Christmas gift thread (it was bound to happen right?)

i n c u b u s

So I have gotten excellent advice on many subjects here in the H/A and I'd really appreciate some more (thanks in advance guys!) So usually I don't have any problems thinking of great gift ideas for anyone, especially my gf, but I am really stumped this year. Another issue is my gf set a $40 limit this time around so my plans to get her an electric bass are out the window. This also pretty much applies to everyone else because I don't have too much to spend this year so 40 is the limit for everyone. I'll give you guys the low down on who I need help with:

GF
-20
-loves Star Wars and music by John Williams.
-in college band and is into the rock genre of music.
-fairly tech savy but not quite interested in gadgets and whatnot.

Dad
-46
-retired LTC from the army.
-Very much into sports/athletics/recreation.
-Highly tech savy and loves gadgets.

Mom
-45
-not a complicated lady at all.
-Not very tech savy.
-Loves latin music aka Ricky Martin
-Loves reality tv

Sister
-16
-Very tech savy and like gadgets.
-Likes music and facebook of course lol
-Varies from lil wayne to chiodos in music (rap - rock)
-swims on swim team

Any suggestions or simply some insight on what you guys are getting would be very helpful. What I'll probably end up doing is taking what is suggested and probably personalizing it in someway to make it special. The one I'm most concerned about right now is my gf and while she would be content with whatever I get her I'd really like to make it awesome. Her birthday turned out great thanks to you guys (Star Wars cake thread) I'm sure it will be great this time around too.

EggyToast

I try not to get gifts for people based on their main interests, because unless you're working off of a list, you end up either a) getting them something they already have or b) getting them something that they don't like because you picked a bad version or model because you weren't into the hobby. Like buying someone a piece of sporting equipment -- bad idea because the person should pick their own.

So now I ask people, and listen careful when they're talking about stuff they're into. For instance, as a stocking stuffer, I got my dad a jar of hawaiian red salt, because he likes cooking things that taste good (but are still essentially "normal american"). I asked my sister what she wanted and she said she'd like a fleece vest, since she's a PE teacher and often has to deal with a lot of variable temperatures.

For their other gifts, as well as my wife's dad, we just used Amazon and got 'em blu-rays. For my wife's sister, we asked her specifically what she wanted when she came down (just her) for t-giving, and she said she wanted an iPod stereo thing. Too rich for us. But she said, while we were cooking, "Oooh I like your wooden cookware, you can get that for me too probably." So ta da! Never would've thought "Oh she's into cookware as a hobby, I'll get her some nice wooden stuff.

I know that doesn't help you right away, but I'm very "anti-junk" for gifts -- I hate receiving useless gadgets or giving them. Even things that are potentially useful are typically not that good, because the person didn't research them significantly enough to actually pick a good one (they just nabbed it in a store cos it was "neat").

Also, my wife and I don't get each other gifts beyond say a fancy chocolate bar. We feel it's sort of silly to spring a big surprise on the other person just because there's a holiday (even birthdays), and often a good deal or a rare opportunity does not jive with xmas/birthday. More to the point, if I were to get something my wife was really into, I would want to ask her specifically so that I end up with exactly what she prefers -- and vice versa. So we typically skip giving gifts beyond little things, like a couch blanket or food items. For example, if your wife is really into star wars & john williams, she probably already owns the good DVDs and the good CDs.

i n c u b u s

Awesome points EggyToast and that outside perspective is exactly what I'm looking for. I really went all out for her birthday and while I have really amazing plans as gifts for later years (Disneyworld, trips, ect) right now a lil something special will do just fine. Now that I think about your cookwear and food items gifts I just recalled that she adores sushi but there isn't a place in her town that serves it. Maybe theres something out there than can remedy this. *ponders*

onceling

You mention music a lot in your post, I'm not sure that I could recommend any CD's but it sounds like something you might want to consider because it seems like you're leaning in that direction already.

For $40 at age 20 as a girl I would have enjoyed a pair of earrings or a bracelet. You could easily get something tasteful for $20 in the sales, somewhere like Kohls or any other department store often have cute and not overly pricey jewelry items.

Additionally etsy (if you are careful about buying ASAP) has amazing jewelry items. Here's a few within the $20 budget:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat2_galley_1&listing_id=17849411

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16856524

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15573851

Here's a star wars one, heh: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_15&listing_id=12883170

Then with the other $20 I would get something more fun. I do a lot of shopping online so these are some that would jump to mind for her:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=17551539

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_16&listing_id=14164535

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_6&listing_id=17938619

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat1_gallery_5&listing_id=18052889

onceling

whoops double post

TL DR

DIY Bath Bombs

i n c u b u s

http://www.sushimagic.com/sushistore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=6&idproduct=51

I found this and this may be an option for me. She's not as kitchen savy as I am (although I am going to culinary school) but I think this is simple enough for her to make without messing them up.