So this year we came across some really cool flashlights. Really bright. Light weight. We bought rechargeable batteries and chargers and got enough for all the men in the family. Our family seems to appreciate functional gifts the most...so this makes sense. It's so nice to have half our list knocked out. And we really think it will be appreciated by all the men. We'd like to do something similar for the ladies. Find one functional gift and order enough for all the women. But they aren't much into bath stuff or lotions. And they all love to cook, but seem to have every cooking gadget out there. We are just stumped. We don't want to get some random something, it needs to be something that will really be appreciated. We don't mind spending up $50 for each person. The age ranges of the ladies are 30-80 years old. (Our octogenarians are extremely independent and in very good health! All three live alone, drive and show no signs of slowing down! ;) ) Any ideas out there?
One year my friend had a "sock" year. She made thoughtful sock choices for each person. As she bought quality, these were not inexpensive gifts! Fuzzy ones for nighttime, heavy woolen ones for the walkers, quick dry for the travelers, etc.
Someone suggested personalized cutting boards. I have one and love it (it is a collegiate one). This website has super cute ones...
http://www.stickershopunlimited.com/
You can do first name, last name, first initial, etc....
I ditto what Cheryl said. Do they have QUALITY items? If not, even a small quality item is great to have in the kitchen.
Do they each have something they love to do? Baking? Grilling? Something like that? If so, go for a tool leaning towards that love.
Tastefully Simple has some amazing spices. I had a huge party last year and got pretty much every one I wanted...they are so good and we use them on a regular basis - especially the bacon bacon :).
Flashlights around here are in demand by both the men AND the women.
They make great stocking stuffers!
I've got a small very bright one I keep in my purse - it's come in handy for EVERYTHING!
We all keep one in each car.
How about a neck light for reading/sewing/crafting/etc anytime you need some hands free light?
My husband and I and our son each have one and we use them all the time in lot's of different situations.
http://www.amazon.com/LED-Flex-Reading-Light-Huglight/dp/...
A juicer?
New spatulas by Pampered Chef?
Go to Kohl's or your favorite store and browse through the housewares department....
Mr. Food cookbooks
Rachel Ray cookbooks
OOOOHHH!!! The spices - uuumm Simply Tasteful? I think that's it. Get some interesting spices from there.
Automatic soap dispenser, for the sink or shower.
Memory foam kitchen mat (since they like to cook).
A nice wood cutting board with some sort of ingraving and a nice knife
We do a "dirty santa" type swap with my inlaws. Last year, everyone in the family (of all ages) clamored over that rechargeable electric toothbrush I put in as a gift. I can't remember what kind it was- Crest Rechargeable Spinbrush or something like that. It was a hit, and was the "ultimate" gift in the end.
umbrellas? I like to keep an extra one in the car
a Thirty-One bag?
a personalized pan from thatsmypan.com?
a really nice ice bucket?
These are all things that I received as a gift that I use and enjoy. Good luck!
I also love to cook and pretty much have "everything" but I just got some of these lately and I love them:
http://www.kitchenconservatory.com/Dishers-and-Scoops-C46...
They are great for cookies, making meatballs, ravioli filling, ice cream, etc.
I also love this:
http://www.target.com/p/6qt-cast-iron-covered-casserole-p...
I asked for this a few Christmases ago after seeing it reviewed on America's Test Kitchen. It is by far the most versatile pot in my collection, you can bake, fry, simmer, stew, boil, sautee, whatever. What makes it so great is that it truly heats evenly, requires very little oil and cleans up like a dream.
Are they tea drinkers? And/or hot cocoa drinkers?
If so, a nice, new teapot for the stove with an assortment of teas/cocoas could be a nice gift.
I would get them engraved wood cutting boards. They will get plenty of use, and I am sure they will love them.
I'm an avid home cook. I'd love a gift of really fancy olive oil, whole peppercorns / grinder, fancy spice mix (herbs d' provence is an expensive favorite), apron, aged balsamic vinegar, etc. How about magazine subscriptions? You could match the magazine to the person's cooking style - desserts, wines, home cooking, natural, gluten free, vegetarian. LOVE getting magazines from people and I give subscriptions as gifts very often. Way under $50 and the person will think of you all year long.
I love my Martha Stewart digital cooking thermometer.
I like the idea of the engraved wooden cutting board. Look on Etsy! There is a lot of really cool stuff on there :)
How about some functional art.
Like an artsy pepper mill for the table http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A###-###-####%2...
Nice Salt boxes http://www.surlatable.com/search/search.jsp?N=4294967064&...
Something yummy
American Spoons has great stuff. http://www.spoon.com/gifts/gift-assortments
Personalizatonmall.com has some great ideas, and you can put everyone's name on them.
What about getting $25 gift cards all to differing places and playing SWAP with them?
you don't say what the flashlights were so don't want to under gift the ladies lol. But I know some very nice handkerchiefs would be good. As a young woman I didn't care about them at all. But now that I am older I appreciate the ones I have that were passed down from my grandmother. they are beautiful and I keep them in my purse.
This is a neat idea, but at the same time I really like to put thought into each gift and buy something special for that person. The best idea I could think of would be to do the cute little sets they put together for hot drink lovers, but then tailor then to who likes coffee, tea, or hot coca.
You have a nice size price point.
I am trying to think of something that would be good for the kitchen, but like you said most have a fully stocked kitchen.
What about a personalized stamp with the name and address? I'm sure some will already have this item, but had to think of something.
What about aprons. If they cook I am sure they have one but fun/pretty ones or according to personality is fun
I just saw a website called flirtyaprons.com. Some really cute stuff! Prices ranged from $20-$35, they also had oven mitts to match some of the aprons.
