Gift suggestion for a 26 year old male

[ryan256]

Wow.... I was wondering how long it would take this thread to degrade into suggestions of pr0n & the like. I was figuring 7 posts. Only took 4..lol

Might want to try something like an RC Helicopter from Radioshack. Would be a fun little toy

 

[randay]

led flashlight
thumbdrive
mouse
cell phone battery

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Once again, I am asking my wife this year for the CANDROID

I am a 30 ear old software engineer with a BSEE.

Last year, a guy at work got a miniature bowling game.

I got a pen that is a frog boxer thing.

 

[llamajizz]

I'd say something stupid here, but I'd rather not get banned for a week. I don't think you can go wrong with a gift card, though. It's like the ultimate generic gift.

-----------------------------------------------------
Smart thinking on your part. See how far common sense takes you:gift:

Anandtech Moderator

 

[mordantmonkey]

i was gonna say a nice razor, but then i read that he's asian...

 

[nakedfrog]

The Dilbert animated series is right at $40, but would probably be a good gift.
Know anything about the kind of music he listens to?

 

[bwnv]

Most guys don't have enough nice shirts, you could try macy's or Eddie Baur. But my personal vote would be for one of those tiny RC cars that recharges on its little stand. I'd have it cruising around on my desk

And props to the Mod(s), especially considering the OP is female, but also because this is a serious question asking for opinions.


---------------------
:lips: Anandtech Moderator

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
I disagree about cash especially for stuff like christmas

imagine if everyone that did secret santa gave the other person $35 cash

the whole thing would end up totally pointless

the only things i am likely to give cash for is a wedding otherwise imo it is a crummy gift

Think about it. Everyone spends $20-$35 in money, to give crap to someone else that they'll just throw away or won't value much if they keep it (that is what I consider pointless). So what is worse: (A) a bunch of people throwing $20 down the drain in a pointless activity, or (B) a bunch of people in a pointless activity with no money lost?

How would you like to enter a gift exchange where you spend $20 on a gift that the recipient hates and where in exchange you get a Kevin Federline CD? Bingo, $20 wasted on both sides in a pointless activity.

If you are so adamant about giving items, then make it a rule that the people need a list of items they'd value. You know, like a gift list or a gift registry.

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: mchammer187
I disagree about cash especially for stuff like christmas

imagine if everyone that did secret santa gave the other person $35 cash

the whole thing would end up totally pointless

the only things i am likely to give cash for is a wedding otherwise imo it is a crummy gift

Think about it. Everyone spends $20-$35 in money, to give crap to someone else that they'll just throw away or won't value much if they keep it (that is what I consider pointless). So what is worse: (A) a bunch of people throwing $20 down the drain in a pointless activity, or (B) a bunch of people in a pointless activity with no money lost?

If you are so adamant about giving items, then make it a rule that the people need a list of items they'd value. You know, like a gift list or a gift registry.

why even participate in an activity that you view is a net loss either way then?

surely it isn't mandatory and if it is than I would concede that you have a very valid point

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
why even participate in an activity that you view is a net loss either way then?

surely it isn't mandatory and if it is than I would concede that you have a very valid point

Economics textbooks list Christmas as one of the biggest net losses because people pay tons of money for items that others value very little. Buying things is, of course, good for the economy; however, buying things often is a net loss for the gift giver/receiver pair.

That doesn't mean though that gift giving should be ended. No, it just means that giving isn't about opening up a wallet and forking over money to a retailer. Giving is about adding net value. Give someone something that costs you little and what is priceless to them.

I'll try an example. About a year ago I made a post for a gift for my then brand new GF (link). GF loves a cheap mac & cheese that she couldn't buy in this country. I eventually got someone on ATOT to buy me that brand in Canada for next to nothing, shipped it to me, and I gave it to her. A few bucks bought well over a year of joy for her. She still savors that case of mac & cheese I bought. She still glows when she tells the story of how her new BF found out exactly what she wanted and couldn't get and then went through all the trouble to get it for her and for no reason at all (it wasn't even close to Christmas, a holiday, or her birthday). I spent a few bucks, and she got hundreds of dollars of value from it.

How did it work? I took the time, I took the effort, I took on the challenge of secretly finding out the one item that she really wanted the most. It is that effort that added to the value of the gift. Randomly asking strangers what to give as a gift to another stranger is about the exact opposite.

A common phrase is that the joy of Christmas is about giving not receiving. But in reality, the joy of Christmas is about getting to know someone well enough that he/she will enjoy the gift you select. THAT is why you give gifts. If you won't/can't do all of that, then give cash as it is the best of the rest of the options.

 

[mchammer187]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: mchammer187
why even participate in an activity that you view is a net loss either way then?

surely it isn't mandatory and if it is than I would concede that you have a very valid point

Economics textbooks list Christmas as one of the biggest net losses because people pay tons of money for items that others value very little. Buying things is, of course, good for the economy; however, buying things often is a net loss for the gift giver/receiver pair.

That doesn't mean though that gift giving should be ended. No, it just means that giving isn't about opening up a wallet and forking over money to a retailer. Giving is about adding net value. Give someone something that costs you little and what is priceless to them.

I'll try an example. About a year ago I made a post for a gift for my then brand new GF (link). GF loves a cheap mac & cheese that she couldn't buy in this country. I eventually got someone on ATOT to buy me that brand in Canada for next to nothing, shipped it to me, and I gave it to her. A few bucks bought well over a year of joy for her. She still savors that case of mac & cheese I bought. She still glows when she tells the story of how her new BF found out exactly what she wanted and couldn't get and then went through all the trouble to get it for her and for no reason at all (it wasn't even close to Christmas, a holiday, or her birthday). I spent a few bucks, and she got hundreds of dollars of value from it.

