The holidays are often associated both with joy and stress. With December quickly slipping away, we at Sun Valley Magazine wanted to offer a little help with last minute gift buying so you can finish up that to-do list and spend the holidays with the people you love. Save yourself a trip to Twin Falls or Boise by taking some suggestions from our Last-minute, Local Holiday Shopping Guide.
Pick up our Magazine, on newsstands now, for more great gift ideas.
Sports gear:
If you’re looking for a gift for someone who spends their spare time in the outdoors or is trekking into the backcountry every weekend, stop by one of the local gear or outfitter stores.
Local sporting gear stores: Backwoods Mountain Sports, the Elephant’s Perch, Formula Sports, Sturtevants Mountain Outfitter, Silver Creek Outfitters
Gift recommendations by:
Backwoods Mountain Sports
Black Diamond Orbit and Apollo lanterns: These light-weight, collapsible lanterns are perfect for backpackers and backcountry enthusiasts. The Orbit lantern offers 45 lumens of light, while the larger version, The Apollo, packs 80 lumens. Both come with a dimming switch to help conserve battery power when the brightest light isn’t necessary. The Orbit runs for $31.95, and the Apollo for $54.95, at Backwoods Mountain Sports.
Buff:This multifunctional garment can be worn 13 different ways, all meant to help keep you warm. Whether you wear it as a neck warmer, facemask or beanie, the seamless fabric fits comfortably and insulates your body heat. Choose from a variety of Buff options at local outfitter stores. Backwoods Mountain Sports carries the original Buff for $20, a Merino wool Buff for $27, or National Geographic-patterned Buffs for $22.
SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger: For those who like spending time off the grid, help them stay safe with a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. The device allows backcountry travelers to send an SOS, emergency call if they are in danger, or just send check-in messages to their friends and family if they’re gone on a long trip where cell service doesn’t reach. SPOT can message to cell phones or e-mail addressed from almost anywhere. Also, with SPOT’s GPS technology, friends and family can track the user’s trek on Goggle Maps. SPOT is available at Backwoods Mountain Sports for $150. The device requires an additional yearly service cost of $100.
Books:
If your friend or family member is the type to curl up inside on a cold winter day and read the afternoon away, visit one of the local bookstores and find the perfect gift to give.
Local Bookstores: Chapter One Bookstore, Iconoclast Books
Gift recommendations by:
Judy Demetre of Iconoclast Books
The Wave: Author Susan Casey examines the science and stories behind rogue waves while searching for an explanation to how these ocean beasts form. The New York Times review explains, “Casey makes a convincing, entertaining case (nifty cliffhangers and all) that there is a heretofore little-known monster in our midst,” and continues to praise the book for its vivid narratives. “The Wave” is available at Iconoclast Books for $27.95.
Unbroken: Laura Hillenbrand, the author of “Seabiscuit” takes readers back in time to follow the experiences of American Olympic athlete and World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. The LA Times said, “Hillenbrand’s vivid accounts of battles, technological advances such as the top-secret Norden bombsight, explanations of Japanese policy toward POWs (including a "kill-all" order at war’s end) as well as her footnotes and acknowledgments detailing her research are all worthy of careful reading. But it is the tension of Zamperini’s fight to live in barbaric conditions that makes ‘Unbroken’ so disturbing and thrilling.” “Unbroken” is available at Iconoclast Books for $27.
Life: Keith Richards’s autobiography has made it onto most notable book lists for 2010. Whether its because of Richards’s ability to provide an honest look into the drugged-up and strung-out lifestyle of a rock-n-roll star or to explain the inspirations behind music that defined a time period, The Guardian describes “Life” as “one of the predominant narratives of our time.” Purchase “Life” at Iconoclast Books for $29.99.
Kitchen:
For the aspiring chefs of the Valley or for a little family fun in the kitchen, try giving some of the newest cooking technology.
Local cookware stores: Ketchum Kitchens
Gift Recommendations by:
Ketchum Kitchens
SodaStream Home Soda Maker: Turn your tap water into your favorite soda in minutes with the new SodaStream technology. Unlike canned sodas, the pop you’ll make in your SodaStream contains no high-fructose corn syrup or aspertame. With 25 flavors available, everyone is sure to be able to find a flavor they like. With no batteries, extra bottles or can, the SodaStream keeps homemade soda making mess-free and eco-concious. The SodaStream comes in a variety of models with prices ranging from $99.99-$179.99 at Ketchum Kitchens.
