Our second week of holiday gift ideas from around the city and around the world, as selected by the hard working elves in the Pulse office.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is the next entry in the award-winning Civilization franchise. Become Ruler of the World by establishing and leading a civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Wage war, conduct diplomacy, advance your culture, and go head-to-head with history’s greatest leaders as you attempt to build the greatest civilization the world has ever known. $59.99, civilization.com
Enjoy the thrill of flight as you speed through the air with the DJI Phantom 3 Standard Drone. Powerful, responsive motors send your Phantom soaring exactly on the path you want. Stop in place, speed up, or fly higher in an instant. Fly with absolute freedom and confidence, knowing your Phantom 3 Standard will return to you at the press of a button. $499, dji.com
These days, even geeks like to work out—and work out fanatics can admit to their love of Star Trek. The Star Trek Classic Uniform Rashguard combines both loves together. Perfect for repelling nasty bacteria, these rash guards have a tight compression fit and make it tough for your opponent to grab you. They are also great for wicking moisture away from the body, and will dry very quickly. $59.99, bodybuilding.com
For the tea lover, Hand-Blended Loose Teas are ideal for bringing comfort to the mind, body and soul to make the perfect gift. Each brings the finest blend of herbs, spices and fruits and is sure to become your go-to brew each and every day. $7.99 to $12.99, The Galleries on Williams Street, 1403 Williams Street.
The news that humanity had been dreading for ages had come true. Zombies are real. Worst of all, we created them. The apocalypse was upon us, and every man, woman and child had to answer a simple question of themselves: “What do we do now?” Black Tide Rising continues the epic tale of survival created by New York Times bestselling author (and Chattanooga resident) John Ringo with a collection of short stories from a who-who’s of today’s best science fiction writers, co-edited by The Pulse’s own Gary Poole (shameless plug). $16, amazon.com
Savor the subtle satisfaction of a fine single malt with these Scotch Infused Toothpicks. They feature a barrel-aged, Islay single malt made by a 200-year-old distillery for a distinctively smoky flavor with notes of peat and complex caramel. $36, uncommongoods.com
All food comes in different shapes and sizes. So how do you get any size slice you like? The Breville Sous Chef food processor features an extra-wide feed chute cuts longer slices and makes processing faster and easier. Gone are the days of having to chop potatoes into little pieces to fit into the chute. And it comes with a 25-year motor guarantee. $399.95, brevilleusa.com
Brimming with sweet and savory gourmet goodies, the Golden Delights Gift Basket overflows with candy, confections and snacks that will delight anyone on your list. Packaged in a beautifully woven basket, it includes biscotti, Ghirardelli chocolates, hot cocoa mix, honey cinnamon almonds, cookies, crisps, cheese and more—complete with gold ribbon accents and a complimentary cheese knife. $79.99, worldmarket.com
The Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice. Echo connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, provide information, news, sports scores, weather, and more—instantly. All you have to do is ask. Echo has seven microphones and beam forming technology so it can hear you from across the room—even while music is playing. $179.99, amazon.com
Nothing says the “spirit” of the season better than Chattanooga Whiskey Gift Baskets for your favorite whiskey enthusiast! Includes 375ml bottles of award-winning 1816 Reserve and 1816 Cask, along with a selection of Chatt Whiskey gear including flasks, rocks glasses, Dr. Thacher’s cocktail syrups…the options are endless! Customizable, with prices ranging from $46-$63! Stop by the Tennessee Stillhouse today (right across from the Choo Choo Hotel) to check your luckiest recipient off of your list.
If you’ve been anywhere near the internet the past year, chances are you’ve seen the ridiculously entertaining YouTube video for the Squatty Potty. And guess what? They weren’t lying: it really does work. And that’s all we’re going to say about it. $29, squattypotty.com
For the cyclist on your holiday gift list, Bell’s Draft MIPS Bike Helmet has a rounded, compact profile, Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) technology for extra protection and one-handed ErgoDial fit adjustment. The MIPS inside the helmet is designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts, and is sized for both men and women. $29.99, sierratradingpost.com
With twice the suction of any robot vacuum, the Dyson 360 Eye robot is a powerful vacuum cleaner with the Dyson digital motor V2 inside to deliver powerful suction and Radial Root cyclone technology to capture microscopic dust and dirt. $999.99, dyson.com
Ladies, we know what you’ll be doing tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that. Show the world how you kick ass and take names with this heavy-duty Wake Up Kick Ass Tank, perfect for the gym or anywhere else you want to show ’em how it’s done. $19.99, bodybuilding.com
Can’t figure out the perfect book, CD or game for that hard to shop for person on your list? Problem solved! Get them a McKay’s Gift Certificate, good for anything in Chattanooga’s largest used books and more store. Get them online at mckaybooks.com or pick one up in person in the store at 7734 Lee Highway.
Add panache to the powder room or create an elegant bar with this functional and decorative clear Glass and Leather Wide Decanter. Each bottle features a leather collar bound by brass brads. This is where you keep the really good stuff. $120, consort-design.com
The Hot Chocolatier’s Original Dark Sipping Chocolate features 55% ground dark chocolate for a rich European-style sipping chocolate experience. The “Hottie” Sipping Chocolate turns up the heat with ancho, chipotle, and cayenne peppers blended into the same rich dark chocolate used in the Original Dark version. The Hot Chocolatier’s 15 ounce mug is the perfect size to enjoy either version. $10 sipping chocolates, $9 mugs. The Hot Chocolatier, 1437 Market Street.
Now in convenient, travel-friendly roller form, Herbivore’s Lapis Facial Oil Roller is without a doubt the most gorgeous, luxurious breakout/troubled or combination skin treatment ever. This ultra-soothing, anti-inflammatory skin solution gets its name from the Egyptian gemstone lapis lazuli, and its color from precious blue tansy oil made with azulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory/antibacterial compound that reduces redness and clarifies skin. $26, goop.com
it’s like a chia pet for your wall. The Luludi Living Art Moss Wall Garden contains an array of mood and reindeer moss with dried green hanging amaranthus inside a wood frame. A miniature landscape with gentle rolling hills of moss that beckon and soothe you, while its subtle shades of green evoke simplicity and peacefulness. $599, ahalife.com
Celebrity chef Alton Brown has finally gotten around to writing a new book. Alton Brown: EveryDayCook is his most personal collection, with plenty of the science you’ve come to expect along with some “pretty darned tasty” the recipes, which are arranged by time of day and illustrated with photos taken by Alton on his iPhone. $23, amazon.com