Oh my. Dec. 22. Where has the time gone? Many of us have the best of intentions to get everything done well in advance of the big day. But, there always seems to be that one special person or those last little bits that, well, sneak up on us and we realize we haven’t finished three days before Christmas.

My one person who is impossible to get something special for is Ken. He’s not a fussy guy, never asks for anything and always proclaims that we should skip him entirely in the gift universe. I almost always struggle – and wait until the last minute – to find something interesting and unique.

What the heck do all of the rest of you do with that one?:)

I got a few recommendations from folks around town and wanted to share a few of them with you thinking I may not be the only one in a pickle.

One of the cool things that Ken has been admiring all year are the Soda Stream Soda Makers from Organic Family Natural Home in Cumberland.

These cool countertop appliances take tap water and carbonate it, add your own juice and you have healthy sodas. They sound very fun. Looks like I better head out to Cumberland today.

Ken really wants more experience sort of gifts this year, which is why I’ve gotten us all a membership to the Courtenay Museum’s Fossil Club. This club meets every week starting in January and young (as well as old) paleontologists get the chance to learn about fossils, hang out and even dig up a few of their own. Sounds like some awesome family time to me.

Ken is all about getting healthy in the new year. So, my final last-minute score is a nice, chunky gift certificate from Zen Zero Juice Bar in Courtenay. That way, any time the spirit moves him, he can run over there and pick up one of his fave Holy Immune drinks and get super energized from the raw goodness.

I would love to hear what fun, unique ideas you’ve come up with this year…and Happy Holidays from the OBE Crew!