All-Purpose Holiday Shopping Help

[Ace]

I figure many of us are probably just starting our Christmas shopping and likely looking for a good deal.

So think of this as a thread for gift idea that don't break the bank.

Looking for anyone with experience with Restaurant.com. I see you can get five $100 gift cards for $40 or five $50 gift cards for $25.

Would this be a good gift for parents in another city or a spouse for dinners out, or are the hoops you have to jump through to reedem them such that you end up looking like a cheapskate?

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

I have some limited experience with them, and it's never been a hassle to redeem them. Some of the times I've wanted to give those out for gifts out-of-towners, there were VERY limited selection of participating restaurants in some areas.

That's the only red flag we've run into.

 

[imjustagirl]

On another note: I strongly recommend Kohl's if you're looking for home decor or some simple clothing.

Got a sweater and slacks for my mom, sweater, button-down shirt and a wallet for my dad, a scarf/hat/gloves combo for my mom and some stocking stuff. Total ticket price: $344. I paid $132.

Christmas shopping done. Boom!

 

[dooley_womack1]

21 says he's a little busy right now.

 

[imjustagirl]

If 21 can talk, he's not busy enough.

 

[spikechiquet]

I figure many of us are probably just starting our Christmas shopping and likely looking for a good deal.

So think of this as a thread for gift idea that don't break the bank.

Looking for anyone with experience with Restaurant.com. I see you can get five $100 gift cards for $40 or five $50 gift cards for $25.

Would this be a good gift for parents in another city or a spouse for dinners out, or are the hoops you have to jump through to reedem them such that you end up looking like a cheapskate?

Read the fine print! A lot of these have stipulations. For example, to use the $25 gift certificate, you have to spend at least 35 bucks...which means your "gift" is costing your giftee 10 bucks off the top, plus tip.

 

[Moderator1]

Done with stores. Online at this point or it doesn't get done. With school out, every teacher and kid will add to an already crowded scene. No thanks.

WOOT is too slow, so getting that stuff by Christmas won't work. I'm about done anyway.

Amazon's deal of the day is often a VERY good deal. A watch I bought recently was on there the other day - at about half of what I paid.

 

[Lieslntx]

Ace, have you tried Groupon for some gifts for your out of town people? Sign up for it using the various towns that people you buy for live in. I buy stuff for my daughter in her town all the time. And they have more than just restaurant offers. Lots of great stuff and I have never had a problem with any Groupon offer that I've purchased. I recently bought her a tune up and oil change for $11. And she just bought 2 hours of trapeze lessons for her and her boyfriend. The costs savings are amazing. I think she paid $25 for both of them. The ladies and I at work buy them all the time for the restaurant across the street from work that we like to frequent after work. We get a $25 gift card for $10. They really do have some great offers that are unique to the town.

 

[Care Bear]

Trapeze lessons? That is fan-****ing-tastic.

My sweet stoner sibling and her stoner husband would absolutely attend those lessons high. I would pay so much money for the chance to watch those two fools hit the net on every single attempt. Flailing through the air. Holy ****, I'm just laughing at the thought of it.

I'm going to research this immediately.

 

[Ace]

Thanks, tx. Good idea. I think I'll get trapeze lessons for my parents.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

We get my in-laws a GC from a bed and breakfast or local restaurant.
They are both retired and GC's allow them to pick the date. My wife puts the GC's in a basket with brochures from the area (antique shops, shopping malls, local restaurants and attractions).
They really seem to enjoy it.

We ordered the stuff Saturday and we got it (all of it) in the mail Monday.

 

[bigpern23]

I figure many of us are probably just starting our Christmas shopping and likely looking for a good deal.

So think of this as a thread for gift idea that don't break the bank.

Looking for anyone with experience with Restaurant.com. I see you can get five $100 gift cards for $40 or five $50 gift cards for $25.

Would this be a good gift for parents in another city or a spouse for dinners out, or are the hoops you have to jump through to reedem them such that you end up looking like a cheapskate?

Read the fine print! A lot of these have stipulations. For example, to use the $25 gift certificate, you have to spend at least 35 bucks...which means your "gift" is costing your giftee 10 bucks off the top, plus tip.

