The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year — for obvious reasons. Each year though I find myself continuously stumped about what gifts to get for some of my friends and family. From now til that magical morning, Effortless Anthropologie will be featuring gift ideas to help inspire. And because this is the season of giving you’ll have a chance to win a few gifts for yourself too.
What do you get for the person that has everything? Or the one that lives in the tiny apartment that has no room for anything else? Or the person that is so damn picky about their clothing/art/gadgets that you just throw your arms up and cry “WHYYYYYY?!?” in the middle of a crowded J&R on Park Row only to subsequently be asked to leave? (Which has never happened to me of course, heh. *whistles innocently*)
You get them something temporary. Something that can be consumed and then disappears. Something that leaves them feeling warm and fuzzy but not any more crowded than they already are. Today we’ll feature gifts that keep on giving until they’re done.
DAY 5: SWEET & SAVORY
What could be more savory than a good book? Books are compact and packed with excitement and when you’re done with them you can donate them, trade them in for a new title, or if you bought it electronically you can tuck it into your read folder. Winter is a great time of year to gift a book. People are inside more. They travel and need something to do on the plane. The days are short but the mind is as awake as ever.
One of my favorite things to do is gift some silly trashy romance novel to my friends. It’s a running joke in my circle at this point. The first time I did it my friend was quite confused (and maybe a bit offended, though she didn’t say so at the time). But sure enough two weeks later I got a call from my friend — hey roxy, I was a little confused when you got me the book but I have to say it was such a great idea! I laughed, I cried, and now I want to run away to an island with my own long-haired Lothario. Happy to play my part! Now it’s a tradition that one of my friends is selected for the roxy care package — a romance novel, a box of tissues and a Snuggie. My favorite titles are by Nicholas Sparks.
Safe Haven
When I just want to fly through an exciting book, I reach for John Grisham’s latest. He’s an author my generation knows well thanks to his classics-turned movies like The Firm, The Client and The Runaway Jury. Grisham was one of my main teen-to-adult reading helpers. His narration is casual and accessible and while his stories all have a satisfying snap to them. His novels are familiar and comfortable but never staid.
The Confession: A Novel
I can’t emphasize how important it is to always be reading. Your mind will be fresher and faster for it. Help keep a friend engaged with life. Gift them a book!
Some other book suggestions:
For the sports lover, gift them The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood, even if they’re a Yankee Hater. It’s a touching biography and a look back at what one of the heroes from when baseball truly was America’s Game. It’s tough to read at points because of the subject matter, but that makes it all the more engrossing.
The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood
For the deep thinker, try The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhatha Mukherjee. Is it a happy book? Not by any means but it’s a captivating read. The book tracks the origins and spread of cancer; it’s a biography of sorts of the disease. I just finished reading this and admittedly sacrificed sleep some nights because I could not put it down. This is a topic that hits home with just about everyone. It seems like an odd holiday choice I know but it ends on a hopeful note.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
The young teen in your life has probably already heard of The Hunger Games, but if they haven’t read it yet this book is a sure-fire winner. It’s part of a series, though I’ve only read this one. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, adults will be reminded of “Blade Runner”. It’s about two teens chosen to face off in a televised fight to the death. Despite the heavy subject matter the book is fast-paced and intriguing. There is drama for sure but nothing that would leave a kid with nightmares. Read it with them as I did with my friend’s kid and have a dialogue with them after. It’s a great book to share.
The Hunger Games: Book 1
Know someone who’s too cool for school? Then gift them the The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead. Zombies are hot right now (when are they not?) and this book is part hysterical and part hysteria. It’s written with a very dry humor — it sounds like a straight-up survival guide but the topic is, umm, less how to make fire and more how to save your braiiiiiiiins. If your hipster is more of a novel reader, try Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter instead.
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Besides a book, another sweet and savory gift is a charitable donation. You have to be careful with this one as it can breed animosity if you’re not careful. This gift works perfectly for the person who has absolutely everything or someone who truly tells you repeatedly not to get them anything. I try to make the donation line up with the person — so I’d donate to the High Line or the Central Park Conservancy on behalf of the parks lover; the ASPCA on behalf of the pets lover; Child’s Play on behalf of the gamer and so on. It’s a gift that warms the heart.
You probably thought this post was going to be all about food. How could I leave it out? Food is another good gift for the space-limited among us. We eat it, enjoy it and then we’re done with it. Savory indeed. Certain food gifts are good for friends in far away places.
I’m no chocolate fan but I love, love, love chocolate-covered pretzels. They’re the way to my heart. Among the national treat chains I think Godiva does the best job with them. They come in a pretty tin in either milk chocolate or dark chocolate varieties. I prefer the dark chocolate kind myself. These can fill a number of needs — a party treat, a host/hostess gift, a present just because. And if they’re opened at the right time perhaps you can grab one for yourself too. Since I started building this post a week ago Godiva has been slamming me with banner ads for chocolate covered pretzels. Cannot. Resist!!!
Godiva Chocolate Covered Pretzels, 1 lb, in milk chocolate or dark chocolate ($22)
Contest time! If you’re not drooling yet perhaps you will be now — today’s contest is for a 1lb tin of Godiva’s chocolate-covered pretzels. You can choose either milk chocolate or dark chocolate!!
Here’s how to enter:
Just leave a comment on this post or via email to the EA contest inbox to enter. You must follow Effortless Anthropologie to enter. To become a follower click the “FOLLOW” button in the Kindred Spirits section of the sidebar.
The not-so fine print: You are entering to win one (1) tin of chocolate covered pretzels (yum). This contest is not sponsored by, endorsed by or affiliated with Godiva, Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters. This contest is void where prohibited. This prize is not transferable. This prize may not be exchanged for cash. Once contacted, the winner has 72 hours to claim the prize. International entrants welcome!
The contest will close on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 5 PM ET. The winner will be announced on Monday, December 13, 2010. Good luck to all!
