|
|
|
chicago home
classifieds newsletter signup 
events calendar
bars & clubs movie clock restaurants specials best of chicago 
food and drink
film and video music and clubs stage sports words art features |
|
|
 PRESENTS The 12 Gifts of Christmas
The lights on Michigan Avenue are lit, the bell ringers have taken their posts and you’ve been eating leftover turkey since Thanksgiving ended. Looks like it is time to make that list and check it twice (or eight or twelve times) to make sure you’ve got the perfect gift for everyone in your gift-exchange lineup. So we’ve ditched the drummers drumming, lords-a-leaping and the partridge in the pear tree to give you our twelve picks for the best gifts to give (and receive, of course).
Mom is in the market for a few new accessories this year, so stay true to her classic, simple style by selecting one of Jessica Kagan Cushman’s reproduction scrimshaw bracelets. Made from hand-poured resin (to resemble antique ivory scrimshaw), the thick bangles are hand-inked with notable literature and movie quotes, with a few fun words of wisdom thrown in the mix. Choices include: "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" "Vodka martini, shaken not stirred." "No wire hangers! Ever!" and "Fashion can be bought, style one must possess." Whatever phrase suits mom the best, she’ll surely be heading to holiday parties with a guaranteed conversation starter.
Available at jessicacushman.com, $130.
Dad is still impossible to shop for, and though he always has something to say, it never seems to involve Christmas gift hints. Stick to his simple, no-frills sense of style (while giving him a wider forum than just the family dinner table) with the Letter Tee. Created by local publisher Featherproof Press, the Letter Tee is easy yet innovative. It features a blank image of traditional notebook paper and comes with a special washable pen, so he can write and rewrite and rewrite on his shirt, depending on his mood. See him one day with a political manifesto across his chest and the next with his to-do list super close at hand.
Scoop it up at featherproof.com, $15.
With sugarplums, candy canes, fruitcakes and plenty of eggnog at nearly every turn, the battle against extra weight is officially waged. Your best friends may have their cardio and sit-up routines down pat, but what are they doing to keep their necks toned and trim? Give the gift of Bliss’ new Thinny Thin Chin and they can indulge in an extra cookie with a little less guilt. Here’s how this firming cream works: A botanical age-fighting complex hydrates and firms, while a dual-action tightener protects from skin damage. A resilience enhancer protects the skin’s collagen and elastin from breaking down, and a skin-renewing complex hydrates, smoothes, firms, improves skin tone and gently exfoliates. The result? A smooth, toned, less-wrinkled, sag-free neck and décolleté area.
Purchase at Bliss, 644 North Lakeshore, 8th Floor, (312)201-9545, blissworld.com, $48.
Uh-oh. Your girlfriend has declared she’d like jewelry this year and you have no idea where to start. Keep the bling shopping simple and stress-free, and stop by the Erin Gallagher store. You’re guaranteed a win with this local designer’s creations, which range from intricately woven silver and ruby bracelets to simply elegant smoky quartz necklaces. Or if you feel like you know your gal’s style in and out, choose from hundreds of chains and stones, and have Gallagher custom make a piece. The one-of-a-kind gift will surely make her feel like the brightest bulb on the tree.
Find it at 1017 West Lake, (312)492-7548, egjewelry.com. Gifts start at $80.
Your art-loving snowboarder boyfriend might spend his entire winter on the slopes, but that doesn’t mean he can’t carry his art appreciation with him. Burton Snowboards have unveiled a limited-edition line of boards, boots, bindings, outerwear and travel gear featuring prints by Andy Warhol. The gear is in true Warhol fashion, with plenty of bright colors, interwoven shapes and eye-catching patterns, sure to be an attention getter whether he’s boarding a plane or executing an impressive ollie. For the true Warhol devotee, pick up a snowboard featuring the face of the man himself.
Stop by Burton, 56 East Walton, (312)202-7900, prices vary.
There’s little doubt that Rande Gerber (the brains behind Whiskey Blue, Whiskey Sky and dozens of other hotspots across the country) knows his nightlife. So when someone who has built an empire serving drinks creates a top of the line collection of mixers, it should be on everyone’s gift-giving list. With his Midnight Bar Collection, Gerber gives us the chance to give his perfectly concocted cocktails to someone like Grandpa, who appreciates a quality beverage in the comfort of his own home. Mixes include classics like the cosmopolitan, bloody mary, margarita and mojito; while pomegranate martini and apple martini blends provide something for the trendier taste buds.
