This year, since I wasn't going home for Christmas, I roped in two of my siblings to help shop for me. They told me when they went shopping for their own gifts, and I sent them text messages throughout the shop as if I could see where they were and could direct them to the right object.
For example:
"OH! That one's perfect, because it begins with N and Nathan's name begins with an N!"
So my sister hunted for around for an item beginning with N, purchased it, and gave that to Nathan for me. In this case it was a ninja mask.
One sibling told me what I ended up picking up for them, the other did not, so seeing them open it on Christmas Day via Google Hangouts was as much a surprise to me as it was to them. It made for a lot of laughter.
The other prompts I gave and what they yielded:
"Elizabeth told me she had a gift for Micah, but she didn't want to say it out loud. So go find her, and whatever she's looking at, that's what he wants." --> A reusable coffee filter. (Micah does not drink coffee.)
"Ok, now find Elizabeth one more time, and get whatever is BEHIND her. She's facing away from it because it hurts too much to look at it, thinking she won't get it. Boy, will she be surprised!" --> Italian dressing.
"Ooh, up there, the very last thing on the top shelf, on the right. That'd be a good gift for Bekah. Especially if you drew a tiny caterpillar on it. (Can you do that please)?" --> An empty red bottle, which wasn't so easy to draw a caterpillar on, so my sister drew one on paper, cut it out, and taped it to the bottle.
"I really have no idea what Joel wants, but one of his recent Facebook posts began with 'TLDR,' so that must be some sort of clue. What would you say is the most 'too long' thing in the next aisle over?" --> A shoehorn you could use while standing
"Oh, right there, Bethany told me she really wants that thing to your left. Even though it's kind of gross." --> A wooden birdhouse to assemble.
"What would you say is the MOST orange thing on that middle shelf? Dad would be happy with that, I think." --> An orange bag of dog treats. (My family does not have a dog.)
"At first glance you'd think that thing on the bottom shelf is what Mom wants LEAST, but it's actually what she wants most! She's just too embarrassed to say it!" --> A bag of Epsom salts.
"Definitely get Seth the fifth thing in that stack. Oh, and that round thing behind you! Those go so well together! What an amazing duo gift for him!" --> A large aluminum cake pan and a box of moon pies. (As far as gifts going together, it could be worse.)
. This is one of the ones I don't own, but fully intend to purchase it for myself in the near future. It's a filmed version of the Broadway musical starring the original cast.
. Because anyone who likes musicals, Joss Whedon, or awesome things in general should own it. But especially people who like musicals. If you get the DVD, you also get the musical commentary "Commentary!" which is nearly as enjoyable as the movie itself.
. More Joss Whedony theater goodness. This is a solid production of one of Shakespeare's best-known comedies. It looks gorgeous, the language sounds gorgeous, and Nathan Fillion wins everything in his few short appearances.
I own this one but haven't listened to it much yet... but giving anyone songs by Jason Robert Brown Christmas is a good way to tell them you love them. Alternatively, you can get someone the original 2002 cast with Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott, which I do love, but I figured I'd showcase something a little newer here.
. The most interesting movie-related book I've read in ages. If you have any friends who liked The Room and want to know more about how the heck it happened, they will LOVE this book. I read it in less than a day because it was so intriguing I almost literally could not put it down.
for those who like parodies, 
for those who like inspirational movies, 
for those who like their movies so awful they're hilarious, 
for those who like dark philosophical tragedies, and 
for those who like rom coms.
. And, ya know, every season after that. I've written plenty on this blog about how much I freaking love Community, so I won't elaborate here. Just... buy it for people. Make them watch it. They will love it.
by Dan Wells. The sequel is a little disappointing, but this was possibly the best book I read last year. The main character is one of the most psychologically fascinating ones I've ever found, and the mystery is fun to follow along with.
and its sequel, 
. These morbid board books make awesome conversation starters. Even if you don't read them often, they're still freaking cool just to have in your house. Also, while finding the links on Amazon, I discovered there is an 
, which is the best thing ever.
. I have never, ever, ever laughed out loud this often or this hard reading a book. Jenny Lawson's stories are touching and funny and far from boring. It's far from family friendly, so you probably don't want to buy it for, say, your pastor or a young child, but for my vote it's well worth the read.
. I don't yet own this, but it's another one I need to. Like Jenny Lawson, Allie Brosh just has the ability to make me giggle madly. If you're not sure if you should buy this, read a few of her blogs over at her site, also called Hyperbole and a Half, and that should convince you.
by Donald Miller. An older one, but it's a book that changed the way I thought about God in quite a few significant ways. It's an easy, laidback read, with a lot of good points and poignant stories.
. Just about any incarnation will do, but I've specifically played 
and 
, and they're both so much fun. It's a card game where the rules change frequently during gameplay, so you have to stay on your toes to win. It's also easy to play with just two people, so you don't have to gather a huge group to enjoy the game.
. A cooperative strategy game where you try to eliminate four contagious diseases before they spread and wipe out the world. Notoriously difficult, but if everyone works together you can save the world!
. I don't own this one yet either, but it's been on my list for awhile of "games I should probably get." It's kind of like a darker, less family-friendly (but much funnier) version of Apples to Apples.