What Do I Want for Christmas? Gift Ideas for Everybody!

---

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”

Dr. Seuss : How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

---

For Him & Her — Practical Technology

---

---

What do I Want for Christmas?

“What do I want for Christmas?” said your inner voice, that part of you that yearns to be spoiled, inspired, surprised, loved and cared for. I will explore this questions in every way I can think of. This article will evolve between now and Christmas 2019, so keep coming back as it will grow each day.

Christmas is never far away; it’s just around the bend. Clearly, you have some thoughts about what you might want. A desire for something unique, something cool, something special. It’s tricky navigating the festive spirit of Christmas. This article is especially a challenge because of the range of possibilities which are daunting and endless in the vast world we live in. But I will try to entice you with a variety of stuff — interesting and practical gift ideas.

Have a look around, and decide for yourself. I hope you stay awhile. There is (will be) something here for everyone. Happy Christmas Dreaming!

---

---

---

Diverse Christmas Gift Ideas

I think one of the best ideas to give yourself or someone you care about is having your DNA analyzed so you can find out about your Ancestry and gain insight into your health and geneaology. I subscribed to 23 and Me about 6 years ago, long before it was cool. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Also, Ancestry is a similar company, and they offer a range of kits for you to choose from. which I also recommend. Both are highly regarded by customers.

---

Fun & Games —

---

---

Welcome, Christmas 2023

Keep checking back as this article will grow in massive leaps and bounds. It will be a visual feast for your hungry gift-hunting eyes — I promise!

Along the way I will add my own personal thoughts about Christmas and what it means, and what I wish for compared to what I used to wish for, when I was younger. Our desires change with time and so wherever you are in your life, I wish that beneath any gift that you receive or give is something more precious than the gift itself — things such as, compassion, care, support, and love. I think the best gifts are the ones that surprise us because they are thoughtful and are worth far more than the price paid, and instead, what becomes of that gift are the memories they leave behind over the years.

For example, I still remember the black electric guitar my parents bought me when I was around 11 years old, even though they really couldn’t afford it, but somehow they found a way. Music was a love of mine as a kid so at the time, it was a profound moment and one that I will never forget. It meant something and it inspired me to learn how to play music.

---

Science anyone? Adults & Kids

👁‍ The building blocks of our world in your hands

---

— Gift Ideas On Wheels

---

---

— 3 Profound Books

This past year has been quite a year for me. A lot has happened, forcing me to look in the mirror and question myself in ways I’ve never had to do before. I realized that I needed some new ideas on how to look at the world and these books (see below) truly changed my thinking and ability to problem solve, which is one of the most important skills we need to develop in order to thrive in the world we live in. How do you choose the best path for yourself?

Trust me, these books may save you years of struggle over the course of your life. Read them, or do as I did — listen to the Audible audio book version.

---

---

More Books for Christmas

I tried to narrow my list of life-changing books that I read in 2019 to just three, but I couldn’t. So here are several more to round out my book recommendations.

Watches, A Symbol of Style

It’s funny how watches have come back in style as fashion items. In truth, we don’t need watches anymore because everyone has a smartphone in their pocket. Watches are a symbol of style and taste, and can often be found on the wrist of the wealthy and elite, who wear expensive luxury brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Longines, to name a few. Prestige is not always about price. Case in point : The Torgoen T16 (below) is owned by Richard Branson, and anyone can afford the watch.

---

---

Oprah’s Christmas List on Amazon

Every year Oprah puts out a massive list of things she adores, would love to have, and stuff she wants to recommend for whatever reason…if you want to know, click on this link or click on the Santa image below and it will take you to a magical place online, also known as Amazon — you will find all of her wonderful and sometimes perplexing choices for gifts. It’s fun to look at and sift through. Lots of interesting ideas you’ll love for Christmas 2019. My goodness, how time flies.

---

💬 Everything below this is from previous years, so bear that in mind. Everything above this section has been written for Christmas of 2019. As I’ve already stated, I’ve only begun. This list will grow quickly. Come back.

---

What Do I want for Christmas?

From yesteryear…a living recollection of days gone by.

Last year or the recent past, especially as nostalgically recalled.

Oxford Dictionary

What do I want for Christmas? This is the question we’ll explore in this meandering, shape-shifting article, written from the perspective of several writers.

I pray that the coming months will bring the world increasing joy, love and hope. We all could use more of that, regardless of the time of year.

We live in strange times, and perhaps, traditions such as Christmas act as a nice little buffer between reality and fantasy, allowing us to escape some of the challenges of our lives. After all, it’s up to us to shape our world and to stand up for the things we believe in. Ultimately, we have the choice to be a source of good in the world or a source of friction and negativity. I hope that the remaining time we have leading up to Christmas brings you — and all of us — the time to reflect and evaluate our place in the world; truthfully and with humility. Ultimately, I can only hope that we give back unconditionally to those we love.

If you ask me what I want for Christmas in 2018, as I lay here recovering from a recent surgery that has truly humbled me, left me incapacitated for weeks; forcing me to challenge what I really care about. I would keep it simple and say — I want meaningful connections with people I respect and love in a reciprocal way. All I wish for this Christmas is to feel that I am enough in the eyes of others, despite my imperfections. I want to feel that what I give on a daily basis is valued more than any physical gift that we typically associate with Christmas.

