The Modern Materialist : christmas

Best/Worst Gifts This Year: Open Thread

Steph Auteri — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:03:00 GMT

Ever since the weather turned cold, I've been freezing my ass off in my home office, wishing I had a pair of slippers.

Now I have three.

Pictured above are my new Monty Python killer rabbit slippers (paired with my fuzzy Superman pajama pants). As you can see, they are awesomely ferocious.

I also received those boot slippers from Old Navy, which happen to be lined inside. When I slip my feet into them, it feels as if my tootsies are encased in clouds.

I also received some Isotoner slippers, and multiple pairs of slipper socks. The item I'm not so sure I'll be able to use? The tiny bottle of tequila that came in my stocking.

Leave your comments on the best and worst gifts received this year.

Recap: Gift Guides for Word Nerds

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:34:00 GMT

You knew it was coming...Here's a quick recap of all the word nerd gift guides that went up over the past month:

Stocking Stuffers for Word Nerds
Gifts Under $25 for Word Nerds
Last-Minute Gifts for Word Nerds
Oh! And we can't forget the official word nerd T-shirt.

Recap: Gift Guides for the Burgeoning Scientists

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:24:00 GMT

Time is ticking away. Just to refresh your memory, here are all the gift guides we did up over the past month in order to aid you in shopping for the burgeoning scientist in your life:

Happy hunting!

Wish List: The MM Items You Should Buy Me This Year

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:19:00 GMT

I suppose it's a bit late for wish lists but, as a means of looking back over some of my favorite products featured here on the Modern Materialist over the past year, I present to you the items I hope to find underneath the tree tomorrow morning:

This T-shirt seems especially timely as of late.
I am such a sucker for expensive, unusual, unusually dorky jewelry.
And I could also use these bookends on my bookcase bed frame. What can I say? I am a word nerd.
I've finally decided upon this particular pic for my living room wall.
We had so much trouble making the spritzes last night, what with the old, decrepit cookie press we were using. Please pass the torch! Er...this updated cookie press, that is.
I just can't stop talking (and daydreaming) about these slippers. Or these, for that matter.
And obviously, I've beenhung up on the cold lately, because I wouldn't mind receiving this hat, either.
I still have a thing for kaleidoscopes.
And bubbles.
How many camera bags could one possibly want?
Do you think I could pull off this bag?
I'd wear these every day. Or every other day (to account for cleaning).
The winners of this headphone smackdown totally won my heart.
Okay. So the chandelier might not fit under the tree.
Why yes. I would love a replacement for my boombox.
Is there a sweeter scent than the scent of a paperback book? I think not.
I just think that this would be incredibly romantic and thoughtful.
While this would be incredibly expensive.

God, I'm greedy.

I'll report back on the items I receive.

Recap: Gift Guides for History Buffs

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:19:00 GMT

I can't quite believe it, but apparently, some people have waited until today to do their holiday shopping (you people are insane, btw).

Just for reference purposes, here are the two gift guides we did up for history buffs:

Recap: Gift Guides From Wendy

Steph Auteri — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:19:00 GMT

We'll be doing gift guide recaps all day long today, as we enter into the eleventh hour for shoppers everywhere. In order not to forget the impeccable sense of taste and style Wendy brought to her own gift guides, here they all are, in one convenient, bulleted list:

(Holiday) Shirt of the Day: When Santa Thinks About You

Steph Auteri — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:19:00 GMT

[Photo via]

You may worry that, when Santa receives a letter or wish list from you, it goes straight into a toppling pile where it's never looked at again...much the same fate, I imagine, as most of the cover letters and resumes I send out. It's nothing personal. Merely a matter of time and volume.

The designer of this shirt, however, thinks differently:

[$18.99, fusilly]

As a fan of the Divinyls, I couldn't not post about this shirt, as utterly ridiculous as it is.

[Via Fashionably Geek]

Gift Idea: For the Person Who Has Everything

Steph Auteri — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:20:00 GMT

You know who I hate shopping for? Those who have the money to buy anything they want or need the moment it occurs to them. I mean, what do you buy the person who already has everything?

[$6.50, IWOOT]

I suggest nothing.

