Gadget Gifts
To ask for: Kindle Fire ($199)
Are you interested in an E-reader but want something with a little more pizzazz? Think that the iPad 2 looks cool but that its $500 price tag isn’t? Then be a good kid, leave some cookies and milk out for Santa and put Amazon’s Kindle Fire at the top of this year’s Christmas list.
The Kindle Fire features the same great reader functionality as the traditional Kindle but ups the ante with a 7″ multi-touch color screen, video, game, app and music functionalities and a brand new Cloud-accelerated web browser.
Obvious comparisons to the iPad can be made – smaller screen, less hard drive space, no camera – but when you consider that the Kindle Fire gives you most of the same functionality for a price point of less than half of the iPad’s – and still manages a solid eight hours of battery life, compared to the iPad’s 10 hours – the Kindle Fire is a far more justifiable purchase for parents stressed out by DU’s ever-rising tuition bills. (To be released Nov. 15)
For mom: Sharper Image Foot Massager ($59.99)
In the words of John Travolta in “Pulp Fiction”: “I’ve given a million ladies a million foot massages, and every one of them meant something.” This Christmas season give Mom a gift that means something and help her relax with a nightly foot massage session after a long day. But don’t let the $60 price tag scare you too much – as far as electronic foot massagers go, Sharper Image’s Shiatsu massager is a reasonably priced option. And given how much this may lighten his nightly work load, Dad will surely help front the cost a bit.
For dad: Stainless Steel Ice Cubes ($24.95)
Whether your dad enjoys an Arnold Palmer at breakfast, or something with a little more kick, he’s sure to hate how melted ice cubes dilute his favorite drink. Consider this problem solved with maybe the coolest (pun very intended) holiday gift for dad: stainless steel ice cubes. These futuristic cubes have a non-toxic gel inside that keeps drinks cold from the opening kickoff to Tebow’s inevitable fifth interception. Simply throw ‘em in the freezer before game time and he’ll be good to go.
For grandparents: Digital Picture Frame ($39.99)
If there’s one thing grandparents like, it’s family photos. But instead of going the traditional photobook route this Christmas, consider getting them a digital picture frame. Digital frames are fun, easy to use and can hold as many of your old prom photos as they could ever care to have. A good budget model is Aluratek’s 8 inch model (starting at under $40), but pricier models are available from Sony if you’re thinking of upgrading screen size or hard drive space. And if you really want to go for grandchild gold, consider pre-loading it with a USB-stick or SD card filled with photos of the family. Come midterm week winter quarter, you’ll be swimming in cookie-filled care packages.
For boyfriend: Swiss Army Knife w/ USB Flash Drive (starting at $54.99)
The name basically says it all. The Victorinox Swiss Army company, made famous by its production of the Swiss Army Knife, recently updated its famous line of do-it-all knives with new features including a ballpoint pen, LED flashlight and, most interestingly, a USB flash drive. Think of it as the all-purpose knife for the modern man. And real talk: Can you think of a college-aged man that wouldn’t enjoy something he could both open and store DVDs of Entourage with?
For girlfriend: Juicy Coutoure Ear Muff Headphones ($98)
This winter quarter, temperatures may drop but that doesn’t mean your girl’s walk-to-class soundtrack has to stop. For the fashion-focused, music-loving lady in your life, consider picking up a pair of Juicy Couture’s Faux Fur Ear Muff Headphones. Coming in both black and white (“Angel”) flavors, these stylish ear muffs combine both fashion and function. Or, if that price-tag scares you, check out Urban Outfitters’ ear muff headphones ($20) or snowboard company Neff’s knit headphones ($42), which come in wooly designs. Colorado girls will swoon.
Films for the Family
To ask for: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2)”
We’ve grown up with Harry, Ron and Hermione over the past decade, and in “Part 2,” we finally saw them reach adulthood and face off with their foe, Voldemort. The result was an explosive, entertaining finale that satisfied fans and garnered critical acclaim, racking up $1.3 billion in worldwide box office gross. The last installment is finally being released on DVD, but some fans might be less than pleased.
