Creative Christmas gifts > from A to Z
November 27, 2006
Most of us can’t afford the trip to outer space offered for $1.7 million in the Neiman Marcus holiday catalog, but we can still dream a little.
As you are making your holiday shopping plans, here’s an alphabet full of unusual, luxurious or distinctive gift suggestions to inspire you. Gifts suggested include everything from smaller luxury items to fun toys to cool gadgets. Here we go!
Asymmetrical shoes > Camper twins are “mismatched” on purpose, yet complementary, with the design starting on one foot and continuing on the other. Designs at www.camper.com/web/catalogo/pdf/camper_aw0607.pdf include a wintry black-and-white scene and a pair with a coordinating leafy motif. The Mallorcan-made shoes are available in the United States at the Soho Camper store in New York.
Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses > The doll Princess Genevieve, the brave seventh sister of 12, is the star of Barbie’s sixth princess movie.
Cashmere, cashmere, cashmere > in sweaters, scarves, gloves, pillows and blankets. Sweaters and accessories can be found everywhere from Target and Kohl’s to department stores and boutiques and online retailers like www.landsend.com and www.llbean.com. The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book even goes fantastical with a cashmere pet polo and a cashmere teapot cozy, including teapot. See www.neimanmarcus.com. Or luxuriate in 100 percent cashmere home decor with pillows, throws and blankets, which can be found at such stores as Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Disposable camcorder by CVS > It’s pocket-size, holding 20 minutes of digital-quality video and sound. This cool stocking stuffer for teens or kids can be returned to any CVS pharmacy one-hour photo lab for a DVD that allows for e-mailing video and video greeting cards.
Elton John Fireside Home Fragrance Collection, Bath & Body Works > It includes scented candles, stones and home fragrance oils.
Try this > artificial and live greens mix well
November 27, 2006
As you decorate for the Christmas Season, don’t be afraid to mix artificial with fresh greenery. That’s a piece of advice from someone who is a big fan of bringing indoors whatever you have growing in your yard to adorn the mantel over your fireplace.
On the mantel, string a garland using tiny finishing nails hammered into the topside, where the holes won’t be visible the rest of the year. You can take them out and put them back into the exact same holes next year.
For another mantel idea, start with two tall lamps and an angel figurine about 2 feet tall. You need to get some height, into the design, either on either side and in the middle to maintain the symmetry, or on one side.
Beyond that, try to add fresh cuttings from whatever’s available in the yard, such as a few magnolia leaves around the angel for a simple, festive effect.
You can add twinkle lights around topiaries, but don’t just string Christmas lights to be stringing Christmas lights. Put them on something. Beyond that, you can also add colorful balls, candles or twinkle lights in with the greenery or wrapped around the garland. You can add festive stocking holders and stockings. Finally, if you budget for an expensive garland, you’ll have it year after year.
Get out of the ordinary > Spend your Christmas holidays far away
November 27, 2006
Many of us don’t even want to hear the word Christmas for at least a month. But if you want to celebrate the season far away and perhaps spectacularly, now is the time to listen up. Here is a holiday sampling.
You won’t be able to help feeling Christmas in Rovaniemi, capital of Finnish Lapland. Participants in a five-day, land-only package from Five Stars of Scandinavia earn a reindeer driving license, learn about reindeer herding, take a husky safari and a snowmobile journey, and visit Santa Claus’ Village to meet the jolly guy himself. Included are four nights’ hotel, four dinners, daily breakfasts, daily sauna use, all equipment and special winter gear, and hotel taxes and service charges. The cost is $1,195 per person, $600 for children younger than 15; departure dates are December 16, 23, and 30. Call (800) 722-4126 or visit www.5stars-of-scandinavia.com
Europe’s Christmas markets, which date to the 15th century, attract shoppers from around the world in search of special gifts and holiday atmosphere. When you take a cruise, meals are included aboard ship. Gate 1 Travel, for instance, is offering $200 off on Danube River cruises that begin at $499 for seven days, land only. Visit www.gate1travel.com and note the promotion codes.
