Once upon a time, calendars were giveaways...
Once upon a time, calendars were giveaways that insurance agents and politicians used as advertising. But calendars are now even bigger business. Many are enticingly illustrated in full color on rich, glossy paper. And they are a practical gift idea for colleagues who “have everything” or as stocking stuffers for hobbyists.
From the offbeat to the whimsical, with hundreds to choose from, there is certain to be a calendar for just about everyone on your gift list. Following are calendars for 10 special interests.
Gardeners--”Old Farmer’s Almanac 1987 Gardening Calendar” (Yankee Publishing Inc.: $4.50) can be consulted for its practical advice on planting, pruning, watering and harvesting. For those who prefer leaving such labor to someone else, there is “Flowers” (Golden Turtle Press: $8.95). Twelve color photographs pay tribute to the subject of blossoms, from the subtle elegance of a single plumeria to the playful chaos of a poppy field. The sophisticated flower lover will feast on the elaborate artwork of “Winterthurs Twelve Months of Flowers” (GMG Publishing: $9.95). Printed on gold-trimmed pages, each ornate arrangement includes an identifying key to the flowers.
Gourmets--Who will resist the yummy combination of a cookbook and calendar in one gift package: “Weight Watchers 1987 Engagement Calendar” (New American Library: $9.95) and “Mollie Katzen 1987--Still Life With Recipe Calendar” (Golden Turtle Press: $8.95) are two choices for the gourmet on your list. “Weight Watchers” includes food dairies, cooking tips and more than 50 low-calorie treats. The “Mollie Katzen” calendar appeals to the artistic gourmet. Delightful, sunny pastel drawings accompany the vegetarian recipes for Creme of Mushroom Soup and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies and more.
Sports buffs--How much do those self-proclaimed sports buffs really know? With the “365 Sports Facts-a-Year” (Workman Publishing: $6.95), they are sure to add to their knowledge. Many magic moments of athletic competition are captured in full-color photos in the “Sports Illustrated 1987 Desk Calendar” (Sports Illustrated: $12.95). The tension of the starting line, the grace of the figure skater and the strength of a boxer have visual appeal.
Young people--With ballet lessons, gymnastic classes and homework deadlines, even children need a date book to keep track of their busy lives. The “365 New Words for Kids Calendar” (Workman Publishing: $6.95) defines both silly and serious words from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Sometimes a goofy cartoon illustrates the meaning. Every cuddly member of the “Teddy Bear 1987 Calendar” (Workman Publishing: $6.95) is a winner. A winner of the 1986 teddy bear calendar contest, that is. For those who believe their beloved bear beats these beauties, there are details on entering the 1987 competition. Who knows what teddies will be next year’s pinups?
Movie mania--A classy gift for the movie enthusiast is “The American Film Institute 1987 Appointment Calendar” (Harry N. Abrams: $14.95). The hardcover, spiral bound book honors 12 movie directors, including Steven Spielberg, Orson Welles and John Ford. Their works are explored in movie stills and commentary. This calendar is available at some bookstores and directly from the American Film Institute at the Warner Communications building, 2021 N. Western Ave., Room 100, Los Angeles. Jackie Gleason and friends are remembered in “The Honeymooners 1987 Calendar” (New American Library: $7.95). Significant dates for the cast and the series are noted. Black-and-white stills capture the feeling of this TV classic.
Art lovers--Art patrons will be pleased with the varied styles illustrated in at least two engagement books. Classic art, modern art and sculpture are a few art forms used by “Women Artists” (Abbeville Press: $8.95). Each week’s production includes a descriptive caption and a brief biography. “Design 87” (Universe: $10) is the apt title for the sassy desk calendar produced by the Art Directors Club of New York. The trendy, exuberant posters, advertisements--and even a birth announcement--are all part of a traveling exhibit.
Nostalgia--Collectors of Americana will be enchanted by the “American Country Diary 1987” (Workman Publishing: $12.50). In this small hardcover book, each week receives a two-page spread with a handsome photograph of a country theme--a rustic room, a floral arrangement, home exteriors. A year of antique “Amish Quilts” (Good Books: $7.95) will adorn and brighten walls. The Amish created quilts as functional quilts and coverlets, but the intricate stitching and bold colors have boosted the status of quilts to that of valuable masterpieces. Another form of hand stitching has been translated into watercolors in “Country Sampler Calendar” (Lang Folk Art Collection: $9.95). Ellen Stouffer’s watercolors of old time America evoke a feeling of contentment.
Naturalists--The nature lover will yearn to get away from the city with a peek at “Wilderness 1987 Sierra Club Engagement Calendar” (Random House: $7.95). America’s wildlife and wild spaces are celebrated in the superb collection of color photographs. “Ansel Adams Calendar 1987” (New York Graphic Society: $12.95) is a portfolio of the late mster’s work. This wall calendar contains only 12 photos. But what a dozen it is!
Jokers--Humorous calendars abound, but try these two for the most laughs. A laugh a day as a matter of fact with the “365 Jokes, Puns, Riddles” (Workman Publishing: $6.95), which is guaranteed to be “dumber than last year’s edition.” Can the recipient handle two daily doses of Gary Larson? One is from the daily comic strip and the other from “The Far Side 1987 Off-the-Wall Calendar” (Andrews, McMeel & Parker: $7.95).
Scientists--For those fascinated by science, there is the “1987 Science Calendar” (Smithsonian Institution: $10), which encourages family participation in 12 home projects. Make a tin-can telegraph. Measure the sugar content of favorite foods. Instructions are included for these and 10 other projects. Household items are needed for each. Readers will be grateful that they live in Los Angeles after a look through “The Weather Guide” (Accord Publishing: $8.95). There’s no comparison between the two inches of snow dropped on Los Angeles in 1932 and the 102 inches once dropped on New York. Monthly weather data for major U.S. cities is included.
Except where noted, these and many other special-interest date books and calendars are available at B. Dalton Booksellers, Crown Books, Waldenbooks and many independent bookstores throughout Southern California.
