Registered: Feb 2000
Location: vancouver, bc, canada
Posts: 22

birthday presents

I don't know if it is just me, but I find that it's hard to find good birthday presents. Seeing as I am a guy, finding presents for girls seems so difficult. Anyone else out there find that good presents are hard to come by?
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This just comes to mind because a few of my female friends recently turned 16. And, I am completely boggled on what to get them for their birthday. And, sweet 16 is a very big deal so I want it to be a meaningful gift. And these are my very close friends. Im looking into DIY presents. Anyone out there have any suggestions. Price range is under $50 cdn.
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Any comments will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

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derek

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Hmm

Well if they are close friends, you should know what they like. You can purchase gifts that matches their tastes. There are tonnes of stuff that you can get for $50 CAD ($30 USD for our U.S friends) for a girl. The problem is that girls tend to be more picky about stuff than guys.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

Personally I have the problem the other way around... I never know what to ask for my birthday/christmass..
The things on my whislist are too expensive to ask as a gift, and I have most other things...
So I allways say sock or DVD's (things you can never have enough of)...

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Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 236

Same with me...All I want is in the $100 range...
Alex.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT
Personally I have the problem the other way around... I never know what to ask for my birthday/christmass..
The things on my whislist are too expensive to ask as a gift, and I have most other things...
So I allways say sock or DVD's (things you can never have enough of)...

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LOL...same here. I also suggest gift certificates for places that I buy stuff from. OTOH, this is after I got tired of the responses to my stock answer for the longest time, e.g. "What would you like for Christmas?" "World peace." "No, seriously." "Yes, seriously." I usually can't think of gift ideas to save my life. My wife and I have a pretty easy system. "Guess what you just bought me for my birthday."

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by tantousha
Same with me...All I want is in the $100 range...

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The toys only get more expensive as you get older.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Re: birthday presents

quote:

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Originally posted by Pengin
I don't know if it is just me, but I find that it's hard to find good birthday presents. Seeing as I am a guy, finding presents for girls seems so difficult. Anyone else out there find that good presents are hard to come by?
...
This just comes to mind because a few of my female friends recently turned 16. And, I am completely boggled on what to get them for their birthday. And, sweet 16 is a very big deal so I want it to be a meaningful gift. And these are my very close friends. Im looking into DIY presents. Anyone out there have any suggestions. Price range is under $50 cdn.
...
Any comments will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

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Jeff

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: vancouver, bc, canada
Posts: 22

Girls are definetly more picky about stuff than guys! Good call yardie. Honestly, if it fits, its all good hehehe. But, I sort of know they're tastes, but then you are limited to buying accessories. Because buying clothes is pretty $$$ and it is hard to tell sizes and if they realli like it. But there is a ton of options to choose from.
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Hahaha, Toby, that's a pretty good system! >.<
My uncle is a pretty funny present shopper too. Last month was my aunt's birthday, and he went out and bought a DVD player for himself but wrote it off as a present for his wife. :P haha, I thought it was halirious because my aunt hates watching TV!
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PDAENVY, I think I'll take your advice. Wow! Colours, i wouldn't have every imagined thinking about that. And, it shows like u care show much and like thought sooo much about it!
hmmm, jewerly is a good idez too. Hahah, "every time she wears it, she can think "derek got this for me for sweet 16""

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derek

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by Pengin
[...] Wow! Colours, i wouldn't have every imagined thinking about that. And, it shows like u care show much and like thought sooo much about it!
hmmm, jewerly is a good idez too. Hahah, "every time she wears it, she can think "derek got this for me for sweet 16""

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A word of warning about jewelry, though. Make sure to get something along the lines of something she already wears if you go that route. Some people wear certain metals because others either irritate their skin, or turn funny colors. You don't want her to remember you as the one who gave her the necklace that left a green ring around her neck.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

I had this problem all the time- wife, 4 kids, friends, etc. Heck- when someone would ask me what 'I' want, I would usually draw a blank!

I now have a partial solution to the dilemma! I use the Memo pad on my PDA to keep track of this stuff!

