“Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.” – Cindy Lew
Give the gift of support
Shine on!
Contributing to Riverside Hospital’s fight against cancer is a new project called “Sparkle and Shine.” Using Swarovski crystals, silver and gold beads, Riverside cancer patients make the bracelets in recognition and honor of those who have been touched by cancer. Each type of cancer is represented by a different color bead (for example, pink for breast cancer, clear for lung cancer), personalizing the memento. All proceeds will benefit Riverside cancer patients.
614-566-4321 or 800-752-9119, $50 each ($30 is tax deductible)
Help others, help yourself
Sign up for the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Walk/Run 5K, beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 1, in Downtown Columbus. Proceeds support the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to prevent, control and cure arthritis and related diseases. The Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis raises awareness of America’s leading cause of disability, while raising desperately needed funds to find a cure for arthritis.
www.jinglebellruncolumbus.kintera.org, $25 or $30 the day of the event
Give the gift of art
Monk-y business
Monkworks is a unique store in the Worthington Square Mall featuring various art products from Ohio artists and Ohio monks, including one-of-a-kind pottery, all handmade and fired locally. If you’re looking for an authentic, inspiring gift, look no further.
www.themonkworks.com, 614-436-3680
The Game of the Century
What Buckeye fan wouldn’t want this historic photograph, titled The Game of the Century, hanging in their themed basement? As poignantly illustrated, the tension runs high as the 2006 Ohio State vs. Michigan game comes to a close. The piece, blown up to 15 inches by 36 inches, is mounted on wood fibreboard for protection, and comes ready to hang as a reminder of the Scarlet and Gray victory.
www.hangonsloopy.com, $79.95
Give the gift of food/wine
A toast to the gift giver!
Your beer lover won’t ever get bored with the same old brew if they’re a Beer of the Month Club member! Membership includes fresh, hard-to-find, hand-crafted beers from specialty microbreweries throughout the country. Each monthly delivery includes up to four varieties of premium microbrews from two different award-winning breweries, a total of 12 bottles per month.
www.amazingbeerclub.com, $335.40 for a 12-month membership (other memberships available)
The perfect couple
For the oenophile who has almost everything wine-related, Pinot Boutique, which proudly sells “everything but the grape,” is offering a Cabernet Chocolate Wine Sauce. Featuring a great chocolate taste with a hint of wine, this sauce is made with a cabernet base and is delicious with fresh fruit, drizzled over ice cream, in chocolate martinis, or even as a pick-me-up in your morning coffee.
www.PinotBoutique.com, $19.95
When in doubt
OK, maybe you’re not the most creative thinker when it comes to gift giving. Let someone else do the work. Sugarbush Gourmet Gift Baskets, in Worthington Square Mall, offers the gamut – fruit baskets, holiday-themed baskets, packages for chocolate/wine/or cheese lovers, even Ohio State Buckeyes gift baskets. Simplify your shopping, and cross off everyone on your list in one fell swoop.
www.sb-gourmet.com, 614-431-5658
Give the gift of travel
Not lost in translation
The 12-Language Portable Translator device is capable of translating 12,000 phrases and 450,000 words into any one of 12 languages, making it the perfect stocking stuffer for the frequent travelers on your list. At the touch of a button, access translations for pre-programmed phrases in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Korean. You can also enter European languages phonetically and the translator will correctly spell the words before translating them. The translator also calculates eight currencies and calculates between metric and imperial.
www.hammacher.com, $199.95
Around the World in 12 Coffees
For the coffee lover on your list, let them explore different brews without leaving the comfort of home, with Coffee Masters’ Around the World in Twelve Coffees package. It includes the finest Arabica coffees, freshly ground and packaged in pre-measured, pot-full packets, presented in a gift box. Countries included are Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii/Central America, India, Mexico, Jamaica, Sumatra and Tanzania.
www.thesavvytraveller.com, $22
Give the gift of health
Stay on track
For those minding their health, a fast, easy way to keep track of their progress is now available with the Panasonic Blood Pressure Monitor. All they’ll need to do is insert their arm and press “go” for an accurate reading that can be done at home, anytime. There are no cuffs or adjustments necessary. The large LCD display features easy-to-read numbers and indicates normal, pre-hypertension, hypertension, interpret systolic and diastolic levels.
www.brookstone.com, $149.95
Keep the kids on their toes
For parents trying to get their children motivated, check out the animated Mymo’s Adventures DVD presented by My Gym Fitness Centers, which have been helping children stay active for 25 years. Starring Alphonzo Bartholomew, a wisecracking puppet, this action-packed DVD features animated, interactive fun along with live action workouts.
www.my-gym.com/powell, 9975 Sawmill Pkwy., Powell, 614-889-6966, $15
Health for the whole family
You can’t find a better gift for your loved ones than quality healthcare accessibility. For a flat fee, membership to Omega Executive Healthcare offers high-quality preventative care and immediate access to your physician. Patient volume is limited so that each member’s health and wellness needs can be addressed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Household and office packages are available.
www.omegaeh.com, $2,000 per individual per year
Endless pampering
Give a gift from the heart this holiday season. Corazon Club & Spa has packages, gift certificates and memberships available for those who prioritize health and deserve the extraordinary. Corazon will help you design the perfect package – from a Half-day Package for her to a Guys ‘n Golf package for him.
www.corazonclub.com, gift certificates are available in $25 increments
Give a gift for the home
Teed off
Packed with visual effects, the authentic, full-size Golden Tee Arcade Game will provide fun, excitement and challenges for the entire family. Choose your golf club, tee off, and play a round against the computer or with up to three players. It adjusts for all levels, with variable choices such as slope of the green, wind speed and putting sensitivity. The game includes a 24-inch color monitor and a deactivated coin door for hours of endless entertainment.
