Alexandra Cohn
What do you get for the person who has everything? If that person lives with you, the answer is simple: Get something for the house that you can all share. You don’t have to say “I love you” with an appliance...but it’s always a reliable option.
Picture frames or professional framing
The holidays are a good excuse to update your wall art. Whether it’s a special photo from a family reunion, a craft fair print you never mounted, or a previously framed painting that doesn’t fit in your new space, a new frame can perk up your pad. If you’re looking to spend under $100, you can measure and mat the picture yourself, then pick up a standard gallery frame. If you want a pricier frame that’s custom-sized and selected, bring the piece to a local frame shop and have a professional do it.
Cost: Varies by size
Where: Many local custom framing shops to choose from.
Carolyn Fath
Wine club membership
Does your domestic partner love wine, but hate making decisions? Perhaps you should buy a wine club membership. A number of wine retailers around town offer these programs, which typically involve one to two bottles a month. Recipients pick up the monthly club selections in the store and also may be eligible for special tastings and discounts.
Cost: About $100
Where: Barriques locations; Steve’s Wine Beer and Spirits locations; Square Wine Company, 5 N. Pinckney St.
Buddha Board
It sounds quirky, and it is. The Buddha Board is a playful, hands-on product that allows the user to compose an ephemeral drawing with water. Inspired by the Zen idea of living in the moment, it encourages people to express themselves artistically, then watch their creations evaporate slowly. It’s great for anyone who suffers from earthly attachment. The Buddha Board is a creative template, therapy tool and a conversation piece all wrapped into one.
Cost: About $35
Where: Barnes & Noble, East and West Towne, and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St.
Spa Room diffuser
You know how the spa always smells good when you go in for a therapeutic massage? It would be messy and expensive to coat your entire house in scented cream and essential oil. But scented misters can get you started on one room at a time. Using ultrasonic technology, these diffusers quietly emit whatever droplets of fragrance you put into them. Lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, patchouli and tea tree oil are some of the more popular, and they can also be mixed into special blends. The misters come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. Essential oils are typically sold separately.
Cost: $40-$80
Where: Whole Foods, 3313 University Ave., and the Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St. and 6825 University Ave., Middleton
Bird seed and feeder
What’s more fun in the wintertime than watching a pair of cardinals nosh on sunflower seeds? Choose from a variety of products to charm the winter birdwatchers in your life. Keep the whole backyard flock coming back with a 20-pound bag of no-mess seeds (seeds with shells pre-removed, so no hulls on the ground). For a holiday exchange or housewarming gift, you might go for seeds clustered in special shapes, like wreaths and snowmen. If your feeder has taken a beating from the crows and bluejays, kick the bird gift up a notch with a brand-new feeder. No matter what you choose, it will get used.
Cost: Varies
Where: Wild Birds Unlimited, 8402 Old Sauk Rd., and many other garden and hardware stores.
Fun soaps
Natural, handmade, luxurious bars of soap are the perfect way to say “I love you” in a glamorous/hippie voice. And they do so many fancy things these days, like exfoliating and toning. Shopping for them is fun, and when you pick out a bunch and pack them in pretty little boxes with colorful tissue paper and ribbons, they will brighten someone’s day.
Cost: About $3-$7
Where: The Soap Opera, 319 State St.; Lush, Hilldale; Whole Foods; Willy St. Co-op; Community Pharmacy, 341 State St.
Happy light
Even with a regular supply of wine, bird seed and essential oils, wintertime can get you down. If the winter blues are a problem in your home, get your family some light therapy. Natural-spectrum lamps, also known as “happy lights,” work to counter some of the deleterious effects of seasonal change, shift work and jet lag. Happy lights are small and lightweight, and because you only need exposure to it for a few minutes every morning, they don’t blow up your energy bills.
Cost: Depending on size, $40-$200.
Where: Costco, Target
We have noted throughout the gift guide where our shoppers located various items; however, they may be available at other area stores as well.
