Holiday Shopping Around Campus

Almanac staff and students took the annual trek around the block, up the street and down the walk to see what was waiting to be bought and wrapped for the holidays. So much was found, that is is the first of two installments, with the remainder to be brought by reindeer for next week's issue. This section contains several time-sensitive events like the Bookstore's Sale-A-Bration, the Museum's Surprise Discount Days, the A-3 Assembly Holiday Bazaar, Amazulu at I-House next weekend and the nearby Bazaar Shop's Sale days, with PENNCard.

University Museum

The Museum Shop at the University Museum offers a large selection of quality, unique gift items from around the world. Hand-blown glass paperweights of various sizes from Josh Simpson's "Planets" series are one-of-a-kind ($30 to $1000), and an accompanying stand adds emphasis ($16). Necklaces of hand-made, multi-colored glass beads from Italy ($37 to $58) will accentuate any wardrobe. Bracelets of the same style are also available ($18).

For the gentlemen, a selection of internationally-themed neckware ($32) and ties featuring a unique hieroglyphic design ($46) will surely have a worldly appeal.

A number of CD's containing music of Chinese, Celtic, African, and Latin origin ($15- $17) can be previewed before purchase and are guaranteed to be enjoyed by any music lover.

Also available are stone paperweights featuring significant symbols from around the world ($19-$39), including the popular Kokopeli ($39).

A 5" replica of the head and shoulders of King Tut's Sarcoffagus on a marble stand will thrill any fan of ancient Egypt ($129), and a full-size aluminum and steel skeleton chair will interest any admirer of the off-beat ($450).

Personalized Egyptian cartouch pendants display a loved one's name in the ancient language of hieroglyphics, and are available in silver ($60), gold ($215 - $325), and a combination of the two ($95).

A large selection of pendants and pins modeled after artifacts of the ancient world can be found, and will become an interesting piece for any jewelry lover's collection. Any of the amazing variety of books available (ranging in topic from Korean-style cooking to the lives of Ancient Sumerians) will surely help quench your gift recipient's thirst for knowledge as well.

A replica of the Dead Sea Scrolls ($28) makes for an excellent conversation piece, and one of a large variety of University Museum coffee mugs ($6.75) will further prove that one can never have enough coffee mugs.

The Pyramid Shop at the University Museum is home to a large number of colorful and unique items that are sure to please any gift recipient. A large number of craft kits, games, books, and toys with a global theme will be suitable action figure alternatives for any child, and replicas of ancient Egyptian scarabs ($1.40 - $1.87) make wonderful stocking stuffers. Other possible stocking stuffers include world culture sticker and activity books ($1) and Mayan Oracle pendants ($4.67) that consist of significant Mayan symbols and explanations in English.

A sizeable hand-crafted clay sculpture of a Peruvian storyteller surrounded by eager listeners ($50) will make an interesting centerpiece on any coffee table, and a sturdy replica of a Native American totem ($12.95-$50) is sure to do the same. Unique 1000-piece puzzles featuring fantastic artwork of Noah's Ark, the lost city of Atlantis, and the Great Pyramid at Giza ($15 each) will challenge any puzzle afficionado while their children wrestle with a 165-piece variety of the same ($10).

Children are also sure to love the toy and book adventures ($17.95) featuring the Great Pyramid and life in the Arctic.

Incense fragrances (25 cents) will please any lover of interesting scents, and a unique pyramid holder ($5.95) will add a bit of ancient Egyptian style to incense burning.

For those who want to shop around the world without leaving their seat, it is now possible to shop for gifts from the Museum's homepage where color photos depict some of the options.

In addition, both the Museum Shop and the Pyramid Shop are currently having a special sale of sorts. Any holder of a University I.D. is entitled to a "surprise discount" of between 10 and 100 percent on any single visit to either of these shops from December 9 through 14. Interested shoppers can receive a blue scratch-off card at the museum shops; the discount becomes revealed upon purchase. Don't bother trying to peek--we've tried, it can't be done.

--G. K.

Penn Press Books

Penn Press offers an assortment of titles for this holiday season: Aeschylus, I and Euripides, 2 from the Penn Greek Drama Series, the first comprehensive series of Classical Greek drama in translation for nearly 50 years; ABC of Architecture, sold-out of its second printing; The Cat in Ancient Egypt, for cat lovers and history buffs alike; Captain Watson's Travels in America, the Sketchbooks and Diary of Joshua Rowley Watson, 1772-1818; Ms. Mentor's Impeccable Advice for Women in Academia, practical and irreverent advice in a Q and A format. These titles from the Press are on view at the Funderburg Information Center, 3401 Walnut St. for those who want to see the life-size versions. Meanwhile, for those who want to purchase these or other books from the Press, head to the Penn Boookstore or the Penn Book Center.

