GIFT IDEA #18-MUSEUM PASSES

Co-chairs of Museum of Science and Industry Columbian ball 2011

The greatest treasure sits right under our noses but we never take the time to see it. Chicago has one of the biggest and greatest collections of museums in the country, if not the world. We are blessed to have institutions such as: Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Illinois Holocaust Museum, DuSable Museum, Adler Planetarium, Chicago History Museum and many more. These museums are great treasures within our city that are not only for children or school field trips, they can also serve as sources of inspiration and out of the box fun. For example The Museum of Science and Industry is a great date spot where you can partake in intellectual conversation. Museum of Contemporary Art has different engaging events(First Fridays, Culture Catalysts) in addition to the great works of art on display.

GIFT IDEA #19-SOBEWFF FESTIVAL TICKETS

The 11th  Food Network South Beach Food and Wine Festival presented by FOOD & WINE which will take place February 23-26 2012 in South Beach,FL is where the real foodies meet. Its a weekend long fest of fine food, great chefs and drinks.

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University(FIU), the festival benefits FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised more than $14 million for the School.

GIFT IDEA #20-SOMETHING HOMEMADE

Homemade is defined as:

something made in the home by one's own effort

Homemade items conjure warmth and thoughtfulness. If you’re looking for a slightly inexpensive gift that will will wow the receiver, make something homemade. Word of caution, if you are not a baker or adept around the kitchen you might want to skip this gift idea. I wouldn’t suggest this as your experimentation time and also stay away from allergens such as nuts & berries.

I decided to make homemade pound cakes for my co-workers. Its something that I like to eat and its comfort food. I found the perfect recipe on Epicurious

GIFT IDEA #22-DELIVERY SERVICE

The holidays really brings out our creative sense(the 6th sense) when it comes to gift giving. Gone are the days when you can gift a tie, power drill,  or sweater and call it today. In today’s modern world, we have a plethora of options as everyone is always on the move. The one things our busy schedule might not be able to accommodate is cleaning, driving, or just taking a moment to smell the roses.  Gift idea #23 is for delivery service. 

GIFT IDEA #21-STATIONERY

Remember back in the days of when people had to correspond via letter? When you anticipated the arrival of the postman and not because of your Zappos order? Remember when lovers didn't text, email or tweet each other but rather waxed poetic words onto paper, sealed with a kiss? (well I'm not so sure about the sealed with a kiss part). The idea is, not so long ago sending letters in the mail was a meaningful thing. Gift Idea #22 is stationery. Stationery paper and cards comes in different forms of paperweight and price range and you don't have to live in an opulent zip code or come from a certain pedigree to use them. Some of the best places in Chicago and surrounding suburbs to get your stationery from are:

GIFT IDEA #23-MOLAMI HEADPHONES

Molami Headphones is the fashion crowds' alternative to those ubiquitous Beats By Dre. Created by industrial designer Maria Von Euler with detailed swedish craftsmanship. You will soon find these on the chicest females on the street or in the gym. The line offers 3 design types(BIGHT-earbuds, TWINE- head piece wrap and PLEAT an over the head piece). If you're looking to splurge on yourself or that special someone, a unique gift like MOLAMI headphones will do the trick. You can purchase online at ShopBop

Molami Designer Maria Von Euler with Giovanni Battaglia

photo source:wireimage

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA #24-PRINT SUBSCRIPTION

Print media Subscriptions

In this age of new media and information traveling faster than Concorde flights, a lot of cynics have declared print media dead! I would like to differ. On the contrary print is not dead but rather it has shifted its focus by catering to a certain niche of the population-an elite group of consumers who want to be in the know(-Prof. Charles Whitaker).
The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and USA Today are still highly regarded reputable sources of information that perceptive consumers rely on to deliver ethical journalism and succinct pertinent information. Print extends beyond your daily newspapers; monthly magazines have also shifted their focus to these consumers in order to land those ad revenue. If you want to get a loved one, co-worker or even yourself a meaningful gift this holiday, make it a subscription to print media which will be sure to return a bountiful ROI. Here are a few of my choices

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA #25-LuLu'S AT THE BELLE KAY

During this time of year a lot of us try very hard to find the perfect gift for that special someone in our family, a dear friend, significant other or even mentor. The hardest thing is finding something that's not only unique but the gift receiver will love and gush about.  There are few places in the city that can offer a shopper the best one of a kind, vintage gifts and Lulu's at The Belle Kay is the perfect place go shopping for that special gift.

Lulu's at the Belle Kay kicks off the 2011 SocialLifeChicago 25 gift ideas of the Holiday's. The vintage boutique located at 3862 N. Lincoln is a treasure chest within the city teeming with lots of one of a kind ware for even the most hard to please gift recipient. The store carries a variety of accessories, vintage dresses, handbags and clutches.  Lulu's at the Belle Kay owner Laurie Davis,who recently co-chaired the Service Club Gala, hosted a vintage holiday shopping party  at the breathtaking (it's a scenic panoramic view of Chicago's skyline) home of Maria Smithburg. As guests walked into the 60th floor apartment, we were greeted with a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvers. Walking into the dining area of the house, a spread of jewels and a rack of fur coats and dresses lay ready for guests to admire, try on and eventually purchase. The jewels displayed for sale ranged in price from a bracelet that was a steal at $40 to a necklaces priced over $900- I admired those ones from afar.