Ask KQ Claus

[ColoMike]

KQ Santa, I need your help. First, my bride and I are old, tired, and my bride is not really into the outdoors. She likes to look at the outdoors, but preferably from the environs of a 4 or 5 star resort or a warm and cozy cabin by the fire. Quickdraws and a plaid cozy for the camp stove will come back at my head.

Fast.

It's not that I have passed this important task to you without any responsibility on my part. I have worked at this. For this Christmas, I have purchased perfume and silk pajamas for the queen, but am unsure for the third gift (We do three for each other since otherwise, if we want it, we buy it.) Need your wisdom. Pony stripper heels probably won't work too well; although on the right person, they are quite the statement. What would be a good purchase that would keep me in good stead with the boss? The continuation of my wedded bliss is in your hands. What say you?

[KQ]

KQ Santa, I need your help. First, my bride and I are old, tired, and my bride is not really into the outdoors. She likes to look at the outdoors, but preferably from the environs of a 4 or 5 star resort or a warm and cozy cabin by the fire. Quickdraws and a plaid cozy for the camp stove will come back at my head.

Fast.

It's not that I have passed this important task to you without any responsibility on my part. I have worked at this. For this Christmas, I have purchased perfume and silk pajamas for the queen, but am unsure for the third gift (We do three for each other since otherwise, if we want it, we buy it.) Need your wisdom. Pony stripper heels probably won't work too well; although on the right person, they are quite the statement. What would be a good purchase that would keep me in good stead with the boss? The continuation of my wedded bliss is in your hands. What say you?

Sounds like you need to follow in the footsteps of Jimmy Stewart and take that bride of yours to a luxury weekend at Timberline lodge (he honeymooned there). She can relax inside, indulging in the many luxurious guest activities, while you go outside and ski then in the evening you can enjoy a lovely respite by the fire side together.



Timberline Lodge

[ColoMike]

Genius! Looks gorgeous! Thanks for your wisdom!

[RShea]

So you'll be coming down my chimney Christmas night?

Badda-Bing!

You got any snow and skiing there in WA? We had our first real snow, but resorts have not been able to make much to cover the brown ground and supposed to be in the 50's again this week melting all of natures efforts...

[snoqpass]

You got any snow and skiing there in WA? We had our first real snow, but resorts have not been able to make much to cover the brown ground and supposed to be in the 50's again this week melting all of natures efforts...

No snow here to see

[KQ]

You got any snow and skiing there in WA? We had our first real snow, but resorts have not been able to make much to cover the brown ground and supposed to be in the 50's again this week melting all of natures efforts...

Oh we got snow baby! And just a short drive from my place, nestled in the Blue Mountains with the second highest base-elevation in the state, is a little hill called Bluewood. Modest by most standards but it will still bring a smile to your face with nearly 400 skiable acres of lift-served terrain.

[GoldMember]

Oh we got snow baby! And just a short drive from my place, nestled in the Blue Mountains with the second highest base-elevation in the state, is a little hill called Bluewood. Modest by most standards but it will still bring a smile to your face with nearly 400 skiable acres of lift-served terrain.

KQ - You will probably enjoy this. This is a piece Peak Media, who I ski with but not for this particular story, shot and produced as part of a Washington ski area history project. You probably know some/most of the people in the video. Hell, maybe you're in this!

[KQ]

KQ - You will probably enjoy this. This is a piece Peak Media, who I ski with but not for this particular story, shot and produced as part of a Washington ski area history project. You probably know some/most of the people in the video. Hell, maybe you're in this!

Nice piece, thanks! I do know some of those people but I was late to the game moving over here - not a native. Did not realize it is one of the most remote ski areas in the country.

[GoldMember]

I know you're from the wet side but, it's a small ski hill so I figured you'd know a few of the people in the story. And yes, remote enough that I've never ventured down there and it's only three hours away (although I was supposed to be there for that shoot but talked my way out of it...). One of my buddies worked there in the 70's as an instructor while also a ski tech in one of the shops in WW. I actually bought a Hobie 16 from that shop in 1980 but don't recall the name of it.

[KQ]

I know you're from the wet side but, it's a small ski hill so I figured you'd know a few of the people in the story. And yes, remote enough that I've never ventured down there and it's only three hours away (although I was supposed to be there for that shoot but talked my way out of it...). One of my buddies worked there in the 70's as an instructor while also a ski tech in one of the shops in WW. I actually bought a Hobie 16 from that shop in 1980 but don't recall the name of it.

Dayton just built a new Best Western (already had the historic Weinhard hotel). I can only imagine it is for skiers as there's not too much else up there to do and see. Sure they have Mule Mania in the summer but ya know.....

[GoldMember]

Well, the admission is free, so what's not to love about Mule Mania? That and you could never find a comparable event in Seattle...

[smartyiak]

KQ Santa,

My SO has said that she would really like a brand new cutlery set. Is this an actual gift request OR is she asking so she can stab me with it if that's her present?

Thanks,

[KQ]

KQ Santa,

My SO has said that she would really like a brand new cutlery set. Is this an actual gift request OR is she asking so she can stab me with it if that's her present?

