# need help with an xmas present
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [December 8, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312 "2002-12-08T16:11:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/1 "2002-12-08T16:11:28Z")
At my work we are doing a Secret Santa thing, we’ve each picked a name out a hat and have to buy a present for that person. Thing is we can only spend £5 (about $7.50). Any suggestion would be appreciated. The person I’m getting a present for is a guy in his 20s.
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### Author:  [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/2 "2002-12-08T22:21:48Z")
How about some food you know he would like? Chocolate is always good, or if he likes coffee, some gourmet coffee. I love nice pens–if he has a job where he writes a lot, a cool pen might work.
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### Author:  [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2002, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/3 "2002-12-08T22:50:36Z")
Why not buy a Christmas ornament you can hang on the tree? That’s what I’m buying.
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### Author:  [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/4 "2002-12-08T23:01:32Z")
smoker?
ashtray or lighter
non-smoker
something kitsch, like a venus flytrap plant or mini supersoaker, or a fancy schmancy keyring/bottle opener thing.
i’d say a shop like urban outfitters or a local toy shop.
20-something men are like 5 year olds…they like things noisy, brightly coloured and made of plastic.
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### Author:  [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/5 "2002-12-09T00:35:58Z")
I had the same dilemma (and price range) a few years back. I’d only just started at the company too, so I hadn’t even spoken to the guy I was supposed to buy for. I finished up getting a miniature dart board and darts from the Gadget Shop IIRC, and to my amazement it went down well. Surprisingly well made for a fiver.
Just promise you won’t get him any magazines - he’ll have to open the package in front of your boss ;).
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-an-xmas-present/141312/6 "2002-12-09T00:54:44Z")
I’m notorious for my fallback gift, a calendar – but everyone needs at least two (one for work, one for home), and I’ve had more than that at work (this year, I’ve got two regular-size wall calendars, a mini wall calendar, and a weekly desktop with nice art). If you know the person, you can get something geared toward his or her interests – if you don’t, nature scenes should be fine.