The propriety of hard liquor as a Christmas gift

Christmas is only ten days away and I’ve barely started on getting gifts for my family. I think a bottle of Irish whiskey might be a good gift for one family member. This person has told me that he likes Irish whiskey and prefers it over Scotch whisky because the latter makes him sick to his stomach. However, I’m having second thoughts about buying this person a bottle because it might give the message, “Merry Christmas you big drunk!” So, I’m curious about what the opinion of other Dopers is about giving hard liquor as a gift.

In case your wondering, to me this person does not seem to have a drinking problem. Most of the other members of my immediate family don’t drink alcohol but it’s mainly due to the fact it dangerously interacts with the medication they have to take. However, even before they started taking their medication, they were only light drinkers (i.e., an occasional glass of beer or wine). As for myself, I’m a light drinker–I’d say I average about one serving of beer or hard liquor per week. Unfortunately, once you start going back another generation, the incidence of family members who had problems with alcohol increases noticeably. It’s that fact that has given me pause about whether giving whiskey would be appropriate.

For me a good rule of thumb is if you have any doubts about giving something, don’t do it. You have these instincts about it for a reason, trust them.

Unless you have a better idea, or you have any reason to think this particular person would get the wrong message, go with the whiskey – it shows you were paying attention, and counts as a thoughtful gift. In his shoes, I certainly wouldn’t infer that the gift-giver thought I was a drunk.

It wasn’t for Christmas but when I visited friends a few months ago, I took presents. One got a book, another got a couple CDs, and the third got a bottle of Jack Daniels. My only concern in giving the whisky was that she didn’t drink but once assured that she did, I didn’t think twice about it and drank some of it later that night with her.

I say give him the whiskey.

If you know he’d drink it, then I wouldn’t worry about it. I am careful about giving alcohol, but in this case, you’re in the clear. He’s actually told you he likes the stuff, so I bet he’d like to get it as a gift.

As long as you don’t think the relative in question has a drinking problem, the whiskey sounds like a great idea. I’d much rather have a bottle of nice whiskey that someone picked out because they knew I liked it than something generic that screams “I like you enough to buy you a present, but I really don’t know you at all.”

Here’s my thoughts: Castle Knappogue is an outstanding gift. Remember, always drink responsibly.

I think whiskey would be an excellent gift. I come from a family with a number of alcoholics and partly as a response don’t drink much. However, even I would appreciate a gift of liquor. Your family member will appreciate it even more because it shows you’re listening. Remember, “I drink” and “I’m an alcoholic” are two way differing statements and trying to link them is an overreaction.

I like to give gifts that I think the person will enjoy. It sounds to me like this is such a gift.

Definitely give it. A few years ago, my then boyfriend, his brother, sister and I all pooled our money and got their parents a bottle of Glenlivet (18 or 21 year don’t remember for sure but the damn thing cost over $120) for their 30th anniversary. We knew they’d like it but would never buy it because of the cost. So, they usually drank Chivas. Hell, they never bought the Chivas either - it was always a gift from her (alcoholic) sister.

They actually still have it. They have a bit every time something special happens such as another anniversary or when the addition to the house was finished. They also have a shot when something bad happens such as grandpa dying. There’s a lot of history in that (very expensive) bottle of booze.

There’s nothing wrong with giving someone a gift they will enjoy. Worrying about this bottle of whiskey is kinda like not giving your other relative your “famous pound cake”–even though they have told you they love it–because his/her parents had a weight problem. It’s good to be thoughtful about such things, but there’s also a point where it becomes a bit silly.

I would enjoy a bottle of my favorite liquor for Christmas and it would never cross my mind to think somebody’s implying I’m a drunk. Anymore than a Gap gift card says, “Merry Christmas you shopaholic!”

I’d say it’s on par with someone being a big Led Zeppelin fan, and you give them a hard to find recording of some concert somewhere. Wow, you remembered the band they liked, and you bothered to get something in that vein.

You have a relative to shop for that likes Irish Whiskey…I’m seeing that as a great gift he will like.

For that matter, if your relative actually does have a drinking problem, IMHO your gift will not make a difference one way or the other with that problem.

For years, the standard gift to my grandfather was a bottle of something - at his age, he had all the *stuff * he could want, and a retired gent can use only so many handkerchiefs!

I’m on board with those who say: Since you know he’d like it, it’d be a wonderful gift!

And in case you’re wondering, I appreciate fine chocolates… :wink:

If your relative doesn’t want it, I’ll give it a good home!

Go for it! The neat thing, too, is the manufacturers of most booze have a ‘specialty bottle’ out this time of year. I don’t know if your particular brand of Irish whiskey has one this year, but most do. We got Bog’s Uncle a bottle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed this Christmas. He loves bourbon.

As a side note, it was also kinda weird going into a liquor store. I haven’t had a drink in nearly 13 years so I don’t go into them very often anymore. I couldn’t believe how many new types of booze have been put on the shelves since I quit!

The prospective gift recipient has indicated that he likes Irish whiskey. You present him with a bottle. There’s no possible way that this gift could be construed as offensive or inappropriate. Don’t worry.

I’m an Irish whiskey drinker myself. If you’re looking for a nice gift bottle, allow me to recommend Redbreast. It goes for around $40 a fifth, at least around here. If you don’t want to spend that much. the big three brands are Jameson, Bushmill’s and Powers. Powers is my favorite, followed by Bushmill’s. I think Jameson sucks. All three go for around $23 a liter.

A ell chosen bottle of booze makes for a nice gift. My father has done well for himself but is still quite thrifty. Every year I find a good single malt for his present, and it is the present he digs under the tree for. Come Thanksgiving the following year there is generally a wee bit left and we share it. This year I’m going with bourbon as he handed me a glass once, sipped, and then tried to tell him that although Jack Daniels is technically a bourbon, it’s only good for drinking when you want to burn your trailer down. This year he’ll get to try some Blanton’s. For me it falls under the principle of giving gifts that you would like for yourself but are just too extravagant.

Have I mentioned how much I like good weed? :smiley:

If your Uncle doesn’t think he has a drinking problem he won’t see this gift in that light. If he does have a problem he’ll just count his blessings.Only if he has recently quit would a bottle cause a problem.

A gallon of Glenmore Gin would probably send the message that you are concerned about, not the good stuff.