This beginning of the article was added by the owner of this site, Gio. The remainder is an amalgam of other writers. I suppose I am feeling more vulnerable than normal these days because of my surgery. I am feeling my mortality slipping away at 48 years old.  We often associate Christmas gifts with things we can buy, but it’s funny how little that matters when all I need right now is someone share my frustrations with at 5:27am, and to know I’ve been heard and to feel that I’m not alone in the world. My guess is that this is probably not the answer you came here searching for, so —

…let’s move on to the question we all want an answer to : What Do I Want for Christmas? 

Before we get started, you should know that this article is from two different writers, all answering the question : What do I Want for Christmas?

Their section is labeled appropriately (writer 1, Writer 2).

The purpose of this article is to get you thinking. It’s that simple.

---

Writer 1 : What do I want for Christmas?

Over 2 billion people celebrate Christmas every year. 20^th century data tells us that this translates into almost 32 percent of the world’s population. That is why it is not a wonder that Christmas is considered to be one of the biggest holidays of the year. Many countries even acknowledge Christmas in their holiday list.

While Christmas has a vast variety of different traditions (the Christmas tree, the decorations, the sweets and even Santa Claus), the tradition of giving gifts is one that has extremely strong roots. This particular tradition is closely linked with the popular legend of St. Nicolas (more commonly known today as Santa Claus). It is also closely linked to the gifts that were presented to the baby Jesus by the Magi after he was born.

Get your dose of inspiration for 2019! Christmas is almost here.

The tradition of gift giving has made the Christmas season one of the most profitable seasons in the year. Shops, stores and malls prep for this occasion weeks in advance. The choice of a gift speaks volumes about the giver as well as the giver’s perspective about the receiver. This is possibly the reason why people worry so much about choosing the perfect gift.

Knowing a person should ideally make the situation easier. There are often times when it doesn’t. I’ve found myself paused in the middle of a mall watching the swirling crowd of people passing me by while wondering what I should get for my husband and he is a person I know so well. That has often brought me to the thought… What if we all made our wish lists? Why not tell people what we really want?

---

Every time I ask my husband about it he will say… “It’s okay if you don’t get me anything. Don’t worry about it.” It isn’t like I don’t do the same to him. My response is usually along the lines of “Surprise me!”

A lot of my friends do the same with their friends and their family members as well. The end result is a lot of stressed out people who are desperately searching for gifts and a lot of gifts which never really match expectations.

Amazon Echo Show – New for 2017

There is another trend of thought that I embarked on. Have we really thought about ‘What do I want for Christmas?’. We are so concerned about the gifts that we have to buy that we rarely delve in to the unknown and figure out what we want. You have to admit that it is an interesting thought and the more I thought about it the more it made sense. I introduced the idea to my family members too. I told each of them to ask themselves just one question. “What do I want for Christmas?”

The answers to this question usually are hesitant and most people are not forth coming. Costs, prejudices, fears, judgment… So many emotions cloud your mind and it goes against your very grain of being to ask for a gift of your liking. The more we talked the more we realized that each of us had very different ideas of Christmas gifts.

Hamilton : The Musical Gifts

Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Recording (Music) and/or Hamilton : The Revolution (Making-of Book)

Sometimes something as simple as music can change your life. I know that I felt inspired the moment I heard the soundtrack  for Hamilton, the musical. I absolutely love it. And if you happen to live in New York then I’m sure you know all about it.

Also, if you like history then the biography; Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, might be perfect for you.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? I Want To Travel!

My husband I love to travel. We love Christmas too. Every year we spend Christmas with our families doing what we always do. This year when I asked my husband to ask himself ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ his immediate response was that he wanted to travel. Luckily for both of us we were on the same page. We both want to travel.

North Face Unisex Borealis Backpack

This year’s Christmas gifts have become so much easier to choose because we jointly decided to gift ourselves a vacation. Now since we love to travel and we are budget travelers we realized that there are a number of gifts that we would like to receive. Yes! The question ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ was leading to a number of surprising discoveries.

Great Backpacks

Gone are the old boring backpacks. Browsing through the Wildcraft store I went a little crazy. I love Wildcraft bags. They are great and comfortable and my weak frame can carry heavy loads because of their load reduction technologies. There are some other brands that come close. High Sierra and North face are two great examples. These backpacks are great for people who love to travel light and live large. Helps you understand why these backpacks made my ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ list!

---

Do you love Jewelry? Here are some aspirational pieces.

---

Scratchable World Map

The Scratchable World Map definitely makes it way on to any Christmas list and it has definitely made its way on to mine. The ability to scratch out the countries that you have been to gives a traveler satisfaction as no other map can give. In fact, if someone does tick this of my ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ list, the map will be framed and will occupy a position of honor on our house walls.

Luckies of London Scratch Map — Deluxe Edition

Luckies of London has a lot of other knick-knacks (also known as Bric-à-brac) that might appeal to you.  We don’t have the time and space to show you everything but you can browse their catalog of stuff on Amazon.

Headphones

Earphones topped my husband’s list. He loves to sleep in flights and while traveling. The ambient noise tends to rain on his parade. A good pair of headphones always seems to ensure that he gets his beauty sleep. The newest noise canceling headphones (Bose QuietComfort 25) would make a good addition to his current supply. I for one can’t see why he needs so many!

