I think this depends a little on the nature of the hard time, like someone who is busy and stressed may not have time to use spa items outside daily self care, but maybe nice shampoo, lotion, or a candle are great, or GC for coffee. If they’re doing medical treatment they might be bored so puzzles, books, crafts, movies, etc might be appreciated, but they may be on a special diet so most fun snacks are out. Though in most cases hard to go wrong with snacks.
Other ideas… cozy socks, massage ball, adult coloring book, an apple or Google appstore card for games and/or movie rentals, new PJs or soft lounge wear.
I’m contemplating getting a robot vacuum. Just starting out the research process in preparation for Black Friday sales.
Use case: hardwood floors, one story house, kids who drag in sand and wood chips constantly. Would like to have it run while I work so that we’re not spending our evenings vacuuming. Have cleaner once a month so not expecting deep cleaning from the roomba (or other brand).
We’ve had two now (in four years, the first one just died), and they are the non name brand cheapie versions. Unless you want it to map and be smart etc. I don’t think it matters much. We just let the dude do his thing while we’re away or working and it’s amazing. We have two kids, long hair but no pets, for reference.
I got a eufy brand one, it’s the wirecutter’s budget pick I think. I’m extremely pleased with it’s cheapness, great cleaning (no sand tho), barebones functionality, and lack of internet/wifi/smart bs. It’s a few years old and still going strong.
Mine’s an antique Roomba with no Wi-Fi but can be programmed for a schedule. Still easy to get parts and it’s ten years old. Used might be an option. Ours is the pet series and it’s pretty great at chunks and fur.
I got a Roborock Q5+ this year (the plus means that it has a docking station canister that it empties into) based on a Wirecutter recommendation and it’s by far the best robot vacuum I’ve ever had. The app is really great as well and it has very effective mapping and I’m able to cordon off areas. It even puts out more power when it recognizes that it’s on a rug and not hardwood.
I clean the brush after every use but we have long haired cats. It picks up so much every single time!
Brother laser printer has been great. Laser has been great for not dealing with ink drying out between prints and Brother has a good reputation, we’ve been happy with ours for a while now.
Is the issue that it doesn’t print anymore or is otherwise broken? Or that the software on your computer is broken?
There is software called VueScan that makes scanning software for old scanners that still work but aren’t manufacturer supported anymore. Basic printering should still work with the drivers available without the proprietary software.
Otherwise, the least infuriating and most reliable printer is the basic brother black and white duplex laser printer that looks like this:
Should be less than $150, the specific model doesn’t really matter. Laser means a toner cartridge lasts forever and never dries out. I bought mine 2nd hand over a decade ago, and am still on the first replacement cartridge I bought shortly after the printer.
If you absolutely need color printing at home and don’t have a print/copy shop nearby, I would check out this CR article (I can get a pdf if you don’t have access via your library) or the various Wirecutter writeups on printers.
We have an old HP color laser printer that we’ve been using for more that five years, maybe ten. On the second cartridges, and agree they never dry out. If say go for laser even if you really need color.
