by Jackie

Give (and receive) a rewarding experience this holiday!

Let’s be honest: holiday shopping can become a chore. Like for instance, when you are desperately seeking something for that person who has everything…or for the person who just doesn’t need or want anything (ever) …or the person who covets extravagant name-brand items you find baffling (who knew a logo could jack up the price of a pair rain boots into triple-digits?)…or for the person who asks for such utilitarian items you feel like you are tackling your long-overdue to-do list rather than spreading cheer…or, well, essentially anyone over the age of seven, best girlfriends excluded because of course I always see a million things I know they (I?) would LOVE. Anyhow, I think you get the picture -- probably because you have just ordered some useless item online in an effort to just get something and be done with the whole thing.

So, let’s be honest again. More than stuff, most of us want experiences -- and the time to enjoy them. If you ask people for what they truly wish for this holiday season (and the New Year) you are likely to hear things like:

* I want to take advantage of what the city has to offer – beyond my #%^@! job
* I want to learn something new, stretch my brain or my creativity
* I want to see a great show or take in some art
* I want to eat yummy home-cooked food
* I want to help others

The best news is you, crafty elf, can fulfill these wishes. All you have to do is give the gift of an experience, preferably one that benefits a worthy organization. And because you are wise and thoughtful, we’ve rounded up some great choices that go beyond the obvious (no Mary Poppins tickets here).

First Slice – This is an innovative organization that proves you can have your pie and others can eat it too. Chef Mary Ellen Diaz creates homey yet sophisticated meals and bakery items whose sales benefit the hungry. There are multiple ways to support your tastebuds and the cause. You can subscribe to First Slice weekly meal service. When you do, you are paying for pre-made meals (which you pick up and heat at home) for your family and an identical menu for a needy family. This option is pricey in terms of the one-time cash outlay, but priceless in that it provides yummy wholesome eating for weeks on end – while helping others do the same. My first subscription was in fact a gift and I loved it so much I continued it on my own (on my poor artist’s salary). Not ready for the whole enchilada? Then shop the First Slice Pie Cafe in the Lillstreet Art Center in Ravenswood for luscious pies that have earned many a rave. Pair it with a vintage pie plate for a satisfying gift.

TUTA Theatre – Of course we are going to suggest this! Our engaging theatre company’s production of “The Wedding” opens January 14 – gift certificates are now available and relieve you of trying to figure out which Friday night the lucky recipient is actually free. This darkly humorous show about a dysfunctional family evening comes at the right time – when you’ve have just enough distance from your own holiday gathering that you can laugh out loud. Make a donation in someone’s name to help TUTA snag matching funding by December 31, and be automatically entered in a drawing to win two tickets to The Wedding. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Facets Multi-Media – Do you know a film buff? Someone who looks horrified you mention you’ve never seen some black & white classic he just referenced? Someone who can link any two actors in Six Degrees of Separation? Time to discover Facets, a non-profit since the 1970s, whose mission is “to preserve, to present and to distribute independent, world and classic film, and to educate adults and children in the art and legacy of film.” Facets actually digitizes and restores old gems that would be otherwise lost. If you know a film lover or amateur critic (you know the type), consider giving her a Facets DVD Rental subscription (Netflix for people who’d watch The Blue Angel over Twilight) or a gift certificate that can be used to purchase her own beloved movie finds. If your cinema junkie is someone really special, consider springing for a Patron’s Circle Membership ($250) which covers everything his Herzog heart desires – goodies include DVD rentals, film festival passes (which he will invite you to attend) and even film class discounts.