Panasonic Retro Stereo Headphones | RP-HTX7-A1

Amazon Kindle | Read More

I’ve always preferred books to electronic gadgets but even I have to admit that when traveling light, a kindle is the way to go. So while I have been putting it off for a long while, I have decided that a Kindle would make a great addition to my travel supplies — and it’s a fantastic gift idea for anyone, at any time of the year. Personally I have two different models.

Reading is an integral part of our lives and Amazon has truly created a wonderful line of e-readers that can fit any budget. We should all be reading as much as we can to feed our intellect and giving someone a Kindle will encourage them to read more as well. The genius of the Kindle is that it’s so easy to access your books wherever you are. Yes, I must confess, I am a big fan of Amazon’s Kindle.

If you don’t already own a Kindle then I would put this at the top of your list. You will absolutely love it!

Amazon Kindle

You have 4 models to choose from:

• Kindle E-Reader : The Basic Model (and the cheapest Kindle) | 6″  Touchscreen, Wi-Fi 
• Kindle Paperwhite : 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi 
• Kindle Voyage : 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Adaptive Built-in Light, PagePress Sensors, Wi-Fi. Battery lasts for weeks.
• Kindle Oasis | Premium model : 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi), plus Wi-Fi , leather charging cover. Battery lasts for months.

What Do I Want for Christmas? : Gift Me An Experience I Will Never Forget!

Gifting an experience has certainly become a trend. Most of the youngsters in my family were quickly drawn to this idea. I can’t but help admit that the idea intrigued me too! We did stumble across a number of great experiences that could be gifted to individuals and some that could be gifted to families too.

---

The Family Experience

The family experience revolves around things that the family likes to do together. These experiences can be educational or they can just be fun. Museum memberships and science center memberships are great ways to help the children in the family learn. For those interested in arts and music, there are always Orchestra season tickets and Community Theater tickets. These work well if everyone in the family enjoys the same thing.

Coleman WeatherMaster Tent

Other family experiences can include camping. This means that you can gift the family a camping trip or gift them a family tent that they can take with them whenever they feel like going for an outing. Some families even choose to volunteer together. Volunteering together is certainly an experience that can build a person’s character (both the young and the old).

Great Experiences For Kids

Many of the family experiences can cater to kids and adults too. There are however a few experiences that kids would love as potential gifts. Bear in mind that each of these experiences are dependent on how old the kid is.

• Pottery making and painting is a popular favorite among both young and old girls. Some parents like to join in the fun too!
• The local gym works well for kids who are exercise and health conscious.
• Children who love outdoor activities and sports appreciate a chance to do rock climbing. A pass to the local batting cage is also a great idea. Bowling and skating is another great idea.
• Musical instruments are great if your kid wants to learn one. In fact, you can go all out and enroll the kid into a class for beginners.

Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Finding the best experience for a kid depends on what the kid is interested in. If you have your doubts all you have to do is ask or look around the child’s room.

---

Great Experiences For Parents

So when a child asks a parent about their ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ list, most parents really hesitate to give them an answer. Like children, parents too have their own passions. My husband and I were pondering on what we would ask our kid to get us (if we had one that is). A series of experiences popped into my husband’s head.

Premium Gold Edition Homebrewing Craft Beer Making Kit

The first experience that he thought of was beer making. At first I was baffled. I thought that he was asking for a brewery for himself. A rather extravagant gift in my opinion! He went to explain that one could brew a beer in the comfort of one’s own home. All that one would require is a pre-made brewing kit. So I guess I needed to add a ‘pre-made brewing kit’ to his ‘What do I want for Christmas’ list.

Surprise… Surprise… Our list seemed to be growing extremely fast! I couldn’t help wondering why I struggled to think of gifts for him every Christmas. I should have done this years ago!

Another thing that made the list was a ‘Scuba certification course’. It struck me that my husband had been going on and on about it for years. So it would make a great gift. Along with these activities he added sky diving, wind surfing, paragliding and horse riding. All the experiences that he had wanted to try at least once in his life.

While all these experiences were meant to be hypothetical, I found myself making notes to ensure that I had my Christmas list for the next few centuries in check!

---

Seaview 180° Panoramic Snorkel Mask

So then it was my turn to ponder on this hypothetical question. If I was a mom what would I want? Thoughts of all my harried and frustrated friends came to mind. That is when I realized that if I was a mom the experience that would top all other experiences was a day off. A series of days off would also be quite welcome. A day off when I didn’t have to cook, a day off when I didn’t have to clean and maybe a day off when I could go out and enjoy with my friends.

In fact a day off when I could just go out on a date with my husband (which few moms get to do) would be the most ideal. By now my husband kept blinking at me in surprise. I thought a little bit and I added a day at the spa to my list too.

Conair Waterfall Foot Spa

---

The Grandparents Christmas Experience List

This list made us really stretch our imagination. First we had to think of being really old (and no one likes to do that) and then we had to imagine having grand-kids. If this hypothetical situation had to exist, what would I want for Christmas?

