The Season

Letter perfect

Gifts for the people in your life from A to Z

ARTIST

* They're wood. They have no faces. You can twist 'em and turn 'em into any positions you want (just don't be obscene, okay?). They're ostensibly used as tiny surrogate artists' models when a live body isn't available, but they look cool when they're just standing there, too -- a sort of movable sculpture. Posable mannequins are on sale at the Art Supply Warehouse in four sizes: 12 inches ($7.99), 16 inches ($12.99), 20 inches ($19.99), and 26 inches ($29.99). And whether they're put to use, covered in charcoal dust, or just sitting on your bookshelf making you look like the arty person you're not, they're pretty cool. Available at the Art Supply Warehouse, 14 Imperial Place, Providence, (401) 331-3420.

* Two hefty tomes chock full of eye-popping, supersaturated colors will be a sure inspiration to photographers and cartoonists. LaChapelle Land: Photographs(Simon & Schuster) is a big collection of David LaChapelle's celebrity photographs, exploding with color and funky props, and reveling in kitsch. The book is part of a limited, serial-numbered run, so get it while the getting's good. It costs $50.The R. Crumb Coffee Table Art Book (Little, Brown) is a lifelong retrospective of work by the seminal, original, prototypical, archetypal fucked-up cartoonist. You'll find all your favorites, including Mr. Natural; Keep on Truckin' (a panel Crumb has always contended he despises); and Crumb's trademark big-assed, strangely titillating women. At $40, this is the perfect gift for the perverted, nebbishy artist in your life. Available on Amazon.com and at selected book stores.

BAND MEMBER

* Weddings! Parties! Bar mitzvahs! Now your band can wow the room with sizzling interpretations of some of the worst songs of the 1970s! The idea of Hal Leonard's The Ultimate Fake Book ($36, Hal Leonard Publishing) is to give you the words and the chords (for guitar, keyboard, and all "C" instruments), then let you do the rest. A punked-up version of "Brandy," Looking Glass's timeless ode to unrequited nautical love? Go with it! A polka reading of the Bee Gees' "Jive Talking"? Only a lack of accordion chops can hold you back. A death-metal "Puff the Magic Dragon"? Why the hell not? There's no shortage of crowd pleasers here -- more than 1200 songs to choose from. Available on Amazon.com and at selected book stores.

* For the little one who's not yet a musician but may be someday, there's the Mozart Magic Cube. With eight masterpieces, including selections from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and the Magic Flute, the cube allows aspiring Seiji Ozawas to listen to fully orchestrated versions or "compose" their own pieces by isolating various permutations of French horn, piano, harp, flute, and violin. It's stimulating to the young creative mind, and it's a terrific way to introduce the kiddies to one of history's greats. Available at Wayland Toys, 192 Wayland Avenue, Providence, (401) 421-6623, and at www.em-bry-on-ics.com.

CHEF

* Any chef worth his or her salt sings the praises of Le Creuset cookware. These heavy cast-iron pots have tight-fitting lids that trap in moisture, making them perfect for cooking cassoulets (though we've cooked pasta and risotto in them too). The fire-engine-red, heart-shaped two-quart pot ($70) is ideal for small meals for two. Le Creuset's stuff is pretty indestructible: they've been making it for 75 years, and your pot will probably last that long too. Available at www.chefscatalog.com, or at Kitchen Etc., 1276 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, (401) 827-8877.

* Tongs. They sound boring, but in fact they're a kitchen mainstay -- vital for handling hot or unwieldy foods, like spaghetti. You'll wonder how you cooked without them. Don't be a scrooge: get two sizes, nine inches and 12 inches. Williams-Sonoma has them in stainless steel for $7 and $8, respectively, and they lock shut when not in use, so as not to wreak havoc in your utensil drawer. Available in all Williams-Sonoma stores and at www.williams-sonoma.com.

