Holiday gift guide: An idea for everyone on your list

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

It's that time of year when the lines are long, fuses are short and we find ourselves asking over and over "What to get that they'll actually use?" Don't worry. The features department has you covered. Here are the gifts that made our Christmas lists this year.


Style

Daughters, sisters or nieces (teen to 30): Accessories in colors to match a wardrobe are a must.
— Scarves can be functional or just fun. Match the person’s style with pattern and color choices. A thin scarf can be worn over a sweater — perfect for that always cold office worker — or a bulky piece can be worn with a thin jacket — a savior for a cool morning at the bus stop. (Prices vary, gap.com, jcrew.com)

— A beautiful pair of leather gloves can boost an intern’s image. But go for the fingerless gloves with a mitten flap for that nonstop texter. (Prices vary, target.com, coach.com)

— Keep legs toasty with textured tights or leg warmers. Go for a cable-knit option to match her favorite Uggs, or a thinner pair to pop out of her combat boots or fill out those knee-high boots. (Prices vary, aldoshoes.com, forever21.com)

Sons, brothers or boyfriends (teen to 30): Matching their style is key with these functional gifts.
— Hats provide warmth and flair. A knit, logo beanie is great for a sports fan, while something with a bit of structure and a pattern can liven up a boring coat. For the outdoorsman, try a fur-lined hat with ear flaps. (Prices vary, nflshop.com, urbanoutfitters.com)

— A warm fleece or vest is great for the guy who is in and out of the house. Whether checking the oil, running to the store or going to a game, a thin but warm piece is useful. (Prices vary, thenorthface.com, sportsauthority.com)

Features Fan Favorite
•“The Joker: A Visual History of the Clown Prince of Crime” by Daniel Wallace: The history of the Caped Crusader’s arch-nemesis, from his incarnation in the comics to adaptations in film and television, is chronicled. It is a must-have for comic book and Batman fans alike. Hardcover retails for $50; paperback retails for $35.Other stylish accessories on our wish lists:
— Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones: If you are a music fan and want to feel like you are at a concert while hanging out in your living room, these puppies are for you. Don’t be scared by the hefty price tag. These top-of-the-line headphones cancel surrounding noise (whether it’s a TV blaring from across the room or a roommate who laughs a few decibels louder than a Marshall amplifier) and are worth every penny. Retails for $299.99.

— iPad 2: There is a reason the iPad is still the best tablet on the market. The iPad 2 is thinner, sleeker and lighter (tipping the scales at 1.33 pounds) than its predecessor. You can pretty much do anything under the sun: surf the Web, learn to play piano, watch movies, talk with a friend through the FaceTime app and listen to iTunes and a whole lot more. Retails for $499.


Food/Drink



Must-have kid food gifts
1. Auntie Anne’s At-Home Pretzel Baking Kit
Who doesn’t love a hot, fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon sugar pretzel. At this price, buy four and keep them on hand to make or give at those last-minute get togethers. $9.95; auntieannes.com, or at Auntie Anne’s locations. For kids who can operate an oven, (parental supervision
encouraged.)

2. Crayola Snow Globe Cookie Kit
This takes the edible art thing way past gingerbread houses. The kit
contains sugar cookie mix, cookie cutters to make your own snow globes, edible watercolor palettes and paint brushes. Perfect for the little artist. $5.99; Crayolastore.com For toddlers and kids under 12.

3. Cooking classes
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “My kid burns toast, right?” Enroll
them in a cooking class geared to their age group. Young Chefs Academy in Palmer Township offers KinderCook (ages 4 to 7) and JR Chef (ages 8 to 14) classes. Weekly classes start at $20 and will give your youngster a new-found hobby. ShopRite offers Winter Culinary Workshops for young chefs 5-12. Plus it’ll give them time away from the TV. Youngchefsacademy.com, 610-559-COOK; shoprite.com

4. World’s Largest Gummy Worm
If you’re going for best Aunt or Uncle of the Year, this is the gift
guaranteed to delight (and possibly scare) your niece or nephew.
Perpetualkid.com sells a two-foot long gummy worm that weighs three pounds. It comes in five flavors, will be talked about for years to come, and has to be fun to wrap. Bonus: It’s gluten free! $27.95; perpetualkid.com. For candy lovers of all ages.