With so many years behind me, I guess the most precious thing that I would have are my memories. I know that I cherish them a lot even now. That makes me assume that I will cherish them even more as I grow old. An experience at this age would be difficult to achieve because of age, mobility and other issues. Reliving experiences through memories would definitely be a good way to go about things. It is something that I know my grandmother loves to do!

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS60

A few Christmases back my husband and I gifted my grandmother a collage with all the different family members merged together in it. We don’t really have a full family photograph because everyone is scattered across the globe. The photograph now hangs proudly in her hall. I know that she loves it and I am sure had I been in her shoes, I would have loved it too!

Another great idea is a photo album. One could collect all the old snaps that are lying around and have them touched up. Most old people hate that these memories are fading away with the paper that they were printed on. You may find that this is one of the best ideas for grandparents yet!

Most grandparents love spending time with the family. Organizing a get together, a picnic (if they are able to move about) or any other kind of outing could well be an experience that they would cherish!

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? A Pet?

Did you know that the number of pets being bought or adopted during Christmas is much higher than any other time of the year? Sounds great right but it doesn’t always turn out exactly as it was planned. Before buying a pet as a gift you need to consider a number of things.

Joy For All | Companion Cat

• Are you buying/adopting the pet for your family? Is your family ready for the responsibility?
• Is it for someone else entirely? Are they ready for the responsibility?
• Do you/they have children in the house? Is the dog/cat comfortable with children?
• Are there elderly people in the house? Can the pet trip them when they walk?
• Is anyone allergic to pet fur and dander?

These may seem insignificant at first but getting a pet is a serious decision. In order to consider giving a person a pet as a gift, you must consult the family. This is especially true if the gift is for a child. After all, a child will not take on the responsibility but the parent will.

Costs also need to be considered. The initial cost of adoption is what people usually see. Along with this come the veterinary bills, food bills, vaccinations and even grooming bills. The family needs to be ready to take on these expenses.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas?  Take A Look At The Person You Are Before You Decide!

There are different kinds of people in the world. Each person has their own personality and their own likes and dislikes. If a person has made their way on to your Christmas list then it means that you know the person fairly well. This helps sort through the ideas significantly. Let’s take a few interests that are very common among the general population.

---

The Geek | What Do I Want for Christmas?

In today’s world almost everyone is a geek. We love our laptops, our mobile phones and all the other gadgets that make our lives easier. Some people just love them a little more than others do. So if you know someone who fits the profile and is on your Christmas list, you may want to look at some of these awesome ideas.

Amazon Fire HD Tablet

Laptops and Mobiles

So laptops and mobiles hold the high point here but if your friend is a geek and you aren’t, then you may want to stay away from this section. With so many specifications and requirements you will soon find yourself lost. The easier way to get a Christmas present (that is if you thought of buying a laptop or a mobile phone) is to ask your friend about the specifications that they are looking for or you could even ask them what their opinion on the current laptops in the market is.

Cautionary warning: Do not ask your husband this for he will immediately know what his surprise Christmas present is! Trust me! I’ve made that mistake before!

The Solar Powered And Anti-Theft Backpack:

I’m sure if you had to ask a geek to ask himself/herself ‘what do I want for Christmas?’ one of the items at the top of the list would be the Solar powered backpack. Okay… The backpack also has an anti-theft feature but most geeks (like me) would be interested in the solar powered feature.

ECEEN Solar Backpack

The backpack comes with a USB port and a solar panel which helps you charge your mobile. This ensures that your battery will never die. In fact, this backpack is meant for travelers or people who are continuously on the move. The best part about is that it uses green energy. It is a great step in encouraging the world to use solar energy.

— 3D Printers

3D printers are the new fad. Today’s world can replicate almost anything using a 3D printer and this has various applications in different aspects of life. Keeping all practicality aside, these 3D printers are also a great deal of fun!

Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer

The conventional 3D printers produce objects that are frail and need to be handled with care for fear of breaking them. That is why the newer versions use metal as a base. Metal 3D printers are the stuff of a geek’s dreams. Imagine all the cool stuff that one can make using one. The best part about it is the fact that everything you make is durable!

You can even convert your mobile into a 3D printer (that is provided it is smartphone!). Yes! The world of 3D printing is moving forward in leaps and bounds!

Sony PlayStation 4 Pro

---

Computer And Mobile Games

I’m not exactly what you would call a geek but there is a hint of a geek’s blood that flows through my veins. If you had to ask me what do I want for Christmas in reference to my geek side, then it would definitely have something to do with video or robotic games. I love games so much that I even met my husband when playing computer games in college. The types of games that we played then and the kind of games that are available today are very different in terms of graphics and even the game play. To choose a game for a geek you need to know what kind of a game he or she like to play.

The list of games is exhaustive, but you can browse for the best game for your own taste on the Amazon site. There’s a game for everyone — even for people who don’t like games.

Nintendo Switch | Hot Gift this Christmas!

Confused? Well a broad understanding of games would be achieved by dividing them into different categories. The most popular games involve strategy, racing, shooting and so on. By sorting through the categories that the person likes, it is easy to find a game as a gift.

A number of mobile games have also caught on like wildfire. The new and improved graphics give the player an immersive feel. The latest new craze is a game called ‘Pokemon Go’. I’m sure you must have heard it by now. With the advent of this new craze, a number of new gift opportunities have presented themselves to us.

