Non-shaving/skincare gift idea thread-

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SO... my family draws names amongst adult participants for a gift exchange every year- and this year, I've drawn my sister-in-law. I have a 30 dollar limit - and here's the thing: we're all pretty jaded people. we don't do cheesy very well at all, and we like interesting gifts.

I'm drawing an absolute blank here as far as interesting gifts go. She's into good books (not Twilight etc - maybe romantic, but more just straight-up contemporary / modern literature), baking, dance, and is generally a tremendous person.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'd be happy to give suggestions as well for anyone who has a similar issue. I just need to jog my brain here.

 

[Jim]

Not much to go on -Baking cookbook? or some baking tools?

 

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Not much to go on -Baking cookbook? or some baking tools?

I know... sorry. I was just hoping people would post some of their more unique gift ideas they were using for family.

 

[sparkchaser]

First edition or signed copy of her favorite book.

If she doesn't have it, Alton Brown's book I'm Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking might work.

 

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First edition or signed copy of her favorite book.

If she doesn't have it, Alton Brown's book I'm Just Here for More Food: Food x Mixing + Heat = Baking might work.

Oooo good suggestions - she already has all of Alton's books unfortunately (my brother is a HUGE ab fan - in fact, I got him a few years ago in the exchange, and my gift was to get flames painted onto their stand mixer just like AB's in good eats ).

 

[sparkchaser]

My ex-gf is a pastry chef and I am trying to remember what the name of the book she has is called. She called it the best bread book she has ever seen. I'd call her and ask but we didn't leave on good terms.

Edit: I am not 100% sure but it may have been 6000 Years of Bread.

 

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My ex-gf is a pastry chef and I am trying to remember what the name of the book she has is called. She called it the best bread book she has ever seen. I'd call her and ask but we didn't leave on good terms.

Give me her number. I'll call.

 

[sparkchaser]

Give me her number. I'll call.

PM sent.

 

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PM sent.

lol... I am SO not calling your ex.
(I was being over-the-top in my previous post, sorry )

 

[sparkchaser]

But, she has such a nice voice.

But seriously, I think the book was 6000 Years of Bread.

 

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But, she has such a nice voice.

But seriously, I think the book was 6000 Years of Bread.

165 dollars used on amazon. wow. it looks like an incredible book though...

 

[Dryden]

If she is into baking, the Pampered Chef has high quality gear for fairly reasonable prices. It might not come in under the overly interesting category, but their stuff is quite good.

 

[sparkchaser]

165 dollars used on amazon. wow. it looks like an incredible book though...

Get the new edition for $26 plus $3.99 s/h: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1558215751/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

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Get the new edition for $26 plus $3.99 s/h: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1558215751/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

awesome, didn't see that. that's a possibility.

 

[ladder44]

Scone Pan: Scones are tough to shape, and a scone pan has wedges in it which make shaping the A LOT easier.

Dutch Oven: You can't go wrong with a quality dutch oven. It'll set you $80 - $120, but they are incredibly useful.

Decorating class: Some companies, like Wilton, offer cake decorating classes around the country.

 

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Check these out -
http://www.amazon.com/DCI-Magnetic-Bud-Vases-Set/dp/B000OCGFJO

http://www.amazon.com/DCI-Paper-10-Ounce-Porcelain-Travel/dp/B0016CSBJS/

Just a couple of other ideas I came across this morning. Still looking around.

(MODS- if b+b has an affiliate program with Amazon, feel free to edit my links to reflect that and get some credit if someone buys through them - if NOT, get one setup! )

 

[Confuzius]

(MODS- if b+b has an affiliate program with Amazon, feel free to edit my links to reflect that and get some credit if someone buys through them - if NOT, get one setup! )

That there is an impressive/interesting gesture.

The "I am not a paper cup" cup is great, a friend of mine has the same one. The same company also makes a porcelain Mr. Noodle cup.

Edge only brownie pan
http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Edge-N...1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1259852326&sr=8-1

Could be cool (or despised depending on the preferences of the recipient), but it doesn't quite fit in the price range.

 

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That there is an impressive/interesting gesture.

The "I am not a paper cup" cup is great, a friend of mine has the same one. The same company also makes a porcelain Mr. Noodle cup.

Edge only brownie pan
http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Edge-N...1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1259852326&sr=8-1

Could be cool (or despised depending on the preferences of the recipient), but it doesn't quite fit in the price range.

I just bought one of those through ThinkGeek for like 30 for the birthday of a girl I'm dating. It makes AWESOME brownies.

 

[Confuzius]

So you know thinkgeek, there goes the rest of my suggestions...
Would she like puzzles? The mirrored differently sized rubics cube at thinkgeek looks like it could be a challenge for people that appreciate that kind of thing. EDIT: Plus it looks a lot cooler just sitting around half done than a regular rubics cube.

Also I'm jealous of your edge brownies. I know what my girlfriend is getting for her birthday