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Top 25 Life-Improving Christmas Gifts for Under $10
zenhabits.net — Last week, we asked you guys for some suggestions for inexpensive gifts, and boy did you deliver. This week, we're going to steal your answers for those who didn ’t have the time to read them all — this is just our favorite ones, plus a couple of our own ideas.
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- rathofbuns, on 12/21/2007, -15/+3Great list Leo! And for you big spenders out there, I recently posted "11 non-lame, last-minute Christmas gifts generic enough for anyone, for under $30" - http://tinyurl.com/26zwwj
Merry Christmas! - DermDoc, on 12/21/2007, -7/+2Very nice list. Some must be given judiciously though. If you give someone a healthy cookbook, pedometer, huge bath towels, and a tire pressure gauge, it’s a bit like saying “Hey, you’d be great on The Biggest Loser” more than saying “Hey, have a Merry Christmas!”
- weiwuwei, on 12/21/2007, -2/+4Indeed, # 18 Tao Te Ching, is a life-improving gift!
- AriaStar, on 12/21/2007, -1/+1It's a life-improving gift if the recipient views it in the proper light, as a spiritual gift rather than as just a book. To read and think about each chapter though can bring about a feeling of calmness.
- Neuticals, on 12/21/2007, -4/+1Heh. "Mixed" CD.
- astrotrain, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2And with that note: 4 Illegally copied songs, 3 RIAA members suinig, 2 Court Summons and 1 Mixed CD....
- WoWBits, on 12/21/2007, -3/+8#25. Need I say more?
Sorry, I just think this thing was thrown together too quickly. Amazon has better tips than this, and they're about the $$$ - philliesphan026, on 12/21/2007, -1/+40Is it just me, or do lists like these get more and more ridiculous each time a new one is posted?
- wattznext, on 12/21/2007, -2/+24#12 - Massage
Yeah right. Hey baby, thanks for the HD dvd player. And the Wii. I got you this ummm...massage. Turn around...i gotcha....
That'd go over superbly - Waskonator, on 12/21/2007, -2/+17I have never, and will never give any of those things as a Christmas gift.
These are good for, "Hey, I love you, and I think about alot, so here...."
These are NOT, "Hey it's Christmas again and I thought about it all year and here.... Kirk's Killer Kickin' Salsa"
Save money and give people what they don't give themselves, and get the same in return. That's what Christmas is all about to me.
If I sound like a materialistic prick, I'm sorry. I just might be. - kiiwii, on 12/21/2007, -2/+30Moleskine notebook? First thing I'd do is start a "Least favorite gifts I've received" list.
Self-improvement books? Are you saying I'm not good enough already?
Mix CD? Great, a bunch of songs you like that I'll probably never listen to!
Moneyband? Nothing says "I love you" like a rubber band.
No stress tire pressure caps? See above.
Story dugg simply for the fact that most of these are ridiculous gifts and it's a humorous read.- jspegele, on 12/21/2007, -0/+7Merry Christmas, I bought you copy of "How to Eat Healthy". Oh, I'm not saying you're fat and unhealthy. I just think that you could always be skinnier and healthier...
- EmperorAwesome, on 12/21/2007, -0/+4Yeah, the self-improvement books strike me as the poor man's exercise equipment as far as tactless gifts go.
- verivalta, on 12/22/2007, -0/+5Yeah, a couple years back my step-aunt gave me a self improvement book, further solidifying her in my mind as a bitch. Probably not the direction others want to go with their friends/relatives/acquaintances.
- AM088, on 12/23/2007, -0/+2"Merry Christmas! Did you check out the gift I gave you? You don't like it? No, it's not a 'rubber band' - it's a 'money band'! You put money in it! Try it, it fits perfect... ow, why'd you shoot it at me?"
- verivalta, on 12/22/2007, -0/+5Yeah, a couple years back my step-aunt gave me a self improvement book, further solidifying her in my mind as a bitch. Probably not the direction others want to go with their friends/relatives/acquaintances.
- EmperorAwesome, on 12/21/2007, -0/+4Yeah, the self-improvement books strike me as the poor man's exercise equipment as far as tactless gifts go.
- buckrogers1965, on 12/22/2007, -2/+1*Gives him the book, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."
