I need gift ideas and I need them fast!

Our Chanukkah/Christmas combo party is December 11th.
 
I don't go by the rules and buy small gifts for everyone.  I'll come to that problem later.
 
Part 1: 
 
This year they're doing the dumbest exchange ever!  Well one part is great, but the other?
 
First the problem gift:
 
We are supposed to purchase and wrap one $20 approximate gift that is gender neutral and age inclusive.   This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard!
 
Here is where I need the most help because I have an aversion to gift cards unless I'm sending them out of state.  (I hate spending more on postage than I do on the gift)
 
What can I buy that will make a 13 year old boy as happy as an 85 year old man that a woman or girl would also like?  Stupid,  I tell you!
 
The good part is we're also to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to unfortunate children.
 
Part 2:
 
 
I've usually purchased all of my gifts by this time and I thought I had.  Somehow I didn't buy any "guy" gifts.
 
I need ideas, folks!  Through the years I've already given many flashlights, pocket knives, coffee mugs, radios, tools, wine and things like that.  Small gifts that are useful.
 
Any ideas out there?  I need them fast!
 
Thank you in advance!

Amazon and others are carrying a minature supermarket shopping cart that is absolutely adorable and would appeal to all ages. Order one and fill it with candy, pens and pencils, whatever, I'm putting homemade chutney in mine. With shipping they come to about $15 so you can afford to fill them. Just Google "miniature shopping cart." Hope this helps; everybody uses shopping carts.
Janet

I  know the perfect gift..........................LOTTERY TICKETS

A Snuggie
Chia Pet
The Clapper
Seriously, a Harry and David's, Pear, gift basket
 

For the 12 year old boy I'd recommend a 23 year old Hooters waitress. For the 85 year old man I'd recommend a 23 year old Hooters waitress. And of course, it's possible that might be just the gift for a woman, as well.
 
Twenty bucks might be a little short, though.

see's candy, of course.

Why I don't know what to say.  
 
What a perfect list of gifts! 
 
However...
 
Shortchef:  Interesting idea, but I don't think I could depend on our postal system.
 
Greymo:  I can't give Lottery Tickets because they are what I received last year.   Wish I could tell you that they supported me for the rest  of the year, but alas... not a penny.
 
Chewingthefat's list of gifts were also all received last year.  I thought the kids would like those Chia Pets!
 
Michael Hoffman:    I'd have to travel all the way to Santa Monica for the closest Hooters and parking there is a thing of displeasure.  I also wouldn't want all of the party goers leaving the party depressed wishing it was them (?) who had unwrapped the Hooter's Girl.  
 
Bill Voss:  See's Candy is ALWAYS the perfect gift.  They wrap for Chanukkah?  Hannuka?  Hanooooka?
I think that the Hooter's Girl might be a little less money.  
 
I'm thinking a couple of bottles of hot sauce might work for the guys.
 
Keep those ideas coming!

I was gonna say Snuggie but chewie beat me to it.  I think that's the kind of thing that people will exclaim when they open and threaten to regift, but will secretly open and use at home.  You know there's the Snuggie Sutra now?  That would make a really fun/funny gift.
 
Those Acorn sock-slippers with the leather bottoms work for everybody.
 
I'm seriously thinking about getting Robbie a big gift card to whatever his yogurt shop du jour is.  It's where a lot of his pocket money goes anyway.  Starbucks/Coffee Bean cards . . things people will buy for themselves but can do smarter things with their own money if they've got it available otherwise.
 
If you have a favorite schmancy condiment . . I've started to keep a couple extra jars of that Foster's seven-pepper jelly that I like so much around in case I need a last minute gift.  I've also bought extras of candles I like, that sort of thing.

Buy something very age and gender specific, perhaps something that a lady your age would like. Demonstrate civil disobedience towards this dumb gift exchange idea.

Great ideas!  I happen to adore my Acorn moccasin style slippers.
 
RE: Civil disobedience
 
I was going through the pile (albeit small) of unused gifts in my garage and I found what I believe to be the perfect gift.  Now should it be from my mother or me?
 
A brand new box of two Plastic Pink Lawn Flamingos

Bill Voss submitted my top suggestion.. See's does gift wrap, they are doing some really Xmas bargains 'on-line'.
 
How about gift cards for one of the RF places ...like In-n-Out or Farmer Boys?  Or maybe one of the places a bit higher on the food-chain !!  (The Farmer's Market Food Court)
 
 I'd stick with food-related, as it is usually 'gender-proof' and , unless you buy 'Bubble-Gum Ice Cream', it covers a wider age spectrum than Movie (or Lotto) Tickets.

Food items are always good.  I'd say wine also except for the kids.
 
  I think I thought of a quintessential gift.  I don't know that it will be used, but it could be. 
 
