On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:31:16 -0800 (PST), xikom03@
yeah.net wrote:
>It's holiday time again and what should you get for him? He has
>everything, so what else could there possibly be? Don't give up yet
>because there are plenty of unique ideas for the man who's difficult
>to shop for.
>
>Gift Idea For Him #1: Naming a Star in His Honor
>
>If the man in your life is also a star in your eyes, let him know with
>the perfect Christmas gift idea. There are many online novelty stores,
>which offer star naming kits. For a set price, you can have a star
I would hate to get this as a present. What could I do with it.
It reminds me of when I got a square inch of land in Alaska. But the
difference is that I was 8, and the land came free inside a box of
cereal. I enjoyed it, but even then I knew I couldn't do anything
with it.
Why pay someone else to name a star in your beneficiary's honor? Name
it yourself, and print your own certificate. There's nothing wrong
with that. Stars can have more than one name. And I'll give you
dollars to doughnuts that astronomers will continue to call all the
stars by the system they use now, and no one else will ever refer to
that star at all.
This is as far as I read before replying. Let's see what else this
list has. I feel cynical tonight.
>named after the man in your life. The complete kits come with a
>certificate, a map so that he can locate his special star and other
>
>Gift Idea For Him #2: A Watch
>
>If you want to let him know that you love it timeless, buy him a
>watch. It's practical, thoughtful and carries a wonderful meaning.
>Slip a note inside the watch box, which reads "Time flies when I'm
>with you." Gold watches are nice and they don't always have to be
>expensive. Shop around at some of the online stores and browse their
>huge selection of watches.
Personally, I like lightweight watches. For many years I wore a metal
watch, sometimes one with a gold case, but it didn't weigh anywhere
near as much as those Seiko behemoths, or similar styles. Or that
status watch... Kilroy? Ajax? Epilogue? Zeidiko? Rolex, that's
it!!!! The only ones I have seen have been very big and looked much
too heavy.
>Gift Idea For Him #3: Tools
>
>If the gentleman in your life is also the home's handyman, consider a
>toolkit.
Tools are a great idea, but every guy who likes tools already has a
bunch (unless he is 15). You have to find out which tools he needs
or wants, usually things he doesn't have already.
Also, beware of the recommendation for "tookkits". Almost all toolkits
with a big plastic case and indentations where each tool goes are a
waste of space, and space matters here. Someone gave me a tool kit
for a car, with a plastic case, and it contained a claw hammer. Do
they think I drive a wood car? Some cases are much smaller than
others, waste much less space than others. A metal case is usually
much smaller, or no case. Although tools that require accessories
like a router can benefit from having a case, even a hollow plastic
case. If anyone really wants to give tools, ask me or someone else
whether a case is a good idea or not, etc. My car doesn't have room
for a toolchest anymore, so I use a toolbag, a Pierre Cardin tool bag.
(I think it was originally used as a purse, but no matter. At least I
have a designer toolbag, complete with his logo.)
For big tools, like a radial arm saw or circular saw on its own table,
personally, I would want to pick my own out. There are just too many
variations. On TV commercials where the man surprises his wife with a
car, I can only imagine that they went shopping earlier and she said
which one she wanted.
#4: Unique Sports Items Only if you know he likes this stuff. I
don't. BTW, little known fact that Martha used to buy George
Washington a new set of dentures on his birthday. That would be a
good present, although since they have to be fitted, it's hard to
surprise someone. But this is where the 1.2 billion dollar annually
custom of giving gifts on Washington's birthday arose.
#5 is a gift card. The news reported that 20 or maybe it was 25%% of
gift cards go unredeemed. What a gift to the stores. Plus the hassle
of finding something you want that isn't too much more than the card
is worth**, or if it is worth less, the problem of having to keep
coming back until it's all spent. Plus the ones that expire and the
ones that charge a fee every so often until you redeem them. The
nerve. You're lending them money and they're charging you to do it.
**I'm assuming the recipient is thrifty and doesn't normally shop
there. A card for a place one shops regularly can be a good idea,
although it might be embarrassing that the price of the gift is right
on the gift!!
Of course a long time ago I once bought a gift certificate at
Ticketetron, and they charged me a commission for buying it, and then
were going to charge my friend a commission for using it. !!!!
Because I had run out of time and didn't know what else to buy him,
and didn't know his schedule to buy actual tickets, I did it, but I'm
never going to do it again. Fooey on you, Ticketron.
BTW2, on NPR today they said something about an event today where
"Washington left the army to become President." IIRC, Washington left
the army years before the Constitution existed and we had a President.
That was part of his greatness, that he was content to lead the army
in a successful revolt or rebellion and then go back to his old
career. Like Cincinnatus. I'm right, am I not? They must have
confused Washington with Musharaf.
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)
