Quick! Secret Santa help!

Clodfobble · 12-09-2010, 04:42 PM

No no, not the Cellar Secret Santa. Mr. Clod's office party Secret Santa. The party is tomorrow night, and I have accepted responsibility for picking up a Secret Santa present for his guy, since neither of us knows anything about him and I have (slightly) more room in my schedule than Mr. Clod.

He's in his mid-twenties, a computer developer of some sort, and is of Chinese descent but fully Americanized. That's all I know. Gift should be under $25, and I have to be able to go get it in person at a store tomorrow morning, preferably Target. What should I get him?

Big Sarge · 12-09-2010, 04:45 PM

Itunes gift card?

Clodfobble · 12-09-2010, 04:48 PM

Are those compatible with non-iPod mp3 players?

BigV · 12-09-2010, 04:52 PM

I appreciate the fungibility of gift cards, but to me they're.. ptui.

My local Target is adjacent to my local Best Buy. There they have lots of computer-y stuffs. What about some silly USB doodad? I saw a Fan, and a Light. a hula girl, a cup warmer, a usb flashdrive shaped like a dog with realistic humping action (was truly rofl)... How about an actual gadget?

Lamplighter · 12-09-2010, 05:04 PM

A USB flash drive from your local discount store (Rite Aide ?) like this...

Trilby · 12-09-2010, 05:17 PM

an assortment of fancy beers?

BigV · 12-09-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Are those compatible with non-iPod mp3 players?

Yes.

Clodfobble · 12-09-2010, 07:00 PM

USB drives are so indispensible, the company actually issues one to every employee. But a USB gadget might do the trick. I like the fancy beers option though, especially because I'm going to the grocery store tonight and I know they had some sort of "make your own six-pack of holiday beers" advertised. That would save me a trip tomorrow! I'll ask Mr. Clod if there's any evidence whether the guy drinks or not...

wolf · 12-09-2010, 07:56 PM

My ambulance fellah tells me that there are very nice cuddly blankets at the Walmart.

Since your time is short I won't recommend my go-to, which is a hand-crocheted or knitted scarf. I have a bagful of them, and rummage through it when necessary.

Some other non-sized commercial wintry item might be well received. I would veer away from obvious low-end tech gifts, as he's probably got drawersful of the stuff that he already doesn't use.

(If your store offers Anchor Christmas or Troegg's Mad Elf, go for the brewskis.)

Pico and ME · 12-09-2010, 08:06 PM

Sams Club has nice candy/chocolate gifts. Nice thing about those, if he doesn't like the candy, he can re-gift it! Or you could go to Cost Plus World Market and make up a goody basket yourself. Hmmm...that is if you have the time. I was just there and they had a station where they would put it together for you. Or get something from Hickory Farms - guys always like sausage and cheese.

Shawnee123 · 12-09-2010, 08:11 PM

Wolf is right. I've received a couple of those warm fuzzy throws and they're lovely. Comforting. A snuggie! Who wouldn't love a snuggie?

Of course, maybe you don't need those in TX.

Pico and ME · 12-09-2010, 08:12 PM

I know I like them. I keep buying them year after year. Well not the snuggies, just the throws.

Jaydaan · 12-09-2010, 08:24 PM

I found a USB alarm clock/hub thingy for $4 at Walmart the other day. Also found cable zippers for $14 (its like the zip straps that hold all your cables neatly) , got a small, very small screw driver for $1, got a mini sharpie marker keychain for $1 (great for writing on CDs), a can of air for $6, a few re-writeable dvds, and some screen cleaning spray. I put them all in a folding plastic storage box $2, and wrapped it up for my very techy friend.

Maybe something like that?

Most computer people I know stay up way late, and drink coffee by the gallon (or Beer) So the variety beers sond good.

At our christmas party, when people have to choose gifts from an assortment, I have found the wine, glassware and movie tickets are always the first to go. Then the solar powered gadgets, tools, beer and picnic basket style or popcorn/movie enjoying sets.

Movie packs are easy... grab a "popcorn" bowl from the $$ store, they usually are red and white and have popcorn written on them.. hard to miss. Then fill it, popcorn, popcorn flavours/salts, junior mints/m&ms, and a rental certificate from a movie store (or cheap movie)

Ice Cream kits are the same, get the old fashioned sundae/soda glasses, and fill them with sprinkles, mini treats etc... then add a certificate for a grocery store or ice cream shop, for the whipped cream, soda and ice cream.

hmmm.. hard when you know NOTHING about them. Good luck whatever you choose!

Shawnee123 · 12-09-2010, 08:57 PM

A Whirlypop!

I'm not sure where my brother got mine, but a quick google search shows them at ace hardware.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...lickid=prod_cs

monster · 12-09-2010, 09:06 PM

Variety beers, novelty usb gadgets both good ideas. Regular USB gadgets and gift cards.... I'd pass on those. A small bottle of a nice whisky and a glass with a snowman etched on it? A nice wallet/billfold/whatever you call them? A pen-knife/combination tool pocket gadget thing?

