As we race toward Christmas, the shopping season has entered the
Last Minute phase. Perhaps you have already checked off your Secret
Santa list, and now it’s time to give yourself a present. Some of
the following gift ideas definitely qualify for the latter, as some
must be delivered and may not arrive before the 25th. I
found a range of items, from under a dollar to much more. If you
want something right away, why not visit Game Trek at 100 Front. St.
W., located close to Union Station underneath the Royal York Hotel.
This store has games, of course, but also a stunning array of models
– some of which are more artwork than toy. Among the hundreds of
cars, planes and motorcycles are some unique streetcars. In the
front window sits a replica PCC streetcar, the vehicle that plied
Toronto’s streets for decades until the 1990s. This model, built by
Corgi at a 1 to 50 scale, is marked as a Kingston Road car and sells
for $200. For $110, you can pick up similar style streetcars from
other North American cities. A few British trams are available at
the smaller 1:76 scale, including a replica of the doubledecker cars
that still run in Blackpool, England. Other hobby shops also sell
model streetcars, including ones that work with railroad sets. Game
Trek can be reached at 416-597-0149, and there is a second location
at Bayview Village on the Sheppard subway line.
The smallest
present on my list is also one of the most inventive. The website
www.spacing.ca offers lapel pins
in the design of Toronto’s subway stations. Go to
http://spacing.ca/buttons-test.htm and view these remarkable
little badges. You can purchase them in sets, one for each subway
line, or in packs of five of your choice. I hope to give friends
buttons representing their home stations – once the holidays are
over. As for me, I kind of like the idea of wearing a Runnymede pin
on all my jackets -- I’m that much of a transit geek.
To give someone a
gift that is distinctly Toronto, one of the official TTC items
available from Legacy Sportswear might be the right choice – if you
can decide among their incredible range of items. One can buy alarm
clocks, blankets, calculators, hats, hockey sweaters and yes, a
Corgi model streetcar. Look under “TTC Merchandise” at
www.ttc.ca or go to
www.legacysportswear.com. See the company’s contact details to
inquire how soon orders can be shipped.
Another collectible
item is a limited edition wristwatch with the beloved PCC streetcar
on the face. The watches are apparently popular with transit
employees, but you can have one too. They are also officially
licensed by the TTC and only 100 or so remain for sale. To view the
“Time is Ticking” watch, go to
www.magma.ca/~watches/.
To order one or arrange immediate pick up, send an email to
timeisticking@sympatico.ca or call 416-925-5520.
For a simpler
stocking stuffer, why not buy someone a ride on transit? A day pass
would be much appreciated, or some tickets. If your favourite
transit rider prefers tokens, why not get them a whole roll of 50?
And pick up a blue plastic token holder from one of the United Cigar
Store outlets in subway stations. As for gracious giving, let’s hear
it for the TTC employees who collected a record $1,081,159 for the
United Way this year.
Send email
transit@eddrass.com