Believe it or not, I am finished with my Christmas shopping. I completed this fun, yet monumental task on Thanksgiving, which is about three weeks later than normal.
So how do I do it? How do I avoid the packed malls, the crowded parking lots and the hectic search for a last-minute present? It’s really quite simple. Like Santa, I keep a list.
The list is generated on Jan. 1st. It contains the names of the family and friends who I know will enjoy a present during the holidays. Whenever I come up with a gift idea, I immediately add it to the list and do a quick search online for prices. If/when one of these items goes on sale, I buy it. Presents are then stacked in the guest room (which is rarely used), and wrapped just before the holidays for shipping/giving.
I recognize many may view this little quirk of mine as anal or silly, but it works for me. If, however, you’re one of the millions looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, let me offer a few suggestions, à la Oprah.
Dear readers, these are a few of my favorite things:
* FOR THE PERSON RESOLVING TO BE HEALTHIER IN 2014: Fitbit One is a wireless activity tracker that you wear on your waist or bra strap. It’s a pedometer that also tracks your distance walked, calories burned and stairs climbed. Slip the Fitbit into the included wristband and it will track your sleep habits as well. The data is then uploaded to Fitbit.com for further analysis. Use the Website to log food/liquid intake, activities, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose levels and/or chat with others who are also on the road to healthier living.
* FOR THE BIBLIOPHILE: The King family published some fantastic books this year. “Dr. Sleep” by Stephen King brilliantly answered the question: What ever happened to that little boy from “The Shining”? “N0S4A2” by Joe Hill (King’s eldest son) was a thrill ride of a novel about a man who kidnaps children and takes them to Christmasland, and the young girl who tries to defeat him. For fans of more literary fiction, check out “Double Feature” by Owen King (Stephen’s youngest son), a debut novel about a young man coming to terms with his life in the process and aftermath of making his first film.
* FOR THE OBIT WRITER: I made this mug for The Society of Professional Obituary Writers conference in Toronto. Everyone really liked it, and started placing orders. I own two myself.
* FOR THE NERDFIGHTER: Strangers often ask me about my DFTBA wristband. For the uninitiated, DFTBA stands for Don’t Forget To Be Awesome and it’s the motto/slogan for Nerdfighteria, a community of Vlogbrothers fans who strive to end world suck.
* FOR THE GOTH: This Grim Reaper decal from HouseHoldWords appears on all of my laptops. Super easy to affix and remove. A great stocking stuffer.
* FOR THE FASHIONISTA: I don’t follow fashion; the whims of the industry are rarely attuned to my body size and personal taste. That said, I truly believe this chiffon scarf from Swak Couture will look stunning on everyone.
* FOR THE HALLOWEEN LOVER: These pumpkin teeth made our jack o’lanterns appear truly wicked. Loved ’em!
* FOR THOSE WHO AIM TO BE GREEN: I wholeheartedly recommend the Toyota Prius, which is a reliable, eco-friendly and darn sexy car. Mine is named Esmeralda. For about $30, I can fill the entire tank and drive for 500 miles.
* FOR THE COOK: Organize all your spices in the Handmade Spice Rack from Storage Studies. I actually purchased a larger version of this rack, and it is now one of my prized possessions. The rack itself is handcrafted by Thayer Gignoux, and the tins are both lightproof and airtight, which help spices last longer. Tins and labels are included.
* FOR THE COOKIE MONSTER: Virgin Atlantic served me a small packet of Quadruple Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Walkers during a flight from Edinburgh to London last month. I was dubious at first — I’m not a huge fan of packaged cookies — but was quickly converted by these treats.
* FOR THE AUDIOPHILE: The Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones blew my mind when I donned ’em inside the 5th Avenue Apple Store in Manhattan and discovered the beauty of silence. They also work beautifully when connected to an iPod. I don’t yet own a pair; someday I shall. So should you.
* FOR THE PERSON WHO LOOKS TO THE STARS: My favorite discovery from Canada was astronaut Chris Hadfield, whose Twitter feed rocked the world. While we were toiling away on Earth, Hadfield was serving as the commander of the International Space Station and running dozens of scientific experiments dealing with the impact of low gravity on human biology. Hadfield also published a memoir (“An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth”), wrote a wonderful article for Wired and played his guitar — in space — before retiring from the space program. If you know someone who has big dreams, give them Hadfield’s book for inspiration.
Happy Holidays!
