I prefer smart wool, but am totally on board with nice merino wool socks from any brand. Happy feet have helped me maintain a happy life. It's like a good pillow or the right jacket for today's weather for me.
Totally agree on the boardgame suggestion if it suits their personality. You need to know what complexity they are into, first.
It's about numbers as a whole, and the bottom 50% of earners in the US only have 2.6% of the wealth. They can advertise a 'good economy' but most of us can't afford to participate in it.