Do you want any magazine subscriptions? Sci Am? Economist? Glamour? That’d be a nice gift to get throughout the year.
Welcome to my family. Perhaps I ought to explain the Great Salami Caper.
One year for Christmas, my brothers gave my sister a salami. Why would they do that, you ask? They didn’t like anything on her Christmas list, they were walking past the Hickory Farms in the mall, and they wanted to finish their Christmas shopping. So they got her a salami. Salami can be a nice gift, but it’s probably not appropriate for a vegetarian.
As queen of tacky, I have the following suggestions you might like.
This isn’t tacky, it’s entertainment!
This one could keep it company.
Now I have always wanted one of these, but Mr2U won’t get me one.
Mr2U is a very, very smart man.
I once had something similar. By hour three of my ownership, it had died a tragic and violent death.
Hey, thanks! I might just request that for Christmas. No, really.
I’d like to trade you for my sister, would that be ok? We went through this same argument for years. You can not win. If you ask for tacky stuff, they’ll just think you are tacky. Our argument was finally solved to my satisfaction when my sister had her kid. (She took her time, she was in her 40s.) My brother and I have always been on the same page. And mom will be mom. She’ll buy you stuff no matter what.
I like the kitchen gadget idea. You might discover you enjoy something like making pasta, beer, bread, or ice cream, that you wouldn’t have tried on your own. Another idea would be tickets to plays or concerts that you wouldn’t go on your own, but since its a gift you would. It might open a door or two for you.
Another way to go is to join a book club. (I belong to the Scientific American book club.) I mostly enjoy reading about the books, since I don’t have time to read the actual books. But, your family could get one a year to keep your membership going. Just hand them the blurbs from the books you want, and let them pick one, so they get the thrill of surprising you. (I actually learn from the book descriptions, and occassionally I buy a book just because I want it. One of my kids has taken to buying them. I also get recorded lectures, which I listen to while I commute. You could ask for one that sounds religious, but isn’t (like the Historical Jesus), or whatever piques your interest.
Why not something that can be received as a gift from your family member, but then donated? Are there any schools in your area (maybe smaller private schools, or Catholic run) that need copy paper, markers, crayons, etc.? How about bottles of shampoo, shaving cream, conditioner, etc. for a women’s shelter? Socks, blankets, personal care items for a homeless shelter?
Many nonprofit organizations will come out with a “wish list” this time of year. (There are frequently those lists printed in our local newspaper.) Check a list for a bigger ticket items (like an answering machine, etc. for a nonprofit office).