How did it work? I took the time, I took the effort, I took on the challenge of secretly finding out the one item that she really wanted the most. It is that effort that added to the value of the gift. Randomly asking strangers what to give as a gift to another stranger is about the exact opposite.

A common phrase is that the joy of Christmas is about giving not receiving. But in reality, the joy of Christmas is about getting to know someone well enough that he/she will enjoy the gift you select. THAT is why you give gifts. If you won't/can't do all of that, then give cash as it is the best of the rest of the options.

I wasn't referring to Christmas just a Secret Santa thing for work hence the comment about it not being mandatory.

But your second last sentence basically states what I am saying.

"But in reality, the joy of Christmas is about getting to know someone well enough that he/she will enjoy the gift you select. THAT is why you give gifts. "

this I agree with but imo if I am just going to be exchanging cash with someone I'd rather not give a gift at all.

 

[sandorski]

Glad I showed to this thread late. Woulda got a vacation.

-------------------------------------
I can hold a seat for you if desired.

Anandtech Moderator

 

[EKKC]

im 26. are you getting me a PS3?

then again i doubt you will camp out for him. like the other guy said if you can find out if he has a console and which one, video game accessories would make any normal guy giddy.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Glad I showed to this thread late. Woulda got a vacation.

-------------------------------------
I can hold a seat for you if desired.

Anandtech Moderator

Oh, no thanks.

 

[Reckoner]

Glow in the dark condoms

--------------------------------------------
Not advisable as an office gift

Enjoy your week off for the suggestion and ignore a Mod warning

Anandtech Moderator

 

[eits]

buy him a haircut to a nice barbershop in town. it could change the way he views himself and be less of a dork and start taking care of himself.

also, give him a 6-pack of YOUR favorite beer. that way if he doesn't like it, it's all yours.

 

[FrustratedUser]

A pack of condoms and a smile.

------------------------------------------------------------
Hiitch a ride with PaulNEPat's post above

Anandtech Moderator

 

[Maximilian]

Your totally overthinking this. Buy booze for the fellow! Its a surefire thing every guy likes.

 

[Googer]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/59e0/

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: Googer
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/59e0/

that's pretty damn awesome. i want the silver/blue one.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: mchammer187
why even participate in an activity that you view is a net loss either way then?

surely it isn't mandatory and if it is than I would concede that you have a very valid point

Economics textbooks list Christmas as one of the biggest net losses because people pay tons of money for items that others value very little. Buying things is, of course, good for the economy; however, buying things often is a net loss for the gift giver/receiver pair.

That doesn't mean though that gift giving should be ended. No, it just means that giving isn't about opening up a wallet and forking over money to a retailer. Giving is about adding net value. Give someone something that costs you little and what is priceless to them.

I'll try an example. About a year ago I made a post for a gift for my then brand new GF (link). GF loves a cheap mac & cheese that she couldn't buy in this country. I eventually got someone on ATOT to buy me that brand in Canada for next to nothing, shipped it to me, and I gave it to her. A few bucks bought well over a year of joy for her. She still savors that case of mac & cheese I bought. She still glows when she tells the story of how her new BF found out exactly what she wanted and couldn't get and then went through all the trouble to get it for her and for no reason at all (it wasn't even close to Christmas, a holiday, or her birthday). I spent a few bucks, and she got hundreds of dollars of value from it.

How did it work? I took the time, I took the effort, I took on the challenge of secretly finding out the one item that she really wanted the most. It is that effort that added to the value of the gift. Randomly asking strangers what to give as a gift to another stranger is about the exact opposite.

A common phrase is that the joy of Christmas is about giving not receiving. But in reality, the joy of Christmas is about getting to know someone well enough that he/she will enjoy the gift you select. THAT is why you give gifts. If you won't/can't do all of that, then give cash as it is the best of the rest of the options.

While this is mostly true, the reality is that the gift she gives will reflect on her. It's a gesture that will be noted by the receiver as well as her other coworkers. The point of little office things like this is to build friendships (or just friendly acquaintances), not to exchange arbitrary amounts of cash. Giving someone a cool, useless gadget is kind of like wasting $20, but it's also showing that you're willing to put some effort into the thing.

 

[CaptainKahuna]

A flask is always a good gift for a guy. You also may want to look into a lighter/cigar cutter of some kind. Even if he doesn't smoke, guys like things that light on fire

Both options should be able to get you out for under $40.

 

[weezergirl]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt

While this is mostly true, the reality is that the gift she gives will reflect on her. It's a gesture that will be noted by the receiver as well as her other coworkers. The point of little office things like this is to build friendships (or just friendly acquaintances), not to exchange arbitrary amounts of cash. Giving someone a cool, useless gadget is kind of like wasting $20, but it's also showing that you're willing to put some effort into the thing.

this is exactly how i feel! i dont mind giving gift cards but it's probably my last resort. if i feel like i can get a somewhat personal gift that they might like, i'd prefer to do that.

i really like some of the suggestions in here for myself haha.

anyways, i prolly have 2 weeks to decide so i will def take some of these into consideration. thanks!!

PS. thanks to the mods for moderating this thread...i forgot what it's like posting as a girl!

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: eits
buy him a haircut to a nice barbershop in town. it could change the way he views himself and be less of a dork and start taking care of himself.

also, give him a 6-pack of YOUR favorite beer. that way if he doesn't like it, it's all yours.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Not really a gift idea but these days, you can Google anyone's name (i.e. someone geeky and tech-savvy) and stumble upon some kind of an online wishlist. Just a thought.

The best part is, I can't get a vacation for this