Last-Minute Gifts for the Burgeoning Scientist

Steph Auteri — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:23:00 GMT

[$85, Supermarket]

It's down to the wire now. (Unless, of course, you're of the type who rushes out to the mall the day before Christmas.)

Ideally, you would be done with your holiday shopping by now. After all, there are still menus to be drawn up, cookies to be baked, travel plans to be made...who has time to shop at this point?

This is why we're here, of course. A few clicks of the mouse, and you have everyone's perfect gift. Like this molecule necklace, fashioned from serotonin. Raven Hanna has even more of these bad boys here, based upon such molecules as resveratrol, capsaicin, and caffeine. After the jump, some last-minute gift ideas for your burgeoning scientist:

[$99.95, National Geographic]

With this hydrogen fuel cell kit, you can build your own hydrogen fuel cell–powered car, learning more about the chemical reactions behind how fuel cells create electricity in the process.

[$79.90, Exploratorium]

With this Milestones in Science package, learn about famous scientists and investors as you reproduce their experiments.

[$99.99, ThinkGeek]

This USB Digital Microscope allows you to capture some high quality images of objects around the house and then display them on your PC using a simple USB connection.

...

Holiday Tip: Why We Do Christmas

Steph Auteri — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:01:00 GMT

This is me stringing up the lights on my parents' tree. It took me almost two hours. And this was after I spent about an hour stringing up the lights on my own tree. You know what? That "12 Pains of Christmas" song is so true. It's times like these that it helps to remind yourself what it's all about.

[$20, Supermarket]

That's right. Your tree died for Jesus. And don't you forget it.

Oh! And just in case you were too worn out from decorating to click on the video link above:

You're welcome.

Last-Minute Gifts for Word Nerds

Steph Auteri — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:01:00 GMT

[$525, myTypewriter]

This Royal Quiet DeLuxe typewriter burst into the full-color scene in the 1950s, and we're so glad. Also available in pink, red, gray, and white, it makes typing up your next novel that much more fun. The myTypewriter site has a lot more on offer, from such brands as Corona, Hermes, Olivetti, Olympia, Remington, and Underwood, and provides the perfect gift ideas for those who are lovers of all that is most tangible about the written word.

Don't despair, though. I have cheaper ideas after the jump that are just as (well, almost...) appealing:

[$195, Eden & Eden]

This giant nib necklace is composed of a gold laser cut nib with black crystal "ink" drops. And it's pretty. Plus pretty perfect for the writerly girly girl in your life.

[$50, The Library Shop]

The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World was compiled by a photographer who visited more than 20 historic libraries across the globe. One can't help but be fascinated by the care taken in the housing of such multitudinous sources of knowledge.

[$50, Zwello]

I believe I've posted about these bird feet bookends before, but I can't help but include them in this gift guide. I want them. Bad.

[$36, Glimmer Train]

Finally, why not give a gift subscription to a literary mag, such as Glimmer Train?

...

Gift Idea: Extra Special Bento Boxes

Steph Auteri — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:37:00 GMT

Back when I worked in Midtown, the bento boxes at Cafe Zaiya, just around the corner, saved me from succumbing to the McDonalds right next door. That and the unigiri rice balls.

The bento box is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish.At Cafe Zaiya, the offerings were both delicious and cheap.

[$42, Bento Box Gifts]

Though not as cheap, the offerings at Bento Box Gifts are definitely thoughtful, and a bit more varied. Such as the Warm Wishes box above, which includes chocolate-covered pretzels, Cinn-O Hot Chocolate, and a cute notepad.

Definitely a nice switch from your typical gift basket...

Gift Splurges for the Burgeoning Scientist

Steph Auteri — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT

[$199.99, Perpetual Kid]

For those of you with the money (please adopt me?), you can always impress your burgeoning scientist with a big-ticket item during the holidays. Such as this Homestar Optical Star Projection System, which projects a rotating field of 10,000 stars — with random streaking meteors — onto your ceiling or wall . What else could you possibly waste a huge chunk of your income on?

[$299, Discovery Store]

I don't know much about telescopes, but this Meade® ETX-80BB Backpack Observatory Telescope looks pretty nifty! Plus I trust the Discovery Store.

[$121.95, Discover This]

This family-friendly 3-in-1 digital nature camera has time-lapse, night vision, and motion sensor features.

