Showing posts with label Holiday Gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday Gifts. Show all posts

Friday, December 16, 2011

Books Make Great Gifts

'Twas the week before Christmas and the last thing you feel like doing is shopping for gifts. So here is my list of suggestions that in most cases with free shipping and expedited delivery you can order from the comfort of your home while sipping a glass of wine, baking cookies and watching your favorite holiday movie classic. (note: these gifts also work if your holiday season is Hanukkah or Kwanzaa)


You'll notice that they are all books. Yes, books make great gifts. You can give the good old fashioned kind printed on paper or gift an e-version to the person in your life who reads electronically. Note that the option for e-gifting on Amazon works for iPad readers as well that have a Kindle app. You'll also notice that this is not as self-serving as it might seem. Yes, I suggest The Secrets They Kept for the fiction lover in your life,  but I also have others to share. I really do believe books make great gifts. These are a few of my favorites, all of which I am proud to say have a spot on my bookshelf. 


Shoe Are You
for the shoe lover 
This delightful book, complete with illustration, is the first of its kind, offering  advice for your life, your wardrobe and career -- all based on your footwear. If you are a stiletto girl, ballet flat girl, cowboy boot girl or even a barefoot girl, you will find out what your shoes say about you. Written by shoe expert and TV personality Meghan Cleary.


Using the Power of Pleasure To Have Your Way in the World
for the woman who is looking for more pleasure, every day, every where
Relationship expert Regena Thomashauer teaches the "womanly arts" of identifying your desires, having fun no matter where you are, owning sensual pleasure, befriending your inner bitch, and flirting. It's no secret that this book changed my life.


No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power
for the woman who wants to know not just how to make change, but why it is needed
More on women and power, this time from feminist icon Gloria Feldt. What I love about this is not just the very useful tools she shares but the historical perspective and anecdotes that point to the elephant in the room that too many pretend doesn't exist anymore, that as far as we have come, inequality for women still exists.


Secrets of Six-Figure Women
for the woman who is looking to create a new world order around her finances
Yes, I seem a bit obsessed with secrets. I also have a bit of an obsession for the wisdom of financial expert  Barbara Stanny. This is is just one of her many books in which she helps women develop a better relationship with their money. This one gives you the skinny on what the high earning women she interviewed know that you don't.


The Secret Pleasures of Menopause
for the woman who is near or at "that age" and is looking for the rainbow
There is that secret thing again, not to mention pleasure. Mmm. Is there a theme here? I digress.  I realize that for some of you the idea that menopause might bring anything more than hot flashes seems like a very cruel joke. But joke it is not. Dr. Christiane Northrup will show you that this can indeed be the best time of your life. Also by the enlightened and brilliant Dr. Northrup, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, and The Wisdom of Menopause.


Testing for Kindergarten
for the mother of young children in your life
First, let's set the record straight. This is not just a book that will help you get your child into private school. Karen Quinn has written a primer that every parent should read on how to make learning fun for your kids. And when learning is fun, those school applications, from kindergarten to college will be a lot easier to take.


The Secrets They Kept
for the fiction lover looking to discover new writing voices
Can you blame me for inserting one more self-serving plug here before I wrap this up? This engaging story about the long kept secrets of a Greek-American family has been called "a true page turner", "an excellent debut novel", "a telling lesson in honesty, or how the lack of it can disrupt our entire lives", " a roller coaster ride of intrigue" and a  story in which "Women-strong women- take center stage....distinguishing it from your run of mill novel." 


In closing and in full disclosure I have the distinct honor and yes, pleasure of knowing each of these authors on a first name basis. Each has contributed to my personal journey over the last several years. Their wisdom has added to my wisdom. And that is the greatest gift of all. 




What's your favorite book to give as a gift?





Thursday, December 9, 2010

Holiday Gift Guide

If you're like me you like receiving gifts. And if you're really like me, you also like giving them. Especially when you come upon something a little different, clever, or creative. Something that really suits that person or that they would not necessarily think to get themselves. Something that does not say mass produced.

Here are a few of my off the beaten track ideas for gift giving,
all created by entrepreneurs !

The Gift of Giving Back
Check out the store over at the Flawless Foundation!
 "Flawless takes a stand for more humane, compassionate care for children and adolescents who live with mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges."
A percentage of all purchases will benefit this wonderful organization founded by Janine Francolini. You can choose from a custom designed Flawless necklace and a variety of beautiful handloom scarves.

The Gift of Intuitive Healing
This is perfect anytime of the year, but even more so during the holiday season when chaos abounds and your heads seems disconnected from your body. A healing session with Laura Wood is truly like a visit to the spa for your spirit! In fact this is one gift  you might want to give yourself!

The Gift of Thoughtfulness
Wendy Knox, like me is a corporate expatriate reinventing her life. In fact when I first found her site I read her story and it sounded remarkably like mine. Now among other things, she designs these gorgeous OhMyGoddess! Cards, appropriate for a variety of occasions, gift boxed and ready to give the goddess in your life. As an extra benefit, a portion of the proceeds will go to writegirl.org, a non-profit that empowers high school girls through mentorship and self-expression.

The Gift of a Good Read
Yes, I consider an author an entrepreneur. And books make great gifts. Clever authors like Claire Cook will even send you a signed book plate to make your gift a little extra special. (note to self: I will be using that idea when my books go to press!) Check out my bookshelf at Goodreads for more ideas on great reads!

The Gift of Burlesque
My good friend, long time entrepreneur and owner of Brazil Bronze Glow Bar tanning salons, Sally Blenkey-Tchassov's  latest creation is Burlesque Bikini Boot Camp which incorporates "aerobics, strength training, ballet and yoga with the burlesque art of the tease " for a fun and very sexy workout. Gift one session or a packet of five or join the fun at the Naughty to be Nice Party this Tuesday in NYC benefiting the House of Loveness.

The Gift of Jewelry
If the recipient of your gift is like me and covets jewelry that is unique and elegant, check out Linda Stryker Jewelry. And if you are feeling really generous, give the gift of a gift certificate for a custom designed piece that Linda will create to the gift receiver's specifications.

The Gift of Coaching
Yes, I am wrapping up this gift list with a little self promotion. I'm offering a special ninety minute coaching session with follow up. This is the perfect gift for that person is your life who is ready to get serious about shaking things up and seeing what they can create next. There is not a better way to start the year than with a little introspection on how to get it off to a good start! This is another of those great gifts you can even give yourself!

Happy Holidays!