Tomorrow's Black Friday, AKA the "busiest shopping day of the year." Time to grab your checkbook, credit card(s) and extra cash, and head over to your local mall (or small business, on Saturday.) We have only two rules: No gift cards (duh) and "Give unto others as you would have them give unto you." Simple enough, right? Maybe not. Here's 15 unique gift suggestions, to help you stand out from the crowd. Happy holidays!
Music Books from Quarto Publishing Group
Books & CDs used to rule the holiday gift roost for
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| Music Books from Quarto Publishing Group |
Coco Tote (Patrick-Earl for H*O*T)
Let everyone else argue over "paper or plastic?" while you dazzle with one of House of Terrance's super-fashionable totes. Each cotton canvas bag is lined (with an interior pocket and leather handles) and sports a one-of-a-kind design by NYC street artist Patrick-Earl Barnes. Well-made, unique and stylish... Sounds (and looks) like New York to me. Click here to purchase. $130
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| Coco Tote (Patrick-Earl for H*O*T) |
Skeem Design Fireplace Matches
Who doesn't love sitting by an open fire... in style? Put any boy/girl scout to shame with these 8-inch wooden matches (60 count) that look even better than they work. P.S. Use the bottle to strike the matches against. What will they think of next? Click here to purchase. $30.
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| Skeem Designs Fireplace Matches |
Mosaics Designer Pillow by Arcadia Park Designs
The term "work of art" gets used way too often, if you ask me. These stunning 12" x 24" pillows combine beautiful artwork by Katherine Henry, luxurious materials (charmeuse silk, golden shantung dupioni) and a hypoallergenic faux down insert. I have one, and it gets noticed by everyone (compliments galore.) If only the rest of my apartment could turn half as many heads. Click here to purchase. $245
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| Mosaics I & II (top) Designer Pillows by Arcadia Park Designs |
Sharper Image Sleep Therapy Mask
It's not easy getting eight hours of sleep; but leave it to Sharper Image for making it a lot more tech-rific. Their Sleep Therapy Mask not only blocks out pesky visual distractions (clock radio, TV, etc.) it also displays a soothing photo luminous blue glow, that fades away as you drift to sleep. I'm getting sleepy already. Click here to purchase. $39.99 (2 for $69!)
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| Sharper Image Sleep Therapy Mask |
Novica 'Domino Delight'
Put that tablet down, and turn off your television: It's game time! Novica's Wood Domino Brass Inlay Hand-carved Table Game costs under $29.99, looks great (leave it front & center on your coffee table) and is guaranteed to get everyone living again in the living room (what a concept.) It's also small enough to wrap (and travel) well. Click here to purchase. $29.99.
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| Novica 'Domino Delight' |
Diggin Skootcase
Traveling with kids... Not exactly my idea of a good time; but let's face it, you can't leave 'em at home, right? All jokes aside, the Diggin Skootcase might be the coolest piece of luggage ever invented. Better still, your kids will actually want to carry their own suitcase. How long before they make one for adults? Click here to purchase. $69.99.
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| Diggin Skootcase |
Brookstone Towel Warmer
For the person who has everything. When I first saw this free-standing towel warmer (at Brookstone, of course) I literally went gaga. No racks or stands required: Just pop this in a corner of (or even outside) your bathroom, and transcend "drying off" into something special. Warms up to two oversized towels at once, reaching 120° F in about 10 minutes. Great for terry cloth robes too. Click here to purchase. $99.99
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| Brookstone Towel Warmer |
Texture (subscription)
So, you just bought a new Amazon Fire (hopefully on sale, for just $34.99.) Now what? Subscribe to Texture (formerly Next Issue) kick back, and relax with a myriad of top magazines for literally pennies on the dollar. They offer two plans ($9.99/mo for unlimited monthly magazines, $14.99 for unlimited weekly magazines too) that can be viewed on up to five different devices... with back issues to boot! You can also cancel at anytime (as if, you'd want to.) Click here to subscribe. $9.99-$14.99/mo.
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| Texture (subscription) |
Ultimate Voice Builder
Not everyone can sound like Adele or Morgan Freeman: Sometimes you need a little bit of help. Enter Gary Catona, voice coach extraordinaire with a who's who list of clients that includes Tony Bennett, Whitney Houston and Katy Perry. His Ultimate Voice Builder DVD is an amazing tool that provides innovative exercises and tips to help channel your inner American Idol or Voice: It's there, you just have to find (and release) it. Click here to purchase. $39.95.
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| Ultimate Voice Builder |
Anglepoise + Paul Smith Type 75 Desk Lamp (Edition 2)
First the obvious... $240 is a lot of money to spend on a lamp; but the Anglepoise + Paul Smith Type 75 Desk Lamp is no ordinary beacon of light. Sir Paul Smith knows a thing or two (or in this case, five) about color; and there's absolutely no way, this work of art goes unnoticed in your living room. Click here to purchase. $240.
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| Anglepoise + Paul Smith Type 75 Desk Lamp (Edition 2) |
Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera
I'm old enough to (fondly) remember the Polaroid OneStep; and it's great to see they're still around (albeit by a different maker, with eight different colors.) The Instax is lighter, slimmer and takes better pictures. Best of all, no printer required. Click here to purchase. $69.99
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| Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Film Camera |
Star Wars Darth Vader Toaster
* Don't forget to use Bed, Bath & Beyond's 20% coupon. That's 10 bucks (or Imperial Credits, depending on your level of geekdom.)
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| Star Wars Darth Vader Toaster |
Kuhn Rikon Jar Opener
Just in case your foodie friend doesn't like Star Wars... here's a kitchen gadget, nobody should live without. Opens a wide range of (thread-capped) jars, and costs less than 25 bucks! May as well get two, or three. Click here to purchase. $22
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| Kuhn Rikon Jar Opener |
Sol Republic Shadow Wireless Earphones
Beats By Dre and Bose may get more ink; but we'll take Sol Republic headphones any day of the week (and twice on Sunday.) Wouldn't it be nice to have a few extra bucks in your pocket, to load up on Google Play or iTunes after? Sol's Shadow has a flexible neckband for extra comfort, and earned an impressive 4 star CNET Editor's Rating. It's also water-resistant and packs an 8-hour battery life. Sold. Click here to purchase. $99.99
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| Sol Republic Shadow Wireless Earphones |