--M.F.M.

Just a few of the Penn Press titles

Westward

If you are the type to wait for the last minute to do your holiday shopping, then here are a few places that may help you in your quest.

Amazulu, 7th annual Holiday Crafts Market Place will be held on Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14, noon-8 p.m. at International House. Arts and crafts by African-American artists and entrepreneurs will include hand-crafted jewelry, cultural clothing, African artifacts, jewelry-making classes, massage therapy, books and many other Afrocentric gift items. Cultural & commerce workshops will be held and special guest speaker, Dr. Asa Hillard will appear on Saturday. (All workshops are free with Admission) Admission $1, Children Free (12 and under).

The Bazaar Shop at International House is a great place to visit if you're looking for that special item. They feature gifts from around the world: vests from Guatemala, flowerpots from Portugal, and glassware from Egypt and Mexico. The Bazaar Shop even has a wide range of stocking stuffers. Stop in from December 15-21 and receive a 15% discount when you present your PENNCard.

Eckerd on the 3700 block of Walnut Street is a cozy place with some holiday-oriented items. Their selection of gifts is limited to small trinkets and ornaments; but they do have a wider selection of gift wrap and greeting cards. For bargains, check their weekly circular for sale items.

Going a block and a half more, you will find CVS. Offering everything from a photo shop to tree ornaments, the last minute shopper may find every essential last minute item all in one place. CVS has an entire aisle devoted to the holiday season. They have a wide variety of lights, candy, and even toys for the kids. Did you forget someone on your card list? Fret not. CVS has a wide selection of boxed and individual cards in stock. Look in their circular for weekly specials and sales.

If you need to ship something across the city or to points beyond, stop in Mailboxes, Etc. Located near Eckerd, they can help you pack, seal, and send your holiday gift to that special someone. Don't worry if you don't have packaging material because they have that too. Oh, MBE--that's their nickname--is also the place to go if you want to drop off your UPS or FedEx package.

--T.L.

Spruce Street

Are you looking for holiday gifts? Look no further than Spruce Street. You can find a gift for practically everyone on your shopping list:

Steve and Barry's, on the 3700 block of Spruce Street, offers a great selection of everything with Penn on it. Their ongoing "buy one get one free" deal offers you tremendous savings on T-shirts ($12.98, $17.98 long sleeved) for kids and adults, printed sweatshirts ($39.98), embroidered sweatshirts ($51.98), and adjustable hats ($15.98). If you are interested in buying one printed sweatshirt and receiving a "free" embroidered sweatshirt, it will cost you $45.98. Steve and Barry's has Penn mugs starting from $3.98 and a Ben Franklin tree ornament for $9.98. These items, however, are not buy one get one free.

A few yards down from Steve and Barry's is the Grand Shoe Store. There you will find an assortment of women's and men's shoes. Designers include Bass, Dr. Martens, Nine West, and Dexter. Prices begin at around $36.95, but do vary. If you need to have shoes repaired or just need items for shoe care, the Grand Shoe Store has you covered.

Closer to the Quad is Dolbey's. Though they specialize in medical-related products, you'll find some interesting gifts there. Take, for instance, the Anatomy Coloring Book for $16. Adults and children alike will find this book helpful in learning about the human body. For the kids who like to play doctor, Dolbey's features the McCoy Econotone Stethoscope for $23.95. Do you think your doctor speaks in a strange language? Armed with a copy of Stedman's Medical Dictionary ($44.95), the Physician's Desk Reference ($71.95), or the Nurse's Hand Book version of the Physician's Desk Reference ($32.95), you can decipher exactly what your doctor actually said. Of course, the best gift that Dolbey's offers is a gift certificate.

--T.L.

If you're looking for a quality, unique book for the eager-to-read gift recipient, look no further than the House of Our Own bookstore. A quaint, down-to-Earth shop, House of Our Own features a large selection of new and used books that are topically organized into such sections as European Fiction, Latin American Fiction, and Native American Fiction, as well as non-fiction sections with similar themes. You'll find a section that contains books exclusively about the city of Philadelphia, as well as one containing books written by Penn faculty. One can find many selections of popular literature, ranging from James Joyce's Ulysses (trade paperback, $17) to David Foster Wallace's popular and comical Infinite Jest (trade paperback, $14.95). House of Our Own features a ten percent discount on all hardcovers, as well as a number of used books that are priced at approximately one-half their original prices. Also especially well-stocked are contempory non-fiction books and novels that are reviewed in national publications.