The Cheese Knife:Effortlessly slice through any soft materials, like cheese, that would otherwise stick to a regular blade. Dishwasher safe, stain-resistant and FDA approved, The Cheese Knife is a simple yet substantial addition to any kitchen. The Cheese Knife is available at Ketchum Kitchens for $14.99.
Cuisinart Elite Collection FP-12 and FP-14: The newest Cuisinart on the market can take on almost any blending, mixing, shredding or slicing task around. Whether it’s the FP-14 full set or the more limited FP-12 set, the new Cuisinart offers a simple snap on, fully lockable lid, which alleviates users from the old twist on-and-off struggle. The food processor allows features locking blades, nesting bowls, a 6-in-one slicing disc and a two-in-one shredding disc. The new Cuisinart FP runs from $229.99-$279.99 at Ketchum Kitchens depending on the model.
Children:
For your son or daughter, nephew or niece, find the perfect toy, game or book somewhere closer than Toys R Us.
Local Stores with kids toys and books: Chapter One Bookstore, Iconoclast Books, The Toy Store
Gift recommendations by:
The Toy Store
Hape Bamboo toys:For infants and preschool-aged children, The Toy Store recommends Hape’s eco-friendly, bamboo-based cars, blocks and educational shape toys. Hape’s “Educo” series focuses on peg puzzles and shape toys, while their Hape “E” series offers toy cars and airplanes that role around on the floor. Hape products at The Toy Store range from $10.99-$22.99.
Calico Critters:For children 3 and older, Calico Critters allow kids to use their imaginations to create a world of animal families and friends. Sold as separate houses and families, children can continue to build on their Calico Critters sets for years to come. The fuzzy little animal toys feature what appears to be an endless array of options. Find your child’s favorite animal and go from there. Calico Critters range from $8.29-$49.99 at The Toy Store.
Zipfy Sled: For children aged 3 to full-grown adults with a little kid still in ‘em, buy the newest sled around. The Zipfy sled is light-weight, easy-to-use and has won 14 awards nationally for being the best toy, best gift and best product of the 2010. Described as a “freestyle mini luge,” the Zipfy claims to be a new and better sledding experience than any before. Purchase the Zipfy sled at The Toy Store for $44.95.
Charitable Gifts:
For the people who would rather give than receive, give a gift in their name.
Silent Voices Equine Rescue: Sponsor a wild horse that has lost its land through Silent Voices Rescue. In your friend or family member’s name, give a gift of $25, $100 or $1200 to provide food and board for one horse or mare and foal pair for one week, one month or one year. All donations are tax deductible. To learn more about the horses and sponsorship program, visit: http://www.silentvoicesrescue.org/Sponsor_a_Wild_Horse.html.
The Advocates: Donate in the name of someone who cares to the The Advocates, a local safe place for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Advocates provide shelter and supportive services for those in need. The Advocates also provide educational services to help end domestic violence in the community. For more information on The Advocates and how to donate, visit: http://theadvocates-aplacetogo.org/Default.aspx.
Heifer International: Give a gift across seas with Heifer International. Heifer International gives livestock ranging from cows to honeybees internationally to families in need. The company employs the idea that giving someone livestock doesn’t just provide them for food for a day or a week, but allows them to raise the animals, breed them and then feed off of them for years to come. After donating in someone’s name, you can chose to receive a card telling your family member or friend about the donation you made in their name. For more information or to donate, visit: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/?msource=kw2792.
Things to Buzz about:
Holiday Pie Auction—Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010
Pies made by local chefs, restaurants and families will be auctioned off in the lower level of Giacobbi Square Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 to benefit the Sun Valley 5B Swim Team. A pie sale and silent auction will take place from 12-2 p.m. The live auction runs 2-3 p.m. To donate a pie, call Heidi Watanabe at 309-1999.
Sun Valley Christmas Eve Festivals and Festivities—Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a night full of Sun Valley traditions. Watch a free performance of the Nutcracker on Ice followed by fireworks, with a cup of hot chocolate, courtesy the resort, in hand or stake out a spot to witness the Dollar Torchlight Parade. Festivities start at 5 p.m. Sun Valley retail shops will be open late and ice skating at the Sun Valley rink will be free.
Sun Valley’s Special Historical Snowshoe Tours—Saturday, Dec. 25 and Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010
From 1-3 p.m. take a snowshoe hike with Katherine Pleasants and learn the lore of the Sun Valley. Pleasants will share the colorful history of Sun Valley while the group treks from the Sun Valley Nordic Center, out to the Hemingway Memorial and back. The two-hour tour costs $35 a person and requires at least 2 hikers per group. Reservations are appreciated. All abilities welcome. Call 622-2250 for more information or to make a reservation.
