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Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2023 8:54 pm
by aayl1
Only 24 online shopping days left til Christmas lads, how are all your Christmas Present shopping lists going?
I wanted to solicit some advice about the bigger present for my wife, and I figured this could be a general present-chat thread but also post any help you need buying yours, maybe even bait your secret santee into giving you some advice for what you're getting them.
My partner this year wants a record player, like to play Vinyls. Probably an all-in-one unit with speakers. Do you have any recommendations or advice on what to look out for as this is very out of my wheelhouse. Thanks!
Hope you're having a merry festive season and not getting too stressed over getting the perfect gift!
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2023 8:59 pm
by Rex Kramer
I got a Lenco turntable for my daughter at a decent price from Gear4music. Might be worth a look.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2023 8:59 pm
by Vermilion
I've pretty much completed my christmas shopping.
Mind you, i did start early this year, bought my first gift in July when i bought mum a Rosina Wachtmeister cat figurine in Germany.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:12 am
by Peter Crisp
How about the B&O Beoplay Portal xbox headset.
I know it's a console headset but it isn't xbox branded and has plumeted in price from 450 to just 150 on amazon.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:06 am
by aayl1
Peter Crisp wrote:How about the B&O Beoplay Portal xbox headset.
I know it's a console headset but it isn't xbox branded and has plumeted in price from 450 to just 150 on amazon.
I could do with some new headphones, I will look into these.
I also asked for a mechanical keyboard but I should probably do some research and ask for something specific, haha.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:43 am
by sawyerpip
It will very much depend on your budget and what your wife is looking for in a player, but assuming that you don't need one with all the bells and whistles then I've found the Audio-Technica LP60 to be a good one. I think there are also newer models available now with Bluetooth capability also.
It doesn't come with speakers though so you would need to buy those separately, you can get Edifier bookshelf speakers at a reasonable budget which I think sound pretty good. When I was looking into getting one pretty much everywhere recommended not to get a set with speakers built-in to be honest.
(Disclaimer: I'm no audiophile, but I think it's generally regarded as a good beginner/budget player for those interested in the hobby but not massive enthusiasts, which sounds perhaps like what you want.)
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:34 am
by Octoroc
aayl1 wrote:Peter Crisp wrote:How about the B&O Beoplay Portal xbox headset.
I know it's a console headset but it isn't xbox branded and has plumeted in price from 450 to just 150 on amazon.
I could do with some new headphones, I will look into these.
I also asked for a mechanical keyboard but I should probably do some research and ask for something specific, haha.
Here's a list by Digital Foundry...and a review of some mad retro keyboard that I'd really like.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:36 am
by Qikz
aayl1 wrote:Peter Crisp wrote:How about the B&O Beoplay Portal xbox headset.
I know it's a console headset but it isn't xbox branded and has plumeted in price from 450 to just 150 on amazon.
I could do with some new headphones, I will look into these.
I also asked for a mechanical keyboard but I should probably do some research and ask for something specific, haha.
Ducky keyboards are great, can't recommend enough.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 10:46 am
by Robbo-92
Christmas present shopping gives me a lot more stress and anxiety than it should, I never know what to get anyone now, even my 2 nephews are never short of new things thanks to nearly new stuff being bought loads cheaper on sites like Vinted by their parents.
Think a bit of my stress comes from the fact that over the years, I've been bought an absolute load of rubbish that has solely been bought to get a laugh when being opened and then never used and subsequently chucked or given to a charity shop (if appropriate). Personally I just think this is wasteful on the person buying the product and the production of the item merely for a laugh, of course there is items that are both useful and funny, but I've rarely received a gift that fits into both categories.... So from being bought loads of rubbish, I try to think of useful items people will like, the problem is then that anything useful is just bought by the people throughout the year, which then increases my stress levels trying to think of what to buy.
It sounds very Scrooge, but my family is pretty much all the same, no one has any idea what to get anyone else, I've even suggested that we at least try (as they still insist on giving gifts rather than stopping) gifting money before the day, we can then all buy something(s) guilt free with the money given, come Christmas Day when presents are opened, its not a surprise for one person, but at least its a surprise for the others who've gifted the money to see what its been spent on and there is still presents under the tree and most importantly, something the receiver actually likes rather than just tat
I admit this probably sounds ridiculous, but when my family feels like its stuck in a rut over gifts I thought something like this was worth trying but of course none of them want to try something different, even put the idea of a small secret Santa forward and still got shot down
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:11 pm
by Peter Crisp
aayl1 wrote:Peter Crisp wrote:How about the B&O Beoplay Portal xbox headset.
I know it's a console headset but it isn't xbox branded and has plumeted in price from 450 to just 150 on amazon.
I could do with some new headphones, I will look into these.
I also asked for a mechanical keyboard but I should probably do some research and ask for something specific, haha.
I bought a pair and they're really good.
They're over ear and fit me great and sound better than my Sony XM4s.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:56 pm
by Peter Crisp
No need to worry any more as Christmas has been cancelled.
There's no Ashens Advent this year.
Repeat
There's no Ashens Advent this year.
This is not a drill.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:08 pm
by rinks
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:12 pm
by Moggy
rinks wrote:
Live
Laugh
Drill
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:14 pm
by rinks
It’s a real shame “leafblow” isn’t an acceptable verb (yet).
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:16 pm
by Steve
The vast majority of my family are now dead which makes shopping easier as I only have 5 people to buy for these days.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:40 pm
by aayl1
... Buckling spring switches, you say?
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:46 pm
by Octoroc
aayl1 wrote:... Buckling spring switches, you say?
You'll know when you've typed a character alright. Nice action!
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:59 pm
by Xeno
Is buying a harmonica for a 3 year old a bad idea? Said 3 year old lives with my niece.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:00 pm
by Qikz
Xeno wrote:Is buying a harmonica for a 3 year old a bad idea? Said 3 year old lives with my niece.
For you no, for the people living with the 3 year old absolutely.
Re: Christmas Present Advice Thread
Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:19 pm
by SEP
Xeno wrote:Is buying a harmonica for a 3 year old a bad idea? Said 3 year old lives with my niece.
How much do you hate your niece?