Cornelliana Need a Gift for the Alum Who Has it All? We’ve Got You Covered! Stories You May Like Handy Holiday Decorating Tips from a Big Red Designer Hosting a Festive Holiday Bash? Here’s Wine 101. Cheers! Alum’s Big Red Memorabilia Collection Captures a Bygone Era Our second annual Cornell Store holiday gift guide showcases a tempting trove of Big Red swag By Cornellians Staff In 1895, a group of students who were unhappy with the limited selection and high prices of Ithaca’s places of purveyance opened a store in the basement of Morrill Hall—initially selling from a counter made of wood planks laid across a pair of barrels. Jump ahead a century and a quarter, and the Cornell Store is a bustling retail operation offering upwards of 25,000 products. A self-funded enterprise run by the University, it supports Cornell programs through its sales. In addition to its flagship location at the heart of campus (in a semi-underground building that opened in 1970), it boasts outlets on the Ithaca Commons, in the Statler Hotel, and at Weill Cornell Medicine—plus a thriving online trade. The Cornell Store in 2013, after a major renovation. Café Jennie can be seen at the top. (Lindsay France / Cornell University) Not only a center of commerce on campus, the store is a go-to destination for alumni returning for Homecoming and Reunion—the place to snag a dizzying variety of Cornell swag (for themselves, their families, and even their pets) so they can display their Big Red pride worldwide. Last year, for the 2022 holiday season, Cornellians rounded up a modest selection of some of the store’s more unusual offerings—and this year, we're following up with an expanded version! They’re items that you may never have imagined would be Cornell themed ... but which you just might need to wrap up and put a bow on this festive season. Clocktower necklace Though you won’t hear “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters” chiming out of it, you can keep McGraw Tower close to your heart with this gold-plated necklace. The charm, measuring more than an inch tall, hangs on a 17-inch chain. (No word, however, on whether there are 161 tiny steps inside.) Pickleball set The nation's fastest growing sport, pickleball (essentially a combo of tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton) is all the rage. And now you can up your game by wielding Cornell's beloved mascot on the court! Bring a fellow alum along, because this set comes with two Big Red paddles, each bear-ing a snarling Touchdown and a Cornell “C,” plus two balls. Yeti tumbler Made of stainless steel, the company’s products are shatter resistant and keep beverages hot or cold for hours. This 20-oz. tumbler is dishwasher safe and cupholder compatible. It comes in black, red, or white, and sports the Cornell seal or a block-letter “C.” (Yeti can koozies, bottles, and mugs are also available.) Sage Chapel puzzle The jigsaw fan on your list can hunker down this winter with a 500-piece puzzle of Sage Chapel’s stunning interior. The intricately detailed image was painted by NYC-based artist Andrea Strongwater ’70. The store also offers other puzzles, towels, and postcards that feature her work. Stemless wine glass The store carries a slew of wine-related gifts—no surprise given the popularity of the Intro to Wines course, as well as the CALS majors in oenology and viticulture. It sells numerous glasses (both stemmed and stemless), bearing designs inspired by the Hill, Ithaca, and the Finger Lakes region. The many offerings include this one, emblazoned with Touchdown and the classic “C.” Pet bowtie With this teensy bowtie, your furry friend can get fancy while repping the Big Red. Adorned with cheery red "C"s, it fastens to a standard-sized collar with a velcro strap. Periodic table mug Did you know that 10 Cornellians have won the Nobel Prize in chemistry? Whether or not you have fond memories of Chem 101, you can celebrate the Hill’s rich history in that scientific field with this red-and-white 16-oz. mug, which spells “alumni” via abbreviations of four elements on the periodic table. A Taste of Cornell gift box Take a gourmet foodie tour of Ithaca from the comfort of home: this sweet-and-savory specialty food box includes Cornell-produced cheese, peanut butter, honey, and maple syrup. For dessert, dig into Cornellian caramel corn and the Cornell Mighty Milk bar from Ithaca-area purveyors. Wooden ‘ice resurfacer’ toy Celebrate one of Cornell’s most beloved traditions—the Lynah Faithful—with this classic wooden toy, a charming gift for hockey fans of all ages. Measuring about 7 inches long and 3 inches tall, this wee ice resurfacer (commonly known as a Zamboni) is perfect for play and display alike. Trivet tile This glossy tile—depicting a snowy view of campus and Cayuga Lake and mounted on a cork backing—makes an ideal surface for hot pots and dishes. But its vibrant design, featuring a sumptuous watercolor by an Ithaca artist, may inspire you to hang it on your wall instead. Whiskey box gift set Bearing a Cornell "C," this stately oak wood whiskey box measures over a foot high and wide. It includes two heavy-bottom lowball glasses (each also emblazoned with a "C"), two soapstone coasters, and six soapstone whiskey stones to cool your adult beverage without watering it down. Embroidered pillow This pillow packs more than a dozen Big Red-inspired designs onto its 16-by-20-inch backdrop. They celebrate everything from events—like Dragon Day and Slope Day—to cherished locations, sports, and other Cornellian traditions. A specialized embroidery machine is used to create these intricate pictures, and each pillow takes about 10 hours to stitch. Six-pack carrier It may be the holiday season—but if the Cornellian on your gift list is already dreaming of beach picnics and tailgating at Homecoming, you can plan ahead with an insulating six-pack beverage carrier. The black neoprene holder sports two slots for ice packs and accommodates a range of bottle and can sizes. And best of all: there's a very angry Touchdown to safeguard your drinks. Stories You May Like Handy Holiday Decorating Tips from a Big Red Designer Hosting a Festive Holiday Bash? Here’s Wine 101. Cheers! Magna-Tiles The Magna-Tiles line of building toys have won kudos from many reviewers, including the New York Times’s Wirecutter. Now there's a Cornell-themed version of these magnetic tiles, which can be arranged into all sorts of 3D structures, from castles to skyscrapers. The set features 13 scratch-resistant, double-sided tiles. Cheddar cheese Sold in a two-pound wheel or half-pound wedge, Big Red Cheddar is hand-crafted and made with milk from the University’s dairy farm and aged for six months. