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I'll second (third?) cross-stitch. You can buy a basic beginner's kit at a craft store or even at Walmart very cheaply, and it will include everything you need to get started so you can see if you like it or not. The one I linked even includes a hoop.

Cross-stitch can be as basic or as complicated as you like, mostly based on the size of your finished piece. It is essentially pixel art, because you complete it one tiny square at a time. It can be anything from simple text to huge elaborate "paintings" (I don't personally have the patience to complete these but they are impressive!) Look around /r/CrossStitch to get a good idea of the range of options!

Sometimes in cross-stitch you will also use a technique called backstitching, which creates an outline without creating cross-stitches. It can make a big impact on your finished work. If you use this technique on it's own you basically have blackwork, which can be used to create all sorts of designs.

I've only dabbled a little in standard "embroidery" but similar to cross-stitch it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. I think it's harder to find beginner kits for this so you'd probably have to find your own supplies, but basically you are drawing with thread and you can use different stitches to create different results. Again, take a look around /r/embroidery to get an idea of the options it gives you. Some people who are very good can create incredible thread paintings. You can use backstitching for this sort of embroidery and knowing how to do that would probably be a good foundation.

The only other thing I can think of that really crosses over is French (or colonial) knots which you might encounter in cross-stitch patterns as well as use in embroidery.

I hope that helped and didn't make things more confusing! :)

I am a 50-year-old man, and I started doing needlepoint, and later cross stitch as well, when I was a teenager. Back then, it was a pretty big novelty, but I quickly learned not to give a fuck. In the 1970s, there was an African-American (American) football player named Rosie Grier who published a book called "Needlepoint for Men." http://www.amazon.com/Rosey-Griers-Needlepoint-Men-Grier/dp/0802704212 It was a pretty big deal.

Just the other day I was doing x stitch at work during a meeting, and afterwards, someone made conversation with me and mentioned Grier. It had been a long time since someone had mentioned him to me. You can see some of my work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tippiedog/sets/72157631913804704/

Have fun and learn to take enjoyment from defying people's expectations.

I've got like 3 on the go that I periodically switch between. I'm so good at starting them but so terrible at finishing them, lol. I start a big one and then do all manner of other stuff in between working on them. I've been working on this one off and on for at least 8 years. It's about 1/3 done. I ended up having to leave it at my mother's house when I moved across the continent to live with my husband. I've got it back now though =D This one I got as a gift from my mother-in-law 2 years ago and it's about.. half done. This one I just started and is going to take me by far the longest ever because it's enormous, but is the least difficult because there's no backstitch or anything.

I love the notebook cover idea, but don't have any good suggestions for it.

But, as far as somewhat practical gifts go - I stumbled across these coaster frames, and thought it would be a fun project to do a set of small cross stitches and put them in the frames.

Try looking for 'stamped embroidery' . You should find quilts, pillowcases, tablecloths, etc. I made this one: Year of Flowers