As a Boomer chick who’s just about in the middle of the Baby Boomer cohort, I’ll do my best to give you a list of Christmas presents that your favorite Boomer might like.
1. The Original Christmas Classics DVD
Once upon a time, there were only three television channels, plus PBS. Well, I haven’t seen all of the cartoons and stop-animation goodies on this DVD, but most Boomers will remember these shows. So, get ready to watch your favorite parent’s eyes glaze over with nostalgia, and get yourself some earplugs so you can make it through another round of stories about the olden days. The real gift will be when you visit your mom and show her how to change the channel from Netflix Instant to DVD input. What a gift.
- Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
- Frosty the Snowman
- Frosty Returns
- Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (I actually liked most Mr. Magoo cartoons. This is the best show on the DVD.)
- Little Drummer Boy
- Cricket on the Hearth
2. Mediterranean Cruise Ports by Rick Steves
I love all of the Rick Steves guidebooks. His books are based on getting to know the locals and getting the biggest bang for your buck. I do find it a bit weird for Rick Steves to be talking about one-day excursions, but I trust everything in his books. This guide will show you how to make the most of your few hours in port and how to get to cool places near your port. Here are a few of the areas he covers:
- Barcelona
- Toulon
- Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Venice and other Italian Ports
- Split
- Mykonos and Santorini
- Istanbul and Ephesus (the coolest ruins of the Roman Empire)
Even if your mom isn’t booked on a Mediterranean cruise, it’s fun to browse European travel books and daydream. And, who knows, mumsy might decide to take you along someday.
3. Eco-Artware
If your mom or dad is a green-freak, and that is quite likely because Baby Boomers are the folks who gave you recycling and Earth Day, you can find all kinds of upcycled and natural products at Eco Artware. Here are some of the earth-friendly things that I like:
- Recycled Multi-Color Juice Pack Tote Bag
- Multi-color Imbenge Telephone Wire Basket: Rainbow Edition (made by Zulu weavers)
- 45 RPM Clock or Motherboard Clipboard
- Silent Butler Cutlery Salt and Pepper Shakers
- Wrap Around Eco Pearl Bracelet
4. Under the Influence of Christmas
This is a CD by the Grip Weeds. It’s kind of folk-rocksy and oldie-soft-rock, but it’s a bit different from most overindulged repetitive Christmas songs. Hey, after spending lots of time as a temp sales associate, I get sick of Christmas tunes after 30 seconds, but these songs aren’t bad. Really.
5. Gifts Made in America
Most Boomers actually remember a time when the United States still had a deep manufacturing base. Shoes were made in America. Clothes were made in America. Heck, even toys were manufactured here.
If you want to keep the United States in business, do your part to bring back America’s manufacturing base. I don’t think that having an “information based” economy is sustainable in the long run. And, manufacturers in the US are almost always more environmentally aware (or coerced) than manufacturers in less regulated parts of the world. (No, I am not including handmade artisan products from underdeveloped countries like those from eco-artware.com.) And, I’m no hillbilly country-western type of Boomer; I’m an ex-hippie.
Be sure to let mom or dad know that you chose the product because it was made in the USA, and buying American-made products is the best way to fight corporate greed.
- American Apparel: Made in a sweat-shop free factory in LA, this brand is just as popular in Paris as it is in the US.
- Shaefer Men’s Blanket-Lined Legend Denim Jacket: If daddy has a beer gut, look for longer styles from Shaefer Ranchwear.
- Banana Bike Bag made by Duluth Pack
- Aged Floral Paisley Tee by Earth Creations
- Belize Evening Bag from Dreambags.com
Just type “made in the USA” into any search engine. You will see several site directories that will give you lots of ideas.
6. The Best Present of All
Stop calling us Seniors. Many Boomers are still in their 40s. Even though that sounds old to you Juniors, it’s nowhere near Seniorsville. And, stop talking about golden years, unless you’re referencing the David Bowie song. As for Silver Surfer, I’ve never been able to stand on a surfboard and I’m not silver. If you want to call me a platinum b**ch, that might be acceptable.
If you can’t manage that, consider getting your fave Boomer the South Park Episode of Grey Dawn, and give your mom a promise that you'll call her once a week. Then, follow through.
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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