Perspectives

Cars as Christmas gifts? What recession? A couple of different automobile companies have advertisements running where one spouse surprises the other with a new car in the driveway neatly wrapped in a bright red bow. Cue the music and the “Aw-shucks Dear, you didn’t” look of surprise.

Why run such an advertisement? How many of us have the cash sitting around to make such an acquisition and/or how many of us (as couples) would undertake such a substantial purchase (loan or lease) without first consulting our partners? “Here’s your present, Dear! Oh, and here’s our 60-month payment book. Merry Christmas!” Some gift. Yet, definitely a surprise.

Well, I have a few modest ideas for gifts that will not break the bank. Give art. Give ideas. Give music. Give experiences.

• Experiences first. Say you have a couple (relatives or friends) who, like many of us, have enough. What do you give them that they don’t already have three of, two of which are boxed away in the garage? An experience. Give two tickets to a play of their choice at the Mad Cow Theatre or the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Give them a morning in Winter Park including tickets to the Morse Museum, the scenic boat tour leaving 312 E. Morse St. and lunch at an avenue eatery. Give them a hot air balloon ride. (No, not tickets to a Republican debate!) You get the idea. Consider what they might enjoy and provide that experience. Package it for them.

• Ideas. Books! I recommend the following (all released in 2011): “The Swerve” by Stephen Greenblatt; “All Things Shining” by Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly; “Absolute Monarchs” by John Julius Norwich; “The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris” by David McCullough; “1493” by Charles Mann; “The Beginning of Infinity” by David Deutsch; and “Cleopatra: A Life” by Stacy Schiff. One piece of fiction by Jim Harrison titled “The Great Leader” (an example of male-centered silliness, but fun nonetheless). Finally pick up (a gift for yourself, perhaps?) Christopher Hitchens’ “Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens.” All good. For the mind.

• Music. Tickets to an Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra performance, of course. Or the Bach Festival in Winter Park. Culture/pleasure for the ears. Here are several jazz recording recommendations: “Go” by Dexter Gordon; “Jazz: Red Hot & Cool” by Dave Brubeck Quartet; “Music for Loving” by Ben Webster; “Swiss Movement” by Les McCann and Eddie Harris; “Lady in Satin” by Billie Holiday; “Waltz for Debby” by Bill Evans Trio and “Sketches of Spain” by Miles Davis. Two more delights: “Songbird” by Eva Cassidy and “Court and Spark” by Joni Mitchell. All classics rated certifiably “far superior” by CRJ. Give a year-end contribution to WUCF 89.9 FM. Great jazz station!

• Art. What separates the wheat from the chaff? Art, you Philistine. Art is often expensive, as well it should be. But it needn’t be. I purchased two original paintings off a 20-year-old Sanford street vendor several years back for $50 a pop, framed them and they’re gorgeous. Look for local art of quality. Be selective. It’s ubiquitous.

Three local shops to recommend: Timothy’s Gallery on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Consistently good — year-in/year-out — artistic “stuff.” Great selection of unique jewelry, ladies! And, for gentlemen who buy for ladies. I recommend the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery on First Street in Sanford as it has one-of-a-kind objects. And the Artistic Hand in Oviedo. You will find something there to like.

Give art. Support artists. Make your giving distinctive. Be memorable.

Jepson is a 24-year resident of Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]