There are only two shopping days left before Christmas. That means that for the next 48 hours or so, it'll be down to the wire for Christmas shoppers. But while you might still be trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone, what about getting them a gift they need? In a follow-up to last year's story on useful Christmas gifts found far off the beaten path, this year, the slightly grinch-like elves here at 7NEWS again set out to find great gifts for a grim Christmas.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We all want meaningful gifts for Christmas but with hard times forecasted for next year, what we will really need are useful and practical gifts which is what we set out to find: great gifts for a grim Christmas.
The search took us to a store known for great gifts, Simon Quan on Queen Street. But we weren't looking for simply great gifts so we searched the vast expanse of the store for great gifts you will use.
One sure fire way will be this skateboard. With the rising cost of gas, everyone is looking for a cheap way to get around and unlike a bicycle this will need no servicing since you will never get a flat and of course it burns no gas. And hey, it's a cool way to get around.
And for those who don't want the skateboards, you can give them this: a 5 gallon fuel container. Why? Because it is like putting money in the bank. We know that no matter what happens on the world stage, fuel is almost guaranteed to rise in Belize so what you put in here could be worth double that next year.
And here is another great gift, a bucket. You might not know this but next BWSL will take government to court to demand their full 33% rate increase so chances are you might be paying 17% more for water in the new year. So since you might be able to afford running water in your house, you might have to stand pipe for it and that's where this big green bucket will come in.
And given the current condition of standpipes around the city, from experience, we'd suggest you throw in pliers with the gift of that bucket.
Now we know that the IMF recommended that sales tax be added to residential electricity bills and that brings us to these electrical extension cords. Why? Well you won't be able to pay your light bills but you will be able to use this 100 ft. extension cord to steal electricity from your neighbor.
Or how about this? Sure it looks like a cookie man but poke a hole in it and you can start your Social Security Fund and you know the money will be much safer in here than it will be with those folks in Belmopan. And for that real Social Security feel, you can replace this face of Santa with the face of Narda.
No this shirt, it looks old but its actually new. The look is called vintage and it's the hottest thing out right now. It will make the perfect gift for that young person in your family but a shirt like this which is Gap could cost around $50 in Belize. In these hard times who can afford to spend $50 on a new shirt that looks old? We suggest getting this shirt - its 10% of the cost and its genuinely old.
But we saved the best for last because with Intelco gone and Jeff Prosser's 15% guaranteed rate of return, phone rates are almost sure to go up, so why not give the gift of communications? It is a gift that will cost less than 10 dollars requiring only 4 cans of Vienna sausage and a roll of string. Its an all inclusive package since the can tops become your knife and the sausages make for a tasty afternoon snack. And once you've eaten, then down to work it's simple really just make a hole in the pans, cut the string, and then you have a phone.
Can you hear me now...Good!
And not just a phone but a phone network with interconnection which we used this afternoon to make an order of pastry.
[Talking over phone]
"How much jamroll you want?"
"I want two jamroll. You make it with jamroll or otherwise?"
"I make it with mix fruit jam."
"Alright I want 2 of the jamroll."
"Who am I talking to? This voice sounds like it is strange."
Sounds and looks strange but it would make a great gift.........for a grim Christmas.
If you are interested in any of our gift ideas you can check with Simon Quan or Queen Street or Dress for Less on Church Street and for the ingredients for the phone well any grocery store will do.