Available at stirringsinnovations.com, $15 each.
Help consolidate the life of your music-obsessed brother by combining his two biggest necessities—his cell phone and music collection—into one. Chicago-based U.S. Cellular is releasing their Napster To Go phone, which allows customers to sync their mp3 libraries onto their mobile phones. By the looks of the sleek, modern Motorola ROKR phone, you’d never guess that it has 512k of memory, perfect for holding every phase of music he’s ever been through. Plus, when you sign up for the phone, you’ll get a thirty-day trial period with Napster, where he can download as many of their four million songs as he can in a month for free. Just make sure he takes a few sleep breaks in between.
Visit U.S. Cellular stores or uscellular.com, $359, but with plenty of rebates to bring the price down.
Knowing your fashionista sister, she’s going to need a few—or several—new outfits for the holiday season. Help make sure she never bumps into her cocktail dress on the street by giving her an exclusive find. Designed especially for Scoop, this Alice and Olivia dress is perfect for any holiday event. The bodice is a solid black turtleneck, but the skirt spices things up with a sparkly muted metallic green, blue and gold (there’s also a slightly lighter version featuring a brown bodice and a gold, pink and bronze skirt). She’ll love the versatility, as she can easily don it over her skinny jeans to keep it casual, or throw it on top of leggings to dress it up.
Find it at Scoop, 1702 North Milwaukee, (773)227-9930, $398.
Though they may be busy changing diapers, scooting around after toddlers or dropping the kids off at soccer practice, the busy mothers in your life still want to look hip and chic while staying true to their personal style. So lavish upon them a few Promom t-shirts. Their witty designs are perfect for any mother’s style. For the Dead Head mom, pick up a concert-style tee emblazoned with "Grateful Mom." The "Maverick Mom" tee is a fit for the cowgirl in your life; the red-white-and-blue "Vote for Mom" slogan promotes the upcoming elections while still being excited about motherhood; and the environmentally conscious mother surely deserves a "Green Mom Loves Mother Earth" t-shirt (made from organic cotton, of course).
Purchase at promomcouture.com, $38.
Your workaholic boss may not get to hit up Chicago’s incredible museum scene very often, so why not bring the museum to her? The Golden Disk Hard Drive is by far the most attractive computer accessory you can buy this holiday season. This sculpture-like device (which is both PC and Mac compatible) is designed to catch light and look like moving water, but it also offers 500 GB of storage, a high-speed USB that easily backs up and transfers files and "1-click" backup software. Plug this in next to your boss’ computer and help her remember what life is like in the outside world.
Available at the Museum of Contemporary Art Store, 220 East Chicago, (312)280-2660, $229.
Your cousin drives an SUV, doesn’t recycle and leaves the lights on all day and all night. Why not help him become a little more Earth friendly? Stop by Andersonville after November 30 to pick up what will surely be the hottest eco-accessory this holiday season: the Andersonville Re-Bag. This black tote, which features the phrase "this is not a plastic bag" in Swedish (with an English translation), is available for a mere $15, a small price to pay for a little Mother Earth respect. And to sweeten the deal, Andersonville retailers are offering special discounts to Re-Bag users throughout the year, which means you might as well pick one up for yourself while you’re at it.
Bag a Re-Bag at Andersonville retailers or at andersonville.org, $15.
Okay, okay. Maybe you’re over the whole presents thing. So keep things simple yet spirited by sending your loved ones Chicago-centric holiday cards, designed by local youth. Marwen, an after-school arts program, is offering nineteen different designs, all featuring iconic Chicago images. Choose from colorful artistic depictions of winter Wrigley Field, the river, The Bean, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place and Lake Shore Drive. The best part is all proceeds go right back to Marwen, which provides stellar visual-arts education, career training and college-counseling programs for Chicago’s under-served youth. Now that’s truly in the holiday spirit.
Get your pack of cards at marwen.org, $18.
Christmas by Hand
Have Yourself a Merry Little Spa Day
Holiday Events
Also by Molly Each By Design
By Design
By Design
By Design
Open for Business
Open for Business
Open for Business
Open for Business
Doggie Stylin'
By Design
Boutique Life
Open for Business
|
|
about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment |
