Can someone suggest a Christmas gift for a stranger? Please read the details.

A gift card for food should be fine (as long as it is convenient for him to use). Who would complain about that?

Something small and practical that he can use. How about a nice razor (that is, if he shaves regularly)? Or a wallet?

http://groopi.es/uploads/products/84_7fcba81fc71db7037aad884b6dc2c11b_original.jpg

As a young man, I know I’d like that. And it’s not an “awkward” thing to get as a gift.

@MRSHINYSHOES Oh, I like the idea of the wallet. I can say that we wish him prosperous New Year. THANKS!
I thought of a razor but he’s in the military and I don’t know if I bought him a particular type, if he would be able to purchase the razors for it. I did that with my son and he wasn’t able to find the blades for his razor.
@AnonymousGirl I would worry that he may take interpet such an act as one of charity instead of a gift. Gift cards feel like your giving someone cash. Since I do not know him personally yet, I worry he may take such a gift the wrong way. I do appreciate your answer though. :)

@Pandora Really? I am not even a guy and I would love a gift like that. A gift card for Subway would be awesome. Even a Tim Card from Tim Hortons would be sweet. Maybe I’m different. Oh, and the Tim Card… Tim Hortons doesn’t seem as popular as Subway. My Canadianism must be showing in this post. :)

My love for my country and our Tim Hortons up here made me realize something, actually.

Where is this guy from? You mention he’s in the military. Does he spend time away from home often? Maybe a symbol from his home would be nice. It would show that you care enough to take an interest in him as a person and what’s important to him. It may even help break the ice if any needs to be broken. He could open his gift and be touched that you thought that much about him and go into a story about his home. It would be a simple, sweet, thoughtful, and understandable gift, would it not? If he’s willing to be in the military for his country, it also makes sense for him to hold it close to his heart… right?

Maybe a iPod Shuffle. It is cheap and would be handy in the military.

First thing I thought of was gloves. Except for snow gloves, it’s not something most men by for themselves.

Do you know anything about him? What he likes? I have bought my daughter’s boyfriends books about things I know they like. For instance, books about fishing or the history of certain comics. It sounds as though your daughter isn’t making your task easier but I can understand exactly where you are coming from. He will be in your home and you want him to have at least a small present.

A gift card for food seems rather…impersonal, to me at least.
A wallet is a nice idea-not expensive, but not cheap and unthoughtful. It’s handy and if he doesn’t want it, he can always regift it.
A sweater is also a nice idea-traditional, but never really unwelcome. As long as it doesn’t seem expensive or labor-intensive, he shouldn’t be too embarrassed that he didn’t get you anything (even though he isn’t expecting a gift). You’ll just come off as a warm, generous mom(?).

@bostonbeliever It’s not impersonal if it’s a gift card from one of his favourite restaurants from back home. :)

I suggested what I did because a guy I know who I consider a close friend actually told me that that’s (a gift card from a restaurant he frequents) the kind of thing that he would prefer to have as a gift more than anything else. I know he’s not everyone, though, and I understand that gift cards, not just food gift cards, can come across as impersonal.

What do you think of the symbol from home idea?

Maybe @Pandora could look up “What men from the military want for Christmas” online. :)

Just a thought, what about a nice photo frame and a lovely picture of your daughter? If he is in the military and working away from home?

^ I like that idea, @Bellatrix.

I also found this site. Pretty cool ideas I didn’t even think of… like snack packs and games to pass the time.

http://www.ehow.com/list_7176560_great-gifts-military-men.html

I like the ipod idea and photo.

Is any product made in your area or region? Any local food item?

I was thinking a t-shirt with a cool slogan or the name of a band.

A gift food card might not be used if he isn’t home much. I think a t-shirt with his favorite band or favorite football team would be nice. Or a tin of cookies or chocolates. Something small so that he wouldn’t feel bad that he didn’t buy you all something in return.

A nice hat if he likes wearing them. Your daughter would likely know. : )

Shakeweight.

I hope @judochop doesn’t get my name for the Christmas exchange.~

Most people like to eat treats. Do you have a local place that sells jams and jellies, or nuts and cheeses, or fudge or brownies or jarred salsa? Make a small, but yummy gift basket of goodies.

Or a small photo album with a couple of photos of your daughter already inside (including one of her as a little girl) and tell him it’s for him to fill with new memories.

A christmas ornament (especially one from a local artisan).

A nice coffee cup with some small bags of gourmet coffee and tea.

Does your daughter live in your town? If so, get him a nice book that is all about, or set in, your town so he can learn a little bit about where your daughter is from/grew up. There’s an author in our town, a former detective, that actually writes crime dramas set in our town that are pretty cool.

If you can find out what interests he has, everybody can use one of those desk top page a day calendars. Maybe he likes funny quotes, maybe he likes nature scenes, maybe he has a favorite movie, like Star Wars or he likes anime or dogs or whatever.

Take a group photo Christmas Eve ASAP, maybe in front of the tree, or in front of the home. Then find a photo print shop that will print, or print from your home printer, (buy photographic paper for the printer) and then frame it and give it <3

Find out if he has an electronic reader- if he does then buy a cover case or reading light attachment.

Since he’s flying- buy a neck pillow, looks like a furry donut that snaps on and off. We’ve got these and they are fabulous!

Does he have iTunes- buy some iTunes credits.

Fix him a snack-pack gift bag he can take on his flight.

@chyna Yeah, that’s true (about a food gift card). She did say he was going home, though. It doesn’t have to have a whole pile of money on it. It could also be included with other things. Like I said before, though, that’s true. I see what you mean. Maybe my idea is just bad. Maybe we should stop talking about it now. I mean, it doesn’t sound like @Pandora wants to even get him that anyway. ^_^

T-Shirt
“I stayed with my girlfriend’s crazy parents and all I got was this stupid t-shirt.”

^ Hahaha. That’s funny. It would show the parents have a sense of humour, too. :)

I always get my kids pajamas and if we have guests in our home at Christmastime they get pajamas too. You could also get him some slippers, a journal book, socks,...... Does it seem like this might be a permanent thing? If it does, those fun “Mom” types of gifts will be great. (No underwear yet though.) If I read you right, you just want him to feel included. I would say, just make sure the numbers (not price, but number of gifts) add up to your daughters. Almond Roca, a board game, mixed nuts,..... Inexpensive things so he’s not sitting there watching others do all the opening.

ROLMAO , @6rant6 LOVE that idea. It would be original.