Any ideas of some gifts I could get my stepsons age 23 and 25? John gets them socks, underwear and T'shirts every year and I have run out of ideas for other stuff. They are so private about what they do in there spare time. One is a reserved preppie accountant and the other is in college but more laid back and hip hop style dress and music, lol. They are totally different. I got them each a game system last year but if you have any ideas I would appreciate it. Some of you men tell me what you would have used at that age if you can remember that long ago, lol.

Thanks for the ideas! I really do like the digital frames. My dad just got one and he loves it. He didn't leave it on very often though because he was afraid it would wear out! I explained to him that it was okay to leave it on and that it should last at least several years, but I think he still turns it off when he isn't sitting in front of it :) I think the DIY picture board idea is probably great for some people - unfortunately I'm not much of a crafty person :( So I typically look for things I can make using my computer or purchase. I used to make gifts for people but that was short-lived as I quickly realized I just didn't have a nack for it.

I love this recipe, but it is NOT a traditional chili, it is more like a Greek/Middle Eastern stew. I've served it twice to friends while they were visiting and they loved it. Cincinnati-Style Chili - Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine Serves 6 2 TBLSP vegetable oil (I use EVOO) 2 med. onions, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced (I'm conservative with garlic, the most I ever use is 3) 2 lbs beef chuck (I use 1 lb. fake meat crumbles) 4 TBLSP commercial chili powder (not straight ground chili peppers, use the kind of chili powder that is a mix of spices, or use your own favorite kind of chili mix but adjust the amount you add because commercial chili powder is not very hot. I use prediminately ancho chilis in my chili powder but then add a pinch of cayenne and chipotle, but just a pinch of those very hot spices. You could also use some of the sharp paprika in this, with caution. Start with less than the recipe calls for and adjust up to suit your heat preference. Commercial chili powder also has oregano and sometimes cumin, corriander and garlic in it too, so adjust accordingly.) 1 TBLSP sweet paprika 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground corriander Salt and fresh pepper to taste 1 bay leaf 1 TBLSP red wine vinegar 1 TBLSP molasses 1 cup tomato sauce 1 1/2 cups water In a large heavy pot heat the oil over moderate heat and cook the onions and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef (or fake meat crumbles), stirring, until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat and discard. Add the spices starting with the chili powder and ending with the salt and pepper, to taste, stirring to combine, and cook for 1 minute. Add the bay leaf, red wine vinegar, molasses, tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil. REduce heat and simmr chili, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, adding additional water, if necessary, to achieve a thick, soupy consistency. Discard the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve the chili over cooked spaghetti with traditional accompanyments, which inlcude kidney beans, grated Cheddar, chopped white onions and oyster crackers. Note: I make a notable change in how I do this recipe. First, as I mentioned, I don't use real meat. But more importantly, I add a can of dark red kidney beans to the stew before it gets simmered for the hour and a half. Then, when the stew is done, I mix it all together with a cooked box of spaghetti and about 1 cup of cheddar cheese and pour it into a casserole. I top with a little more cheddar and some crumbled oyster crackers (or bread crumbs if you don't have oyster crackers) and put in the oven at 350 for about 20 min til heated through and topping is melted and toasted. One more note, I doubt I simmered this for an hour and a half. I think I actually may have made it in the crockpot, which you could do if you sauteed the meat first. This is really spicy but not hot and definatly good if you like spicy. It is unusual though, but it's the kind of complex spicy I like.

"Your chances of successfully transitioning this little tree from tabletop to backyard are slim to none :-( Sorry." I dunno. In climates where they survive, I know of several Pinus pinea that have made the transition. Those were the more traditional mini-x-mas tree.* Spruce for various reasons, yes, is probably less adaptable. For one thing it comes from truly cold winter climate, so will be less amendable to staying indoors for a time. But he might as well try if it really matters to him. Plant it out immediately after the holiday. * - which is kind of a mystery for other reasons...but I digress ETA: cut Christmas trees are grown as a harvestable crop, much like corn or other vegetables. It;s not like they are cutting down forests to provide you with a tree :-) Agreed! hope the OP has never eaten hearts of palm in a salad!