The unofficially official GC Holiday help desk
 

In this thread if you're stuck on an idea on what to get get someone, need some advice on how to connect that wayward toy for your kids, want suggestions on charities to donate to, how to cook that special dish for the holidays, or how to put together the perfect dysfuctional office party, please drop it here, another GC'er will be along to answer.

Okay, my college son's best friend told us that he wants a pony for Christmas. He's joking but his mom and I are racking our brains for some kind of actually useful pony we could get him (like a candy one?) instead of her just tossing a My little Pony in his stocking. Does anyone have some ideas?

Ok...as bizarre as that sounds, let me match it by saying, what about getting a baking pan in the shape of a pony and making him a cake?

It seems expensive for a standard mug, but how about an "I want a pony" coffee mug? And who couldn't use an extra coffee mug?

Ooooo you should find someoen who has a miniature horse, and borrow it for an afternoon. Imagine his face if he thought you really got him a pony!


What do I get my daughters pre-school teachers? How about the babysitter? Cash? GC? Tree ornament?

Awesome. And FYI, the Urban Dictionary definition of "I want a pony."

You can't go wrong with gift cards. If you know where they shop that's cool, if not, a Visa gift card is even better...just my opinion

Argh. I hate it when that happens. The mug in my link was supposed to include the definition from MC's link. The mug on my screen had it, or I wouldn't have linked it! Oh well.

Thanks for a proper link, MC!

Ask her if she needs something for her classroom or herself. I know it's a little young to be starting, but in elementary school my mom and I would give the teachers dry erase board markers because they were always running out/running low on them. For the babysitter (as a current one) I would say cash, a gift card, or a Visa debit card would all be fantastic gifts. I never really expected anything from the families for which I babysat, but something like that was always nice.

That's a great idea psusue! I know so many teachers (especially younger/newer ones) who would love classroom supplies 1000x more than a random scarf or bath and body works lotion.

For the babysitter, I would say just cash and a nice card thanking him/her for the past year. If your babysitter is a teenager money is probably the thing he/she really wants and would never ask for. Another option might be a gift card to a food place - maybe Panera or Chipotle?

Whenever I am at Michael's (the craft store), I always see teachers there. A gift card would be great, though they wouldn't be able to use their teachers' discount on a gift card.

Hmmm I'm having a hard time with Live-in's parents.

For his mom, he bought her a towel warmer. Would a gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond so that she could buy towels for it be appropriate? You can tell I'm running out of steam here.

For his dad, I just have no idea. I could get him cigars but we got him a humidor last year.

We try to find out restaurants that teachers like and give them gift cards for them.

I think a Visa gift card for both would work great. Babysitter is a 50+ year old woman who does in home daycare.


What about my sons speech therapist? I know for a sfact she's likes Sephora. I might get her a GC for there... or I may just get a 3rd Visa gift card!

Wow! So many replies! :)

I do have a pony-shaped cake pan and could go with that, or the mug as well! And we know someone who might take his miniature pony there for a visit!

Guys, about teachers: yes, go with something practical that they can use. Dry erase markers or erasers or other classroom supplies, restaurant or Wal-Mart cards are all great.

In lean years, we made "mixes" for all our kids' teachers. You can go online and find recipes for kinds like special cocoa mixes that are inexpensive to make and all the recipient does is add water or cookie mixes that require you to add very little or even meat rubs.

Think practical.

signed,

Carnation-- teacher, wife of a teacher, and mother of teachers

ok....this techie needs some help.

For my father in law...Kindle or the Nook?

In YOUR opinion, why or why not? What I would like to know, which one has the better bookstore pricewise and quantity wise?

Be careful about Visa gc, the fees on them sometimes are so ridiculous you may as well just give them cash. And even if it's small so it's only one purchase, it turns a $20.00 card into a 15.95 card.
I think, due to the opening of the Google ebook store and its support of the ePUB format, and Kindle's lack of support for it. Plus the fringe benefits of having a physical store to go to with the Nook that I'm leaning heavily in favor of a Nook. Bookstore-wise they seem about the same, but you can purchase from other locations and support it on the Nook, where Kindle's use a proprietary DRM format that prohibits conversion.

Nooks have apps for android/iStuff (and so do Kindle) but I have some ePUB ebooks that I've converted via Calibre and you just can't do that with Kindle. (You can convert into Mobi format and Kindle will read that, but you're prohibited from converting out of Kindle's private format by the DRM.)

Oh and Nooks both allow book lending to friends with Nooks and work with public library ebook lending software. (At least in Illinois they do, no idea about other states, our system is all linked together though.)

Actually I guess I've decided...


