I think it’s safe to say that the majority of us indulge just a little in “holiday cheer” this time of year. From rum and egg nog, to ringing in the new year with celebratory champagne, to allowing that extra beer (because we’ve resigned ourselves to loosening the belt for a few weeks), now’s the time to spoil ourselves.  Just remember, soon we’ll be on a fast track to bathing suit season!  So, with that in mind, the next few items I have chosen all ring of that particular “spirit.”

Beer Bucket with Bottle Opener.

Ah, the beer bucket.  Holds about 6 bottles, give or take, and even comes with a convenient bottle opener at the base of one of the handles.  A necessity for people like me who seem to forget these little, yet oh-so-important things.  Perfect for backyard bbqs, beach picnics and camping trips.  It’s a little pricier than my previous gift ideas at $99, but it will last you forever, and let’s be honest, a cold bottle of beer never goes out of style.

…it’s all about the kiddies! Just face it, holidays such as the these really are all about the kids.  I happen to have a shortage of kids in my life at the moment, stuck just at the time when the cousins and siblings are all grown up, but my generation has yet to really begin that phase (although, I have a feeling that’s all about to change).  I do have one adorable, little cousin however, and these Jellycat stuffed animals have her name all over them.  They come in a variety of sizes and an even larger variety of animals and range in price from $29.98 to $168 (the latter of which is ENORMOUS).  There are so many animals to choose from, but I have it narrowed down because I do know that my darling little cousin is much more of a dog person that a cat person (a girl after my own heart).  I am currently debating between the Latte Dog and the Scamp Pup, but the Dickens Bear is pretty darn cute too.

Latte Dog - Adorably Coffee Coloured!

Scamp Pup

Bashful Bunny - My cousin's last snuggly gift!

Dickens Bear - Salute to the old school Teddy Bear.

Truffle Sheep Family - The huge one is 4 ft tall!

Oh, snap!  No, I didn’t just hear a good zinger, that’s just the name of my next Christmas gift idea for the kitsch loving jokesters on a tight budget this holiday season.  My sister is a little trickier to shop for as she’s quite particular both in her closet and home decor, but she loooooooves cheese and the Oh Snap cutting board and cheese slicer is perfectly funky, yet unobtrusive.  The beechwood board is 5″ x 9″ and it comes with a stainless steel cheese slicer.  As a set, it looks just like an over-sized mouse trap.  At $24.99, I still have some funds left over for the last few people on my list, but it looks like my shopping is almost done. Oh, Snap!

Oh, Snap! Cheese Board - $24.99

…some stuff for her morning coffee!

Ah, sweet caffeine.  Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.  I can function, albeit pretty groggily, without a coffee first thing in the morning, but my mother, on the other hand, cannot.  Now, this is a woman who doesn’t drink alcohol, smoke or really take anything stronger than a vitamin, but coffee, she loves.  As kids, my sister and I knew to pretty much steer clear before she had those first few sips in her.  Now, as an adult with real responsibilities and a need to force myself out of bed long before I deem myself ready, I get it.  The “I am not a paper cup” cup and super-sized “Xtra Cream” cream container will be a big hit with my coffee-lovin’ mama.  The cup is ceramic with a flexible rubber lid, so it’s great for traveling, keeping the heat in and the environment (lets try to reduce the waste, people).  The creamer is more fun than practical, but its so cute as the extra large version of those silly little creamer cups that are impossible to open and we all love to hate.  The snap-on lid is made of silicone and both pieces are dishwasher safe.

Super-Sized Creamer Cup - $19.99

"I am not a paper cup!" - $15.99

In keeping with my last blog about fun (inexpensive) gifts for pals, I am still giggling about the absolute perfection of this next item.  I have a friend who, no word of a lie, learned how to ride a bike last year…at 25.  This was a monumental occasion and boy, did she ever take the bull by the horns.  By the end of the summer she was riding daily, instantly fitting in to Vancouver’s laid back, cycle-friendly lifestyle and even taking on restoring an old bike herself.  She’s a super fun, cool and quirky chick who would LOVE the Loopy Bike Horn.  It’s 10 bucks (mounting hardware included), which means I can still eat this month and she’ll be able to safely warn fellow sea-wallers that she’s about to whizz by on their left.

Loopy Bike Horn - $10 Bucks!

On Your Left!!

I don’t usually do Christmas gifts for my friends.  The majority of my close friends are fairly broke 20 and 30 somethings, trying to purchase first condos, get new careers off the ground and/or start a family so the general consensus is that everyone would be just fine without the added financial stress of extra recipients.  With that said, I am always powerless to resist a purchase whenever I stumble across that *perfect* gift.  I get a specific sense of pleasure when I spot something that just screams (insert particular person’s name here)!  What makes it all even more sweet is the fact that these “perfect” presents are usually gag gifts which I will never grow out of giving or receiving.

