Ask KQ Claus

[KQ]

Hah! Well done.

Now for serious.....

Okay... in all seriousness... maybe we should consider this first before shopping:

Ex-tiquette on Gift Giving

[Supermoon]

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

Show tickets are a great idea!

[KQ]

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

Hmmm, going to depend on if you two are cuddly romantic sorts or at the more practical stage of life.
For the former I’d say something like an Origins gift basket with extras thrown in (you can order their pre-packaged ones or go to a store and have one made up yourself which is what I would suggest that way you can experience the scents yourself). This is a gift you can both enjoy. Lots of great smelling stuff with body scrubs you can use in the shower together (wink*wink*nudge*nudge)

If it’s the latter I would go with knitting accessories like an electric yarn winder if she doesn’t already have one (they can be pricey), knitting books or just a big basket of unique yarn (FYI – yarn is expensive and there is some rare coveted stuff to be had).

Is she interested in learning to spin? It could be the next step in her knitting - creating her own yarn. You would want to go to a yarn shop and talk to the ladies about this but it could be an interesting surprising gift. People who spin find if relaxing and rewarding. Maybe start with a book on the subject: Yarnitecture: A Knitter's Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want

You could of course also go with DVDs of her favorite show if she’s missed a season.

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

Metolius Simulator 3D Training Board

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

LightSpur RX LED Foot Light

FlipBelt

TrailHeads Elements Touchscreen Running Gloves

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

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, 75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition

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

So she's a millennial? How old? Is she a girly-girl or tom boy or something inbetween?

Off the top of my head, if she lives somewhere that gets cold I would think a hat and scarf set would be nice - something thick and soft (too bad your wife doesn't have time to knit one). Lots of people make "infinity scarves" and they are the rage. Lululemon makes a nice one but if that brand would be a turn off to her Northface also makes one as does Duluth Trading.

I really like this one from Nordstrom

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.

LOL!! No worries. I'm done with my shopping so I actually enjoy this. Might have to get that Nordy infinity scarf for myself though.......

[Benny Profane]

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

From somebody that's traveling through Europe right now, I like the Kindle idea. My suggestions would be an auto rental gift card, if they exist, since 100 bucks gets you a nice three to almost four days in a small car somewhere so she can hit the country, and a reservation/gift card to a really good restaraunt in a city she will be visiting.

[Supermoon]

From somebody that's traveling through Europe right now, I like the Kindle idea. My suggestions would be an auto rental gift card, if they exist, since 100 bucks gets you a nice three to almost four days in a small car somewhere so she can hit the country, and a reservation/gift card to a really good restaraunt in a city she will be visiting.

The way my mom drives I don’t think any of us want her out there!

[JongDoe]

Just started reading this thread and like others have said KQ is killing it. Very witty and even answers the perv questions gracefully. Without a doubt the best present I've gotten my wife is a remote starter for the car. It's money in the winter and also helps in the summer.

[Meadow Skipper]

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.

rotfl - pure awesomeness.

[garyfromterrace]

Hmmm, going to depend on if you two are cuddly romantic sorts or at the more practical stage of life.
For the former I’d say something like an Origins gift basket with extras thrown in (you can order their pre-packaged ones or go to a store and have one made up yourself which is what I would suggest that way you can experience the scents yourself). This is a gift you can both enjoy. Lots of great smelling stuff with body scrubs you can use in the shower together (wink*wink*nudge*nudge)

If it’s the latter I would go with knitting accessories like an electric yarn winder if she doesn’t already have one (they can be pricey), knitting books or just a big basket of unique yarn (FYI – yarn is expensive and there is some rare coveted stuff to be had).

Is she interested in learning to spin? It could be the next step in her knitting - creating her own yarn. You would want to go to a yarn shop and talk to the ladies about this but it could be an interesting surprising gift. People who spin find if relaxing and rewarding. Maybe start with a book on the subject: Yarnitecture: A Knitter's Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want

You could of course also go with DVDs of her favorite show if she’s missed a season.



Metolius Simulator 3D Training Board



LightSpur RX LED Foot Light

FlipBelt

TrailHeads Elements Touchscreen Running Gloves




Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, 75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition



So she's a millennial? How old? Is she a girly-girl or tom boy or something inbetween?

