By RICHARD VIRGILIO
Great gifts for friends and frenemies alike, for under $20. All found within our very own TMZ (three-mile zone).
1. “Hug” ceramic salt and pepper shakers: $19 (Etc.)
2. Six sparkly handmade sandstone coasters: $20 (Posh Den)
3. Teak Rubix Cube: $15 (Posh Den)
4. Fantastic hand-blown and cast Holiday ornaments: $16 (Hot Sand)
5. Trinity Church Cookbook – 181 yummy recipes by family and friends of Trinity: $15 (Trinity Church)
6. Elegant fair trade cotton Batik print handbags: $20 (Organic Style)
7. California Baby all-natural, safe and fun baby products with therapeutic natural oils. Endorsed emphatically by my nine-month old godson, Drew: $6 to $18 (Organic Style)
8. Jack Black men’s superior grooming products for the perfect shave: $5 to $14 (Style Rocket)
9. Paul Frank’s “Department of Forestry” boxer briefs: $20 (Style Rocket)
10. Sexy T-shirts printed using the Gyotaku process: $20 (Lightly Salted)
11. Middle Kingdom mini porcelain vases in linen wrapped boxes: $15 (Shelter Home)
12. Hot enamel tea kettle in various vibrant colors: $19.95 (Flying Saucers)
13. Vintage home accessories: $.10 to $10 (ReStore thrift store)
14. Gift baskets for dogs featuring freshly baked treats and a holiday toy: $18.99 (Asbury Bark)
15. Hand-crafted wood ornaments featuring various dog breeds: $17.99 (Asbury Bark)
16. One-of-a-kind edible chocolate boxes created by owner, Donna Harrison: $7.50 (Wish You Were Here)
17. “The Story of Asbury Park: The Record of Progress and Achievement 1916 to 1931” – a reprint of a rare book published in 1931: $10 (Asbury Park Historical Society)
18. “Postcard History Series” – 200 postcards recount the history of our city: $19.99 (Historical Society)
19. 2009 Friends of Deal Lake desk calendar featuring images by Wanamassa photographer Bob Jaroszewski. Benefits FODL: $10 (Organic Style)
20. 401 varieties of the best candy around $1 to $14.99 (Candyteria)
Briefly: Continue your sparkly holiday spirit with Marj Conn’s Provincetown Fringe Festival at the Stephen Crane House Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 6 and 7), “Holiday Lights and Sips of Cheer,” featuring material written by Eleanor Roosevelt, Truman Capote and a first-hand account of the World War I Christmas Truce, the meaning of Kwanzaa candles and a humorous Chanukah story.
If you have never been to the wonderful Stephen Crane House, Marj’s production is a great introduction. Proceeds benefit Greyhound Rescue. Show times and reservations: 732.807.4052.
Under the loving guidance and dedication of Frank D’Alessandro, Stephen Crane’s home is your respite for thought-provoking, dynamic and fun, culturally significant events – from cinema to plays. I always leave feeling better because I went.
Walking into the home you feel as if you are visiting your favorite relative’s home. The intimate setting is comfortable, the people welcoming and the conversation engaging.
Go “home” – Stephen’s home – for the holidays.
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Published every Thursday.
