The TueNight Gift Guide: Part One

By Margit Detweiler

Oh how we love to give…

But a big debate here at TueNight HQ: Do you give someone a gift that you’d want to receive? Or do you give someone a gift you believe they truly want (and you might not)?

I lean to the latter. For example, an older relative of mine is super into gift cards as a gift and since they’re renovating their kitchen, I might get them a Home Depot gift card. I wouldn’t get them the Velvet Underground, White Light / White Heat 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (hint, hint). Although, it might enhance the construction process…

I like listening to the subtle cues all year (“I could really use a better drill”) but others say you should think outside the gift-wrapped box, get them something they didn’t know they wanted.

Whichever way you lean, giving is personal — it’s from me to you. And it will always say a little something about how you and I relate. To that end we’re going all personal this week and next (more to come folks!)— we’ve asked our TueNight contrbutors to think of items that were truly meaningful for them, in the categories of their expertise.

This Week:

Maura on Music

Bethanne on Books

Kim F. on Style

Kim O. on Foods You Can Make

Rachel on Sexy Gifts (NSFW!)

Teresa on Dog Gifts

Susan on Gifts for Your Sober Pals

Amy on Healthy Goodies

Suzanne on Gifts That Give Back

Jenna looks back at her Gifts of Christmas Past, to her husband — the good, the bad and the unopened.

Next Week: Kids, Travel Gifts, Tech Gifts, Crafty Stuff, Manly Gifts and much more.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Originally Published December 10, 2013. Updated April 5, 2021.