The following is just a small list of popular video games (PS4) in recent years:

• Uncharted 4
• Tom Clancy’s : The Division
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens
• Dark Souls III

---

The Motorized Stand/Sit Computer Desk:

Most people spend their day stuck at their desk in office. The remaining time is spent stuck at their laptop at home. This can present with a variety of health problems and Deep Vein Thrombosis (popularly known as DVT) is one very worrying concern.

The Motorized Stand/Sit Computer desk allows a person to adjust the height of the table according to the position that you are in. It enables you to use the table comfortably if you are in a standing position (most tables are too low). In addition to all this, the table in itself is really cool. It also helps with a number of posture related issues.

Practical Gift Idea | Ergotron WorkFit-D

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The TV Fanatic

Just because a person is a TV fanatic doesn’t mean that you need to get the person a TV. In fact, this piece of knowledge opens your horizons and leaves a large number of different gift ideas at your disposal.

Let’s take a look at a few ideas that most TV fanatics would love. I know that these would definitely make my ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ list!

---

Netflix:

Most TV fanatics have a Netflix membership but in case they don’t this is a great place to start. It forms a great gift for a person who is just starting out on their own (read moving out of their parent’s house). I know that it is one form of comfort that I would love as a gift.

If you don’t have Netflix maybe you want to ask for a NetFlix Gift Card.

The Star Wars Theme:

The world is full of people who love Star wars and any kind of gift related to this series of movies brings them great joy. Try getting the person a Star Wars Death Star toaster that brings the Star Wars theme to every morning breakfast.

Darth Vader Toaster

The Darth Vader Tooth Saber Toothpick dispenser is another cool gift. If you are looking for a droid surprise then you can even consider getting the Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid. With its Bluetooth technology in place this droid listen and responds to whatever you have to say. It is definitely a Star Wars fan’s dream gift.

Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid

Features:

• Battle-Worn Exterior: BB-8 app-enabled Droid with a polycarbonate shell sports the wear and tear of Resistance missions
• Bluetooth Smart connection allowing Gyroscopic propulsion to a 30m range
• Induction charging stand providing 60 minute battery life
• Control the BB-8 app-enabled Droid with the Force band through gestures like Force push, pull and drive

---

Other Popular Movies And Shows Related gifts:

Star wars isn’t the only popular show among TV fanatics. Star trek, Game of thrones, Big bang theory, Castle, Harry Potter and the Lord of the rings are just a few more examples. Each of these shows/movies has their own assortment of ideas that one can use as gifts.

WHAT DO I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: The Fitness Lover

We always have that one person in our family or in our friend circle who is a fitness lover. Their whole day is centered on ensuring that they maintain a right diet and a right exercise routine. These people appreciate gifts that fit in with their way of life so don’t try gifting them a gift coupon to McDonald’s.

Fitbit Fitness Tracker

A fitness tracker is a great idea in case they don’t already have one. This allows the person to keep track of their activity in the day and to track the amount of calories that they burn. Funky outfits for the gym and for their exercise routine are also a great hit. But if you use clothes as a gift option, ensure that you pick the right size.

---

Eating right translates into a lot of work. This is especially true when it comes to slicing vegetables. Make the person’s life a little easier by gifting them a vegetable slicer. There are so many varieties of slicers that are available in the market today that you will find it extremely easy to pick one that suits your need and budget. While we are on the topic, a number of health cookbooks can also make great gifts.

Another really nice gift for a fitness lover is an air fryer. These fryers help reduce the amount of oil used in cooking while simultaneously allowing the person to enjoy fried food.

Omega J8006 Slow Masticating Juicer

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? | The DIY World

A lot of people have started immersing themselves in the DIY world. Honestly, I think a lot of people always indulged in DIY projects. The difference however is just that this world just got a name.

I would venture to divide the DIY world into two different categories. One category uses power tools and the other does not. These people are always busy making new things for their house and that for everyone else’s. That’s why it is a great idea to give them material that they can work with!

DIY kits

A number of pre-prepared DIY kits are available in the market. These can range from a DIY dream catcher kit to a wall deco kit. If you like out of the box thinking then there are some kits that will really catch your eye. Take a look at some of them below.

• DIY Print Shop Classic : Table top screen printing kit
• Me & my BIG ideas : Lacey Charm Album Box Kit
• Homemade Gin Kit

---

DIY Tools

As I said before, there are a number of tools that are extremely useful when it comes to DIY work. Not all of them are power tools. Take the glue gun for example. The glue gun uses glue sticks and enables a person to stick stuff together. The glue is relatively strong, long lasting and water resistant.

Fiskars 750220-1001 IsoCore

When dealing with wood and wood products (sometimes even metal), saws come in very handy. They enable you to cut wood/metal with precision. Drills, screwdrivers, and pliers, are equipment which is essential in almost all DIY carpentry projects.

In order to find out which of these make good gifts, you need to know what the person owns or wants. Sometimes the simplest things may turn out to be the greatest gifts. Let’s look at this gifting process in another way. Imagine that you spend a lot of time in your garage doing stuff… DIY stuff! Ask yourself the very same question. What do I want for Christmas? What do you think your answer would be?

