The holidays are just around the corner, and for many adults that means shopping for their co-worker, their family, and their kids because heaven forbid little Jimmy go one year without the latest Lego set. With so much love going around for everyone else, you can easily forget to take care of yourself. Thankfully, the internet is here to remind you that you want things, too, and that's okay.
Reddit user, u/danny_ish, wanted adults to be honest about what they wanted this year when they asked:
Adults of reddit, what gifts do you actually want for the holidays?
Holding On To Memories Of Now
bart simpson model GIFGiphyA really nice, digital camera with great zoom so I can take beautiful photos of my kids, my Siberian Huskies and the birds in my garden. 😍
Who's A Good Doggo?
same thing I wanted as a kid honestly - a dog
May I suggest looking now- a lot of shelters are crazy busy come Christmas, and then a lot of dogs get returned. If you look now you will have more to choose from, and you can still buy all the accessories on sale before Christmas
Something Sweet And Kind
Honestly I cherish any note or card my kids have given me especially when they say something positive or nice in it.
Keep It Clean
A basket of hygiene products. Hair care, razors and shaving gel, etc. That sh-t is expensive so if I can get a few week's supply for free for Christmas, YES PLEASE.
A Sleeping Hug
A weighted blanket. I heard it feels like a hug. It will also maybe prevent me from waking up with sheets on the floor as I am a tornado in bed.
Also crazy socks. I think they look cool.
Everyone Knows The Shapes Of Action Figure And Doll Boxes
I'm 24 and I still like getting toys and games for Christmas.
Things I would enjoy but feel guilty about buying for myself because they're "frivolous."
Holographic Darth Maul, Anyone?
Any Funko Pop. They're like $20CAD, and the variety is endless. For me I guess it's the gesture of getting a gift that makes me feel good, and a Funko Pop can be thoughtful depending on what you get/give.
Reminder To All Fellow Millennials Out There:
The full series of The Office on DVD because its being taken off Netflix January 1st
That Last One, Tho
A water heater
A better vacuum cleaner
Fuel Oil for the furnace
Reece's candy
...
Being an adult is sad and hard and that's why I need candy.
Nothing Better In The Morning
A coffee maker. Mine crapped the bed about 9 months ago. My parents are still pretty cool and always get me something for Christmas and my sisters.
My sisters both asked for a ton of crap and the only thing I asked for was a coffee maker. And maybe some socks because I can never seem to keep a matching pair.
Something Homemade, With Love
lisa simpson cat GIFGiphyMy daughter-in-law always makes me things. This year she is making ornaments with all of her pets' footprints on them. This is the type of gift I prefer.
We Like Stuff We Can Eat
For most adults, I find consumable goods are the best gifts cause we all live in tiny spaces and theres no room for more stuff.
So bougie versions of normal stuff like cookies, fancy wines/beers, a nice perfume (if u kno their preferred scents) candles, snacks, soaps etc
If you want actual stuff I recommend small tokens that remind you of them. Socks or a Keychain of their favorite cartoon/show. Or Small pieces of jewelry, nothing fancy, you can find cute inexpensive jewelry at most department stores like Macy's or jc penny or online on Etsy. Stuff that fits their style.
If you're closer to the person then stuff that compliments their hobbies. I have art friends that die for art supplies, gamers always have another video game they want to buy, music obsessives love records or band merch, some people love doing weird makeup styles so new brushes or palettes (im srs pay attention to their hobbies)
If you're REALLY at a loss.... gift cards with a funny card. Write a cute message.... pick a restaurant, coffee place or major store (target). Pajamas. I feel like you can't f-ck up with pajamas or a nice blanket. But gift cards.
Getting Everything You Want, But Not All You Want
It's a bit of paradox now that I think about it.
When I was a child I lacked an income so I depended on my parents to buy me all of the material things I wanted which is why I looked forward to birthdays/holidays.
