Ask KQ Claus

[KQ]

Typical male response. That's what I thought too. Paging KQ

Was it a box or one of those bags like Eddie Bauer sends all its stuff in?

Step 1: If a box take jacket out of package and replace with something else like an apron or socks - something not special. When she opens it tell her you thought she'd changed her mind about the jacket and sent it back in a USPS box and reused this for the new gift. If it was a package bag thing just wrap the new item up in something but regardless......

Step 2: Hang the jacket in her closet with the rest of her clothes for her to stumble upon (but don't hang it before Mother's Day).

She sent me the LL Bean link with the exact jacket and told me the color and size. What's the surprise? OTOH, It hasn't been mentioned since it arrived two weeks ago so perhaps she forgot all about it by now. At our age it's possible.

Okay... here's the surprise... the surprise is that you actually got it. I do this for Christmas - ask for specific things when people ask me what I want. Regardless of me asking for it I am still delighted and yes "surprised" when I open that very package on Christmas day. It's like having your wish granted!

I worked retail when I was in HS and time and time again people would come in and say "my daughter wants "X" but I don't want to get her what she asked for I want to SURPRISE HER!" Oh yeah, she'll be surprised all right, surprised you bought her something other than what she was wishing for. <roll eyes> My mother used to do that to me too. Seriously folks, when someone asks for something specific they don't want something else and even though they named the item they want they are still very happy, excited, surprised to receive it.

[KQ]

B. With a note attached "Feel Free to Ride"

Har

[wooley12]

Sounds like to much work but you gave me an idea. I can put a surprise in the pocket of the jacket. Something not expensive but a thing every woman would want and could use. OK KQ, what you got?

[KQ]

Sounds like to much work but you gave me an idea. I can put a surprise in the pocket of the jacket. Something not expensive but a thing every woman would want and could use. OK KQ, what you got?

"a thing every woman would want and could use"

Wow, that's loaded. A gift card to a nice spa for a pedicure? It is open toed season.

Honestly I still like the idea of hiding the jacket in plain sight.

[wooley12]

I got it!! She had an upper eyelid blepharoplasty yesterday and the poor lady looks like she went 6 rounds with Mike Tyson and lost. She'll love me.

[KQ]

I got it!! She had an upper eyelid blepharoplasty yesterday and the poor lady looks like she went 6 rounds with Mike Tyson and lost. She'll love me.

Oh ouch! Sounds like she needs a cool eye gel pack




https://www.amazon.com/Soothing-Flex...BERTDVWNC&th=1

[wooley12]

Ice cold gauze compress and infused candy seems to be working pretty well. I'd like to take her out for a mothers day dinner at her favorite truck stop. Who is that behind the Foster Grants. You can't make this stuff up.

[Harry]

I have met Mrs. Wooley IRL. She is a charming and articulate woman. She definitely does not ride a broom.

[Supermoon]

Hey KQ, need some help brainstorming a gift for my wife.

We are in the middle of moving to a new city. I wrapped up my job early, so took off to Yosemite for a week and left her to start packing, work, take care of the dog, and to add on to that, my mom asked if she could stay at our house for a couple of days.

She's been really cool about the whole thing, so I thought a nice gift might be nice.

We are moving so we are trying to not acquire more things. I'd get her a spa day/massage or something, but our days are pretty full up until moving day. I'm not sure the relaxation would last much beyond the front door of the spa. Same for a fancy night out. So I'm stumped.

We are going to Europe in a few weeks, so maybe something around that trip?

Thanks in advance KQ!

Edit: somewhere around $100 is what I was thinking for budget

[KQ]

Hey KQ, need some help brainstorming a gift for my wife.

We are in the middle of moving to a new city. I wrapped up my job early, so took off to Yosemite for a week and left her to start packing, work, take care of the dog, and to add on to that, my mom asked if she could stay at our house for a couple of days.

She's been really cool about the whole thing, so I thought a nice gift might be nice.

We are moving so we are trying to not acquire more things. I'd get her a spa day/massage or something, but our days are pretty full up until moving day. I'm not sure the relaxation would last much beyond the front door of the spa. Same for a fancy night out. So I'm stumped.

We are going to Europe in a few weeks, so maybe something around that trip?

Thanks in advance KQ!

Edit: somewhere around $100 is what I was thinking for budget

Flowers are always nice and sounds like a good gift for this occasion - a way to say "thank-you, I understand things have been busy/trying and I love you for all you do" and brighten her surroundings at the same time. She can be surprised, enjoy their beauty then be done with them - nothing to make room for in her home storage wise, she won't have to drive somewhere for a service or worry that the GC will expire before she uses it.

One thing - make sure you use a florist you can trust if you're not going to go and pick up the bouquet yourself. I was shocked and just a bit peeved at a local florist who filled an order for me that was crap. I had used them before and liked what they did but the last time they really dropped the ball.

[Supermoon]

Thanks! Great idea

[KQ]

Yes... yes... I know... It's only the 4th of November and you haven't even ordered your T-day turkey yet but really, it's never too early to start forming ideas.

