2014 Gift Guide, Part V

Christmas is almost here, and Hanukkah has already begun, so it’s last-minute time for a lot of shoppers. No worries! I have a bunch of ideas to help.

First, Knock Knock has a coupon for you! Knock Knock is fine purveyors of paper goods, including the shopping list I use every week.

You can use code SMART20 for 20% off an order at knockknockstuff.com. It’s a one-time use coupon code. Better yet: it expires 1/15/15, so if you need New Year’s gifts, you’re in luck!

Head over to KnockKnockStuff.com and go shopping! There’s some great stuff on sale, like the Reading Rumpus set for kids with bookmarks, stickers and more. I am very fond of the mini sticky notes that read OMG and WTF, to say nothing of OY VEY and SERIOUSLY?

Thank you, KnockKnock!

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If you like wine, or you know someone who does, here are a few ideas under $25 that might work perfectly.

This wine glass holds an entire bottle of wine.

It’s about 9″/22.8cm tall, and reviews indicate that while the glass isn’t of the highest quality, an entire bottle does fit in the bowl.

I’m not sure I need to say anything else, other than that it’s $17.

But if you’re thinking, Hmmm. That looks really top-heavy, there are also sets of stemless wine glasses for not a lot of money, either.

One year I received a set of four stemless wine glasses as a corporate holiday gift (heh heh), and I love them. I use them all the time, especially if I’m having wine during family dinner, because they’re harder to tip over.

This set of 6 stemless glasses is $15 plus tax, and they hold about 15oz/443mL.

But if you’re thinking, HOW WILL I TELL THEM APART? What if I pour myself more than one glass of wine? How will I know if both glasses are mine?!

That’s a problem, indeed. Have some wine markers.

You can clip a ring around the bottom of a stemmed wine glass, but if you’re using stemless? No stem. Hence “stemless,” right? Solutions ahoy!

This set of silicone suction monster glass tags is $6, and comes with a mixed collection of little monsters. The set was designed for Halloween, but who says you can’t have a black cat on your wineglass whenever you want, right?

The reviews are mostly positive, but you should make sure to moisten the suction cup before you stick it on the glass to prevent it falling off.

And if little monster charms aren’t your think, there are also reusable silicone mustache glass markers (6 for $6), or lipstick kiss glass markers (12 for $11).

And then, when the party (or your book – the one you might be reading or writing)) is over, and you have some wine left (hey, it could happen!), you need a bottle stopper.

Like this one.

Meet Willy the Wine Lover. He’s ready and willing to be very helpful.

The description says he’s also very sophisticated. Not sure about that one, but he’s certainly the right, ahem, size.

He also comes (hur) as a corkscrew (snrk) for $8. You know, in case you need both.

The reviews indicate that Willy does not come in a box (I’m sorry) (no really) (ok, not really), so if you want to give him as a gift, you either have to find a box of the correct size, or figure out a way to wrap him up. I don’t know if condoms are available in his size, but I’m sure you can figure something out.

And don’t worry, beer drinkers. I have some options for you, too! There are beer goggles ($9), though some reviewers indicate that they don’t stand up to multiple uses (unlike Willy). If you’re into making your own beer, there are chalkboard-style bottle labels ($14) that are write-on/wipe-off.

And if you’re neither into wine or beer, perhaps you prefer tea?

Each year I mention these teas from Bag Ladies Tea, and each year I hear back from people who really enjoyed them. Their English Breakfast Novel Tea comes with literary quotes on each tag, and makes for a lovely gift.

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I featured a lot of relatively inexpensive gifts today because they pair well with another, and most excellent option: charitable giving in honor of the recipient.

Liz Houston wrote to me and said, “When I don’t know what to get for someone I often get a Bookstore or Starbucks gift card for a small amount, and pair it with a donation; it’s more interesting than just another gift card, and often provides a point of conversation with someone I’m not very close to.”

That’s a smart idea. Liz said she, “just paired a literary scarf with a Reading is Fundamental donation and it was a huge early Channukah hit. (And gave me something to talk to my sister’s mother-in-law about.)”

Here are Liz’s suggestions:

Local libraries usually take direct donations, and many have book drives.

A few other charities include:

Reach out and Read (Charity Navigator: 3 stars)

Reading is Fundamental (CN: 2 stars)

First Book (CN: 4 stars)

And a more local one-
Literacy for Incarcerated Teens (no info)

I like this idea a lot – especially when you can pair the gift with something small. I try to do one gift per month so I don’t feel guilty about not giving at the end of the year when every not-for-profit sends me mail (and Christmas cards, oy) starting December 1. Locally, I give to the library, our local family shelter, and also to the local food pantry.

Awhile back, I asked people what charities they liked to support, and I Storified the answers if you’re looking for inspiration. Whatever is important to you, or important to the person you’re trying to honor, any amount helps, and as Liz pointed out, can make for a conversation with someone you don’t know very well.

If you’re researching charities, Charity Navigator may be of some help in identifying options that connect with your goals. (Their Top 10 lists of charities, good and bad, are really informative, too.)

What about you? What gift ideas are you excited about? Any suggestions of small items to pair with a charitable donation? Please feel free to share your favorite charity in the comments, too. We all value and support different things, so the more we know of our options, the more we can help.