DAD

* If there's one thing dads love, it's gearing up for a good emergency. Not that he's hoping for the bomb to drop, but he's sure as hell gonna be ready if it does. Restoration Hardware has a few items begging to find their way into dad's just-in-case kit. The Forever Flashlight ($10) has a built-in generator, activated by a pump on the grip, so it never needs batteries -- a must-have for any concrete bunker. Another indispensable item is The Worst-Case Scenario Handbook ($14.95), which explains how to treat a bullet wound, fend off a shark, and win a sword fight. Advice on how to sit around burping, farting, and watching sports on TV is, of course, in another book. Available at Restoration Hardware, 275 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 243-0620.

EGGHEAD

* Those smarty-pants friends of yours may be prone to correcting your grammar, but let's admit it: sometimes they've been caught mispronouncing "aesthete" or "joie de vivre" themselves. Let yourself revel haughtily in the gloat-worthy moment (hee hee), or help correct their errors by slipping them an electronic dictionary and thesaurus. IGadget.com's Franklin MWS-1840 ($119.99) is a slim model that supplies 120,000 words, with 300,000 definitions and 500,000 thesaurus entries -- with phonetic pronunciations given. That's ehstheeet to you. Available at www.iGadget.com.

* You don't have to be one of the Dungeons & Dragons faithful to be able to appreciate the wonders of a short-wave radio. Whether it's news, talk, or weather you're looking for -- from the BBC, the Voice of America, or Saint Petersburg -- the Grundig Mini World Band Radio, sold by Restoration Hardware for a surprisingly low $29.95, does the job. The pocket-size short-wave radio also has a belt clip and protective pouch for those who value convenience over, well, cool. Available at Restoration Hardware, 711 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 578-0088.

FREQUENT FLYER

* In the olden days, sailors would chart their position by the North Star. Now you can, too, with Restoration Hardware's Celestial Navigator ($20). This small illuminated screen shows as many as 20 northern-hemisphere constellations at a time, depending on the season. Perfect for those hard-to-shop-for friends who are always on the go. Available at Restoration Hardware, 7275 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 243-0620.

GARDENER

* You don't have to be a gardener to love flowers, so strictly speaking this first recommendation -- an amaryllis -- would work for anyone who appreciates beautiful or natural things. The amaryllis is a highly evolved lily that flourishes in tropical or subtropical climates. Here in chilly New England, the bold blossoms -- which come in a wide variety of colors (red, white, and pink are most readily available) -- are forced from bulbs resting in terra cotta pots. Prices typically range from $15 to $60. Amaryllises are available at almost any florist and many supermarkets.

* For dyed-in-the-wool gardeners, no matter what their level of expertise, nothing beats plants. But this isn't the season to buy plants. So think gift certificates. White Flower Farm of Litchfield, Connecticut, has a staggering array of flowers, plants, and shrubs. And White Flower's reputation for quality is internationally known. Available at (800) 503-9642 or www.whiteflowerfarm.com.

HANDYMAN

* Uh, excuse me. Handyman? This is an equal-opportunity paper, bub. For the woman in your life who doesn't clean houses but does build them, there's HandyMa'am by Beverly DeJulio, a $19.95 hardcover book that's an adjunct to the PBS series of the same name. DeJulio knows her stuff, and she can repair and renovate with the best butt-crack-exposing Mr. Fixit. In addition to tips for home improvement, the book also provides "ideas for involving other family members and confidence-building activities for children." So stick with Bob Vila if that's your bag, but the strong sisters are doing it for themselves. This is for them. Available at www.shop.pbs.org.

* Once you've learned it all from the book, you're gonna need tools and lots of 'em. Enter the Thyson Tool Kit, positively bursting with 130 pieces, yet compact and easy to carry (with cushion-grip handles!). Once you've gotten it where you want it, hang the kit on the wall for a custom-made shelf. And just get a load of some of these specifics: the tools are made of "drop-forged, heat-treated steel"; the ratchet driver is "American National Standards Institute-certified" and made of "nickel-chrome plated vanadium alloy steel." We don't know what it all means, but you've got to admit it sounds good. The whole set's a mere $99.95. Available at www.restoration hardware.com.

IN-LAWS

* You want to leave your in-laws feeling good about their offspring's decision to marry (or shack up with) you. So yes, you must give them a present this year. But what? You don't even know these people particularly well, and chances are you also don't much like them (they voted for Bush). So go with something safe: a $50 gift certificate to their favorite restaurant (check with your
better half for the location). They'll thank you when they get it -- and later on, after they use it.