Yeah, that's been my experience too. On $50 gift certificate I got ended up costing me $45. I've gotten two others from restaurant.com and the restaurants were about an hour drive from where I live. I never got around to using them and lost them during the move. I feel bad that my mother wasted probably $50 between the two of them on something that never got used.

 

[Lieslntx]

Thanks, tx. Good idea. I think I'll get trapeze lessons for my parents.

Were you being sarcastic? I was just using the trapeze as an example of the awesome options that Groupon has.

 

[EStreetJoe]

I figure many of us are probably just starting our Christmas shopping and likely looking for a good deal.

So think of this as a thread for gift idea that don't break the bank.

Looking for anyone with experience with Restaurant.com. I see you can get five $100 gift cards for $40 or five $50 gift cards for $25.

Would this be a good gift for parents in another city or a spouse for dinners out, or are the hoops you have to jump through to reedem them such that you end up looking like a cheapskate?

If you really want to save money catch Restaurant.com when they sell the $25 gift certificates for $3.
However before you buy for a restaurant read the fine print to see when it can be redeemed. I forgot to to do that for one restaurant near me, tried using it at dinner and the gift certificate was only valid at lunch time.

 

[Ace]

Thanks, tx. Good idea. I think I'll get trapeze lessons for my parents.

Were you being sarcastic? I was just using the trapeze as an example of the awesome options that Groupon has.

I think Groupon is a much better idea than restaurant.com. Probably not trapeze lessons, though.

 

[Moderator1]

I just looked up some deal for The Queen that she saw on The Today Show for restaurant.com - spend $30 and get a $500 gift certificate? Seems way too good to be true. You buy it, then go on and pick your restaurants until you've spent your 500. Pick one, print and go. No expiration date.

Seems way way way too good to be true. Am I wrong?

 

[YankeeFan]

I buy my brothers and their families deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/

They each get a four pack of frozen pizzas. It's not the cheapest present, but the kids freaking love them and look forward to them every year. And, my brothers love them because it gives 'em a free, hassle free meal (or two) during Christmas week, which is always crazy.

And, it means I don't have to travel with gifts, (or ship them ahead of time) or wrap them. Totally worth it for me.

I ordered them a while ago, and they'll be there tomorrow.

But, there's still time to order.

It obviously makes the most sense for someone who's from Chicago, or maybe if you know someone who loves Chicago & deep dish.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

I buy my brothers and their families deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/

They each get a four pack of frozen pizzas. It's not the cheapest present, but the kids freaking love them and look forward to them every year. And, my brothers love them because it gives 'em a free, hassle free meal (or two) during Christmas week, which is always crazy.

And, it means I don't have to travel with gifts, (or ship them ahead of time) or wrap them. Totally worth it for me.

I ordered them a while ago, and they'll be there tomorrow.

But, there's still time to order.

It obviously makes the most sense for someone who's from Chicago, or maybe if you know someone who loves Chicago & deep dish.

I'd rather have a box full of Italian Beef sandwiches and maybe some hot dogs from Portillo's, but that's just personal preference.

We get the Lou Malnati's as a gift for my wife's birthday every year from her Chicago-based brother and his family, and you're right - that's something that never disappoints.

 

[imjustagirl]

I just looked up some deal for The Queen that she saw on The Today Show for restaurant.com - spend $30 and get a $500 gift certificate? Seems way too good to be true. You buy it, then go on and pick your restaurants until you've spent your 500. Pick one, print and go. No expiration date.

Seems way way way too good to be true. Am I wrong?

According to this: http://hip2save.com/2011/12/20/steals-and-deals-ann-taylor-faux-fur-tea-hair-styling-tools-and-more/

It's legit. Go to the link in that article, put in the promo code (TodayRestaurant) and profit. The $500 doesn't expire, apparently. But the deal itself, according to the link I posted, lasts about 24 hours. So you'd better buy it early tomorrow.

Hell, I might have to do that myself.

EDIT: The Restaurant.com site says it is 12/20 only. So you have 10 minutes.

 

[Buck]

I'm doing all of my shopping tomorrow after work.
I have ideas for all gifts except my boss.
I always get hims something funny and/or unique, but I'm drawing a complete blank.