Gifts don’t always have to be practical. While a fleece from a big-box store or a gift card to Amazon.com is always necessary, these quirky little treasures will make for more memorable expressions as they’re unwrapped. Here are six ideas weighing in at $50 and less to start brainstorming out-of-the-box gift-giving creativity.
Emily G's Favorite Three -- For something special and homemade, look to local company Emily G's Jam of Love, founded and run by two Atlanta moms, Gina Bodell and Emily Myers. The women meticulously craft their flavors, from the strawberry that started it all to triple berry, tomato, jalapeno raspberry and fig and pine nut. All of the jams may be used in recipes that come with the jars or are easily found on Emily G's website. A popular option for gift-giving is the Favorite Three for $29.99. For 99 cents more, Emily or Gina will include a hand-written note. Purchase online and have the jams shipped from www.emilygs.com or look for them at local retailers and farmer's markets.
Modern Alchemy Diffuser Set -- These Asian-inspired diffusers look more like delicate works of art than the wands sticking out of a jar you find in the grocery story cleaning-supply aisle. The set comes with three ceramic diffusers, three paper flowers that disperse oil scents, a 1-ounce fragrance bottle, all packaged in a black gift box. Place each diffuser in a separate part of the house to balance the aroma chi. When not used as diffusers, the pots make handsome bud vases. $34 at www.HSN.com.
Boot Stocking -- The gold, glittery high-heeled boot stocking from Pier 1 knocks back the frumpish vision of a red sock nailed to a mantle at least one century. The store's description says it all: "Does it even matter what gifts you find inside this lacy, ruffled vision of golden girliness on Christmas morning? Well, OK, yes. But they'd better be really good." $35 at Pier 1 stores or at www.pier1.com.
Wooden Four in a Row -- If the phrase “pretty sneaky, sis” means anything to the recipients on your list, this decidedly not-plastic version of the classic rec-room game is a smart update. Now, more of a display piece in hard woods than a pile of plastic discs, this item from CB2 is made of monkey pod wood and rubber wood with a clear natural lacquer. Folds to store. $49.95 at CB2.com or at Midtown store, 1080 Peachtree Street N.E.
Christmas Classics Blu-ray or DVD Gift Set -- They're campy and dated, but in a good way. Plus, there's no denying the Rankin/Bass stop-motion productions that aired in the 1960s are as much a part of holiday nostalgia as the TV channel that turns into a fireplace for the duration of Christmas Day. Updated for the digital age, the set includes "Frosty the Snowman," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town," and "Frosty Returns." $29.98 for DVD, $44.95 for Blu-ray. Wherever DVDs are and Blu-rays are sold.
ChicBuds Fauvette speaker -- Like a Faberge Egg for the iPod set, this portable 2-watt amplified speaker fits in the palm of your hand and plays four hours of sound on one charge. Works with iPods, iPhones, computers, MP3 players and anything with stereo jack. Includes a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery and USB cable. In pink, blue or covered in stylish black crystals. Pink and gold crystal model will be available in January. $39.99 at www.chicbuds.com.
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