https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 20:35:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788934 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:54:36 +0000 agold 2788934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: For men, I have done a toiletry type bag from Rawlings - the baseball leather company. Not too cheap, but an awesome gift that everyone has generally liked a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788933 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:51:35 +0000 agold 2788933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: @wrkbrk: I bought similar type on-the-go wine glasses this year for quite a few people! I saw them first on Shark Tank. A brand called "govere". But I've found similar ones at a store near my house. I'm hoping someone gifts me a couple! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788832 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:31:04 +0000 gingerbebe 2788832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Oh yeah, cosmetics bags are good. I got these for some folks a few years ago (not this brand, but the same idea) and got one for myself bc its so convenient! </p> <p><a href="http://a.co/iR7tc5n" rel="nofollow">http://a.co/iR7tc5n</a></p> <p>Also, PACKING CUBES! I love them so much and its something you hate spending money on even though after you have them, its amazing.</p> <p>Purse organizers are also in that category.</p> <p>Oh also, DH and I both switched to credit card holders for our wallets last year. We hardly ever carry cash or coins and its all cards, so why bother with traditional wallets? I have a Lodis one which I love, but Amazon has a zillion kinds that are cheaper, even in leather.</p> <p><a href="http://a.co/b6qJoRY" rel="nofollow">http://a.co/b6qJoRY</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788829 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 12:21:12 +0000 SweetiePie 2788829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For moms I love the wine tumblers on Etsy that say “Because Toddlers”. I’ve given a few of those and they are always a hit. </p> <p>I was also just at Starbucks and they have gorgeous Swell bottles right now. In collaboration with Liberty Fabrics, so they are really pretty floral prints. For men they make ones that look like wood grain. </p> <p>A nice toiletry bag. Birdling has one on my wish list. For men it’s a little more expensive but Tumi is nice. Bonus if you can put some luxury travel sized items in it if you know what they like to use as far as shampoo face wash etc. </p> <p>And I really do love pajamas, cute fuzzy socks, or nice slippers. it’s just something that I always appreciate getting. J Crew Factory has some good options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788817 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 11:30:45 +0000 gingerbebe 2788817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I have a SIL and a cousin I'm not super close to but have to get gifts for at the holidays because of family politics. </p> <p>This year, I got my SIL and brother 2lbs of our favorite organic local coffee (i.e. they can't get it where they live), a bottle of very high quality Northern CA olive oil, and I'm also getting my SIL and cousin these eyeshadow sticks. They are my ABSOLUTE favorite thing personally and only $10 a pop:</p> <p><a href="http://a.co/5PsnVQb" rel="nofollow">http://a.co/5PsnVQb</a></p> <p>K-Beauty is so en vogue these days (altho less special to my family because I already am Korean), but I've never had anyone say they didn't love those sheet masks (Laneige water masks are fantastic) and TonyMoly brand makes lots of small, cute things like hand cream and eye cream that are super cute in terms of the packaging and smell great. Its also all small so it can ship or pack easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788809 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 10:33:37 +0000 bees_knees 2788809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A Lifestraw! Not super expensive, compact, and EVERYONE could use one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788807 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 10:27:17 +0000 Mama Bird 2788807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I'm stumped, I give art, or Christmas ornaments. DH likes to give books, but that's a hit and miss gift. I also got my dad some amazing tea one year, but somehow it's still in the cupboard. Even though the whole family knows how good it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788706 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:23:24 +0000 lawbee11 2788706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: Awesome! She’s going to love it :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788698 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:02:52 +0000 wrkbrk 2788698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Thank you! I feel like I have liked your advice in the past :) Totally getting this for DW right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788697 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:01:42 +0000 lawbee11 2788697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: Here’s the link to the one I have. Love it!!