What do I want?

[prillalar]

I thought it might be nice to have a staff holiday lunch next week. Since I freelance from home, that would be me, going out for lunch. Fortunately, I like that sort of thing. In fact, I would usually rather go out by myself than with someone else.

I also thought it would be nice to have a holiday gift exchange at the lunch. So I drew names and got my own. But here's the problem: I have no idea what to buy. Seriously, I can't think of a single thing I want as a treat. I find this very weird. But maybe all I need is inspiration.

If you were getting yourself a present, $50 or less, what would you buy?

Comments

[kestrelsan.livejournal.com]

I would get this (http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/warfare/8530/). Of course since you're the only one in your office, you'd end up waging war on yourself. Maybe you could use it on D. *g*

[prillalar]

Oh, that is so COOL. I could use it on D&D nights when the boys annoy me.

[sociofemme.livejournal.com]

I like scarves. Plus, they're a nice safe gift when you aren't sure what your gift recipient wants. There's also the possibility of getting a microfleece pullover--they feel like the inside of a new sweatshirt! It's magnificent. I'm sure your recipient would like that.

(*snerk*)

And I've actually been thinking about this a lot recently, because Fiance and I capped our Xmas presents at a $50 max for each other, so we've been trying to drop hints about cheap things we like. :D

[prillalar]

Ooh, pullover sounds like a good idea. I need more snuggly winter shirts; I like to keep the window open.

[pixxers.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd say shoes, but you've given me a ridiculous price limit. :P

Probably another scarf (I have a million) or coffee and a book, or something nerdy like that.

[prillalar]

I am one of those people who doesn't understand shoes. I have a pair of black ankle boots to wear in the winter and a pair of sandals to wear in the summer. What more could I possibly need?

Maybe there's a condition called "shoe blindness".

[akatonbo.livejournal.com]

My usual splurges on myself tend to be craft supplies, books, or storage/organizing items. (I own so much Sterilite I should buy stock in them and yet I still want more. NOT EVERYTHING I OWN IS IN A PLASTIC BIN YET.)

[prillalar]

Sometimes I think I'd like a plastic bin for me. With airholes punched in. And I could close the lid and be in my own little Plastic Fortress of Solitude.

You know, maybe I need to get out more.

[cosmic.livejournal.com]

I'd just buy something incredibly random. A sweater, a scarf, a new purse, something from The Body Shop, Freudian slippers (http://www.philosophersguild.com/index.lasso?page_mode=Home&category=slipper&swfname=slipper) or something by Anne Taintor (http://www.annetaintor.com/). Best thing if you're just buying something from a shop and not online: having the thing gift-wrapped, even/especially if it's for yourself. There's something amazingly fun in opening packages, even if you know exactly what's in them. (Or maybe I'm just a little weird that way.)

[prillalar]

Giftwrapping is a great idea! I will totally do that. :)

[threefrog.livejournal.com]

How about some scotch? Always self gift with food myself.
:D

[prillalar]

This is an excellent idea. In fact, it's so excellent that I bought myself a bottle of 16 year-old Lagavulin a few weeks ago. :) I wonder if it's too early to have some now.

[quinesale.livejournal.com]

I'm in the minus with my calculation, so I'd balance that. Then I'd go Sushi eating and buy a ticket for a soccer match.

[prillalar]

A ticket to something sounds good!

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

I would splurge on an expensive book. (My last really indulgent purchase was the collected Bone, $40 but so worth it.)

[prillalar]

I gave up on Bone when it was taking so long for new issues to come out. I should check out the collection and give it another go.

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I would go to Global Exchange and get myself a small table for my office, so that I don't keep piling stuff on the floor. (: It would be pretty and politically correct.

Or I would get myself a new cuddly hat, scarf, and mitten set, since none of mine match and baby, it's cold outside.

Or I would buy some of the books that have been on my wishlist for yonks, which I haven't bought because since I lost my job, bookstores have become invisible to me. (:

Or I would go to the women-only bathhouse and have a soak and a half-hour massage. Mmm...

I have many other ideas, but most of them cost a lot more than fifty bucks.

[prillalar]

You clearly have no trouble coming up with ideas. :) I've been going to the library for my books, these days. I have The Blind Assassin sitting there, waiting, but I'm thinking that I should leave Margaret Atwood for when I'm cheerier.