--G.K.

3700 Block of Walnut

Know any book worms? Stop by the Penn Book Center. The Penn Book Center has an extraordinary collection of works of non-fiction and fiction for the book lover on your shopping list this season. They specialize in many subjects such as history, race, politics, war, religion, love and biographies. This season's hot sellers include: Conspiracy by Donald Pipes, Badland by Jonathan Raban, and Che Guevara by Jon Lee Anderson. They also feature the latest books by Penn faculty authors. If you can't find just the right book for that scholarly reader in your life, the Penn Book Center is the place for you.

For the health nut and tea connoisseur, the perfect gift can be found at The Seed. They feature a wide range of health foods including nuts and cookies as well as herbal shampoo and soap. The Seed features a most exstensive variety of teas, perfect for you and yours this holiday season.

One gift that never fails to please is jewelry, and you need not go far to find that perfect gift for that special someone this year. University Jewelers has a 60-year tradition of providing this university with all its jewelry needs. They sell all kinds of jewelry, but perhaps the most unique aspect of University Jewelers is their large assortment of items which carry the Penn insignia. These include watches, rings, pendants, pens, mugs, cufflinks and card cases, all in stock and all of which can be engraved right on the premises. They can even engrave their beautiful clocks, yet another option for gift giving. They also offer gift certificates and perhaps you would like to surprise a loved one by repairing or restoring an old family heirloom for that sentimental touch. With free gift wrapping and everyday discounts, what more could you ask for in a jeweler?

'Tis the season for music and you can find all the latest jazz, blues, and classical releases at Classical Choice. Gift giving is a snap here if you know that your loved ones value the classics. With gift certificates and internet access by e-mail and on the web, they are more than convenient. For the holidays, their sale on box sets of CDs will get you a big thank you and appreciation for years to come. If that's not enough, well how about buying a membership for a gift? With names like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane in stock, you are bound to make someone very happy after a stop to Classical Choice.

Shopping for kids? Shopping for grownups who would like to be kids? Stop at Out of Time Comics. They have all types of comic books with a good representation of Marvel, DC Comics, Vertigo and Magna publishers, among others. They also have an array of t-shirts featuring such popular super heroes as Spiderman, Superman and Spawn for only $15 ($16 for XXL), as well as the new trend for today's youth, role playing card games such as Magic: The Gathering and the Legend of the Five Rings. Other gift-giving options include subscriptions and gift certificates, and for the really young at heart there are the season's latest action figures.

Struggling to find that perfect gift? Well struggle no longer, because music is the one thing almost everyone needs and enjoys and you can find almost every type of music at Vibes. With largest selection of pop/rock CDs on campus, you are sure to please. But perhaps you're just not sure what CDs will please the most, never fear, gift certificates are here! There's also a variety of different types of CD holders as well as posters, video cassettes, t-shirts and headphones. Stocking stuffers include various rock decals and incense. Such convenience and variety coupled with one to two dollar savings makes Vibes a great option for shopping this season.

The Flower Emporium is making this holiday season easier for its customers with such gifts as fruit, gourmet, and silk baskets that can be customized for men, women or children. They feature special holiday floral arrangements and they even have a special holiday hotline at (215) 386-3845. They even have an assortment of adorable stuffed animals that would make wonderful gifts for this season.

--L.J.

Hamilton Village Shops

One finds myriad electronics and electronic accessories at Radio Shack, ranging from radio controlled toy vehicles to stereo equipment and microphones. Accessory controllers for your favorite video game systems are available ($10 - $20), as well as are Sprint pre-paid phone cards ($10, $20, $50) for giving the gift of contact to a loved one.

The Natural Shoe Store is home to a wide variety of footwear for young and old. Timberland men's ($85-$108) and women's ($88-$90) waterproof leather boots will keep anyone's feet warm and dry this winter, and Thinsulate men's leather boots ($65) will help to do the same. Also available are Timberland moccasin-style leather boots ($59), a welcome alternative for the winter shoe shopper with an eye for the unique.

