Unusual Gift Ideas

ALL ABOARD

Neiman Marcus, famous for its outrageous holiday gift catalogue, has done it again. Its most expensive gift this year is a fully operative mini-club-gauge electric train. The body of the engine and the four cargo wagons are made of 18-karat gold; the engine is studded with 190 diamonds and the wagons with eight diamonds each. The first wagon is laden with a cargo of rubies, the second with emeralds, the third with diamonds and the fourth with sapphires. The price tag? $100,000. So far, no takers from Orange County--but it’s still early.

SNOB APPEAL

To shoppers whose holiday spending won’t stretch $100,000 diamond-studded train sets, public relations manager Billur Wallerich wants it known that Neiman Marcus also has more than a dozen gifts for less than $25, including a signature tote bag for $12; a set of 20 gold bookmarks depicting five animals on the endangered species list for $18, and a delicate cloisonne egg box that opens to reveal a floral-scented candle for $25.

WHAT EVERY BABY BOOMER WANTS

Potbellied pigs are out. So what’s the in pet? “Iguanas are a good Christmas present,” says Shelly

Holman, manager of Collar & Leash in Garden Grove. “They’re pretty easygoing, and baby boomers seem to like them.” Easygoing? “Yeah, they eat vegetable matter, some dog food and a little bit of fruit. They’re a nice pet.” Just remember, that “nice pet” starts off at six to eight inches, but can get as big as five feet long.

SHOP MAIN STREET USA

Not the one at Disneyland, but one of several old downtowns in Orange County that are some of the most quaint in Southern California. Fullerton adman Mike Ritto recommends his city. But also check out the antique stores in downtown Orange, the gracefully aging downtown San Clemente or the Latino flair of downtown Santa Ana. Parking is usually easy to find at each location.

GIVE STOCK

Many brokers are willing to sell as little as a single share, with a commission as low as $5. It’s a great way to teach children about the free market system. Broker Mark Merryfield of Dean Witter Reynolds in Laguna Hills recommends that givers pick the stock of a company with which a child is familiar, like McDonald’s Corp. or Toys R Us.

GIVE AN ADVENTURE

The Full of Hot Air Co. in Garden Grove is more than happy to sell gift certificates for balloon rides. Cost: $130 per person. Newport Beach Bungee offers two bungee jumps from a hot air balloon for $100; three jumps from a bridge for $80. Also consider companies offering gift certificates for para-sailing, sky diving or airplane rides.

GIVE PEACE AND QUIET

Anita Jordan says she rents a cabin at Big Bear as a gift for her adult children so she doesn’t have to struggle through malls. A weekend in a mountain cabin can be a real bargain in the fall and the spring, before and after ski season.