MY TOP PICKS for BEST GIFTS of 2013

The Go Pro 3+ HERO Silver Edition camera. This is waaaay cool! If you have not heard of the GoPro yet, you really need to know about this. Water resistant, has an ultrawide-angle lens, takes amazing pics.  20% smaller and lighter than previous models, it’s 2x more powerful—making it the most advanced Silver Edition camera yet. Wearable, gear-mountable and waterproof to 131’/40m, it captures professional-quality video at up to 1080p60 and 10MP photos at up to 10 frames per second. With faster built-in Wi-Fi, enhanced low-light performance and 25% longer battery life. CLICK HERE for one place to buy it for $299 at Target (or Google around). CLICK HERE to see a list of other Go Pro things Target carries.



THE CORKCICLE:  Forego the ice bucket. Made of BPA-free plastic, is filled with a food grade, reusable freeze gel. Chill in freezer for w hours, pour your first glass of chilled white and insert into the wine bottle. Cools room temp red too. Works for bringing iced tea or lemonade, etc... on picnics in decorative neck-bottles as well. The cheapest I found it so far is $22 HERE at Kitchen and Company. They can be bought in neon colors as well HERE at Bed Bath and Beyond. TIP: Enter code FS49 for free shipping any day on orders over $49.

SWIPE APPAREL: And while we're on Tech, this is an idea whose time has come. Swipe Apparel TEES ($25) and TIES ($40) for guys that is made of material that can clean their phone, tablet or other gadget. Novelty? I think not. SwipeTies are made of 100% imported silk while SwipeTees are made from 100% ringspun cotton so you can be assured of the highest quality. 




How about this handsome firewood carrier. Does the trick in style. Sturdy canvas and handles, box design at the base stands up for loading and unloading. A really useful, great gift that will be used and much appreciated! Buy at LL BEAN for $34.50.
2014 EDITORS NOTE: GOOGLE these, they may have been discontinued. Macy's no longer carries them. Giving Flannel sheets is still a great gift. Try the Company Store for excellent quality.  Martha Stewart has made a line of flannel sheets that are NOT too thick. I find a lot of folks want that comfort on cold winter nights, but find standard flannel to be too heavy or hot. If you live in warm-weather places or are a snow bird and live where it gets cool at night but not cold, and wish you could enjoy the comfort flannel provides, these are for you. They are so light and so soft, and of lovely quality. Available in four soft colors, exclusively AT MACY's for practically half off at this writing. She makes a few different sheet sets. The ones I'm describing are called Martha Stewart Collection Bedding, Luxury Flannel. Every few days Macy's offers a larger discount. One day it's 10% the next it's 25%... so keep an eye on it. Price varied from Twin to California King.  

Into Grilling??? This is a GREAT gift - funny too. A brand with their initials. The recipient will get years of mileage out of it when entertaining. You need to order early for personalization. Go for WILLIAM SONOMA's, as they have great quality for $39.95. There are lots offered on Google. Check delivery dates (personalization takes more time), and the quality. 


New parents or parents-to-be in your life? I think this is absolutely the best gift to give. While they will get tons of onesies and cute outfits, and they will get a stroller and car seat and bath items, THIS is RED ENVELOPE. A variety of matting colors and handsome, quality frames will contain the baby's picture and prints that the parent's do themselves. And you can add a personalized plaque. THE BEST. At this writing, if you type in RedEnvelope.com/15off you will get 15% off everything you order. Free shipping on all orders over $75.  the one they will cherish literally for the rest of their lives - and it is made to be passed down to their child once he or she has a home of their own.  So simple but priceless for only $59.95.

With The Moosewood Cookbook, Mollie Katzen changed the way a generation cooked and brought vegetarian cuisine into the mainstream. InThe Heart of the Plate, she completely reinvents the vegetarian repertoire, unveiling a collection of beautiful, healthful, and unfussy dishes — her “absolutely most loved.” Her new cuisine is  light, sharp, simple, and modular; her inimitable voice is as personal, helpful, clear, and funny as ever. $24.958 Hardcover at BARNES AND NOBLE.

I bought a BOSE Sound Dock years and years ago, when it first came out and the quality blew my mind. immediately aboandoned the cumberson giant floor speakers and all those little speakers that needed wiring and hanging in the corners to achieve the same effect. So simple. plug it in, pop in your phone or iPod and press play. They also work via Bluetooth and a remote, so you can lounge on the couch and just lift your index finger to be in charge of this impressive sound system.

Great for low music under conversation at the dinner table, or for blasting for a New Years party of 300 people.  Back then, mine was $300 and worked off a Classic IPod. Today, they work with iPhone and Shuffles too, and it goes for $199 - and it's probably better, faster, smaller sleeker.  CLICK HERE to see how many new offshoots they now offer, from $199 to $599.

FOR PAST YEARS TOP PICKS CLICK HERE! Happy shopping!

Comments

PDX Granny said…
I love seeing all your great gift ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing the look on my grandson's face when he sees the microscope I ordered for the tablet Santa is bringing him. Thank you for the suggestion!
Rockwrites said…
So glad you found something PDX Granny!