Ben's 2001 Holiday Picks:

Some Are Free.  Some Aren't. 

But All Of Them Are Cool

I'm asked every holiday season for my take on this year's cool gifts that are out of the ordinary [and affordable].  And this year is no different, although I think all of us will look at the act or art of gift-giving a little differently this year...with a far different perspective than in the past.

 

So let me take you through the hoops of what's hot/what's cool and most importantly, what's affordable for 2001.  With the recent addition of the radio show in Southern California on KFI/AM 640, I've added designations for each gift idea to denote geographic availability/applicability...N: National   CA: Southern California   TX: Texas 

 

This year (at your request) I've also added an "approximate cost range" index-guide to help you try to budget your holiday dollars, or a per-gift basis:
                $ = up to $15
                $$ = $15 - $25
                $$$ = $25 - $40
                $$$$ = $40 - $100
                !$! = More than $100 [but worth it; probably a longer-term/shelf-life type of purchase]

 

Okay kids, time to get out your credit cards, your cordless/wireless phone and get your shopping knocked out fast.....

 

 

UNCUT SHEETS OF MONEY are always among the most popular gifts I write/talk about every year.  Get uncut sheets of $1–$2–$5–$10 or $20 bills [your choice of up to 32 bills per sheet] from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving & Printing for the coolest gift that'll be the buzz of the holiday season.  Great for framing, or one of my favorite gifts?  Give the recipient an empty box, but wrap it using the sheet of uncut bills.  (Don't cut it or use too much tape!)  Always a popular gift, order from their website: www.moneyfactory.com

 

Cost Index: $$$$ to !$!         Availability: N

 

EDIBLE GIFTS are always popular as long as you don't waste your money on that crap you find at the seasonal kiosks/stores at the local mall.  My time-tested consistent hit are cakes from Delicious Cakes in Dallas.  They ship all over the country [or world for that matter] and are always a huge hit.  They concentrate on cranking out the best cakes on the planet, not websites, so don't waste your time trying to find them on the Internet.  But take my advice, order early and relax, knowing that whomever receives your cake(s), whether it's family, friends or [always a smart move] business associates, you'll be a hero.  Give them a call or order on-line (they're in Dallas): (972) 233-2133. 

 

Cost Index: $         Availability: N

 

COMPUTERS year in and year out are always at the top of everyone's list.  Bigger, faster, newer is always the buzz word, and if you're on a cable or DSL connection and haven't upgraded your hardware in the last 12 months, you're hosing yourself.  Forget going to the big computer or electronic gear chain stores, because the salespeople rarely know what the hell they're talking about and will usually sell you something that you'll outgrow in months with no upside/expansion capabilities.  Computers are personal electronics and you need to treat them that way, with a personal touch.  It doesn't matter where you live, if you've got a telephone and a dial-up, you'll be taken care of by Take It Home Computers.  They won't sell you the cheapest computer, but they will put you into a system that you'll be able to expand and upgrade in the future.  (And if you're outside of Texas, you get to save the sales tax; they ship everywhere!)  Call ‘em at (817) 275-4425 or (817) 226-4446, or e-mail: tihc@takeithomecomputers.com

 

Cost Index: !$!         Availability: N

 

A PERSONALIZED CONGRATULATORY LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OR THE GOVERNOR is always very cool, and the price is right: FREE!  But it does require some planning, so get off your butt and check out the qualification criteria to see if your special person is eligible: www.bendover.com/congrats.asp

 

Cost Index: !FREE!         Availability: N

 

LOST YOUR MIND because you've lost your paperwork?  How disorganized is your world?  I don't care if it's a home office, the desk area where you pay your bills, or even your kitchen, bathrooms, garage, closets...you know where those black holes in your life are.  Or maybe you're perfect and your world is neat-and-tidy and organized...that would put you in the minority, but gives you a chance to gift your sense of organization to someone this holiday season.  My personal favorite for organizing my life?  Call the expert home and office organizers at InOrder and let them clean up your act...or give a gift certificate from InOrder to someone that's needing their assistance.  Ask for Tiffany: (214) 904-9034 or e-mail her: tiffanyorganizer@swbell.net

 

Cost Index: !$!         Availability: InOrder TX; outside of North Texas, see below.

 

Outside of North Texas, check out the website for the trade group representing this breed of life-straightening experts: the National Association of Professional Organizers at: www.napo.net

 

EVERYBODY LOVES TO EAT, and one of the most popular North Texas destinations for lobster, seafood and steaks is one of my faves, Daddy Jack's Wood Grille [DJWG], at the corner of Crowdus and Elm in the Deep Ellum section of Dallas.  But here's a deal you can ONLY get on this website: How about 50% off of every meal at DJWG?  This is a deal you can't refuse: Gift certificates for 50% off of face value...so $100 worth of gift certificates for $50?  Normally, I'd say it's too good to be true, but in this instance, I know the owners.  It's a great deal...for not only gifts for friends, family or business associates but for yourself!  Think about it: Drinks, a fantastic meal, great wine, desserts, after-dinner drinks...the works...for 50 cents on the dollar.  If you're not a fan of DJWG yet, you will be.  And you'll be even a bigger fan for half off; e-mail Victor (the Owner/Chef) and tell him you heard about this offer from my site in order to qualify: daddy.jacks@verizon.net.  And if you want to know about DJWG first, check out their website: www.daddyjacks.com

 

Cost Index: $ - !$!         Availability: TX

 

 

