Random Thoughts: Gift Ideas

Just sharing some places I went for Christmas present shopping. Hope this helps with your future gift hunting!

0) Fred and Friends
http://www.worldwidefred.com/home.htm

How many times you've seen something that is fun and cute but then you say to yourself, "Gee, so-and-so will definitely get a laugh out of that, but where will he/she put it?" Example: talking Simpson statues (I love the Simpsons, but I don't need a talking statue). Well, welcome to Fred's. I LOVE their products, and most of all, they are FUNCTIONAL. First came across them on Perpetual Kid (www.perpetualkid.com), but they don't ship to Canada (damn them), so I made it my mission this holiday to find stores that carry their products.


1) Rolo
24 Bellair St.
416-920-0100
http://www.rolostore.com/

A small store with very unique gifts. Has a few Fred items. A good place to try your luck if you are stuck on certain presents but have no idea. A lot of browsing required as most items are smushed among shelves. Staff are very helpful and very good at sales. Warning: during Christmas the store gets VERY packed. Might not be a good place to do last minute shopping as prices are a big high. Same items on the internet are a lot cheaper, especially with the growing loonie.


2) Laywine's
25 Bellair St.
416-921-7131
http://www.laywines.com/

This store is located right across from Rolo. It provides many good quality stationaries as well as accessories. Price can be a bit on the hefty side, depending on what you get. Caters to a group of old patrons. Has a few Fred stationary items. Good for finding gifts for that office drone... Or a classy office drone.


3) Pop Deluxe
http://www.popdeluxe.net/

Finally! An online store with Fred items that will ship to Canada! This is where I purchased most of my items. Due to the strong loonie, most of the stuff are pretty well priced. Shipping (I got Express since I... um... am a lay-about) was $40, but took around 7 business days. John and Amber are very helpful and answers very quickly. Will definitely use this site again.


4) Zazzle
http://www.zazzle.com

An online store with large options for custom made items, from shirts, pins, mugs to magnets. Once again, the strong loonie works in our favor. Shipping differs between products, and is a bit on the hefty side, but when you need something, you need something. However, they are very good with refunds and customer services. Also, very careful with copyright infringements (tried to get something with an "Office" quote, didn't work out). For custom made items, you might want to try www.cafepress.com as well


5) Edible Arrangements
http://www.ediblearrangements.com/

Christmas is a day when people are less conscious about the food they eat. Chocolate is always a safe choice for those acquaintances and people you don't know very well (in my case, boyfriend's family for the first time... Scary). However, these are not ordinary chocolates, they are chocolate covered fresh fruits. Emphasis on fresh, as all of them are made-to-ordered the day of. For those fews that are health conscious, try a nicely decorated and unique fruit bouquet. Lots of options and variety to choose from. As these stores are licensed (individually managed), service and product might vary between each store. It is a bit expensive for a poor student like myself, but what's it for a little smile? Delivery is available, but each store only caters to a specific area, so call the one in your area.

Be warned: during Christmas, you'd have better luck going to the store to place the order as opposed to phoning. I went there physically, there was one receptionist and the phone was ringing off the hook. The next day, when I called back to change my order, took me 30 minutes to get through. Lastly, they weren't very good with following instruction. They did not apply the changes I made and referred to the original request, so I didn't really get what I asked for, but I will let them slide as it was during the holidays. Maybe the guy I talked to on the phone was a robot.


6) Propaganda
686 Yonge St.
416-961-0555

A Queen St.-like store located at Yonge and Bloor. They have a limited selection compared to other store, but some of the items are very fun and unique. Has cool funky bags, purses, hats, gloves, cards, jewelry and other random items. Some items are reasonably priced. A good store to try during gift hunting.


7) Little Party Shoppe
2566 Yonge St.
416-478-7855

This was where I got my various wrapping paper and a few small gifts. Huge selection of Christmas cards and wrapping paper offered at a fair price and a few small Fred and other gift items. I believer they have a "No refund/exchange" policy.


HONORABLE MENTIONS


1) Think Geek
http://www.thinkgeek.com/

Stress about that special nerd in your life? Think Geek will probably have something that will suit or amuse! Some items are even too nerdy for me, but they have a broad range of items, but video-game themed to electronics. I didn't get anything there, but might do so next time.


2) Ten Thousand Villages
Various Locations
http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/

This place was recommended to me and I do regret not having enough time to check it out. The idea is that this not-for-profit organization purchases arts and crafts from artisans in poor countries and provide them with a fair price for their products. Though I don't know how true their statements are, but the products are very unique and offered at a fair price.


3) Essence du Papier
2476 Yonge St.
416-932-0109

A store very similar to Laywine's, though more stylish and urban. They sell various cards, stationaries and have a wide selection of pens.

4) Uncommon Goods
http://www.uncommongoods.com/

A very good online store where you can find many gifts (if not, gift ideas). Also carries a few Fred items. They usually ship to the US, but they CAN ship to Canada. Only requirement is that you must use an American credit card. If you have one, you should definitely check out this place.

Service Needs Work at BODEGA

Bodega Restaurant (French)
30 Baldwin Street
416-977-1287
http://www.bodegarestaurant.com/home.php


One of the more expensive restaurants on Baldwin Street, Bodega serves the dressy clients in the neighborhood. Seating arrangement gives feeling of coziness and dim lighting favors the romantics. Careful plate arrangement adds charm to a meal. Roast lamb rack is delicious with scallop potato at the side. Warm lemon cheesecake in phyllo pastry is innovative and special on a cold winter night. Service is attentive but requires work as orders are mistaken. A good selection of after dinner drinks is available.

Atmosphere: 3 / 5
Food: 3.5 / 5
Service: 2 / 5
Price: $20 to $30 main course

Overall: 2.8 / 5
Visit Again: Maybe

For full story, click here.

MADE IN CHINA offers little in terms of quality

Made in China (Asian)

371 Yonge St.
416-596-1516
http://streets.to/assets/recent/madeinchina.php

Although the theme of the interior is fusion-based, the menu serves up many tradition Asian dishes. Disappointingly, food lacks flavor. Singapore style fried vermicelli, a dish with curry, has washed down flavors. Pad Thai lacks kick and is very bland. Corn soup, however, is packed with MSG. Service is average. Overall, Made In China supplies the downtown crowd with a variety of Chinese dishes, just not very good ones.

Atmosphere: 3 / 5
Service: 2 / 5
Food: 1.5 / 5
Price: Around $8 per dish

Overall: 2.1 / 5
Visit Again: Not likely