For special holiday gifts, go fantasy or stay realistic
There aren't many shopping days left before Christmas: Do you have that very special gift for your very special someone?
No? Well, get out there and either 1) tap that savings account for that fantasy dream-come-true excursion you know your sweetie would love to have; or 2) get back to reality with gifts that are ... well, more affordable but still meaningful.
Martha P. Hernandez • The Honolulu Advertiser
Two Advertiser writers offer hints on the fantasy/reality thing from the male and female perspective.
She said
OK, here's the fantasy/reality list of romantic holiday excursion ideas from a woman's perspective:
A getaway
• Fantasy: A weekend trip to Kaua'i, with a pampering stay at the luxury Princeville Resort.
The Princeville Resort: (808) 826-9644, (800) 826-4400 or www.princeville.com.
• Reality: Kaua'i on the cheap — with a state camping permit and a spot to stake your tent at Koke'e Park in Waimea. (If you're lucky, you might even be able to reserve a cabin. They're fully furnished and have hot showers, kitchens and even fireplaces.)
State camping permits: see www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/fees.html for a permit form and island-by-island phone numbers.
Drift away
• Fantasy: A sunset cruise around Diamond Head on a private catamaran.
• Reality: Rent two kayaks, pack a picnic, and head out to the Mokulua islands off Lanikai.
Rent kayaks in Kailua: See www.kailuasailboards.com kayaking or stop by Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks at Kailua Beach Center.
Pampering, please
• Fantasy: A day with your guy at the Abhasa Waikiki Spa at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, complete with a couple's massage, steam sauna and jacuzzi, followed by mai tais at the bar.
Abhasa Waikiki Spa: 922-8200 or www.abhasa.com.
• Reality: Bottle of massage oil and a promise that you'll take turns slathering each other before one of you falls asleep. And if that fails, a 10-minute massage at the mall to keep you from getting frazzled as you search for the perfect gift.
City lights
• Fantasy: You and your sweetheart are selected to light up the town at the Honolulu City Lights tree-lighting ceremony.
• Reality: You treat your sweetheart to a trolley ride to check out the shaka-waving Santa and the twinkling city lights.
Trolley rides: Aloha Tower Marketplace is one option. It offers free rides with any purchase at any shop or restaurant and leaves every half-hour from 7 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 25. If you want to guarantee your ride with a ticket, tours from Ward Warehouse leave every half hour from 6:30 p.m. (ending times vary) through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 24 and 25). Tickets at the Ward Warehouse information booth are $3 general, free for kids 3 and younger.
— Tanya Bricking,
Advertiser staff writer
• • •
He said
The trouble with these romantic fantasy/reality scenarios from the male perspective is that if we don't pony up for the fantasy every once in a while, the reality may be spending the following year's Christmas in an Internet chat room with someone named HoHoHope25. Fantasy for me would be enough seniority to take an annual vacation at Christmas and New Year's. But since I have about as much ho-ho-hope of getting that for Christmas this year as I do a 17-inch Apple Macintosh SuperDrive G4 PowerBook ($2,999.00) I've had my eye on, here goes:
A winter wonderland
• Fantasy: Christmas week in Holderness, N.H., at the lakeshore home of our good friends Frank and Jane. By day, hiking, skating and ice fishing on the lake where "On Golden Pond" was filmed. By night, warm apple cider, Christmas music, good conversation and the warmth of a fireplace.
• Reality: Christmas week on O'ahu. By day, coming in early enough to work to leave early enough to enjoy the wonderful combination of warm sunlight and cool winter tradewinds. By night, driving through Honolulu neighborhoods with warm, venti-sized eggnog lattes from Starbucks (get 'em while you can!), checking out the Christmas yard displays.
Eggnog latte, venti size at Starbucks, 1000 Bishop St. location: $4.10.
Honolulu City Lights, displays at Honolulu Hale and locations throughout downtown Honolulu. More information on Honolulu Hale displays at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/mayor/citylights.
A good time
• Fantasy: New Year's Eve in Times Square, not with the thousands behind the barricades but on a dais somewhere above it all. At 11:59 p.m., we both push the little Waterford crystal globe that lowers the giant Waterford crystal globe at One Times Square for this year's 100th anniversary Crossroads of the World celebration.
• Reality: New Year's Eve at the East O'ahu home of our longtime friends John and Barbara, eating, imbibing and eating some more. Speaking of which ... who needs the fantasy?
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2003, 11:35 p.m., Dec. 31, ABC.
— Derek Paiva,
Advertiser staff writer
