STAFF STOCKINGS: Evening News and Tribune employees share their stocking stuffer ideas

Quirky shirts

My suggestion for an inexpensive, witty and flexible gift that will fit into anyone’s stocking is a quirky T-shirt from one of many sites on the Internet.

Pictured here is an Amish-themed shirt from BustedTees.com. Some of the other popular site are CottonFactory.com and TShirtOutlet.com.

There also are real vintage T-shirts and rock T-shirts out there on eBay and other sites, if you’re looking to spend more than $15 or so. Advance warning: Note that some of these T-shirt Web sites can vary from PG-13 to R rated.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



Palm Pixi

The Palm Pixi through Sprint. The phone can be found for $25 on Wirefly.com. For families who wish to introduce their texting-machine children to a smartphone, the Pixi is the way to go. With a fast and responsive QWERTY keyboard and an unlimited plan that will not destroy your bank account on a reliable network, the Pixi should be the phone of choice to introduce anyone to thew world of smartphones.

— Copy editor Kyle J. Volenik



Sporting goods

If there’s someone in your family who enjoys sports, there’s all

sorts of little stocking stuffers that are always needed. A sleeve of

golf balls or a bag of tees, a baseball/softball batting glove,

basketball socks, a gift certificate for a round of bowling, a pack of

hooks for fishing or a small hunting knife are some examples of

inexpensive tools of the trades that are always appreciated.

— Staff writer Daniel Suddeath



Stainless steel water bottle>

L.L. Bean’s eco-friendly alternative to throwaway water bottles. This reusable, recyclable bottle is made of food-grade stainless steel. This is great for two reasons — it will never need replacing and your beverage comes out tasting fresh and clean every time. It’s dishwasher safe, unlike some plastic bottles, and the opening is wide enough for most ice cubes and cleaning brushes. L.L. Bean has various sizes and colors (you can even get them monogrammed) starting at $16.95, but I’ve seen similar products at Target and other discount stores for less.

— Page designer Roni Montgomery



Bobblehead<b>

The perfect stocking stuffer would be an autographed Calvin Borel

bobblehead. Everyone needs a bobblehead, and what better way to begin a

collection than with a Derby-winning jockey.

— Region editor Chris Morris



The gift of music

Instead of just the standard CD or store gift card, give your music lover

the ultimate portable music library — an iPod or MP3 player. Or consider a subscription to a popular music magazine (be sure to tuck the current

magazine issue in the stocking) or subscription to a favorite music acts’

Web site. Band posters and band T-shirts are always popular and past concert shirts and other memorabilia can be found on auction Web sites. For the uber live experience, add a gift card for Ticketmaster or Live Nation to use in purchasing concert tickets.

— Newsroom assistant Mary Jane Maytum



Automotive GPS

If you get someone a TomTom XL 340S Automotive GPS receiver, they’ll know where they’re going instead of slowing down at every green light, gawking at every landmark and, in effect, raising my blood pressure. Several stores have it for about $200 or check the Internet to bargain shop. And c’mon buddy, pick a lane already.

— Staff writer David Mann



Golf course certificate

Free rounds of golf at area golf courses. Maybe a sleeve of his favorite golf balls.

— Staff photographer C.E. Branham



A great movie

The 1987 comedy “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” directed by John Hughes, starring John Candy and Steve Martin It’s a classic.

— Staff photographer C.E. Branham



Tickets to the game

For the superfan in your life, nothing beats the excitement of being at the

game. Whether it’s in the balcony, on the sideline, in the end-zone or at

center court, no one will argue the experience of seeing the game live isn’t the absolute best.

— Sports editor Mike Hutsell



Gift cards

If you know what gift you are getting your loved ones for the holidays, but still want to throw a little something extra in their stocking, think gift card.

Yeah, sounds boring and last minute, but customize the gift card to the recipient.

For foodies a gift card to their favorite restaurant (or a place you think they should try) or enroll them in a wine/beer of the month club; for the music lover, iTunes gift cards are an easy way to go; and for the book worm, a gift card to their favorite book store is a nice thought.

— Staff writer Braden Lammers



Over-the-knee socks

The cutest fashion accessory this season, hands down. A fun alternative to tights, easier to wear with shorter dresses and skirts than traditional knee socks and super cute with boots, booties and the right pair of heels. Look for them in stripes, solids, argyle, cable knit … Target has a pretty nice selection and they’re available a ton of places online.

— Page designer Amy Huffman-Branham



Intial ring

I saw a tiny little ad for this Web site in the back of my favorite magazine and now I HAVE TO HAVE this ring. Nashelle’s Identity Initial ring is super cute and reminds me maybe of something I had when I was a kid. It’s hand stamped so it looks unique and kind of vintagey. You get your choice of gold filled or sterling silver (more my speed) for $54. Very simple, totally cute and suitable for any girl on your list.

— Page designer Amy Huffman-Branham



Music, literature and dinner

For stocking stuffers I like to to put three items. A CD, a book and a gift card to a local restaurant. You can read a book, listen to music, then go out and eat.

— Community Editor Brenda Dorman

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