Benovic Bradley

The Holiday Gift Giving Conundrum

Is it just me, or does gift giving get harder and harder every year?

Mix commercialism and the excess of the 21st century and you’ll see that most [Americans] have the unfortunate syndrome of the “I want it now’s”.

I want an IPhone now, I don’t want to wait until they release the new version!
I want to see the premiere of the Walking Dead now, I don’t want to wait until it’s released online!
I want, want, want….

Plus, as you get to know people more, or as you get older…it seems that everyone has pretty much everything. The joy of giving novelty gifts thus becomes harder and harder. Thus I thought it necessary to provide a list of gift options that will overjoy any of your loved ones!

(1) Give the gift of Groupon! 

Got a socialite friend or family member? Or perhaps you’d like to give someone a gentle nudge out of the house? Get them a Groupon giftcard! It’ll get them to explore their tastes, interests and surroundings in a new and exciting way! Will they spend it on brunch? A massage? An evening dinner cruise? A pole dancing class? Who knows? Maybe they’ll even share it with you!

Russell B. and I have had the chance to try out several great restaurants because of the deals that this site offers (including El Ay Si, Cowgirl Seahorse and more).

(2) E-Readers!

I’ll admit, I was very skeptical of the E-Reader when it first came out. Not only do I love the comfort and coziness of bookstores and libraries, but a part of me wishes that I was a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch…Thus, you can imagine how conflicted I felt when Rusty got me a Nook for my last birthday! However, once I gave in, I fell in love! The Nook makes buying books easier and more convenient, it’s not difficult to use, nor is it harsh on the eyes…and I feel that it has actually encouraged me to read more.

I buy books to read with my niece, my sister has borrowed it to read The Help and I use the cool apps to find new recipes and use my Yelp account! Not to mention that it is light and easy to carry around. I love my Nook Color and right now it is available for only $199. However, other Nook products start at $99 and Kindle products (the Amazon E-Reader) start at $79. Decide which one is right for you or your special someone by visiting Barnes and Noble to test drive a Nook, or read a comparison article online. 

Another cool tidbit…a lot of E-Readers also now have comics available! For example, the Walking Dead was recently released for the Nook! 

(3) A home soda-maker machine or other foodie indulgences

Everyone is a foodie these days! During college, my best friend and I met a guy who brewed beer in his basement. I’ve talked to a few people that are butchers or fish mongers.

I saw one of these soda making machines on demo at Williams and Sonoma one day. My initial response was, “why the heck would I want to spend $100 on a soda making machine when I can buy a 2-Liter soda for $2?!”

But for those who care about the environment (ahem, we all should, right?!), these help cut down on plastic bottle usage. And, just imagine how fun it could be to make sodas for your kids or when friends come over? It makes having the sugary treat that much more fun!

Sodastream seems to be a great brand. Their site also has a cool and quirky blog with tips and hints for mastering your pop maker.  

Your foodie on a more natural kick and not into soda? Just browse Williams and Sonoma! They’ve got everything from aprons and dinnerware to cookbooks and gourmet sauces. Russell also recently got me a subscription to Food Network Magazine which is always CRAMMED with recipes, food photos and cooking tips! Other great food magazines for your gourmand include Everyday with Rachel Ray, Saveur, Bon Apetit and Food and Wine magazine.

(4) Give the gift of tastiness!

Along the same line of number three, but perhaps you are the one blessed with culinary talents? Why not make a couple of jars of your signature BBQ sauce, or how about some of those cookies that you bake up so well?

Jar and decorate some servings in mason jars or holiday tins and you’ve got a thoughtful but not so expensive gift for all of your friends and family members! This list by Laurie has dozens of ideas for gifts, cakes, sauces, marmalades and more that you can get into a mason jar. 

(5) You cannot go wrong with an Ugly Doll.

They come in every color, in every mood and facial expression. There is one that looks like me, my brother and my neighbor. Give the gift of Ugly Doll and you’re sure to put a smile on someone’s face…or a look of utter disgust.

(6) Netflix!

I know what you’re thinking: “Ew, they just raised their prices!” Even so, I am still in love with Netflix. Get someone a subscription for just about $8 per month and they can stream Law and Order, South Park, Bridezillas and hundreds of movies (from recents like The Fighter and Insidious to classics like House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price)! Subscribers can stream from their computer, XBox 360, PS3 or Wii!

To give the gift of Netflix, click on the “Buy/Redeem Gift” icon at the top of their homepage to buy someone a gift subscription.

So those are my gift suggestions! I hope that I helped you out a teensy bit. If not, you can get some gift ideas from the Muppets, from Esquire magazine, or from Techno Claus! 

Joyeuses Fetes!

Benovic Bradley