The Potter films have generally wowed with their special effects and storytelling, but they’ve always been a little light on DVD extras; the last film is no exception. If you’re looking for extras – and most fans are – you’ll have to splurge on the Blu-ray, which boasts interactive features and a discussion between Daniel Radcliffe (Harry, for the uninitiated) and J.K. Rowling, the series’ creator. She talks about, among other things, her worries that the film trio was too attractive to portray her “geeky” characters, and Radcliffe talks about his initial difficulties playing the bespectacled hero. Fans will be eager to complete their collections, but unless they have Blu-ray players, they’ll be left feeling rather disenchanted by the DVD. (Blu-Ray, TBR Nov. 11)
For mom: “The Help”
A movie about race relations in the 1960s may not seem like the most obvious gift, but the charming adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestseller will convince you otherwise. When a young journalist teams up with two black maids to expose racism in the South, suddenly there is a desire for these women’s stories in the wake of the Civil Rights movement. The movie is no American history lesson, but it’s lighthearted and earnest enough to have you and Mom smiling throughout. (TBR Dec. 6)
For dad: “Super 8”
Help Dad recapture his youth in a fantastical movie that’s equal parts aliens and innocence. After a group of kids in Ohio record a train crash on film, they discover that a mysterious extraterrestrial passenger is now wreaking havoc on their town. With sci-fi masterminds J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg at the helm, this CGI spectacle is something Dad is bound to geek out over. (TBR Nov. 22)
For grandparents:”West Side Story” 50th Anniversary Edition
The Academy Award-winning musical is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Blu-ray release, and what better way to bridge the generation gap this holiday season than with this classic? Complete with themes of love and acceptance that ring true half a century later and accompanied by rollicking musical numbers, this movie will definitely get your grandparents’ toes tapping and fingers snapping. (Blu-Ray, TBR Nov. 15)
For boyfriend: “Rise of Planet of the Apes”
It’s got everything he loves: violence, action and James Franco (or maybe that’s just you…). This critically acclaimed reboot of the series tells the story of Caesar (performance capture vet Andy Serkis), a chimp who, thanks to a drug Franco created, has advanced intelligence. Fed up with the bad treatment apes get from humans, Caesar releases the drug to other primates and starts a revolution. Although the thrill ride doesn’t really pick up until the end, your guy will enjoy the building suspense and wonder why you didn’t buy him the sequel. (TBR Dec. 13).
For girlfriend: “Crazy, Stupid, Love”
The hilariously awkward dramedy starring Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell was one of the breakout movies of the summer, and with good reason. She’s likely to enjoy seeing the playboy (Gosling) get stumped at his own game when trying to ask out a fiery girl (Emma Stone) and she’ll laugh out loud at Carell’s attempts to become a smooth-talking ladies’ man. Ultimately, after watching the movie, you’ll both be surprised by how ridiculously normal your relationship is.
Albums for Anyone
To ask for: The Black Keys – El Camino
After the monumental success of 2010‘s Brothers, everyone’s favorite blues-rock duo The Black Keys is set to drop 7th record El Camino on December 6. But don’t let the Christmas-timed release date fool you – The Keys’ new release couldn’t get any less Christmasy, with lead single “Lonely Boy” giving a raw edge to the group’s signature hook-heavy blues sound.
And if “Lonely Boy” is any indication, it appears that El Camino might feature a little bit of a surf-rock vibe, which should be a wonderful contrast to the dismal cold that this winter’s sure to bring. This Christmas, trade sleigh bells for tambourines and choirs for Dan Auerbach’s soulful, rustic voice and enjoy all the garage-rock glory that is The Black Keys. (TBR Dec. 6)
For mom: Feist – Metals
This year, consider expanding your Mom’s musical horizons with Canadian pop-rock queen Feist’s new LP, which was released in October to rave reviews. Whether she’s a fan of the classics or of newer material, Mom will be sure to enjoy curling up next to the fire this winter to Feist’s smooth and imaginative vocals and songwriting style.
For dad: U2 – Achtung Baby (20th Anniversary Edition) / R.E.M. – Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982-2011
It seems 2011 was the year of big musical anniversaries. U2‘s Achtung Baby, consistently regarded as a touchstone of both U2’s illustrious career and rock as a whole, finds itself this holiday season with a digitally-remastered, bonus-disc wielding anniversary re-release – a must have for any fan. Or, if your Dad prefers his ‘80s and ‘90s alt-rock to have a more American flavor, consider checking out R.E.M.’s career-spanning retrospective collection, which features 40 of R.E.M.’s best songs on two discs. With R.E.M.’s long career coming to a close this year, what better way to pay homage to one of alternative rock’s finest acts?