Got any owl lovers on your list? I do.

My Owl Barn

[capulin overdrive]

Owls in theory are good, however I wish they'd leave my Blue Quail alone!


Not a bad looking gift though, and other stuff was nice.


Looked through several best gift lists, and came up goose eggs.

Thinking cheapo 3-D might not be a bad gift?

[Supermoon]

Ok KQ, get your Santa hat on. It’s that time of year again!

Here’s a new one for you. I’m looking for a gift for my mom. She’s mid-60’s, single, and is traveling around Europe for the next year or so. She really doesn’t want any more stuff she’ll have to carry around with her.

We met her in London and brought her wine from France and chocolates from Belgium for her birthday, but that won’t be an option this time around. We’ve also done Audible/Amazon gift cards before but I’d like to avoid those as well.

Current idea is ordering her flowers or something from a local flower shop.

[anonalias]

What do I get for my soon to be ex wife? We’re midway through the divorce. I’d like for it to be something nice and useful, but something that evokes memories of me every time she uses it probably wouldn’t be much of a gift.

I was thinking about getting her a year subscription to Spotify, since at some point she should stop using my account.

I checked, but all the stores are fresh out of basic human decency, empathy, and compassion.....

Other ideas? Thinking around $100.

[AK47bp]

What do I get for my soon to be ex wife? We’re midway through the divorce. I’d like for it to be something nice and useful, but something that evokes memories of me every time she uses it probably wouldn’t be much of a gift.

I was thinking about getting her a year subscription to Spotify, since at some point she should stop using my account.

I checked, but all the stores are fresh out of basic human decency, empathy, and compassion.....

Other ideas? Thinking around $100.

You serious Clark?

[anonalias]

You serious Clark?

I am, actually....

[Supermoon]

What do I get for my soon to be ex wife? We’re midway through the divorce. I’d like for it to be something nice and useful, but something that evokes memories of me every time she uses it probably wouldn’t be much of a gift.

I was thinking about getting her a year subscription to Spotify, since at some point she should stop using my account.

I checked, but all the stores are fresh out of basic human decency, empathy, and compassion.....

Other ideas? Thinking around $100.

https://www.ebay.com/i/172749473185

[sb]

lol, she can think of you when she is in the can

[AK47bp]

I am, actually....

Tough one, what to get the woman actively trying to destroy your life and damage your relationships with your children?

KQ has her work cut out for her on this one.

[KQ]

Ok KQ, get your Santa hat on. It’s that time of year again!

Here’s a new one for you. I’m looking for a gift for my mom. She’s mid-60’s, single, and is traveling around Europe for the next year or so. She really doesn’t want any more stuff she’ll have to carry around with her.

We met her in London and brought her wine from France and chocolates from Belgium for her birthday, but that won’t be an option this time around. We’ve also done Audible/Amazon gift cards before but I’d like to avoid those as well.

Current idea is ordering her flowers or something from a local flower shop.

Tickets to a show? Gift cert for a bus or boat tour? Rail pass? Check this out: GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING EUROPE

I know you said she doesn't want to pack anything more but... does she have a wrinkle proof all-occasion little black dress? Check this out:

WANDERLUX DRAPED DRESS

[KQ]

What do I get for my soon to be ex wife? We’re midway through the divorce. I’d like for it to be something nice and useful, but something that evokes memories of me every time she uses it probably wouldn’t be much of a gift.

I was thinking about getting her a year subscription to Spotify, since at some point she should stop using my account.

I checked, but all the stores are fresh out of basic human decency, empathy, and compassion.....

Other ideas? Thinking around $100.

[anonalias]

Tough one, what to get the woman actively trying to destroy your life and damage your relationships with your children?

KQ has her work cut out for her on this one.

Not trying to make this thread about that. However, it still seems like a nice thing to do. If I’m nice and decent.... maybe eventually she’ll return the favor. Or maybe not, but at least I can model that for the kids.

[garyfromterrace]

Dear KQ Claus,
I really really need your help. They're all coming for holy week this year, so I have to buy shit. Fuck.

1) wife present. She skis, mountain bikes, has everything she needs, likes art, likes food, likes to knit, likes watching Longmire (sp?), Walking Dead, Stranger Things. Price for gift - $200

2) stepson present. He's an artsy webpage developer. Likes to road bike, climbing gym, likes "modern" (rappie stuff) music. Price for gift $100

3) step daughter present. She's a professional young lady. Great sense of humour, smart, pretty, freshly married. Likes food, art, running. Lives in Europe, loves her dog. Price for gift $100

4) wife of stepson. Super artsy (art college/film school nerd) new mom. Likes obscure movies, and witches. Price for gift $100

5) husband of step daughter. Super smart, analytical German. Likes video games. Price for gift $100

I hate baby-jesus-fake-birthday season and buying gifts. I figure people should be nice to each other more than one day a year.

KQ, I will follow your advise to a tee and will compensate you for your time buy buying you a case of beer (of your choice) for offering such an indispensable service to a half-jew scrooge.

[anonalias]

Hah! Well done.

Now for serious.....