Favorite things: Gifts beyond blue satin sashes
ChicagoPride.com Staff, ChicagoPride.com
December 12, 2013
While raindrops on roses and kitten whiskers might make fine holiday presents for friends and family, ChicagoPride.com wanted to provide a list of fresh gifts that are sure to bring some joy and laughter. And isn't seeing your loved ones happy and bright, while they unwrap your brown paper packages tied up with strings, what embodies the giving spirit of the season?
Three ChicagoPride.com partners, Matt, Bill and Daniel, share their favorite selections on gifts and gadgetry this year.
While raindrops on roses and kitten whiskers might make fine holiday presents for friends and family, ChicagoPride.com wanted to provide a list of fresh gifts that are sure to bring some joy and laughter. And isn't seeing your loved ones happy and bright, while they unwrap your brown paper packages tied up with strings, what embodies the giving spirit of the season?
Three ChicagoPride.com partners, Matt, Bill and Daniel, share their favorite selections on gifts and gadgetry this year.
1
"The holidays always make me think of hometown Seattle. As a result, Starbucks VIA Ready Brew has become one of my all-time favorites. No matter where I am, I can brew a full-bodied, flavorful cup of coffee in an instant. I'm especially fond of the Pike Place Roast!" - Bill Pritchard, Senior VP, Community Affairs
2
"As a native Chicagoan I love this city, but I'm the first to admit the cold winter temperatures can be especially brutal. A warm winter coat is a must and I highly recommend North Face's Thermalball ultra-light jackets.
Made of a highly packable synthetic insulation, which keeps you warm in a variety of winter conditions, this line allows plenty of warmth - equivalent to a 600-fill down coat - without the bulk." - Daniel Ortiz, VP, Marketing
3
"The Christmas holiday is my favorite season because you're filled with childhood memories as you breathe in the distinct aromas from sugar cookies to pine garlands.
If you're looking for a year round scent for you or for your special someone, there are some timeless fragrances to choose from. But my personal favorite is from the Hugo Boss Collection - Velvet Amber - one of the elite scents inspired by the feel, texture, mood and heritage of luxurious fabrics.
"The result is unapologetically extravagant and completely addictive," says the company. Addictive is right. But because this collection is a unique statement of individuality, you'll have to take a whiff of all of the collection's combinations at your nearest Hugo Boss or Nordstrom shop so you can find the sensual experience that suits you." - Matthew Inawat, President, ChicagoPride.com
4
"Running on the Seattle theme, I'd have to say one item on my ‘favorites’ wish list this year, is the Microsoft Surface. Known as being a laptop and tablet in one; the Surface clearly is one impressive device." - Bill
5
"Grindr (I'm in a committed relationship) has dubbed the Apple iPad Air as the hottest gadget of 2014 and I couldn't agree more. Headed by out CEO Tim Cook, Apple is most-certainly an LGBT-friendly company." - Daniel
6
"Here's a third technology gadget option from a self-admitted techy and an owner of every generation of Apple iPhone and iPad, this is the very first non-Apple tablet since 1999 "Pocket PCs" that has gotten my attention.
While not for really for the generic app user, the Venue Pro 8, which came out last month, is for that person who wants to take their tablet to a whole new level - like actually having their full desktop PC in the palm of their hand. In the past four weeks of playing around with the device, I've been able to do everything my desktop does and a whole lot more!" - Matthew
7
"Stuff a loved one's stocking with a pair or two of unique Happy Socks.
From Sweden’s premier purveyor of affordable footwear, Happy Socks is a treat for anyone's feet." - Daniel
8
"A perfect workout or running partner - for drinking healthy on the go, this gorgeous eco-friendly fruit-infusing water bottle becomes a daily habit once it's in your hands. The sheer simplicity of form and function that makes it the perfect gift for your favorite recipient to think of you every day.
Kudos to the smart 13-year old who designed this bottle!" - Matthew
9
"Finally, if there's one thing I like, better than a cute guy, it’s anything by Tumi! Their 30-year history of creating superior, award winning products for professionals and frequent travelers, has placed Tumi as the world's leading brand of luxury travel, business and lifestyle accessories.
Tumi's success can be traced to its continual focus on its principles of design excellence, functional superiority and technical innovation. Quite simply, Tumi is like crack to me!" - Bill
10
"Want to save energy and money? Check out the Nest, a learning programmable thermostat designed by the original chief designer behind the iPod. My partner and I just installed one in our home - the installation was easy.
Also check out the Nest smoke and carbon dioxide detector." - Daniel