Half-Assed Gift Giving

This year we adults are doing a grab bag worth $25. Usually at Thanksgiving we pick a name out of a hat and get that specific person a gift. Though I'm glad to have dodged a bullet of the difficulty of shopping for men (no offense, guys!), I am faced with the task of finding something "for everybody," as this year the gifts themselves are going into a bag and we each reach in and fish something out. Since my brother-in-law lives in Kenosha and my sisters-in-law in Hillside and Crystal Lake, a gift card to a restaurant or brick-and-mortar store is out of the question.

I was thinking of a small care package of gourmet or specialty foods (surprise!) or a gift card to a similar online store. What are your favorites?

Easy.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/

The first thing that came to mind was a Gift Certificate to The Spice House. Everyone needs spices.

Without a glance at the others' responses I immediately thought of Penzey's or Spice House. You can go the gift card route or go for a gift box.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/ ... Boxes.html

http://www.thespicehouse.com/spices-by- ... gift-boxes

Simply because a brick and mortar Spice House is relatively nearby and, thus, somewhat more easily accessible, I'd consider a certificate for Zingerman's.

Not gonna get much for $25 at Zingerman's after you figure in shipping.

Cigars.

Good olive oil.

You could do an italian gift basket- pasta , a chunk of parmiagiana, olive oil, sauce..., etc.

if it has to be tiny- I'd go with an amazon.com gift certificate

irisarbor wrote:if it has to be tiny- I'd go with an amazon.com gift certificate

I'm with irisarbor. Then they can get regular groceries, or books, or MP3's or whatever floats their boat.

Specialty teas, if they are tea drinkers

teatpuller wrote:Cigars.

Most women don't smoke cigars.

Go with Scotch.

rickster wrote:Specialty teas, if they are tea drinkers

I don't think any of them like the same things. But tea is always a good option in the winter, I know I'd like a gift like that.

I really, really, really hate the stupid grab-bag gift things. Why bother at that point? You might as well save your $25 and buy something you actually like instead of someone's junk.

For a more serious answer, a book and wine or some other paired gift. A book that is about or takes place in a certain region along with a wine from that region. Somehow tie the two items together. Or, if you don't like the spices idea, chocolate is always enjoyed. Most people wouldn't be upset with opening a box of high quality truffles.

jblth wrote:Most people wouldn't be upset with opening a box of high quality truffles.

$25 gets you about a half pound of made-on-site chocolate from Piron in Evanston. This stuff always pleases IMO and I don't even vibe chocolate.

jblth wrote:I really, really, really hate the stupid grab-bag gift things. Why bother at that point? You might as well save your $25 and buy something you actually like instead of someone's junk.

I agree. I don't mind picking a name, but the one-gift-fits-all idea is a waste of money. It's either going to be a joke gift, which is a disappointment, or a gift card; if we're all exchanging money for money then it makes the whole routine pretty pointless. But I like the chocolates idea, I might do that. And buy an extra sampler just to make sure the rest aren't poisoned or something.

I just bought a couple really amazing bottles of Essenza balsamic vinegar produced by Acetaia San Giacomo from City Olive for $25 each to give as gifts.

City Olive
5408 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-5408

Pie Lady wrote:

jblth wrote:I really, really, really hate the stupid grab-bag gift things. Why bother at that point? You might as well save your $25 and buy something you actually like instead of someone's junk.

I agree. I don't mind picking a name, but the one-gift-fits-all idea is a waste of money. It's either going to be a joke gift, which is a disappointment, or a gift card; if we're all exchanging money for money then it makes the whole routine pretty pointless. But I like the chocolates idea, I might do that. And buy an extra sampler just to make sure the rest aren't poisoned or something.

Take Some Pictures when you go and start a thread. I picked some up for Thanksgiving and they were flawless as usual. Don't sleep on the chili dusted ones, the truffles, and the newer one, I think it's called Pauline after the owner's wife.

Belgian Chocolatier Piron
509 Main Str
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 864-5504

I really caution against cooking-related items like spices for one-size-fits-all gifts. So many people don't cook. Even food items are risky, what with diets and food sensitivities and all that jazz. Half the people I know are either diabetic or giving up sugar on principle.

If you're determined to buy something related to the table, something like a decanter or a pitcher or a pretty serving bowl or platter is something that most people can probably make use of. If you go to Costco or somewhere like Cost Plus World Market or Pier One, you can get something attractive in your budget. Even if they don't use it for food, they can put flowers in it, and if it turns out not to be to their taste, they can return it.

Another option would be an in-kind gift, for example, a card offering to cook or bake them something of their choice on an occasion to be named later. Be prepared to provide a list of items that you're willing to make, with some flexibility to accommodate tastes and diets. If it turns out to go to somebody distant, you can limit the choices to shippable items; otherwise, you can deliver it, invite them over to eat it, or go cook it at their house, creating an excuse for a further get-together. That would make this impersonal grab-bag deal into something more personal, and $25 goes really far for homemade food.

I'd second the Amazon gift certificate which would allow the recipient to buy anything she wanted. I know gift cards are considered boring, but they are infinitely better than some piece of well-meaning crap that you get stuck with.

jygach wrote:I'd second the Amazon gift certificate which would allow the recipient to buy anything she wanted. I know gift cards are considered boring, but they are infinitely better than some piece of well-meaning crap that you get stuck with.

Wouldn't it be funny if everybody put an Amazon certificate into the grab bag?

These days no one ever needs to be stuck with a piece of crap. There is always eBay.