Gift Guide
from Time Out Chicago / Issue 89: Nov 16–Nov 22, 2006
It might sound trite, but we’ll pose the age-old question anyway: What do you give the [insert relation here] who has everything? Age-old answer: a piece of your time. To help you figure out how to spend that, we’ve matched everyone on your Holiday list with a date package featuring one of this city’s many cultural attractions. So skip the tie and pricey chocolates, and give the gift that keeps on giving. And since we’re on a roll with these Holiday clichés, we’ve also stereotyped your close relations. If we’re wrong, you can tell them it’s the thought that counts. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.)

Husband
Help your husband improve on his weak spots—the kitchen and bedroom—in one night. Enroll in a class at Buena Park’s Heat and Spice Cooking School (21⁄2 -hour class, $75 per person; 925 W Cullom Ave, www.heatandspice.com), where there’s no shortage of manly cooking challenges. He can play with fire—while sweat beads gather on his forehead—in the Indian, Thai or Mexican spice classes. Afterward, head a mile north to Early to Bed (twice-monthly class, each $15, $10 students; 5232 N Sheridan Rd, www.early2bed.com). Andersonville’s women-run sex store gives workshops on how couples can recharge their sex life. And if he’s interested in earning extra-credit points, toss in the new men-only class on tips and toys, “Rock Her World: A Toolbox for Men.”