2 years, 7 months ago
What are some unique gift ideas for the upcoming holidays?
My friend and I received a gift of some blooming teas. If you've never heard of these, and you like hot tea, you should check them out. Here's a video I did of the Red Song blooming tea, which is silver needle tea and carnation. Last night, we had Lady Fairy blooming tea, which is lily, jasmine and silver needle tea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CobvbyFGfs
It got me to thinking about unique gift ideas for the holidays. I think blooming teas are an awesome gift idea for something unique and creative and fun and functional too.
What are some other unique gift ideas you guys can think of that can be both useful and indulgent, fun and practical at the same time? Think, outside the box, interesting, unusual, but not so weird people will shy away from it.
What's your unique holiday gift idea?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CobvbyFGfs
It got me to thinking about unique gift ideas for the holidays. I think blooming teas are an awesome gift idea for something unique and creative and fun and functional too.
What are some other unique gift ideas you guys can think of that can be both useful and indulgent, fun and practical at the same time? Think, outside the box, interesting, unusual, but not so weird people will shy away from it.
What's your unique holiday gift idea?
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$7 Answers
LED Faucet Lights - They make the water blue when cold and red once it reaches 89 degrees Fahrenheit. There's a showerhead version too. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/8122/
Desk Top Hydroponic Herb Garden - Allows you to grow a variety of herbs right on your desk top. Some veggies can be grown with this as well. Just add water. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/b7d7/
Sun and Moon Jars - Allow them to charge with solar energy by day and they glow all night. These are really neat. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/994a/
Cocktail Chemistry Set – Perfect gift for the nerds in your family that enjoy a good mixed drink. They set includes a flask, a metal rack, a shaker, a glass mixing rod, and four test tube shot glasses. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/994a/
Colored-Flame Tealight Candles - Fire-free and perfect for kids and those with kids and pets. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/a1f3/
Sushi Pillows - Four pillows that resemble sushi. Perfect for sushi lovers. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/af69/
Plantsense Easybloom - Perfect gift for aspiring gardeners. It will tell them what plants will grow in a specific area of their yard, if a plant needs water, and how to help current plants thrive. It has a database of more than 50,000 plants. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/b6ba/
USB Plasma Ball - Cool light with effects. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/964e/
Singing Gizmo Plush - Really cool!. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/b89a/
And one of my all-time favorites the Desktop Carnivorous Plant Set - This set includes a growing dome, planting mixture, and a seek pack. The plants that are included are a venus fly trap, yellow trumpet, cobra lillies, hooded pitcher plant, temperate sundew plants, pale trumpet, and purple pitcher plant. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/76c9/
If you go to http://www.thinkgeek.com you are sure to find hundreds of other really unique gifts :)
Desk Top Hydroponic Herb Garden - Allows you to grow a variety of herbs right on your desk top. Some veggies can be grown with this as well. Just add water. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/b7d7/
Sun and Moon Jars - Allow them to charge with solar energy by day and they glow all night. These are really neat. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/994a/
Cocktail Chemistry Set – Perfect gift for the nerds in your family that enjoy a good mixed drink. They set includes a flask, a metal rack, a shaker, a glass mixing rod, and four test tube shot glasses. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/994a/
Colored-Flame Tealight Candles - Fire-free and perfect for kids and those with kids and pets. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/a1f3/
Sushi Pillows - Four pillows that resemble sushi. Perfect for sushi lovers. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/af69/
Plantsense Easybloom - Perfect gift for aspiring gardeners. It will tell them what plants will grow in a specific area of their yard, if a plant needs water, and how to help current plants thrive. It has a database of more than 50,000 plants. http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/b6ba/
USB Plasma Ball - Cool light with effects. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/964e/
Singing Gizmo Plush - Really cool!. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/b89a/
And one of my all-time favorites the Desktop Carnivorous Plant Set - This set includes a growing dome, planting mixture, and a seek pack. The plants that are included are a venus fly trap, yellow trumpet, cobra lillies, hooded pitcher plant, temperate sundew plants, pale trumpet, and purple pitcher plant. http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/76c9/
If you go to http://www.thinkgeek.com you are sure to find hundreds of other really unique gifts :)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I like to give experiences rather than things when I can. Tickets to a show, or train tickets, for example. A zoo membership, or to a local museum. Cooking classes or dance classes. Something like that.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Hmmm there are loads of cool gifts out there that you can buy that also supports our local artisans and designers. Here are a couple of my favs:
1) Invisible book shelf makes your books look like they're floating on the wall £11
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=66
2) Post it Notes in the shape of apples & pears created by a Japanese team £22.14
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=83
3) If you want to spook out your gift reciever, try the Yakuza Finger USB drive, it's looks so real that it'll make you fall off your seat vomiting or laughing £46.39
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=86
There are loads more inspiring gift ideas here: www.ticatoca.com
Happy Halloween everyone!
