I'm awful at picking gifts, but I need to find something by tomorrow night

[Elad]

Help!

A friend of mine (female) is having a birthday Saturday and we're having dinner tomorrow night. I need to find a gift quickly! I totally, completely, 100% suck at picking gifts. :(

I need ideas...

[ewagner]

1. Books are generally safe

Subscriptions are nice if you know what she likes.

Gift certificates to her favorite stores are pretty good.

[daytondem]

2. Something nice from the DU Store :)

[NicoleM]

3. Tell us something about your friend.

[WilliamPitt]

4. This may sound odd

but when I am stuck for gifts, I buy people a chessboard and set.

A nice chessboard and set:

1. Compliments their intelligence;

2. Gives them a fun game;

3. Makes a really nice decorative accent for a home.

If you know what this person's home is like, you can purchase a board and pieces to match. Stone, wood, whatever, lots of colors.

I have always found it to be a winner. Hopefully, there are places near you that sell good sets. Warning: Some can be expensive.

[southerngirlwriter]

15. Pitt, if I didn't know better,

I'd say you were gay.

I have suggested chess sets and given those very reasons to most of my hetero guy friends at least once. My gay friends all seem to grasp the concept without my help. LOL.

[proud patriot]

23. Personal Suana type stuff

Women always ignore themselves and this is a way to give her
an exuse to relax and take some time out for healing .

:loveya:

[WilliamPitt]

25. Yes!

A certificate for a serious massage and self-spoiling. She will worship you. :)

[VelmaD]

28. Yes Yes YES!

I've never met a woman who didn't want to get pampered at a day spa. There's nothing like relaxing and letting someone else take care of your body for a bit. Worship might not be a strong enough word. :)

[Mobius]

34. I have the fantasy of the crystal chess set from danbury mint

it is the coolest thing on earth. No paticular movie they are from. The pawns on the dark side are goblins, and gnomes on the good side. I always get compliments and people that ask ME to play. I also think a repthug, dem chess set would be awesome. Rethugs of course being the dark side.

[TlalocW]

5. Go artistic

http://www.origamiboulder.com/

TlalocW

[GOPisEvil]

6. Search the memory banks of your conversations with her...

..try to cull from that something that she says she is interested in or wants to buy for herself. That way you are almost assured to get a gift that pleases.

[BOSSHOG]

7. My wife is never averse to me giving her a

gift certificate to her favorite store. Some folks say this is somewhat impersonal, however, if your friend likes to shop and you know where she likes to shop then you may be twice a hero. Give it to her in a nice card attached to a bouquet of spring flowers. Chivalry is not dead. It's worked for me for more than 30 years.

[wryter2000]

8. Nice bath salts, etc

I think all women like to get nice collections of bath salts, bubble bath, soaps, etc. If you're near a department store, you can find nice things in the perfume section.

[bratcatinok]

9. Price Range?

Her likes/dislikes?

[Kadie]

10. Gift certificate to a day spa or

books, candles, and flowers are always a nice touch.

[Shrek]

11. Nothing says "I Care" like a Wal-Mart gift card

:evilgrin:

Sorry, just kidding. Can you give some details about your friend. Age, interests, tastes, etc?

[BlueJazz]

12. Buy her a gift certificate at a major store...

Jc Penny, Sears or whatever. I've been in the same "Fix" and Gift Certificates are always appreciated. (I usually spend 25 bucks)

[On the Road]

13. Hint: Don't Think of the Gift, Think of Her

What are her interests? What is her style? What are her complaint, peeves, frustrations, and longings? What is she always talking about? What does she own that is badly in need of replacement?

It may be hard in case of a stranger. But if she's your friend, you probably know enough about her to make a good choice. It could be something not usually in the 'gift' category, but which is perfect for her.

Think of the artwork on her walls. Think of the music she listens to. Think of the books she reads. If you can't come up with something directly, you can go to a music store and ask for suggestions. I do this with my parents: even though I'm clueless about classical music, I tell the clerk that my parents like Vivaldi -- what do they suggest? Works in bookstores as well.

