Christmas Present Dilemma

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

OK--I need some advice from the diplomatic and opportunistic types around here alike.

My Mother-in-Law is in town, helping us with the baby while I work on the final stages of my dissertation. Big help. But here's the thing. She wants to buy our Christmas presents here, to take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar, and also so we don't have to haul them back home with us after we're in Calgary for Christmas. So basically, she wants us to tell her what we want, and she'll buy it for us now.

So far, so good, right? Except that she told me I was to spend 200 dollars on a gift for myself. I think that's a ridiculous amount of money--I never spend more than 50 on a Christmas present. But just in case you think that's a good problem to have, I literally can't think of anything I want that costs that much. Seriously. And it's not like I can just go with less--last year I asked for Elbow pads and the in-laws had a huge (and weird) panic attack because they were only 60 dollars, and wouldn't let it go until I added a Flames practice jersey to the purchase--which I didn't really even want, though I do use it from time to time.

So what do I do? I have all the hockey equipment I need. I suppose I could upgrade something, but I don't need anything. I like books, but I have most of the ones I need, and it would have to be like 20 of them. My wife chose "clothes"--which I guess I could do, but that seems like a waste, since I don't need much, and I know I'll get clothes from my family.

Any suggestions?

[KevanGuy]

Beer.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Beer.

You win. Other answers need not apply!

[Eastern Girl]

Maybe some dvd's. That's probably what I would go for, as I am a dvd addict.

... well, I guess I didn't need to reply. KG won.

[OILFAN #81]

Hookers and Blow.

[redforever]

Got a new baby? Working on your dissertation? Not enough time in the day? Hard to keep the romance going?

How about a few gift certificates, maybe one or two for some restaurants, maybe some movie passes? Then you and your wife could go out here and there. And maybe MIL will throw in a bit of cash to pay the babysitter?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by redforever

Got a new baby? Working on your dissertation? Not enough time in the day? Hard to keep the romance going?

How about a few gift certificates, maybe one or two for some restaurants, maybe some movie passes? Then you and your wife could go out here and there. And maybe MIL will throw in a bit of cash to pay the babysitter?

Wow. That's actually a really good idea. Thanks!

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Hookers and Blow.

If you get that from your Mother In Law I will worship at your feet.

[feartheflames]

an 30 gig ipod holds about 20,000 thousand song and if you link it to your car you will have tunes forever... other than that your wife just had a baby... find some way to pamper her.... maybe get a joint gift you both will enjoy

[jolinar of malkshor]

Ask them to put the money in a RESP for your kid or a bond for your kid.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Ask them to put the money in a RESP for your kid or a bond for your kid.

That's another really good idea--we're just planning to open an RESP for our daughter in the next week, actually--she inherited 1000 dollars from her great-grandma. 200 more bucks would actually make a big difference in the long run is my guess.

[J pold]

Threesome?

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by J pold

Threesome?

LMAO.

I guess that's how he'll find out what the wife is like in say 20 years right?

Honestly though, that idea of having an evening out with your wife (movie passes, dinner passes, hiring a babysitter) is the one I like.

Also maybe along those lines, tickets to a hockey game for you and your wife while she watches the baby?

[RougeUnderoos]

It may be slightly sacreligious saying this here on the internet and the googles and all that but what about a big fancy atlas?

I've always wanted me one of them but I'm too cheap and I ain't got a generous mother-in-law

[Ford Prefect]

I really like Jolinar's RESP idea. Our daughter is a couple year's away from starting university and there is just no way a person can sock enough into an RESP. We started when she was two, and we have enough stored up for a couple years of university, but we can't cover it all. Plus, we started off planning for four years but she wants to become a vet so we're looking at 7 years not 4. The more money you can sock away now the better since you never know how much you're going to need.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

It may be slightly sacreligious saying this here on the internet and the googles and all that but what about a big fancy atlas?

I've always wanted me one of them but I'm too cheap and I ain't got a generous mother-in-law

Not sacrilegious at all. I have one and I love it. But then, I'm a huge geek.

It's on the old side--maybe it's time for a new one!

[corporatejay]

Books, DVDs, video games always a popular choice.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

It may be slightly sacreligious saying this here on the internet and the googles and all that but what about a big fancy atlas?

I've always wanted me one of them but I'm too cheap and I ain't got a generous mother-in-law

Ooh. I don't know if you're kidding, but this is the one I vote for. 4x4=mapfreak. My uncle has a wicked wall mounted world map that must be ~10'x6'. And atlases. I actually jettisoned 3kg of clothing when moving home from Italy to bring this 'Atlante' with me.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Ask them to put the money in a RESP for your kid or a bond for your kid.

Bingo! And we have a winner here folks!

I vote for Jolinar and his idea.

[bigtmac19]

I think both the various gift certificate ideas, and the RESP ideas are excellent.