Revue Gift Giving Guide 2012
by Revue Elves
It’s always a slugfest to the end—holiday shopping. You know it—your list is longer than that of Mr. Claus and inevitably, there’s never enough time to buy everyone the perfect gift for Christmas morning. But this year, your legwork is done and suggestions abound from experts at some of the best stores in La Antigua Guatemala. Armed with your Revue gift-giving guide, you may even have time to sit down, relax (dare to dream!) and enjoy a cup of Christmas ponche or check out some of the special Navidad events this month.
However you spend your hard-earned bonus time, you can rest easy knowing that everyone has his or her perfect gift under the tree. ¡Feliz Navidad!
The perfect gift for…
…your adventurous Brother.
He keeps his backpack packed and primed in the back of his 1995 Jeep and you never exactly know what continent he’s on. Stuff his stocking with gifts from The North Face, like Goretex-coated and Vibram-soled hiking boots, Eco-Friendly insulated vests and backpacks ranging in size from day-packs to multi-week treks (don’t forget a rain cover).
The North Face (Antigua, inside ADOC): 6a avenida norte #11 The North Face (Guatemala City): C.C. Miraflores.
Something a little more kinetic? CATours offers motorcycle tours ranging from half-day to 14-day trips for the ultimate thrill seeker. The Total Learn To Ride package is a great gift certificate, and includes nine hours of motorcycle lessons for just $189.
CATours (Antigua): 6a calle oriente #14 www.catours.co.uk
…your bookish Sister.
La Casa del Conde in Antigua has everything you need to keep her occupied for days on end, whether she’s 8 or 18. The shelves are lined with bestsellers like The Hunger Games, Game of Thrones and the Twilight series (English & Spanish), as well as hands-on kids books and crafts like weaving and friendship bracelets. You can even pick up colorful stationary, binders and iPad cases for school.
La Casa del Conde (Antigua): 5a av. norte #4, Central Park
…your always under-appreciated Mom
Mom is always there for you throughout the year, no matter what time of day or night or how silly the request. Don’t you think it’s time you showed her some appreciation in return? Joyería del Angel does, which is why it’s helping you show Mom the love with freshwater pearls, gold-drop earrings and plush silk scarves in every color and price range to help you make Mom feel like the queen she is.
Joyería del Angel (Antigua): 4a calle oriente #5-A, www.delangel.com
If jewelry isn’t her thing, enhance her surroundings with beautiful home décor from Colibrí for the holidays. Make an early gift of festive table runners, napkins and tablecloths in red and green and give Mom a leg up on Christmas Day.
Colibrí (Antigua): 4a calle oriente #3-B, daily 9a-6p
…your coffee snob Dad.
No convenience-store coffee in Styrofoam cups for this guy! He is all about single-origin, responsibly raised, hand-roasted, French-pressed coffee goodness. For his discerning taste, the Dalton family estate, Finca Filadelfia, is the place to go, where Arabica coffee plants spend their lives soaking up the gorgeous Guatemalan sun nestled in rich, volcanic soil and beans are roasted on site by artisan roasters. Stuff Dad’s stocking with Genuine Antigua or Estate Blend whole beans or ship a six-bag care package to the US or Canada for just $54 from the finca. Throw in an Italian espresso maker and Dad is guaranteed to have a perky New Years.
Finca Filadelfia (Antigua-area): San Felipe de Jesús, www.filadelfia.com.gt
…your world-traveler best friend.
She travels all over the world—London, Paris, Tokyo—but she calls La Antigua her home, so help her make it cozy and unique with home gifts from Tribu, an artisan collective with locations in both Antigua and Chimaltenango. Tribu features one-of-a-kind fair trade products like table linens and colorful throw pillows for her eclectic home. It also carries a range of handbags and scarves to help tu mejor amiga look her best in transit.
Tribu (Antigua) 4a calle oriente #10, Casa Antigua El Jaulón, local 1 primer nivel
Tribu (Chimaltenango): Carretera Interamericana Km. 56
Casa de los Gigantes: Another must visit shop for holiday gift ideas, featuring home accessories, ceramics, carved animals, textiles, Guatemalan Christmas ornaments, naciemientos, and more.
Casa de los Gigantes (Antigua) 7a calle oriente #18
…the person who has everything.
There is always one person on the list whom you dread giving gifts to because he will be the first to admit he doesn’t need anything. This is the perfect occasion to do some good by donating funds, supplies or time as a tribute in that person’s name. There are plenty of worthy causes headed by reputable NGOs, but may we suggest a few?
ALAS (WINGS), founded by retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer Sue Patterson, works toward empowering Guatemalan families through family planning and reproductive health services. It is a US-registered 501(c)(3) not for profit.
ALAS (WINGS, Antigua): http://www.wingsguate.org/
Providing education and community development since 2001, the Open Windows Foundation supports up to 2,600 children a year in areas surrounding Antigua. It provides tutors, a library and a safe and quiet environment for children to do schoolwork and study and reinforces educational values.
Open Windows Foundation (Antigua): http://www.openwindowsfoundation.com/
For the animal lover, Tienda Solidaridad (proceeds benefit animal welfare programs), offering a selection of new and used books, gently used clothing, household items, and DAWG GONE good coffee, whole bean medium roast coffee for a cause.
Unidos para los Animales (Antigua): http://unidosparalosanimales.org/
