Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
User Journal

Journal rdewald's Journal: Eclectic & Unusual Christmas gift ideas.... 18

Journal by rdewald

My Christmas gift to the circle at large is a few suggestions for last-minute off-the-beaten-path gift ideas. My focus here is things you probably haven't heard of unless you run in my RL circles (and few do).

Music

Good Times by Charlie Robison

If you have someone on your list who likes Hank Williams' Jr., but doesn't really want to admit it because HWJr is so....dumb....and soul-less....this is the same genre of music with an active brain attached. This is genuine Texas Roadhouse honky-tonk, but it's not jingoistic, there's no flag-waving, no overtly formulaic drivel designed to make the rotation in Nashville. "El Cerrito Place," track 3 on this disc is a really, really, fine song that I can't seem to get enough of these days (Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks sings with him on this one). I don't particularly like honky-tonk, but I like this guy's music. This would be a good gift for someone who listens to country music. They likely haven't heard of him, and they'll be happy with the music, and you get to look like you care enough to find something unique and high quality in their genre.

Impossible Dream by Patty Griffin.

This is a record for your friends that like Sarah Mclachlan, Lucinda Williams, and/or mid-career Joni Mitchell. "Top of the World" is another one of those songs I can't get out of my head these days. Patty's voice is chock full of emotion. I listened to her close the anniversary concert for an Austin radio station recently and she just blew me away with the intensity of her singing. So, if you can take someone to see her live, do that, too.

Goodnight Venus by Libby Kirkpatrick.

A lot of people think I am playing a Sarah Mclachlan record they haven't heard when I have this one on. I love ya, Sarah, but I prefer Libby's music (only slightly). The record is outstanding, everyone who has heard it in my presense has asked me who it is and where they can get a copy.

Food

Goodies From Goodman. Nothing particularly special about these people on the surface, i.e., it's a typical gourmet gift basket and flower shop, with a Texas twang, what is valuable for you, as a last minute shopper, to know is that they understand customer service, they'll get you what you need. They "gidderdun," as we say in Texas.

The best damn BBQ Pit in Texas has a mail order service. Getting 'que from Cooper's is not a compromise, it's not the best you can do out of state, it is the best Texas-style BBQ you can get, period. The only way to get a better brisket is to smoke it yourself (and it is hell keeping the damn things lit).

Wine.

If you live in one of those states to which one can ship wine.....

The Artesa Reserve Pinot Noir (Carneros) is the best US wine value I have run across this year. I would gladly pay four times the $15 a bottle for this one.

The Kangarilla Road Shiraz (sorry no linkage) is the best red wine I've had this year, it should run you about $20 - $25 a bottle. It absolutely will not disappoint even the most discerning palate. If you need to buy some wine for someone that likes wine, this is a no-risk option.

Your gift for me.

If you have some similar ideas, please post them as replies to this JE! I still have some gifts to buy!

This discussion was created by rdewald (229443) for Friends only, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Eclectic & Unusual Christmas gift ideas.... More

Eclectic & Unusual Christmas gift ideas....

Comments Filter:
  • I have a tough sister-in-law to buy for, and a friend suggested me getting her a painting for her house. After some discussion, he changed his mind and told me to get her an easle, paints, brushes, and a canvas... maybe a Bob Ross video for instruction... have her paint her own painting.
    I thought it was a fantastic idea, except more for my brother than his wife. Anyway, I'm not using the idea, but thought someone else may thought it would be a good gift.
    • How much does your family spend on presents? Have you bought art supplies before? If I spent that much for everyone in my family, I'd be broke!
      • I'm not saying go to a professional art store and get all the top of the line stuff, just a few things to get things started... a 'starter kit' if you will...
  • If you know any pill heads, this [cvs.com] would be a good choice.
  • While you might not be able to pull it off in time for gifts due in nine days...

    I've got a framing shop set up in my spare bedroom. It consists of an old couch with my living room door laid across it, some arm lamps clamped to the top edge, a self healing cutting board and a decent Logan mat cutter. The dead space between cushions and work surface makes excellent storage for large paper and matboards. Total outlay: $50.

    I buy most of my frames at yard sales and thrift shops. I've got a good miter saw but n
    • Where did you find the mat cutter, and why do you need a joiner for frames? And, what the heck, why won't you cut glass at home?
      • Mat cutters can be found at most craft stores or (of course) online, $30 and up. I've got a Logan Team System 440, which is a pretty basic setup, but makes a perfect cut if you have strong enough arms and hands to keep everything firmly in place.

        A joiner does that tricky corner staply thing to turn miter cut wood into picture frames. I really like the idea of being able to create my own frames, but I'm still a long way from that point in terms of my setup and tools. There's also the issue of skill, but tha
        • A really good glass cutter only costs ~$25, if that. And if you're just doing a straight line, there aren't any glass shavings. Even a chip or two can be contained to a table.

          Glass is nothing to fear. I did stained glass for over a year in a carpeted bedroom. Never cut my foot once -- and I did ALL the cutting, breaking, grozing, grinding, etc. in there!

          ....Bethanie....
          • Hmm. Good to know, thanks. It won't really be something I need until after I start making my own frames, but I guess maybe it shouldn't be in the 'never' category.
  • No offense, of course.

    McLACHLAN. McLACHLAN. McLACHLAN.

    Thank you :-)

  • But it's hard to be generic with them -- I need to know at least a little bit about the recipient to "customize" things.

    But I do have one suggestion -- suitably packaged for gifts in an attractive cellophane bag, Bethanie's English Toffee on sale for $15/lb, $8/half lb. plus $6 shipping & handling (USPS Priority Mail). Gift boxing available for an additional $5. Taking orders now until Tuesday (21 December)! Just send me a gmail!! :-)

    ....Bethanie....
  • If you live in one of those states to which one can ship wine.....

    If you do, gm officially hates you.

    Fucking bullshit Maryland alcohol laws...
    • Well, one of the cases they are using to challenge these laws came out of New York, so we'll see what the SCOTUS thinks about this some time this year.
      • Heard about that case on NPR the other day. My impression was that all of these laws are remnants of Prohibition. Similar to how home brewing was illegal until the late 70's.
  • I personally love Enstrom's Toffee [enstrom.com]. Best toffee I've had, period.

Slashdot Top Deals

Ignorance is bliss. -- Thomas Gray Fortune updates the great quotes, #42: BLISS is ignorance.

Close