MLC Gift Ideas
December 2nd, 2009 by Rodney LeeOkay, Melissa Chang of the Urban Mix Plate beat me to the punch with the gift guide, but we're talking MLC gifts.
But first, what makes for a good gift? IMHO, a good gift is something that I want, but don't "need" it enough to buy it. But if I got it as a gift, then Great! Just what I wanted!
Sometimes, it easier just to tell the other person.
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking through the Costco coupon book and saw something that I wanted. I told Paula "This is what I want for Christmas".
Then Paula told me what she wanted for Christmas.
A week later I ask Paula "What did I say I wanted for Christmas?"
She said "I dunno. Did you tell me?"
And I said "Yeah, right before you told me what you wanted for Christmas"
She replied "Oh, what did I say I wanted?"
I came to me a couple of days later.
MLC Reality Check.
So what's some good gift ideas? For family members. For co-workers. For close friends and their family.
Here's one that would make a Great Gift. For me, anyway.
Screaming Monkey Slingshot from Think Geek
Levitron - Warning. This will test your patience (I know. I have one)
The base has to be perfectly straight, thus the shims to adjust the sides. And the top has to have the correct weight, thus the various weight discs in the background on the table.
Peppermint Bark (in a cool retro tin) - Mmm...
iTunes Gift Cards - perfect for the iPhone person
Japanese Golden Lucky Poo charm - for the non-iPhone person
And for the ultimate MCLer - Retro Gifts
Obviously, I don't have too many ideas - so Christmas shopping hasn't started yet.
One of the best things to do is to have a list of gift ideas, then shop the them.
One of the worst things to do is go shopping blind - because you'll end up coming home with things for yourself only. Well, that's what happens to us, anyway. 
So how about sharing some gift ideas with us. The clock it ticking...
Tags: Christmas, Costco, gift ideas, iPhone, iTunes, Japanese Golden Lucky Poo, Levitron, Melissa Chang, midlife crisis blog, Peppermint Bark, Retro Gifts, Retro Planet, Rodney Lee, Screaming Monkey Slingshot, Think Geek, Urban Mix Plate, Williams and Sonoma
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:15 am
well I have many old records husband mentioned they sell things that convert record music into usb and you can listen to music...but then I ask myself do I really need it is it going to stress me out converting old music which I might not listen to...OH DEAR so I think I will stick with pads! my husband after 19 years he got me this ring but I told him where do i put that I only got ten fingers. so return it..omg took him 10 years and I lost interest with ring looking at my wrinkled finger is not the same!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:18 am
took him 19 year to figure it out by then damn it I am in tears look at the damn finger all wrinkled you want me to sitck a ring on it..gosh! then music I am half deaf I be cranking it up my kids will say mom that music is so old then they change the channel on me!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 am
shhhh, don't tell my wife but I'm thinking of getting her one of those digital video cameras like the flip video, small and easy to use. She likes to shoot video with our digital camera but I think the flip video are better quality and can shoot up to 2 hours of our grand kids. I think it's perfect for MLC'ers w/grand kids.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 am
Levitrons are pretty cool. Sold them at my former job. Whats the longest spin you ever had?
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 am
I can't say what Sweetie's main present is because I think he lurks here.
For women I don't know very well, nice-smelling lotions, picture frames, or candles seem to be good generic gifts. For men I don't know well, small gadgets or CDs work well (assuming I know what their musical tastes are). And, depending on people's tastes, chocolates and/or booze works too.
I said this last year too, but I've had good results with ordering things from The Hunger Site family of websites. You can click on the main page of each linked website to get sponsors to donate money to the various causes (ending hunger, eradicating breast cancer, promoting literacy, preserving rain forests, reducing the homeless pet population, and promoting child health) and raise additional money for the causes by purchasing via the website.
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1
I've liked what I bought and I received my purchases pretty quickly (but I think that may be in part because they're based in Seattle). No, I'm not affiliated with the websites in any way except as a customer.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:32 am
hemajang: I hope your wife don't have a computer. ha! nice gift! Lips are sealed.
Rod, you do love your gadgets. That Levitron is pretty cool... in a Rainman kind of way. ha!
I must have the shortest gift list on the planet. My daughter. My nephew. That's it. Friends and family all decided to stop when it got out of control. We said "for the keiki only". That ended too when the keiki not keiki anymore, they all got their own jobs and families so we agreed to stop.
I got Secret Santa at work, chip in for the bosses' gifts, Secret Santa for my Dancing Gang Party, but that's small kine.
This works great for my uber limited budget. I don't know how people with huge lists do it. M/Masako got the plan: home baked goodies. And with Masako at the oven you know it's gonna be guud. And made with love.
That wasn't much help, was it Rod? ha!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:35 am
Good morning Rodney and MLCers!
