| Tis the season for a stogie, fa la la la la, la la la la...... | | | | cigars - such as the Macanudo from the Dominican |
| For the past few holiday seasons, I've found that gifts | | | | Republic or the Casa Toraño from Honduras - |
| are getting harder and harder to give. Not only has | | | | usually works best for beginners. For the cigar |
| creativity fallen through the cracks, but presents are | | | | connoisseur, purchasing a box of their favorite brand - |
| not as monetarily feasible as they once were: there | | | | or a brand you know they are dying to try - is an |
| are televisions for sale that cost more than my car. | | | | excellent way to go. And, for novices and |
| Because of this, holiday shopping has become an | | | | connoisseurs alike, enrolling them in a cigar of the |
| increasing burden, not only for me but for many others. | | | | month club will almost always be met with enthusiasm: |
| As we find ourselves trapped somewhere between | | | | it's the gift that never gets extinguished, at least not |
| the shopping mall and the holidays of yore when the | | | | while the membership is valid. |
| true meaning wasn't showcased on a display stand at | | | | What are Some Unique Cigar Gifts? |
| Macy's, we think about how it used to be. | | | | You may find that some of the people who you know |
| There was a time when the holidays were about | | | | love cigars are already well stocked, seemingly having |
| more than purchasing the latest brand of technology or | | | | more tobacco reserves than Cuba. For these people, |
| the most expensive cashmere sweater. It used to be | | | | a more unique cigar gift may need to be purchased. |
| so easy. A tie, a purse, even a bar of soap attached | | | | From a custom made cigar box to an ashtray |
| to a rope all fell into the category of a suitable gift for, | | | | engraved with a sentimental message, from an |
| back then, it was merely the thought that counted. But | | | | inscription laden cigar cutter to a leather cigar case, |
| lately, these gifts have lost their ability to be accepted, | | | | any kind of a cigar accessory makes an excellent |
| and they aren't the only ones. I have found that even | | | | holiday gift. Perhaps you know someone who could |
| the hand made card I give my parents as a gift each | | | | use a humidor or a person who, forever asking others |
| year is becoming met with less and less enthusiasm, | | | | for a light, is desperately in need of a Colibri. |
| no matter how much glitter I add.. | | | | For those who want to add in even more sentiment, |
| Still, we haven't lost this battle yet. With the onset of | | | | purchasing a cigar lover one of their favorite brands |
| the season we are given the opportunity to reinvent | | | | and having the band engraved is a present that likely |
| the true spirit of the holidays; we are given the ability to | | | | can not be rivaled, providing you with the rare |
| give a gift that says something grander than simply, "I | | | | opportunity to give a gift that can be both used and |
| have a huge limit on my credit card." One way we can | | | | cherished. |
| do this is by giving the gift of cigars. | | | | Where to Buy Them? |
| Why Give Cigars as a Gift? | | | | The holidays are a time of mayhem, as people crowd |
| Cigars may not seem like a run-of-the-mill holiday gift | | | | shopping malls, the masses fill department stores, and |
| but, in this age of overblown commercialism, their lack | | | | those with a dial up Internet, surfing the Web to look |
| of reputation should work in their favor. Instead of | | | | for gift ideas, wait an hour for a page to load. |
| representing brand name hand bags or a clothing line | | | | However, a great amount of this can be avoided if |
| overseen by a professional rapper, cigars represent | | | | you know what you are buying before hand, giving |
| what the holidays are really all about: friendship, | | | | you the ability to get in, get out, and get home in time |
| celebration, and happiness. | | | | to take the turkey out of the oven. |
| Giving a cigar as a gift conveys that some actual | | | | Cigar gifts are one of the easiest gifts to buy, with |
| thought, and not just your paycheck, went into the gift | | | | many local cigar and tobacco shops having a large |
| giving process. Cigars, possessing a meaningful | | | | variety of cigars, and a large selection of accessories. |
| stigmatism, are often exchanged in the same manner | | | | The Internet, a portal that allows you to avoid lines and |
| friends exchange a knowing glance, or a comforting | | | | crowds, also provides several online resources that |
| pat on the shoulder: they are exchanged in a way that | | | | enable you to purchase any tobacco related item |
| makes them about something more than simply a | | | | under - or grown in - the sun. Many of these online |
| meeting resembling a swap meet. | | | | shops offer discounted prices and shipping for free. |
| What Kinds of Cigars to Give? | | | | Giving the gift of cigars or a cigar related item rarely |
| The type of cigar to buy simply depends on the | | | | goes up in smoke. Getting away from what has |
| recipient. For a cigar novice, cigar samplers make | | | | become the new traditional idea of holiday gifts - |
| excellent gifts, giving the novice the ability to sample a | | | | designer jeans, video games, car stereos - ironically |
| variety of cigars, finding one he or she truly enjoys. If | | | | evokes some old holiday tradition, a tradition filled with |
| you don't purchase a sampler, then a box of mild | | | | goodwill, friendship, bliss, and, of course, tobacco seeds. |