Photo by David Garrett.
The holidays are upon us! Halloween has come and gone and I just finally finished my bag of Brach’s® Brand Candy Corn. Offer me any candy corn that isn’t Brach’s®, and prepare to have them slapped from your hand! I’m obviously very particular about some aspects of the holidays and I know many of you are as well, especially when it comes to gifts.
Whether you’re giving or receiving gifts, you always want just the right one. Well you’re welcome in advance, because I’m giving you the perfect gift guide! What makes it perfect you ask? Stop asking silly questions and just go with it! Here is a list of gift items I’ve compiled that I hope will please and inspire this holiday season. So as I continue to awake from my Thanksgiving turkey coma, here we go!
Iron Tribe Fitness
I’m putting this up front, because what happens at the end of every big holiday dinner? Another big holiday dinner, followed by leftovers of holiday dinners. Many of which are enjoyed while lying horizontal on a sofa watching TV, picking giblets off your chest. Don’t get me wrong, I find this a wonderful way to live, but I don’t want to be an enabler.
A membership for yourself or someone else at Iron Tribe Fitness seems great. The people I know who do it love it! They feel fit, revived and rejuvenated. You’re not just another number sweating next to some other number. There’s this camaraderie built through individual attention and a community of athletes that are very supportive of each other.
A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack
Jew, Gentile or Scientologist, everyone loves the Charlie Brown Christmas special! Or at least you should. Let me rephrase that. You darn well better! If you don’t, please refer to the implied ire of my Brach’s® Brand Candy Corn comment.
The soundtrack to the TV special shouldn’t be dismissed because it’s from a “kid’s cartoon.” It’s beautifully performed by one of the finest musicians ever, Vince Guaraldi. Between renditions of the classic Peanuts theme we’re so familiar with, there are excellent versions of traditional Christmas songs like “What Child Is This,” “O Tannenbaum” and ‘The Christmas Song.”
You’ll notice I’m not recommending the DVD of the Christmas special, which hands down is the finest holiday special ever. It’s been airing on television since 1965. I always felt that it should be watched on television once a year and not be available at any moment’s notice — that seems to make it less special. I understand if you want to buy it, but sometimes you shouldn’t possess the unicorn.
Read a book already, why don’t ya?
Photo by David Garrett.
Reed Books is one of my favorite places. With a name like Jim Reed, I guess he had to open a bookstore.
Reed Books is quite the unique place to get a gift for the well-read, the beginning reader, or the occasional reader. The shop specializes in vintage, used and rare books. Wander into his store and pick up a copy of TIME Magazine from 1963, a leather bound copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, a steamy ’80s Danielle Steel novel or a pocket English-to-German dictionary, or choose from what is possibly the largest selection of vintage children’s literature around.
The selection of vintage photos, postcards, matchbooks, knickknacks and tchotchkes is also a good reason the store is called the Museum of Fond Memories. The selection is extensive without being too expensive. Reed can also order any book for you new or old. Whether you visit the store, which I implore you to do, or visit online, you will not only come away with a unique gift, but a unique experience.
Reed Books is located at 2021 3rd Ave. N. For more information, call (205) 326-4460.
The mid-century nightstand
This is a beautiful piece of furniture. Get it for the Mad Men fan in your life. (Misogynistic attitude and two-martini lunch not included.) West Elm has been one of my favorite places for years. It’s where I bought my bed and I’m thinking of getting this nightstand to go with it.
West Elm is like IKEA’s older, more sophisticated cousin — except he doesn’t spell his name with a bunch of umläuts and serve you Swedish meatballs. The mid-century nightstand is classy, modern and cool enough to go with just about any décor while giving you an air of stylish superiority. “Is that the new West Elm Mid-Century Nightstand, Delores?”
“Why yes it is, Phyllis.”
“Congratulations on such a wonderful purchase. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going home to reevaluate my life.”
Don’t reevaluate your life, Phyllis. Just go online and order one. Or better yet, travel to the Summit Mall and buy one at the brand new West Elm store.
McWane Science Center membership
According to the Thomas Dolby’s hit song from the ‘80s, “she blinded him with science.” I don’t know whom this “she” was or what particular science she used to blind him with. Astronomy? Quantum physics? Be specific, Thomas!
Still, a gift of science in the form of a McWane Science Center membership is pretty specific and pretty economical. I take my nephew and godchildren. I know families who regularly go and swear by the membership savings versus paying for all their kids and themselves each time. The kids can discover interactive science exhibits, play areas, and real live sea life. Adults will discover the savings and the satisfaction that they’ll be immersing their kids in a world of discovery and fun! There are no extra discounts for wearing a Members Only Jacket, but it sure doesn’t hurt.
Memberships start at $90 and include adults and family members.
Holiday cards from Night Owl Paper Goods, Inc.