Now that I'm an adult with what most would consider a high income I can buy any material things I want but working hard to make that money by seeing patients, taking call and running a business often leaves me lacking quality time spent with my parents who aren't exactly going to be around forever.
So my answer is just a couple weeks off to go spend time with my parents. That's all I want and all I'm looking forward too during the holidays
Thinking Ahead To The Future
A pregnancy [massage] or a cheap 50' smart TV, which there are a lot of right now but its just not in my budget with Christmas, Hanukah and my Sons birthday all in the same 2 weeks plus a baby due a few weeks after. My parents are awesome tho so they might buy me one if I ask.
Are You Listening, Santa?
New flooring for the kitchen and dining room. Never ever buy the cheapest flooring, because we now have holes in our linoleum.
Also, jobs for my kids as soon as vaccines are all over the place, I would like them to move to their own place(s) for a little peace and quiet.
A job for me would be nice too.
Can I Get Some Sweet, Sweet Silence?
I want 48 hours all to myself. In my house.
Did I mention, ALONE?
God that would be awesome.
I love my family and all but I am NEVER alone. It drives me nuts.
They Can't Not Think Of Things They Want
Kitchenaid Pro 600 mixer in the color Ice or Aqua Sky
Camera gear
Switch games
Clothes (I rarely shop for myself so Christmas is usually when I get clothes or any other necessities I need)
I used to hate getting socks and underwear as a teen but for the past 17yrs I've been thankful that my mom still gets me a new pair because they aren't cheap.
Nothing Like Right Out Of The Oven
As a an adult man with a good job who can buy anything he wants - home made chocolate chip cookies are still always appreciated.
Building Your Own World
I'm a grown man and I still want some more Lego.
I'm a grown man and I bought waaaay too many Legos this year hah
Oh Yeah...Worldwide Pandemic.
A warm hug from people I care about. There can never be too much hugging.
Same, stupid virus. I hope you and yours are safe and healthy
You Never Know What You Have Until It's Gone
sad bart simpson GIFGiphyFor the whole family to be able to get together for Christmas. I will not have that this year, but hopefully next year
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Experiencing death is a fascinating and frightening idea.
Who doesn't want to know what is waiting for us on the other side?
But so many of us want to know and then come back and live a little longer.
It would be so great to be sure there is something else.
But the whole dying part is not that great, so we'll have to rely on other people's accounts.
Redditor AlaskaStiletto wanted to hear from everyone who has returned to life, so they asked:
"Redditors who have 'died' and come back to life, what did you see?"
Sensations
Happy Good Vibes GIF by Major League SoccerGiphy"My dad's heart stopped when he had a heart attack and he had to be brought back to life. He kept the paper copy of the heart monitor which shows he flatlined. He said he felt an overwhelming sensation of peace, like nothing he had felt before."
PeachesnPain
Recovery
"I had surgical complications in 2010 that caused a great deal of blood loss. As a result, I had extremely low blood pressure and could barely stay awake. I remember feeling like I was surrounded by loved ones who had passed. They were in a circle around me and I knew they were there to guide me onwards. I told them I was not ready to go because my kids needed me and I came back."
"My nurse later said she was afraid she’d find me dead every time she came into the room."
"It took months, and blood transfusions, but I recovered."
good_golly99
Take Me Back
"Overwhelming peace and happiness. A bright airy and floating feeling. I live a very stressful life. Imagine finding out the person you have had a crush on reveals they have the same feelings for you and then you win the lotto later that day - that was the feeling I had."
"I never feared death afterward and am relieved when I hear of people dying after suffering from an illness."
rayrayrayray
Free
The Light Minnie GIF by (G)I-DLEGiphy"I had a heart surgery with near-death experience, for me at least (well the possibility that those effects are caused by morphine is also there) I just saw black and nothing else but it was warm and I had such inner peace, its weird as I sometimes still think about it and wish this feeling of being so light and free again."
