Gift Queries, Generally?

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1601 Location: Washington, D.C.

I've titled this thread generally for others to use for their own queries, but I have a specific question.

My best friend's birthday is this month. She's a woman in her 40's who is married and has a son who is four years old. She works for Fannie Mae ... unfortunately. That's beside the point, however, she is not a romance reader but she loved "The Tea Rose" by Jennifer Donnelly. She also used to study architecture, although she's not an architect. (I already got her the book "Loving Frank," about Frank Lloyd Wright.)

Anybody have suggestions on a birthday gift? I've run out. She likes to cook. She's very health conscious. She likes to go to movies, as well.

She's a tired working mom.

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1596

I'd give her a gift certificate for a manicure and/or a pedicure. It's time purely to herself, it's definitely a splurge, and she gets pampered for an hour -- what's not to like?

Gail K. · Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 1292

What about DVDs from the Food Network?

Personally, I own the Jamie Oliver collection.

bookbug · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 300 Location: California USA

If she likes to read but not romances why not give her a historical fiction book about architecture?
.
The one that most comes to mind is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It is all about building an ancient catherdral in medieval England in the 1100's.
One of the most fab books I've read and I'm not an architect! Flying butresses and stained glass window making along with love, murder conflict in the middle ages what could be better?

There is always the body gifts as mentioned above- manicure pedicure, massage facial etc. Or the Iron Chef America DVD's I love those! That could be nice too! Laughing

TTFN
bookbug Smile

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Charlotte McClain · Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 392 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

I'd suggest Sugar Lemon Body Wash from fresh (lower case intentional.) Last year I got it as a gift and loved it. The scent is wonderful and it leaves your skin feeling really soft, great for shaving. It's $25, but worth every penny.
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xina · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 6627 Location: minneapolis

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1601 Location: Washington, D.C.

These are all good suggestions. I never thought I'd say this, but thank god Christmas is around the corner. (Ugh.)

That book sounds interesting, although I don't know whether my friend has already read it. I gave her a book recently that was over 700 pages long and she shrinked from it. Wink

I guess that's a side effect of having a kid to run after. No time for long novels! But, she might like Follett's, even so.

The DVD is a good idea too, and if I changed my mind about it, I certainly would have no problem keeping it myself. (That's the best strategy for buying presents, in fact! Buy things you would have no problem keeping.) Rather than Jamie Oliver, though, who is yummy himself ... as well as his food, I thought about Ina Garten since she fascinates me. She's like Martha Stewart with a less intimidating persona.

But, carry on, please.... Very Happy

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1596

I had another thought about a gift for your friend: what about a set of movie DVDs? She and her husband probably aren't going out much, so it might be nice to give them 3 or so DVDs of movies they can watch together in the evening after their toddler goes to bed. I have no idea what kind of films she likes, but classics like "His Girl Friday" or "The Princess Bride" or whatever might be fun for them. I'd stick to ones that, in a few years when their son is able to play movies himself (which will happen when he wakes up at 6 AM on a Saturday and his parents are still asleep), won't be too sexual or violent for him.

Gail K. · Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 1292

Speaking of Ina Garten, whose house and husband I want (when I am her age, of course)...I've given the following recipe card set to newlyweds, etc. Might help your friend out when planning for a romantic meal (sans toddler).

bookbug · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 300 Location: California USA

Where can you buy the Sugar Lemon Body Wash from fresh?

I would really appreciate knowing. It sounds wonderful but I don't shop much. Embarassed

Thanks!

BTW Sandlynn, what did you end up getting for your friends birthday?

TTFN
bookbug Smile

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A good friend will help you move; a Great friend will help you move the body! Smile

Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1601 Location: Washington, D.C.

Kass · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 722 Location: under a cockatiel

Give her a gift certificate to a local bookstore and let her choose her own book. I've found, at least for myself, that others are terrible at picking books for me. They either get me books I already have or books I would never choose to keep in a million years.
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Charlotte McClain · Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 392 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

bookbug · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 300 Location: California USA

Thanks Charlotte McClain! I'll be scoping on line after I finish here!

TTFN
bookbug Smile

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A good friend will help you move; a Great friend will help you move the body! Smile

monarda · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 30

You can also get the sugar lemon body was on ebay for much less! There are several brand new ones, if you want to check...