Night Owl makes some of the coolest gift cards! Plus, Night Owl is eco-friendly, letter-pressed and uses paper and real wood! All made right here in Birmingham! Imagine the smiles on your friends’ and family’s faces when they receive a unique card adorned with cute gingerbread men, penguins, otters and even hedgehogs.
You heard me. Hedgehogs!
The illustrations and typography are top notch. Night Owl also has an array of cards and paper products for all occasions. Their products are in 1,317 shops in 15 countries. Don’t bother chartering a jet to Singapore or France; you can get them at eight different locations around town. To find the locales or just order them online, just check out their website.
Orchid delivery!
Got someone on your shopping list with a green thumb? Well, they should really have that checked out, because it sounds infected.
If they also love plants, then how about a beautiful orchid delivered to their door? A Phalaenopsis (fa-lə-ˈnäp-səs) orchid, to be precise. This orchid is as beautiful as it is difficult to pronounce. But regardless of your mangling of the word, when you call Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery, they’ll know what you’re talking about. According to the website, they’ll create an artful arrangement wrapped in their signature burlap with care instructions and a handwritten note from the sender. They also attractive planters for these locally grown beauties.
Prices range from $30-$60, which includes local delivery.
Gift baskets
There’s one thing all holidays have in common. Uncle Edgar will get drunk on eggnog and schnapps, tell your brother he’ll never amount to anything, refer to his ex-wife as “that woman,” hit up your dad for a loan and fall backwards into the Christmas tree and/or lit menorah.
Well, maybe there are two things all holidays have in common, the second being food. Whether gorging ourselved on holiday treats or a sensible, well-balanced meal, we love to eat during the season. Alabama Goods has made-in-Bama food and treats. The Gourmet Delight gift basket is to my liking. Sweet and savory treats are nestled in this basket that are sure to please the taste buds on your gift list. The Alabama delights consist of key lime cookies, peanut brittle, cheese straws, chocolate chip cookies, ground coffee and so much more. All made in the state, so freshness is guaranteed. And they’ve got various options to fit your holiday budget.
Magnolia’s Gifts
From novel to novelty, Magnolia’s has the gift for either that special someone or special silly someone. Located in the heart of Five Points South between Starbucks and Jimmy John’s, Magnolias has been providing the public with the most fun gifts around for 30 years.
They’ve got an array of gift and greeting cards, books, journals, tinker toys, puppets, unique stuffed animals and other fun things for kids. And for the grown-ups, there are stylish picture frames, candles, watches, sculptures and figurines, not to mention a few wacky novelty items that are sure to smile on the face of the stuffiest grinch.
It’s a place I’ve been frequenting for more than 20 years. So for a fun gift you probably won’t find anywhere else, Magnolia’s is the place. And like co-owner Ron Capellen says, “This ain’t your mama’s Hallmark.”
Magnolia’s is not online, but it’s so worth visiting the store. Gifts range from a couple dollars and up! Very affordable, very fun.
Magnolia’s is located at 1923 11th Ave. S. For more information, call (205) 933-1923.
What’s On 2nd?
No, that’s not a line from an Abbott & Costello routine. That’s the name of the practically amusement park-like gift shop on 2nd Avenue downtown. It’s like kitsch and cool had a baby and filled it with hundreds of the best things on earth. When you go in, you automatically take the coolest trip back in time. The ’30s, ’50s, ’70s, ’80s or ’90s are all on display for you.
What’s On 2nd is full of toys, trinkets, photos, and who knows what! Peruse some original postcards and photos from 1946. Get your dad some cufflinks from 1975. Your sister could use some vintage eyeglass frames from 1962. Dig out the old original Nintendo system and buy some game cartridges from 1986. Grab a couple of superhero comics from the ‘90s for the nerd in your family. I can use that word, because I’m a big nerd myself, and proud of it.
Plan on spending no less than an hour in there, but you’ll leave without spending too much on a great (and most likely one-of-a-kind) gift.
When you go to What’s On 2nd and ask what’s the price, you’ll walk away spending only a few dollars or $100, depending on how many Mario Bros. games you want.
What’s On 2nd is located at 2306 2nd Ave. N. For more information, call (205) 322-2688.
These are some of the gift items that I suggest — nay, demand — that you consider! Of course, you can buy whatever you want. You won’t hurt my feelings. I’m just trying to help. Don’t worry about me.
Whoops! Sorry, I was channeling a passive aggressive mom that I’m sure I saw in a movie somewhere. As you can tell from from these suggestions, I often insist on shopping local. Not just because it’s great to do so — and it is — but because there are so many unique gifts you can get for friends and family. They’ll look at you with beaming faces and gleefully ask, “Where did you get this wonderful gift?”
And you can happily reply, “Oh, I had a little help from Chris Davis and his super cool gift guide in Weld.”
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa and whatever it is that Scientologists do in December.