I used to suck at gifts as well. My ex-wife taught me how to think differently about it.

[DemExpat]

14. I always appreciate perfume/cologne....

or certificates from a good book store....

An IOU (creatively made or a simple card and flowers) for a night out to eat/movie is a great gift too IMO.

DemEx

[THUNDER HANDS]

16. a gift certificate to a spa or massage parlor

:)

[VelmaD]

17. Ask her what she'd like

My friends and I tend to be really straight-foward about gifts at this point. Just flat out ask her what she would like. That way you're guaranteed to get her something she wants.

The other good option is a gift certificate from somewhere that sells books and music and movies...that way she can pick. A gift certificate with flowers and a card would probably be good. (The flowers make all the difference.)

[southerngirlwriter]

18. Many good suggestions in this thread.

I like Pitt's suggestion best, but the flowers and a gift certificate idea is also excellent.

[DulceDecorum]

24. I'm with BossHog

You gotta be careful with perfume.
She might not like the odor or worse still, she might think that you are trying to "send a message."

The bottle of perfume that Willie sent
Was highly displeasing to Millicent;
Her thanks were so cold
They quarrelled, I'm told,
Through that silly scent Willie sent Millicent

But the gift cert takes all the guess-work out
and the flowers mean that it is not impersonal.

[caledesi]

19. A nice scented candle.

Do they have "Yankee Candles" in your area? If they do, get one of these. They are the best. My favorite scent is the citrus and teakwood. The whole house smells great.

[ihaveaquestion]

22. I have to walk by these stores quickly.

The smell is just to strong!

[RebelOne]

20. Expensive perfume is always a welcome gift for a woman.

At least, it is to me.

[JVS]

21. A bottle of vodka is generally appreciated. Flowers are good.

the flavored kind (i.e vanilla, strawberry, orange) is usually popular with women.

Flowers are a safe gift because even though they are useless nobody can fault you for giving them.

A good book is also a nice and sensible gift.

[Deb]

26. A hand painted silk scarf n/t

[rbnyc]

27. Blank Book and nice pen...

...wrapped in a silk scarf.

:)

Can't go wrong.

[THUNDER HANDS]

29. A SHRUBBERY!!

sorry, couldn't resist.

:D

[Elad]

30. Excellent ideas!

You guys kick ass! I think I should be ok now, I was entering panic mode. :) Thanks!

[JVS]

31. An assortment of meats and cheeses from Swiss Colony

[chiburb]

32. On what we're paying you,

I'd suggest a gift certificate at WalMart...

Maybe after the next fund drive you can upgrade to Target.

[Mobius]

33. Books are safe, bath stuff says I didnt take any time to pick a good gift

Stay away from the gift certificates too. (also other people are highly likely to have given this already)Please tell me she is not cooking dinner. Go to a restaurant, people SHOULD NOT COOK on their birthdays. It would be helpful if I knew a bit more about this person, but I will take a stab in the dark. Id like to humbly suggest Pier 1 Imports , or a store like it near you. They have these really cool mini tiffany lamp tea light holders. One of these with several different packs of scented tealights, would be just delightful. 2 matching ones would be better. If you fear this wont match her living space, pick a tealight hoilder that does. Throw in a set of new towels (bath size, hand size, and washcloth sets)to match her bathroom too you cheap ass, good luck :7
edited to say, I dont consider towels bathstuff. Well they are actually, hence the clever namesake, but I was more referring to bath salts and soaps etc. This also relates to perfume being a bad gift. People have senstive skin. You want to give her blisters all over her body? Oh yeah shell remember your gift then! Perfumes are HIGHLY personal. DONT GET HER PERFUME FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! :cry:

[Mobius]

35. earrings are always good

bracelets and rings are too personal. Nice sterling silver drop earrings with her birthstone would be superb. If you budget is a little higher, go white gold. Aquamarine is her birthstone by the way. My moms birthday is today too. OH CRAP I GOTTA GO TO AMAZON!