1) Invisible book shelf makes your books look like they're floating on the wall £11
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=66
2) Post it Notes in the shape of apples & pears created by a Japanese team £22.14
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=83
3) If you want to spook out your gift reciever, try the Yakuza Finger USB drive, it's looks so real that it'll make you fall off your seat vomiting or laughing £46.39
http://www.ticatoca.com/view.php?product=86
There are loads more inspiring gift ideas here: www.ticatoca.com
Happy Halloween everyone!
source(s):
www.ticatoca.com
www.ticatoca.com
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
This years holiday gift giving will be themed: "Green Living", and everyone on my list will be receiving the following.
I will be purchasing REUSABLE grocery bags, eco-water bottles, energy saving light bulbs, eco-travel mug, Bottle of White Vinegar, Lemon, Tea Tree oil, liquid castile soap and baking soda with a recipe to make a non-toxic all purpose household cleanser, a list of 'Living Green' Tips, and recycling information.
The Reusable bag will be the gift wrap for the contents I just listed.
I will be purchasing REUSABLE grocery bags, eco-water bottles, energy saving light bulbs, eco-travel mug, Bottle of White Vinegar, Lemon, Tea Tree oil, liquid castile soap and baking soda with a recipe to make a non-toxic all purpose household cleanser, a list of 'Living Green' Tips, and recycling information.
The Reusable bag will be the gift wrap for the contents I just listed.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
My mother-in-law got one of those blooming teas last year, very cool.
For mother's day this year I was given a gypsy pepper plant. At first I thought, WTH who gives a produce plant as a gift? But thinking about it food producing plants do make an unusual and practical gift. (Gypsy peppers are deliiicious btw)
I may consider giving some people dwarfed fruit trees this year. Beautiful, unusual, and practical.
For mother's day this year I was given a gypsy pepper plant. At first I thought, WTH who gives a produce plant as a gift? But thinking about it food producing plants do make an unusual and practical gift. (Gypsy peppers are deliiicious btw)
I may consider giving some people dwarfed fruit trees this year. Beautiful, unusual, and practical.
images:
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I find the idea of blooming tea fantastic!
Generally I opt for a more "classic" gift but tend to prefer customized or personalized gifts like a personalized bottle of wine or a number of bottles of beer equal to the age of the recipient.
But what I'd like to get is a street panel with my first and last name on it so that I coult hang it on the wall next to the entry door - people will definitly know they're at my home, lol.
Another gift I'd like to get or give would be a walk of fame tile that I could place in my living room or the hall, the kitchen, well somewhere there are tiles on the ground.
Last but not least, but I already did it, I ordered a complete collection of linen bathroom personalized with the name of the recipient along with a word that would qualify them. For instance one collection was under the name of DragonBall + the name of the boy as his favorite cartoon was DragonBall ; another one was Noddy and Friends related mention, etc.
Generally I opt for a more "classic" gift but tend to prefer customized or personalized gifts like a personalized bottle of wine or a number of bottles of beer equal to the age of the recipient.
But what I'd like to get is a street panel with my first and last name on it so that I coult hang it on the wall next to the entry door - people will definitly know they're at my home, lol.
Another gift I'd like to get or give would be a walk of fame tile that I could place in my living room or the hall, the kitchen, well somewhere there are tiles on the ground.
Last but not least, but I already did it, I ordered a complete collection of linen bathroom personalized with the name of the recipient along with a word that would qualify them. For instance one collection was under the name of DragonBall + the name of the boy as his favorite cartoon was DragonBall ; another one was Noddy and Friends related mention, etc.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Any specific holiday? I'll assume you mean any, so I'll take Christmas.
Usually my gifts are not too creative, however - One of MY favorite gifts I've given was a SNES emulator and Roms.. I got a copy from a friend, the SNES player and something like 800 or 1000 Roms fit on a 2GB memory stick, which can often be purchased for under 10 dollars - just make a copy and write down the instructions. I think any current computer can play them, and it's simple enough for a 10 year old to play with a little instruction. A younger child might need a little more help, but it could be practical for them as well. Include a USB controller for 20 dollars, and you've got yourself a FULL library of games for under 30 bucks. The trouble is finding the files if your not a technical person - I got mine from a friend in my computer programming class. Older people might appreciate them too as it's not so easy to find SNES games now adays. It's quick, it's cheap, and it's easy. Many kids ask for games for Christmas - just think what they'll say when they get 900 games they can carry in their pocket!
