# What would \[i\]you\[/i\] buy my brother for Christmas? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143 "2004-12-05T02:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/1 "2004-12-05T02:00:45Z")
Okay, it’s that time of year again. I have to figure out what to buy people whose desires are pretty much inscrutable. My mom, dad, and sister all love books, so with a little care I was able to find things that suited each of them…but that won’t work for my brother. He’s plenty smart, but emphatically not the reading type. The only really good idea I could come up with was Halo 2–more expensive than I was thinking, but I figured I’d call it a joint Christmas-birthday present, since his birthday’s in January. Unfortunately, my mother informed me yesterday that he’s probably getting that from Santa Claus. _muttermutter_ So, Dopers, I turn to you. Keeping in mind that I’m looking to spend around $25 (up to $50 for something really, really cool that could cover two occasions), what would you suggest that I buy my brother? Relevant information: - (almost) 17 years old - Enthusiastic about sports–runs two seasons of track and plays soccer, watches football. - Seems to enjoy futzing around with electronics, planning to be an electrical engineer. - Loves video/computer games. Has an X-Box available, and has a PC capable of handling pretty much anything. - Quite the ham, and enjoys all kinds of silliness. (This is what makes him an awesome person worthy of the bother. Otherwise he’d be getting a book, like it or no.) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I could wait 'til he surrenders a list of stuff to my parents, but I prefer my gifts to be surprises. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/2 "2004-12-05T02:07:21Z")
_sigh_ And I’m sorry for the coding in the title. ---
**Author:** ![Spongemom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Spongemom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spongemom)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/3 "2004-12-05T02:34:24Z")
Find out what stores he frequents. Two words: Gift Certificate. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/4 "2004-12-05T02:40:55Z")
> [@Spongemom](#): > > Find out what stores he frequents. > > Two words: Gift Certificate. I’ve considered it, but I prefer not to go that route if it’s my only present to someone I’m close to. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/5 "2004-12-05T06:07:09Z")
My first suggestion is actually a book. But you have to consider what **kind** of book it is. Nightwork: A History of Hacks and Pranks at MIT, by T.F. Peterson might be warped enough to get around your brother’s dislike of reading. (After all, everyone needs to know how to get a stripped police cruiser onto the top of the dome, don’t they?) Next suggestion is a relatively cheap Radio Controlled toy of some kind - I know there was a UFO saucer available last year that wasn’t outside your $50 range. If they were still available, I’d suggest **Scylla** ’s blimp. If he’s a Monty Python fan (and if he’s never seen Monty Python, get him The Holy Grail!) I’d suggest this cute little [bunny](http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYVMP005). If that doesn’t suit your purposes, it’s time to look for the odd things that you never would have planned to get, because you never knew they were available. Alas, one finds those by roaming the odd stores and having them jump out at you, not by looking specifically for 'em. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/6 "2004-12-05T06:24:24Z")
Hmmm, **OtakuLoki** , interesting suggestions. The remote control toy thing is probably the most suitable; hopefully there’ll be something he can use in the house without my mom yelling at him. The book you recommend sounds cool, and I may actually get it for myself…unfortunately, his aversion to reading covers everything, no matter how amusing or relevant to his interests. I would–seriously–be shocked to my foundation if I ever walked into a room and saw him reading something I didn’t know to have been assigned for school. Perplexing boy. It sounds like I may have to screw up my courage and head to the mall. I was hoping to get it all done from home and not have to brave that fiendish place… Anyway, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/7 "2004-12-05T13:52:21Z")
How about a singing fish? 🆒 > **[How Singing Fish Work](https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/singing-fish.htm)** > > Singing fish are everywhere -- at the mall, on TV and in catalogs! They are silly, but it turns out that there is an amazing amount of technology inside them -- they are really simple robots! Find out exactly how they work. He can enjoy the silliness and then study the robotic design. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/8 "2004-12-05T14:22:11Z")