[$450, National Geographic]

The Starship Earth Globe is pretty (and pretty expensive). What's in it for you? A superb learning/teaching tool, the Starship Earth II is a three-dimensional star atlas, displaying updated and improved data from Sky Catalogue 2000.0, all 88 constellations, and more than 1,100 naked-eye stars, plus many prominent deep-sky objects against a precision grid of Right Ascension and Declination lines. Color me impressed.

[Bruce Riley]

Bruce Riley's paintings are influenced by the natural sciences and physics. Pieces have names such as "Big Bang," "Biomorph," and "Sunshine Unit."

...

Holiday Tip: Necklace Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Steph Auteri — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Tomorrow night, I'm attending my first holiday party of the year...an eggnog party in Cambridge. I'm thinking of bringing the reindeer antlers I wore to Santacon two years ago, but I'm worried that it's not...subtle enough.

[$205, Etsy]

I love this festive antler necklace.

[Via MadeByGirl]

Holiday Tip: Stringing Up the Lights

Steph Auteri — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Two days after Thanksgiving, I had the condo completely decorated.

Within a week, Lusa (my new kitten) had smashed two ornaments, broken a metal stocking hook, and temporarily disabled my new candle snuffer.

The ornaments were a lost cause, and I managed to fix the snuffer, but what to do about the stockings?

[$4.99 each, Container Store]

[$9.49, Container Store]

The Container Store is a godsend.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Gifts Under $50 for the Burgeoning Scientist

Steph Auteri — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:03:00 GMT

[$40.45, History]

What's the best gift I ever bought my nerdy-as-hell husband? The Universe on DVD. What made it even better? The fact I also bought him The Planets ($40.49) and Planet Earth (most definitely NOT under $50). It was most definitely worth the final hefty price tag and, a year later, he's still obsessed with it. Which is why I felt I should share it with you. You're welcome.

After the jump, a few more gifts under $50 for the burgeoning scientist in your life:

[$49.95, InnovaToys]

This celestial globe features Earth when the lights are on, but changes to show the constellations when in darkness.Neato!

[$39.95, National Geographic]

This portable family telescope includes a manual with suggestions for easy star-finding, and a carrying strap.

[$37.95, Home Science Tools]

Time out for an embarrassing disclosure! When I was young, my dad got me into the whole rock collecting thing. We used to hike along Garrett Mountain looking for interesting rocks. He used to take me to gem shows and nature shops. I had a small metal case filled with amethysts and geodes and gneiss and — guess what!? — I still have it. In college, I took a geology class and totally enjoyed it. This may, in fact, be at the root of my fascination with sparkly things. This particular set of rocks and minerals contains 50 specimens. Buy that future geologist a gift that will fill him with wonder...for a lifetime.

...

Gift Idea: Keep the Cat Lady Warm

Steph Auteri — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:32:00 GMT

Do you have a crazy cat lady in your life? I do! (um...it's me...)

Just because there are bundles of soft, fluffy fur running around said cat lady's apartment doesn't mean she has the means to keep warm throughout the winter months (though it's really great when I lay down on the couch and Gizmo walks up to my chestage and lies down and purrs, because then I feel both warm and warm&fuzzy...).

So what do you get for the cat lady who has it all?

[$128, Urban Oufitters]

Honestly? I'm a cat lady, and even I don't know why this sweater exists (or why in hell it costs so damn much).

(Tip courtesy of esteemed Babble photo editor Lauren, and passed along by Best Office Manager Ever Nicole.)

Gifts Under $50 for the History Buff

Steph Auteri — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:19:00 GMT

[$49.95, National Geographic]

The 1935 World Map is a classic, instantly recognizable. It shows the viewer both eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously, which I, personally, care nothing about, but your little brother with the collection of WWII-style model airplanes might.

After the jump, some additional under-$50 gifts for the history buff in your life.

[$35.99, A&E Shop]

This DVD collection includes 10 one-hour documentaries on 10 individual days that "triggered change in America."

[$29, Smithsonian]

For a ridiculously low price, you can buy a Smithsonian membership for your loved one, which includes shopping and dining discounts, a Smithsonian magazine subscription, and more.

