What Gifts Were Big HITS?

[iLander]

This is the second year I've done this thread, to help everyone get ideas for their holiday shopping.

What gifts have you given in the past that were big hits? Tell us so we can learn from your shopping wisdom!

Bonus points for links!

Already mentioned in the Fiesta thread, this was a big hit for 2 tea lovers because it goes right in the microwave and makes plenty of tea for one person. Plus it's ridiculously adorable;

http://www.fiestafactorydirect.com/p-172-teapot-2-cup.aspx

This was a big hit for a tech lover, lots of fun for playing with an iPhone. The picture is terrible, the screen display is a free app and it's weird the way the plastic buttons really make the flippers in the phone work;
http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204134680&pnr=M53&cm_mmc=Shopping-_-Google-_-M53-_-204134680&pnr=M53&cm_mmc=Shopping-_-GoogleBase-_-M53-_-product

I love these guys for simple natural color (wild colors!) freshwater pearl studs. Anything they sell marked "metallic" or "superior" is a good bet. I just bought a pretty pair of dangles, hoping they'll be a hit. Fair warning, though- no boxes. You'll have to dig up your own fancy box, they ship in plastic baggies.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=earrings&_sacat=166298&_ssn=pearllunar&_odkw=&_osacat=166298&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

For a guy who has everything, this is cool. The little ball is on a thread, held in place by a magnet. Very cool;
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Gideon%20Dagan%20Small%20Perpetual%20Calendar_10451_10001_53208_-1_26674_11527_53211

So, share, please!

 

[zoebartlett]

One thing I can think of for sports enthusiasts is tickets to a game. My husband loved getting Bruins tickets two (?) years ago.

Along the same lines, for those who like going to the theater, my mom loves getting (and giving) tickets to a show in Boston. The tickets usually come with a handmade gift card to a restaurant near the theater district.

Those are the ones I can think of for now.

 

[mrs jam]

What a great idea for a thread! Both my sisters-in-law love the Tiffany small leather goods I've given them (small cosmetic pouches and card cases). I bought them in the Tiffany blue color, and the interiors are a fun silver.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP04634&mcat=148212&cid=667912&search_params=s+5-p+14-c+667912-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

 

[kenny]

A big screen TV.
My So watches it constantly.

But the real reason it's a big hit is . . . it keeps him out of my hair.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Legos seem to be a continous hit... We now have boxes and boxes of them and more coming this year My son may or may not have a bedroom floor...it's hard to tell under the sea of little plastic bricks.

 

[pregcurious]

For you toddler's friends, these Playdoh mini activity buckets are perfect. Target has them for ~$6. There are buckets for making numbers, animals, sandwiches, etc.

 

[MissGotRocks]

What a great idea for a thread! Both my sisters-in-law love the Tiffany small leather goods I've given them (small cosmetic pouches and card cases). I bought them in the Tiffany blue color, and the interiors are a fun silver.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP04634&mcat=148212&cid=667912&search_params=s+5-p+14-c+667912-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

Love these - what a great idea!

 

[iLander]

For you toddler's friends, these Playdoh mini activity buckets are perfect. Target has them for ~$6. There are buckets for making numbers, animals, sandwiches, etc.

This is awesome, and will be my choice for toy drive donations from now on!

 

[Gypsy]

REALLY FABULOUS tickets to sports games. I've given my husband several sets of tickets over the years and I always go for best ones (valet parking, seats so close you can smell the sweat) and he ADORES IT when I do that.

Technology is always a hit. I've gotten him an ipod, X-box, Blue-ray player etc. Whatever he's into that year.

My mom loves David Yurman and is brand conscious so real DY pieces on ebay are great and she appreciates them.

His mom we've been buying diamond jewelry for, she doesn't need top quality (though the earrings I got her last year were) but I have minimum standards and want nice pieces and this year I got her a pretty pendant she liked very much.

For me, I put shoes on my wishlist and he gets me the shoes I want but in fun colors (he bought me purple shoes!) I am too conservative to buy for myself, but love when I have them.

Leatherology Jewelry containers for anyone who loves jewelry or owns a nice amount. They have a ton and they are all gorgeous and well made. I bought one for NF for her PhD and when it got to the house I was REALLY GLAD I'd monogrammed it, cause it I hadn't I might have kept it. I have one on my own wishlist this year.

Ornaments. I love buying people ornaments that suit them or the events going on in their lives.

Wine is always a nice gift. I'm planning on giving a friend of ours either a membership to a nice wine club we know of or a few bottles of nicer wines for them to enjoy. They love wine.

Hmm... reading this I'm realizing that I don't do generic gifts. I find out what people's tastes or interests are and buy things that suit them. Personally, that's what gift giving is all about to me.

 

[mrs jam]

What a great idea for a thread! Both my sisters-in-law love the Tiffany small leather goods I've given them (small cosmetic pouches and card cases). I bought them in the Tiffany blue color, and the interiors are a fun silver.

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=GRP04634&mcat=148212&cid=667912&search_params=s+5-p+14-c+667912-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

Love these - what a great idea!

I loved these little pouches so much, I had to get one for myself! It always gives me a little mini-thrill to look inside my bag and see a peek of the Tiffany blue. It's the color of happiness!