Experience has taught us that last minute gift shopping can cause us to be irritable and unreasonable even though we know it! So, we put our heads together to come up with a dozen ideas that might help you find a special present for a friend or family member in recovery.  Here are a few:

For the fashionista
The Serenity bracelet – a really stylish and unique bracelet designed and made by Lisa Stewart, $110 online.
www.lisastewartonline.com/collection/bracelets.html

For the one with the sweet tooth
Zabar’s set of 6 chocolate bars, amazing chocolate
and we are told the dark chocolate with sea salt is inspiring. $19.99  
www.zabars.com

For the ones who need inspiration and congratulations
A recovery milestone memento from Milestone Coins; a fascinating selection of coins that are hand made into wearable art
www.milestonecoins.com/catalog/

For the readers
Gift Certificate to Choices Books & Gift Shop, one of the most valued recovery resources and book seller in the NYC area.
www.choices-nyc.com

For the historian
If your recipient lives within a day’s drive of East Dorset, Vermont, give him or her a weekend or day at the Wilson House, birthplace of Bill W.  They have special events and it’s a great place for retreats.  www.wilsonhouse.org

For the seeker
Meditation CD or MP3 by Kelly Howell, a prolific healer with a soothing voice; she offers everything from subliminal learning to basic imagery and meditation.
www.brainsync.com/shop/

For the coffee connoisseur
Forget Starbucks and the larger chains; try something local.  In the New York City area there is “Joe the Art of Coffee.” Conde Nast Traveller reported it as the best place to get coffee in New York City.    www.joetheartofcoffee.com

For the active one
Give the gift of a trial yoga class.  Integral Yoga in Manhattan has a vast range classes from beginning yoga to Kirtan chanting sessions.  They are also a good resource for other yoga studios in the tri-state area.  
www.iyiny.org

For the friend with the most service commitments
Bake a batch of cookies or something hardier and bring it to the local firehouse and give them in your friend’s name.  Give your friend a special holiday card and tell them they were honored in a “give it forward”!

The one nesting (isolating?) at home
Some of the best smelling (not too overpowering) candles and diffusers come from Paddywax.  You can find many stores throughout the area that stock these products or, order online. www.paddywax.com

Last but not least:
Give the gift of your time to that person you keep forgetting to call to meet for lunch, the one who is housebound, the neighbor down the hall who seems lonely, the local pet shelter where the dogs need to be walked, the senior center, the hospital, and more ad infinitum.

And don’t forget, everyone one your list would be happy to get a one year subscription to Together New York, arriving in their mailbox! www.together.us.com/subscribe/