[$29.70, Amazon]

The Atlas of World History contains more than 450 color maps illustrating major themes and events of history. Which is sorta cool.

[$36, Etsy]

Give your stuck-in-the-past sweetie something that perfectly melds the historical and modern worlds, with a piece of steampunk or antique jewelry. Etsy is absolutely filthy with some choice picks.

...

Holiday Tip: Carry Christmas In Your Pocket

Steph Auteri — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:19:00 GMT

I'll admit it. I own the Holiday Yule Log DVD, complete with a singalong book and the history of Christmas. Sometimes, I leave it up on mute when I have company over during the holiday season.

In fact, my entire living room is now specially decorated to ensure that I feel embraced by the Christmas spirit at every moment of the day, what with the ornament-laden tree, Rudolph knick-knacks, sparkling snow globes, scented candles, blinking Santas, and more. Of course, this only works if I never leave the condo.

[$1.99, iTunes Store]

Now, because the iPhone has to be able to do absolutely everything my crappy $30 phone can't, you can get a Yule Log app for your iPhone via the iTunes store.

I hate you guys.

Gifts Under $25 for the Burgeoning Scientist

Steph Auteri — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:57:00 GMT

[$14.99, NaughTee]

I'm not a science nerd, and this T-shirt design still makes me giggle. The fairly low price makes me smile even more. Possible gift item? Perhaps. After the jump, a number of other nifty gifts for the burgeoning scientist in your life:

[$22, Etsy]

These science lab calling cards feature a vintage illustration of a scientist in a lab coat, and are standard business card size.

[$13.57, Amazon]

Icarus at the Edge of Time is a re-imagining of the Icarus fable written for children, by leading physicist Brian Greene. And yes, it was suggested to me by a 30-year-old enginerd.

[$9.99, ThinkGeek]

This beaker/coffee mug is silly in a geek sort of way.

[$10.88, Amazon]

On Intelligence is a book too involved for me from a person much smarter than me...the inventory of the palmpilot, no less.

[$14.99, ThinkGeek]

I don't think The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide from Douglas Adams needs any explanation.

...

Gifts Under $25 for Word Nerds

Steph Auteri — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:05:00 GMT

[$12.95, Barnes&Noble]

Let me tell you something. I have a weakness for purses. And a weakness for a-line skirts. And a weakness for things that sparkle. I also have a weakness for olives, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer-themed ornaments, newsboy caps, and many other things.

But my biggest weakness (and the reason I never have any money) is the bookstore, and everything contained therein.

Which is why I always buy big bags, ones that can fit at least two or three books: one that I'm reading, and a few more that I just bought but want to pretend I already owned so that no one can actually tell how much money I'm spending on books. The Stephen Colbert tote bag, above, is so perfect for this, plus Stephen's manically smiling visage always makes me giggle. Barnes & Noble also has a bunch of other tote bags to choose from, if political satire just isn't your thing.

After the jump, the things you should fill it with when shopping for your special word nerd:

[$12.95, The Library Shop]

I didn't love the book itself, but I love the concept behind this book lust journal. This book is meant to be used to jot down favorite passages in the books you're reading, or to take notes on meaning, context, and anything else you can think of or feel while reading. Additional page formats enable readers to record books on their "to read" list, and to keep track of books lent to friends and family.

[$9.60, Amazon]

Ah...the moleskine notebook, beloved by writers both well-known and unpublished. An elastic for bookmarking, and a small folder on the inner cover make this perfect for jotting down ideas for the next great novel, scribbling snatches of overheard dialogue, and taking down interviews.

[$11.53, Amazon]

A good thesaurus is key for any writer's reference shelf. I have this Bartlett's Roget's Thesaurus, and refer to it often (when I'm having a brain spasm mid-article).

[$18, Levenger]

You can use Margin Maker to take notes in the margins of whatever book you're reading. Cut or tear it to the length you need, place it in your book, and then remove it easily at any time. You can keep it extra long to double as a bookmark.

...

Holiday Resource: Williams-Sonoma

Steph Auteri — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:09:00 GMT

[$79-$149.95, Williams-Sonoma]

I always love visiting the big Williams-Sonoma at the Garden State Plaza at Christmastime, because it smells delicious, and they always have food samples. In addition, I always feel as if the products on the shelves represent a lifestyle I'm still aspiring to.