- jspegele, on 12/21/2007, -0/+7Merry Christmas, I bought you copy of "How to Eat Healthy". Oh, I'm not saying you're fat and unhealthy. I just think that you could always be skinnier and healthier...
- DiggasWAttitude, on 12/21/2007, -1/+5My dad got my mom a do-it-yourself home composting bin for Christmas a few years back so she could create her own manure. Might have been more than $10 but still could have made this list.
- Rikkochet, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2Those "worm boxes" (basically a small composter with a species of red worms that eat organic waste like crazy) are really popular lately. I wouldn't really consider myself a composting enthusiast but the people I know who have them won't shut up about how wonderful they are. Actually quite a good gift for someone with a house (or at least a balcony).
- sysoprock, on 12/21/2007, -3/+12# 1: A box of condoms.
- astrotrain, on 12/21/2007, -0/+1** playing Target commercial theme here... with doors opening up to different styles of condoms **
- SublimeRuin, on 12/21/2007, -3/+4Ok - These aren't that bad. Gifts that have some thought put in to them are the best you get. I mean brand new stuff you wouldn't buy for yourself is just as great - but everyone needs heartfelt gifts.
The Moleskine notebook - I could definitely use that.....
A new HDTV - I could use one of those as well....- smackhero, on 12/21/2007, -1/+2i think the most important factor in giving a great gift is how well you know that person. no single gift is right for everyone, and while a few gifts on this list seem kinda random or even lame to me, a lot of them are actually great gift ideas. but it's up to each person to use their judgment to match the right gift with the right recipient.
so people complaining about how stupid #25 or a moleskin notebook are, are just assuming that because they don't want a gift like that, that no one else would want one. personally i'd love to get a moleskin notebook, but i would never read a self-help book. and some gifts may sound corny or stupid reading about but still be a great gift in reality--for instance a classmate in college once gave me a spiral notebook that she'd decorated by hand with pen/marker and collage material, and even though i'll admit it sounds pretty lame, it was actually a really thoughtful and practical gift since she knew that i liked to write and put a lot of thought into the decorations.
- smackhero, on 12/21/2007, -1/+2i think the most important factor in giving a great gift is how well you know that person. no single gift is right for everyone, and while a few gifts on this list seem kinda random or even lame to me, a lot of them are actually great gift ideas. but it's up to each person to use their judgment to match the right gift with the right recipient.
- cespee, on 12/21/2007, -0/+4These gifts are good for acquaintances like teachers, neighbors, or friends from whom you do not want or expect a return gift. (I gave banana bread to my kids' teachers and teacher helpers). These gift suggestions are not enough for your immediate family members stuck in average American culture unless they're given to supplement a larger gift. Family members expect something valued at about $40-60. If that's too much money, then you have to talk with your family.
- AriaStar, on 12/21/2007, -2/+4My favorite gift to receive is something someone made. Any bought-gifts are really just stuff in the end, usually meaningless stuff at that as it's given out of a sense of seasonal obligation. But when something is made, or a poem written, something that comes fro the heart, then that meaning itself is the best gift in the world.
- bossm4n, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2FTA-"Tomatoes have lots salt so check before adding" Palm to forehead--smack.
That might be the dumbest thing I have ever read. Tomatoes, whole or even canned have only trace amounts of sodium. In fact most chefs will tell you the way to correct a dish that is accidentally oversalted is to add tomatoes to absorb the salt.- noevadeaux, on 12/21/2007, -0/+0or potatoes, or is that potatos - heck, taters suck up the salt too!
- astrotrain, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2** digg intercom system ** "Mr Quayle to Digg Comment #49... Mr Quayle...."
- noevadeaux, on 12/21/2007, -0/+0or potatoes, or is that potatos - heck, taters suck up the salt too!
- TheFiestyFaun, on 12/21/2007, -0/+4If somebody got me a self-help book I'd smack them.
- jspegele, on 12/21/2007, -1/+1Nothing says Christmas like freshly baked "Anarchist Oatmeal Cookies"
- Snakedal337, on 12/21/2007, -1/+2Whats so special about these "Moleskin Notebooks"? I've never used... or even herd of them until last week.
- philathea80, on 12/21/2007, -5/+6what about a Bible? That's what Christmas is all about.
- astrotrain, on 12/21/2007, -2/+1Except for the Atheists who have to have a "Tree of Knowledge"...
