# Help me buy Christmas presents for my (strange) family. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 4, 2005, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001 "2005-12-04T05:42:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/21 "2005-12-05T19:34:18Z")
For the sister who’s into Harry Potter, have you tried [Alivan’s](http://alivans.com/)? They have replica wands, Hogwarts accessories (ties, scarves, banners), posters, candy, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/22 "2005-12-05T22:04:40Z")
I would recommend for your mother a subscription to Soap Opera Digest. As far as the rest go I have no clue, except possibly I would get a gift certificate for a local maternity store for the knocked up one. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/23 "2005-12-05T22:13:45Z")
Oh, another thing I thought of, since your little sister likes to play The Sims, you could always get her a subscription to a Sims download site, like [Simfreaks](http://simfreaks.com/), or [The Well-Dressed Sim](http://welldressedsim.com/). She’d have at least a month’s worth of time to download stuff for her game. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/24 "2005-12-05T23:49:47Z")
> [@cazzle](#): > > Dad: Bunnings voucher That is a perfect idea! > [@Caricci](#): > > A make up addiction is not harmful the way a tobacco or alcohol addiction is; it’s really silly to think it is the same. Just get over your disapproval and get your mom what she likes! This will be $75 worth of crap she won’t have to buy herself. That is true, but I could still buy her something she likes that she isn’t unnaturally obssessed with. > [@pbbth](#): > > I would recommend for your mother a subscription to Soap Opera Digest. Hopefully there is an Australian one, because Australian soaps are months behind. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > For the sister who’s into Harry Potter, have you tried Alivan’s? They have replica wands, Hogwarts accessories (ties, scarves, banners), posters, candy, etc. Something my parents difinitely couldn’t have gotten for her! As for your second suggestion, no internet connection ☹ ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/25 "2005-12-06T05:55:14Z")
> [@Go You Big Red Fire Engine](#): > > That is a perfect idea! > That is true, but I could still buy her something she likes that she isn’t unnaturally obssessed with. > Hopefully there is an Australian one, because Australian soaps are months behind. > Something my parents difinitely couldn’t have gotten for her! As for your second suggestion, no internet connection ☹ What about buying your mom something pretty to wear sice she seems to be all about appearance. A luxurious robe like the ones you get at a spa (yes they make them in large sizes too) or a pretty scarf. The point would be something to make her feel nice even if you think it is pointless. Buy her a dvd of Calendar Girls. Get her Bobbie Brown’s make up book, maybe she needs to know how to better cope with aging looks. Most women regardless of thier age want to feel pretty and that they are making the most of their looks whatever their looks maybe. Old and fat isnt’ dead. You have ideas for your dad and two fo your sisters, can’t really say about the other one since all the information was negative. What was she studying in college? In my family books are always a good bet, one family memeber is getting the French Laundry cookbook and the Illyad and Odessy on CD, another will be getting a book on identifying birds and a CD of Russian bluegrass, and the other is getting using colors in beading and another beading book as well as gift certificates to a favorite ice cream place and some cookies from a local cookie place. Oh and a booklet on travel for senior citizens. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2005, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001/26 "2005-12-06T07:41:44Z")
Ok, thanks everyone for all your help. I now have a fairly definite list: Mother: a couple of hours at the local beauty place. A haircut. Father: Bunnings gift voucher (cazzle, do you know my dad?) Eldest: That containers with supplies is looking mighty good right now. 2nd Eldest: Pillows. Maybe a book on making baby clothes. Youngest: Still wondering. Probably give her the figurines, then take her shopping. **FilmGeek** I didn’t look all that hard, I just naturally assumed that one didn’t exist. But what do I know of society 😉 **adhemar** , she was studying science, but to be honest, I don’t think she enjoyed it all too much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-buy-christmas-presents-for-my-strange-family/334001.md?page=1)