My mom had one request for Hanukkah: A compact umbrella, with auto open/close and a wind vent in any color but black.  The one I found was so great, I ordered a second one for myself.  The ShedRain WindPro Auto Open/Close Jumbo Mini has all those features, plus a comfort-grip handle and a really big canopy, to keep you much drier than most other compact umbrellas.  It’s available in “sand,” which is really a dark grey – a perfectly elegant color that isn’t black (and less likely to get “accidentally” switched out of a public umbrella stand.  It may very well be the perfect umbrella, sturdy enough to stick it out ’till the end.  Regularly $38, but often on sale at eBags.com or amazon.com
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