I don't shop, masako does all the shopping, I just tag along to carry the stuff. I already got masako her gift about a month ago.
I think we are done shopping and we just have to bake a bunch of cookies and cakes now.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:46 am
I usually ask my husband for beauty product..lipsticks and powder ....etc etc...
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:47 am
M: My elder boss calls that being the "Pack Mule". ha!
Okay Rod, some cool gifts on my personal wish list that I will eventually get for myself. Someday. Later. In a time far far ahead.
Bose computer speakers
Bose iPod Docking Station
New camera
New Mac (or fix this one)
Binoculars
Ukulele lessons
A fireman ...hee hee
Cabana boy will do if he can cook, fix car, fix washing machine, do plumbing & electrical work, build stuff...
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:47 am
my husband fetches his own present...plus mine.....and he does the kids presnt shopping too DON"T EXPECT ME TO TAG ALONG !
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:48 am
YES too bad my husband doesn't fecth me a muscle guy to massage me he got me massage chair instead...omg funny!
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 am
KAN: That site is a great idea and source for gifts. I like things like that.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Rod: that Monkey could come in handy as a Messenger Monkey.
Attach a note.
Aim.
Fire!
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:56 am
for MLC-ers, how about a new stylus for the record player or a head cleaning kit for the tape deck?
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
@ Rodney and Sally: I have a friend with four cats who has that monkey slingshot. Firing that monkey sends all the cats running for cover and sends my friends into paroxysms of laughter. It's endless cheap entertainment for him. I have the cow version of the slingshot - the cow mooos in panic as you shoot it across the room.
Another good source for weird gifts: Archie McPhee, based in Seattle. Braddah Lance, if you're reading, you guys gotta go visit them while you're here: http://www.mcphee.com/shop/ And no, I don't own stock in these guys either.
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 am
sally:
I'm not a cabana boi but I can cook, fix car, fix washing machine, do plumbing & electrical work, build stuff...unfortunately, I don't karaoke
I saw a banana driver cover at that golf shop near Ala Mo yesterday. Too bad BF doesn't golf, that would make a nice present to give him.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
*GEEK ALERT*
I want one of those levitrons. That is so cool.
My family a long time ago stopped buying presents for everyone. Too many of us especially with the keiki. Now the keiki are all big. All we do now is either go to our sis's house and potluck in her big garage. Spend a few hours laughing and eating. Or is it eating and laughing?
We used to do secret santa. Everyone would write 5 items down that costs less than $25. You had to buy something off of the list you chose. Then we went to gift cards, $25 each. Play games and you win a card.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 am
I have 2 of those screaming monkeys, and LOVE it. But one is not screaming anymore - perhaps it loves the adrenaline rush? KAN, it is absolutely a hilarious toy for me. I like Sally's idea of a messenger monkey.
OK, if someone can tell me what to do to fix the silent one, I'd love that since I don't have the time to investigate right now.
A nice gift for friends/family:
1) time spent together - say, conversing over dimsum or pupu.
2) preparing home-cooked meals, sharing it, and sending leftovers home.
3) making "party mix" to share.
4) gift of time to do errands or chores. A friend of mine is going to her company party with her husband, and jokingly said she'll ask me to watch her kids. I saw her Thanksgiving week, and asked her if she needed me, and that I wanted to also help her clean her screens and windows. She didn't expect that, but I know it's something she would appreciate since she can't afford to hire someone to clean monthly.
Sally - what kine binoculars you want? I found some chunky, but sturdy vintage ones at a couple church rummage sales, for oh, $5 and $10. Nice and bright, and sharp. Tried some compact kine, and though it is easily portable, not so good view like the vintage ones. Someone told me that if you knock those compact ones that look like the size of 3-4 hotdogs lined up next to each other, the lenses shift and you're doomed.
As far as a fireman, what make/model?
As far as being the recipient of scented lotions/fragrant stuff - I have to say that those things make me sneeze when someone gets them. I've given gift cards for Bubbies, Jamba Juice, Zippy's and received some wrapped around a bottle of some good rootbeer, which was a nice surprise. No storing of it, and don't have to keep it maintained.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
cash is always good!
Largo - that Levitron thingamabob is cool! but it looks like on of them "one-and-done" type of stuff. do it once and into the closet it goes. haha!
and i think MLC gifts for you and AP should be some Ginko Biloba or Centrum Platinum! da kine snow uses. haha!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@hemajang - great gift! That's one of those things that I wouldn't mind having, but can't justify paying for one.
@NaPueo - I got my Levitron from Kite Fantasy.
@Rosette - tell your husband to buy you beauty products when they have a free gift promotion going on - like Lancome or Clinique.
@KAN - A flying cow!?! - Mooooing across the room.
@sally - You're a mac girl? I'm shocked.