Off the top of my head, if she lives somewhere that gets cold I would think a hat and scarf set would be nice - something thick and soft (too bad your wife doesn't have time to knit one). Lots of people make "infinity scarves" and they are the rage. Lululemon makes a nice one but if that brand would be a turn off to her Northface also makes one as does Duluth Trading.

I really like this one from Nordstrom




LOL!! No worries. I'm done with my shopping so I actually enjoy this. Might have to get that Nordy infinity scarf for myself though.......

KQ Claus, you've nailed it all. Except 5. 5 is a big burly German man. Not remotely girly girl. Waiting, with bated breath, is the surly old atheist.

[KQ]

KQ Claus, you've nailed it all. Except 5. 5 is a big burly German man. Not remotely girly girl. Waiting, with bated breath, is the surly old atheist.

Oops - only read "step-daughter" LOL! So many connections!

How about something like this: Chrononauts

Or maybe this (made in Germany!)

Die 5 Elemente - Color and Shape Match Wooden Brainteaser Puzzle

Edit:

And here's a gift for you my athiest friend - don't think of it as Christmas think of it as the holiday Christmas replaced when Rome went Christian - the pagan Roman winter solstice festival Saturnalia or sol invicta depending on who is interpreting the calendar/history.

Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves.[1] The poet Catullus called it "the best of days".[2]

[chunder]

KQ I'm looking for a smallish purse for my girlfriend, something that would more convenient for than her big normal purse, when we go out to a fancy dinner, for example. Something with style. Or maybe just suggestions for what stores/sites would be good to peruse for such an item. Thanks in advance

[KQ]

KQ I'm looking for a smallish purse for my girlfriend, something that would more convenient for than her big normal purse, when we go out to a fancy dinner, for example. Something with style. Or maybe just suggestions for what stores/sites would be good to peruse for such an item. Thanks in advance

Well there is always Coach and Louis Vuitton but lately I've really liked Vida and they are having a cyber Monday sale!

[AK47bp]

KQ Claus. Do you have any insight into a nice comfy affordable woman's slipper? Rubber bottoms.

Too many to choose from. Would like to stay under $50 if possible.

[riser4]

KQ Claus, I am looking for a rugged, easy to use, easy to read tire pressure gauge for a stocking stuffer.

And KQ knows what she is talking about when she says Origins. My wife loved their hand lotion last year. Once she hid it from the kids, she used it sparingly.

[KQ]

KQ Claus. Do you have any insight into a nice comfy affordable woman's slipper? Rubber bottoms.

Too many to choose from. Would like to stay under $50 if possible.

Hmmmmm, pretty broad category. Do you know if she likes a fully enclosed slipper or a scuff? Myself I like something with a covered heel because my feet are always cold. Other people run hot like a friend of mine who only wears scuffs.

If I were you I'd take a look at Zappos. You can see all the different styles side-by-side and read the reviews for pros/cons and fit. Here is a search narrowing women's slippers down to those priced $50 and under: https://www.zappos.com/women-slipper...HiAgQBAhgN.zso

Be sure and take into account if she wants to wear socks with them which might put her up a half size.

I like the look of these. My cold feet would be snug as bugs in a rug!

Tundra Boots Abigail




I also have to give a shout out for Acorn products - just love them! Their polar fleece Versafit socks are the bomb! Backcountry has them on sale right now.

This Moc gets great reviews and you can get the Versafit sock that matches them (both come in other colors).





This pattern is cute - kinda like having leopard paws:







Edit/Add: A great thing about using Zappos for a purchase like this is their 365 day free return policy. They will even ship new items out before receiving your return! Give them a call, tell them what you need to exchange for and they will ship it right out to you. Of course you have to give them a CC # just in case you fail to return the original item but it's still a great deal for those of us who hate to wait. I WANT IT NOW!

[KQ]

KQ Claus, I am looking for a rugged, easy to use, easy to read tire pressure gauge for a stocking stuffer.

And KQ knows what she is talking about when she says Origins. My wife loved their hand lotion last year. Once she hid it from the kids, she used it sparingly.

Looks like the good people at Consumer Reports have done a nice little review for us:

Choosing the Best Tire Pressure Gauge

The couple of digital gauges they reviewed are just the right price range for stocking stuffers:

Digital gauges (right) are generally very accurate and easy to read, our testers found, particularly those models with an illuminated display to read in dim light—such as in the shadow of a car. The Accutire MS-4021B, $10, and Accutire MS-4400B, $11, top our ratings. Digital gauges cost about $12, on average.

