One more something for son's girlfriend -- Thoughts?

[Jenny in Florida]

We made a conscious decision to scale back a bit this year, not necessarily in terms of money spent but in terms of keeping up all of the traditions and such. For example, we opted not to do stockings. 

It's just my husband and me home full-time these days, and I can't work up the energy to jump through all the usual hoops and also try to figure out how to keep up all of that stuff around the erratic schedules of the young adults in our lives.

However, we were wrapping gifts the other night, and I realized that the pickings are a little slim for my son's girlfriend. They've been together for well over a year and have been living together for months, so it's a solid, serious relationship. And I like her a lot. However, because of the complicated situation with his ex, we just haven't spent enough time with the current girlfriend to know her really well. 

So far, we have:

• a nice bento kit with matching insulated bag (because she commented on the one I used to bring her lunch on Thanksgiving)
• a set of three small scented candles (because we know that's something she likes)
• a Loungefly Jurassic Park backpack (because my son said it was on her wishlist)
• some cute cookies/treats and a toy for her dog (which will be tagged to her dog from ours)

We are also gifting both of them a basket full of goodies to cook a nice pasta dinner.

When I type it out here, it looks okay, but it just feels  . . . thin. 

In terms of what she enjoys/likes:

• She loves theatre and is, like our son, a part-time professional performer. Under normal circumstances, we might do tickets to something, but that's kind of risky at the moment.
• She is into nerdy things, but not devoted to any particular fandom.
• She enjoys theme parks, but already has a pass for Universal and free admission to WDW through us pretty much whenever.
• She loves her dog.
• She's a vegan. (Last year, she was relatively new to the vegan thing, and we leaned into it hard. I don't want to repeat that. My husband doesn't know, because I bought stuff for him, too, but I did order a bunch of nice vegan chocolates I plan to tuck into gift bags and hand out in place of the stockings we're not doing.)

Last year, we did the traditional "new girlfriend we don't know well" gifts of a fuzzy blanket and matching socks. 

And, yes, we asked our son. The backpack was his suggestion, and I managed to get him to tell me her favorite colors when I was buying the bento.

I browsed the small boutique-type stores in the downtown district last night and came up with nothing. 

Suggestions? I have the afternoon today and all day tomorrow off, so I can hit stores as necessary. And we have all the usual suspects available for shopping. I don't patronize Walmart, but most other chains and box stores are fair game.

 

[momto3innc]

Super simple but what if you got a Whole Foods gift card and attached it to the Bento present? That way she could pick out some fun lunch things for the first time she uses it.

I know gift cards aren’t super personal but attached to the gift, it could be a nice addition.

[Laura Corin]

Last year, for daughter's (at the time) girlfriend I bought a new yoga mat (I knew she wanted one) a scented oil burner like this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/oil-burner-set/p/hbp60288657

and a warm but delicate scarf like this: https://corrymoor.com/scarves/20-mohair-scarves

[Pippen]

Does she like science geeky things?  We have a local shop with interesting rocks and minerals with widely ranging prices. I've also picked up a few things along those lines at Home Goods--book ends and such.

A fun light string or Bell Jar Lamp

[Katy]

I like the Whole Foods gift card idea. Even if she doesn’t have one near her she can order online. Or pick up takeout when going to a place that doesn’t have vegan food. 

[Dianthus]

I think that sounds like enough.

Does she like scarves?

Is she crafty? I would love to start making beeswax candles, even though I'm not crafty. But you said she likes candles.

[happi duck]

Limited to brick and mortar is hard!

Target seems to always have cute useful things!  Do they have a Christmas tree?  Maybe some ornaments or other Christmas or winter decoration?

A bouquet of flowers?  (are those safe with dogs?)

Is there any Jurassic Park themed games?

[Tap]

If they like games, I would suggest Codenames. It is a great game and comes in a regular version and a couples version. It is pretty easy to find in stores for a last minute purchase. A cooperative game is also good like Pandemic. I would make sure to do a gift receipt for a game, just incase they already have it. My son-in-law doesn't really like games but will play these and another I sent them called Hive. It is very loosely played like chess. He also likes a simple game called Bang, which has some simulated gun play, so it isn't for anyone.  

