In an effort to back up my criticism of Oprah’s very lame Favorite Things of 2007, I offer you my take on great gifting this holiday season. Since I spend a lot of time researching great products for donation outreach for a variety of non-profit events, I’m always stumbling across great products. I offer you ten such items below, in no particular order.
- As a tribute to Oprah’s obsession with kitchen products this year, I want to start with an enviroment-friendly shopping option. Reuseable grocery bags are growing in popularity since it’s finally sunk in that when asked “paper or plastic,” neither is a great option for the environment. I suggest Get Hip Get Green as a stylish reusable bag option, even better that the bag itself is made of recycled plastic.
- Dogearred created the Make-A-Wish necklace which would be a sweet gift for girlfriends or daughters. You simply make your wish and wear the string necklace with a tiny wishbone charm until the necklace falls off, bringing your wish to fruition.
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Speaking of dogs, Cloudstar makes Organic Buddy Biscuits that are sure to be a winner around the water bowl. The little smiling , gingerman-shaped treats come in flavors like roasted chicken, sweet potato madness and bacon and cheese. You can also choose between chewy or crunchy biscuit options. . . be sure to pick up a few “Wag More, Bark Less” bumper stickers for the people in your life.
- Threadless T-Shirts are a great opportunity to buy a friend a limited edition tee that won’t be found on the racks of any retailer. Threadless runs an ongoing “contest,” inviting people to submit tee designs. The winners are printed up and sold on the site with a portion of the profits kicked back to the designer. The tees are sold in a variety of cuts and colors for men, women and children. Sport sayings such as “Movies: Ruining The Book Since 1920,” or images like “Tragedy Struck” (see below) all in good fun.
- I’m a self-proclaimed foodie. Who doesn’t love discovering unusual gourmet treats to try. I was delighted to run across San Diego restaurant Spread‘s array of peanut and almond butters. Handmixed, they come in small plastic jars with enough of the treat for 4 sandwiches. I thoroughly enjoyed the dark chocolate almond; with flavors like cinnamon cherry peanut, dark chocolate lavender peanut, and sexual chocolate almond I’ll be ordering again. Running from about $8 to upwards of $35 per jar; these spreads make a great hostess gift.
- Scent a room or your body k.hall designs‘s almond cocoa-scented products for bath, body and home. This company has mastered the art of less is more, with a fragrance just strong enough to faintly linger, but not so much as to be overwhelming. From shower pastes and gels to shea butter creams to candles and linen sprays, k.hall designs can cover gifts for the girls or make for a great hostess gift
- Corazonas Tortilla chips are made from oats, plant sterols and soybeans. Ok, so maybe that wasn’t the best opener for Zak’s favorite thing #7. Plant sterols have been shown to lower cholesterol, and the chip is chock full of complex carbohydrates, so it’s healthy junkfood. And you know what, those chips are darn tasty too. I got to sample them at the recent California Governor’s Conference for Women. So encourage healthy snacking, and look for yummy flavors like Salsa Picante, Margarita Lime, Jalapeno Jack and Baja Bean dip at a grocery store near you!
- Let’s face it. Letter writing is a lost art in the age of e-mail. But now and again, a person note adds a special touch that will make you stand head and shoulders above the crowd. Help friends and family make that gesture a memorable one. I suggest Bella Bella Co. They provide stylish and, alternately, elegant couture note cards that can be bought in singles or in sets. Yes, there is more than one way to leave a lasting impression. Why not personalize a set as a gift?
- Everyone has pictures of someone they care about. Now it’s easy to update and rotate your picture collection using a digital frame. Store your jpgs on an online account that your frame can access via Wi-Fi. Update your pictures from anywhere in the world and share them with friends and family for their own use.
- Though I don’t personally own one, the Nintento Wii seems failsafe. Senior citizens in nursing homes are rediscovering past times like bowling that have been lost to arthritic joints. Kids are getting a workout while boxing and dancing along with their game. Given the family friendly game choices, it’s a piece of technology that could unite rather than further fragment family.
There you have it folks, 10 way more original suggestions than Oprah’s Favorite things. Could there be another installation next holiday season? You just never know.
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