What to get Mum/Dad for Xmas? Discuss.
OK, I'm opening this thread so the siblings can discuss what to get Mum/Dad for Xmas. True to form, we're way late in thinking about this AGAIN this year. Mum/Dad don't know about this blog, so we're safe here. Post your thoughts/comments using the "Comments" link, and we can have all our thoughts in one place without sifting through email.
To get those synapses reconnected and firing again, here are gifts from past years, with commentary:
2003 - massage/heat backrest. Not sure if they ever used this, since the box is still sitting in the corner in the living room. Maybe they took it out of the box and are using it elsewhere.?.
2002 - under-cabinet radio/CD player. They probably get a little more use out of this.
2001 - I think we gave them the PC this year? Probably the most useful of the gifts, even if it was an enabler to Mum's ebay fanaticism and her purchasing of more corn pottery.
OK, any thoughts anyone?
To get those synapses reconnected and firing again, here are gifts from past years, with commentary:
2003 - massage/heat backrest. Not sure if they ever used this, since the box is still sitting in the corner in the living room. Maybe they took it out of the box and are using it elsewhere.?.
2002 - under-cabinet radio/CD player. They probably get a little more use out of this.
2001 - I think we gave them the PC this year? Probably the most useful of the gifts, even if it was an enabler to Mum's ebay fanaticism and her purchasing of more corn pottery.
OK, any thoughts anyone?
posted by equipoise at 10:04 AM
14 Comments:
One idea for dad ... a laser level, like the old bubble levels, but they use a laser so you can check "levelness" across long distances as it projects a red line across the wall, or wherever.
I haven't done any research on them, but I know they come in all different price ranges. I think they're super hot this season, so I don't know if availability would be a problem.
I'm fine with either separate gifts, or one gift for both - either way.
Does anyone know where in Hawaii they plan to go? So many islands.
What is the Cybaris resort?
The level idea for had occured to me also, and I agree that it's a good idea.
For mum, on the other hand, here are some ideas:
a) A cherub holding fruit in one hand, and a cob of corn in the other. Chances are slim on finding something like this, but if anyone would happen to come across one, I'd say jump on it.
b) Kitchen things. Try to think of something that you could use, because anything we would get her just sit in the box for couple of years anyway, after which one of us could snag it.
c) An optical mouse. Her computer mouse sucks, and an optical one will work on any surface, if by chance there happens to be random crap piled up on her desk. If by chance.....
d) Still on the computer theme, which I'm not sure is a good idea or not, we could rebuild her computer. The thing runs like crap. I'm guessing that the entire OS has background programs and spyware cluttering it up. Granted, this would only apply to Jesse, since I've seen Jo's technical skills and I won't be there. I also have no idea what's all involved in cleaning out an OS, since I always just reformat. More RAM would be another option, which would help it run better. I'm not sure if EBAY shipping time would coincide with you guys being home though.
e) coal
OK, that resort is disgusting. Wonder how often they change the water in those jacuzzis!?! Don't even want to think about that. If a person has to pay a resort to concoct a little cliche'd romance, then someone's really not trying hard enough. Or the trying would just be too painful with too little payoff, but you still want to go through the motions. Whatever.
Anyway, Frick's optical mouse idea isn't bad ... we'll all benefit when we're home and using their computer.
I can try to clean up their system when I'm home - just download and run AdAware and see what happens.
I just did an ebay search for "cherub" and "corn" and (amazingly) found one solitary item! Certain proof that there is a God? Or certain proof that all is not well in this world? You be the judge ...
Cherub+corn
Unless the maid service comes armed with A-bombs, I don't think they'd stand a chance in that house.
In seriousness, I think most maid services assume that the home has at least some level of cleanliness, or at least some lack-of-being-a-total-shithole-ness before they will take on the job. They want to clean (as in remove dirt) NOT put 12 tons of junk in it's appropriate place before they can even see the surface that needs to be cleaned.
I had emailed mom and asked what was on their Xmas list. She came back with one thing: a mouse that works. I think we should run w/that idea and maybe combine it with some other "experience" based gift.
By the way, I still think the smurf glasses rock. I'm sure you guys remember fighting over who got which smurf glass at dinner!?! How could you ever get rid of those?
I bet that mother would actually really like that cherub hat rack. I am in no way suggesting that we get it though.
a mouse will run between $20 and $50 I would think. Either way, we should go with the level also.
Maybe you two can go shopping together on the 23rd or 24th. Yay!! Mega-electronic and mega-hardware stores right before christmas. I wish I could join you.
I can do the leg-work on the mouse. There's a Comp USA and Circuit City near my work.
Maybe just the mouse is enough ... Dad doesn't use the computer much, but I don't think his feelings would be hurt. I'm less excited about the laser level now, because I took a look and there are dozens of different types, and I don't feel like doing that much research.
Another thought - Dad mentioned the singer Norah Jones when they visited in May. I think he asked whether I had heard her new CD (her second one, I think.) So maybe dad would like that?
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Ugh. Me think books good idea. Ugh.
another idea for dad that I had thought about a while ago was a decent LED head torch. It's really convenient for working on the car and what not, and the with the LED, they last forever for battery time. It always seems that none of the flashlights at home ever have batteries. I don't necessarily think that this idea is any better than a book though.
OK, the mouse has been procured. Jo and I can discuss both the book and the headlamp idea. We'll also likely be @ REI tomorrow if we want to go the headlamp route.
Sherry and I went out shopping on the 23rd, and (no surprise) it was a madhouse. Pretty hellish. But we accomplished our mission.
So, Mom got a mouse which ACTUALLY WORKS, and she seems very happy. She even said "thank you!"
Dad got Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." Maybe a little more academic than he would like, but Sherry thinks he'll slug through it since it was a gift. He seemed pretty happy with the prospect of learning a little alternative history.
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
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