Gifts for Smokers. The Bad.

[psychpipes]

So my birthday is fast approaching, and I am faced with the problem I am always faced with: my wife's gifts. Don't get me wrong, my wife is wonderful and thoughtful. Before I started smoking, she always complained that I was too difficult to buy something for. Mainly, because when I want something I save my money and buy it. Since becoming a pipe smoker two years ago, each gift giving event has ended with my wife picking something for me that is less than stellar. I have tried to teach her about what I smoke and what pipe makers and shapes I like, but the results are usually the same. This tends to happen with my other family members as well. They know I like pipes, but they know nothing about them. Well, except my Dad, but he doesn't give gifts. He likes to say "I gave you life and fed you for 18 years. You owe me." Needless to say my collection has more than a few Chinese knock offs and Captain Black pouches in it. I sound really ungrateful, and probably need a kick in the pants. I just know I do a lot of research into the things my wife likes. (Probably have the next 20 years of gifts already covered.) To be honest though, it is the thought that counts and my wife has been my gift since I met her.
So what about you all? Do your significant others and/or family members know what you like? Or do you too fall into that trap of smiling as you open the proverbial "pink bunny pajamas"?

 

[jeepnewbie]

Not really sure how to approach that on with family. That being said you could warn them and say the knock offs may have materials in them (like painted bowls) that could make you sick. Then they respond with the well so does tobacco. Or you could say buying knock offs supports terrorist, but that may get you some really odd looks.
Personally I'm really open with my family. I told them just get me some Captain Black if you don't know what to get me. I take my wife with me to the B&M and look at pipes, cheapest thing they have is basket pipes and cobs. If they have internet pass them a web site where you would like stuff from. Hope that helps some, as everyone is different on approaching that area of unliked gifts. They do at least try, all my dad would give me was hunting stuff. I got tired of that real fast, every birthday and christmas.

 

[natibo]

smokingpipes.com now allows you to share your wish list with other folks. That way you can get exactly what you want.

 

[pylorns]

I have had similar issues - but with training of wife and family this has improved. My wife always complained about not knowing what to get me. Vice versa, I never paid attention or took note of what she wanted.
I've since taken to my phone and used a tool called wunderlist that I just jot a note down - ie we're walking in the store and she goes - "ooooh" I'd like that. I take a note for later like Christmas time.
Now back to the problem with family gifts. I put damn near everything I like on amazon wish list. My family will ask me - what are you interested in - I say for ideas, or exactly what to get me that I will like - see my amazon wish list. This also includes some pipes - as amazon actually has sellers that sell pipes there.
Additionally smokingpipes.com now has a shareable wishlist - and I think that pipes and cigars may be shareable but I haven't checked. Being able to find a major site and select a ton of stuff that you like - with varying price ranges is key. They want to know what to get you - say "I'll send you a link for all current and future gift ideas. Stick to the list, I'll be happy."

 

[anglesey]

Don't worry, our lass is shit at buying me gifts too. She buys me thinks she wants me to have, as opposed to stuff I want. I gave up trying to hint at what I wanted ages ago, I just started telling her :p Since then she's bought me lots of nice tobacco and a whippet. Wouldn't recommend smoking the whippet though.

 

[sablebrush52]

It's never been an issue for me. Nobody in my family gives gifts, except the occasional birthday gift and on that rare occasion, we'll ask what the recipient wants.

My once and future wife and I do buy each other gifts from time to time, but we also check out what the other one wants. Why waste the effort?

I have no expectations, nor sense of entitlement, so no disappointment.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The guy who runs the B&M here took my birthday down and he knows the style I smoke and what pipes I like. He called my girlfriend a month before my birthday and had her come in and pick out a few things for me. They did a great job together, scoring me an awesome pipe, ceramic raku pipe rest, and a sleeve of of my favorite tins. It was actually the best birthday that I've ever had as an adult.

 

[sidious]

My wife also has trouble choosing gifts for me because I am very picky. I was thinking of suggesting gift cards for one of the sponsors on this site.

 

[ravkesef]

Anglesey wrote:

she's bought me lots of nice tobacco and a whippet. Wouldn't recommend smoking the whippet though.

actually I'm sure it would be quite good, provided you baste it liberally, as they don't have much fat on them.