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_Outrage_over_Ath ...
Each ornament on the tree is a book that deceives and denies the existence of God. First one to go on was The Golden Compass. - allisonaxe, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2Actually, x-mas isn't about "the bible." rather, its a holiday that the christians ripped off of the pagans that celebrated the winter solstice.
- astrotrain, on 12/21/2007, -2/+1Except for the Atheists who have to have a "Tree of Knowledge"...
- Rikkochet, on 12/21/2007, -0/+1425 ways to ensure I'm not exchanging gifts with you next year.
- Ataxia87, on 12/21/2007, -0/+1A Moneyband!?
But where will I keep the spare condom for "you never know"? - lbergerson, on 12/21/2007, -3/+3My wife bout me this book titled "What's Your Poo Telling You"
It was under ten bucks and It has definitely improved my life. - Lolerdong, on 12/21/2007, -8/+5Telling your friends about Dr. Ronald Paul is the best free gift you can give! Or do you hate the constitution?
- BarryMcCawqiner, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1Lame.
- spudnic, on 12/21/2007, -0/+9Self-improvement books? Are you ***** kidding me?
- schneidafunk, on 12/21/2007, -2/+4#26 - condoms... damn my life would have changed if i had them last christmas
- doubleo7, on 12/21/2007, -0/+3Very poorly researched recommendations.
The "No Stress Tire Pressure Gauges" got 1-star on Amazon.com (which the author even links to) with users complaining that not only did they not register when pressure was low, but they actually CAUSED low pressure by leaking.
The pedometer also got really crappy reviews.
Lame. - HotWingBias, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2Burried for having Self-improvement books on the list. That is all kinds of lame.
- jjb123, on 12/21/2007, -1/+1Lol, pedometer.
- stklaw, on 12/21/2007, -1/+7Does the pedometer detect pedos?
- Peepsalot, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2If you are seriously considering getting a pedometer as a gift, do not cheap out on a < $10 one. The very cheap models are completely worthless. One of them I tried basically had a ball inside that you could hear rattling back and forth, that presumably mesaured a step by mechanically hitting a switch every time it leaned to one side. I counted my steps and this thing had an error margin of about 50%. I got rid of the super cheap one and bought an Omron which is surprisingly accurate, and still reasonably priced.
- 10GunSalute, on 12/21/2007, -0/+4Wow...you know your pedometers...
- fix8ed, on 12/21/2007, -0/+3If you're really going to be this cheap for the holidays, you're better off heading over to the dollar store and buying 10, $1 "gifts." At least you can give cheaply to 10 people instead of 1.
Nothing says Merry Christmas like a $.99 picture frame. - Dchandaman, on 12/21/2007, -1/+2dude "10 reasons why I love you " in a frame! Super cheesy... yet absolute genius!
- 10GunSalute, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2Nothing says "life-improving" like a mixed CD, bath towels, or salsa.
- allisonaxe, on 12/21/2007, -0/+3I hate to say it, but these are, for the most part, *horrible* gifts to give or recieve on x-mas. if a guy gave me kirk's kickin' salsa, or a friggin' massage, the cheapass would get cockpunched to the curb. doubly so for a "mix cd." ooh, how lovely, you gave me.... pirated music burned to a disc. thats like a gift that I'd give someone for the amazing occasion of *Tuesday,* but on X-mas, a little more effort is required, don't ya think?
- swankboy, on 12/21/2007, -0/+2Is it really a Zen Habit to have to read through 25-100 item lists every day?
- Herostratos, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2Buried for: Hippies; lameness; zenhabits.net and waste of bandwidth.
- BarryMcCawqiner, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1Buried. Because a title that declares itself "Top 25" and "Life Improving" usually implies a considerable more effort and thought than suggestions like "Spend time with them." Wow, this was bad... but it is on my Top 25 Worst Web-Based Suggestion Lists of Winter 2007 for North America.
- iamsocruel, on 12/22/2007, -1/+2these suck......Jar of Gratitude? i'd be pissed if i got any of these
- lboban, on 12/22/2007, -0/+0Every year I look at a list like this and think,"It would be so cool to do this kind of thing for my family". And then we get to Christmas and I think, "My family would think I'm such a cheapskate if I did this". A few years ago when I first got married we made gifts for my in-laws. No one ever said thank you....
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