12-09-2010, 04:42 PM	#1
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Quick! Secret Santa help! No no, not the Cellar Secret Santa. Mr. Clod's office party Secret Santa. The party is tomorrow night, and I have accepted responsibility for picking up a Secret Santa present for his guy, since neither of us knows anything about him and I have (slightly) more room in my schedule than Mr. Clod. He's in his mid-twenties, a computer developer of some sort, and is of Chinese descent but fully Americanized. That's all I know. Gift should be under $25, and I have to be able to go get it in person at a store tomorrow morning, preferably Target. What should I get him? __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

12-09-2010, 04:45 PM	#2
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	Itunes gift card? __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

12-09-2010, 04:48 PM	#3
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Are those compatible with non-iPod mp3 players? __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

12-09-2010, 04:52 PM	#4
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	I appreciate the fungibility of gift cards, but to me they're.. ptui. My local Target is adjacent to my local Best Buy. There they have lots of computer-y stuffs. What about some silly USB doodad? I saw a Fan, and a Light. a hula girl, a cup warmer, a usb flashdrive shaped like a dog with realistic humping action (was truly rofl)... How about an actual gadget? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

12-09-2010, 05:04 PM	#5
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	A USB flash drive from your local discount store (Rite Aide ?) like this... Attached Images

12-09-2010, 05:17 PM	#6
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	an assortment of fancy beers? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-09-2010, 07:00 PM	#8
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	USB drives are so indispensible, the company actually issues one to every employee. But a USB gadget might do the trick. I like the fancy beers option though, especially because I'm going to the grocery store tonight and I know they had some sort of "make your own six-pack of holiday beers" advertised. That would save me a trip tomorrow! I'll ask Mr. Clod if there's any evidence whether the guy drinks or not... __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

12-09-2010, 07:56 PM	#9
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	My ambulance fellah tells me that there are very nice cuddly blankets at the Walmart. Since your time is short I won't recommend my go-to, which is a hand-crocheted or knitted scarf. I have a bagful of them, and rummage through it when necessary. Some other non-sized commercial wintry item might be well received. I would veer away from obvious low-end tech gifts, as he's probably got drawersful of the stuff that he already doesn't use. (If your store offers Anchor Christmas or Troegg's Mad Elf, go for the brewskis.) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-09-2010, 08:06 PM	#10
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	Sams Club has nice candy/chocolate gifts. Nice thing about those, if he doesn't like the candy, he can re-gift it! Or you could go to Cost Plus World Market and make up a goody basket yourself. Hmmm...that is if you have the time. I was just there and they had a station where they would put it together for you. Or get something from Hickory Farms - guys always like sausage and cheese.

12-09-2010, 08:11 PM	#11
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Wolf is right. I've received a couple of those warm fuzzy throws and they're lovely. Comforting. A snuggie! Who wouldn't love a snuggie? Of course, maybe you don't need those in TX. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-09-2010, 08:12 PM	#12
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	I know I like them. I keep buying them year after year. Well not the snuggies, just the throws.

12-09-2010, 08:24 PM	#13
Jaydaan Knight of the Oval-Shaped Conference Table Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vernon, BC, Canada Posts: 378	I found a USB alarm clock/hub thingy for $4 at Walmart the other day. Also found cable zippers for $14 (its like the zip straps that hold all your cables neatly) , got a small, very small screw driver for $1, got a mini sharpie marker keychain for $1 (great for writing on CDs), a can of air for $6, a few re-writeable dvds, and some screen cleaning spray. I put them all in a folding plastic storage box $2, and wrapped it up for my very techy friend. Maybe something like that? Most computer people I know stay up way late, and drink coffee by the gallon (or Beer) So the variety beers sond good. At our christmas party, when people have to choose gifts from an assortment, I have found the wine, glassware and movie tickets are always the first to go. Then the solar powered gadgets, tools, beer and picnic basket style or popcorn/movie enjoying sets. Movie packs are easy... grab a "popcorn" bowl from the $$ store, they usually are red and white and have popcorn written on them.. hard to miss. Then fill it, popcorn, popcorn flavours/salts, junior mints/m&ms, and a rental certificate from a movie store (or cheap movie) Ice Cream kits are the same, get the old fashioned sundae/soda glasses, and fill them with sprinkles, mini treats etc... then add a certificate for a grocery store or ice cream shop, for the whipped cream, soda and ice cream. hmmm.. hard when you know NOTHING about them. Good luck whatever you choose!

12-09-2010, 08:57 PM	#14
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	A Whirlypop! I'm not sure where my brother got mine, but a quick google search shows them at ace hardware. http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...lickid=prod_cs Attached Images __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-09-2010, 09:06 PM	#15
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Variety beers, novelty usb gadgets both good ideas. Regular USB gadgets and gift cards.... I'd pass on those. A small bottle of a nice whisky and a glass with a snowman etched on it? A nice wallet/billfold/whatever you call them? A pen-knife/combination tool pocket gadget thing? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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