Community Corner
Gift Ideas to Help Unplug, Recharge in SLP
The daily grind can be overwhelming, so here are some antidotes to all that stress.
In this increasingly digitalized world, we can’t go anywhere without packing the chargers, the battery packs, the DVDs and the game systems. But what happens when the power goes out? How do we escape from it all? Yes, there truly is life and entertainment outside of the electrically-charged world. Here are a few gift ideas to help friends and family unplug and recharge.
Books
Check out Half Price Books or Sam's Club for the newest bestsellers or tried-and-true classics. Bookstores’ shelves are stocked with adventures waiting beyond the front cover. Have a traveler in your posse? Check out the travelogues. So your mother-in-law is hooked on reality TV shows? You’ll find plenty of drama in the fiction section. Nothing beats cozying up in front of the fireplace with a book.
Board games
Classics like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble and Uno are always great choices, and the perfect way to spend quality family time. You can find them at local businesses such as Kiddywampus and Creative Kidstuff. Got a card shark in the family? Find or print out a list of new card games to try, tuck them in with a new deck of playing cards, and watch what happens.
Concert tickets
For the music lover in your life, it might be hard to part with the MP3 player or iPod, but they’d easily hand them over for the chance to hear their favorite musicians live. Whether their music listening tends towards rock ‘n’ roll or opera, the options are limitless. Check out Ticketmaster.com or various Twin Cities venue websites.
Dinner out
Mom might be a great cook, but even great cooks want a night away from the kitchen. A gift certificate to her favorite restaurant might be a perfect addition to the menu. Try local favorites Crave, McCoy's Public House, Park Tavern or Cooper Pub & Restaurant.
Exercise pass
For some, the perfect way to recharge is through exercise. If you’ve got a fitness buff in the family, a pass to try the latest exercise class might be just what they would love to recharge. Check the nearest YMCA, in Minnetonka, or these local fitness centers for class passes and other deals.
Maid to Order
There’s never time to unwind and recharge when the house is a mess. Help unplug that vacuum by giving the gift of a house cleaner for the day. Many local companies such as Molly Maid, Bravo Cleaning and Miracle Cleaning Company offer one-time house-cleaning services based on hourly fees. Check with friends or neighbors for suggestions.
Spa Gift Certificates
The ultimate in an unplugged excursion. No cell phone, no computer, just relaxation. Visit these local spas and salons to find out what kind of packages they offer.