'Tis the Season to be Greedy

Now we know what Christmas is for. It's for remembering Jesus' birth.
And loving one another.
And believing in Santa Claus.
But since it's Jesus' birthday and Jesus is in all of us, it's everybody's birthday!
And since we love one another, we get stuff from them.
And since we believe in Santa Claus, we get presents!

Not sure what to get your friend, or mom, or boyfriend?

Here is my list of ideal gifts, with some things that I want intermingled within...(hint hint)

1. The Ipod Nano.- For the music lover
Being the Apple Mac Love Slave that I am, the ipod nano has to be on my list. Those bastards in California designed a newer, sleeker, sexier, colored model of their already famous ipod nano. Just when you thought you had to have a first generation white or black nano, they improved upon it and made a second generation. If you want to keep up with technology, try following a sony or microsoft based product, because these kids from Apple have a bunch of curve balls to throw. Okay, enough of that rant. The nano comes in 2gb, 4gb, and the new 8gb. In pink, blue, silver, green, white, and black. Or if you are in the holiday spirit, a special red nano (no it's not red to match Rudolph's nose). A portion of the red nano proceeds benefit HIV Aids research, a double whammy for purchasing a sweet product. This is a great gift if you can afford it, and want to organize your Christmas collection of Perry Como, NSYNC, and Christmas on Sesame Street.
Price: $150-$250
Nice Try: The second gen shuffle may be insanely small, which could impress some kids in the school yard. But no one will be smiling when little Bob or Sherry lost the damn thing. It's too small, no screen, holds an unimpressive amount of songs...Bottom Line: Nano or bust.

2. The North Face Fleece. - For any conscious college student or high schooler, boy or girl.
The North Face line isn't just for scaling the tallest peak any longer. It has hit college campuses hard. They are a classic accessory. You can never have too many. I'd prefer to start off a collection with a neutral color, classic black, or cool cream. White if you feel you can keep it clean. Once a Northface love is established, experimenting with other colors can become a hobby, or obsession. Determining what color to buy is all about deciding what level the recipient is at. Are they a novice facer? Then opt for classic black. Are they slightly experienced and looking to add to their small collection? Then hit them up with the cute, yet comfortable maud pink, or diamond blue. Those that have climbed the highest peaks will appreciate something a little extra. For these types, perhaps the thermal denali which looks "furry" or an outrageous color that would draw attention even from the top of Mt. Everest will do. Prices are usually in the $170 range.
Nice Try: We know you mean well, but if the O is colored in on the tag it just isn't going to work. We will admit the NRTHFACE is still the same great quailty, but without that O it might as well be from Sears.

3. DVD Season Box Sets. -The Television Enthusiast, or Grey's Anatomy late bloomer.
Having an entire season at your fingertips is quite powerful. Obsessive fans can watch a whole day pass them by while they spend it enthralled with the television, reliving the bomb in body cavity episode on Grey's, or Michelle's first day of kindergarten on Full House. A DVD collection is great for fans and couch potatoes a like. I'll never forget the time I spent in a dark basement discovering The OC Season 1 via Season 1 dvd collection. The Ultimate Box Set would be Sex and the City: The Complete Series. That is to girls what the Qur'an is to Osama. Television series dvds can vary in price. Sex and the City is respectably $200 for the whole series, which is a steal. The seasons alone usually range from $30-$60. Recommended: America's Next Top Model, Grey's Anatomy, The OC, Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck, or whatever the gift receiver enjoys.
Nice Try: Saved by the Bell Seasons 1 and 2 and other shows that are on excessively yet lack quality do not count.

4. A purse from the new holiday patchwork collection Coach. - For the girl who has everything, except for the latest Coach purse.
A coach purse
is something any girl would be more than thrilled to receive under their Christmas tree. If you are looking to get something for a girl who seems to have everything, chances are they don't have the latest purse...yet. You can be the one to fix this. A coach purse means quality, and the new Coach patchwork purse will be a favorite for years to come...or until the newer patchwork purse debuts. The duffle, pouch, swingpack, and tout would all equally make great additions to a collection. Other alternatives would be classic Coach purses, but being it the holidays, the holiday patchwork is the perfect touch. The bigger size the better. Prices ranging from $158-$398.
Nice Try: Though keychains are nice, keep in mind they are additions, not substitutes. Do not try to pull off buying a holiday patchwork picture frame keyfob for $28 and call yourself good...Unless it is to match the bigger tote already purchased.

5. A Picture Frame. for the technology and picture enthusiast.
Yes, I said a picture frame. But if you haven't already noticed, my list so far is on the expensive side of things. This isn't just an average picture frame conjoured up at an arts and craft session complete with foam cut out shapes pasted roughly around the edges. No, this picture frame actually lives up to the hype of a picture being worth a thousand words. Check this out, simply put, it displays multiple pictures in one frame. How so? It's a digital picture frame. It's like having your favorite pictures from your digital camera displayed in the living room at all times. Just broke up with your boyfriend Chris? Too lazy to change the picture? Fear not. With a digital picture frame you simply push a button and the picture will advance to the next picture on your memory card. Wait, you said you were too lazy to even tap a button to change it? Set it to slideshow mode and a new picture will be revealed every 5 minutes. You can grab one of these high tech frames starting at $100.
Nice try: A homemade picture frame might still hold some sentimental value, but with an invention this cool you are better off buying one of these and decorating it with whatever words you cut out from the latest People magazine.


That is my list of top 5 expensive, cool gifts. Don't get me wrong, there are many other things I would like but I don't have all the blog room in the world, and people barely read this as it is, so to extend this to a top 10 could get a little long.

Here are some things not to get:
1. Music in the form of cds or itune gift cards. With today's technology, it's much better to be a pirater. Yeah, it's a illegal but so is jaywalking and that never hurt anyone either, really.
2. Jewelery unless it's legit. Charlotte Rousse jewelry is acceptable for girls to buy themselves if they just need something cheap to match for something. Express jewelry is legit. Tiffany's jewelry is the #1 choice, obviously. I'd say anything lower than a nice clothing store is not legit. Don't get something from Claire's and expect to score points (See skull ring.)
3. I wouldn't suggest movies unless it's a for sure hit with the person you are giving it to. With today's fast paced Blockbuster/Netflix dependent society people don't have time to sit back and watch a movie over and over again.
4. Stay away from gifts that do not seem practical at all. If you can't see yourself using it ever, chances are that person isn't really going to enjoy it either.
5. BB Guns. You'll shoot your eye out. Opt for a nice football instead.



Strapped for cash? Here are some kickass ideas if you are broke as a joke or low on dough. (that was lame, sorry.)

1. Have a hobby? Perhaps knitting? If so, you can knit a sweater.
2. Are you lucky enough to own a macbook? Film some sweet reality and edit your own home movie as a gift to someone.
3. You can always do the regift. I know I have some things that I've gotten as gifts that are brand new that I never ever use. This can create problems when the person who gave you something sees that someone new is now the owner of said gift. To be on the safe side, regift to people that live out of state or attend college where original gift giver does not.

1-3 not working for you? Sorry, but that's your own damn fault. Christmas is a time for real presents, you should have saved your money and given amazing gifts like #'s 1-5 or John Mayer concert tickets!