5. Photo on a Cereal Box
This idea is for older kids, particularly those who excel at sports, dance, band competitions, etc. Take your favorite photo of them and have it printed on a box of Frosted Flakes. They’ll say you’re g-r-r-reat for the entire holiday season! $24.95 (plus shipping); kelloggstore.com.

By the way ,Wheaties offers the same deal and the box comes with an acrylic case. $42; shop.wheaties.com. For kids and kids at heart.
Favorite Things Basket
Pick a culinary theme (BBQ, Italian, Picnics, Tasting parties, etc.) and run with it. Or make a locavore basket with the local favorites for your out of town guests. Think cheese, wine, shoofly pies, Tastykakes — all the things they miss from home. Or take the Italian theme to heart with a bottle of good olive oil from Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom in Bethlehem, wine from your favorite winery, olive trays, and dry seasoning mixes. Package it all in a bread basket and tuck in a gift card or a CD of Frank Sinatra’s favorite hits and your Secret Santa will be singing “That’s Amore!” Vary the theme depending on preferences, allergies and price point.

… Of the Month club
I’ve seen everything from beer, wine, coffee to bacon, cookies and cake. You can’t go wrong. These do get pricey quick when you factor in shipping costs, but your recipient will have something to look forward to all year long. Prices vary. For the caffeinated, baconated, sweet tooth in your life.

Make your own beer/wine/mead/cider/ginger ale/root beer kit
It’s easier than you think. Go to your local homebrew supply store and pick out a friend’s favorite brew or wine. Read the directions carefully to see what the kit contains. The Mr. Beer brand packs a 2-gallon fermenter, beer ingredients and eight bottles, caps and labels into most kits. Whatever they don’t supply, pick it up to add to the gift. Prices vary. For the over 21, happy to have a new hobby crowd. Not for the time-crunched. They’d prefer a bottle instead. $99.95 for Mr. Beer Brewmasters Select kit, $26.95 for Mr. Rootbeer. mrbeer.com

Kitchen Tools
Some chefs will tell you they have enough junk in the kitchen — they don’t want another thing. Me? Others want every specialized zany tool they can find — at least until they run out of room in their kitchen! Pick up zesters, potato mashers, Santoku knives, apple corers, rotary cheese graters, mandolines, pie weights, hand-held juicers and julienne cutters. Stick to one brand though, so your intended’s kitchen doesn’t look like they stole tools from 10 houses. Wrap your collection in dish towels or aprons. Stick them in a garbage bowl or pitcher, and voila! You’ve given your foodie an envious kitchen spread. Prices vary. For the foodie who likes to cook and experiment. Pamperedchef.com, Oneida.com

Subscription for a cooking magazine

Whether they’re Food Network Magazine folk or Bon Appetit gourmands, home chefs love inspiration. Sign them up for a subscription to their favorite cooking magazine (Cooking Light, Taste of Home, Cooks Illustrated, Food & Wine, etc.). Prices vary. A shipping-friendly gift for a food lover.

“Brewed Awakening: Behind the Beers and Brewers Leading the World’s Craft Brewing Revolution” by Joshua M. Bernstein is a handbook for craft beer drinkers that includes more than three pages explaining 41 hop varieties.

The book is full of beer labels and beer bottles and offers the casual feel of beer notes collected over the years complete with beer stains, bottle rings and scraps of notebook paper taped in place. Bernstein makes dozens of recommendations and covers different styles such as IPAs, seasonals and extreme beer styles. It’s a nice casual read that the beer lover on your list can periodically peruse over a, well, beer. ($24.95 from Sterling Epicure publishing)

Infinium was born out of a collaboration between Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams, and Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest brewery. 2011 marks only the second release of the limited edition beer.

In its 750 mL cork-and-cage, foil-wrapped bottle, Infinium looks like a gift. Sam Adams describes Infinium as a “crisp, champagne-like beer,” which proves to be an apt description although Infinium is clearly better than champagne.