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the delectable white cheddar supports CALS’ food science program. Squishy pillow This soft and snuggly animal pillow, filled with a memory foam-like stuffing, is designed as a friendly, ovoid Big Red bear sporting a “C” on its chest. Of course, stuffed bears are available in numerous other designs—including a pom-pom wielding cheerleader and a Weill Cornell Medicine version wearing surgical scrubs—plus dogs, horses, cows, and more. Maple syrup Did you know that Cornell has its own research program dedicated to this sweet elixir? The store sells maple syrup—sourced from nearby Arnot Forest, one of the University’s research and education sites—in containers of various sizes. Part of the proceeds support maple research and the forest’s sustainable management. (And once you've gifted your special someone with a supply of Big Red syrup, point them to our recent story on the maple program's trove of recipes!) Snow globe Missing those snowy winters on the Hill, and those freezing trudges up Libe Slope? They’re just a shake away with this deluxe snow globe featuring McGraw Tower and Uris Library, on a heavy black base with "Cornell University" on a red plaque. (For additional winter nostalgia, check out our feature story on memorable Ithaca winter blizzards of years past!) ‘T-shirt’ blanket Can’t decide whether you want your swag emblazoned with the Cornell “C,” the University seal, or Touchdown the bear? Have them all with this quilt-like blanket made of cotton T-shirt material. Comprising 12 squares, it measures 62 x 80 inches. The store also sells myriad other blankets, in such designs as a giant University seal and a photo of the clocktower and Uris Library, as well as numerous incarnations of the bear and the Cornell “C.” Bucket cap This soft, casual bucket hat, featuring some of the Hill’s most iconic spots and faces, is part of a collection of Big Red swag by British artist Julia Gash. Made exclusively for the Cornell Store, Gash’s playful illustrations—highlighting Touchdown, Ezra, and beloved campus locales like the Dairy Bar, Beebe Lake, and Sage Chapel—grace notebooks, lanyards, tote bags, mugs, towels, stickers, and more. Umbrella While the top is black with an unobtrusive Cornell seal, a peek underneath this umbrella reveals an eye-popping red-and-white McGraw Tower pattern. It's just one of about a dozen umbrellas the store offers, in a variety of designs. After all, if you have to endure the rain, you might as well have some bright Cornelliana to look at while staying dry. Cornell tartan swag Cornell is the rare American university to have its own official tartan, registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority. It was created by Jessie Fair Bloom ’09, then a senior majoring in fiber science and apparel design, and unveiled at the annual Cornell Design League Fashion Show—to the tune of the “Alma Mater” played on bagpipes. In addition to pjs (available for men, women, and youth), the store sells the tartan on shorts, a necktie, a Pendleton wool throw blanket, and even a baseball cap. Chocolate bar In a partnership with family-owned Finger Lakes Chocolates, the store stocks Cornell-branded bars in a wide variety of milk, white, and dark flavors. They include unusual offerings like maple, raspberry crunch, toasted coconut, and strawberry shortcake. The store also carries the company’s truffle and caramel assortments, and the sales of a milk chocolate bar benefit the local United Way. Clocktower clock—with pumpkin! Made of walnut and cherry and designed by a local artist (retired Cornell researcher Bruce Calnek DVM ’55, MS ’56), the clock commemorates the infamous Halloween prank of 1997—when a pumpkin mysteriously appeared atop the McGraw Tower spire. (The store also sells a version of the clock sans pumpkin.) Hawaiian shirt In the mood to rock your inner Magnum P.I.? The store has shirts by Tommy Bahama, featuring a white design of tropical leaves on a multi-hued red background, with a small “Cornell” and “C.” They’re available in sizes from small to XL. Another tropical Tommy option: a gray-toned floral shirt with a small red Cornell logo. Shearling slippers Yes, you can even show your Big Red pride while keeping your tootsies warm. The Cornell seal is featured prominently on shearling-lined leather slippers for men and women—including slip-ons and moccasins, some with indoor-outdoor treads. Needlepointed accessories Touchdown and the Cornell “C” appear in hand-stitched needlepoint on a variety of items, some with leather trim. They include a belt, cufflinks, a key fob, coasters, a golf club cover, a bottle opener, a baseball cap, a credit card wallet, a valet tray, and a can koozie. Hockey stick dog toy Is your pooch ready to play for the Big Red? Start their training with this stick-shaped toy, which features a double squeaker and nontoxic stuffing. Especially ideal for the Lynah Faithful, it’s one of numerous dog toys and accessories the store carries—from collars and leashes to bandanas, bows, and even a wee cheerleader costume. Stocking stuffers Looking for treats and trinkets under $20 to stuff the stockings of your Cornellian loved ones? The store offers myriad options including playing cards featuring the Cornell seal, a soft and squeezable Dairy Bar cow stress reliever (at right), a bandana with a repeating Touchdown pattern, an engraved wooden wine bottle opener—and even a tiny replica of Lynah Rink on a keychain. All images provided, unless otherwise indicated. Published November 22, 2023 What’s your favorite thing you’ve bought at the Cornell Store? Comments Irene Hendricks, Class of 1986 28 Nov, 2023 Somewhere in the mid 80’s I bought my folks an “Official Cornell Chip Clip” as a stocking stuffer. It’s still going strong! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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