Mikey: December 2006 Archives
The holiday gift giving season is upon us, and thanks to your friend The Internet, it's easier than ever. This guide will be updated as we find new things!
$150 and Up
Not only is TiVo a revolution in watching television, but with the rebate the TiVo Digital Video Recorder 
is free! A free TiVo! This is CRAZY! This is a great gift. (Note: TiVo service requires a subscription fee; $12.95 per month.) Get this for anyone who has TV, but doesn't have a TiVo. Especially if they have cable.$100 - $150
$129.82 Nintendo DS Lite
If you are some kind of veteran Wii Hunter, then you have your gift already figured out. But if you can't get your hands on a Wii consider a Nintendo DS Lite. It's the UrbanHonking handheld game of choice. Lighter, brighter and more fun than the original Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DS Lite is smaller than the original, with brighter screens and adjustable backlighting. The best part is the social aspect of playing games together, so you really should buy two.
If you are some kind of veteran Wii Hunter, then you have your gift already figured out. But if you can't get your hands on a Wii consider a Nintendo DS Lite. It's the UrbanHonking handheld game of choice. Lighter, brighter and more fun than the original Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DS Lite is smaller than the original, with brighter screens and adjustable backlighting. The best part is the social aspect of playing games together, so you really should buy two.$60 - $100
$79.99 Apple 1 GB iPod Shuffle
I have a Nano, but the new Apple 1 GB iPod Shuffle is so small and cute! It holds 240 songs and is incredibly simple to use (perfect for technophobic parents). This thing is so small it will freak you out. From the product description: "Using either witchcraft, fairy dust or highly gifted engineers (we're not sure which), Apple has created an iPod Shuffle of an almost impossibly small size."
I have a Nano, but the new Apple 1 GB iPod Shuffle is so small and cute! It holds 240 songs and is incredibly simple to use (perfect for technophobic parents). This thing is so small it will freak you out. From the product description: "Using either witchcraft, fairy dust or highly gifted engineers (we're not sure which), Apple has created an iPod Shuffle of an almost impossibly small size."$40 - $60
$52.80 David Byrne: E.E.E.I. (Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information)
I haven't actually bought David Byrne's E.E.E.I. (Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information) but I still very confident recommending it. Why? Well, it was made by David Byrne and it's PowerPoint presentations as art, which is something that is very close to my heart. $50 may seem steep, but you're getting a book of images and essays, plus a DVD which plays 5 of his PowerPoint presentations accompanied by original music. Everyone I know would love this.
I haven't actually bought David Byrne's E.E.E.I. (Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information) but I still very confident recommending it. Why? Well, it was made by David Byrne and it's PowerPoint presentations as art, which is something that is very close to my heart. $50 may seem steep, but you're getting a book of images and essays, plus a DVD which plays 5 of his PowerPoint presentations accompanied by original music. Everyone I know would love this.$41.85 Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar
All you have to do is check out the Flickr group Mr. Bento Porn (no worries, it's safe) and you'll be craving a Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar so you can eat lunch with the cool kids. It's time to make your lunch as awesome as this or as this.
All you have to do is check out the Flickr group Mr. Bento Porn (no worries, it's safe) and you'll be craving a Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel lined Lunch Jar so you can eat lunch with the cool kids. It's time to make your lunch as awesome as this or as this.$20 - $40
NEW! $35.95 Lomography Fisheye 35mm Camera
Sometimes it's just nice to go analog (sounds crazy, I know). The Lomography Fisheye 35mm Camera is a very wide way to look at the world, and seems like it has to be one of the most fun cameras you can buy for only $35.95. Plus, if you give this as a gift you are guaranteed cool pictures of Christmas.
Sometimes it's just nice to go analog (sounds crazy, I know). The Lomography Fisheye 35mm Camera is a very wide way to look at the world, and seems like it has to be one of the most fun cameras you can buy for only $35.95. Plus, if you give this as a gift you are guaranteed cool pictures of Christmas.$24.95 We Love Katamari T-Shirt
If you know a videogame player, you can get them a Katamari T-Shirt from Panic. They're cute, and all seven designs were created by the man who made the game, Keita Takahashi (or his assistant)!
If you know a videogame player, you can get them a Katamari T-Shirt from Panic. They're cute, and all seven designs were created by the man who made the game, Keita Takahashi (or his assistant)!$24.75 Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century
While I haven't yet read Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century, it's at the top of my list of things to buy, and I've read only positive things about it from all over the internet. If you know someone who got a lot of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth then this is a pretty bet!
While I haven't yet read Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century, it's at the top of my list of things to buy, and I've read only positive things about it from all over the internet. If you know someone who got a lot of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth then this is a pretty bet!$16.02 Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America
I saw Steve Almond speak at Powell's when we was touring with Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America and he brought all this obscure candy with him and gave it to the audience! Unfortunatley I had to leave early so I didn't get any candy. After reading Candy Freak I feel like I'm a little closer to understanding Jona. (Has he read this book? This would be a perfect gift for him.)
I saw Steve Almond speak at Powell's when we was touring with Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America and he brought all this obscure candy with him and gave it to the audience! Unfortunatley I had to leave early so I didn't get any candy. After reading Candy Freak I feel like I'm a little closer to understanding Jona. (Has he read this book? This would be a perfect gift for him.)$10 - $20
$17.99 Sandwiches That You Will Like (DVD)
Rick Sebak's Sandwiches You Will Like is one of the best documentaries ever made. No geo-politics, global warming, or evil corporations here, just a tour around America looking at great sandwiches. This is one of the documentaries that really affected how I see the whole genre. Rick Sebak is as serious as anyone making movies, but he is covering things he really feels positive about. It's really inspiring.
Rick Sebak's Sandwiches You Will Like is one of the best documentaries ever made. No geo-politics, global warming, or evil corporations here, just a tour around America looking at great sandwiches. This is one of the documentaries that really affected how I see the whole genre. Rick Sebak is as serious as anyone making movies, but he is covering things he really feels positive about. It's really inspiring.$12.00 House Blend (Organic, Fair Trade)
Give the gift of better coffee! Stumptown's House Blend is blend of high grown Latin American coffees roasted to perfection. This coffee's medium body, low acidity and lively, clean finish makes it perfect for any time of the day. As Josh says, "If you're giving it to an out-of-towner, it's going to be such a step up from what they're drinking!" If you are thinking about giving some Oregon wine, choose this instead!
Give the gift of better coffee! Stumptown's House Blend is blend of high grown Latin American coffees roasted to perfection. This coffee's medium body, low acidity and lively, clean finish makes it perfect for any time of the day. As Josh says, "If you're giving it to an out-of-towner, it's going to be such a step up from what they're drinking!" If you are thinking about giving some Oregon wine, choose this instead!Under $10
$8.00 Music From States' Rights Records
States' Rights Records is a young label based in Portland, Oregon. They are interested in representing and documenting the new and exciting music being made by the people around us. This music is beautiful and it cannot easily be described, but it may be called New Genre/No Genre and it also can be called RIL music. The label is the dayjob of UrbanHonking co-founder Steve Schroeder, who will literally be packing up and sending anything you buy!
States' Rights Records is a young label based in Portland, Oregon. They are interested in representing and documenting the new and exciting music being made by the people around us. This music is beautiful and it cannot easily be described, but it may be called New Genre/No Genre and it also can be called RIL music. The label is the dayjob of UrbanHonking co-founder Steve Schroeder, who will literally be packing up and sending anything you buy!What else should you buy? Well, we'll be updating this list as we find more cool things and you can help by making recommendations in the comments. I want to put more local things on here, especially things made by Urban Honking! Happy Holidays!