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