I have a few stock gifts that I fall back on when I can't think of anything else. Big point for me: is it likely to be something they'll actually use? I hate getting stuff that I know I'll eventually give to Goodwill w/o having used it.

Here's a few of mine, but please, help me out, I'm starting to repeat -- I'm going to have to keep records at this rate so I don't repeat with the same person:

Smoked salmon. Costco has a two pack of about a pound each of smoked salmon in an aluminum pouch in a box. About $16 for the 2 pack. Wild Alaskan.

The little miner's headlamp type flashlights. The smallest ones are around $20.

Liquid soap. Trader Joes has some nice stuff for around $3 to $4 bucks.

Shampoo. I bought one of my nieces some Avalon Organics lavender shampoo a few years back and she told me recently she still uses that brand. I get it at Whole Foods. Really nice, much better than average. Only about $5 or $6.

I gave my sister a DVD of "Winged Migration" a couple of years ago and they took it with them when they went to stay at her father in law's bedside as he was about to pass away. He could hardly speak but they watched the DVD with him and said that it pleased him greatly. If you've not seen it, trust your little flower child buddy here, it is some kind of accomplishment. My brother-in-law has shown me a lot of respect since.

Costco has a 5 pack of those folding pocket knives that have a utility knife blade, quick change, and 10 spare blades per knife. About $18. I'm going to go back and get another 5 pack.

For any macho men in your circle, try a video/DVD of "Muhammed Ali, through the eyes of the world." Great flick -- I gave it as a gift to a man I'd worked for, way richer than me, and his wife sent a thank you note telling me how much he'd liked it. More on boxing videos at this old thread:

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Dang, I gave all my friends the gift of an MB lugnut keychain... I had like 100 of them in my garage from buying various wheels... Took them to my buddies shop, drilled a hole in it, and put a keychain in it.. Voila. Simple, yet very creative, especially for my car friends...

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Macallans and cigars these never ever get re-gifted...

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I would re-gift the cigars, unless it came with a moustache, glasses and a black morning coat.

Hey, how'd you get that picture of me?

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Wine or that person's favorite spirit is always a great gift.

Really any consumable is always (or should be!) appreciated. Ditto for sporting event or concert tickets.

To my mind, gifts that involve DOING something are always superior to HAVING something.

Hey, that is a GREAT suggestion. Maybe somebbody will get ME that for Christmas this year. . . . you see, SOMEbody threw the last of MY MacCallans out the last time they were pi$$ed off at me.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Anyone who loves Scotch owes it to him (or her) self to try one of Springbank's various malts. You will not be disappointed - I promise.

Those are all good suggestions but half of my family are Mormons, or lean that way even if they long ago dropped out, like me, so alcohol and tobacco are not usually gonna work.

I reread my OP and I sorta sound like a male Martha Stewart wannabe.

Oh well, I like good soap and shampoo way better than the cheap stuff, so if that makes me a connoisseur of 'foo-foo' soaps, so be it.

Finding inexpensive gifts for my nieces and nephews that are not junk is the tricky part, cause no way do I want to spend $bank on something they're going to secretly roll their eyes at.

I gave all of nephews (3 total) swiss army knives at various points and those were a hit, bit I don't usually want to spend $40+ on those little monsters (not so little actually, ages 15 and up).

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

You might at some point in time consider a Belomo triplet magnifier.

There was a time when one could be had for $12 or so; I think they go for $20+ now. The quality is such that it's wholly suitable for an adult, but it's also a dynamite gift for any young person with even a smidgen of curiosity about the world.

Look at a plant.
Look at an insect.
Look at a few grains of salt.
Look at your skin.
Look at the pads of your fingers.
Look at the fabric of your shirt.
Look at the surfaces of a machined part.
Look at a coin or banknote.
Look at a postage stamp.
Look at a printed picture in a newspaper or magazine.
Look at the pixels on a monitor or flat panel television.
and so on...

There's a whole world of detail to be revealed by something as simple, elegant, and approachable as a decent 10X loupe.

I might see if I can get a bulk discount, buy 3, and keep one for myself. The eyes don't work as well as they used to. My Swiss Army knife, "Explorer," has a magnifying glass on it, quality, but it's small.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

A gift in someone's name to this organization:

http://www.heifer.org

is a fine, FINE idea for someone.

Check it out.