I need a Christmas present for..... (pitch in suggestions and ask for ideas yourself)

[TotallyUprobably]

Hope this isn't duplicating other threads too much but thought it might be handy to have a thread to ask for Christmas present ideas and add suggestions if anyone else is struggling to think up present ideas (I am - had loads last year but am not doing well this year!)

I still need Christmas presents for;

DH - something quirky and a bit unusual as a little present, up to £15. Maybe something he can play with (no snurking at the back)?

BIL - up to £25, again quirky suggestions would be good. Likes computers and cooking (but owns a cafe so no cook books please!), hates books. Something to use or wear would be especially fab.

Parents - joint present, up to £60, either a house ornament or something really nice for the garden.

Other BIL - up to £20, thinks he's very trendy, haven't the foggiest what he actually likes - he drives and teaches if that's any help.

Anyone else need help?

[TotallyUprobably]

Oh and no goats please - I wouldn't mind one but both BIL's would think it was scandalous.

[TotallyUprobably]

No-one?

[homeworkmakesmemad]

For your BIL? - OCD chopping board

[homeworkmakesmemad]

For your DH? - Tetris Light a bit over your budget if you include postage, but still a good price for this. It's £30 most places, but I got it for £22 for my son which is about the best I've seen it including postage. Good fun and works well.

[homeworkmakesmemad]

I just need something for my DH. NO idea what to get him at all. Probably up to about £80, but wouldn't mind a few smaller things rather than 1 big thing. We are moving abroad in the New Year so nothing too big. So far I've bought him a new capo for his guitar - a specific one he has been wanting for a while, but have absolutely no other ideas. Would buy clothes, but we are moving to TX and won't be needing all the winter clothes currently available in the shops! (plus I got him clothes for his birthday this year, and a coat for Christmas last year which he really appreciated, but would like something different)

[ArbitraryUsername]

How much light does the Tetris lamp give off? It might be perfect for DH who is not so surreptitiousiously converting my office into a 'gaming room'.

[NormanTheCyberman]

For your parents, how about a bird table/feeder, bird nesting box, some bird food and a book about garden birds?

[TotallyUprobably]

Oooh thanks homework, love both of those!

What does your DH like? Any hobbies?

[NormanTheCyberman]

Any ideas for BIL and SIL (either individual or joint presents, want to spend about £30 or so), they are in their 30s/40s, have a 2 year old ds and expecting another baby.

[TotallyUprobably]

Like the bird table/nesting box idea, my mum is obsessed with feeding the birds anyway - they've got the food and the books about them but could have a look for a really nice bird table.

[NormanTheCyberman]

RSPB shop has lots of stuff.

[TotallyUprobably]

this book and maybe a subscription to Lovefilm Norman? (am guessing they're not going to have as much going out time soon)

[TotallyUprobably]

Gorgeous stuff on their site, thanks Norman

[NormanTheCyberman]

at the book!

Don't know if they are into films much. One of the problems is I don't know them very well, and we rarely see them. Hard to know what they would like.

[TotallyUprobably]

The book is brilliant - had it as a present once and had to buy it since for 2 more couples with kids Hmm, difficult if you don't know them well - what about a nice hamper? Everyone eats after all - always my reasoning!

[AphraBane]

Totally for your DH - perhaps a table-top football game (a mini version of the one you find in pubs etc). They're all over the Interweb at various prices, but this is an example.

[homeworkmakesmemad]

I have only seen the tetris light in a well-lit room, but I think it gives off a decent amount of light. Our Hawkins Bazaar had one on display so it might be worth checking (if you have a local one) if they have one they could show you.

Will come back later with more ideas - off to do the school run just now.

My DH doesn't really have hobbies as such. He reads a bit, but not loads. he enjoys movies, but rarely watches them more than once so I hate buying him DVDs as they seems like a waste of money. He enjoys wee app games on the iPad, but I have no idea what and he'll probably get iTunes vouchers from his brothers anyway. He does love his guitar, but not really sure what else I could get him for that - he's already got a gorgeous leather strap and now this new capo. I was thinking of a new stand that he's been lusting after but can't find a way to buy it direct - you seem to need to be a distributor to get them. (no distributors near us) Sorry - that's really useless!

[sunbathe]

For dh or computery bil what about the Maplin binary digital watch?

On phone, can't seem to link.

[GirlsonFilm]

Help needed. I need some presents for children of friends; Boy 13, Girl 10, Boy 8. We spend about £10 per child, and their mum is great at getting pretty, thoughtful presents whereas I've ended up with book tokens and plastic tat for her children so want to impress a bit this year.

TIA

[sweetskull]

I need for SIL, BIL, MIL & FIL.

I like spending Christmas with them but I loathe the presents opening time. They love it and expect a lot. They want to be wowed. It's so ridiculous.
I don't want to wow them and I don't want to spend a fortune.

[bimbedybam]

DH has asked for "quality" beanie hat (he is a window cleaner) and also "quality" flannel joggers/loungers...i.e. not Primarni stuff

Any suggestions where to look for these please?

[homeworkmakesmemad]

GirlsonFilm - how about a maze ball or good old fashioned rubix cube for 8 year old boy? By DS (8) loves that kind of thing. Home Bargains has some comic-making sets in at the minute too - can't remember which kind, but my DS got a Beano one last year and loved it. They also have some Angry Birds Star Wars games in massively reduced and my DS is a big fan of those.

For 10 year old girl - how about a movie night hamper. Get a cheap DVD or a £5 voucher for her local rental place and then make up a gift box with some microwave popcorn, some sweets, a big bar of chocolate, a hot chocolate spoon, maybe a super cheap pair of slippers (Primark £2 type thing) - that kind of stuff. Did it for my niece last year and she loved it - invited some friends round at the end of the holidays and made a special night of it.

No ideas for 13 year old boy - sorry!

[homeworkmakesmemad]

bimbedybam - Barts are the cosiest winter hats IMO - usually fleece lined so comfy too. It's ski-wear so look in shops like Blacks or Millets (do Millets still exist?) or look online.

Comfiest loungers my DH has are Calvin Klein ones - think we bought them online, maybe from figleaves?

[homeworkmakesmemad]

Here you go bim Barts

[homeworkmakesmemad]

Norman I too would recommend that book - bought it for my BIL one year and he loved it. How about making them a hamper of things to enjoy.... doesn't need to be specific. Most people enjoy a film so a love film voucher is a great idea. You could add to it a £10 M&S voucher and write a wee note that they are to treat themselves to a "dine in". Maybe add in a retro game or toy which they could share with their 2yr old and next baby when they're a bit bigger?