I have no idea what I want for Christmas yet I'm being asked constantly, ideas?

I figure most of us here are adults who for better or worse if there's something we need or in general, want, we just go get or do the thing. Also, we generally don't need a bunch of stuff we don't need or want cluttering up our homes. The thing is, I really appreciate the thought behind gift giving in the season and I really enjoy giving gifts to those I care about and I also enjoy getting them what they ask for and also small things that I think they would love, based on comments they make throughout the year. My problem lies in that when my mom and my wife ask me what I want for Christmas I can't think of anything because I already get the things I want and need for myself throughout the year. Maybe I should just tell them to surprise me. I love surprises. They still keep asking me for something specific, like several things. One thing I came up with so far is a new pair of slippers, which is great because I don't need to pick them out myself, but I'm having trouble coming up with other ideas, and they keep asking, so, help me out please hive. Is there any ideas you have below $100, or even a few under $300 that I could give them to help them and me out here?

My answer is always socks. I love new socks. 
In fact, if I had "F-you" money, the one thing I'd absolutely be wasteful with: I'd never wear a pair of socks twice. 

More batteries for whatever tool ecosystem you have

headlamps, can you have enough? 

a nice quality 3/8 ratchet

new high quality socks

work gloves

Experiences. I booked a pen-turning class for my father and I at a local woodworking store (Rockler has many stores nationwide). I gave him a "certificate" for the class as a gift. We made ballppoint pens on lathes while an instructor looked over our shoulder. We walked out with a custom pen and memories of a really fun afternoon. We both really loved it.

I am hoping SWMBO picked up on how much I raved about this class and will see it as a gift idea

I keep an Amazon list of stuff I need or want for the house and kitchen. I just point everybody there. 

Although a flamethrower would be fun

Cordless tool batteries, tools you'd rarely use but could maybe rent to people, like a hydraulic press. 

Definitely experience type things though, whether a class or just a trip or destination you've been making to get to but never have. 

Hardware size checker 

Ratcheting wire crimp tool

One of those one hand wire stripping tools?

Lots of small shop stuff you might not have that you could put out there

My current list in no particular order:

• Long underwear/baselayer
• Specific socks - for me, they either have to be wool socks or skate socks (knee high compression socks that are very thin)
• I have some hockey (reffing) equipment that wears out on about an annual basis and are $20-$30. That is always an easy one. Even if I just bought something, I'll throw the backup in my car because I'll eventually need it. 
• Panasonic rechargable batteries (eneloop)
• Phone charger cords
• Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman - take a pick based on your budget. You can never have too many
• Golf balls
• Slide sandals/crocs/boat shoes - I "need" a slip on shoe year round and wear through them eventually
• Tools that you can't have too many of (tape measures, bit drivers, Hack-zall blades, etc.)
• $20-$50 of random stuff that would improve some cosmetics around the office, but are definitely not necessary (cord management stuff beyond twistties/rubberbands/zip ties)
• Zip ties
• Gloves - work gloves, disposable gloves, walking gloves, whatever
• A nice hat - ballcap, trucker hat, toque... Doesn't really matter. I like hats
• I used to ask for an expensive shaving cream. I have a beard now. If my beard trimmer ever fails I'd add this to the list
• Shubb capo
• Guitar strings
• Jack Stands

barefootcyborg5000 said:

My answer is always socks. I love new socks. 
In fact, if I had "F-you" money, the one thing I'd absolutely be wasteful with: I'd never wear a pair of socks twice. 

I did that for a while in my 20s. It was a viable solution to my extremely limited laundering availability. 

It was a sublime experience. 

1) sim rig upgrades

2) experiences

Mndsm said:

barefootcyborg5000 said:

My answer is always socks. I love new socks. 
In fact, if I had "F-you" money, the one thing I'd absolutely be wasteful with: I'd never wear a pair of socks twice. 

I did that for a while in my 20s. It was a viable solution to my extremely limited laundering availability. 

 

It was a sublime experience. 

You guys wear socks? I don't even put on actual shoes unless I'm going somewhere nice

In reply to RevRico :

My handle is a throwback to my high-school email, which was appropriate to my lifestyle at the time. I only started wearing shoes because job. Took a long time to get used to. These days I'm old and soft. 

My wife and I have been asking for gift certificates to restaurant, breweries, shooting range, etc. We have plenty of stuff so it's nice to get activities.

We tried the "don't buy us anything, we're just happy to see you" option and it absolutely did not fly with our moms. They like gift giving and we'd never yuck their yum intentionally.

barefootcyborg5000 said:

My answer is always socks. I love new socks. 
In fact, if I had "F-you" money, the one thing I'd absolutely be wasteful with: I'd never wear a pair of socks twice. 

This was s dream of mine too. I joked about it to my mother in law and one Christmas everyone on both sides of the family gave me a package of socks. I came very close to making it through the year and it was a good as I had imagined.  

LOL. My wife has that same sock scenario. one thing she would do if we won the lottery was never wear the same socks twice. Great ideas here though. I knew I could count on you all.

Scotch is always a good one, or the alcohol of your choice 

Anything with a gift receipt!  LOL  

Tell them you want nothing. Maybe they will buy you a car. 

All this sock talk reminded me of this.

For "the person who has everything" like elder parents, I try to not buy them  "things" but rather "consumables".   Things that will go away.  They don't need another thing that goes on a shelf.  

This could be simple consumables like steaks but could also be theater tickets, etc.  

Challenge them and ask for "consumables" and let them decide what's a good gift that doesn't stick around.

A donation to the charity of your choice.

Streetwiseguy said:

A donation to the charity of your choice.

The Human Fund. Money for People.

I think the coolest thing is the pen lathe class.  That's a great idea.

I try and buy people something they might get themselves but a nicer version than they would. 
 

so for you maybe a really nice air pressure gauge?  
 

Caster/camber gauge?

toe plates?

nice tie downs for the trailer?

backup camera setup?  I got one that has 3 cameras I can magnetically attach to the trailer and a monitor 

cutoff wheels

grinding discs

saw blade 

Plunge cutter (one of the coolest tools that you rarely use but is the often the only option)

Gunner said:

 I really enjoy giving gifts to those I care about and I also enjoy getting them what they ask for..

Sounds like they enjoy the same thing you do. 
 

Honestly, I have this problem too.  Try to turn that thinking around in your head...

Instead of trying to tell them what you want them to buy for you, try seeing that the best gift you can give to them is the one they are asking for... they care about you and want to give you what you ask for.  
 

It's a gift from you to them to be able to tell them some things you would enjoy receiving from them. 

What luxury would you enjoy but you can't quite reconcile spending "...*that* much..." on?

I tend to favor consumables or experiences.

• Good whisky or other fine liquor
• Massage or day spa pass
• Gift certificate to a fancy restaurant
• Really good chocolate

There are durable luxury items that have or would make nice gifts (for me):

• Really nice socks (like $20+/ pair)
• Nice coffee grinder
• Vuori pants (I hear they're wonderful, but can't bring myself to spend $100 on joggers)
• Legos

Better for birthdays than Christmas, but asking them to *do* something special for you:

• Cook a steak dinner or other fancy/special meal
• Foot massage and/or pedicure
• How would you secretly like to be pampered but feel like it would be too "selfish" to ask for? (E.g. "I want sit in my lounge chair and watch [favorite movie] while you bring me [favorite drink] and [favorite snack].")

Or combine a couple concepts: "I want an expensive bottle of [Scotch], and I want to enjoy it while listening to [Miles Davis] as you give me a foot massage."