* Let's say you do like the parents of your beloved. It's not so far-fetched. They do, after all, share the same genetic material as the light of your life. So give them something beautiful (to remind them of the love you have for their family), and something you can be reasonably sure they've never received before -- the candy-striped Jackson & Perkins phalaenopsis orchid ($69.95). Not only will they think of you every time they see it, but they'll think good thoughts. It's a stunning flower, it comes in a basket, and it's so easy to take care of that the catalogue boasts, "even novices will be rewarded with up to two months of dramatic blooms." Available by calling (877) 233-4000, or at www.jacksonandperkins.com.

JOCK

* Jock? Frat boy? Butt-head? Whatever his label, a white baseball cap is de rigueur: along with a tucked-in oxford shirt and pressed khakis, a slightly dirty white hat is all that's needed to achieve the classic American frat-boy look. Whether you're pounding beers at a kegger or tossing the pigskin on the quad, it's the perfect accessory for any occasion. But a hat for what team? There's the rub. That's why we recommend a blank, off-white (pre-dirtied!) hat, available for $15 at Lids. That way, sports fans from can customize it with the logo of whatever collegiate or pro teams they choose. Available at Lids, 346 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 270-4520.

* The Celtics are one of the few publicly traded pro sports teams. The stock is not exactly burning up Wall Street, but a framed Boston Celtics stock certificate, emblazoned with that winking, ball-spinning leprechaun, sure looks good hanging in the office or den. So deck the walls of your favorite Red Auerbach wanna-be. At this writing, a single share goes for $68 unframed or $90 framed. The Green Bay Packers sell stock too, but their certificates aren't as nice-looking. Available at www.frameastock.com or (888) 0NE-STOCK.

KIDS

* Children, especially those between the ages of two and seven, sparkle with innocent greed during the holidays. It takes a Grinch to deny them (and face it, even the Grinch saw the light). Buying for kids if you don't have them can be a challenge, but here are some tried and true suggestions. Most children two to five (and some beyond) loveThomas the Tank Engine videos. Thomas and his friends -- James, Percy, Gordon, Bertie the Bus, Henry the Helicopter, and Terrence the Tractor, to name just a few -- live on the vaguely British Isle of Sodor. They have adventures and mishaps, break rules, and learn lessons in deceptively simple stories based on the Railway series by the Reverend W. Awdry. The stories are narrated by Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin. You can also get books, toy trains, puzzles, and all sorts of educationally approved collateral stuff once the kids are hooked. Three classics are Thomas Gets Tricked, Thomas Breaks the Rules, and James Goes Buzz Buzz (available at most video and toy stores or online, $12). For the five-to-seven set, check with parents to see what their children like and what they already have (we do, after all, live in a material world). But two contemporary classics are the Toy Story 2 Flight Control Buzz Lightyear action figure ($35) and Rugrats Sing & Swing Angelica ($37), a sort of singing, dancing doll. If you don't know who the Rugrats are, don't worry. The kids will. Available at most toy stores and online retailers.

* For older kids, the Lego Studios Steven
Spielberg MovieMaker Set ($179.99) is not to be missed. First you use the provided Lego pieces to build a set complete with mini-houses, breakaway roads, and dinosaurs (for a Jurassic Park-type film, we suppose). Then you build a Lego camera sled on which to put the PC-compatible digital movie camera with microphone, also included. You film the movie, moving the included characters with guide sticks so your hands don't show. They've thrown in a clapper board and a windmaker for realistic touches. Then, on your computer, you use the set's editing software to create special effects, lay in the background music, and design titles and credits. It's a truly amazing toy, and no detail is spared. Available at www.etoys.com.

LUDDITE

* The way of the Palm may have converted most, but there are some who still think Graffiti is that stuff on walls and buses around town. For those who've turned their backs on the whole New Economy revolution thingy, there can be no better way to assert a defiant denial of all things technical than with a colorful round rolodex -- in orange, pink, or lavender. The Art Store carries theTwist by Milano ($24.98), a standing round rolodex with dividers in those vibrant colors, guaranteed to prove a point. Step off, Bill Gates. Available at artstore.com.

