Christmas Present Ideas

    - electric griddle
    - Bissel Little Green Machine
         (really helps save the
         carpets from those kids
         (and adult) spills)
    - Any Barbie stuff
    - Doll House accessories
    - American Girl Chapter Books
    - Craft sets
    - Stationary set
    - Diary (Journal) and Pen
    - Action figures
    - Match Box cars
    - large, matched bath/hand
          towels
    - high count cotton sheets
    - coffee grinder and starbucks
          coffee
    - wine
    - blockbuster video rental
          coupons
    - sound warehouse coupons
    - music CDs (this is tough
          unless you _know_ what
          they like and that they
          don't have it/them)
    - VHS Videos (same thing)
    - piggy banks (kids)
    - mold-your-own-face jello kits
          (kids (and adults?))
    - sunglasses and hats (kids)
    - Amazon.com gift certificates
    - beanie babies
    - Best Buy gift card
    - music CDs and VHS videos can
          be covered via the gift
          certificate route
    - bath sets - bubble bath,
          loofah, luxurious
          washcloth and towel,
          candle, etc
    - book light for those who like
          to read in bed but don't
          want to turn on a light
          and disturb their partner
    - flexible ratcheting
          screwdriver (about $6 at
          Sears)
    - snakelight
    - filet mignon from Omaha
          Steaks
    - Legos
    - Brio train stuff
    - diecast metal cars, trucks &
          planes (e.g. Hot Wheels,
          etc.)
    - grapefruit & oranges from
          Pittman & Davis
http://www.pittmandavis.com/
    - games (e.g. Life, chinese
          checkers)
    - wooden puzzles from The
          Puzzle People 22719 Tree
          Farm Rd, Colfax, CA 95173
          800.443.4823 
          fax 916.637.4854
    - maple syrup from The Vermont
          Country Store,
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/vcs/html/candies.htm
    - Muffins, rolls, etc. from
http://www.wolfermans.com/shopping.html
    - membership in local public
          radio or television
          station
    - gift certificate to a
          hardware store
    - Dates from Oasis Date
          Gardens,
http://www.oasisdate.com/
    - payment to utility company
          (e.g. electric, gas,
                phone)
    - Hamilton Beach milkshake
          blender
    - nice wooden hangars for
          closets
    - Teas & Iced Tea Maker
    - Cookie Bouquet
    - Mikasa serving tray & cookies
    - Crabtree & Evelyn gift set
          (woman)
    - San Antonio River Mill
          pancake mixes & syrups

A cool idea:

    What my family does (we haven't
    been able to convince
    [spouse]'s family to do it)
    works well for families that
    "don't need anything".  For
    each of the adults for which we
    would ordinarily provide a
    gift, we select a charitable
    organization and do our
    gift-giving through them.  For
    instance, I might adopt an
    angel from an Angel tree for my
    mother's "gift", do the
    shopping, then write a "thank
    you" to my mother for providing
    a gift to someone.  The "thank
    you" contains the information
    about the angel, age, name,
    sex, what was purchased, and
    goes under the Christmas tree
    to be opened Christmas morning.
    If I know anything about the
    circumstances of the person for
    whom I shopped, I include that
    information in the "thank you",
    too.

Another cool idea:


    I have an Aunt who is getting
    up in years and a widow.  She
    is financially comfortable,
    though I would not say rich
    exactly.  The point is, I've
    never been able to think of
    anything I could offer her that
    wouldn't be more clutter in her
    (very neat) home.

      Last year, I got on the 'net
    and brought up maps-on-us and
    put in her address.  Then I
    used the yellow pages option to
    find florists within 5 or 10
    miles of that address.  Then I
    called the ones nearest her
    home and made a deal with one
    of them to deliver to her a
    small flower arrangement once a
    month.  (I thought I would get
    a price break for ordering a
    full year of business at one
    time, but that didn't happen.
    I still think florists should
    offer a package deal.)

       Anyway, my aunt has really
    enjoyed the flowers and has
    enjoyed the regular visit from
    the florist.  She has bragged
    about her "best Christmas gift"
    to family, neighbors, and
    friends.  It is without a doubt
    the most successful 'net work
    I've ever put together.

1998/11/21 - SLF - Added new 
    stuff
1998/10/04 - S.French -
    Consolidated from friends on
    the Internet!  Formatted for
    the Palm Pilot to 35 char
    lines. Cut-and-paste into
    your Palm Desktop Memo Pad
    then hotsync!