Santa's Nano Helpers
Nano iPods are just the beginning. This holiday season, gifts are growing smaller and smaller. A spokesperson for Hershey's (which just shrank its popular kisses into thumbtack-size candy-coated "Kissables") explains the trend brilliantly: There's the "portability" factor. And the "cute" factor. So have a merry little Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. And we do mean little!
LUCKY CARDS
More classy than cash and less hassle than scouring the mall, gift cards can be a perfect fit. And now these pint-size presents can snag experiences as well as merchandise. Popular in the U.K. for years, the concept is just starting to take off in the States--on helicopters, hot-air balloons, and MiG jets.
From wine tasting in Philly ($40) to securing a musician to help you write your very own song in California or New York ($1,500), Xperience Days (xperiencedays.com) has something for nearly every price point--up to a zero-gravity flight in Florida for 27 people ($110,000).
Try belly dancing in San Diego ($20) or a one-hour closet makeover ($105) in Washington, D.C., via Signature Days (signaturedays.com). Go off with three pals for a five-day golfing trip at St. Andrews ($22,500). Or get down to Oaxaca, Mexico, for the "Yoga & Chocolate Retreat" ($5,500).
The three-day "Covert Ops & Special Forces training" in Florida ($2,950), from Great American Days (greatamericandays.com) , includes lessons for shooting Uzis and rescuing hostages. Or you can make a fool out of yourself (and a large mammal) at the Clown-Bullfighting School ($250) in Tennessee.
Gift experiences from Excitations (excitations.com) are confined to the Washington, D.C., area, but the company has plans to expand. Until then, it might be worth coming to the capital for "Extreme Stock Car Driving" ($325)--you ride shotgun for 15 laps with a NASCAR driver. - Vicky Hallett
GRAPE AND SMALL
Minibottles are on the rise. Credit (or blame) female drinkers who don't see the point in uncorking a whole bottle of vino when all they crave is a glass. The wee wines are usually sold in four-packs, priced at about $9; the champagne is about $5 a bottle.
Although the 187-mL size has been around a while, usually the options aren't as classy as Lindemans Minis , a popular Australian label. Varietals include chardonnay, merlot, and shiraz from the Lindemans Bin Series.
It doesn't get any more adorable than The Littlest Penguin --a tiny bottle of pink wine with a waddling bird on the label. Little Penguin's latest venture is small-size boites of chardonnay, merlot, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and its new white shiraz, a fruity, blush-hued delight.
Single-serve champagne bottles are a blessing for women. Instead of smudging lipstick on a flute, they can suck bubbly through a straw. Martini & Rossi Asti single 's gorgeous blue bottle helps it look more fashionable.
If your giftees spend weekends flipping burgers in a stadium parking lot, unbreakable bottles of chardonnay, pinot grigot, cabernet, and merlot from Stone Cellars by Beringer will save them from the tyranny of beer. - Vicky Hallett
POWER PINCH
From sweet to tangy, peppery to savory, spice company gift packs offer big-flavor mixes in small-size tins or jars.
For those who believe it's worth getting cold only if you can warm up with homemade hot drinks, try the Cocoa Lover's four-jar combo from Penzeys Spices (penzeys.com). For $12 you get two types of premium cocoa as well as fragrant ground Chinese cassia cinnamon and Penzey's own hot chocolate mix. As a bonus, each gift box is packed with cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and whole nutmegs.
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