Before you head to the mall, check out these sites: [American Science & Surplus](http://sciplus.com/) and [Stupid.com](http://www.stupid.com/index.html). (Damn, I wasn’t planning to get anything for my BIL this year, but those George Bush playing cards…) ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/9 "2004-12-05T14:23:19Z")
If he like computer and video games, call one of his friends up and ask “which one” For people who don’t play games, the sheer variety available makes purchasing by looking at the box design nearly impossible. For people who do play games, getting Really Violent Fight Game, when your thing is Virtual Sports, or Cute Jumpy Jumpy Game when Halo 2 is on your list…well, sucks. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/10 "2004-12-05T15:31:46Z")
**twickster** , you rock and I hate you (no, not really!) That stupid site is going to bankrupt me. Seriously, check it out for those really, really hard to shop for people. Who wouldn’t want a [smoke ring gun?](http://www.stupid.com/stat/ZERB.html) How about [Freudian Slippers?](http://www.stupid.com/stat/FSLP.html) This [Grow Your Own Furniture Kit](http://www.stupid.com/stat/GYOF.html) would make a great stocking stuffer. And what poor child will be without [Earwax Candy](http://www.stupid.com/stat/WAXX.html) for the holidays? Hey, if they’re not going to appreciate anything you get anyway, might as well make 'em laugh! ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/11 "2004-12-05T16:19:46Z")
**twickster** , I had to exercise all my will power not to spend ridiculous amounts at [stupid.com](http://stupid.com). But I did find some playing cards with “bullet holes” through 'em, which are quite amusing (I think), and also a decent gift, since my brother plays poker with his friends. Hooray! (And thanks, everybody. All good suggestions.) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/12 "2004-12-05T18:54:29Z")
I can’t really take credit for either of those – someone here posted the links at some point. Now that you’ve got them bookmarked, the occasion will arise at some point in the future where you’ll post the links… and on it goes. ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/13 "2004-12-05T21:20:24Z")
I love the stuff from [Despair.com](http://www.despair.com) - it takes a certain kind of person to appreciate them (mostly the Doper type), but perhaps he would enjoy some of their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/14 "2004-12-06T01:17:15Z")
As someone who’s birthday is shortly after Christmas, I highly suggest two separate presents for birthday and Christmas. That whole “I bought you something extra special for _both_ occasions” gets old by the time you’re 5 years old. ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/15 "2004-12-06T01:34:33Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > As someone who’s birthday is shortly after Christmas, I highly suggest two separate presents for birthday and Christmas. That whole “I bought you something extra special for _both_ occasions” gets old by the time you’re 5 years old. Well, his birthday’s not _right_ after; it’s at the end of January. I guess that actually makes it more of a cop-out, or would…but usually I don’t get him anything for his birthday at all, since I’m not home to give it to him and he’s handsomely taken care of by my parents. It would just be a convenient way to justify spending extra on the Christmas present. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/16 "2004-12-06T09:44:20Z")
It doesn’t matter if his birthday’s at the end of January. People still do combined gifts, and it still gets real old real fast. My birthday is three weeks after Christmas; I know whereof I speak. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/17 "2004-12-06T13:29:38Z")
Yeah, but if she doesn’t usually get him _anything_, and gets him something nicer than usual for Christmas, that really is different. twicks, whose birthday is 12/31 ---
**Author:** ![pasunejen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@pasunejen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pasunejen)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-i-you-i-buy-my-brother-for-christmas/278143/18 "2004-12-06T16:40:08Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > It doesn’t matter if his birthday’s at the end of January. People still do combined gifts, and it still gets real old real fast. My birthday is three weeks after Christmas; I know whereof I speak. I appreciate the concern, and if people did it regularly I certainly wouldn’t want to do the same–but I have firsthand knowledge that no family member has ever gotten him a combined gift. I guess I can’t speak for friends–but then, I don’t think it’s a habit among him and his friends to exchange gifts at all. I would like to reiterate that–ah, on preview, **twickster** said it–saying it’s a combined present is really just a way to get around feeling bad about spending more than I can afford on his Christmas present, since normally he’s lucky to get a card from me on his birthday.