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Making her list
by Sylvia Anderson
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

When you’re a child, there’s something exciting, almost magical, about opening gifts on Christmas morning. Even though you may have taken a tiny peek before the official opening time, the thrill is still there as you rip open the wrapping to discover that shiny new toy or doll you have wanted all year. But by the time you become an adult, things change. Getting a vacuum from your husband for Christmas may be practical, but not exactly magical. And although your mother-in-law means well, those sequined holiday sweaters miss the boat, too. The root of the problem must be they simply don’t know what you want.

So what do you want? We’ve come up with a few ideas that would be great not only for you, but for any woman on your gift list. If you find something you like, just circle the one you want, post it on the refrigerator, wrap it around the TV remote or mail it out with your Christmas letters to get the word out. And if all that fails, keep a copy in your pocket so you can buy it yourself after you return that Christmas sweater.

Godiva’s new Dark Chocolate Lover’s basket

Chocolate is the ultimate happy gift. One bite, and you feel good no matter what else is going on in your life. And with the reported health benefits of dark chocolate, Godiva’s new Dark Chocolate Lover’s gift basket makes the perfect gift. The 16-piece basket includes a 12-piece dark chocolate truffle box, dark chocolate almonds, a solid dark chocolate bar, dark mint chocolate pearls, dark chocolate cherries, and a 12-piece dark chocolate caramel gems. They are all tied together with a chocolate swirl ribbon for $85. Find more chocolate ideas at www.godiva.com.

Harney and Sons tea chest and iPot infuser pot

“Tea is the gift that keeps on giving the entire year,” says Siang Johnson, owner of Simply Tea in St. Joseph. And what could be nicer than a whole tea chest of 32 teas with eight flavors and four sachets of each type by Harney and Sons for $29.95? She suggests throwing in an iPot infuser pot for easy brewing. The 17-ounce microwave and dishwasher-safe pot has a removable stainless steel lid and a double-mesh, stainless-steel infuser for $19.99. Find out more at www.simply-tea.com.

Garmin Nüvi 265WT portable GPS

This is what you need for putting an end to being lost or confused on the road. Whether you’re driving to a new place or just need to know where the closest gas station or restaurant is, a portable GPS (global position system), such as the Garmin 265WT, can tell you that and more. The widescreen navigator takes you there with preloaded maps and turn-by-turn directions that call out streets by name. It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator NT street maps, more than 6 million points of interest (POIs), 2D or 3D maps and smooth map updates as you navigate. “It’s a great product,” says Kelly Weber, who works for one of the Garmin distributors in Kansas City. “They’ve become a lot more popular recently as people understand what they can do.” Prices range from $190 to $200, depending on features. Get more information at garmin.com.

Gift card at Borders

“People are hesitant to give gift cards because they don’t think it’s personal, but for people who like to read, they love them,” says Melissa Frakkes, Borders manager. She says it’s hard to pick out books that an avid reader hasn’t read or would like. And readers really like getting money to go spend on the luxury of books. She says she has several customers who buy $100 gift cards for their wives and one who regularly puts money back on the gift card throughout the year. The gift cards also can be used for espresso drinks and treats at the store, along with music and DVDs. And if you want to get a jump on buying this season’s expected big hit, Melissa says pick up a copy of “Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks, or for mystery readers, Dan Brown’s “Last Symbol.”

Pink diamonds

Your significant other may not be able to afford anything like Jennifer Lopez’s stunning pink diamond ring, but what about pink diamond earrings? Or maybe brilliant blue? Synthetic colored diamonds are an affordable option, and they come in a variety of vibrant, sparkling colors. They are genuine diamonds that have been treated in a laboratory to create the color. And they are guaranteed to create some magic on Christmas morning.

Bath and Body Works

Shower gel, lotion, perfume, candles, aromatherapy — anything at Bath

and Body Works would add a little luxury to the everyday grind. For the ultimate indulgence, try an ultra-pampering gift basket filled with the romantic fragrance of Sweet Pea for $35. It comes with 10 ounces of bubble bath, an 8-ounce creamy body wash, an 8-ounce body lotion, an 8-ounce fragrance mist and a gauze sponge, all in a reusable basket. See more ideas at www.bathandbodyworks.com.

Tuscano float

Sometimes there just isn’t time to get the rest you need, so that’s why you need a Tuscano float offered at the Spa Tuscano in Briarcliff Village. One 60-minute session in the float room gives you the equivalent of four hours of normal rest. “Floating” helps to promote the release of endorphins while rejuvenating your body and mind. Your body floats in 10 to 12 inches of buoyant, mineral-rich, and temperature-maintained (94-degree) water. It all helps to detoxify, sedate the nervous system, relax muscles, reduce fatigue and much more. A single float is $85, or get three floats for $150. For more information, visit www.thespatuscano.com.

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