Dine Ink Cutlery Caps! $11.98 and perfect for the workaholic!

On that note, I bring you the Dine Ink cutlery set.  I have a very dear friend who is rapidly establishing herself as a workaholic.  I consider myself to have a good work ethic, but she takes it to a whole new level. She even seems to truly enjoy the insane hours and skipped lunch breaks when traded for promotions in quick succession and numerous raises (hmmm, when I put it that way I guess I can’t really blame her).  Nevertheless, when I saw these cutlery pen caps (pens included), designed for people like her who are lucky to scarf down a quick bite between reports, I immediately thought of her.  They’re only $11.98 so I’m confident I won’t be in trouble that I broke our “no gifts for friends” rule, and I still have money left over in case I stumble across another irresistible gag.

My step-sister is an athlete.  Now, I’m not talking weekend, beer-league here, I’m talking crazy-fit, multi-faceted, put the pros to shame.  This girl does it all; snowboards, plays soccer, teaches yoga and rows…to name a few.  If anyone is exercising regularly it’s her…and her iPod.  Now, even the lightest jogger knows the hair-pulling frustration of tangled ear-buds, so the Spooled Ear Bud Cord Management is awesome for keeping those buds in check.  My step-sister can wind her cords around the cute little spool, tuck in the buds and voila!  Gone are the days of the jumbled mess of cords.

Spooled Ear Bud Management

The best part of it all is this fun and handy gift is only $9.99 so I can tick another personalized, yet affordable gift idea off my ever-shrinking list. Three down, nine to go!

For the second day of Christmas, actually Hannukah as my Dad and his wife are Jewish, I have chosen something that I deem perfect for my health-conscious step-mom.  She’s not a big coffee drinker and doesn’t indulge much in caffeine, but she loves tea, especially on those chilly winter evenings.  The Utilo teastick, instantly reminded me of her and all items from this European company, specializing in cool, stainless steel items and accessories, are 20% off at Industrial Revolution.  Normally sold for $34.99, the tea infuser is currently on for $27.99 which even my limited holiday budget can handle.

The Utilo Teastick is great for the urban tea drinker!

‘Tis the season.  That’s the statement, but, “the season for what?” is the question.  Well, I have a few ideas.  On the pro side, ’tis the season for love, generosity, silliness (who doesn’t revert back to childhood at least a couple times, this time of year?), nostalgia, reconnecting with family and friends and some downright delicious treats.  Since pros generally come with cons, ’tis (also) the season for stress, credit card debt, post-holiday party hangovers, mall crowds and expanding waistlines (due, of course, to all of the downright, delicious treats).

This year I am facing a daunting combination of crowd anxiety, lack of funds and “what to buy him, her and the dog” stress, so I am focusing my shopping on finding the perfect stocking-stuffer type gifts for the special people in my life.  I always try to integrate a little humour, preferably personalized for the recipient, into my presents.  With that in mind over the next couple of weeks I’ll be sharing some of my fun, albeit cheeky, discoveries; aka Kailey’s (and Industrial Revolution’s) 12 days of Christmas Gift Ideas.

Gift idea number one: The Step-Dad

For my tough-guy, carnivore step-dad I’m all about the Steak Saws.  At under $25 for a set of four, these are perfect for my mom’s meat eating, handy-man husband and they won’t break the bank for me.

Steak Saws for the Grilling Guy in Your Life!

Stay tuned for Day Two!

There is no denying the fact that I have taken an inexcusably long hiatus from blogging.  This past year has been quite crazy and it seems my regular blogging took a back seat during this time, but I’m back and vowing not to neglect my readers!

Our first order of business is the “Friends and Family Night,” otherwise known as, “The Boss Has Gone Mad Sale.”  Last year, South Granville (our lovely neighbourhood) introduced a “Friends and Family” night, where businesses that chose to participate stay open late and offer discounts, special offers or just plain old cool stuff.  Well, it’s that time of year again and we really wanted to make a splash in this fun, seasonal event so we’re offering 40% savings on everything (yes, EVERYTHING) in-store.

Now you see why the boss has gone mad? In all seriousness though, everyone’s sanity is still intact, we just really wanted to show our appreciation to our wonderfully loyal customers, friends and family as we approach our 30^th anniversary on Granville Street,  so come down to Industrial Revolution on Thursday, November 24^th and let us thank you in person.

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