SWMBO got me a W. O. Larsen straight grain freehand for my 40th birthday. Last year, as I was getting ready to go to the Chicago Pipe Show, she handed me an envelope with several wallet sized portraits of Benjamin Franklin and suggested I pick out my own birthday present. This year, she suggested I do the same when I get to Chicago. Life is good.

 

[dochudson]

for gift giving occasions I use to get the constant what can we get you want questions. So, being as OCD as I am I now send out my wish list with links and pictures.

 

[warren]

My family is expressly prohibited from giving pipe, gun, or photo equipment as a gift. I purchase what I need or want with regard to these three areas. Underwear and socks are two areas where they can run rampant and buy as they wish.
I will always appreciate a Patek Phillipe and am ever hopeful that one will appear, gift wrapped with a nice card.

 

[seagullplayer]

My wife and grown sons know golf balls are always a safe bet.

 

[pylorns]

@cosmicfolklore now that is awesome. That tobacconist needs a marketing award.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

And, I really like it that he took the time to remember my face to my name. It really makes a difference when upon my second visit to the place, he was able to welcome me by name. I know that I wouldn't be able to do that.

But yeh, just make everyone who buys a pipe fill out a card, just print out a small 1/8th sheet form and keep one for each pipe sale. He moves lots of high end pipes, so he must be doing something right.

I know that getting that gift was pretty cool. Way better than a new shirt that I'd have to return to get the correct size.

 

[teufelhund]

In my family, Dad gets Bailey's, Mom gets Jack and I get Maker's... Like clockwork; every Christmas; I have way to many mongrammed high ball glasses. My gal usually goes to the tobacconist and sticks her nose in the bulk jars and picks out something she thinks smells nice. I'm not to picky and it means I can smoke anywhere in the house.

 

[rayje589]

When it comes to pipes I know exactly what I want and around any gift giving holiday (or birthday) I'll usually tell people exactly what I want or send them links to things I want.

 

[latbomber]

Good thread idea!
Most of my hobbies (piping, guitar playing, motoring) are too "jargony" and fussy for the layperson to realistically buy a gift. I typically answer when asked, "just get me something to do with you!" I find these quirky gifts hold much more value to me than other things.
Every year, for each member of my close family I make up a funny photoshopped card/picture to do with them. I've found that they keep and appreciate the cards much more than the gift! It has involuntarily become a tradition.

 

[bryanf]

Wife got me a leather small tobacco pouch and ashtray in France. I got her a sewing machine. I have lots of clothes that need mending.

 

[pipestud]

My wonderful wife, when we were still dating, bought me a pipe and some sweet smelling aromatic blend from our city's local pipe shop. I thanked her and promptly packed up the tobacco in the pipe and started smoking it. I am a good actor. I smiled sweetly as I puffed. Hell itself could not have been hotter.
Once I could talk again, I told her that pipes and tobaccos were kind of a personal thing and that while I loved her pipe and tobacco in an emotional sense, that it would be better not to purchase pipes or tobaccos for me in the future as she may be spending hard earned money on a pipe that might be in a shape I didn't like or a tobacco that had a flavor I didn't like.
Here it is 14-years later and she once asked me why she never sees me smoking her gifted pipe. I tell her that it has such wonderful sentimental value to me that I don't want to mess it up and that it means more to me by having it pristine and in a place of prominence in my pipe rack.
Best,
Pipestud

 

[condorlover1]

My wife always buys me shirts and ties as she in common with some of our clients has a theory that I am devotee of the Inspector Columbo school of dress sense. On odd occasions I have been asked by members of the bench if I have slept in my suit the previous night - just try to look coy! Anyone who knows me well will have concluded that buying me pipes is a thankless task and waste of their time. I will however accept large gifts of tobacco to celebrate my natal event day or that other holiday when that poor family wound up hanging out with sheep in a barn with the three traveling salesman one of whom gifted a jar of embalming products to the new born child. Naturally all gifts should be in green packages, manufactured in Great Britain and start with a C. Last Christmas one of my associates gave me a Walker Colt with bullet mold and flask in a lovely wooden case. The damned thing weighs 4 1/2 Lbs and is a veritable hand cannon. I am still trying to find something to do with it hence my dictum no independent thinking when it comes to giving me gifts otherwise next year I could wind up getting a howitzer or worse!