Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Him, Her and Them.
If you are struggling to decide on that last-minute gift, here are some ideas that might just save the day and avoid your taking the impersonal ‘gift card’ route.
For Him:
Every man needs a dress shirt with French cuffs. It adds to his everyday style and is also ideal even if it stays in the closet waiting for a special occasion. But no such shirt is complete without the perfect pair of cuff links. Cuffcrazy.com has a mind-blowing selection of cuff links and other accessories sure to please the most discriminating level of taste and class. Cuff links are categorized by occupations, hobbies, sports, military, animals, etc. I placed my order online on a Friday morning requesting their regular shipping method, and the package was delivered the following Tuesday. Selection, service, value. Very cool. www.cuffcrazy.com
Your guy returns from the golf course after a day of fun with his pals, but admits his game was lacking. His wallet might even be a bit lighter. Well, the good news is that ever-advancing technology in the golf world does allow the average golfer to ‘buy a better game’ without spending a fortune. Polara Golf creates clubs and balls designed to make golf more fun. Their Advantage drivers are moderately priced and will increase distance and accuracy. Several models are available. Their unique golf balls can be found at retailers online and in sporting goods and golf shops around the country. www.polaragolf.com
Whether it’s a rifle or pistol used for hunting, formal target shooting, or general plinking, the cost of ammunition has skyrocketed in the last year, making a fun activity almost unaffordable for people who have enjoyed it for years.
One answer is the air pistol. An official air pistol competition is quite an amazing spectacle, since the target is only 10 meters away with a bullseye smaller in diameter than a pencil eraser. The beauty of all of this is that a quality air pistol, good enough for accurate target shooting, such as the Daisy Avanti Triumph 747, can be purchased for less than $250 (no special license or background check required), and you can get a canister/pack of 500 pellets for less than $10. These days a small box of fifty .22 cartridges can cost that much, if you can find them. So, he gets to shoot, refine his skills, and you get him out of the house for a few hours. Go to www.daisy.com for more info. Their superb customer service team will tell you how and where to place your orders.
For Her:
This is a no brainer. A spa session is the ideal gift, allowing her to be pampered in ways you guys simply cannot figure out. Massages, skin & nail care, aroma therapy…you can’t do this at home, gentlemen. Find a spa locally or in her hometown, pick a package, and present her with a pretty certificate that shows you want her to look and feel great.
When you can’t be there to make her feel at ease, a designer nightlight might help do the trick. Yeah, nightlights were cool, and often necessary, when we were kids, but today’s designs are infinitely more decorative. Like the cuff links mentioned for men, nightlights are available to coincide with special interests, such as food, art, and occupations. They are also great for guest rooms. You’ll find the perfect one at www.kyledesigns.com
Tell her to “pack a bag.” Men…well, we typically don’t like ‘surprise trips.’ I think our DNA prefers to have a better grip on where we might be going and what we will be doing. But I asked several female members at my gym (married and single), and all agreed that a special romantic trip would be most welcomed any time during the year. It doesn’t have to be a weekend in Colorado skiing or a shopping spree in Manhattan.
I suggest a night or two in New Orleans, with a dinner at Irene’s or Jacques-Imo’s. Both are delightful dining experiences, with great food at a very reasonable price. If you are headed west for any reason, spend the night in Monroe, Louisiana, home of Duck Dynasty, and have an amazing dinner at Restaurant Cotton.
You’ve seen the show Chopped on The Food Network, right? Chef Cory Bahr was the winner of his episode, and runs a tight kitchen that serves up some of the most creative southern cuisine found anywhere. On a recent visit I enjoyed the most amazing shrimp & grits ever, along with an appetizer I would eat every day of my life if I could: Smoked trout dip with homemade crackers. Chef Bahr knew I write for food and travel magazines, and was very kind to share tastes of some other dishes. All were superb. www.restaurantcotton.com
For Them:
More food, and don’t laugh. Waffles are hot all around the country. I’m seeing gourmet waffles all over the place, and creative dishes and sandwiches featuring all types of waffles with different ingredients. Waffle makers are available almost anywhere that small appliances are sold, and a decent and reliable one (like I have) is about $25. The recipients will enjoy cooking up treats, and if they have children it will be a real hit. And if you are ever in Bentonville, Arkansas (corporate home to WalMart), go to Tusk & Trotter restaurant for their fried chicken and carrot cake waffles. If it weren’t a six hour drive from my home I’d probably go there every week.
It may sound uninspired, but everyone can appreciate a good coffee table book. Forget about the ones featuring world landmarks, pets, and historical events. Have some fun and wrap up Our Dumb World, a parody world atlas created by the geniuses behind The Onion website. Spend about two minutes thumbing through it yourself and you will laugh so hard you will probably purchase one of your own. I checked with Square Books and they have them in stock. Or you can order online from the usual book sites.
Steven J. Austin writes for travel, food, sports, and entertainment publications worldwide.