Present-ables
So, you’ve waited until the last minute to buy gifts for the holidays. We knew you would. Here are a few ideas to take care of the folks on your list.
For Him
1. Handyman Special
Tools make the handyman, but cordless power tools will make him happier about tackling all those honey-do projects around the house. This four-piece Makita LXT407 combo set includes a flashlight with Xenox bulb, ½-inch hammer driver-drill with 450 inch-pounds of maximum torque, impact driver, and a reciprocating saw. Two 18-volt, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, a 30-minute rapid charger and contractor bag complete the gift. $399, The Home Depot
2. 3D Wonder
If ultra-flat screen and super high-definition television sets induce yawns from your tech-lover, surprise him with a TV that can broadcast 3D images. The Mitsubishi Electric LaserVue offers gorgeous color through laser technology and is one of the few sets on the market that can project 3D content. $7,000, Absolute Sound, Winter Park
3. A Bit of Good Cheer
Whet the whistle with a nip or two from Dewar’s limited edition Discovery Gift Set. Packaged in a reusable leather pack, the gift includes Dewar’s 18, a scotch whisky blend new to the United States, plus 200-milliliter bottles of Dewar’s 12 and Signature blends. $100, Total Wine & More, Orlando
4. Race to the Finish
Dad can live out his NASCAR fantasies at The Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. Disney’s Speedway offers race fans the chance to ride along in a stock car at 145 mph or experience the feeling of building speed around the track by getting behind the wheel. Packages range from $109 to $1,299, Walt Disney World
5. Hip to be Square
These 3-inch-square speakers made from recycled cardboard fold flat until ready for use. The Fold n’ Play by OrigAudio can be used with any audio device with a headphone jack. Perfect for the dorm, beach or camping trip. $16 each, origaudio.com
For Her
1. Reader’s Delight
The new Kindle holds up to 1,500 books and can download a tome in under a minute. If your giftee doesn’t feel like scanning her eyes over the words, the Kindle will read the text out loud. $259, amazon.com
2. Club Chic
If she plays golf, give her a golf bag that is as feminine and fun as she is on the course. Stand bags by Keri Golf come in a variety of fashionable colors and prints. $300, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando
3. Cupcake for Your Sweetie Pie
Who wouldn’t adore a cupcake car? Designed by Bay Area artist Lisa Pongrace, the 24-volt electric vehicle tops out at about 7 mph. The cupcake’s “icing” is custom-made to each client’s wishes. $25,000, special order, neimanmarcus.com
4. Pop the Question
Time to bite the bullet and get down on one knee. Surprise her with this Art Deco-style white gold and diamond ring from Tacori’s fall collection. It can also be worn as a fashion ring. $3,090, International Diamond Center, Winter Park
5. Gift Re-Ups
Flying Noodle specializes in gourmet-of-the-month gifts. Choose from a monthly delivery of fresh flowers, wine, pasta, chocolate and even salsa. Prices vary, but most gift packages cost about $350 for an entire year. flyingnoodle.com
6. Retreat!
Treat her to a spa weekend in Sedona, Ariz., an area known for its focus on health and well-being. SpiritQuest Sedona offers personal retreat guides that tailor spa and healing rituals for each client. Treatments include hot stone massage, hydrating body wraps, guided meditation sessions and a visit to Sedona’s famous vortex sites, purported to rejuvenate the body’s energy rhythms. $890 for a three-day spa itinerary, sedona-healing-retreats.com
Stockings
1. Awesome Audio
The handheld Zoom Q3 video recorder is ideal for live-music fans who want quality audio along with recorded images. Directional mics enable the user to focus on the sound source, and the 2.4-inch LCD display includes audio level meters, battery indicator and time elapsed. $250, samsontech.com
2. Orange You Sweet
Traditionally, oranges were rare winter treats that would find their way into the toes of Christmas stockings. Navel oranges and grapefruit are in season in December. Red Hill Groves off South Conway Road, offers many citrus gift ideas, such as a tray of Navel oranges for $25. redhillgroves.com
3. Dual Purpose
Cleatskins are rubber soles that pop onto the bottom of most spiked footwear, protecting cleats and hard surfaces at the same time. They come in dozens of sizes and colors. $20-$30, cleatskins.com
4. A Mysophobe’s Dream
A 10-second sweep of ultraviolet light from The Nano-UV scanner by Zadro safely zaps 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses on surfaces. $80, Target
5. Ring-a-Ling
The Yubz handset attaches to a cell phone and works like an old-fashioned telephone receiver. Users don’t have to dig though a purse or work bag to find a ringing phone, and your gift recipient will love the attention he or she will get. $39.95, yubz.com
6. Hot Lips
It may be a bit pricier than your average stocking stuffer, but proceeds from this sterling silver and red lacquer ring designed by Solange Azagury-Partridge go toward fighting AIDS in Africa through the (RED) campaign. $1,500, special order, 212-879-9100
7. Neat Idea
The Magneat tames unruly headphone wires for people on the go by allowing users to clip them onto a shirt with a magnet fastener. The half-dollar sized Magneats feature a variety of colors and graphics to match any wardrobe or attitude. $13-$15. magneat.com
Eco
1. Taking the Floor
Manduka’s yoga mats are the cream-of-the-crop. The thick, sturdy mats are made from biodegradable rubber, giving users peace of mind when replacing them. $89, College Park Yoga, collegeparkyoga.com
2. Eat Local
Support local farmers and cut down on carbon emissions by giving the gift of locally grown food. The Homegrown Food Co-op in Orlando sources ethically grown fruits, vegetables, meats and home supplies from independent growers as close to the Orlando area as possible. $50 for a seasonal produce gift basket, homegrowncoop.org
3. Play Local
One of the best ways to explore natural Florida is by kayak. The Marvel 12 by Native Watercraft will enable your nature lover to glide along rivers and open water in comfort. The sliding seat even allows room for Fido. $900, Travel Country Outdoors, Altamonte Springs, travelcountry.com
4. Florida Forever
Celebrate Florida’s remaining natural beauty with Florida Forever’s 2010 calendar featuring photographs by top Florida photographers. Proceeds go to helping Florida Forever protect land from development and saving parcels that are home to endangered native animals. $15, University Press of Florida, upf.com
5. Buckle Up
Harvey’s reclaims old seatbelts and turns them into stylish bags and wallets for men and women. This men’s messenger bag is lined with black vinyl and features seven interior pockets. $168, seatbeltbags.com
6. Get Off the Grid
The Bedol water-powered alarm clock needs no disposable batteries or electricity to run. Electrodes harvest energy from the clock’s water tank to provide power. Refresh the water every four weeks to keep the clock ticking properly. $30, bedol.com