Infinium weighs in at 10.3 percent ABV, so maybe the recipient will be willing to share. It offers a sweet, slightly spicy, perhaps citrusy aroma. The body is surprisingly bold for a beer described as champagne-like and flavor is heady and robust. The alcohol flavor is prevalent and mingles with a slight malty sweetness and hoppiness. It’s well worth the brewer’s suggested price. (Sam Adams suggested retail price is $19.99, but there’s no guarantee retailers will sell the limited release at that price. For more information visit samueladams.com/Infinium.)

Fun


Wrap up their favorite movies/TV shows


“Bridesmaids”
“Saturday Night Live” star Kristen Wiig won over critics and fans alike with this hysterical 2011 comedy. Wiig plays Annie, an unemployed former bakery owner who finds herself stuck in bridesmaid hell when she’s chosen to be her best friend’s maid of honor. Co-star Melissa McCarthy (“Mike and Molly”) steals the film as the brash, in-your-face bridesmaid Megan. “Bridesmaids” is available on DVD and Blu-ray; retails for $29.98 (DVD) and $34.98 (Blu-ray, two-disc special edition).

For fans of Judd Apatow comedies such as “Knocked Up,” “The 40-year-old Virgin” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”

“Harry Potter: The Complete 8 Film Collection”
J.K. Rowling’s beloved and popular children’s book series spawned eight feature films, each of which is contained in this magical collection. It is available on DVD and Blu-ray; retails for $98.92 (DVD) and $139.99 (Blu-ray).

For fans of “Harry Potter” and fantasy films such as “Willow” and “Stardust.”

“The League: The Complete First Season”; “The League: The Complete Second Season”
This FX comedy is one of the funniest, and raunchiest, shows on television right now. “The League” revolves around a group of friends who participate in a fantasy football league and the typically demented things they will do to each other — often just for their own amusement. Both seasons of “The League” are available on DVD and Blu-ray; retails for $19.98 (season one DVD), $29.98 (season two DVD), $29.99 (season one Blu-ray), and $34.99 (season two Blu-ray).

For fans of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

“Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI)” Blu-ray
This is the box set “Star Wars” and science-fiction fans have been waiting for. George Lucas’ entire epic space saga has been restored in pristine, dazzling color and definition. Revisit your youth with the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Yoda and, yes, even Jar Jar Binks. The collection is available on Blu-ray and retails for $139.99.

For “Star Wars” and science-fiction fans and anyone with a soft spot for ’70s pop culture.

Gift video games/electronics

“Batman: Arkham City”
The sequel to 2009’s “Batman: Arkham Asylum” finds the Caped Crusader squaring off against his rogue gallery of classic villains, including Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Harley Quinn and Catwoman. “Arkham City” is available on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC; retails for $59.99 (Xbox and Playstation 3), and $49.99 (PC).

Rated “T” for teens; for fans of “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “DC Universe Online.”

“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3”
Arguably the most anticipated game of the year, “Modern Warfare 3” is a first-person shooter game that places you squarely on the battlefield — whether the action is taking place in Manhattan or on the streets of Moscow. “Call of Duty” is available on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii and PC; retails for $59.99 (Xbox and Playstation 3), and $49.99 (Wii).

Rated “M” for mature fans ages 17 and older; for fans of the “Call of Duty” series and first-person shooter games such as “Halo,” “Battlefield 3” and “GoldenEye 007: Reloaded.”

“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”
Link is back in an all-new adventure that toggles between the main world and classic “Zelda” dungeons — ultimately setting the stage for the events that transpire in “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” “Zelda” is available for Nintendo Wii; Retails for $69.99

Rated “E” for everyone; for fans of “The Legend of Zelda” and children’s fantasy fighting games.

“Super Mario 3D Land”
Experience the world of Mario and his best bud Luigi in eye-popping 3-D. “Super Mario” is available for Nintendo 3DS. Retails for $39.99

Rated “E” for everyone; for fans of “Super Mario Bros.” and the Nintendo franchise.

