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What's a good gift to give a blind person? (self.Blind)
submitted by DAULTIM8
At university you meet a lot of the different people. This year I made a friend and he is completely blind since birth but still does everything we do, albeit with what I imagine to be just a different experience.
His birthday is coming up and he is having a small party for it, and I'd really like to get him a gift and his was very thoughtful for me, despite him not knowing what it looked like or what things I like look like. I initially thought to give him a music CD or something, but the guy has Spotify and therefore has all his music right with him. As blind people yourselves, what kind of gift do you think you guys would like? Cheers!
Update: I bought him a nice leather jacket that has inside and outside pockets as he likes to feel his phone is on him. He trusts it looks good and he said he likes how it feels and smells. Who knew?
His birthday is coming up and he is having a small party for it, and I'd really like to get him a gift and his was very thoughtful for me, despite him not knowing what it looked like or what things I like look like. I initially thought to give him a music CD or something, but the guy has Spotify and therefore has all his music right with him. As blind people yourselves, what kind of gift do you think you guys would like? Cheers!
Update: I bought him a nice leather jacket that has inside and outside pockets as he likes to feel his phone is on him. He trusts it looks good and he said he likes how it feels and smells. Who knew?
BlueRock956 14 points 3y ago
Just in case this friend of yours is me, I’d really like an Apple Watch.
DAULTIM8 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Hahahaha
razzretina 7 points 3y ago
Do you know what he likes in general? Think of the things you guys do together and the stuff you have fun with. Not being able to see doesn’t mean he might not be a fan of things like themed tshirts or movie posters (I collect those) or esoteric things like journals (my blind friend collects them even though she can’t read or write print). He’s your friend first, so what would your friend like? :)
burnthebridgex 3 points 3y ago
it’s so interesting and cool to me that you choose to collect movie posters!
razzretina 2 points 3y ago
Thanks! :) I can't wait to get back to my own place and put up my horror movie ones so people hesitate before coming to my house. :D
DAULTIM8 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
I thought about getting him a phone case with a game he likes on it because his case is quite bland compared to our ones. But I'm wondering if it's cruel or not to give him cool things he can't see? I don't know! Maybe he'd like it or maybe not.
razzretina 6 points 3y ago
It’s not cruel if he likes the game and could use the case. :)
rollwithhoney 3 points 3y ago
it really would depend on the person, but i think if he likes the game its a good idea. I'd go with your gut (and he will take any gift in good-faith too). Here are some other ideas:
-if he reads braille, search braille stuff on etsy there are tons
-you mentioned spotify, does he have spotify premium? spotify giftcard if not
-obvi traditional gift ideas too: giftcards to stores/restaraunts, take him out to a bar if youre 21+, maybe something university specific, etc.
-if he reads braille, search braille stuff on etsy there are tons
-you mentioned spotify, does he have spotify premium? spotify giftcard if not
-obvi traditional gift ideas too: giftcards to stores/restaraunts, take him out to a bar if youre 21+, maybe something university specific, etc.
DAULTIM8 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks to all three of you!
Arinvar 3 points 3y ago
Indeed he may not get any personal enjoyment out of "plane" items, but blind people like to show off/look good just like everyone else. Don't underestimate the benefits of him having a "cool" phone case (or anything really) that may only have the benefit of receiving compliments from other people. If that phone case serves as a conversation starter a couple of times, I'm sure it'll be money well spent.
ukifrit 3 points 3y ago
If this person is your friend you might know some of their likes. Just give them something related to their likes.
Arinvar 3 points 3y ago
If you or your friend group play board games or card games that's a good option. You'll probably have to order them online but there's plenty of braille cards and games to choose from.
BlueRock956 3 points 3y ago
Hey, yeah, the phone case would be an awesome choice. Just make sure that it’s the same kind of material and style. He may have chosen the case he currently uses for the protection it offers and because of how it feels.
DAULTIM8 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
True! I always take touch for granted. But I suppose blind people pay more attention to how things feel
oncenightvaler 2 points 3y ago
You could find him clothes you think he would look nice in.
You did not tell us any of his hobbies things you two do together besides music.
You could get him something to better organize his belongings like a new satchel or a closet organizer.
I always like getting card games in Braille, though Braille books are expensive.
You did not tell us any of his hobbies things you two do together besides music.
You could get him something to better organize his belongings like a new satchel or a closet organizer.
I always like getting card games in Braille, though Braille books are expensive.
cyclops32 2 points 3y ago
If you think he likes a game or tv show, by all means, get him a case, shirt, hat if he's into that. I don't know about others here, but I find sighted people don't know what to talk about with us, so if you get him some kind of geek wear to get a conversation started, by all means do so. Just make sure you explain what it is if it's a picture on a t or hoodie or sometime.
I seeing how you two seem to be in college, he likely already has a backpack, but I'm blind myself, and I almost always give a backpack to my blind friends. I have four myself, and theirs two or three I'm always switching between depending on what I'm doing. A folding backpack, a smaller one than he already has, a bigger one than he already has, etc. Maybe a nice one. One with a built in charger, speaker, or just plain fancy.
Keep us updated. :)
I seeing how you two seem to be in college, he likely already has a backpack, but I'm blind myself, and I almost always give a backpack to my blind friends. I have four myself, and theirs two or three I'm always switching between depending on what I'm doing. A folding backpack, a smaller one than he already has, a bigger one than he already has, etc. Maybe a nice one. One with a built in charger, speaker, or just plain fancy.
Keep us updated. :)
DAULTIM8 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you very much! He likes to wear a shoulder pack from what I've seen. I found a really neat jacket that looks quite comfy but also has a lot of different pockets and things. I suppose when you're blind you only want practical items that you can actually use, rather than care about how flashy or cool it looks.
oncenightvaler 2 points 3y ago
I have my sister do things called "being my mirror" where I go out shopping with her to see what she can find that looks cool and nice on me.
BlindOwl12 1 points 3y ago
Haha same, I definitely like knowing I look decent although that would depend on the person
cyclops32 2 points 3y ago
No problem. Though we do like flashy things. Even though we can't see them, it's nice to know we aren't going out with things that look bland all the time.
ratadeacero 2 points 3y ago
A book on CD can be cool
bscross32 2 points 3y ago
Amazon gift card or pay for prime for a year or something like that. An iTunes or Play store card, etc.
DAULTIM8 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Yeah but I don't wanna give him a slab of cash because he really went all out with my gift. I think I might just get him some nice merch
awesomesaucesaywhat 2 points 3y ago
Maybe a mix cd?
DAULTIM8 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Maybe, but as I said he has spotify :(
BlueRock956 1 points 3y ago
How did it go with the gift?
AmAsabat -2 points 3y ago
Head.
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