TooReDTooHigh
This is why I hate surgery.
You just never know.
Shocked
Giphy"More of a near-death experience. I was electrocuted. I felt like I was in a deep hole looking straight up in the sky. My life flashed before me. Felt sad for my family, but I had a deep sense of peace."
Admirable_Buyer6528
The SOB
"Nursing in the ICU, we’ve had people try to die on us many times during the years, some successfully. One guy stood out to me. His heart stopped. We called a code, are working on him, and suddenly he comes to. We hadn’t vented him yet, so he was able to talk, and he started screaming, 'Don’t let them take me, don’t let them take me, they are coming,' he was scared and yelling."
"Then he yelled a little more, as we tried to calm him down, he screamed, 'No, No,' and gestured towards the end of the bed, and died again. We didn’t get him back. It was seriously creepy. We called his son to tell him the news, and the son said basically, 'Good, he was an SOB.'”
1-cupcake-at-a-time
Colors
"My sister died and said it was extremely peaceful. She said it was very loud like a train station and lots of talking and she was stuck in this area that was like a curtain with lots of beautiful colors (colors that you don’t see in real life according to her) a man told her 'He was sorry, but she had to go back as it wasn’t her time.'"
Hannah_LL7
"I had a really similar experience except I was in an endless garden with flowers that were colors I had never seen before. It was quiet and peaceful and a woman in a dress looked at me, shook her head, and just said 'Not yet.' As I was coming back, it was extremely loud, like everyone in the world was trying to talk all at once. It was all very disorienting but it changed my perspective on life!"
huntokarrr
The Fog
"I was in a gray fog with a girl who looked a lot like a young version of my grandmother (who was still alive) but dressed like a pioneer in the 1800s she didn't say anything but kept pulling me towards an opening in the wall. I kept refusing to go because I was so tired."
"I finally got tired of her nagging and went and that's when I came to. I had bled out during a c-section and my heart could not beat without blood. They had to deliver the baby and sew up the bleeders. refill me with blood before they could restart my heart so, like, at least 12 minutes gone."
Fluffy-Hotel-5184
Through the Walls
"My spouse was dead for a couple of minutes one miserable night. She maintains that she saw nothing, but only heard people talking about her like through a wall. The only thing she remembers for absolute certain was begging an ER nurse that she didn't want to die."
"She's quite alive and well today."
Hot-Refrigerator6583
Well let's all be happy to be alive.
It seems to be all we have.
Trying to lose weight is a struggle understood by many people regardless of size.
The goal of reaching a healthy weight may seem unattainable, but with diet and exercise, it can pay off through persistence and discipline.
Seeing the pounds gradually drop off can also be a great motivator and incentivize people to stay the course.
Those who've achieved their respective weight goals shared their experiences when Redditor apprenti8455 asked:
"People who lost a lot of weight, what surprises you the most now?"
Redditors didn't see these coming.
Shiver Me Timbers
"I’m always cold now!"
– Telrom_1
"I had a coworker lose over 130 pounds five or six years ago. I’ve never seen him without a jacket on since."
– r7ndom
"140 lbs lost here starting just before COVID, I feel like that little old lady that's always cold, damn this top comment was on point lmao."
– mr_remy
Drawing Concern
"I lost 100 pounds over a year and a half but since I’m old(70’s) it seems few people comment on it because (I think) they think I’m wasting away from some terminal illness."
– dee-fondy
"Congrats on the weight loss! It’s honestly a real accomplishment 🙂"
"Working in oncology, I can never comment on someone’s weight loss unless I specifically know it was on purpose, regardless of their age. I think it kind of ruffles feathers at times, but like I don’t want to congratulate someone for having cancer or something. It’s a weird place to be in."
– LizardofDeath
Unleashing Insults
"I remember when I lost the first big chunk of weight (around 50 lbs) it was like it gave some people license to talk sh*t about the 'old' me. Old coworkers, friends, made a lot of not just negative, but harsh comments about what I used to look like. One person I met after the big loss saw a picture of me prior and said, 'Wow, we wouldn’t even be friends!'”