How about a hands free earpiece for a cellphone?   I think it just might be the answer.
 
Now I need another answer.

1. A tub of popcorn/caramel-corn/cheese popcorn/chocolate covered popcorn or a mixture of the flavors (whatever you have available locally).
2. Can(s) of mixed nuts or various nuts.
 
For guys: a LED head-flashlight (on an elastic band).  Use for camping, night fishing, working on the car, etc.:
http://www.nextag.com/flashlight-headband/stores-html
 (by the way Harbor Freight stores handle them:
http://www.harborfreight.com/store-finder/

6 star
 Cabelas had the clip-to-cap led's for 3 units for $20. I bought 6 units (5 led's on each) for 99 cents each on ebay, w/ batteries included. We keep them all over the house and in the cars  for when the lights go out... Very Handy device.
Link to the description
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=320604952194&si=QEW3ygr4TKVdlNwNzTGaqw8re30%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

My power went off last night!  Honestly, right before 9PM or the end of Amazing Race everything went black.
 
It was either a message from God or Al.  I keep a battery operated lantern that emits a very bright light below the computer table.  With the lantern I was able to navigate my way in to the bedroom and the only problem I was left with was a head full of lovely thoughts.
 
Don't know when the power came on.  Everything was flashing 12:00  12:00 this morning.
 
Think my nephew might like a lantern?
 
 
 
 
 

A can of those Danish Butter Cookies they have at Costco now.

20 one-dollar holiday themed instant lottery tickets with a note enclosed that he/she is to give them out to 20 different people who don't expect one, telling them to have a lucky holiday season.  Making somebody else smile is a great gift and they'll probably want to do it the following year.

I just bought myself the cutest food-related t-shirt around: https://biggayicecreamtruck.spreadshirt.com/
 
The headlamp idea is a good one.

Mar52 - I spent half a summer the year before looking for those pink flamingoes, when lo and behold, I found them in a Vermont Country Store catalog, and even gave a set to my sister-in-law last year for Christmas.  It's the perfect gift for us baby boomers who remember them, along with the original gazing balls, which I'd love to have as well.  

Here you go:
http://www.amazon.com/Gazing-Balls-Yard-Art/b?ie=UTF8&node=3742351

I did it.  Gifts with no thought behind them.  That's what I bought.
 
I wasn't even looking for them because I was in CVS picking up meds.  Who knew that CVS sold gift type items?
 
How do these sound?
 
Popcorn popper and some sort of a thing that you can charge all of your electronic gadgets on.  I don't know what you call it but it's going to be wrapped soon.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions!  

Those sound like good picks!  Happy holidays to your crew Marlene!

THanks, Nancy.
 
The same to you and yours!
 
Think I'll wrap up those flamingos so that there is an extra gift in the pile to confuse everyone!

Marlene, if you could send me some good quality Pralines, not from CVS, it would be most appreciated!

Those sound good Mar. I was going to suggest Godiva Hot Chocolate. It's Wintery, most people of all ages, genders and religous backgrounds like it. Toss in some peppermint candy(ies) (not a candycane, but those peppermint things) and you'll have a $20 gift.
 
But, I'm a little late to the Ball. I think the universal charger and the popcorn popper are good ideas for your situation.

Now that sounds so good I might have to buy it for myself.
 
I find hot chocolate comforting.

I don't know if they are in national distribution, but around here Kraft has marshmallows in flavors of strawberry, caramel swirl,  vanilla (miniature snowmen), and gingerbread, any of which might be added to your gift package.

That's also a great idea.  Maybe I'll add a couple heavy, 3 fingered mugs!
 
 

mar52


Now that sounds so good I might have to buy it for myself.

I find hot chocolate comforting.

We have a Secret Santa thing we do with a large group of "coffee break" folks. It's voluntary - the same ones who break together, or meet out for happy hours. Anyways, generic gifts are the norm, although if you really know the person it's possible to do something special. Most years, I do something coffee/food related. One year was Godiva Hot Cocoa - person was really happy, another year a super cool travel mug and a $5 gift card to our on-location coffee shop, etc. This year I did some Starbucks Via, Starbucks Christmas Blend, and some Starbucks peppermint chewing gum. Generic, for sure - but I know the person will like it.
 
Every year, my brother and his family host us, and my other brothers' families, for a couple days over New Year's. Now, since we all have kids, we've forgone giving gifts among adults - we've decided to just spoil the rugrats. But, since they put us up for a couple nights, I always get my sister in law (the choco-haulic) a canister of Godiva Hot Cocoa - she's always happy. I used to give them wine, but they'd open it on NYE. So, I know the chocolate will really be a gift for them.
 
It may be one of the best national brand hot chocolates on the market. And like all good chocolate shops, one can choose milk or dark hot chocolate.