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Windy City Times 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
Week one of two
2015-11-25

This article shared 4751 times since Wed Nov 25, 2015
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Art-felt

Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art ( MCAChicago.org ) always seems to have some of the most innovative and fun gift ideas. Available online as well as in its brick-and-mortar store, the museum has items such as the minimalist Block Perpetual Calendar, a chainmail dishcloth, a motorcycle helmet champagne bucket and ( my favorite ) the Yoga Joes. Yo, Joe!

'Sound' and the fury

St. Martin's Press ( StMartins.com ) is offering several intriguing books that make excellent gifts. Among them is Downton Abbey-A Celebration: The Official Companion to All Six Seasons ( $29.99 ), which will probably fly off the shelves with the series winding down; Before Marilyn: The Blue Book Modeling Years ( $35 ), which chronicles Marilyn Monroe's early modeling career; and The Sound of Music Story ( $28.99 ), being issued during the film's 50th anniversary.

A sporting chance

Steiner Sports ( SteinerSports.com ) should be catnip for any sports fan, and there's an exhaustive list of things. For example, a search of Chicago Cubs items yielded everything from a Derrek Lee-autographed hat to a Jake Arrieta plaque with game-used dirt from Wrigley Field. If only we could bid on a date with Arrieta at this site...

Leather or not

Bison Made leather products ( BisonMade.com ) not only look cool, but it's pretty durable, to boot. Check out the wide selections of wallets, belts, bracelets and even razor strops. ( Why did I just think of Sweeney Todd? ) It's almost like functional art.

In the spirit

Spirited Gifts

Acknowledge accomplishments and show your appreciation of people with a personalized item from Spirited Gifts ( SpiritedGifts.com ). The company offers customized engravings on more than 100 different types of wine and spirit brands, including Jack Daniel's, Patron, Glenlivet and many others. So congratulate your friend on his fourth marriage in a unique way—or just say happy holidays.

Brew colors

Rainbow Brew Coffee

Start your day in an LGBTA-supportive way. Rainbow Brew Coffee ( $13; RainbowBrew.com ) comes in a variety of flavors, including Yuletide Gay, Queen Bean ( which has touches of black pepper, red curry, graham cracker and nutmeg ), Bi the Cup, Str8 Up, Blue State Blend and Lipstick & Flannel, among others.

Reve( RED )

( RED ) ( RED.org ) offers a variety of items to help in the fight against global HIV/AIDS. And they don't break the bank: Tennis enthusiasts can purchase a $3 racquet dampener, but there's something to appeal to just about everyone, including smart cases, a bottletop purse, notebooks, T-shirts and even a ( GRETSCH )RED Bono "Signature" Model Guitar—which costs a tad more ( but, again, consider the cause ).

Oral majority

Oral-B PRO 5000 and SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush with Bluetooth

With technology being a part of every aspect of our lives, it only makes sense that dental care is getting into the game. Welcome to the Oral-B PRO 5000 ( white ) & 7000 ( black ) SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush with Bluetooth ( OralB.com ). Among other things, users will get feedback on their brushing techniques, courtesy of an Oral-B app on their smartphones.

Wine and dandy

Bamboo and Slate Wine Tasting Flight Board

You'll make an impression as a party host( ess ) with Overstock's Bamboo and Slate Wine Tasting Flight Board with 'WINE' Engraved Glasses ( $59.39; Overstock.com ). Each flight features a natural bamboo serving board with a numbered slate insert where preferred wines can be easily listed and marked. Bottoms up!

Outside the box

Bentology's Portion Perfect bento box ( $19.99; Bentology.net ) helps those who are counting calories and making sure they're eating correctly—especially after the stomach-filling holidays. The Bento system comes with five eco-friendly compartments precisely portioned for a healthy meal that includes lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. I just have the feeling that potato chips won't count as a vegetable.

Roma, if you want to

Roma ( Romaboots.com )—the "boot that gives back"—is launching in 10 Nordstrom stores, including the one in Oak Brook. Roma Boots were created by Romanian-born Samuel Bistrian, who wanted to help children in his home country by combining his loves of fashion and philanthropy. Roma Boots' collections are available for kids and women, including their collection created in partnership with Sadie Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty ( ! ) and ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

Filler up

Botox

I was surprised to discover the number of people relatively close to me who have procedures ( of the plastic-surgery kind ) done all the time. Chicago's Shifrin Plastic Surgery ( DavidShifrinMD.com ) has a board-certified surgeon who will inject, and is offering Botox at $16 per unit as well as dermal fillers for $750 per syringe now through January 2016. This could be for the person who seemingly has everything—and has contemplated something of this nature.

Naked ambition

ReadNaked 2016 calendar

In order to get more people reading, the San Diego-based Multicultural LGBT Literary Foundation has launched its 2016 calendar and its #ReadNaked campaign. The ReadNaked 2016 calendar ( $19.95; www.sdliteraryfoundation.org/readnaked ) is unique because it has specifically enlisted openly gay and bisexual male models of color such as Rodiney Santiago, Andrew Christian Model Arad Winwin, choreographer/model Wiko Ezra, Andrew Christian Model Cheddy O and adult-film star Scotty Marx, along with several studs from throughout Southern California.

