Call me an ingrate, but the mere thought of all the unwanted holiday gifts I’ve received over the years exhausts me. As I sift through the images in my mind, the most baffling ones pop out: the big, weird teddy bear my stepmother gave me when I was thirty and single (a warm body to cuddle up with, I presume), the brown flannel pajamas I received with equestrian images and sayings all over them (I’ve never been on a horse in my life), and a bunch of dream weavers and macramé pouches from my earth-motherish aunt (which I promptly stuffed into the bottom of the drawer where I keep leftover shopping bags).
Even more bizarre than these types of gifts, however, is that their givers inevitably follow up their presentation with the statement “It reminded me so much of you.” During these exchanges, I used to smile and nod, feigning enthusiasm, but on the inside I’d be seething and thinking, You don’t know me at all, lady—until I started reminding myself that these people’s intentions were good, no matter how off target their presents were. Eventually, I learned that tactful tip-offs during the holiday season can result in a win-win situation for gift givers and recipients alike. To elicit genuine gratitude when the wrapping paper comes off, turn to the following guide.
For Entertainment Junkies: Media and Entertainment Gifts
On the Cheap: My mother still squints and holds digital cameras up to her eye to take pictures. The new 10.0-megapixel Canon Power Shot A480 was made for people like her. Its designers’ primary goal—expressed through features such as a super-simple button layout, fifteen preset shooting modes, and flexible framing—was to make this camera as intuitive as possible to use. This model is also 25 percent more compact than its previous version and starts at a mere $109.99.
Everything in Moderation: Gone are the days when people who wanted to make home movies had to embarrass themselves with video cameras that looked like they’d been swiped from a news van. With 8 GB of built-in memory, the low-profile, second-generation Flip MinoHD Camcorder fits in your pocket and records up to 120 minutes’ worth of high-definition video. When you’re ready to upload your footage to your Mac or PC, just plug the Flip’s built-in USB arm directly into your computer. Price: $229.00.
The Sky’s the Limit: Everyone and her mother has an iPhone these days, but users often gripe about the mandatory AT&T phone plan and the frequent dropped calls it causes. A less frustrating—and equally fun—alternative is to keep your regular cell phone and digital camera and purchase a third-generation iPod touch. The 64 GB device ensures that you’ll be able to check your email and stay entertained for hours, even during a grueling work commute; it holds fourteen thousand songs, eighty hours of video, and ninety thousand photos, among its many other features. Price: $399.00.
For Jocks: Fitness Gifts
On the Cheap: Who needs a gym membership or weight-training classes? The Gaiam Total Body Sculpting Bar Kit is like an entire nautilus system contained within one three-and-a-half-foot, nine-pound bar. The bar can be used as one long weight or divided into three individual three-pound weights to tone and strengthen arms, legs, and abs. Add some lunges, squats, or cardio exercises, and you’ll get a total-body workout without having to leave the house. The kit even includes a workout DVD to get you going. Price: $39.98.
Everything in Moderation: Nintendo’s signature active-play system just got a whole lot better. The Wii Fit Plus Bundle, with game software and a balance board, offers dozens of motion-based games to choose from, including yoga, aerobic, balance, and muscle exercises. The primary difference between the original Wii Fit and the Wii Fit Plus is that the new model allows users to customize the length and content of their workouts; if you identify a specific fitness area in which you’d like to improve, the system will suggest a variety of activities designed to help you achieve your specific athletic goals. Promising to improve your coordination and your core strength, the Wii Plus is even better than a personal trainer—not only is it less expensive, but you can mute it when you need to rest. Price: $89.99.
The Sky’s the Limit: Cyclists, windsurfers, and cross-country skiers alike stay on track with the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver, a powerhouse of a wrist-mounted fitness device that monitors heart rate, calories burned, and distance traveled and acts as a failsafe GPS tool in every type of terrain. Best of all, it comes with a USB port and Training Center software, so athletes can upload their workout data to their Mac or PC and watch their fitness levels improve over time. Price: $157.89.