Select cabins and departure dates still may be available for five European Holiday River Cruises from Grand Circle Travel. Built around the traditional Christkindlmarkts, or crafts fairs, the trips visit one or more countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Packages start at $1,245 for nine days, including round-trip airfare from Boston. Prices include airline fuel surcharges. Call (800) 248-3737 or visit www.gct.com
Vantage Travel starts its 11-day Holiday Markets on the Rhine and Main rivers cruises at $1,599, including air. Call (800) 322-6677 or visit www.vantagetravel.com
If you love to paint and love to spend money, how about Christmas in French Polynesia? Art instructor Carol Duchamp will lead a watercolor class December 21-31 in Tahiti and Huahine, in the Society Islands. The land cost of $3,095 includes two nights at the Tahiti Sheraton, seven nights at Te Tiare Beach Resort, all breakfasts and an excursion to the Musie Gauguin and nearby Harrison W. Smith Jardin Botanique. Te Tiare ground and water-taxi transfers, a Christmas dinner and Polynesian dance festivities, a motorized outrigger canoe excursion and other amenities are also included. There is a $300 class fee. Call (888) 522-2652 or visit www.arttreks.com
Norwegian Coastal Voyage’s air-inclusive seven to 10-day cruise tours run from December 20-28 and cost $2,145-$3,130. Itineraries offer a choice of festivities at sea; a pre-cruise visit to Copenhagen and its Christmas market in Tivoli Gardens; a Northern Lights Festival concert in Tromso’s striking A-frame Arctic Cathedral; or fireworks and traditional singing in Karasjok, the official capital of the Sami who inhabit Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish Lapland.
Call (800) 582-0835 or visit www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us
New sips > trend up with these flavor favorites
November 27, 2006
Want to shake yourself out of a martini rut? Mix up one of the many flavored varieties now in vogue. Become a trendy cosmopolitan and forget all about the traditional martini, it’s being replaced by flavored varieties, such as apple, cranapple and chocolate types, among others.
Absolut Mandarin Vodka
Made from grains grown in southern Sweden, the vodka is infused with natural mandarin orange flavors. The tropical aroma precedes a rounded texture and sharp finish. Try this in an orange cosmo, or add a little depth to an apple version. 40 percent alcohol.
Dekuyper Sour Apple Pucker
Add a sweet-and-sour kick to an apple martini or apple cosmo with this schnapps. 15 percent alcohol.
Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka
This premium lemon-flavored import from the Cognac region of western France uses Gente Springs water filtered through champagne limestone for a soft, smooth taste. Perfect for a lemon-drop martini. 40 percent alcohol.
Wine > Toasting your blessings
November 27, 2006
Even if your Christmas offers up recipes passed down through generations, that doesn’t mean you need to serve the same type of wine that has graced your table for years.
Let me suggest that you try something a little different this Christmas. I have selected three distinctive wines that are reasonably priced and pair well with poultry, and they just might add a new sparkle to your holiday table.
2005 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
This medium-bodied, dry white wine is the leading pinot grigio sold in many restaurants. It has a golden-apple aftertaste, so. . . it really complements a lot of different types of foods well, especially poultry.
2003 Rancho Zabaco Heritage Vines Zinfandel
Rancho Zabaco is known for making a line of zinfandels for zinfandel enthusiasts, and this particular vintage surprises with a bold, spicy blackberry taste and an underlying hint of black pepper.
2002 Schmitt Sohne Classic Riesling
An intense fruity aroma reminiscent of peaches and passion fruit marks this crisp, elegant German wine with a spicy apple flavor and dry finish.
Wines > to sip or to savor
November 27, 2006
So you’re camped out in the living room, enjoying snacks or a casual meal while you delve into the latest episode of your fave Christmas show. Your only beverage option for pairing with pizza or popcorn is beer, right? Wrong!
Wines, sparkling or not, don’t have to be saved for more formal occasions and full-course dinners. Like your favorite socially savvy pal, they can go laid-back without losing their savoir faire. Let me suggest three inexpensive choices for your next date with your favorite television show.
2004 Water Wheel Memsie
This blended Australian red wine certainly sports a casual style, it has a screw cap rather than a cork, but it delivers a full, sweet taste. The spicy aroma hints at fruitcake, with accents of menthol and oak. Sip this when you’re munching on a late-night snack of cheese and crackers.
Il Prosecco
A straw-colored, lightly sparkling nonvintage Italian wine, this fresh, crisp beverage tastes of apples and peaches. It’s not quite as bubbly as a champagne, and I would suggest pairing Il Prosecco with pizza or nachos.
Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut
Another nonvintage choice, this sparkling Spanish wine blends the flavors of fresh pineapple, almonds and honey. The lively, crisp Cava looks and tastes elegant, without the equally chic price tag. Oh, and it’s great with popcorn too.
Cinnamon Swirl Cake
November 27, 2006
Ingredients >
Batter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 envelopes rapid-rise yeast
2/3 cup very warm milk (120 to 130 degrees)
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), very soft or melted
1 large egg
Cinnamon mixture
3 tablespoons butter, very soft
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Icing
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon butter, very soft
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Method >
Mix batter ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, yeast, milk, butter and egg) in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish that has been spritzed with non-stick baking spray. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine cinnamon mixture in a small bowl by mixing with a fork. Top batter evenly with cinnamon mixture; using fingers, poke topping thoroughly into batter.
Bake by placing in a COLD oven; set temperature to 350 degrees. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned and firm in center. Cool 10 minutes.
Combine icing ingredients and drizzle over warm cake. Serve from the pan. Makes about 9 servings.