Going for a spin

The CR8016 Messenger Turntable ( $89.99; AlwaysFits.com ) capitalizes on the comeback of vinyl with a classic shoulder bag that transforms into a turntable. Equipped to play all three speeds of records and outfitted with an auxiliary input, the turntable provides various music-listening options. Other features include a diamond stylus needle, a dynamic full-range speaker and pitch control. Pitch, please!

KOLD-fashioned

KOLD personal cold beverage system

Keurig may be known for coffee, but its KOLD item ( $369.99; Keurig.com ) gives the company a totally new dimension. personal cold beverage system that offers a wide variety of consumers' favorite beverages like Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper and Canada Dry, plus new discoveries like Waterful flavored water—and carbonated beverages are made without a carbon-dioxide canister. KOLD is pretty cool.

Tea time

Numi Organic Tea ( NumiTea.com )—known for organic, non-GMO and Fair Trade Certified teas and teasans ( plants that are steeped like tea )—has introduced its new 2015 gift items: Tea by Mood and Organic Tea Flight. I've tried Numi for a few years, and have always been impressed. Tea by Mood is especially intriguing, with 40 bags that aim to inspire, energize and focus, among other things.

On Broadway

Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way The intriguing tome Black Broadway: African Americans on The Great White Way ( $39.95 ) spotlights individuals who not only excel today, but those who paved the way for them. Among the productions examined are A Raisin in the Sun, Porgy and Bess, Dreamgirls, Fences, The Wiz, Purlie Victorious, Ain't Misbehavin', Bring in 'Da Noise Bring in 'Da Funk, and The Scottsboro Boys—making it a book any Broadway enthusiast can appreciate.

Salt of the earth

Hamptons Salt ( HamptonsSalt.com ) is the perfect gift for the established—or aspiring—chef. And if you think all salts are the same, think again: There are 11 varieties of raw salts ( such as kosher salt, Hawaiian Black and Cyprus Flake ); 13 flavors of infused salts ( including Ghost Pepper, Vermont Maple Syrup and Vanilla Bean ); and five variations of smoked salts.

Jute point

Inspirational Jute Entertaining Collection I like the idea behind the Inspirational Jute Entertaining Collection ( $65; GreatUsefulStuff.com ): Inspire while entertaining. Natural jute placemats and coasters, as well as bamboo napkin rings ( four of each ) have words such as "Thankful" and "Enriching" engraved upon them. Buy this for your favorite optimist.

Getting presidential

Hillary Rodham Clinton Presidential Playset

Get your favorite politico the Hillary Rodham Clinton Presidential Playset ( $14.95; QuirkBooks.com ). This fold-out book features replicas of the Oval Office and other White House locations, plus perforated paper dolls of Hillary Clinton and all of her political pals and adversaries. There's no word on if Bernie Sanders is going to have his own competing set.

Socks and bonds

Nick'Socks ( $54.99; NickSocks.co )—the high-end, luxury men's sock brand designed for the modern businessman—is now available online. Styles available at the Chicago business include "Tradizionale" ( herringbone ), "Originale" ( striped ) and "Classico" ( anchors ). Also, through November, Nick'Socks will donate 10 percent of all sales to three non-profit organizations that focus on men's health: The Movember Foundation, Single Jingles and Everyman.

The show must go on

Broadway in Chicago

Most of us may know one or 20 people who are into theater—and those people will absolutely love you if you purchase tickets to shows running during Broadway in Chicago's 2016 season ( BroadwayInChicago.com ). Among the shows running next season are 42nd Street, Bullets over Broadway, The Spongebob Musical ( ! ), The Sound of Music, Fun Home and Finding Neverland.

Uplift-ing

UPLIFT DesksSitting at a desk can make you feel lethargic—and studies have shown that it can negatively affect your body in a variety of other ways as well. So standing desks have come to the rescue. UPLIFT Desks ( starting at $639; upliftdesk.com ) have several innovative features, including high weight capacity, large work surfaces—and even a treadmill for those who really love to multitask.

Now hear this

Plantronics ( Plantronics.com ) is about the headsets—so you might expect the company to put out some of the coolest earwear on the planet. The BackBeat FIT wireless stereo headphones ( $129.99 ) are perfect for those who need a little audio boost while working out, while the Plantronics Explorer 500 Bluetooth headset ( $59.99 ) has certified HD voice clarity, smartphone voice control, multilingual notifications and a magnetic USB strap.

Brush, brush

ToiletTree Products—known for its home and bath products—has introduced its Facial Brush Skin Cleansing System ( $34.95; ToiletTreeProducts.com ). Exfoliation is accomplished through with four interchangeable rotating heads ( two face brushes, one large body brush and one pumice sphere for foot skin )—and it feels pretty luxurious. And we all know how winter ( especially a Chicago winter ) can affect our skin...


This article shared 4751 times since Wed Nov 25, 2015
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