Thanks,

Oh Smarty - she just wants to cook you wonderful meals! Nothing like a good set of knives. Check out this thread Benny started about knives holders while I go off and find another thread on knives.

Knife Question for the Chefs Here

Hmmm still looking but here is one by Phill on sharpening knives:

Sharpening kitchen knives



Got it! Going all the way back to 2010 a post by Gman:

CHEF/COOKING MAGS, RECOMMEND ME A KNIFE.

and Warthog's 2005 thread...

Cutco Knives

[RootSkier]

Ahhhh fuck, I did it again. Three days to go and I got nothin'. The Mrs. is 8.5 months pregnant so the usuals (e.g. new pair of skis) don't seem like such a good idea. HELP.

[KQ]

Ahhhh fuck, I did it again. Three days to go and I got nothin'. The Mrs. is 8.5 months pregnant so the usuals (e.g. new pair of skis) don't seem like such a good idea. HELP.

Congrats! If this is your first I'm sure there is no end to the things you could buy but I'm assuming you want to get something for her non-baby related which would probably be good for her. Maybe a gift cert for a pedicure/foot massage? She could probably really use it as I bet she's not been able to reach let alone see her feet for some time.

To that end I would think any kind of certificate for services such as cleaning and meals would be much appreciated.

If it is shiny things you're thinking of you could always get one of those mother-child birthstone necklaces to commemorate the upcoming joyful event. There are a lot of variations on the theme, just do a Google for "mother child birthstone necklace". If this child is an addition to your family you could get one that includes all the kids birthstones.

How about a necklace for both baby and mom? Baby Teething Necklace

P.S. My Dad always did his shopping on Christmas Eve on the way home from the office in DT Seattle - perfume and jewelry. Lots of people consider it a sort of sporting event. LOL!


EDIT:

Does she get sore shoulders or a sore neck? How about a heated buckwheat wrap? They are microwavable and work wonderfully (I've given a few for gifts). She could even use it while cuddling with the babe. They are available at a lot of places in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Even come in gloves and booties (I've given those for gifts too). I know you're thinking "Why not a heating pad?" Well, these tend to have a bit of weight to them which helps relax muscles and they often have lavender and other herbs (some come with refresher oil) for added benefit.

http://www.herbalconcepts.com/products/neck-shoulders

[RootSkier]

Thanks! This is the second. She already has the buckwheat thing. I was definitely planning on the GC for a pedicure. I am the worst at shopping for gifts. I also have no empathy, so I am proof positive about whatever that discussion was about at the beginning of this thread.

[DJSapp]

Ahhhh fuck, I did it again. Three days to go and I got nothin'. The Mrs. is 8.5 months pregnant so the usuals (e.g. new pair of skis) don't seem like such a good idea. HELP.

Vasectomy.

[RootSkier]

Duh. But that's mainly for me.

[KQ]

Thanks! This is the second. She already has the buckwheat thing. I was definitely planning on the GC for a pedicure. I am the worst at shopping for gifts. I also have no empathy, so I am proof positive about whatever that discussion was about at the beginning of this thread.

Well if it's the second then I would go with a gift that is purely for her. Why not an Origins gift pack like I had listed some pages back? Origins is sold in a kiosk within Macy's - do you have a Macy's nearby? Head in there and tell the salesgirl a little about your wife and I'm sure she can help you pick out something great. The grapefruit scent would probably be great. And then while you're at Macy's pick her out something else like a new billfold with lots of space for baby pictures (you might want to snoop through her purse first and see what her's looks like). Then of course there are gloves, scarves, warm fuzzy slippers etc. etc. Go get in her closet and poke around - see what she has and what kind of condition it's in - does she have something she wears all the time that needs to be replaced? Take a picture of it and bring that to Macy's with you.

Another thought all together is to buy her outdoor gear for way down the road. Do you two bike? Maybe accessories for that or a second baby seat/carrier for the bike? Hike & Camp? Same thing.

Or how about one of those new extra long battery charger things they have - a mother of two does not want to have to worry about charging her phone all the time.


30 of the juiciest portable battery chargers money can buy

[DJSapp]

Duh. But that's mainly for me.

Except she's going to do it with an axe.

[KQ]

Pssst - Origins is having free two day shipping right now:



Origins

[RootSkier]

What about a nice pair of semi-dressy leather gloves? She has a bunch of nice jackets but always wears sad mittens with them.

[Timberridge]

KQ, I did not have time to shop this year. Can I just write her a check and draw some holly leaves with berries in the memo section?

I'll put it in a nice card.

[KQ]

KQ, I did not have time to shop this year. Can I just write her a check and draw some holly leaves with berries in the memo section?

I'll put it in a nice card.

Sure! Money is the universal gift! You could do what we do at my house - we wrap small things in big boxes just to mess with each other.

[riser4]

Sure! Money is the universal gift! You could do what we do at my house - we wrap small things in big boxes just to mess with each other.

My wife has gotten a little tired of that over the years... I suppose I took it too far.