For boyfriend: Nirvana – Nevermind (20th Anniversary Edition)
The 20th anniversary of Nirvana’s second LP occurred this September, and to celebrate, Nevermind was re-released in a fantastic package that features a remastered version of the original LP, along with dozens of B-sides and both live and studio demo cuts. While the five-disc super deluxe package may be a bit much for both your boyfriend’s patience and your wallet, the two-disc special edition is a fantastic and manageable collection that brilliantly pays homage to one of rock-n-roll’s most monumental records.
For girlfriend: Amy Winehouse Lioness:Hidden Treasures
In honor of the pop-soul singer’s untimely passing this year, Island Records has teamed up with Amy Winehouse’s family to release a selection of unreleased tracks and demos from the singer’s decade-spanning career. Even before her death, Winehouse was praised as one of the decade’s most talented and promising revivalist artists, and this collection is sure to offer a glimpse into what could and should have been a long career. (TBR Nov. 18)
Alternatively, if your girl prefers a more electronic edge to her female pop, keep your eyes (and wallet) out for Rihanna’s 6th LP Talk That Talk, which is set to be released Nov. 18.
Texts Treats for Under The Tree
To ask for: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
Many of us have anticipated the conclusion of the Inheritance Cycle since middle school. Now, nine years after the original publication of “Eragon,” the fourth and final book will be released at last. Fans have been waiting for the end of this series since the publication of the last book in 2008, when Paolini announced the he was splitting book three in half and changing the series from the Inheritance Trilogy to the Inheritance Cycle. Now, three years later, we will finally get the answers to questions that we have been asking since the beginning: “Can [Eragon and Saphira] topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?” (from the back cover of “Inheritance”).
Unfortunately, many of the Inheritance Cycle’s original readers have since grown up and lost interest in the series. But either way, after two and a half months of reading nothing but textbooks, no one should complain about adding a little fantasy to their reading list for winter break.
For mom: Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
In another conclusion to a beloved series, “Out of Oz” comes out as the fourth and final book of the Wicked Years. After growing up with “The Wizard of Oz,” and then revisiting it with you when you were a child, mothers are sure to love this grown-up version of the timeless classic. In his last installment of the fractured fairytale, Maguire describes an Oz disturbed by political and social unrest, torn apart by war. Now it is time for Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, to come of age and take up her broomstick in these troubling times. In a satisfying finish to the series, “Out of Oz” brings the poignant end of a book and stage phenomenon.
For dad: Snuff by Terry Pratchett
“Snuff” is the latest in a long-standing series of Discworld novels that have entertained readers of satirical fantasy/sci-fi – including many fathers – for almost thirty years. Written as relatively stand-alone stories, the Discworld novels are tied together by subplots and setting. This time around, “Snuff” focuses on the character Sam Vimes, a cynical commander of the City Watch who is forced into the country for a vacation by his wife. Of course, his vacation turns out to be anything but relaxing, as he uncovers a dangerous plot and must see justice done. Pratchett is sure not to disappoint any of his regular readers, and he may pleasantly surprise new readers who pick up a copy of his latest book.
For grandparents: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
In a departure from his usual horror stories, Stephen King’s latest novel, “11/22/63,” branches out into the genre of historical fiction. The plot follows Jake Epping, a high-school teacher from Maine, as he travels back in time in an attempt to prevent the Kennedy assassination. For grandparents who enjoy a good suspense story, the novel promises to be a captivating throwback to the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, as King details the events of that time period and how they could have turned out differently. Catering to a different audience than his usual books, the research behind this book combined with the imagination of the story will no doubt provide an authentic and exhilarating read.
For boyfriend: Damned by Chuck Palahnuik
For the irreverent boyfriend, “Damned” is sure to be an entertaining read. Ever a cult favorite and best known for his first novel, “Fight Club,” Palahniuk portrays in “Damned” the afterlife as only he could imagine it. The story follows thirteen-year-old Madison and her “Breakfast Club” crew through Hell, after she dies from an apparent marijuana overdose. The book is obscene and not for the easily offended, but for those who can appreciate black humor and social commentary it will likely be a damned good holiday read.
For girlfriend: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
If your girlfriend loved “The Notebook,” she’s sure to enjoy this latest romance novel from the same author. “The Best of Me” is a similar reunion story, recounting the meeting of Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole – two once-young lovers – at a mutual friend and mentor’s funeral in their hometown. After 25 years of separation, it takes only one weekend for them to confront painful memories together and rekindle their passion for one another.