Like this gold ornament tree. It's the perfect, tasteful holiday centerpiece, but there's no way I'm allowing myself to splurge at this point in my life.

Perhaps you're able to splurge, in which case I'd like to recommend a few other items from their holiday collection:

[$39.95, Williams-Sonoma]

This cookie press is a shiny, new version of the old, decrepit one my mother has. We've been using it together since the very beginning of time to make our butter cookies every year. I think my mommy should buy it for me, as a sort of passing of the torch, perhaps.

[$18, Williams-Sonoma]

I've never made gingerbread before, but man do I love eating it. I imagine that the finished product of this particular mix would smell like xmas and taste divine.

[$49.95, Williams-Sonoma]

Okay. So last year I bought a gingerbread house kit from Target, and it came out cute, though the frosting didn't taste as good as I had ensivioned. And I didn't like the candy they included. And, on the whole, it just didn't measure up to that one childhood memory I had of building gingerbread houses at my friend Alyson's holiday party back in elementary school. I give up. Let Williams-Sonoma put one together for me.

[$15, Williams-Sonoma]

I find these Twelve Days of Christmas coasters charming. That is all.

Gifts Under $25 for the History Buff

Steph Auteri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:34:00 GMT

[$10.17, Amazon]

History is the only class I ever failed. This was due to an inability to memorize facts, and a momentary refusal to actually do my homework. I am surrounded, however, by smug individuals who actually pride themselves on remembering useless facts, and other who actually enjoy history.

I know. Beats me.

If you're shopping for someone similar, perhaps you should consider one of these under-$25 gifts, such as Napoleon's Privates, pictured above. A sexy history book, a quick perusal lets me know that Napoleon's wee-wee resides in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, while Einstein's eyeballs are somewhere on the Jersey Shore. Why, me and the wee-wee are practically neighbors! After the jump, some more historic gems:

[$12.99, Etsy]

This collection of vintage history books is as old as history itself!

[$12.23, Amazon]

This book was suggested by a nerdy friend of mine, whose judgment I trust. I also trust The Onion to be consistently hilarious. Hopefully, that history buff you're shopping for has a sense of humor.

[$24, National Geographic]

This boatswain's whistle is of the sort used in "the golden age of sail."

[$10.99, National Geographic]

This Holy Land Thematic Map features modern maps with historical notes.

...

Holiday Resource: Aarikka

Steph Auteri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:19:00 GMT

[€ 48, Aarikka]

Two days after Thanksgiving, my Christmas decorations were up: the fake tree with the 28 years' worth of accumulated ornaments, all the Rudolph knick-knacks, the snow globes, the wreaths...but guys, there's always room for more. Right?

Aarikka Oy is a family business based in Finland, so while shipping charges might bite you in the ass, their adorable wooden ornaments almost make it worth it! Check it, after the jump:

[€ 25, Aarikka]

[€ 45, Aarikka]

[€ 65, Aarikka]

[€ 30, Aarikka]

[€ 65, Aarikka]

[€ 8.90, Aarikka]

Holiday Tip: Keep Your Gift Wrap Under Wraps

Steph Auteri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:09:00 GMT

I kept my gift wrap propped up between the dresser and the bookcase all year long, which led to it's being ripped and eventually pissed upon by my darling cats. Totally my fault? Undoubtedly. But I swear that there were no other options.

To save you the trouble of damaged and totally useless gift wrap...

...there's always the Container Store's customized gift wrap center, complete with one of their long Underbed Boxes, one of their shoe boxes, and three of their accessory boxes for ribbon, bows, tags, tape and pens.

[$27.35, The Container Store]

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Holiday Resource: MoMA Store

Steph Auteri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:19:00 GMT

[$20, MoMA]

Aside from gorgeous snow globe-style ornaments, like the one above, I'm suggesting the MoMA Store as a holiday resource because of the gorgeous and whimsical 3-D & pop-up cards in their inventory. I mean...doesn't everyone use the Shoebox ones?

