The best gift

[aome]

So, I'm already seeing holiday gift suggestions popping up everywhere, from store-specific to "Best 25 gifts for her" or whatever. And I know that we will probably have to act earlier than usual for deliveries to arrive in time, at least in the US, where our postal system is currently floundering. But never, in the history of ever, have I seen a

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[spiffikins]

I *hate* those lists - I have never seen anything remotely helpful on them - not that it stops me from reading them desperately :D

TBH most of the gifts I have received are fairly forgettable - which is kind of sad, but I've accepted it. Not that they are bad - but anything that I *really* want/need - I buy it for myself, instead of hoping that someone will surprise me with it :)

That being said - the things that stand out as being surprising/useful -

I was totally shocked one year when I opened a birthday present, and it was a cordless drill! I apparently had mentioned that I needed to get one - and T heard me and remembered and they picked one out. I have used it multiple times and it was something that I definitely needed.

In the same vein, T&G bought me a really good chef's knife last year for Christmas - something I would never have bought for myself - and I've really been happy with it.

Similarly, eons ago, T gave me a Charles Viancin Lilypad lid amazon link and I use it (and a couple of others that I bought myself after I got this one) CONSTANTLY when reheating things in the microwave and as a lid on my frying pans. There are a ton of variations, I'm sure they all work well.

The other gift, in terms of "things I didn't know I needed" was from Bossman, who bought me my first Sonos wireless speaker - which ended up triggering me buying a houseful of them :D

Mostly, I find that I have the best success with giving gifts, when I have the opportunity to listen to my friends and remember - especially people like A, who have VERY specific tastes - when he says how much he loves this weird cheese made with coffee grounds and lavender - I *remember* that and THAT is the cheese I buy him - I may also buy some other random cheese, just for fun, but the real gift is the one I know he likes. Is it a surprise? Not really - but at least for A, I know he prefers to get gifts that he will use/like, more than he wants to be surprised.

[aome]

Ooh, those lilypad lids look interesting! Thanks for the suggestion/link.

Also, your friend has very strange taste in cheese. :P

[spiffikins]

he has strange taste in MANY things, tbh

[spiffikins]

Barely Buzzed Cheese

I have tried it - I honestly don't taste a lot of lavender or coffee - but I'm not a connoisseur :D