@M - You have a cell phone. Masako has a cell phone. You folks no longer have to be tethered to each other anymore while shopping.
@matt - I wonder if you can even find a tape deck head cleaner tape. Great idea, though. Stereo needle might be hard unless you know the specific model. Or you can get a brand new turntable for about $100.
Oh, like what @Rosette was saying - a USB turntable.
btw, anyone interested in buying a used Nakamichi cassette tape deck? With Dolby. Ha, remember that? Dolby.
@anklebiters - tell sally that you scratch backs and the job is yours.
@Kage - The older Levitrons like in the video had a wood block base. I guess the newer ones now come in plastic. It's a lot of fun - especially if you like tweaking and fine tuning stuff. It does challenge your mad geek skillz.
@TwoFish - one of your screaming monkeys giving you the silent treatment, eh? Threaten him that you'll trade him in for a moooing cow if he doesn't start screaming again.
Would be pretty cool to have a screaming monkey AND a moooing cow flying across the room at the same time.
@opso - No, the Levitron thing is fun - all the time! In fact, I'm going to go find mine one of these days and play with it again. Just can't remember where I put it...
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
@Rodney, that won't work I have to carry all the bags while she shops. masako need both hands free to shop.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Yeah like opso said cash is good
also beea and some pupu's 
NKHEA.....so easy
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
@Rodney Lee: I use clinique and Estee Lauder...I tell my husband okay I am all out go fetch me at the mall....ACTUALLY I HAVE LOTS OF BACK up I just do that so I give it to my mom my mom like my taste in makeup and I am good at matching her skin color (MY MOM USE TO GIVE ME ADVICE UNTIL SHE SAW WHAT I PICK. so she likes mine)...the only lipstick that agrees with me is cover girl
.I. usually I send the samples to Philippines but now my son has girlfriend I give it to her she is white and it matches her skin tone better than mine...don't tell my husbamd I am making him think he is buying it for me but I will send him to buy gift for my son's girlfriend BEAUTY PRODUCT..funny huh..I show him my old stuff voila ...funny I crack myself up!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm
wait a second warning to my husband do not read or else!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
yes when they have samples I tell my husband go I am all out..but I save it so I don't have to shop then I wrap it for my mom and my son's girlfriend... see no shopping for me ..this way he buys it little at a time it wont put a big whole in his wallet all at once! or I usually go to the mall bring my son's girlfriend buy her things in lingerie let her pick it then I tell my husband..look I got lingerie then he pays it then I wrap it for my sons girlfriend ..my husband never remembers what lingerie!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I like my sons girlfriend so I spoil her a bit I tell her don't say a word lets go shopping I let her pick.! I tell her let me handle it
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Yeah, I've heard that about you.
(kidding! kidding!)
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Hello everybody!
KAN: Your friend w/ the 4 cats and the Flying Monkey, reminds me of when laser pens first came out, we used to shine the beam from upstairs down to dark, open parking lots and stray cats used to go crazy! Yes, cheap entertainment.
@Rod: why you surprised I have a Mac? Are Macs just for smart computer people? hahaha I dunno, I got tired of de-virusing my PC so often and my friend sold me his Mac (photographers change out their 'puters quite often) and I think I did something to it that made the graphics go kookoo.
I'm trying like krazy to win that MacBook from The Bomb. Hey, I figured since I got lucky w/ the Turkey and Ham, why not?
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
@KAN - not only is NKHEA easy, he's loose too (so I've heard).
Actually, when it comes to paying, the KHEA's are very giving.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
@sally - I'm trying to get Paula to switch over to a Mac too. So far, she's the only hold-out in the family. Is yours an iMac or something with a separate monitor (Mac Mini, Mac Tower)?
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Home sweet home
It'll be nice to sleep in my own recliner 
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 am
anklez: recliner?
@Rod: I don't know computer speak so here's what I can tell you. It's a G-4 (?) tower type. The monitor is a beautiful 22" digital. I had sent out an email to my gangs that I wanted info on Macs cuz I had just de-virused my PC for the 2nd time in less than a year (and yes, I had anti-virus in it).
My friend said he was just about to put this on Craigslist for $500 but, if I wanted it, I could have it for $300. I went to his photog studio in Kaimuki and he gave me Mac lessons. The monitor is uber gorgeous!
If you notice, my FB photo albums and pics/vids have stopped ... that was when my graphics went kablooey. Either I take this to the Genius Bar or maybe he has another Mac he wants to unload for cheap. hee hee hee.
Tell Paula... hey, Paula...once you go Mac, you can't go back. ha!
I guess it depends on what you do on your 'puter. I've always enjoyed fooling around w/ graphics and more creative stuff. And if Sally can understand the switch, ANYONE can.
