Buying aunts and uncles gift cards. What is the best place to do this, usually just get a bunch of CHEESECAKE FACTORY gift cards. This year they're all coming to LA so better to give them something that they won't have to pack I guess. Maybe a Costco card might be good since erryone goes to costco, but a nice dinner might be preferable. something they usually normally wouldn't do?
I actually enjoy the thrill of christmas shopping under pressure. go to mall, buy a bunch of random shit. good times. probably gonna do it next weekend
I know many don't have access . . . but christmas presents at the Nike Employee store is a great way to go. I get my nephew and nieces all the latest Nike gear at half off (throw in some duck paraphernalia) . . . and I am the popular uncle at christmas. Now if I can just get them to ship. For my parents, when I do a fruit of the month, or tea of the month or nut of the month type gift, they usually enjoy that. If I'm running late on christmas gifts, I go to costco.com, I pick a gift basket, I plug in 5-8 addresses (that they already have on file) and get it all shipped for free. Takes about 15 mins
I can't even get past the parking . . . as soon as I have to wait for parking at the mall, I head for the exit and get out there. Just a terrible christmas experience for me.
My wife bought me some dope balla diamond earrings. Found 'em, then the kid confirmed. Bought the wife a handbag (it may be outlet, but it's a high-end outlet in FL. The brother-in-law knows his fashion/designers - got a very expensive bag for 32% of original retail. The savings paid for my trip to FL). Also bought us a trip to SF for a long weekend and two Giants games. My first kid is genius so we got her a Kindle Fire, and I've already got a ton of security locks on it. My second, we bought her a cool, old-school metal pedal car. My friends.... They all get a bottle of booze. The ones that don't like wine get Patron or whatever else at that level. My friends that like wine get wine. My dad gets wine and other refreshments. Dunno about my mom yet - I let my wife handle that as the mom is difficult to shop for.
I avoid shopping and malls like the plague every year. A friend had to go to some high-end outlets while we're here in FL and drove, so I went. First time I've actually gone into a shop for Christmas shopping in 5 years. I seriously cannot handle going into the malls or any other shopping this time of year - I swear I have a phobia or some social anxiety.
I'll go super early like 9am. relax, grab some coffee and run through errything. when I leave its a madhouse but I'm chill.
Shopping is cool but you gotta have a plan so you don't end up with teddy bears, books and penguin figurines
Amazon! Avoid the crowds and they gift wrap. Best Buy, always seems to have the best deals on todays disposable electronics. ToB suggested the Nike Employee store, if you have access GO! I go once or twice a year and stock up big time, scored tons of gifts but still spent more money on myself lol. Everything there is at least 50% off.
Just thought of another good gift idea. The aerogarden, I got one for my parents and one for my sis. We have one at our house and love it, get all our salads off it. Did herbs once and didnt get the full use of them all but still better than store bought, tomato's and peppers are que'd for when my fresh salads run out. They are about $150 for a 7 slot set up ($60? for a 3 slotter) and very easy to use, I would say they fool proof but everytime I say that about something some fool proves me wrong. http://www.aerogarden.com/