"It wasn’t extremely common, but I was a little alarmed by some of the attention. My weight has been up and down since then, but every time I gain a little it gets me a little down thinking about those things people said."
– alanamablamaspama
Not Everything Goes After Losing Weight
"The loose skin is a bit unexpected."
– KeltarCentauri
"I haven’t experienced it myself, but surgery to remove skin takes a long time to recover. Longer than bariatric surgery and usually isn’t covered by insurance unless you have both."
– KatMagic1977
"It definitely does take a long time to recover. My Dad dropped a little over 200 pounds a few years back and decided to go through with skin removal surgery to deal with the excess. His procedure was extensive, as in he had skin taken from just about every part of his body excluding his head, and he went through hell for weeks in recovery, and he was bedridden for a lot of it."
– Jaew96
These Redditors shared their pleasantly surprising experiences.
Shopping
"I can buy clothes in any store I want."
– WaySavvyD
"When I lost weight I was dying to go find cute, smaller clothes and I really struggled. As someone who had always been restricted to one or two stores that catered to plus-sized clothing, a full mall of shops with items in my size was daunting. Too many options and not enough knowledge of brands that were good vs cheap. I usually went home pretty frustrated."
– ganache98012
No More Symptoms
"Lost about 80 pounds in the past year and a half, biggest thing that I’ve noticed that I haven’t seen mentioned on here yet is my acid reflux and heartburn are basically gone. I used to be popping tums every couple hours and now they just sit in the medicine cabinet collecting dust."
– colleennicole93
Expanding Capabilities
"I'm all for not judging people by their appearance and I recognise that there are unhealthy, unachievable beauty standards, but one thing that is undeniable is that I can just do stuff now. Just stamina and flexibility alone are worth it, appearance is tertiary at best."
– Ramblonius
People Change Their Tune
"How much nicer people are to you."
"My feet weren't 'wide' they were 'fat.'"
– LiZZygsu
"Have to agree. Lost 220 lbs, people make eye contact and hold open doors and stuff"
"And on the foot thing, I also lost a full shoe size numerically and also wear regular width now 😅"
– awholedamngarden
It's gonna take some getting used to.
Bones Everywhere
"Having bones. Collarbones, wrist bones, knee bones, hip bones, ribs. I have so many bones sticking out everywhere and it’s weird as hell."
– Princess-Pancake-97
"I noticed the shadow of my ribs the other day and it threw me, there’s a whole skeleton in here."
– bekastrange
Knee Pillow
"Right?! And they’re so … pointy! Now I get why people sleep with pillows between their legs - the knee bones laying on top of each other (side sleeper here) is weird and jarring."
– snic2030
"I lost only 40 pounds within the last year or so. I’m struggling to relate to most of these comments as I feel like I just 'slimmed down' rather than dropped a ton. But wow, the pillow between the knees at night. YES! I can relate to this. I think a lot of my weight was in my thighs. I never needed to do this up until recently."
– Strongbad23
More Mobility
"I’ve lost 100 lbs since 2020. It’s a collection of little things that surprise me. For at least 10 years I couldn’t put on socks, or tie my shoes. I couldn’t bend over and pick something up. I couldn’t climb a ladder to fix something. Simple things like that I can do now that fascinate me."
"Edit: Some additional little things are sitting in a chair with arms, sitting in a booth in a restaurant, being able to shop in a normal store AND not needing to buy the biggest size there, being able to easily wipe my butt, and looking down and being able to see my penis."
– dma1965
People making significant changes, whether for mental or physical health, can surely find a newfound perspective on life.
But they can also discover different issues they never saw coming.
That being said, overcoming any challenge in life is laudable, especially if it leads to gaining confidence and ditching insecurities.