Toys and things for adults - fun gift ideas

Ebony, Dec, 1997

It's the night before Christmas, and all through the place, kids' presents are wrapped--leaving little space for the kinds of toys Mom and Dad would like, gadgets and gizmos and things that have bytes.

After the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, grown-ups, too, would like to know that St. Nicholas will soon be there. For parents and others who feel unappreciated, here are some gifts for the gift-givers--that won't be unheeded.

Delivering beverages or the morning paper, the Emiglio Robot may just put the family dog out of a job. This mechanical butler can serve refreshments with a removable party tray or carry the Sunday paper with his removable backpack. If a robot isn't enough of a break, give your hardworking helpmate a relaxing and rejuvenating spa vacation. Every Sister would love to be pampered at a specialty spa like the Rancho la Puerta on the West Coast or Walt Disney World on the East Coast. For example, three-night packages start at $945 per person at the Spa at Walt Disney World and include a choice of three 50-minute spa treatments, one nail treatment, daily fitness programs, one hour of personal fitness or nutrition consultation and three meals daily, including spa cuisine for lunch.

If you can't swing the time away, investigate day spas in your city, which often have affordable one-day packages. Personal grooming gifts are popular this season for men and women.

Manicure kits for men or women are available for reasonable prices. Makeup kits featuring an assortment of cosmetics, brushes and applicators are selling well, retail experts advise. Cell phones, fountain pens and electronic organizers are also popular gifts for men and women.

For those on your gift list who have been very good this year, businessmen and women are coveting the new notebook-size computers. IBM offers its ThinkPad computer series in a variety of formats

The design combines a diskette, CD-ROM and hard disk drive in one small package--everything needed for mobile computing.

Apple Macintosh computers PowerBook portable PC line will replace sugar plums on your sugar plums' wish list. Called "portables with personality," the series handles everything from complex spreadsheets to text- and graphics-intensive reports.

For the young at heart, the Spaulding Company has a toy to let all hoopsters relive their glory days. Set up in an office over a wastebasket or on the back of a door, the Spaulding NBA team micromini backboard features bold graphics and an easy-to-handle four-inch ball. Most NBA teams are available.

Speaking of games, the sports enthusiast is in luck if interested in a virtual or actual sporting experience. For the video game sports fan, Madden NFL 98 for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis features every NFL player and team. The game even incorporates an offensive playbook of more than 500 plays.

Basketball fans don't despair. NBA Live 98 offers gamers the chance to play as one of 29 official NBA teams of two All-Star teams. Featuring signatures moves, updated team rosters, stats and a new "practice" mode, the game is available for Super Nintendo and Sega genesis.

Golfers who can't hit the courses until spring can enjoy a hand-held computerized golf game from The Horchow Holiday Collection 1997. The executive Golf depicts realistic weather conditions and a full set of clubs to choose from for each shot. A color course card shows the fairway with water hazards and sand traps. Traveling golfers will appreciate the travel putter that lets golfers practice their putting in a hotel room or office. It collapses to fit into a 13 x 6 x 2" case.

Business travelers can wake up all over the world to their favorite CD with the CD/AM/FM Travel Clock by The Sharper Image. This handy item from The Sharper Image and allows travelers to awaken to radio, buzzer or any CD track.

Can't do without your music? Grab the Shower Companion and you can even dictate memos in the shower. It receives both AM/FM radio and VHF-TV audio and also receives European radio bands, making it great for travel. It also has a one-touch, 20-second voice memo feature that allows you to leave a message or dictate a brief memo.

Armchair sports fans will appreciate the Star Wars Lightsaber Universal Remote Control. It won't let them miss any Bowl games this holiday season. The searchmode button makes it easy to scan channels, and the last channel recall button makes it easy to switch back and forth between shows. The universal remote control features sound effects and lights when the volume, channel, on/off button or any direct access keys are activated.

Perennial gift favorites that are always the right size are gift certificates, boxed CD sets and special edition videos.

With all of these special gifts to choose, how could a grownup lose? So hang the mistletoe and light the way--Santa Claus has lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh for grown-up girls and boys.