---

Not sure? Well I think I would love a 4K TV setup in the basement or a nice little music system to keep me company. Nothing fancy, even a radio would do. Maybe the garage gets too hot or too cold. An AC or heater would also make a great addition.

So you see… Gifts don’t have to be directly related to your interests. Sometimes a means to provide comfort can be the best gift a person has had in a while!

Ultimate Snow Blower | Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP

2-stage 80V Self-propelled snow blower powered by a 6.0 Ah battery. This is a very cool gift if you have wealthy friends or parents who want to spoil you. It’s simply too cool for me not to include. If you don’t have rich friends then you can simply buy it for yourself. Or, maybe you can replace your father’s vintage snow blower that he can’t seem to bury in the junk yard.

Features:

• 80-Volt Max (2 x 40 V 6.0 Ah) EcoSharp rechargeable lithium-ion batteries gives you up to 50 minutes of operating time.
• Integrated push-button display: LEDs indicate direction and speed selection.
• Serrated steel auger throws up to 1000 lbs of snow per minute; cuts a path 24″ wide by 13″ deep.
• 180° adjustable chute throws snow up to 32 feet.
• Dual LED headlights makes it easy for you to remove snow at night.
• 2500 Watt brushless motor.
• TracAssist snow tires for give you maximum traction in snow and ice.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The Craft Lover

Many of the Craft lovers are also people who love DIY items. When I talk about the craft lovers, I however am referring about people who love to knit, to sew, etc. There is a fine line between these two trades and the line between these two is growing blurred. Why? Simply because many of the DIY projects also require the knowledge of sewing, knitting, crocheting etc! However the knowledge of these crafts is not absolutely necessary in the DIY world.

Lion Brand Yarn | Bonbons Yarn

I love crochet though I am not a great fan of knitting. I do a bit of sewing now and them. Embroidery is something that I am absolutely hopeless at (Much to my mother’s frustration)! Being in a family that loves crafts means that I know exactly what they appreciate. Let’s take a look at some of the most loved gifts that my mom really adores.

• Yarn/Thread: Varied colors, exotic textures and different sizes of thread exist across the globe. These threads are used for all different kinds of crafts. Make sure you know which craft the thread you pick out is used. The more exotic the thread, the happier the recipient! Oh and be forewarned… They aren’t always called thread. Sometimes it is called wool and yarn!
• Needles: Needles come in all sizes and shapes. Each craft has a different kind of needle and these needles cannot be interchanged. I find this the most difficult gift to decide on because it is really really hard to know which needles my mom (and I) have. If you aren’t really sure then it may be wise to go for a set. After all you can never have too many needles or hooks.

Stanwood Needlecraft – Wooden Umbrella Swift Yarn Winder

• Design Pattern Books: If you have been crocheting for as long as I have, you will know that patterns are always a big problem. I hate repeating the same pattern again and again. The craving for fresh new pastures is great and that is precisely why a design/pattern book makes a great gift.
• Wooden Yarn Bowl: This keeps the yarn from rolling all over the floor. It is a simple and yet is a great invention. My mom loved it when I gave it to her last Christmas. In fact, I think it is time that I bought one for myself too. It is a perfect addition to my ‘What do I want for Christmas’ list.

Patten Book | 35 fun and fluffy creatures to knit and wear

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? | The Artist

There is always that one person in our family or in our friend circle who paints pictures that we all admire. Unfortunately not all of us have the skill nor have we worked on developing it. It however does make us wonder what we could gift such a person for Christmas.

Royal & Langnickel 104-Piece All Media Easel Artist Set

I have to admit that my choices were limited to different kinds of paint, palettes, brushes and easels. There are however a few funky things that artists may appreciate. Like the artist’s palette necklace on Etsy or the wooden wall hanging that says ‘Create More Everyday’.

Coloring books are a great choice for children but did you know that adult coloring books also exist. They are said to be a great way for adults to relax and de-stress.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The Writer

For starters, as a writer you can always use some good advice and a lot of inspiration, so I’ve chosen four of my favorite books on writing. They’ve inspired me over the years and if you haven’t read them, you really should.

• Bird by Bird : Ann Lamott
• On Writing : Stephen King
• On Writing Well : William Zinsser
• The War of Art : Stephen Pressfield

Truth be told, I don’t know many writers but I do consider myself an aspiring writer. When I ask think of myself in a writers shoes I ask myself, what do I want for Christmas. I find myself drawing a blank.

A pen is a great gift as far as I am concerned especially for all those book signing tours that writers are so oft to embark on (and no I haven’t done one yet!). There are a few gifts that did catch my eye. I loved the writer’s block on Etsy. It made me laugh because there are so many times that a writer really encounters a block ( it is no laughing matter at that point of time and every writer dreads it!) and is stumped about what he/she is going to write. This writer’s block is a paper weight and is something that a writer wouldn’t mind on his/her desk.

---

A personalized notebook is also a great idea because it is great for taking down notes whenever inspiration hits. It is a simple and yet effective gift. But if you are looking for a notebook why not go for the aqua notes idea. It is a waterproof pad which allows you to write even when you are in the shower. That way no idea is lost!

