Gift ideas

[Trebuchet]

What things make good gifts for INTPs? Suppose it's your birthday, and you have a promising box in front of you. What would you like to see in it?

My list:
Science fiction books and movies
Fantasy books and movies
Non-fiction books, especially about how the brain works, cryptography, and history
Craft things, like needlepoint projects, or balsa wood airplane kits
Decent clothes, so I don't have to shop or decide what looks good
Jewelry is always nice

This isn't theoretical. I need ideas for some birthdays and Christmas coming up, and INTPs seem kind of hard to buy for.

 

[Kuu]

Suppose it's your birthday, and you have a promising box in front of you. What would you like to see in it?

A dick in a box?

Cash-money, bitch

(...)

Edit: The presumption that money is somehow a thoughtless gift really jiggles my buttons, it takes a special/especially thoughtful kind of person to grant someone a healthy portion of free and unfettered choice, as opposed to, 'here's this gift, whatever, this is all it will ever be, hope you like it'.

Money. Yes. I always hate all the lame gifts people give me. Nobody knows what I like more than myself, so just give me the money and begone. No, you don't need to put it in a box and wrap it with stupid paper, just give that money to me too.

Edit: ehh banana's post disappeared!...Maybe he's editing... oh well.

 

[Kokoro]

Money. Yes. I always hate all the lame gifts people give me. Nobody knows what I like more than myself, so just give me the money and begone. No, you don't need to put it in a box and wrap it with stupid paper, just give that money to me too.

Couldn't agree more.

Additionally, I always love when someone asks me specifically what I want and then buys it. Sure, there is no mystery, but there is nothing like hitting the bullseye.

 

[Minuend]

Everybody exchanging money, that would be even more pointless. That's why I stopped gift-giving on Christmas.

Thinkgeek.com should offer some inspiration.

 

[anyaa]

For me it would definitely be a Science Book...

 

[Trebuchet]

A dick in a box?

Edit: ehh banana's post disappeared!...Maybe he's editing... oh well.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha! Can't do better than a dick in a box.

Yeah, what happened to banana's post?

Anyway, thanks for the comments. I happen to agree about money and specific requests. I just have to work around family obligations here.

 

[bananaphallus]

A dick in a box?



Money. Yes. I always hate all the lame gifts people give me. Nobody knows what I like more than myself, so just give me the money and begone. No, you don't need to put it in a box and wrap it with stupid paper, just give that money to me too.

Edit: ehh banana's post disappeared!...Maybe he's editing... oh well.

Sorry, I deleted it out of shame. I'll rewrite what I can remember -

...the books at PetSmart are all unintentionally hilarious...don't waste my time with gifts that aren't money, you two-bit whore, you don't know me, how arrogant of you to presume that you know what I would like, you should be ashamed of yourself...PetSmart...books...blah blah blah

 

[Trebuchet]

Sorry, I deleted it out of shame. I'll rewrite what I can remember -

...PetSmart...books...blah blah blah

You are funny. Your points were actually well-taken, if, um, oddly phrased. But let me get this straight: you were ashamed of a not-completely-helpful gift suggestion but not of being called bananaphallus?

 

[sagewolf]

Boooookkkksssss.....

Oh yes, and drawing materials/paints are always welcome. Those things are expensive. Apart from that, logic and math puzzles (tactile or printed), or something absolutely bizarre and possibly morbid, and probably utterly useless might win me over, like a bubonic plague plushie, or a silly math t-shirrt.

Yes, the plushie exists. And all his microbial, life-threatening, abominably cute plushie friends.

 

[Da Blob]

As opposed to gift certificates to walmart or whatever seeming crass - a gift certificate to a book and/or music store might seem quite considerate to an INTP...

 

[Jaico]

I'd love to have a forensic psychology or a criminology textbook, to tell you the truth; failing that, pretty much anything from thinkgeek would be pretty awesome as well. I haven't really found myself yearning for anything in particular for a long time...

But as for gift ideas - like Da Blob suggested, a gift certificate (maybe for iTunes?) would be a good idea. It lets people know that you have an idea of what they're interested in, and still lets them choose.

 

[KazeCraven]

Depends on what age, really.

Assuming not young children age though, I would agree with the book sentiment.

Else anything that correlates with an interest (e.g. meditation pillow for meditation).

 

[echoplex]

1. Time
2. Money

But especially money. heheh

Seriously though, I think it's quite generous for someone to offer their time. It's probably the most valuable thing a mortal has, you know, unless they're suicidal. But it's the thought that counts, provided that thought isn't extremely annoying.

 

[bluesquid]

I did some shopping in SAM's club right after thanksgiving. As I walked out I noticed a christmas tree.

I said, "Already? Where is the easter candy?" to the guy checking my receipt.

In total sincerity he replies, "I know! Thats why I dont even celebrate christmas anymore. Too commercial."

I just looked around at all the shit, and shook my head.

I buy people shit they hate at first, but useful. Like a hammer. But 6 months later they say "Thanks, I had to kill my wife, that came in handy!"

 

[echoplex]

"Thanks, I had to kill my wife, that came in handy!"

Ah, it's quite heartwarming to know your gift was appreciated. Usually it just ends up in a closet collecting dust.