Christmas present peer review - avoid a lemon

[fatoxious]

so like any reasonable person, i hate shopping for christmas presents. crowds et al. jesus kill me. (wait, that's easter... )

so this year i'm combo'ing online shopping and getting in early (read: now) to knock off my stuff. but as i was looking at reviews of an ice cream maker for my girlfriends family, i came across choice magazine's website. that suggested it as one of the top 10 don't buy for christmas presents.

and i realised that perhaps what i thought would be awesome, could actually just be a bit juvenile.
so i thought i'd open it up to some strangers! and for the interest of thread continuation i suggest you do the same. so, describe the person\family, your product and let the good people of PSB do the thinking for you!

so my girlfriends family are fairly well off, really like gadgets (they've got the cube coffee thing, a gurney for car cleaning, pizza oven... you know the type) and also really like their food.
do you think an ice cream maker is a shit present? i'm looking at this bad boy which looks like a bargin and has free shipping! WOO!

now, lets not have too much of that "you know her family best" crap. yes. that's true. but i'm also opening it up to the public here for want of more opinions.


so, go! save my christmas!


and thanks.

[courtz]

Are they big ice cream lovers?
My cousin was given one for christmas one year and he used it non-stop for a few months... but eventually the novelty wore off.

I think it's a pretty cool present for the family that has everything (making a large assumption there), if they're well off it's likely that they don't need anything because generally they will buy those things themselves when the need arises. Only really leaves you with the 'cool' or 'fun' or 'thoughtful' presents.

If you're having second thoughts and want another idea... I know a friend of mine got professional photos of her and her partner done, and printed them on canvas to give to the in-laws as a gift. Depends on your relationship I guess, but it went down a treat for my friend!

[Falcore]

Anyone know where you can get a proper slushie machine?

[Peeches]

i had to do xmas with one of those families that 'has everything' a few years ago. Very nice people, but extremely hard to buy anything for.

I resorted to buying them a really nice expensive bottle of scotch whiskey (ill be damned if can remember what it was called though, i forget.... something foreign), one of those ones that are way too good to drink so they place it on the special shelf in their bar (lol). It worked great, they loved it! I suppose you could do the same with a fine bottle of wine if they like their wine better.

Just an idea, may help if your girlfriend's family have a bit of fine wine/spirit appreciation

[Darkbyte]

IMO icecream makers are a PITA. You need to find room in the freezer for the bowl.
You did choose the right brand. Personally, I wouldnt not buy one.. Id buy a thermomix instead, or one of those that dont require the freezer bowl ($$$)

As a fun gift ice shavers are more likely to be used. i.e. freeze a block of fruit juice and make a shaved ice 'slushy'.

[Hazelnutty]

i'm one of those people 'who has everything'.. as is my family, and my dear ones (if we want anything, we go and buy it there and then, not wait for a holiday)...

So when i do need gifts, i go for something like Oxfam Unwrapped | Home

I like that they're different, educational etc... i still buy kids pressies, but 1st world adults can deal with gifts that help others i also ask that others give me presents like that, as i really don't need a cheap ar$e made in china gift

V.