Get an Antique Typewriter | Your friends will be jealous

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The Book Lover

Okay! I’m guilty! I love books so much that my husband calls it an obsession. My dream was to have a room which would be my library. A lot of people have tried to persuade me that a kindle is a better option but a part of me just doesn’t want to give in. I’m not the only person who feels this way. There are a number of book-lovers who can relate to just what I am saying.

While most people may consider a kindle the best gift for a booklover, think again. There are other options that are more innovative and may even be more appreciated. Let’s take a peek at few ideas that I would definitely love as Christmas gifts.

• Bookmarks: Gone are the old boring bookmarks. Today’s bookmarks are innovative, funny and insanely clever. I somehow can’t seem to have enough of these.
• Bookends: Few people realize that there are really creative alternatives to the standard bookends that people use on their shelves. The Ferris wheel city bookend, the steel men bookend, the industrial steampunk bookend and the Gothic Castle dragon bookends are just a few examples.

Deco 79 — Faux Book Box Sets

There are several styles for these faux leather book boxes. The ones featured in the photo are as follows:

1. National Geographic Magazine
2. Antique World Map
3. Library of World Poetry

• Hollow Book Safe: I find the Hollow book safes really cool. They look extremely realistic from the outside and they hide a lot of secret stash on the inside. It is a perfect quirky gift for any book lover.
• Book Jewelry: Finding jewelry that suits a book lover’s taste is difficult but not impossible. Etsy has a few creative ideas that I really fell in love with. One even had the quote ‘Just one more chapter’! The vintage library and books pendent which is available on Amazon is pretty awesome too!
• Personal Embosser: This is a great idea for all those who have their own collection of books. Imagine being able to emboss your name on all your books and label them as your property for all of time! Pretty cool isn’t it! This is definitely one of the items at the top of my ‘What do I want for Christmas’ list.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The Board Game Enthusiast

One of my friends loves board games. In fact, he has a collection of over 250 board games which he has collected from all over the world. It has become a tradition to go over to his place and play some games every once a month. Needless to say that we soon became addicts too!

Classic Monopoly Board Game

Finding a board game for a board game enthusiast is not easy. They have their own criteria which defines what they buy and what they enjoy. Like computer games and mobile games, these games are also divided into different genres.

Each person has their own preference. Choosing a Christmas gift for a board game enthusiast should revolve around all the accessories that a board game can use. It is safer and so much more fun than worrying about whether you managed to pick the right board game or worse… Worrying if you picked a board game that he/she already has!

---

Dice Rolling Tray: These trays are usually lined with felt and ensure that the dice do not make much noise as they strike the table. It also ensures that your dice doesn’t roll all over the place. In short, the dice rolling trays are an accessory that can be used with almost any dice related game.

Cloth Bags: From experience I know that board game enthusiasts are very particular about the way their board games are stored. That is why multicolored cloth bags are such a great gift. They can use them to keep dice, cards or any other parts of the board game safely.

Index Cards: To most people blank index cards may seem like a really silly gift but to a board game enthusiast they are invaluable. Most games come with score cards and as time passes by the person eventually runs out of them. These blank white cards form a perfect replacement.

Wonderful Game for Kids | The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

Board game organizer: As time goes by the organizers that are provided by the board game wear out. This why board game enthusiasts are always on the lookout for replacements. Believe me… Get a board game enthusiast an organizer for his favorite game and he will be your fan for life!

A lot of the Christmas gift ideas that I have come up with for board game enthusiasts are small and may seem insignificant at first. Do not be disheartened. Combine these gifts (or a selection of them) into a hamper (or a basket) and you will have one awesome gift on your hands.

---

What Do I Want for Christmas? The Last Minute Rush

No matter how much you plan and no matter what you do, there is always going to be the last minute rush. There is always going to be that one present that you forgot to buy or one person whose name you forgot to put on the list. The last minute rush at the stores and the malls makes it claustrophobic to even get out. Worse still, there are times when you don’t even know what you are looking for! Luckily there are some fail-safe options for this kind of situation.

Food And Drink: Food and drinks are a great option for both adults and children. Food items could include anything from a roast turkey to a Christmas pudding. There are a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that are available. Make sure you know the person’s preference before buying any.

• Glasses: Another quick solution that falls under this category is glasses. These include wine glasses, whiskey glasses, shot glasses etc. Mugs and glasses with quotes on the also make a great gift.
• A barbecue branding iron
• Erasable glass markers for them to set the table in style.
• A food chopper

---

Last Minute Gift Ideas For Women: I always find that buying a gift for a woman is far easier than buying a gift for a man because you have more choices. That is unless you find out that you have way too many choices.

When you find yourself doing last minute Christmas shopping for a woman one should always think of jewelry. Earrings, a simple necklace or even a pendant makes a great gift. Some people buy different lipstick shades as a last minute gift but I always find it risky. You never know what shade the person likes unless the person is there in person. Nail polish however is better option in my opinion.

Gift hampers filled with body lotions, creams and soaps is another popular last minute Christmas gift idea. It works well for people who you don’t know very well too!

---

Last minute Gift Ideas For Men: As I said before last minute gift ideas for men are much harder to come by. A few of my all time favorites include belts, ties and wallets. A card case is also a good gift option. Funkier ideas include mugs with funny quotes, quirky pen drives and differently shaped power banks. If you know a good place to buy cuff-links (and the man wears cuff-links) then you can use that as a gift option too!

