality ingredients by the young people in the Jesuit Social Services Gateway Program. Gateway’s commercial kitchen offers young people supervised skills training, work experience and employment preparation.

mixtress · Post by **mixtress** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:23 pm

almax wrote:
gnat wrote: HS is at knifepoint

so is that how you get stuff cheap?

Highpoint Shopping Centre

J Gal · Post by **J Gal** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:31 pm

I'm a HUGE fan of http://www.redballoondays.com.au/?gclid ... agod_Bg3JA for pressies. Spherix and i got his parentals a hotair balloon ride last xmas and my parentals an afternoon hanging with elephants @ the zoo. Just cool experiences. I like the idea of buying an experience rather than a present that will gather dust... Both sets of parentals were stoked...

Post by **breaksRbest** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:36 pm

Last year I got my Mum a package from here: http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/

it took her quite a few months to actually use it but she LOVED it when she did

otherwise, just buy sneakers.

J Gal · Post by **J Gal** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:38 pm

breaksRbest wrote:Last year I got my Mum a package from here: http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/

it took her quite a few months to actually use it but she LOVED it when she did

otherwise, just buy sneakers.

mmmm sneakers....

no buying sneakers for awhile

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:15 pm

gnat wrote:FS- big w had some fake les creuset in their catalogue on weekend http://www.bigw.com.au/home/kitchen.html

Thanks!

we got ourselves a nice saucepan and i reckon the casserole is in the works.

Baby Ruth · Post by **Baby Ruth** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:30 pm

Juxtapoz subscriptions are pretty cheap (i think last time it was like $40AUD for 12 months, but it is probably like $300AUD with the shit dollar now).

I have ordered 2 of these, for people with apartments, but who love a bit of home cooking
http://www.herbgardenkits.com.au/store/ ... ory/491922
they are $68 incl postage (the chick is getting more in before xmas).

And good knife sharpeners never go astray for people who love cooking and appreciate a well sharpened knife (the king of knives are really helpful for this).

Baby Ruth · Post by **Baby Ruth** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:32 pm

Also, if you know what products or type of products you want, go here

http://www.lasoo.com.au/portal/

type in the product, and it searches all current catalogues and tells you who has it on sale, or with special offers/promos.

Robot Rod · Post by **Robot Rod** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:44 pm

You cant go wrong with an SH-101 !

Even me nanna would flip yeah !!

nic · Post by **nic** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:43 am

sponsor a african monkey or something

Brain · Post by **Brain** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 12:22 pm

Tshirt gun FTW

http://www.tshirtgun.com/

Think of the possibilities shooting T-Shirts, Stress Balls, Confetti, Streamers, Stuffed Toys, and more could generate for your business.

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:20 pm

zomg. want tshirt gun. possibly the easiest way to transport clothes from the clothes line to your wardrobe.

Lizkins · Post by **Lizkins** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:23 pm

okay i have a kris kringle for a dude at work who loves the Simpsons as much as i do. He also loves his beer, so i was thinking of a bottle opener that burbs like Homer, have heard they exist, but where?

needs help! city or on-line shopping preferable

witty_pseudonym · Post by **witty_pseudonym** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:32 am

I reckon this is a fucking cool idea! Think I might do something like this this year. Because really, who needs more shit in their lives?

http://www.kiva.org/app.php

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.

Kiva partners with existing expert microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva, our partners upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them. When you do, not only do you get a unique experience connecting to a specific entrepreneur on the other side of the planet, but our microfinance partners can do more of what they do, more efficiently.

shabana · Post by **shabana** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:19 pm

chickens and poo..works everytime http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au/

makes me sick the amount of shit presents get handed round this time of year
i figure poo (and goats and drinking water and some tiny alleviation of grinding poverty) is as good as the crap i'll get given

Fents · Post by **Fents** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:39 pm

if anyone looking for a pressie for dad or brother go to kmart and buy them a coopers homebrew kit. teach a man to brew for a lifetime and all that jazz.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:03 pm

Shop local - even with charity IMO.

Help a young person in OUR community get training and or job.

www.abbostfordbiscuits.com.au
www.artfuldodgers.tv

Lizkins · Post by **Lizkins** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:24 pm

couldn't get the talking Homer bottle opener, but i did get a Duff beer stubby holder, sweet!

totally forgot about

dstore.com

very handy!

andy_hoffman · Post by **andy_hoffman** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:19 am

I'm wanting to get my girlfriend one of those medicom be@rbrick toys.

I'd like a big white blank one. anyone know anywhere in melbourne where i can get them?

Post by **breaksRbest** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:48 am

Villain on Sydney Rd have them I'm pretty sure

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:00 pm

andy_hoffman wrote: I'd like a big white one.

commercial rd probably you're best bet

andy_hoffman · Post by **andy_hoffman** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:39 pm

mrj wrote:
andy_hoffman wrote: I'd like a big white one.
commercial rd probably you're best bet

Thanks but was in Brunswick area so ended up at Villian. They didn't have them but picked up a "Munny" doll for $55 which is cheaper and I reckon they look cooler than the Be@rbrick ones anyway.

Thanks Glenny!

Post by **breaksRbest** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:04 pm

the blank Munny cars are cool too, did you see them?

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:10 pm

andy_hoffman wrote:
mrj wrote:
andy_hoffman wrote: I'd like a big white one.
commercial rd probably you're best bet
Thanks but was in Brunswick area so ended up at Villian. They didn't have them but picked up a "Munny" doll for $55 which is cheaper and I reckon they look cooler than the Be@rbrick ones anyway.

Thanks Glenny!

$55 for that? Really? Are you taking the piss! $55!?! Does it come with accessories, like a little gun or summat?

andy_hoffman · Post by **andy_hoffman** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:31 pm

Yeah comes with accessories and shit. Saw the munny cars. they look pretty sweet!

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:06 am

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:44 am

Continueing on from the "buy a goat for a village" concept social enterprises give people who want to buy an ethical present for christmas a new and more tangible option.

Instead of just a card which tells the receiver that someone somewhere is getting a goat, which in actual fact - they are not - but buying presents from a social enterprise who are actaully able to provide a present, and that present has created real jobs, and real outcomes, in a real community - right here at home.

Have been working pretty hard on this - and pretty proud of it. Prices are above what you would pay for a normal present of this kind, but as a donation at least you recieve something back....

I encourage anyone who has a company that speands $$$ on corportate gifts to consider contacting me to see how we can work with your organisation - we are able to co-brand corportate gifts providing a great marketing tool for your company. Get in your bosses ear!

http://www.jss.org.au/content/view/198/247/

Abbotsford Biscuits employs people who have been excluded from mainstream training and employment opportunities.

Give a gift that helps build a more just society this Christmas.
*Premium gourmet biscuits and cakes
*Finest quality, fresh ingredients
*Hand crafted products and gifts
*A gift that gives back - make this a Just Christmas

http://www.jss.org.au/content/view/198/247/