Give a little music

For the rock fan:


Features Fan Favorite
Cookies in the shape of your face! Food Network Magazine had a blurb about a California cookie company that designs treats to look like a submitted headshot. They’re pricey, but if you can break up the package to gift to five different people, it may be worth the $40 per person cost. Total: 80 cents per cookie, minimum order 150 cookies, $20 fee for each person’s mold. parkerscrazycookies.com
“Some Girls” - The Rolling Stones Box Set
This box set, released in November, contains the digitally remastered and expanded two-CD edition of the 1978 album “Some Girls,” a DVD, 7-inch vinyl single of “Beast of Burden” and “The Whip Comes Down,” a hardcover book, set of postcards, Helmut Newton prints and a poster. This gift is appropriate for rock music fans including the most seasoned Rolling Stones follower or newer fans with appreciation for the roots of the genre. Retail Price: $144

For the hip-hop Fan:
I Am T-Pain Mic
Harness your inner hip-hop star with a microphone that makes your voice sound like T-Pain. So yeah, it’s a toy, but it’s sure to promise fun for all ages. Retail: $29.99

For the whole music-listening family:

“Muppets: The Green Album”
"Muppets: The Green Album," an all-star tribute to the songs of Jim Henson's creations, is not only appropriate for those who grew up watching the Muppets, but also for the indie music fan of bands such as “Ok Go” and “My Morning Jacket.” Renditions of nostalgic Muppet favorites including “Rainbow Connection” and “Mahna Mahna” contribute to a musical journey adults and children alike will enjoy taking. Retail: $11.88 on amazon.com; T-shirt, CD and poster package: $40 (with digital download: $35)

For the collector:

Album frames from Urban Outfitters
Vinyl is cool again. One of the draws is for the brilliant work displayed on the cover that you just don’t get from downloading MP3’s. This gift allows the collector to show off their prized music in frames mountable on the wall, without disturbing the fragile contents. Retail Price: $15 or 2 for $20

For the live music junkie:

Godfrey Daniels one-year membership
Godfrey Daniels, a live-music venue located at 7 E. Fourth St. in Bethlehem, offers a year membership to their club, a non-profit organization. Subscriptions are available at various levels. The lowest is the “Friend of Godfrey’s” package that includes $1 off single admission for every show at Godfrey’s for a year, invitations to special events and entry into the “Pass For A Year” drawing. Higher level memberships are available with increased benefits at varied costs. Godfrey’s showcases live music each weekend with future shows including Steve Kimock and Friends, The Kennedys and Girls, Guns and Glory. Cost: “Friend of Godfrey’s” level: $35, $30 for seniors and students.

For the aspiring musician or music nerd:

Lessons at Guitar Villa
With locations in Quakertown and Bethlehem, Guitar Villa offers vocal and instrumental lessons in guitar, drums, the banjo and more, from beginning to advanced levels. Guitar Villa can also help with choosing an instrument. Music appreciation classes are offered for all ages. Price: Guitar Villa will help you customize a lesson plan based on individual levels and desired results.

Family

Family Game Night 4: The Game Show
This video game takes the experience of the Family Game Night TV show (on The Hub Network) and lets you experience it in your own living room.

From EA/Hasbro (available for Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms; average price is $39), Family Game Night 4 includes the following games: Connect 4 Basketball, Yahtzee! Bowling, Scrabble Flash, Sorry! Sliders, Bop-It Boptagon and Monopoly Crazy Crash.

If you aren’t sure the family you are shopping for has one of the gaming systems mentioned above, buy several board games and you can still give them the gift of Family Game Night. ea.com/family-game-night-4, hasbro.com/games

Send them to the movies
Going to the movies as a family can be such a fun and memorable experience, especially around the holidays when there are so many movies to choose from (Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked comes to mind).

Send a family on your gift list to the movies by purchasing them a gift card. Regal Entertainment Group offers gifts cards ranging from $10-50, which you can purchase online, as well as eGift Cards, for last minute gifts. Rave Motion Pictures also has gift cards available online and at participating cinemas, ranging from $10-150. regmovies.com, ravemotionpictures.com

Indoor water park fun
It may only be the start of winter, but some parents and kids may already be wishing it was summertime again.

What better way to have some warm weather fun than by taking a trip to an indoor water park?

The Great Wolf Lodge in the Pocono Mountains offers family fun with the extra excitement of an indoor water park. Gift cards start at $50 and you can add on a plush Howlin’ Huggable Wolf for $14.99 to make the kids feel extra special. greatwolf.com


Tiffany Bentley, Melanie Henry, Kelly Huth, Alyssa Passeggio, Ed Sieger and Dustin Schoof contributed to this report.

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