Christine’s holiday gift ideas for those following an active lifestyle
This week's column is dedicated to those exasperated, yet determined shoppers who draw blanks annually from about now until December 24 on what to buy their spouse for Christmas. Then, with eyes like dinner plates, they venture out en masse to the mall, hoping for last minute inspiration. Gentlemen, you know who you are. It's as much tradition for some of you as the actual holidays, where panicked, yet loving procrastinators will once again make their last minute solo journey essentially to join a brotherhood of others with glazed eyes and sweaty palms, each rehearsing lines like, "Honey, I hope you like the slippers which I searched high and low for!" And this is why, dear reader, I am happy to provide - at no extra cost - my recipe for Christmas shopping success. The key is getting out early, which reduces stress and guarantees you'll be the one who buys something that sells out early. Read on for my holiday Christmas gift ideas, with emphasis given to items that won't break your wallet. Indeed, my preliminary research turned up enough good ideas for two columns, so next week I will share more suggestions on how to beat the crush while thinking outside the box (pun intended).
To get your holiday shopping started, here are my top three picks for this week:
Safety - Running outdoors can be dangerous if you are not visible to drivers or seeing clearly what is in front of you. The WHOAMI company has a two in one product - visbility and ID. The LED ID arm band also works on your wrist. It's perfect for runners or anyone following an active lifstyle. You'll feel the love every time she heads out the door. Don't forget to write down your ID information. Being seen will enhance your safety and is the key to running outdoors with less light during the winter.
After a workout in colder temperatures, imagine a warm bath with Dr. Teals Epsom Salts. It relaxes muscles and mind alike, pretty well simultaneously. It's the carrot in front of you during your long run in the pouring rain and makes a good stocking stuffer.
Give the gift of charity by purchasing socks- Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Canada has partnered with Canadian retailer Bootlegger to launch a limited edition collection of Holiday Slipper Socks. The money raised helps ensure that Canadian youth who are in need of a mentor receive the support of an adult to help them tackle issues like bullying, and help to give them self-confidence. Currently, over 40,000 children are matched with volunteers in their mentoring programs. Their challenge is to find matches for the thousands of youth on their waiting list.
Retailing for $10, one dollar of each pair sold directly benefits the charity. This stocking stuffer is the coziest way to say “Merry Christmas.” The Plush Slipper Socks come in three festive styles (reindeer, a penguin and an owl) that would make the jolliest addition to any holiday stocking.
After working out, soaking in a hot bath and putting on some cozy socks, give a book to the runner who will relate to some of these good reads: Olympic Collision - the story of Mary Decker and Zola Budd by Kyle Keiderling; Just Call Me Jock - a story on long time Boston Marathon race director, Jock Semple by Tom Murphy. Remember gentlemen, you can't go wrong by adding chocolates to all of the above. www.runwithit.ca
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