Got a family on your list? Give them one great gift

By Kay Salveson
Special to The Beacon

Santa Claus — he’s coming to town! This year, let’s make it easy on him and on us.

No more individual gifts for parents, cousin, sisters and aunts — husbands and children, too. No more wrapping or returns. Let’s have the whole family enjoy something special together.

Is your family traveling back east for the holidays? As a gift, have Santa Barbara Limousine deliver them to the airport. All eight of them can fit in the special vehicle, with plenty of room for luggage. The round-trip gift certificate is $140, and what a treat it will be not to have to park a car at the airport. And it will be a pleasure to have transportation awaiting you at the airport upon your return. Information: Santa Barbara Limousine, 298 South Orange Ave., Goleta, 954.5466.

If your family has no travel plans, but would like to fly around a little taking in beautiful scenery over the ocean and up and down our coast, a gift certificate from Channel Islands Aviation could be just the ticket. For $170, one can purchase two 30-minute flights that can accommodate three passengers each. The family members waiting on the ground can enjoy nice restaurant facilities nearby. Information: Channel Islands Aviation, Camarillo Airport, 987.1301, Ext. 0.

Something the whole family can cherish within the home would be a painting by Santa Barbara’s own Hank Pitcher. Sullivan Goss, LTD (155 Coast Village Road and 7 E. Anapamu St.) is handling and showing the Pitcher paintings at this time. Prices start at $2,000. Also, the galleries have a fantastic new book showing all of Pitcher’s work to date. The book is a truly handsome showpiece for $50. Hank Pitcher’s other offerings are “prints on canvas.’’ These are fascinating and viewers may not believe they are not the actual painting. Kath Logan, 403.3865, is handling these prints on canvas. The price starts at $4,150.

Other things the family can enjoy at home are movies. The cost of movies in the theaters can squeeze any family’s budget. However, watching the family VCR or DVD player is a great way for all of us to be together in one room. Video Shmideo (11 W. Victoria St., Suite 22, 564.4999) can keep a household entertained forever. One will find old and new movies and wonderful classics in video and on DVD. Most rent for just $2.70 each; gift certificates are $25 and up.

One thing that is a necessity in the theater (and in the home movie place) is popcorn. To add to the pleasure of those watching their favorite movie stars at home, Macy’s Housewares department has a miniature machine made in the likeness of the big red popcorn wagons of the past. It’s adorable, authentic and makes you smile. Smile twice because it can sit on a table in the living room. It pops the corn with hot air and uses no oil. Pour the kernels in and wait for the goodies to appear in the window. All this for just $79.

If you need a gift for someone very special on your holiday list, Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club (5800 Cathedral Oaks Road, 964.7762) is something to consider. There are two pools, tennis courts, basketball and special games for youngsters. There’s a fitness and massage center and, of course, a café. This is truly a place for a family to play and stay together with special trips to museums, baseball games in Los Angeles and many other things. And the chance for both parents and children to make new friends is invaluable. The membership prices per family are $1,000 and $1,300, and monthly fees are $193 and $246.

No family reunion or Christmas get-together would be complete without a photograph of everyone. David Roth is just the one to do it. Roth will set up a photo session at the location of your choice, be it home or studio, for $175. Included is one 8 by 10 photo. David Roth Photography, 3020 De la Vina St., 682.4666.

Kay Salveson can be reached at news@scbeacon.com.