SDJJ Recommends

 

 

Looking for that perfect gift for your mother, father, niece, significant other or sweet little bubbe this year? We’ve got all the greatest gifts for those special people on your list and where to get them before Chanukah’s over.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Shalom Sesame DVDs

The first remake of Shalom Sesame in 20 years features Jake Gyllenhaal, Debra Messing and Ben Stiller on two new DVDs. All your favorite Sesame Street characters are here, like Grover and other famous Muppets, with a Jewish twist. Choose either “Welcome to Israel” or “Channukah: The Missing Menorah,” $14.95 each or both for $26.99. To order, call (800) 223-7478 or visit www.sisuent.com.

FOR THAT NICE JEWISH (SINGLE) GIRL

Nice Jewish Guys Calendar

Firemen and Chipendales dancers have had the spotlight long enough! This Nice Jewish Guys calendar turns the spotlight on the underrated characteristic that pecs and tight buns can’t deliver…niceness. The Nice Jewish Guys calendar features a different mensch for every month of the calendar year. Marked with the Jewish holidays, too! At only $15.95, you can get one for all the single gals you know! To get yours, visit nicejewishguys.net.

FOR THE SHOPAHOLIC IN ALL OF US, OR AN ECO-CONSCIOUS FRIEND

Schlep Tote Bag

Plastic bags? Feh! This Schlep Tote bag is made of 100 percent cotton canvas and is both practical and eco-stylish. Perfect for schlepping both books and groceries, and at only $18, you’ll still have money left over to go shopping! Available at www.moderntribe.com.

FOR THE TECHIE

Jew-centric iPhone Apps

Head to the Apple iTunes store to find an array of free and low cost apps for your iPhone and iPod Touch to put you in the holiday mood. We’ve picked two to sample, but there are many (perhaps too many) more on the Web site. Mobile Menorah (99¢) lets you light the candles yourself — and makes sure you to do so in the right order. You can choose how many candles to light and even “select the desired candle burn time.” And Dreidel, Dredel, Dradel (free!) can come in handy if you don’t have an actual driedel around. Double-tap on the screen to watch the virtual dreidel spin and eventually stop. You’ll have to keep track of your bets and who’s winning and losing manually. Visit www.itunes.com/downloads to see all the other Chanukah apps out there, or even to buy an iPad for those you really, really love!

FOR THE HARD-TO-PLEASE (TEENS)

Mini Cardboard Boombox

This ‘80s-style boombox is made entirely of folded cardboard and comes flat packed, with real fully working amplified speakers for your ipod or mp3 player. Takes 4 AA batteries that are included. Easy assembly, and just $40. A guaranteed hit with the 13-18 crowd! www.moderntribe.com.

FOR THE KOSHER COOK

Kosher Chopping Boards

File away your pareve, meat and dairy chopping boards with these chic and sanitary color-coded polypropylene Index Chopping Boards by Damian Evans, designed to avoid cross-contamination of different foods. $65 for four chopping boards in a horizontal filing unit at www.josephjoseph.com.

FOR THE BOOKWORM

“2,000 Years of Jewish History” Large-format Coffee Table Edition by Rabbi Chaim Schloss

Hold a piece of Jewish history in your hand (or lap…it’s big) with this monumental volume. An eminently readable, historically precise account of Jewish history from the destruction of the Second Temple until the 20^th century, this book is the first of its kind. This beautiful, large-format book includes maps, photographs, timelines and is a magnificent gift for every occasion and a welcome addition to every library. $32.99, www.amazon.com.

FOR THE CRAFTER

“Crafting Jewish” by Rivky Koenig

This book offers fun and beautiful craft ideas for the Jewish household. Fun family crafts and party ideas for holidays from Shabbat to Hanukkah to Purim are included in this great book for moms, hostesses or the craft-lovers on your list! $29.99, www.moderntribe.com.

FOR BEER ENTHUSIASTS

HE’BREW Holiday Gift Pack

This eight-beer gift pack from the Schmaltz Brewing Company (makers of He’Brew, the Chosen Beer) features all seven recipes of the award-winning Jewbelation® series (8- 14) plus a bottle of the barrel-aged Vertical Jewbelation®. The gift pack comes with a custom glass, Chanukah candles and instructions on how to build your own beer menorah, with artwork by Bay Area illustrator Chris Blair, and a very special edition of “A Chanukah Prayer” by San Francisco stand-up comedian and Chronicle cartoonist Michael Capozzola. For the gift pack and more on Schmaltz Brewery, visit www.schmaltz.com.

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