<br /> <a href="https://corkcicle.com/products/stemless?variant=48376004687" rel="nofollow">https://corkcicle.com/products/stemless?variant=48376004687</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788695 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:59:21 +0000 wrkbrk 2788695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pancakes: We have done this too! Big hit with the inlaws! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788694 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:59:00 +0000 wrkbrk 2788694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: Tell me about this?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788692 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:56:59 +0000 wrkbrk 2788692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: Yes to LL Bean slippers. Weird, but my favorite surprise gift from the year LO was born!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788691 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:56:15 +0000 wrkbrk 2788691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Idk, it depends. My mom has everything so last year I got her a personalized yankee candle with LO's photo and she LOVED it. But for more generic ... I have gotten several things from PB and Crate and Barrel that I have liked. Just decorative things like a hurricane candle holder and nice coasters. I also always like Lush (for women) and good old Starbucks gift cards! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788688 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:47:39 +0000 DesertDreams88 2788688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Young 20-something: Makeup gift sets from sephora, special sauces or craft beers, anything to help them in their career, travel amenities </p> <p>Mom: I look through all my amazon purchases of the last year, find my FAVORITE useful items, and buy those for her (pyrex mixing bowls with lids, tinted lip balm, magnetic jar opener, 3D mascara, OXO kitchen stuff)</p> <p>Dad: gourmet popcorn, firestarter stuff, Golf rounds </p> <p>Grandpa: smartwool socks for grandpa, coffee, photo mug with coffee </p> <p>Generic: new cell phone batteries, Anker portable chargers, hot chocolate kit (Ghiradelli, candy canes, mug, marshmallows), Passes to local fun things</p> <p>I look on their pinterest and find something that I can buy. </p> <p>Vintage maps of places that are significant to them (my husband has a side business selling vintage maps ready-to-hang)</p> <p>Scratch-off travel maps</p> <p>Handwritten journals about them (Amazon has ones for moms, dads, siblings, and spouses)</p> <p>Good pillows or slippers/moccasins </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788687 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:46:04 +0000 lawbee11 2788687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they are wine drinkers I suggest a Corkcicle stemless tumbler. I actually use mine for coffee also and it stays hot forever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788686 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:44:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 2788686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anya: @gingerbebe: I love the penzeys idea! Effect for my sil who is always complaining her apartment is too small for more stuff- she likes to cook so can just use it up and toss the bottles. Plus I like the company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788685 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:39:20 +0000 Pancakes 2788685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve done Jeni’s ice cream in the past. 4 pints + shipping runs around $60, so it’s pricey but they have fun unique flavors and don’t have to be eaten right away. I’m considering doing Zingerman’s sour cream coffee cakes this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788684 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 18:27:10 +0000 Anya 2788684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was coming to suggest Penzey's but gingerbee beat me to it :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788672 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:44:14 +0000 gingerbebe 2788672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things we got for hard-to-gift people:</p> <p>- We got my FIL a subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Since he's retired, he reads it cover to cover every day but its not something he would every pay for himself. The good part is we also get the digital subscription, which we use to read it every day. You can do that for just about any newspaper or magazine these days.</p> <p>- Golf shirts for FIL. He can never have enough golf stuff.</p> <p>- Car wash gift certificates and pedicure/manicure gift certificates. For some reason, these are perfectly acceptable, while store gift cards are not.</p> <p>- Things that are collectible (i.e. you can send them a new thing for every holiday or birthday). MIL is working on a set of Brighton charms, DH's aunt has a Pandora bracelet, SIL has another charm bracelet, and I think I'm going to start getting MIL Dept56 Christmas Village hoard this year. DH's aunt collects those Willow Tree angels.</p> <p>- My parents always send DH's parents a Harry and David's fruit basket or snack tower for Easter and Christmas.</p> <p>- I always get women a bedside jewelry dish that has a built in ring holder on it. I find that its way more useful than people realize at the time.</p> <p>- For DH's outdoorsy relatives, headlamps, Kershaw pocket knives, gloves that can be used with smart phones, and any kind of super bright LED work light or flashlight have been surprising hits. As are very high quality hiking socks - like the merino wool ones.