[$20.95, MoMA]

[$17.95, MoMA]

[$18.95, MoMA]

[$20.95, MoMA]

Related: Holiday Resource: Fred Flare

Holiday Resource: Fred Flare

Steph Auteri — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:54:00 GMT

[$12, Fred Flare]

If you're anything like me, you woke up the day after Thanksgiving and immediately set to work packing away all your autumnal and Halloween decor as a means to make room for blinky lights, menorahs, and snow globes.

And if you're anything like me, the five boxes of Christmas decorations in your storage space is not. enough.

Don't worry. Fred Flare's got your back. I'm madly in love with these Andy Warhol holiday cat cards, and there are a ton of other holiday-related goodies after the jump:

[$9, Fred Flare]

The cats love to eat tinsel, but tinsel tape may be safe.

[$15, Fred Flare]

I loved how Stephen Colbert decorated his cabin in his Christmas special with a large-screen TV displaying a fake fireplace, and then embellished with stockings and garland.

[$14, Fred Flare]

This snowman-in-a-box would be perfect if I still played in the snow. These days, I hole up inside with coffee, a sleeping bag, and a pile of my latest Netflix picks.

[menorah: $25, Fred Flare]

[tree: $12, Fred Flare]

Because nothing is complete without LEDs, I just had to include the motherboard menorah and tree.

Stocking Stuffers for the Burgeoning Scientist

Steph Auteri — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:35:00 GMT

[$2.99, Perpetual Kid]

Whether you're 2 or 29, the lure of the science world can be strong (see: my copywriter/web designer husband, who geeks out over the Discovery Channel, and those issues of Astronomy magazine I subscribed to for his last birthday). And, whether 2 or 29, the burgeoning scientist in your life is bound to enjoy astronaut ice cream. Right? Right??

After the jump, some other stocking stuffer ideas for your beloved science nerd.

[$12, smart]

These periodic table magnets are like magnetic poetry for nerds. ... Or so I assume.

[$5.95, Home Science Tools]

Is the person you're shopping for more of a naturalist? (Is that even the right word?) This Audubon Bird Call makes a variety of chirping sounds.

[$4.95, Home Science Tools]

This star guide for use in your backyard shows you how to orient yourself from the North Star and Big Dipper and then locate other stars and constellations.

You probably can't tell from this photo, but this is the inside of Evolution, a store located in New York City that sells museum-quality natural history collectibles, such as framed butterflies and beetles, fossils, seashells, skulls and skeletons, medical models, and tribal art. They offer some of their inventory online. I'm not big into science, and even I get excited about visiting Evolution. Pick up a gift certificate for your buddy. They'll love it.

...

Stocking Stuffers for Word Nerds

Steph Auteri — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:44:00 GMT

[$7, Fred Flare]

I'm a word nerd, in love with the English language, equally happy to be sitting down with a good book or creating my own travesty of grammar and purple prose. If you have someone similar to shop for this holiday season, I may be able to help you out. I'm pretty sure my credit card debt is due more to book purchases than fine couture.

These bookworm bookmarks, for example, would make a super-cute stocking stuffer (I am a collector of bookmarks; and yes, I am a dork). After the jump, check out a bunch of other items your resident word nerd wouldn't mind receiving in their stocking.

[$9, Etsy]

I've been meaning to get these kitty-adorned library cards and card pockets for years.

[$8.95, Archie McPhee]

This librarian action figure — based upon real-life librarian Nancy Pearl — comes with a tiny plastic book and a stack of random literature.

[$5.95, Shakespeare's Den]

The colored sticky tabs are great for marking your favorite quotes or passages and, as for the sticky notes...well, they go like wildfire in my office!

Finally, never underestimate the power of a well-chosen gift card. I've loved it when relatives gave me gift cards from Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks, as there's often no place better than a cafe for curling up with coffee and a book, or setting up the laptop, especially if you've been goingstir crazy at home. And of course, the almight Amazon gift card is always much appreciated.

...

Gift Idea: Superhero To Go

Steph Auteri — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:24:00 GMT

When I was little, I used to pretend I was a superhero by stomping around the house with a wet towel as my cape. Nowadays, I fulfill the superhero urges I get after watching an action movie by driving aggressively, and pretending I'm racing the other drivers on the road.

No. I am not an 8-year-old boy.

But I know of something that your 8-year-old boy might like:

The Super Hero in a Box includes a cape, wristlets, and mask.

[$22, Restoration Hardware]