Gifts for someone who is wealthy?

Maxy24

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#1
My oldest brother (he's 29) is very well off and we're...not. We're all having a really hard time buying him anything for Christmas. He just moved into a new apartment and he doesn't really have any kitchen stuff so I have gotten him a cheese cutting/serving board with cheese knives, not sure if he'll actually like it though, it doesn't seem like something he'd care a lot about but who knows. I really couldn't come up with anything.

My parents haven't bought him anything. He doesn't like gift cards. He said not to buy him clothes because we can't afford the brands he wears. He's also sort of upset that we are having such a hard time coming up with stuff, he thinks we should just know what he wants because we're his family. The thing is we see him on holidays and birthdays and that's about it. Plus whenever we think of anything he might like we know he already has it because he's so well off. He wants for nothing. If there is anything he needs he goes and buys it.

What do you buy for someone like that? It's hard because he is very expensive tastes and can be a bit snotty but is also kind of childish. It's so hard to tell if he'll find something cheap and stupid. It's also hard to tell if he'll appreciate something that's very "adult"...like the cheese stuff I bought him.

His hobbies are basically drinking and travelling, plus an obsession with fantasy football. Last year they bought him all sorts of drinking stuff so they can't think of anything else related to that they could get.

Any ideas?
 

joce

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#2
I'd tell him to suck it up and give him a card and some underwear honestly. I mean really?!

But for peoe who really don't NEED anything that's who I get personalized ornaments for with dogs or cats on them or old family pictures.

Dont let him guilt you guys! It's Christmas! It's about time and not gifts!
 

Fran101

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#3
First off he has a very sucky attitude.

I usually give more well off friends things like "Friend coupon books" of favors/stuff to do together.
Gift baskets/"emergency kits" (I made a friend a breakup emergency kit with her favorite movies, chocolate etc..)

If all else fails I get a cute knit something on etsy and lie and say I made it but that has backfired before..
 

RBark

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#4
+1 on his sucky attitude.

The best thing I got this year was handcrafted by someone.

I was really happy!
 
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#6
I'd probably give him nothing, and if he asks why I didn't, tell him to fix his attitude if he wants me spending ANY of my money on him.
 

Dizzy

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#8
No one I buy for wants for anything. I don't want for anything..... Just think outside the box and don't worry so much! We normally just buy one another silly things. Booze, silly gadgets you won't play with after a day, silly books, food stuff etc. At the end of the day when it comes to people who have everything you won't find anything. So just chill.

This year I bought my brother a curry night subscription! He gets spices delivered once a month lol. I bought my sister a wine glass with a small measure, large measure and 'her name' measure. My partner has got a novelty Jesus cheese grater and a jigsaw amongst other useless stuff.
 

Xandra

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#11
He likes drinking, buy him his favorite booze. Booze and a cheese knives (which everyone needs. seriously have you tried cutting cheese with a regular knife, ugh) are a fine gift and if he complains about it just give your condolences.
 

GoingNowhere

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#12
Provided that he actually said those things and they're not just inferences that you have made, I agree with the bad attitude.

That said, I have a similar issue being that I am a recent college grad supporting myself, but am from an upper middle class family. Any gift that I could afford to buy for my parents, they could easily afford to buy for themselves (and in a better brand). Likewise, although I recognize that it's the thought that counts, if I am going to invest time and money into a gift, I always want the recipient to truly like the thought behind it as well as the actual gift itself. Therefore, now that I'm not a kid anymore, I've been trying to refrain from ugly handdrawn pictures and such for my parents, even though they have always welcomed such things with a genuine smile.

Instead, I end up having to be quite creative. Here are a few ideas from my own experiences:

1) If you brother is really into his alma mater and they have a decent football team, you could get him a college signature football signed by the coach. I did this for my boyfriend last year. Signed footballs from this particular coach sell for several hundred dollars, but with a few well placed emails, I was allowed to come in to his office to have him sign and personalize a football for my boyfriend on a particular date. The signing was free and the football cost about $20.

2) Do you have any particular artsy talents? If you are great at photography, art, or some other marketable skill, you could make something for him. If it's a photo or piece of artwork, you can often find cheap, large frames at thrift stores.

3) Does he work out? Exercise paraphenalia can range in price.

4) Have you thought about getting him something that is of a very nice brand, but on the smaller/less expensive side? For example, if he smokes cigars, you could probably get him a relatively nice cigar or two without breaking your bank. Note that I actually know nothing about cigars and was just trying to highlight the iea that a little bit/ small item of a good brand isn't necessarily going to be too expensive.

5) I made a "taste of home" recipe book for some members of my family this year. I made the book on shutterfly. Mine was all-inclusive, but if you have specific meals that your family makes for each holiday, you could make a "taste of home for the holidays" book and include all of your family holiday recipes. Since he is likely now living away from home, he might appreciate having the family recipes so he doesn't lose them. I got a coupon for a free 8x8 hard cover shutterfly book for spending more than $10 at a national park gift store. With that, I only had to pay shipping and tax of ~ $9 (for a $30 or $35 value!).

6) On the flip side, if he hates to cook, you could make him mason jar meals so that he can eat healthfully, but easily. I plan to make some potato soup in a jar recipes. Once received, the recipient just has to add hot water and it's good to eat! Cookies in a jar are easy too.

6) He likes to travel. Does he have a travel journal or something of that sort?

Good luck!
 

eddieq

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#13
What's your budget? Donate that amount to a charity in his name.
 

Ozfozz

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#14
What's your budget? Donate that amount to a charity in his name.
^^^ Love that idea. Would he be open to that?



If not, I'm always a fan of things that can be used/eaten. Booze, edible arrangements, functional stuff like hygiene stuff and whatnot.
 

JacksonsMom

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#15
My uncle is extremely well off and he used to get his feelings hurt that we never got him anything. But he wasn't really having a bad attitude about it, he just honestly was hurt that he felt like all he ever got was cards. But really, all he ever "did" for us was write a check and put it in a card too... lol, so I guess not much effort was put into his stuff either, but we've gotten better. But he also used to live in another state so it was harder -- now that he lives here, this year I am doing photos of his dog and framing them for him. Actually, I don't have a ton of money this year, so I'm doing lots of photos for everyone that I've taken throughout the year- whether of their dogs or their kids.

Do you have any kind of family picture maybe from when you guys were kids? Maybe get a copy and get that framed -- sentimental, thoughtful, and cheap. Or find an artist to draw it.
 

JacksonsMom

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#16
^^^ Love that idea. Would he be open to that?



If not, I'm always a fan of things that can be used/eaten. Booze, edible arrangements, functional stuff like hygiene stuff and whatnot.
I literally love getting things like deodorant, floss, mouthwash, etc, in my stocking. Totally useful lol. But really, I love getting things I'm actually going to use.
 

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