</p> <p>- Penzey's spices are top notch and are always abundantly useful. They have great sales and free gifts and gift sets this time of year.</p> <p>- Kohl's The Big One plush blankets are SUPER soft, come in lots of cute colors and prints, and you can usually find them for a steal this time of year.</p> <p>- Good quality house slippers or scuffs are always useful. DH likes his Dearfoams and I have my eye on some LL Bean scuffs this year.</p> <p>- I got my SIL and her wife a Keurig machine for Christmas last year as a joint gift and I've been able to send them K-Cups as birthday presents - whenever I find a good sale I stock up!</p> <p>- Stocking holders. They are surprisingly expensive, people always need a ton of them, and you can usually find them for a good deal after Christmas and then gift them the following year. </p> <p>- Earrings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788668 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:27:36 +0000 Mrs. Ice Cream 2788668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are so hard to shop for, but last year I got them a ubiome kit, so they can see what kind of bacteria is in their stomach, and they loved it. This year I got them a 23 and me kit so then can explore their ancestry and health. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788667 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:23:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2788667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. D: I am totally pro gift card! But DH’s family is soooo annoying with gifts. Everyone goes over the top (in my opinion) so I feel like a jerk giving a random gift card unless I know a specific store or place they would want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788666 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 17:15:38 +0000 Mrs. D 2788666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift cards!<br /> I know, you feel like you are cheaping out, I get it. But I LOVE them because I get to spend the money after the holidays on clearance items and get twice the bang for my buck.<br /> If you don't want to feel cheap:<br /> bundle Movie Gift cards with gourmet popcorn,<br /> Coffee Giftcards with mugs or travel mugs (maybe custom ordered photo ones!)<br /> Clothing store cards with a nice scarf or funny socks</p> <p>A gift I've been meaning to make is a family cookbook, gather all the recipes, and over the course of a year or two, take photos of the finished meals and of family members cooking or enjoying the meals, and then give a copy to everyone!<br /> easy to make at a photobook company like Shutterfly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788664 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:45:40 +0000 Foodnerd81 2788664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An added difficulty for me is most of these people live far away and are flying in. So they have to get on a plane with anything I physically give them- which makes the xyz of the month club extra appealing! </p> <p>@agold: I was wondering if a throw blanket is too random of a gift. I love a nice soft blanket anytime anywhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788660 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:23:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2788660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Take this with a grain of salt because I am a bad gifter, however I am loving the coffee mugs from Anthropologie and World Market. For a coffee drinker add a bag or two of coffee and packaged breakfast pastry and boom just gave them a blissful morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788659 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:19:29 +0000 agold 2788659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've done Yeti mugs or S'well mugs. Also blankets. Cooking classes at Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table if you have one of those by you. But I'm looking for similar type items again for this year also since I've already used all of those on my hard-to-buy-for people, so I will for sure be following this thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788657 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:17:43 +0000 bubblegum 2788657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I photo gifted my family out! So one year I did two months worth of beer of the month club for my in laws. HUGE HIT!! They have other clubs like the wine or flowers! It's nice because the gift doesn't end right away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-gifts-for-hard-to-shop-for-people#post-2788656 Mon, 27 Nov 2017 16:13:02 +0000 Foodnerd81 2788656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every year I feel like someone on here suggests good gifts that kind of work for anyone but are better than a generic gift set. </p> <p>So... suggest your favorite gifts for those people are your list who are impossible to shop for. </p> <p>I'm getting both our parents and my BIL and his new wife photo frame ornaments from Crate and Barrel. I got one the year we got married that has a little tag that says the year, so I'm planning to print a wedding pic and put it in the newly married couple's. Then the ones for our parents I'll just put a cute pic of my kids. </p> <p>I'm struggling for my sister in law and my other BIL's girlfriend. </p>