Here’s a quickie for those still needing to buy something brilliant for their special someone(s): A six-pack of affordable pleasantries sure to bring a smile to the face of a loved one, and obtainable in time for the 25th.
Here you go, in several simple categories.
For the foodie cook who’s tired of paying $4+ for a loaf of supposedly fresh bread:
Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day Book
*Less than $18 on Amazon right now!
For the travel lover who can’t bear to see one more Orbitz search result showing $1000 airfare abroad:
A travel guide, Rick Steves DVD, some regional food and drink, and a promise of a kiss atop the Eiffel Tower or a snuggle in front of a roaring fire on Victoria Island during a raging winter storm; whatever the dream, give the gift of a promise to always dream it together. [oh crap, I forgot to give you a ‘sappy’ alert. my bad]
*$50 or so depending on the food & beverage selections.
For the techie gadget head who can’t hear their favorite music or podcast from their lousy iPad 2 speaker:
Cygentt’s SmartSound iPad 2 Case – works in unison with Apple’s Smart Cover to both protect your precious gadget and, kinda more importantly here, to amplify it’s sound x 2. That’s good enough for me to hear PTI on the Watch ESPN app or listen intently to the Sisters3’s album I love so much while the dishwasher is running and the onions are sauteing.
*$39.99 but I can’t seem to find you a link to buy the damn thing. Still, it’s worth a mini-search of your own.
For the avid reader always ready to sink into some lush, gorgeous prose:
By George by Wesley Stace
$10 or so. Also available on the Kindle for $9.99!
A bonus gift pick for literary types! A subscription to One Story for just $15! I’ve been a One Story subscriber for well over a year now and I love it. You get a fresh, brand new, never before published short story mailed to your home (or your favorite eReader device, your choice) every 3 weeks or so. Use code: JUST15 to score the $15 for 15 issues deal (regularly $21).
For the lady who loves herself some one of a kind jewelry:
Unique Jewelry from Etsy Artists – I have no problem admitting that I’m a bit of an Etsy addict. I can get lost searching through treasures that I have zero intention of purchasing. Just something about creative souls, I guess. Anyhow, there’s an adundance of handcrafted jewelry items on Etsy, so you’re sure to find something that’ll have your lass melting like butter come Christmas morning. That gorgeous bohemian piece pictured above can be found on the Botanical Bird Etsy shop.
*Prices vary from $10 or so to hundreds of dollars. That stunner up there is just $24! I know, right. Oh, many shops are still guaranteeing Christmas delivery and some are offering discounts of up to 15% and/or free shipping.
For the passionate music fan who, despite their advancing age, still finds immense joy in the discovery:
Paste Magazine’s mPlayer – the finest print publication for music, arts & culture delivers a monthly online rag that covers the best in tunes, movies, videos games, tv shows and literature with audio downloads, streams, interviews, live performance and more. All from equally passionate folks intent on uncovering every rock; past, present and future. The Best of 2011 issue is blowing my mind as it continuously spins a single track from their top 50 albums of the year. It’s what I’m listening to as I type this.
*$2.99 for all that for 4 months! The best music deal on the web, hands-down.
That’s all I’ve got, friends! Go forth, spread joy, and be merry.
Happy Holidays to you and yours, and thank you kindly for reading OWTK. This internet thing is kind of an anonymous, mysterious medium, but having you here from time to time means a lot to me. Thank you.