ETA: Also, if he has wireless at home, or frequents places with wireless, the 3g may not be necessary. I'm leaning against it. I have a 3g phone, a wireless router at home and if necessary my phone can turn into a wireless hotspot. So... why pay extra for the privilege?

I don't have any experience with the Nook, but I bought a Kindle over the summer and have been incredibly happy with it. There is a TON of free content, and even the current stuff is usually reasonable. I've never *not* found something I was looking for and I've never cringed at the prices for anything.

I also think Amazon has excellent customer service. Kindle #1 inexplicably died (the screen bled out, or something) about six weeks after I got it - and I was just sure they were going to tell me I had mishandled it - they were so nice - they apologized and had a new one at my door 2 days later. It has worked great ever since.

I have an "older" model, and I love it - it does the job, it makes air travel bearable, and I'd recommend it without reservation.

The new ones are supposed to be even nicer.

Thumbs up.

I'll sing the praises of my nook all day long. Books are available on publishing date (not always so with the Kindle), the loaning feature is great, and you can read anything in the store for free (plus you can get support in-store - not so with Kindle).

I'm still getting a Kindle for my dad because expecting him to learn anything about the Google eBook store is probably too much. He already uses (and loves) Amazon, so I think that that user interface would be the easiest for him to pick up (in terms of buying a book on the website and having it sent to your Kindle).

Plus, I'm one for brand loyalty, I guess - I have a Kindle and love love love love love it.

yeah...I started considering the Nook because I have heard some incidents of people who may have dropped them and found out how durable the Kindle is NOT.

And as Drole suggested, I like the idea of how versatile it is with the purchase of books so I love that option.

^^^ Basically anyone who has either seems to love them so ultimately your dad would be happy.

OK, for the Office Christmas Party-

I got an individual whom I don't know particularly well, and I'm stuck for ideas for a gift. But, he is currently in New York working with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and made a Facebook status about how important and special this organization is. So, I was thinking I'd make a $25 donation to BC/EFA instead of a physical gift- it's less useless crap that I'd be making a huge guess on, and it's doing good. But, it is the office Christmas party... so would it be completely uncouth? Good idea? Bad idea?

I asked coworkers the Nook vs Kindle question (for myself!) and the big complaint from Nook folks was the lack of a keyboard. They were envious of the keyboard that Kindle people have for searching.

I think that would be lovely, but I'd do it in his name, so he can get the tax credit. Think George Costanza's People Fund.

Okay, I need something for the sports fanatic. Unfortunately, I've already outdone myself in the past (White Sox tickets, cards for the pro shop in a Cracker Jack box, etc), so suggestions?

What is his favorite team(s)?

Do they have any autographed memorabilia?

The above mentioned White Sox, although the Bears are a close second. The really hard part is that we're trying to keep it less expensive this year - I would SO love to get him an autographed photo of Da Coach!

Ok...a few roads you can go...

Check an official bears store in the area or if you want to take your chances, check ebay.

I got an autographed Ravens team football a few years back and it came with a certificate of authenticity and took it to another friend who verified it. I spent $80 for it and it was worth it.

One year, I got Slap Shot by Dave Hansen, then had him autograph it. He loved it. I've considered getting him a jersey/sweater, but they're more expensive than the current teams!

I have co-workers who have REQUESTED that in lieu of an actual present for the Secret Santa. Granted, we're all sorts of crazy do-gooders here so YMMV.

Is $25 the spending limit? Could you do a $20 donation, and then get him $5 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets? The two minutes of fun may be worth it.

I did EXTENSIVE research in Kindle vs. Nook because I asked my parents for an e-reader for Christmas. It is hard to argue against the new Nook Color, which is what I eventually decided on. Plus, everyone I know has been thrilled with their Nook, and the customer service.

I think if I were the co-worker, I'd appreciate a $25 donation much more than a $20 donation and lottery tickets.

LOL @ dysfunctional office party...only because I'm going to one of those in a couple hours myself!

I finally gave in and decided, but I'm getting the plain Nook, no color. I feel like the color's too tablet-y and not as easy on the eyes as the eInk

Does anybody know much about Dr. Who, other than the white silk scarf and phone booth?

Yes. But the TARDIS is not a phone booth! It's just cleverly disguised as a police telephone box.

Totally different ;)

Ok...7 year old nephew in 1st grade...what are some good educational games to get for either the Nintendo DS or PC?

I'd be careful there. Kids are definitely different, but I know that when our son was that age, if he even had a whiff that a game was "educational," that translated to him as lame and not worth his time.

That said, take a look at Nintendogs/Nintendogs + cats.

How do I wrap a golf club so you can't tell it's a golf club?