Gifts

[Phoebe]

Okay, middle-aged gentlemen, what gifts do those of your kind desire? I feel like you're not yet quite old enough to get only food gifts, socks, and Old Spice, but I have no idea what y'all want because you've already acquired all the basics and now express enthusiasm only for things in the toy store.

[Tahlvin]

Seldom does my wife by me presents anymore, nor I her. Although I do occasionally buy flowers. But usually, if there's a birthday or holiday coming up that involves the giving of presents, we'll buy something for ourselves and say to the other, "Thanks for buying me X."

[Mike]

A shared folder on the Google drive with a wish list document for each member of the family.

Each person makes up their own list and is responsible for updating it (some of them need frequent reminders). Where possible, paste in links to the actual item.

Now, whenever you need to buy a gift for someone, just look at the list. My personal list is mostly dice and games and nanoblocks and stuff like that, plus a few clothes with sizes noted, and a charity people could give to in my name. My wife has dozens and dozens of things 9n her list from dollar-store type stuff for her class to Amazon links to shoes she likes to a vacation in Ireland. Whatever your price range, there's something there. And for her, the magic is that she has so many items listed that you can still surprise her. When our oldest finally figured out how useful the list was, he started buying her stuff right off of ther. And she was amazed, "Oh my God, it's perfect. How did you know?" And he says, "I clicked the link you put on the list." And she says, "I really had this on the list? Wow! I have good taste."

But all of our boys are teen or older, and two of them appreciate the lists from both a giving and receiving standpoint. So maybe it's more suited to us, but you have a very smart family.

The objective is really to remember every time you see something you like, just write it down. You're not buying your own gifts or forcing someone else to your will. You are providing a range of options. It's a gift registry, really.

There you go, I should have started with "gift registry" and saved myself a thousand words. You get the idea.