I found a great website abouting using your PDA as an organizer (radiacal idea!) at http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/palm.htm, and it has changed the way I do things with my PDA.

Now, among several other memos, I have a personal wish list, and a 'gift list'. The gift list lists a person's name and any details I learn about them- favorite colors, hobbies, etc. Then, I record anything I have heard them say they like, ideas I have had, etc. If the list gets too long, I make a seperate memo just for this person.

On key people (like my wife), I also have recorded sizes and such.

Now that I am paying a bit of attention, I notice that most people give you hints about what they might want all the time- as they comment on other people's stuff, commercials, ads, their own interests, etc.

I also have an easier time answering the question 'what do I want', because I jotted it down when I saw it. If the asker has a PDA, I can just beam them my list! (Well, OK- this has not happened yet!)

Check out that website, though- it has some great ideas!

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: "Children are a gift from God, they are a reward"
Posts: 1049

I love giving gift certificates. Usually from a good bookstore (diverse selection).
You should probably stay away from gift certificates from Victorias Secret.
Jewelry is a good idea as long as you know the girl well.
A gift certificate to a dayspa might really perk her interest (girls love to be pampered).
Live animals (kittens, rabbits, monkeys) are not a good idea.

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

Gift certificates can be rather 'iffy'.

Personally, I love to give them, and am usually rather disappointed to recieve them. Not only did the giver not bother finding a specific present, now I have to hump out to the store and try to figure out what to get with it.

On the other hand, gift certificates (gc's) can be a very good gift, as long as the recipient doesn't think you are just trying to get out having to think about a 'real' present! The 'rules' I use are:

1. A GC from a unique store, either the recipient's favorite store, or a place you are sure they would love when they get there. I often use "Bath and Body Works" for my daughters.

2. A GC as a major part of another gift- for another couple, it might be a GC to a restaraunt and a 'coupon' for babysitting and an invitation to stop by for drinks afterwards. In this setting, the GC is the only thing you spent money on, but it becomes a part of a larger gift.

3. GCs are great for giving services, rather than actual gifts- spa treatments, massages, tans, nails, etc.

4. GCs 'that keep on giving' are great for a lot of gifts- a GiftCard that allows the recipient to rent a lot of movies, for example. Especially if you word the card correctly, you are not so much giving them '10 free movies' as '10 evenings of entertainment'.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007
Gift certificates can be rather 'iffy'.

Personally, I love to give them, and am usually rather disappointed to recieve them. Not only did the giver not bother finding a specific present, now I have to hump out to the store and try to figure out what to get with it. [...]

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

Oh good grief

first, we're not all that picky. **MEN** are impossible to buy gifts for. that being said,

PDA Envy is right, we girls love it when someone notices something about us. He's right about jewelry, but the problem there is that there are so many different syles and types. For example, i like "traditional jewelry"--pearl earrings, gold bangle braclets, etc. some of my friends like "funky" jewelry, so be careful what kind. sterling silver earrings are usually a safe bet.

you didn't say--i assume these are just friends--usually jewelry is given to a girlfriend as opposed to a friend who is a girl, so you might want to steer clear.

the gift certificate is, as noted above, tricky. if someone got me a gift certificate to a generic department store, i would feel like they really didn't care what they got me. to my favorite book store or music store, restaurant--that's a different story. if they are close friends, you should know where would be a good choice. the less generic the better. and it's definitely a good idea to write in their card why you got them what.

if they like a particular group/band you could pick them out a CD, although the amount you mentioned was more. if they like the Dixie Chicks (and who doesn't), their new CD is coming out on the 27th, so you could pre-buy it and give them a "reserved copy."--or some similar thing with a different band.

similarly, if they like a certain genre of literature or a certain author, it would be awesome (i think) for you to find them a first edition of one of those books. many first editions are quite reasonably priced. just don't write in the front of it, tuck the card inside for them instead.

if you have a cute/fun picture of y'all or y'all and friends together, have it blown up and put it in a nice frame.

if she likes a certain magazine, get her a subscription and wrap up the current edition with a note. or, if she has a hobby that you know of, get her a subscription to a magazine dealing with that.