* Fancy freestanding halogen lamps? Miner lamps for reading in bed? Who needs 'em? In fact, who needs electricity at all, or even batteries for that matter? Restoration Hardware's Original Dietz #76 Lantern ($12) helps the simplicity-seeker in you see the light. This 10-inch-high tin lantern lamp requires only a little lamp oil. Think railroad worker, oil-field employee, miner -- or your own post-postmodern self. Available at Restoration Hardware, 275 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 243-0620.

MOM

* If Mom likes a bit of style, pick up the Chanel lipstick gift pack. For $62, she gets one of those fabulously creamy Chanel lipsticks, matching lip liner and nail color, and mascara -- all of which would ring up to more than $100 if purchased separately. What if, despite your best intentions, you discover too late that brownish-red is not her shade? She can take it back and be pampered by the Chanel staff. Available at Filene's (401-351-9900) and Lord & Taylor (401-273-4487) at Providence Place.

NATURIST/NUDIST

* If you know someone who's planning to bare it all, his or her bod had better be soft and smooth. Many of New York's celebrities (not necessarily nudists) treat their skin to fancy body-moisturizing products from Provence via L'Occitane, a swank boutique (that just recently opened a branch on Newbury Street in Boston). Whatever you choose from the line of plant-based products -- Julia Roberts's favorite, the sweet-almond/shea-butter soap ($4.25 for 3.5 ounces), or a stellar box of 24 gift soaps in scents ranging from orange to verbena ($36) -- that naked bod will be blissed out. Available at usa.loccitane.com.

* All that au naturel canoodling and cavorting brings certain images to mind. No, not that. More like goose bumps, ticks, mosquito bites, chafing. Wild and daring as you may fancy yourself to be (to hell with goose bumps, you might say), no one could turn down a squishy, warm fleece blankie on which to rest and warm those fully exposed limbs, on that compost heap that you call a back yard. Eastern Mountain Sports'Fleece Camp Blanket ($29) comes in a peaceful sea-foam color, for those who'd like to evoke an aquatic, womb-like oceanic state. Available at EMS, Emerald Square Mall, North Attleboro, Massachusetts, (508) 643-0360.

OENOPHILE

* Heavy-duty Laguiole wine openers are the ne plus ultra of wine gear. Handmade in France since 1880, they're available with all sorts of different handles: various woods or horn for the traditionalist, curvy stainless steel for the avant-garde. At Laguiole's Web site, you can even "build" your own opener -- pick the handle style, determine the length of the screw, add a knife blade, and engrave your initials. Look for the trademark Laguiole bee on top. Available at www.laguiole.com.

* Can't remember the wine you drank last night, ya big lush? Write it down in a wine dossier. It's easy: there's space for you to describe the color, bouquet (now we're getting fancy), and taste of a wine, as well as the food you ate with it. Use handy label removers to rip the label off the bottle and paste it in. You'll be a connoisseur in no time. The price is $24.95 for the book, in burgundy with grapes embossed on the cover; wine-label removers cost $9 for 10, $26 for 50, or $45 for 100. Available at www.geerlingswade.com.

PET

* What to get for the pooch
who has everything? Canine cookies. Three Dog Bakery specializes in dog-friendly treats: ingredients are chosen accordingly (no chocolate), and the crunchy textures keep Fido's teeth healthy. Our cocker spaniel loved Dottie's Dipped Delights (peanut-butter-flavored bones dipped in carob), and poodles swear by Snickerpoodles (honey-cinnamon cookies embossed with the eponymous dog). They look so good you'll want to eat them yourself. They cost $8.50 a dozen; monthly "dogliveries" run $13 to $17, and Sarah Jean's Grand Sampler goes for $15. Available at www.threedogbakery.com.

* Cats love catnip, right? So grow your own! It's an herb (not that kind, silly!) in the parsley family: throw it in a pot with some soil, stick it in the windowsill till it sprouts, then dry it, tie it up in squares of cheesecloth, and voilà! -- homemade catnip toys for your favorite feline. Not the do-it-yourself type? Buy your kitty a Good Time Gecko (a lizard-like cloth animal stuffed with catnip and allegedly beloved by cats) from Kailua Catnip Company. Catnip plants available at Bread & Circus, 261 Waterman Street, Providence, (401) 272-1690.

