A Mouse in the House

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of overly cute kids' furniture.  It seems like a wasteful expenditure with a limited shelf life.

But not so with this ultra-cute Mouse beanbag chair.  It looks comfy and cozy for kids, yet quirky and offbeat in a way that adults can appreciate.  It seems to seamlessly work with everything from modernist to traditional kid room decor.  Plus, it's easy to move from room to room, creating a nice little mousie "nest" anywhere in the house.  This is a great gift for your favorite kid who's still too young to succumb to the evil lure of the Nintendo DS.

I've only seen this special chair at Takashimaya in NYC, at www.takashimaya-ny.com.  It's on the pricier side, almost 200 bucks, but shipping is free.  

Compliments of Secret Santa

Ah, the annual office ritual of the Secret Santa.  What a beloved tradition: pull some random co-worker's name out of a hat, and get them a fun gift that costs under $15 (plus, it has to be office appropriate.  No fart jokes, no sexual innuendo, no profanity... you get the drift).

What to do?  Why not combine nostalgia with a little self-esteem building?  The Affirmation Ball is like a classic Magic 8 ball, but evolved for the deeply insecure.  Forget cryptic answers to pressing questions.  This perpetual happy face of positivity only gives good news, like "You have minty fresh breath!"  Stuart Smalley couldn't do any better.

You can find this happy (and cheap, just eight bucks) little item at www.wishingfish.com.  It's just Secret Santa's way of saying, "Yes you can!"

Animalistic Drinking Tendencies

It's definitely the drinking time of year.  And while many go for the civilized glass of wine or elegant cocktail, there are those who like their poison in one shot.  This is the gift for them.

Going on the animal trophy theme so popular for a few years, these shot glasses serve two purposes.  Upside down, they look like miniature pewter trophy heads.  Right side up, they rest on their heads and function as fabulously dark and dangerous deliverers of magic elixer (drinker's choice, of course).

The great thing is, these glasses look fabulous single or in multiples, so you can spend just a little ($36/each) or more.  Choose from an assortment of woodland creatures ranging from the typical (stag or moose) to the more exotic (an outraged rhino).  

Look up these pewter beauties at www.aplusrstore.com.  As a popular gift, it's a sure shot.

Lefty Literary Stocking Stuffer

Just when you think you're done with the holiday gift shopping, the reality of stocking stuffers hits you.  Yes, you'll need to purchase at least three more little gifts per immediate family member (not counting those Trader Joe's truffle bars thrown in as filler).

So here's a suggestion for the reader (probably female).  This dog tag style necklace can function as a pendant, or a key chain, or as a zipper pull on a purse.  And emblazoned across it (clearly visible in the picture) are the words "I read banned books."

The even greater thing about this gift is that it's handmade at www.etsy.com.  Look under the artist "JJ Backman."  If you wanted to gild the lily, you could even include a copy of The Catcher in the Rye.  

Goy Toy for Christmas Joy

Admit it.  When you think "Christmas," you envision some Tudor home embellished with twinkly lights and graced with everything that is traditional.  But there are actually Christian modern homes aplenty.  With residents throwing holiday parties.  And you need to bring something cool.

Here's an idea.  Help them celebrate the big J.C. in a mid-century modern fashion with this ultra-stylish nativity scene.  The manger has a Hollywood Dome appeal.  The major players look a little like Weebles.  And it's small enough to display on the Eames coffee table instead of the front lawn.

If you really love the party throwers, throw in this literary extra: Lamb by Christopher Moore.  

Definitely the funniest take on the life of the Christ ever.  And an irreverent Yuletide accompaniment.

Find the book at www.amazon.com, and the nativity scene at www.fitzsu.com.  It'll make Christmas come alive.

Eat Them Up, Yum!

It's never too early to teach kids a lesson.  Especially when it comes to something as fundamental as natural selection.  Learning that the big guy can swallow up the little guy is vitally important, especially if you grow up in Hollywood or on Wall Street.

Take these Food Chain toys from that old classic toy purveyor, FAO Schwartz.  Sure, they're cute, fuzzy, and of unidentifiable species.  But they also teach, in a beautiful (and perhaps brutal) way, the order the eating game tends to go in the natural world.  

These ravenous co-dependents come in two lovely colorways, to fit any kid's decor.  You can order them at www.fao.com.  Then let the munching and lunching begin.

 

Client Nibble

Client gifts are tough.  You know they are, since every year you receive a mountain of 6 million calorie Mrs. Beasley's Muffins, a bushel of grease-covered popcorn, and enough cheese and salami that you couldn't hide it if you worked for the FBI.  

The holidays are working against you for sure, both in the clientele giving and receiving categories.  But in the case of female clients, anyway, there's a way to give something sweet without the collateral thigh dimple damage.

These super cute pendants are gold dipped representations of real snacks you might actually want.  You can choose from sweet (a cupcake) or salty (a pretzel), depending on your client's food fetish of choice.  And you can explain your gift choice in a witty card, while subtly putting down all those other food whores who went for the real thing.

Hop over to www.fredflare.com and order some junk food.  Everyone (thighs included) will thank you.