Bucks County Coffee Co. is offering a wonderful stocking stuffer for any coffee lover - a coupon book containing twelve vouchers which entitle the bearer to one 12 oz. cup of coffee each ($12.50). Also available are T-shirts of contemporary design ($20).

Video Library is home to an assortment of new and pre-viewed video tapes that represent a wide range of genres. Any fan of Star Wars would be ecstatic to receive the Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition, consisting of all three sci-fi classics in either widescreen or normal format ($49.95). Disney classics are available to satisfy the appetite of your favorite animation fan ($19.99), and most other recent, popular films can also be purchased ($19-$20). For the Japanese animation fan, an Akira film is available ($30), along with a range of previously viewed videos of various genres ($4.95 - $9.95).

My Favorite Muffin invites you to purchase from a range of gift baskets that are available to satisfy any appetite. Items range from the two dozen mini muffins basket ($14.50) to the immense six dozen mini muffins treasure chest ($39.95). Baskets and chests can also be enhanced with 10 packs of gourmet tea ($4.95), 4 packs of gourmet hot chocolate ($4.95), as well as a number of other delights ($2.50-$4.95). These items are also available to order over the phone at 1-888-4-A-MUFFIN.

Why not give the gift of personal fitness to a friend or loved one? University City Nautilus Gift certificates are available in any amount, entitling the bearer to one month ($69), three months ($169), six months ($275), or one year ($479) on the road to good health.

Bike Line is still setting the pace for fitness with a wide variety of bicycles and accessories. Want to keep your favorite cyclist safe on the road? High quality Bell bike helmets should help you to that end ($24.99). If you're interested in keeping a bicycle in one place on campus, an assortment of Kryptonite locks ($10-$80) will help to keep thieves away. If you'd like to keep your cycle in use during the cold winter months but aren't particularly interested in the cold, try a Blackburn RX-6 magnetic Trakstandit'll turn your ordinarily fully-mobile two-wheeler into a comfortable, stationary exercise bike ($209.99). If you want to convert an adult bike into a tandem so that your favorite young rider can tag along, look into purchasing the Alley Cat Instant Tandem ($159.99). Of course, actual bikes of all sizes, shapes, and colors are also available.

Look no further than The Camera Shop for the satisfaction of all your imaging and photography needs. Traditional cameras are available, ranging from the Kodak FunSaver Daylight disposable camera ($6.99) to the highly advanced Nikon N90S ($999.99). For those interested in the `next wave' of technology, digital cameras that connect to your computer might be the way to go. A wide assortment of these cameras and accessories are also available ($189.99- $4999.99). If you'd like to chat with loved ones over the Internet and be able to see whom you're speaking with, a pair of Connectix Quick Cam VC computer video cameras ($99.99 ea.) might be of interest to you. A pair of binoculars ($29.99 - $199.99) will bring you closer to birds, widlife, the stage, or the stars. In addition, a number of video cameras ($450-$900) and picture frames ($1.99 and up) can be purchased.

--G.K.

Gift Shop Shopping

During this holiday season, let's not forget the places where gifts can be found in abundance, the gift shop. There are three good gift shops south of Spruce St. in the Penn Tower Hotel, Children's Hospital, and HUP. These shops have more gift ideas than you probably thought. They have great stocking stuffers, knick knacks and ornaments and for the kids they have all kinds of games including hand held video games. Probably the best attractions are the stuffed animals, which will be sure to brighten any gift giving celebration.

--L.J.

Penn Bookstore

The Bookstore is holding its 22nd Annual Sale-a-Bration from December 10 through 12. Don't miss this opportunity to receive 20% off purchases store-wide! (With the exception of NY Times bestsellers, textbooks, special orders, out-of-print searches, Josten ring orders, phone cards, My Favorite Muffin and Clinque). For the art or travel lover, many interesting books priced between $40 and $75 may be the perfect addition to your friend's library, whether their interest lies in the artwork of Andy Warhol or the architecture of Cuba. For the chef in your life, the Bookstore offers a variety of ethnic and holiday culinary treats, and for the history buff there are biographies on the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as works on cartography, reasonably priced between $20 and $30. Memoirs are popular this season, as are the psychology books dealing with the topics of dreams and spiritually healing. All are priced between $15 and $30. Children will beg you to read them "just one more" of the stories that are found in the Bookstore. From the Brothers Grimm fairytales to Disney's Little Mermaid, books for the young are priced between $12.95 and $24.95.

