All In Good Taste / October 2005
Hassle Free Holiday Gifts and Good Ideas
The world is filled with wondrous things, and they’re not all at the mall. Presents should be as much fun for the giver as the giftee, but the Christmas crunch can dry up creativity. Start early- today would be good- and consider which wonderfully worthy family members and friends would enjoy these treats.
Whimsical women, children and those in between will delight in cushy, colorful Oura Light Up Pillows that cast a happy glow of changing neon colors, available online from www.linensnthings.com. The same company makes utterly charming Light Up bears, sold at Target stores.
For a friend whose spirits need a lift, or who gives everyone else’s spirits a lift, consider a feather boa from www.dreamangels.net. Or, give one of the outrageously stylish handbags from www.leighannkline.com.
Pander to his or her inner geek with incredibly cool gadgets and gizmos from thinkgeek.com, like a Swiss Army Knife with USB flash drive, a light saber or a watch that is also the tv remote.
In a computerized world, personal attention is divine. A gift certificate for permanent makeup is a gift of time and good looks for years. In Marietta, Martha Brown of Faces by Design (877-FACESBD) has made women permanently beautiful for years and in Parkersburg, women often call Nanette Guerrieri, at Lee’s Studio (422-2940). Charleston area women count on Neu Aesthetics and Alex-Alexis Medi-Spa (201-2539 or www.alexalexa.com) for professional permananent makeup. Special treatments like laser and dermabrasion or messages and facials also make welcome gifts for women who just can’t take time to take care of themselves. In South Charleston, a gift certificate from Selah Salon and Day Spa Boutique fits all sizes (744-4655).
Give a beauty-ful gift of organic, indulgent skin care with with richly nourishing Youthful Oils by Pamela (youthfuloils.com). The long lasting scented or unscented rose oils feel expensive but are just $20 a bottle.
Since holidays are all about home-made goodies, share West Virginia’s good tastes from Sugar Creek Recipes (304-372-3886 or 877-372-3886), Sunny Hollow Farms (sunnyhollowfarms.com)or Fire Creek Salsa (firecreeksalsa.com).
The wild, weird, wonderful accessories of Twisted Sisters in Marietta will cure holiday humbuggery online or on site (twistedsistersboutique.com or Front Street). Nearby, Shafer Leather has cool hats and apparel and Front Street’s Needful Things has unique antique selections for any budget.
Give a gift of peace and quiet. The Manor in Parkersburg offers a meditative getaway and personal retreat space for $40.00 per person overnight along with an array of personal growth seminars for spiritual and mental health (www.TheManorRetreatAndConference.org). Or, treat a friend to High Tea for two at the Ferguson Tea Room in Hurricane or to gourmet tea at the Conversation Cafe, in Barboursville (304-638-2258).
Tickets for nationally recognized music, drama, dance and comedy in the WVU-P Distinguished Artists series are a wonderful gift for just $10 (www.wvu.edu, then Performing Arts Events). Performances are top quality AND smoke and alcohol free.
It’s never too late to learn to play drums, piano or any instrument. Move a music lover from air guitar to the real thing with lessons at just $20 an hour from Mercy Music in Hurricane ( 760-0007) or almost any music store.
For homebodies, consider a gift certificate from Hurricane’s Plantation Corner for interior decoration and accessories (plantationcorner@verizon.net), Alexander’s Sterling in Barboursville for silver for sterling silver, engraving and home accessories (304-733-6500) or Hannah’s Pottery (hannahspottery.com) for hand made clay creations. One of Teresa Pauley’s original, handmade sweaters or scarves would make a warmly unique gift (304-577-6269).
Pet people, of course, love pet presents. Four Leg Gourmet in Charleston, has delightful treats, gifts and accessories for furry friends (342-9445).
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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