STOCKING FILLERS
Alternative ideas to help you this holiday
Written by Josh Cooper (10HLT)
Every year shops use Christmas as an excuse to produce millions of gifts ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. And this year has not yet disappointed.
Let's face it. Christmas shopping is awful, not least because of the long queues, packed shops, and out of stock items. However this year, as you crawl round the shops searching longingly for the right Christmas presents for friends and family, consider something a little different from the more 'predictable' gifts.
By this I mean something different from the usual presents, CDs and books for example. 5.50 can get you a Borat style Mankini, while those gardening enthusiasts among you are given the opportunity to 'Grow your own Coffee' for only 8.99. However if, like many, you would prefer to keep you hands free of compost and mud, this is not all on offer in a world of gimmicks, gadgets and gizmo's. Chocolate calculators, motorized golf ball cleaners and lip-stick pens are just the start of quirky, bizarre, and down right ridiculous stocking fillers for both family and friends.
From the relatively cheap to the exorbitant, if you have a few million pounds wedged down the side of your sofa, then give the following a thought. For all you NFL fans, how about the Dallas cowboys N-Zone in your back garden. This package also comes with VIP treatment for the last scheduled Cowboys game in Texas Stadium, and a VIP ticket to attend the opening of the new stadium in 2010. The price for this present? A mere 500,000. However, if American football is not for you and you are looking for something to enlarge your ego, then how about a life size replica of yourself or someone you choose in Lego blocks? Artist Nathan Sawaya will happily spend his time creating a replica of you and a friend for just 60,000.
Although the latter are considered rather costly to you and me, Christmas time is one of mass consumerism, and items the shops try to pass off as 'presents' can sometimes verge on outrageous. However, do still take a moment to consider what else is on offer for your friends and family other than the more predictable festive gifts.
