Local real estate attorney makes strong case for checking out merchants located in town
Hinsdale's Paul Garver is in awe of his 7-year-old daughter Natalie's lost item tracking prowess, and thinks this Master Detection Toolkit at My Sister Kate will only augment her gift (and help make sure he hangs on to his sunglasses).
At Hinsdale Wine Shop, the 2021 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is his go-to vintage for special Christmas thank-yous. (Jim Slonoff photos)
Hinsdale resident Paul Garver could be forgiven for his sensitivity to the cold on Monday.
Garver and his family had just returned from a cruise in the Caribbean, and strolling the deck of a luxury liner in the tropics suddenly seemed a distant memory while bundled up against the December air in downtown Hinsdale. The Columbus, Ohio, native and U.S. Army veteran has been practicing real estate law in town for 22 years. He and wife Nancy are parents to Grant, 11, and Natalie, 7.
Grant, a sixth-grader at Hinsdale Middle School who will turn 12 right after Christmas, loves Falcon Football, golf and fishing. That last one is due less to inheritance than to the internet.
"I have people in my family that are huge fishermen, but I am not," related Garver, who's discovered a love for paddle tennis. "My son has just watched a million fishing videos. And that's all he ever watches."
He said Natalie, a second-grader at Madison School, has a trailblazing fearlessness.
"She's on the school chess club - the only girl on the chess club," Garver said, proceeding to list off several of her other activities. "She is non-stop action.
"She is the fire, my son is the ice," he said.
Garver seems to have all the elements covered with his Christmas gift selections from among the 13 local shops he visited.
• Meal time will an elevated experience for his mother- and father-in-law when they - and guests - come together around a 54-inch brass mount breakfast/dining table. $5,500, Trumeau
• The versatile light brown Loro Piana cashmere jersey jacket with leather trim is right in brother-in-law Mike's sartorial wheelhouse. "This is totally his style," he said. $2,795, Burdi
• Garver expects niece Heather can find the perfect spot to hang the 11-by-14-inch painting "Cool Flame" by Michael Coakes. $1,200, Virgil Catherine Gallery
• A Master Detection Toolkit from Spy Labs Inc. will give sleuth extraordinaire Natalie, 7, more to work with in solving cases. "She is always able to find the things that we lose in the house." $50, My Sister Kate
• To thank those who have referred his legal services over the course of the year, Garver selects a spirited reward in a one-liter bottle of 2021 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon. $99.99, Hinsdale Wine Shop
At Hinsdale Wine Shop, the 2021 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is his go-to vintage for special Christmas thank-yous. (Jim Slonoff photos)
• Self-care is too often overlooked this time of year, so Garver goes all aboard to treat himself with a Haribo Holiday Train gummy candy eight-pack. $20, Hinsdale News Agency
• A nativity-themed wooden advent calendar from Byers Choice would be an inspired addition to sister Teri's collection of holiday decor. $120, Fuller's Home & Hardware
• Garver's persistent effort to turn his son on to Metallica's music appeared futile. That is until the jam track for the new season of Fortnite featured the band's song "Fuel," which Grant can blast on the JBL Flip 6 wireless speaker. $139, Verizon
• His discerning sister-in-law Eileen will appreciate the boldly colorful yet elegant oil on canvas work "Automne Japonais" by the late French painter Georges Coulomb. $14,500, Expression Gallery of Fine Art
• Garver said his law partner Tom likes to "plunk" on the piano, then added, "although I wouldn't say he plays." Plunking has never sounded more enchanting than on the Gran Nichetto limited edition baby grand, with Spirio | r player piano feature, in midnight red. $360,400, Steinway
• Someone should keep a stopwatch to see how long it will take Garver's office staff to polish off a box of 15 cookies festively shaped liked mittens and reindeer. $54.75, Toni
• Ski enthusiast brother Ed will cut a stylish figure on the slopes in a red Spyder Monterosa insulated ski jacket. $900, King Keyser
• Lending a shimmer to these months of limited light, the large Siviglia 18K yellow gold bean necklace is a showstopper, an assessment with which Garver is sure Nancy will agree. $6,450, Razny Jewelers
• Garver and his brothers all appreciate a good meal. So to brother Jon he'll send four 8-oz filet mignons to bring some sizzle to the season. $130, Prime 'N' Tender