And you're right there to teach her. You ARE a patient teacher aren't you? I had to call my friend several times and another friend who is a photog/film producer helped me several times w/ FB stuff like vids etc.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 am
Good morning Rodney and MLCers!
I have a PC but I know Macs are way superior. Only if I could afford one.
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 am
Hey Rodney,
I'm interested in getting one of those Levitron toys for my son. Did you buy it from a local store or online. I'm not aware of a Kite Fantasy store on the island. Lastly how much did it cost? Thank you for the great gift ideas.
808 Dad
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
@808 Dad - Hi, and welcome to MLC blog. Kite Fantasy used to be located across Kapiolani park in the Kaimana Beach hotel, but the closed up over 10 years ago. However, they still have their Lahaina store: (808) 661-4766
Maybe NaPueo might know where to get one on Oahu.
Amazon has the cherrywood one with free shipping. It looks like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05FDGCis-Sw
But I would think the cherrywood one would be hard for a novice person being that the base to spin the top is so small - unlike the plastic based ones.
It looks like the older generation had the wooden block base with the shims. I suppose you'd adjust the leg height on the newer ones to adjust the base.
I'll let you know if I find one locally. But try calling Kite Fantasy.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:54 am
What ever happened to cross-tying two sticks together and taping/gluing paper to it and using fabric strips for the tail? Then that stick with the unending length of string wound around it?
Now THAT's MLC!
Some years ago I used to see the kite guys set up at Sandy Beach every Sunday. Are they still there?
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Thanks Rodney. I've been a lurker for a while but I know my son would love that Levitron toy. Once again much appreciated.
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Gotta go look for that Levitron! I know just the person for the messenger monkey, just gotta find it.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am
@buddahbelly - Thinkgeek.com has the Levitron and the messenger monkey. Shipping little bit expensive to Hawaii, but if you can find others to order with you, you can split to cost.
Or check out the Alohaforwarding.com site. If Thinkgeek ships it there for free and they ship it priority mail to us, there might be a substantial savings. Hmm, I should check it out...
Oh, need a gift for someone who annoys you? Get the Annoy-a-tron from Thinkgeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/madscientist/8c52/
You hide it in the person's area and turn it on. It'll emit random beeps at random times. Watch the person go nuts trying to find where the sound is coming from.
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@hemajang: love the idea of a Flip video, especially for younger or older folks but practically anyone would enjoy one, I think. The quality is surprisingly good and since the camera is so compact, it can go anywhere and so it really gets used instead of sitting in its case. It also makes it super easy to put video on YouTube, elsewhere on the 'net or DVD, compared to some of the more full-featured bigger video cams.
@sally @Rodney @M: Is nowhere safe from a PC vs Mac convo? LOL... here to say that I have used both for a long time (since 1984-PC/AT-DOS and 1988-Mac IIx-System 6 to current day machines running Vista and OS X). Different strengths but they are both just tools to accomplish work or fun. I get a little annoyed at the people who act like it is a religion or something. I still do use both PC and Mac at both work and home on a daily basis. My current personal machines are a Sony VAIO VGN-CS290 laptop running Win Vista and a Mac G4 iBook running OS X Tiger. The Sony was bought earlier this year, but the iBook is due for an upgrade being almost 6 years old. So I guess I will be asking for a 15" MacBook Pro (the lowest end one will be fine) for myself for Christmas.
Oh, back to the real topic... we really don't do Christmas gifts and probably won't until a new generation of young ones comes along, so just need to find something good for my husband. His ultraportable laptop is probably due for replacement, and if not, there's always something shiny to buy for one of his Harleys. So... easy but probably not cheap!
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Mahalo for the info Rodney!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Sorry no local leads for Levitrons at this time.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
@sally - those guys you used to see flying kites at Sandy beach years ago, that was @NaPueo!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
NaPueo! Fo' real kine? Gosh, that was way long ago before I was pregnant and could still own a drawerful of bikinis. oy. We used to go to Makapuu every weekend and I enjoyed looking at all the kites.
What was the name of that company? They had a few of them flying at once. Was a sight!
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
@sally: That was High Performance Kites. You may have seen them before I started working there. The owner sponsored a team that competed in events around the world.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
p.s. @sally: Rodney was there too. Way later.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Late bloomer.
December 8th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I like the gay mermen ornaments from December Diamonds. That's a good gay stocking stuffer. That, or the Powermat gadget charger.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I purchased the Canon XSi back in April. I debated for two months as this was going to be my first real DSLR. I looked at the 40D, the 50D, the XTi and I just ended up making a simple choice (I knew I wanted Canon) based on the price, features, the pixel count, the lenses available and my skill level. This camera has lived up to my expectations and I am glad I decided on the XSi. I also purchased a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to go with it and the combination is excellent! Get a Canon if you are not sure what to get.