[knw.livejournal.com]

I'd get another history book like The Love of the Samurai - A thousand years of Japanese homosexuality by Tsuneo Watanabe, because I know that ships from amazon cheaply.

[prillalar]

I shall make a note of it!

[svilleficrecs.livejournal.com]

The biggest dry erase or corkboard I could find for that price, whichever was larger and cooler looking. :)

[prillalar]

Hmm, office supplies are always fun. Maybe a fancy stapler or some expensive pens.

[barkley.livejournal.com]

I would buy myself hubzilla. You probably already have it though.

[prillalar]

Sadly, I do not. There's only room on my desk for my rubber duck.

[semielliptical]

Some really good chocolate covered caramels.

[prillalar]

Before I stopped eating sugar, I would get myself a box of milk chocolate creams every December and eat them all myself. :)

[telophase.livejournal.com]

This (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000246GSE/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-1561671-7102568?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance) or this (http://www.laptoplunches.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=310030&preadd=action).

But then, I'm a bit odd.

[prillalar]

Those are really cool! I'm a sucker for nifty lunch-packing paraphernaila. It's my only sorrow about working from home.

[annotated_em]

A nice bottle of scotch. A box of really fancy expensive chocolates. A stack of books. A cd or two. Start an ipod fund. Start a KitchenAid mixer fund. Buy that food processor I've had my eye on.

...

Actually I'd probably just get myself groceries.

[prillalar]

Scotch really is the gift that keeps on giving. :)

[dejla.livejournal.com]

Well, I bought myself some tea, a Brown Betty teapot, some clotted cream, some Devon cream, and when it arrives, will make myself scones and spend a Saturday afternoon at home having English tea.

Food is good.

So are snuggly winter shirts.

[prillalar]

Tea sounds lovely. Good call!

[qem_chibati]

A game? Manga?

[prillalar]

There's always room for manga. :)

[zarahemla.livejournal.com]

Samurai Jack season 2 !! :D

[prillalar]

I've heard good things!

[wickedcherub.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'd put it towards a new trenchcoat :)

Or a season of something on DVD.

I vote getting pampered, actually - maybe a massage or a facial or something?

[prillalar]

Yeah, I know, the trenchcoat. :) TV on DVD sounds like a good idea. I've never actually had a facial or manicure or anything like that.

[mousapelli.livejournal.com]

rightstuf's christmas sale has the second season of Inuyasha for 49.99. The nice one, with the blocks.

I'm totally springing for it as soon as the twelfth thing for the 12 days of christmas comes out tomorrow, so i can be absolutely SURE it's the one i want the most. I was sorely tempted by the Fullmetal Panic fmofu (or whatever those initals are) for $25, but inuyasha's still winning.

[prillalar]

I'm thinking South Park, myself. I think my life won't be complete until I have that all on DVD.

[svz-insanity.livejournal.com]

I'd be a nerd and spend it on nice stationary and a good book. Or on a professional massage. :D

[prillalar]

Books are always a good choice. :)

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

Lush's Olive Branch body wash. It smells wonderful, spicy and warm, and it moisturizes unbelievably well. I <3 it.

[prillalar]

Ooh, that sounds like something to check into. Thanks!

[thirdshade.livejournal.com]

I'd buy a bunch of InuKai bromides and/or TCG cards (there are really a LOT of them). Because my priorities are set in a really weird way, and about 22 or 25 InuKai bromides are worth > actually useful gifts.

[prillalar]

You know, I've never bought any kind of official anime/manga merch. Not sure why. Even my FMA keychain is homemade.

[lihsa.livejournal.com]

Currently in similar predicament, with similar price range! (I think? Im bad at converting money in my head)

Im probably going to use it to buy myself a new MP3 player, to replace my current one which... doesn't really work. But Ive also got my eye on a really pretty skirt grey skirt and the thought of finding a matchng jacket.

[prillalar]

An MP3 player is always good. And music to fill it with. :)

[slinkhard.livejournal.com]

I'd like to say if I couldn't think of anything (and most years I can't) then I'd give it to charity; but to be honest, probably I'd splurge on DVDs or books. (I'm intrigued by 'The God Delusion' but it's a hardback, and I only just saw it, so it's too late to add to my list, so that might end up being my self-employed treat to myself, come to think of it!)

[prillalar]

Thanks for reminding me the book is out! It should be on my list.