FENG SHUI might sound abstract and a bit too "wookie-wookie" for some, but more and more Americans swear by [not at] it.  I know a guy that, after having his new office "feng shui-ed" by an expert, in the weeks that immediately followed he raised over $185 million for his fledgling company.  So in the interest of reality, don't expect this type of success in your life, but considering the cost of invoking this time-tested art of balancing your world, what do you have to lose?  One of the best in the nation [she trained under some big shot from the other side of the world] can help you help yourself, no matter where in the nation you reside.  Give Karen Ann Tompkins a call at: (972) 669-1595 or check out her website for more information: www.FengShuiWithKarenAnn.com

 

Cost Index: $$$$         Availability: N

 

HOW DO YOU HELP SOMEONE GET OUT FROM UNDER THEIR MOUNTAIN OF CREDIT CARD DEBT?  Educate them, of course.  Enlighten them with information and a little planning and make 2002 their best year ever by making this New Year's Resolution of "playing hardball with their creditors" a reality.  Perhaps it's a matter of negotiating settlements with creditors...or maybe it's pulling the ultimate ripcord, flushing everyone in bankruptcy court and starting over.  Information is empowerment; e-mail me the city/state of the consumer facing these challenges and I'll put you/them in the right direction.  While the info from me is free, remember that if you/they decide to take action, the ultimate services to be rendered (negotiating with the creditors) isn't cheap...but it's a helluva lot cheaper than paying the high-interest credit card companies for the next 30 years.

 

Cost Index: !FREE!         Availability: N

 

PICK-UP A TAX DEDUCTION BY THE END OF THE YEAR and donate all of those clothes that you're not wearing now, or will ever wear again, that continue to take up valuable space in your closets and drawers.  This goes for either gender: If you haven't worn it in the last 2 years, time to do something positive and clean it out of your limited space.  My donation suggestion?  In Tarrant County: Women's Haven (817) 535-6462; in Dallas County: Genesis Women's Shelter: (214) 942-2998 and anywhere else in the nation, finding the local non-profit/charitable organization which warms your heart and will directly benefit your community...and don't forget to get a receipt so you can get any tax benefit available.

 

Cost Index: !FREE!         Availability: N

 

ONCE YOU'VE CLEANED OUT YOUR CLOTHES (GUYS), THEN LET ANITA DO THE REST.  I'm speaking of Anita Green at Corporate Traditions.  They've been dressing men for success [and on a budget] across Texas and around the nation for over 25 years.  Want to know more?  Click your way to making a new style statement in the New Year, and keep your budget intact while you're at it: (800) 438-7848

Cost Index: $-!$!         Availability: TX and N

 

The best deals on laptop computers?  How 'bout for $400 or less?  Or truly amazing deals for a few more buck, why buy new when you can pick up a refurbished laptop and save a bundle?  You know where to go...no matter where you're located around the nation, Ben's easy choice: Take It Home Computers.  Mail ordering computer deals around the nation [which will save you sales tax $$$ outside of Texas], contact Ronnie and tell him you want the best deal out there.

 

Cost Index: !$!         Availability: TX

 

 

Give the gift of BOTOX???  Sure!  Why not tell him/her you love 'em...give 'em the gift of youth, or at the very least, a higher-level of confidence.  Whether it's botox injections or laser re-surfacing, my expert Dr. Jay Burns will gladly make you the hero of the holiday season and well into 2002.  The cosmetic surgery expert for Channel 8's Good Morning Texas, Dr. Jay is more than just another talented doc...he's a great guy, too.  And you'd be surprised how reasonable [and long-lasting] a gift like this really is; give his office a call to schedule an appointment: (214) 823-1978 or e-mail his assistant for more information.

 

 

Cost Index: !$!         Availability: TX

 

 

Forget boring Christmas wreaths or lousy fruitcakes...send some beautiful flowers shipped straight from Hawaii!  I have been a hero so many times thanks to one of the best connection I've made all year. Tropical Colors is based in Hawaii and they'll send the most incredible assortment of flowers guaranteed to fit your budget and guaranteed to last for a couple of weeks.  Truly amazing, the work that they do...check out their website or call them to start your legacy as the greatest and most creative gift-giver of your generation: (800) 965-9732

 

Cost Index: $$         Availability: N

 

The coolest collection of cigar accessories, humidors, cutters, lighters and of course, a great way to avoid the ridiculous sales taxes on tobacco taxes levied by many states is a no-brainer: Ben's choice...Tobacco Gallery.  For cigars/cigar-related supplies at extremely reasonable prices, they've got two convenient locations: In Dallas at Preston Center [Northwest Highway and Preston] and the other at the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton.  Are you outside of Texas?  GREAT!  Avoid those stupid (and stifling) sales taxes and have Bob Smalley mail order your gifts, giving you more bang for your cigar-bucks!  Call Bob at (214) 692-9214.

 

Cost Index: $- !$!         Availability: N

 

 

Wanna burn your own CDs?  When was the last time you backed-up all of your data; how prepared for a virus are you?  Accomplish a couple of things at a price you can afford by installing a CD Burner on your computer.  I love being able to burn custom CDs, and now my butt's covered if I should somehow pick-up a virus in the e-mail.  Once again, prices have dropped dramatically...and it's all about trusting the folks installing and upgrading your equipment.  Oh....him again: Ronnie Neighbours at Take It Home Computers can handle anything you throw his way, at prices guaranteed to fit within your budget: (817) 275-4425

 

Cost Index: $- !$!         Availability: N