Richie's Favorite Things - Holiday Gift Ideas

Richie's Favorite Things 2017

Every year I am asked "What camera should I buy?" and other gift ideas. I figured I'd compile my own list of "Favorite Things" to help out.

Happiness Quotations

1. Nespresso VertuoPlus starting at $99 is the BEST coffee I have ever had at home - period. It makes expresso and coffee drinks and is easy to use. They also have a free pod recycling program that makes it an environmentally friendly choice.  I own this product and the milk frother included in the bundles is another amazing product. Less than 1 1/2 minutes to perfect heated milk and foam!

2. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless camera. I bought one of these cameras to use for video and for casual photos but it quickly turned into one of my all time favorites! 24 megapixels, a moveable screen, HD video, electronic viewfinder and the best Wi-Fi connectivity for phones and tablets I have seen! The color is wonderful and it is so small, that I take it everywhere! I have two now, one has the 16-55mm lens and the other has the 55-210mm lens. I continue to use these professionally and the video I have taken with it has appeared on several newscasts! I paid $999 for my first Sony a6000 kit and now the price for the 2 lens kit is just $698! I would suggest buying an external battery charger and extra batteries. This is a GREAT camera!

Taken with my Sony a6000!

3. Apple AirPods - AirPods are one of the most innovative products Apple has ever introduced! I have had mine for almost a year and I am so pleased! The sound is better than their wired headsets and you can pair them with not only your iPhone, but nearly all Apple products including: Mac computers and notebooks, iPads and even the Apple Watch! Small and light, they fit comfortably in your ear and do not dislodge easily. Bring the charging case with you so you have a safe place to put them when you take them out! The case will hold 3-5 full recharges and they last about 5 hours per charge. Great gift for yourself or your loved ones! $159 at www.apple.com/airpods

Apple AirPods

4. Happiness Quotations by Erica Glessing and Rich Cruse (Me)! Erica contacted me in 2014 about collaborating on a book of quotations based upon photographs I have taken. She selected images from my catalog and added her own unique Happiness Quotations to accompany the images. This is a great gift and I am very proud of the images included - many are from Oceanside, one of my favorite places! Buy the hardcover and get the Kindle version (included) for yourself!

5. The Wisdom of Sundays - by Oprah Winfrey

Fans of the OWN TV show Super Soul Sunday will love this compilation of Oprah's favorite conversations from Super Soul Sunday. This is a great book for anyone looking for inspiration and self improvement. 

The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights from Super Soul Conversations