The Bookstore doesn't sell just books. The University of Pennsylvania Insignia Collection offers a clothing line for him, her and children. Among athletic wear, ties, hats, and baby clothes ranging in price (depending on size) from $20 to $100, the Bookstore also offers mugs, stationary, picture frames and other fine to fun memorabilia priced from $5 to $120.

The Clinique counter located in the Bookstore offers three holiday packages for him/her.

"Holiday Treats" (for her) is an assorted makeup collection that includes Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser; Daily Eye Benefits; Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent; Aloe Body Balm; Blended Face Powder-Transparency 3; Long Handle Brush; and Travel Bag. This $25 collection comes wrapped in a purple box.

"Holiday Colours" (for her) is an assorted makeup collection that includes Different Lipstick-Guava Stain; Lip-Shaping Pencil-Port; Eye Shadow Quad, Ivory Bisque, Moonglow, Pink Chocolates (Highlight Shade), Crushed Velvet; Skin-Calming Moisture Mask; Full Potential Mascara-Black; Blusher Brush; and Travel Bag. This $23.50 collection comes wrapped in a pink box.

"3-Step Orange Twist Skin Types I/II" (for him) is an assorted skin care collection that includes Facial Soap Mild with Dish; Clarifying Lotion; Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion; and Travel Bag. This $29.50 collection comes wrapped in an orange box.

In addition, Clinique offers a perfume, CliniqueHappy, priced at $35 for 1.7 oz and $47.50 for 3.4 oz., and a cologne, Chemistry, priced at $30 for 3.4oz.

The Computer Connection offers gifts for the computer lover of every age. Software games include Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Mac/Win95) where players take the helm of a Federation or enemy starship ($58) and Creatures (Mac/Win95/Win 3.1) which generates "virtual pets," cute, fuzzy Norns to care for and teach ($36). For those keeping in time with technology, Color QuickCam 2 is the easiest way to get video into your Mac or PC ($229 plus a $50 manufacturer's rebate). For the youngster, Dinosaur disks are five dinos imprinted on high-quality floppy diskettes ($7.95 for a box of ten--Mac or PC). Accessories include mousepads of a variety of themes bound to please, from fine art to Smiley Faces to "Riven." ($5.95-$9.95). A Coca-Cola CD tray is perfect for those who love nostalgia. The tray resembles an old-time Coke shipping crate and holds twenty CDs ($9.95).

--M.S.

Houston Hall Mall

Go to Houston Hall any day (the corrected Holiday Hours are on page 6) but don't miss Friday, December 12, when the A-3 Assembly has its annual Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bodek Lounge. Shopping there not only puts unusual jewelry, woven goods and other crafts under the tree, but supports the budget of the A-3 Assembly.

Downstairs where the shopping is daily, this is the Card Shop's last ho-ho-ho. Houston Hall closes next May for renovation as part of the Perelman Quad project, and when it reopens there won't be shops in the basement. Vendors may or may not find new locations but the University-operated Card Shop doesn't have the option. Thus Tom, Loretta, Theresa and all their smiling helpers are wishing customers a last happy holiday. (More selfishly speaking, sales are already starting, because no holiday goods go into storage after this holiday season).

What's hot this year in the tiny shop with the heart as big as all outdoors? Pooh--the bear, that is--and his playmates come stuffed for cuddling, on the printed page for chuckling out loud, and in tiny paperweights that let it snow in a golden drift. Candy's still dandy--chocs in boxes (Whitman's is now 20% off) or individually wrapped like a red, red rose ($2.25). Gifts are fancy painted tins, ornaments, flavored teas, and more stuffed toys from Teddy bears to duck-billed platypi (up to $20). A special trinket is the "friendship ball," a hollow silver-plated ornament that can be filled with something special ($10). There are miniature trees ($5); wraps and cards for Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanza--and this is the place for party plates and napkins.

Westward is Rose's, displaying poinsettias, evergreens, and flowering cacti, and filling orders galore for flowers here and elsewhere.

To the east, three shopping spots: At the Campus Connection--now Jackie's Campus Connection--the scarves, bags and jewelry have more flair than ever before, especially for those who favor black and white with just a dash of an earth-tone). Campus T-Shirts has a sale on, with kid stuff starting at $5, other bargains sweats, tees and hats for all sizes. CDs to Go is just that: a place to browse before collapsing one last holiday time in the Food Court.

--K.C.G.

Return to:Almanac, University of Pennsylvania, December 9, 1997, Volume 44, Number 15

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