Deciding what to get for picky people Can be daunting, but this feature has some great suggestions for those hard-to-buy-for individuals — and even the family cat!
Be sure to “gift” some of these affordable goodies you can get at the last minute, to yourself!
by Norma McCallister, Trends Editor
Purr-Fect for Cats!
If you can’t think of what to give someone or spaced on their gift, they’ll forgive you if you bring one for the family pet! These toys are readily available for that last minute gift idea at mass market retailers and online.
The unexpected gift for the kitty is going to win plenty of gratitude from those “fur parents.”
We’ve selected three, just for cats (because dogs get all the attention).
Bob Marley (he’s our Editor in Chief’s cat, and a rescue..isn’t he adorable?) immediately got comfy in this Petlinks Scratch Around 3-in-1 Hide & Play Station (srp. $24).
This burlap and rope toy is also a kneading nook and a cat scratcher.
Place it upright and the rope is for play, but laid flat, it is the perfect place for a (cat) nap.
You can find this in a variety of pet retailers and online. Visit the Petlinks Facebook Page for more information and cute photos of well..pets!
We like the Twirl-n-Peek™ (srp. $7.99) by Smarty Kat, a round plastic ball topped with feathers and ribbons with a cardboard box you put together in seconds.
Cats are supposed to poke in and out of holes in the box as the toy spins in the box.
In our test, our cats were curious but cautious! This cute and affordable toy is available at mass market retailers like Target.
Petlinks Hide & Peek Rowdy Rustler (srp. $24.99) is a more sophisticated seek and hunt toy.
The ball spins and makes noise kind of toy, although larger and more upscale. It’s supposedly designed to mimic prey hiding in bushes as the ball spins inside or outside of the fabric tent.
In our test the cats initially just looked at the toy and enjoyed staring, but thanks to the quiet motor they eventually warmed up to “hunting” it.
The ball is sturdy enough to toss (we assume this mimics a bird in flight) and our cats enjoyed chasing it. Batteries are included!
You can get this at mass retailers and online pet stores. We found Petlinks toys on Chewy and Amazon
A Glorious, Glowing Candle
This is the candle you will buy for yourself and hope to get another one as a gift.
The Joyful Glow Candle by Elemis ($33) will light your days and nights in a stunning silver votive festooned with tiny gold bows.
But it’s the intoxicating scent of spicy cinnamon, vanilla and orange that smells so much like the holidays–and it’s such a lovely scent for every occasion.
The bright red outer carton is embossed with the Elemis name and a galaxy of gold and pink “pop-u-luxe “stars).
We think this would make the best part of a holiday centerpiece, but, of course, it will burn for approximately 40 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it after the holidays, too.
The 8 oz. candle is really a show-stopper with a votive that glitters, even when it’s not lit.
We love Elemis as a purveyor of some of our very favorite skin and body-care items, but this is a real bonus in the gift idea department!
We like it so much, here is a direct purchase on elemis.com.
Book for Adventure!
The Edge of the World: A Visual Adventure to the Most Extraordinary Places on Earth by the Editors of Outside Magazine (Falcon Guides) is a true coffee table book. It has text to describe the 140 astounding photographs in this nicely-sized hardcover book of adventure photography.
It is hard to decide whether the photographs showing astounding feats are the amazing thing or the photographers who sometimes risked life and limb to get the shot.
The book was created in partnership with Outside magazine for its 40th anniversary and it features what the editors must think are the most fantastic photos over the years.
Some are so astounding, you can’t help but wonder why anyone would attempt them.
Turning the pages, looking at the athletes, explorers and adventurers conquer the most unimaginable places and activities on land, snow, sea and air, you may also wonder what you are missing…but there’s no need to put yourself in harms’ way to thrill to these images…enjoy the images from the safety of home !
This is a really a great gift for young and old who will find themselves fascinated, and moved, by the photos and their stories, over and over again. Order it online or get it at your favorite bookstore.
Petite Polish Set With Pizazz!
Nail polish collectors never have enough bottles or colors, but they may also not have much room to store them all. That’s why we love mini-sized bottles.
One that’s just perfect for the holidays is is 4-piece mini sized OPI Love OPI, XOXO, 4 Piece Gift Pack (approx. $14).
The formulas range from opaque cream to shimmer to metallic silver and the tiny bottles are perfect to take on vacation for touch-ups, or pop into a purse.
The colors in this set are all perfect for the holidays: Ornament to Be Together (metallic silver), Coalmates (shimmery charcoal), Holidazed Over You (shiny blackened navy) & My Wish List is You (cherry red).
This nicely boxed set can be found in a lot of different places including Amazon, but for more information visit: https://www.opi.com