A friend of mine was also ecstatic when I gave her the Cheeseburger phone from the Juno movie - I bought it from fredflare.com and it came in a box that look like it was made in the 70's... yes, it was a HUGE pain to use, and hardly practical, but everyone used it just because it was the cheeseburger phone. Unfortunately, the cat chewed through the cord and the whole phone needs to be replaced - it can't be saved. Cost about 25 dollars.
I've also started a bit of a tradition of getting decorate collector weapons for my brother. He's nearly 13 and he's always been obsessed with warrior type stuff.. not so much guns and missile and actual war memoribilia, but swords, nun chucks or anything with a blade. So far I got him a 15 inch, wide blade dagger with a very intricate dragon handle and sheath, and A much longer (30") thin sword, again, with a very cool handle and the entire blade carved with dragons n- i'd call it "ninja style". They cost me around 50 dollars but you can often find them at trade shows or flea markets and you can can barter with them. Not sure what I'll get this year. Maybe an actual sword, like a Zelda sword, or maybe some sort of axe... anyways, he loves to show them off to his friends and he's very careful with them and they are displayed on his bedroom walls. He takes them down and polishes carefully them and just looks at them at least once a week - I never thought a 12 year old would treat a decorative sword like that! He was 11 when he got the first and I thought it'd either be taken away for being used improperly within a week or it'd sit in his closet forgotten. I figure he'll have a pretty solid collection by the time he's 18.
http://www.giftsrfree.com/images/32401.jpg
http://s2.thisnext.com/media/130x130/1B735425.jpg
http://randomracket.com/images/smw-snes-1.gif
Usually my gifts are not too creative, however - One of MY favorite gifts I've given was a SNES emulator and Roms.. I got a copy from a friend, the SNES player and something like 800 or 1000 Roms fit on a 2GB memory stick, which can often be purchased for under 10 dollars - just make a copy and write down the instructions. I think any current computer can play them, and it's simple enough for a 10 year old to play with a little instruction. A younger child might need a little more help, but it could be practical for them as well. Include a USB controller for 20 dollars, and you've got yourself a FULL library of games for under 30 bucks. The trouble is finding the files if your not a technical person - I got mine from a friend in my computer programming class. Older people might appreciate them too as it's not so easy to find SNES games now adays. It's quick, it's cheap, and it's easy. Many kids ask for games for Christmas - just think what they'll say when they get 900 games they can carry in their pocket!
A friend of mine was also ecstatic when I gave her the Cheeseburger phone from the Juno movie - I bought it from fredflare.com and it came in a box that look like it was made in the 70's... yes, it was a HUGE pain to use, and hardly practical, but everyone used it just because it was the cheeseburger phone. Unfortunately, the cat chewed through the cord and the whole phone needs to be replaced - it can't be saved. Cost about 25 dollars.
I've also started a bit of a tradition of getting decorate collector weapons for my brother. He's nearly 13 and he's always been obsessed with warrior type stuff.. not so much guns and missile and actual war memoribilia, but swords, nun chucks or anything with a blade. So far I got him a 15 inch, wide blade dagger with a very intricate dragon handle and sheath, and A much longer (30") thin sword, again, with a very cool handle and the entire blade carved with dragons n- i'd call it "ninja style". They cost me around 50 dollars but you can often find them at trade shows or flea markets and you can can barter with them. Not sure what I'll get this year. Maybe an actual sword, like a Zelda sword, or maybe some sort of axe... anyways, he loves to show them off to his friends and he's very careful with them and they are displayed on his bedroom walls. He takes them down and polishes carefully them and just looks at them at least once a week - I never thought a 12 year old would treat a decorative sword like that! He was 11 when he got the first and I thought it'd either be taken away for being used improperly within a week or it'd sit in his closet forgotten. I figure he'll have a pretty solid collection by the time he's 18.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I totally want pretty much everything you just listed lol.. cooool.
On an unrelated topic have you ever seen a venus fly trap bloom? It is the most disgusting smelling beautiful thing ever. They seriously smell like rotting meat when they bloom.
No, I have never seen one bloom. Thank you for the pick and the smell warning :) I just got the kit today and haven't had time to set it up yet.