NEVER EVER EVER:
GC to gym/fitness center; random clothes (unless your girlfriend. i.e. don't pick out some random shirt for a friend just to be giving her something.); lingerie or bathing suit (unless girlfriend);

just some thoughts
Kelley

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Re: Oh good grief

quote:

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Originally posted by K. Cannon
PDA Envy is right, we girls love it when someone notices something about us. He's right about jewelry, but the problem there is that there are so many different syles and types. For example, i like "traditional jewelry"--pearl earrings, gold bangle braclets, etc. some of my friends like "funky" jewelry, so be careful what kind. sterling silver earrings are usually a safe bet.

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Kelley, an excellent point! Notice the kind of jewelry she wears most, point at it in the store and tell the clerk "she likes stuff like this"

quote:

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you didn't say--i assume these are just friends--usually jewelry is given to a girlfriend as opposed to a friend who is a girl, so you might want to steer clear.

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Another good point, but Penguin did say "... these are my very close friends ..." Depending on his definition, couldn't jewelry (NOT RINGS) be OK?

And I really like the picture/frame idea!

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Jeff

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: vancouver, bc, canada
Posts: 22

Ok, I'll clairfy. This girl is not my current girl friend. She is my friend, who happens to be a girl <-- I don't know if that makes sense, but it did to me when I typed it. She isn't my best friend, but is like almost there.
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Kelly, I should steer clear from jewlrey? Hmm, ok. Hahaha, good thing I checked my email before I left. I was just about to head off to Oakridge to do some shopping. I was thinking about getting earring hoops? Because I remember some of her friends wearing them before and she saying that she thinks she would look good in them. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a pair of them...
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I usually never buy gc's. It seems like soo informal and like you didn't care. However, if it is a to a perticular store / event, I think it would make more sense. In general, if I am soo lost and I would have to buy a general gc, I would just give cash.
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The picture idea seems pretty cool. I'll have to look around to see if I have a good picture to blow up. hmmm. Sticker-pictures don't look to great when they are blown up <---not literally.
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1st Edition books? How would you go about finding them? I don't buy books often. Almost Never. However I do know that she really really really likes Christie Miller books? I'll have to check. Because I think she has read them all and she is trying to get me to read them. They seem like chick flick books but yeah. How do u find / get 1st edition books?

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derek

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

derek-
sorry so late in the reply post. yesterday was awfully hectic...

anyway, 1st editions can be found at most used bookstores. there are many different "tricky" things about first editions (the most common being an accidental purchase of the Book of the Month Club version, which isn't the same thing). Look around on internet for some places, tips. also, go to local dealer and ask.

jewelry (like hoop earrings if she said she wanted some) is fine--ESPECIALLY since she has said she wanted them. sometimes giving jewelry is seen as more of a boyfriend than friend who is a boy thing, but you seem to be pretty good friends with this girl, so i think it's okay.

the easiest answer is that she's mentioned that she wanted some of those earrings to you, so you get points for: buying her a gift, buying her something she wanted, AND listening to her.

Registered: May 2000
Location: Cleveland, Ohio 44067
Posts: 242

Here is one other idea which works a little better for older people but you can adapt for your situation. When my sister-in-law turned 40, all of her friends got her gift certificates to her favorite store...for $40 each.

Play on the fact that she is 16 and get her three $16 gift certificates to the same store (or different stores, whatever you prefer). As other people mentioned though, most of the things we all want these days cost more than $50...so...if you have other friends that would go along with the gag, she could end up with a pretty good combined gift certificate to get something she really wants!

It was actually pretty funny when my sis-in-law finally caught on to the theme (about the third GC).

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Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:

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Originally posted by maddog
Here is one other idea which works a little better for older people but you can adapt for your situation. When my sister-in-law turned 40, all of her friends got her gift certificates to her favorite store...for $40 each.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

GC sucks

I personally think that gift certificate suck as a gift. Like money, I hate getting gift certificate as a gift. It shows that the gift giover does not care,mor cannot be bothered to get something. If you know the person that you are giving the gift to, then you should know what the person likes and dislikes. I am a very sentimental person. So I love things that I can keep as a memento.