Some of my friends include socks, key chains and sweaters in their last minute Christmas lists for men. I find that I oscillate to and fro. It depends on the person and the availability of the items in my vicinity.

At the end of our long discussion, my husband and I soon came to a surprising realization. The question ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ has far more in depth answers than we had originally assumed. The answers didn’t just vary based on gender. It varied depending on age, occupation, hobbies and even personality.

---

While cost may seem like the main factor, the real truth lies in the fact that choosing a gift depends on your perception of a person. If you know a person well you will pick a gift that is better suited for them. If you don’t know the person well you will choose something that is more formal and standard.

Some people venture to say that your choice of gift forms a means of communication with the recipient. It tells the person what you really think of them. By placing yourself in their shoes you form a better understanding of who the person truly is and what the person really wants/needs. In that essence, if you really want to buy the perfect gift you need to first imagine that you are the recipient, then ask yourself, “What do I want for Christmas?” You can’t go wrong with that approach!

---

Writer Number 2: What do I want for Christmas?

Ah Christmas time; it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. When I think of Christmas I think of time spent with family, joy, and memories of cherished traditions. Of course, it means something a little different for everyone. One thing that most often comes to mind when people think of this time of the year is shopping for gifts.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of Christmas shopping that some lose sight of what the season is really about. While the true meaning of this season varies from family to family based on their beliefs and culture, there is some common ground that leads us to go hunting for gifts. You may not celebrate Christmas by buying or giving gifts but most can agree it is a time of giving. Aside from any other time of the year, the holidays are when we see more giving – giving a helping hand, food or donation to homeless shelters/charitable causes, giving your time to be with someone special, giving a new home to a furry (or not so furry) friend and in many other ways.

Whether it’s a gift or something that isn’t a material item, what you may not realize is what you are really giving; love! It doesn’t really matter what it may be, big or small. When you take the time to think of someone else in this sense, the message is always love.

My Grownup Christmas List

I can think of a few things I would like and I’ll likely jot them down for my hubby if he asks what do I want for Christmas. What I really want this year and will focus on are things that only I can give to myself.

I want to be there, really be there. Christmas morning I get so wrapped up (pun intended) in getting pictures of everyone opening their gifts and catching their reactions. There’s nothing wrong in that and preserving those memories. The problem is, as I’m sure many others do as well, I immediately go and look at the ones I’ve taken to delete the ones that weren’t good or edit them to post and share on social media with family and friends. I’m there and capturing everything yet I’m not really in the moment. This year I want to relish every moment with my family because there are more important things than a picture perfect Christmas morning.

I want to give back more and not just because it’s the holidays. Hardships don’t care if it’s a holiday or not. While the food pantries and shelters typically have higher demands around the holidays, there is often a need year-round for volunteers and everyday items we often take for granted. Every day there is someone enduring something we may not see and it could happen to anyone – losing a home and everything you own to a natural disaster, for instance.

I want to share a smile with everyone I meet. As stated above, you never know what a person may be going through. The holidays can be especially hard on someone going through a tough time. With depression and suicide rates at an alarming rate, I want to give someone a smile and say hello in hopes to brighten their day. It’s a simple gesture that takes nothing to do, but it can mean the world to someone else.

The things I want for Christmas are more like New Year’s resolutions, but I figure why wait for New Year to be a better me by giving to others?

Christmas Gift Ideas

Here’s a head start on my Christmas wish list to share something with others. I compiled a list of a few ideas that can make very meaningful gifts. These are a little bit different from those lists you will find from retailers with suggestions for everyone.

A certificate for a spa or massage. Everyone can use a little pampering. If you’re shopping for a special person that is a hard worker or simply want to give something that shows your appreciation to them, a gift of relaxation may be just what they need.

A free night from the kids. Whether it’s your spouse, relative, or a friend, if you have someone on your shopping list with kids, they may not get the chance to go out and do something fun too often. Movie tickets, tickets for an upcoming event, or a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant are all wonderful ideas, but may end up unused due to no available sitters. If it’s someone you’re close to and comfortable with, offer a night to have their kids over for their night out.

A subscription. These can be quite inexpensive and last an entire year. A magazine subscription can be a great gift for a child that loves to read, especially ones with games and puzzles. Some other great subscription ideas that might be fitting are Netflix, Hulu, Disney movie club, or Pandora. Just be sure to look into the details carefully if you just want to do one year as some may auto-renew.

Stationery. A boxed set of all-purpose cards or personalized stationery are one of those gifts that keep giving. For someone who always shops for birthday cards or mailing out sweet sentiments for various occasions this gift idea can be greatly appreciated.

Something handmade. Do you have a special talent in a specific area like painting, baking, woodworking, etc? Put your skills to work by making something special you know they would like. It’s far more meaningful and heartfelt when you receive a gift that was made just for you.

Chores around the house. One of the things that can make Christmas time so stressful is getting the house ready for guests. A neat gift idea for your mom or dad (for any occasion) is the gift of house cleaning.

The best way to find that perfect gift for someone (or yourself) is to dig deep. Look further than just the material items you can pick up on a shelf. Find out more about the person you’re shopping for to clue in on their needs and interests to get ideas on something truly meaningful.