Top Ten Gift Ideas for Republicans

Is there a Republican on your gift list? In spite of some rumors to the contrary, we Republicans are people too, so buying gifts for us shouldn't be harder than anybody else. But if you want a few insights into the things that may be of special interest, read on.

1. Andy Andrews DVD, called "The Seven Decisions." Andrews is a comedian and a motivational speaker who is hilarious. His Seven Decisions DVD is so funny the viewer will forget he or she is learning some timeless secrets about life in general as well as business success. Andrews also has some books available, like The Traveler's Gift, which coincides with The Seven Decisions. His newest work is called Socks for Christmas (though you may have trouble finding it). See Resources below for the Web site, or type Andy Andrews into your search engine. Or just ask at your local bookstore.

2. Family history items. Is your Republican interested in his or her family history? More and more people are getting curious about the generations that came before them. If Ellis Island figures into the picture, try checking their Web site (see Resources below). They have a gift shop that includes an Ellis Island calendar, an ornament commemorating the 120th anniversary of Ellis Island, and copies of ship manifests that list passengers by name and ship. If you find the passenger you are looking for on a manifest, you can order a copy showing that name, in a beautiful frame (or unframed).

3. Business success advice from Donald Trump. Many Republicans are motivated to open their own businesses. Who better to take advice from than Donald Trump? You can give your conservative friend a package of business success advice from Trump himself. Even if the conservative friends are not inclined to be their own bosses, Trump has a lot to say about good business practices. See Resources for the Web site. You can also check out books by Donald Trump on Half.com or Amazon.

4. An Unforgettable Flag. Did you know you can buy a flag that has actually flown over the nation's Capitol? You can appeal to the the patriot in your Republican friend with this gift. Call the National Contact Center toll-free at 1 (800) FED INFO for details. It may take some time to arrive, so don't wait too long. This office is open for personal assistance from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. You can also order one by going to the Web site of most U.S. Senators and Representatives. The prices and sizes vary by Web site. For more information check the Pueblo Web site listed under Resources below.

5. Great books. There are any number of books that would appeal to conservative readers, as well as others. Classics are always a good gift, like Pride and Prejudice, or The Three Musketeers. Here are a few other possibilities: Gimme a Break, by John Stossel. Stossel does not claim to be a conservative, but his objective reporting is refreshing. He seeks to point out wrongdoing wherever he finds it. This book is entertaining and educational. Other authors that many Republicans seem to like include Sean Hannity (Let Freedom Ring) Michael Reagan (City on a Hill and Twice Adopted) Ann Coulter (Slander and How to Talk to a Liberal) and many others. Each of these authors has other books on the market as well. Check your local bookstore. Or see Resources below for several online sites.

6. Shredder. Did you know that the number one gift last year was a personal shredder? It's a popular belief that most identity theft occurs over the Internet, but the Federal Trade Commission assures us that our greatest vulnerability is actually our paper trail. Republicans and non-Republicans alike are increasingly interested in protecting their identities by shredding documents that contain identifying information. Just about any department store or office supply store carries a variety of shredders of varying sizes.

7. Reagan memorabilia. Chances are, your Republican is a fan of Ronald Reagan. There are tons of Reagan memorabilia available on the Internet. Check eBay for a variety. Also there are authentic Reagan campaign buttons from his many campaigns available on the Ron Wade Web site (see Resources below) Also the Reagan Ranch Web site has many gift items. This is the place to look if your Republican is college or high school age. See Resources for the Web site.

8. Collectible coins. The National Collector's Mint has catalogs full of old coins, and they often offer a freebie when you make a purchase. Throughout the year, when they send interested parties unusual offers. Collectible coins make great gifts for people who are interested in history and in investment. Right now they are offering a coin that commemorates the World Trade Center in 24 karat gold. See Resources for the Web site. For a young Republican, you might consider a set of state quarters. Or call, 1-800-799-MINT.

9. The Purpose Driven Life This is a great book by Rick Warren. It's considered a Christian book, but has been adopted by people in all walks of life and all levels of belief. Starbucks even uses quotes from the book on some of its coffee cups, intended to inspire conversation. This book can be purchased at most any book store. Or check the Web site listed in Resources.

10. Donate. If you have a Republican on your list that already has everything, or you just can't find the right gift, how about donating to a cause dear to that person's heart? If you don't know what charity this person favors, here are some suggestions that represent the values of many conservatives: Animal charities, such as Best Friends, a no-kill animal shelter, or Another Chance Animal Welfare League (See Resources below for URLs) or an animal charity that is local to the gift recipient. Or, consider donating to a rescue mission. Republicans are big on donating to charities that offer a hand-up, not a hand-out, and many rescue missions fill that bill. Another possibility is Habitat for Humanity. It's true that this charity is indirectly associated with former Democrat president Jimmy Carter (because he supports it), but it represents the values of many conservatives by requiring personal responsibility in the form of "sweat equity." And best of all, if you donate in the name of the gift recipient, that person can also get a tax break for the contribution... and lower taxes is about as Republican as you can get.