Sears has the Accutire MS-4021B on sale for $9.99. Slightly more at Wal-mart at $16.19.

[AK47bp]

Hmmmmm, pretty broad category. Do you know if she likes a fully enclosed slipper or a scuff? Myself I like something with a covered heel because my feet are always cold. Other people run hot like a friend of mine who only wears scuffs.

If I were you I'd take a look at Zappos. You can see all the different styles side-by-side and read the reviews for pros/cons and fit. Here is a search narrowing women's slippers down to those priced $50 and under: https://www.zappos.com/women-slipper...HiAgQBAhgN.zso

Be sure and take into account if she wants to wear socks with them which might put her up a half size.

I like the look of these. My cold feet would be snug as bugs in a rug!

Tundra Boots Abigail

You are awesome. Thank you, she likes the open heel and does wear socks all the time

[chunder]

You are awesome.

Agreed--thanks for the help!

[KQ]

16 Awesome Gift Ideas For Couples Who Just Get Each Other

12 Thoughtful Gifts From Significant Others Who Really Listen

23 Unique Gifts For Your Wife That Don’t Totally Suck

30 Sexy Gifts For Couples That Shouldn’t Be Opened With An Audience
You *definitely* won’t want to open these around the in-laws

[Game Over]

Hmmmmm, pretty broad category. Do you know if she likes a fully enclosed slipper or a scuff? Myself I like something with a covered heel because my feet are always cold. Other people run hot like a friend of mine who only wears scuffs.

If I were you I'd take a look at Zappos. You can see all the different styles side-by-side and read the reviews for pros/cons and fit. Here is a search narrowing women's slippers down to those priced $50 and under: https://www.zappos.com/women-slipper...HiAgQBAhgN.zso

Be sure and take into account if she wants to wear socks with them which might put her up a half size.

I like the look of these. My cold feet would be snug as bugs in a rug!

Tundra Boots Abigail




I also have to give a shout out for Acorn products - just love them! Their polar fleece Versafit socks are the bomb! Backcountry has them on sale right now.

This Moc gets great reviews and you can get the Versafit sock that matches them (both come in other colors).





This pattern is cute - kinda like having leopard paws:







Edit/Add: A great thing about using Zappos for a purchase like this is their 365 day free return policy. They will even ship new items out before receiving your return! Give them a call, tell them what you need to exchange for and they will ship it right out to you. Of course you have to give them a CC # just in case you fail to return the original item but it's still a great deal for those of us who hate to wait. I WANT IT NOW!

No love for LL Bean! They make the best affordable slippers hands down!!

[glademaster]

KQ Claus, I am looking for a rugged, easy to use, easy to read tire pressure gauge for a stocking stuffer.

And KQ knows what she is talking about when she says Origins. My wife loved their hand lotion last year. Once she hid it from the kids, she used it sparingly.

Analog only for tire pressure gauges for me. Digital ones break, have shitty female ends that will let 1/3 of the air out of your tire as you press them to the valve stem, and they're worthless when it is cold out. Get yourself one of these in 60 or 100 PSI, depending on your needs, and never go back.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[KQ]

No love for LL Bean! They make the best affordable slippers hands down!!

Their "Wicked Good" slippers were over the price point specified by the OP with the exception of the one below and a couple other "mom type" no frills slippers so did the rest.

Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs

[Game Over]

Well shit that makes sense. No wonder they last years. Admittedly I have always received as a gift and have never actually bought a pair.

[KQ]

Just gonna put this here..................



Viking Hats: Thor and Freya

[sb]

So with all the stuff going on are Tittens a bad gift choice?



At least they are red.

[Iowagriz]

KQ - you've probably posted a suggestion from the past year(s) on this thread. But how about a bathrobe suggestion? Her current one is the standard, full-length, pink fuzzy. But since she puts it on the door behind her counter and then sprays hairspray in that general direction it will either stand-up on it's own, or self-ignite. So, time for a new one. Thanks

BTW guys - that Origins gift pack is perfect. So good that I got it the first time that KQ suggested, then again the 2nd year (because I'm dumb and didn't remember I gave it the first year), she was still happy on year 2.