Shopping is one of my least favourite activities, so I usually try to avoid it. But when I’m travelling, I love to shop for small, unusual gifts for family and friends.
Shopping prep, Granville Island. Photo by Vi.
My husband’s not an easy giftee. He has everything he needs, and although he doesn’t have everything he wants (who does?), my budget doesn’t extend to Beneteaus and Breitlings. So his gifts from my travels are somewhat (ahem) eclectic. This is the latest.
Miniature Solar-powered RainbowMaker designed by David Dear
It’s an elaborate yet simple piece of engineering (to delight a child of any age).
Rainbows…go, catch some.
beeblu blog 
That piece of engineering looks flashy. It’s something you don’t see every day, and I think you’re lucky hubby brought it home. Have fun with it 😀
I bought it for my hubby, Mabel. 🙂
Lol. I really thought it was he giving the gift to you. But, now that you’ve clarified, it’s a unique choice. One of a kind. Now, you know you can have fun with it too yourself 😀
It seems like the PERFECT gift! 🙂
😄 It’s a delight.
Come on!!?! — Fabulous!!
Isn’t it an amazing little piece of engineering, Monica?
Yes, BB. How does one get on your gift-giving list?
You would be an inspiring giftee, Monica. 😄
I’m with you. Not a fan of shopping in chains (except for food), BUT I enjoy strolling through small eclectic shops to pick up the odd item for gifting.
And, yay! Now I know what you look like.
We would have fun shopping together, Nancy. 😄
the machine is as beautiful and intriguing as the rainbow its project.
It’s a beautiful design. So simple and effective.
A gift should always be useless and beautiful….Great one!
And from the heart. 💞😄 Thanks, Cynthia.
What a great find! (I’m quite jealous.)
My husband is so difficult to buy things for. I found buying things for him and for the boys incredibly difficult on the last trip as so much of what was on offer was either aimed at females (bags, scarves, purses) or were just dust collectors. I did manage to bring home some Bhutanese wine for The Husband. I’m not sure how good it will be given it cost me about $4 a bottle but it will be fun to try. 🙂
Oh, that will be fun. Would love to know how it tastes. Bouquet of fresh mountain air, perhaps?
What great gifts you’ve chosen for someone who is a difficult “giftee!” You must have given this a lot of thought. Every once in a while, I am an inspired gift giver, but those moments don’t come often enough!
It’s getting more difficult to find the unusual in this age of mass production, Patti. Thanks.
Agreed. I am always on the lookout for unusual and personalized gifts.
WOW! I love that. Imagine being able to make a rainbow whenever your day is blue. Awesome xxxx
It makes different patterns and sizes of rainbows depending on where it’s placed. It’s a marvel. 🤗
The sort of thing I could play with for long periods!
It’s a wonderful little toy, Col.
That is a truly happy gift for any kid or kid-at-heart! 🙂
It certainly lifts the heart, Dor. 🌈
wow, I love it!
😄 I was like a kid when I saw it. That doesn’t happen often these days. 🤓
Love the rain maker…such a wonderful gift. I hope hubby liked it.
Thanks, Jo. Happy New Year!
Have just seen this post – November to now have been difficult for me keeping up with my Aunt’s death on 30 October necessitating many trips for me to Sydney. But. I’m with you. I’m not a huge shopper – and when I travel the only shopping I enjoy is gifts for others.
Funnily enough, my husband, also a difficult giftee, was given one of those rainbow makers a few years ago by a Japanese visitor (our son’s girlfriend at the time). We had it on the kitchen window and certain times of the year it gave such a show!
Yes, buying gifts for others is hugely enjoyable. 🙂