El Paso Times Maria Cortés González November 2005 USA

Great gifts for women

The world could use more Anna Shreves when it comes to holiday shopping.

She thinks getting designer chocolates is great. She likes perfumes and jewelry. And lately, she especially likes gift certificates for spa treatments.

"I guess I'm not too picky," said Shreves, who couldn't think of a gift she is just dying to have.

But let's face it, not all moms are easy to shop for -- some want something original or special and others don't want anything reminiscent of what they do day in, day out.

Michele Murphy, Mervyn's spokeswoman, said some good gift ideas are those that women might not think to get themselves.

"Home spas are a great gift because women don't always take the time to pamper themselves," she said.

In that vein, a foot massager along with a set of bath of body lotions or a chair massager might be unexpected and relaxing gifts. The gifts range in price from $17.49 to $84.99.

Here are other gift ideas, from various retailers, the Internet and catalogs for men who may be shopping for the women in their lives this holiday.

Personal and different

• Photowow.com: Turn any photo into a piece of artwork
"It's extremely unique and so much better to see your own photo than a piece of art of a person you've never heard of," president and founder Robert Schiff said.

The Web site offers 40 different designs, including a Warhol-style pop art piece. The average price is $270.

"That's one of our more popular designs," he said. "It's very colorful and really brightens up any room."

Other more affordable gift ideas include a photo on a tile that can be displayed or hung and a print on canvas.

Schiff said that the Web site is easy to use and that people can even put in specific instructions. Orders should be made by this week to arrive in time for Christmas.

For new moms

Anne Mitchell -- owner of Duck, Duck, Goose in West El Paso -- says most moms would love the Memory Maker photo bracelets with anywhere from four to five picture frames and charms. It comes with directions on how to shrink the pictures for the frames and costs $19.95 on up.
• For the ultimate stroller, as in L.A. style, get her the all-terrain Bugaboo stroller, which goes from a bassinet stroller to a seat stroller. It works for newborns up to 40-pound children. And it has a wheel board that comes down and lets a sibling take a ride. $879, exclusively at Duck, Duck, Goose, 5860 N. Mesa.
• Me Too, Mommy book: We know moms like to keep track of growth spurts and other baby milestones, but often forget to jot it down. This grab-and-go book makes it easy to keep in the diaper bag and combines a calendar, photo album, milestones and doctors' notes in a convenient keepsake. $11.95,
• Diapees & Wipees: For the mom that doesn't want to tote a big diaper bag or for a quick outing, get these colorful camouflage, tiny totes. $14.99,

For moms who like to play games

• Sudoku: Looking for a stocking-stuffer? You'll look pretty trendy if you get her this puzzle game that has created an international phenomenon in just a year. Goplay's Sudoku game is a convenient-sized travel tin that lets the player approach the numbers challenge with magnetic pieces and a non-permanent pen. $6.99 at Barnes & Noble and other retailers.
• Apples to apples: This fast-paced game of matching words and phrases is easy to learn and perfect for family get-togethers. Ages 12 and up. $24.99.

For moms who like to read

Karen Marasco of the West Side Barnes & Noble has these suggestions of fiction books for women who like to read:
• "Memoirs of a Geisha," by Arthur Golden. It's a compelling read about the life of a geisha in pre-war Japan and has been turned into a movie.
• "At First Sight," by Nicholas Sparks. An interesting story, the sequel to "True Believer" is about a divorced man recently engaged and ready to start a family in North Carolina. But he gets a disturbing e-mail that unleashes a chain of events.
• "Light from Heaven," by Jan Karon. For those wanting an uplifting read, try this human nature story, the last in a series, about a retired Episcopalian priest who is asked to revive a church that has been closed for 30 years. It's light and funny.

For moms of any age

• Watches: The Hillard and Hanson watch, specifically, gives the wearer the opportunity to change its look. It comes with six interchangeable fabric bands. "It's feminine and versatile," Mervyn's representative Michele Murphy said. $20 to $32, available at Mervyn's.
• Crystal: A beautiful vase or bowl can start a wonderful collection for any woman. Add some fresh holly to bring a nice aroma into the home. $11.99 on up.

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