www.brookstone.com. Available locally at one of three Brookstone locations: The Shops at Easton, Mall at Tuttle Crossing and Polaris Fashion Place. $3,695
From Holland, with love
Brighten up anyone’s yard with a Dutch Garden starter kit. With a diverse collection of tulip bulbs direct from Holland, Dutch Gardens has been supplying for nearly a century the country’s finest bulbs and plants to beautify gardens throughout the United States. Each bag includes 75 top-size bulbs of harmonious colors, for an easy way to fill a large area.
www.dutchgardens.com, $49.95 for 1 bag
To catch a hummingbird
Add animation to your neighbor’s yard with a Dew Drop Hummingbird Feeder. All they have to do is hang the dewdrop and watch as hummingbirds delight in their newfound food supply. The clear sphere feeder is made of hand blown, recycled glass with a free-form web design that will attract the fluttering creatures, and comes with a 7-inch hook.
www.uncommongoods.com, $40
Starry, Starry Nights
The SkyScout handheld device instantly identifies stars and constellations – a hit for anyone intrigued by nightfall. More than 6,000 celestial objects are recognized at the touch of a button when aimed at any section of the night sky. No complicated software or cumbersome telescopes are needed. The SkyScout – which weighs less than 1 pound –uses a GPS-located device with three axis sensors to measure gravitational and magnetic fields. Information provided includes name, distance, history, trivia and mythology; all relayed through audio and text presentations via a built-in speaker and LCD screen.
www.hammacher.com, $399.95
Give the gift of love
A bright idea
Stuff those stockings with hand-poured soy candles. The Candle Lab will help you pour your own candles with more than 120 fragrances to mix into custom blends. The two stores – at 646 N. High St., in Worthington, and 1386 Grandview Ave. – also feature a mix of other home fragrance options, bath and body products and work from local artists for sale.
www.thecandlelab.com
Show off your loved ones all the time
A perfect gift for him is the digital photo leather wallet with a removable photo viewer, so he can show off everything from his first born to his grandkids to his dog Fido. The removable digital photo viewer stores 55 color images transferred from a PC onto a 1.4-inch screen. The viewer is also rechargeable for this bi-fold wallet made of soft, black Nappa leather.
www.brookstone.com, $59
Give the holiday spirit
The gift of giving
Not sure what to get? How about a book full of ideas? Sarah Weidman’s Gifted: 1,000 Ideas for Everyone in Your Life, is resourceful guide that can be used for any occasion. It actually organizes gift ideas by personality type and includes Web sites and prices. Brainstorming has never been so easy.
www.amazon.com, $13.95
Sugar Magnolia
Rue de Lily, 32 E. Olentangy St., in Powell, is the only store in Columbus that orders and sells Magnolia Wreaths, perfect holiday-oriented gifts for your friends and neighbors. Magnolia Grandiflora, which grows wild in many states, has long been a symbol of southern hospitality. Magnolia stems are made into garland and wreaths that are unique and luxurious, and will brighten up any home in time for the holidays.
614-888-5459, prices vary by size and start at $99
Spruce up your tree
A perfect way to personalize your Christmas tree is to give everyone in your home a Digital Photo Christmas Ornament. Store more than 50 photos with this innovative, 3 ½ - inch tall digital photo ornament. A large internal memory holds these images, which can be viewed individually or as a slideshow. They are easily downloaded from your PC to create the most memorable Christmas yet. www.brookstone.com, $49.95
Give the gift of entertainment
It’s impossible for anyone to get bored in Columbus. There are too many entertainment options for you and your loved one. What better way to show them your commitment to date night than with season tickets to various shows throughout the year?
• Broadway Across America – Columbus has a season full of productions for the entire family: Jan. 8-13, The Wedding Singer; Feb. 5-10, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot, featuring Lou Diamond Phillips; Feb. 29-March 2, Jesus Christ Superstar; April 8-13, Avenue Q; April 15-20, Riverdance; and Aug. 28-Sept. 28, Disney’s The Lion King. For ticket packages, visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
• BalletMet is one of the top 15 dance troupes in the country. Check it out this season with BalletMet gift certificates available in any dollar amount at www.balletmet.org or 614-229-4848. Don’t miss Lovestruck: Ravel to Sinatra, Feb. 8-16; Aladdin, March 7-16; or Romeo and Juliet, May 1-4.
• Witness the resurgence of Opera Columbus with performances of Cinderella (La Cenerentola, by Rossini) Feb. 29-March 2, at the Ohio Theatre, and H.M.S. Pinafore, April 19 and 20, at the Southern Theatre. Visit www.operacolumbus.org.
• Subscribe online to season tickets for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, www.columbussymphony.org, and save $10 on handling fees. Plus, you’ll get to see performances such as Holiday Pops, Classical Masterworks shows and appearances by Marvin Hamlisch and Ronan Tynan.
• Incorporate some smooth jazz into your new year, with tickets to Jazz Arts Group performances, www.jazzartsgroup.org. This includes a wide variety of shows from the Columbus Jazz Orchestra – which has the Swingin’ at the Southern and Great American Songbook series slated – and the Jazz on the Avenue series.
• CATCO has season tickets available now at www.catco.org, which includes performances to Crowns, Nov. 23-Dec. 16; The Drawer Boy, Feb. 1-24; Doubt, April 4-27; and The Foursome, May 30-June 22.
• CAPA has a full agenda for its ticket holders. Highlights include B.B. King, with special guest Henry Butler, Dec. 1; Dave Koz Smooth Jazz Christmas, Dec. 8; the Harlem Gospel Choir, Feb. 22; Los Lobos, March 21; Second City Touring Company, March 21; Cowboy Junkies, March 22; STOMP, March 25; and much, much more. Visit www.capa.com.