Will this be another holiday of the “gift card” — those ubiquitous plastic rectangles that show zero imagination?
It needn’t be, IF you let your mind move on down the streets of Kane County to find and buy memorable, helpful and tres cool gifts for all the people in your life.
Take a look at some of the ideas in the area available in a range of prices that say, “You must really love me,” or “I didn’t know you were so clever!”
Here are possible answers to the ultimate question: “So, what in the world do I get __________?”
The Mother-in-Law?
Sold exclusively in independent boutiques, Camille Beckman hand creams, foot lotions and soaps have been making mothers-in-law happy since 1986. Available in a variety of scents, including customer favorite Tuscan Honey, why not sample this made-in-the-USA product for yourself at The Little Traveler’s Linen Room? Prices range from $4.95 to $15.99.
If she’s not a skin and scent fan, how about something from the Snowy Friends collection of dinnerware in The Little Traveler’s housewares department? Delight her with these jolly snowmen on a brilliant red background on an assortment of plates, mugs, platters, cake plates, bowls and more, priced $10 to $42. The shop houses 36 rooms of treasures, so you’re bound to find something for her.
The Little Traveler
404 South Third St.
• Geneva
630-232-4200 • www.littletraveler.com
She can get any treatment she wants from Mario Tricoci Salons and Day Spa’s menu of spa services, but nudge her toward the Cellular Age Reversal Therapy Facial, which starts at $145. Come on, she’s worth it — she gave birth to your spouse.
Using Juveel, the most advanced vitamin C serum available, and based on 12 years of research, the product features an instant activation system of unaltered vitamin C for deeper skin penetration without any irritation.
There’s also a Warm Spice Mani for $38 and a Warm Spice Pedi for $68. Or, try an EmerginC Protocell Bio-Active Stem Cell face cream for $90. Popular with the A-list, this nutrient-intensive moisturizer contains a proprietary apple stem cell complex designed to combat the signs of aging and help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Mario Tricoci Hair Salons and Day Spas
1749 S. Randall Road • Geneva
847-202-1900 • www.tricoci.com
The Gift Box, celebrating its 65th anniversary in the same location, specializes in lovely items from Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway and Demark. Get her a pair of earrings or a necklace in a range of prices from $31 to $80. The Pohjolan Helmi Nordic designs are lightweight — so they won’t drag down the lobes — and made from stainless steel.
The Gift Box
310 W. State St.
• Geneva
630-232-4151 • www.genevagiftbox.com
The almost boyfriend/girlfriend?
For her — Techno-gloves in the Little Traveler’s women’s apparel department. These gloves boast a special fabric on the tip of the index finger so she can keep her gloves on while surfing the net on her smart phone or texting you sweet nothings. Choose from $12 knit Touch Gloves and $38 sleek nylon Echo Touch gloves.
For him — tabletop games in The Little Traveler’s toy room. Appeal to his playful side with tabletop pool, foosball and hockey sets, from $18 to $28.50.
Although the patterns are inspired by folk art and traditional Scandinavian designs, trendy colors and details make the hats, headbands, scarves and mittens at The Gift Box very fashionable. Prices range from $16 to $35.
The environmentalist in your family?
Check out recycled aluminum jewelry by Jay Schiavone in The Little Traveler’s Accessories area. Old aluminum is made new again in this fun and funky collection of lightweight earrings, rings and necklaces, handmade in the U.S. for $18 to $30.
The athlete?
Whether it’s the shins, IT bands or hamstrings, athletes’ muscles can be tense and troublesome. Give your favorite athlete a MARIOplus membership, and you’ll be remembered fondly. With a $50 membership, he or she will receive $25 off every full service massage of 50 minutes or longer for 12 months.
The Tara Aromatherapy Neck Pillow from Mario Tricoci, at $38, is great for shoulder and neck pain relief between massages. The soothing pillow provides the warm aromatic benefits of comforting winter scents like clove, orange and cinnamon.
Have an equestrian in the family? She’ll say, “Whoa,” when she opens a Dala Horse, ranging from $19.50 to $250, from The Gift Box. The hand-carved and painted Dala Horse is one of Sweden’s most popular souvenirs. Also, Minnesota mittens, headbands and hats are great for winter sports.
Choose among soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, baseball and cheerleader ornaments for boys and girls at The Little Travler for $7 to $8. College athletes can carb-load with Spartans, Cyclones, Illini, Wildcats and Badgers pasta that comes with a vinaigrette dressing mix or get a quick protein fix with Huskies, Redbirds, Illini and Leathernecks peanuts for $6.50 to $7.50.
The work friend?
He or she can feel like the boss with every sip from his or her very own coffee mug in a variety of styles from The Gift Box. Mugs range from $7.90 to $15.
You can never have enough of Tomten — that would be “Santa” in Swedish — so consider one of the shop’s Christmas Tomtes, ranging from $10.50 to $85.
Any guy would appreciate a Mats Jonasson hand-carved glass crystal on his desk, whether to use as a paperweight or just because it’s cool looking! These are available in a range of prices.
If those don’t brighten a female co-worker’s mood, get her a cut and color makeover at Mario Tricoci. Cuts start at $35, and color services start at $45. Your male co-worker might appreciate the upgrade from the chain hair cutteries, too.
The boss?
Impress the boss with a crystal pen from Swarovski in the Little Traveler’s crystal room. A practical yet elegant gift, these classic pens are adorned with clear Swarovski crystals and come with a velvet pouch for a first class presentation. They’re available in black, white, pink or blue in thin and thick styles for $34.
The niece/nephew?
Mario Tricoci offers reasonably-priced stocking stuffers for this group. Ergo brushes feature bristles that fight static and repair the hair as well as a non-slip rubber handle that is one and a half inches longer than a standard brush for $34.95.
Paste 2 — the newest product in the Mario Tricoci Hair Care line — is good for either sex, as it holds and molds the hair with ease and pliability for $15.
And a girl, no matter her age, can never have too many polish colors. Get a bottle of Essie for $15.
For younger relations, get to The Little Traveler for charming picture books by local authors and artists in the shop’s paper department. Titles include “Where is the Sears Tower,” a tale of a young pigeon’s adventure throughout Chicago. Signed copies are available; soft covers cost $12.50, hard covers cost $25. Also in the paper department are Jolly Jingle snowmen ornaments featuring a large variety of boy and girl names for $3.99.
The friend/family member on a diet?
The Little Traveler began in 1922 when the owner of the Victorian-era residence, Mrs. Kate Raftery, hosted teas and sold unique international treasures that had been sent to her by friends who’d traveled the world. In the Little Traveler’s tea room, you’ll find Be Active teas that are all about getting fit and staying that way. Get Burning is crafted to increase metabolism, Get Active is a rejuvenating tea to improve endurance so they can get the most from their workouts and Get Limber will help reduce inflammation, allowing joints, ligaments and muscles to stretch more fully. Take advantage of the very light price, too, at $13.95! kc