 

This is what I bought for my 20's-years-old kids, so maybe it will give you an idea

For my 23yo son-in-law:

A Belkin wireless charger for his Iphone, Apple Watch and airpods.

USB-C charging block and cord

Sweat pants (jogger style, but specifically with zipper pockets)

Flavored almonds

His favorite Jerky

3 pair of Stance cotton socks

$$$ towards a flight simulation game with the controllers

 

DD23

Calendar

Vitamix food processor attachment

PJs and Robe

Wool socks

Wood kitchen spatula

Oil diffuser

Sweater

Tea

Fruit filled chocolate

$ for a new vinyl record

Athleta gift card

Yoga mat 

 

DS27

Games (he is an avid board game player)

Skillet

Wood spatula

Sweater

 

DVD/CD/Blu Ray player that works over bluetooth

Nice bluetooth speaker

$ for a new CD (he likes actual CDs instead of digital music)

Chocolates, but he found them and started to eat them already (thinking they were for the family) so if I go to a store, I will get him something else.

 

 

 

[Jenny in Florida]

1 hour ago, momto3innc said:

Super simple but what if you got a Whole Foods gift card and attached it to the Bento present? That way she could pick out some fun lunch things for the first time she uses it.

I know gift cards aren’t super personal but attached to the gift, it could be a nice addition.

Oh, I kind of love this idea. The bento kit is already wrapped, but we use cloth bags, so I can probably get back into the package and add a gift card.

Thanks!

[Jenny in Florida]

34 minutes ago, happi duck said:

Limited to brick and mortar is hard!

Target seems to always have cute useful things!  Do they have a Christmas tree?  Maybe some ornaments or other Christmas or winter decoration?

A bouquet of flowers?  (are those safe with dogs?)

Is there any Jurassic Park themed games?

They didn't do a Christmas tree this year, because the house they share with another couple is too full of stuff at the moment. (One roommate is supposed to move out in a few months.)

I like the idea of a Jurassic Park game. Off to check . . .

[Hilltopmom]

A nice water bottle- yeti or hydro flask, even if she already has one because they are awesome. Or a themed travel mug (Disney something)- or a plain one even.. we can always use another. With some fancy tea bags or mini coffee samples.

Even if last year you did socks and a throw, it’s ok to add that again. With a dog last years may be grubby by now 

Scented lotion, body scrub, etc if she’s not allergic and you can find vegan items locally.

Nice looking note pad with fancy pen.

colored pencils with adult coloring book - some fun themed ones out there or just a generic mandala type 

Edited December 23, 2021 by Hilltopmom

[Lori D.]

UK National Theater's streaming option? It is unlimited viewing of recorded plays done by the National Theater.
1 month = $12.99
1 year = $129

(Last year, when covid was full-on during the summer, they did free streaming of a play per week, and we got to see some really great theater all summer.)

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by Lori D.

[AbcdeDooDah]

Your gifts sound lovely and like you put a lot of personal thought into them! I like the gift card with the bento box idea. 

[Jenny in Florida]

9 minutes ago, Lori D. said:

UK National Theater's streaming option? It is unlimited viewing of recorded plays done by the National Theater.
1 month = $12.99
1 year = $129

(Last year, when covid was full-on during the summer, they did free streaming of a play per week, and we got to see some really great theater all summer.)

 

I actually thought about that this morning. (I got a promo email.) They already have a bunch of streaming services, though, and they work a lot. So I just don't know how much they would use it.

Great suggestion, though!

[Kareni]

3 hours ago, Pippen said:

A fun light string...

I'll second this. We have a string of lights that we keep in a colorful vase on our coffee table year-round. It's adds some friendly ambience.

Regards,

Kareni

[happi duck]

25 minutes ago, Kareni said:

I'll second this. We have a string of lights that we keep in a colorful vase on our coffee table year-round. It's adds some friendly ambience.

Regards,

Kareni

I missed that idea.  We also use fairy lights all year round!  

[ktgrok]

A mug for dog lovers? Mugs are nice gifts. 

[Carol in Cal.]

Might she not yet have “There She Glows”?  It’s a vegan cookbook that is a bit unusual and that was recommended highly in a nutrition class I took.  I’ve liked the recipes from it that I have tasted, and I’m not vegan.