QUIRKY AUNT

* Trying to satisfy the family eccentric with something as simple as a three-dimensional object in a brightly wrapped box? Don't bother. What the quirky appreciate far more than such standard fare are things they can have done to themselves -- or, better yet, to their pets. So give your aunt (or, more specifically, her feline or canine) a bit of indulgence at Petco. The store offers full-service grooms (brush out, bath, haircut, blow dry, ear cleaning, nail trimming, a checking of anal glands, ribbons, and cologne) or baths (same treatment minus the haircut). Simply fabulous. Available at Petco, 1400 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, (401) 826-7387.

ROOMMATES

* How would it be possible for you to live in an outrageously overpriced apartment without someone else footing half of your four-digit rent? And how better to thank that person than with a gift of food? After all, you can enjoy the leftovers. Try the Harry and David royal pear medley ($36.95 plus shipping), a collection of buttery-sweet fruit that might replace chocolate as a favorite snack treat. Available by calling (877) 233-3000, or at www.harryanddavid.com.

* Your roommie's coffee table is your coffee table. So make sure it's covered with reading material that reflects well on, well, you. Give your aspiring-writer housemate a year's subscription to the New Yorker ($42, 800-825-2510). For domestic wanna-bes, how about Martha Stewart Living ($27, 800-950-7130)? Your resident policy wonk might like the New Republic ($39.99, 800-827-1289), and the erudite jock in the next bedroom over would probably love getting ESPN ($14.97, www.espn.com). Who knows? Maybe you might even take a peek.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER

* Let's all just admit it. Your honey will be just about as excited by that cashmere sweater or scarf you're toying with giving him as you'd be by the red lace number he's been eyeing for you (for him, more like). It's time to get real. All he really wants is that fancy George Foreman grill. And if he gets it, he can cook for your red-laced-up self. Target carries a variety of sizes, starting at a surprisingly low $19.99. Available at Target, 1245 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, (401) 821-0121.

* And while he's getting his hands dirty grilling up some salmon for your romantic dinner à deux, you can spritz away with the new custom-made fragrance he ordered specially for you on Reflect.com. Don Donovan, the "master perfumer" (hey, we might like a title like that too), promises to whip up the right scent in under five minutes, mixing and matching from his collection of 60 bottles. Answer a few questions, point and click on a few pictures you find appealing, and voilà, a personalized scent ($40 per vial) pops into your mailbox. Available at www.reflect.com.

TRENDSETTER

* Those Razor scooters are so last season, we're embarrassed even to mention them. But that doesn't mean it's back to the old car -- or, worse, pounding the pavement on foot. No need for such drastic measures when the electric bicycle is on the scene. For those lacking a thing called "pride" or "the impulse to exercise," these battery-operated bad boys kick into high gear when your limbs start feeling a little spent. The standard model, good for 20 miles at 18 miles per hour, comes in red or black and costs $995. No one ever said trendsetting was cheap. Available at www.ebike.com.

* It's no surprise that those three feisty, fabulous hotties from Charlie's Angels are leaving a trail of fashionable duds in their wake. The biggest, hippest items are those fierce rimless, tinted aviator-style sunglasses. Sunglass Hut sells its own "Charlie's Angels" sunglasses line ($69.99 to $79), custom-designed by Richard Walker, a favored designer in Hollywood. Whether you choose the blue, violet, red, gold, or silver -- with or without those fancy rhinestones -- these sunglasses may just make you want to kick some fabulous ass. In style. Available at Sunglass Hut, 92 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 270-4159.

UXORIOUS ONE

* According to the dictionary, "uxorious" means "excessively submissive or dedicated to one's wife." Many wives might ask, "How could my husband be excessively dedicated to me? Is there any limit?" In this age of Sex and the City, one might wonder. Of course, you truest of true-blue husbands (or significant others) may simply be planning to shower your beloved with gifts. But still, you'll want something special. We recommend the classic approach. First of all, chocolate (don't forget, some consider it an aphrodisiac). Stowaway Sweets has been making some of the best chocolate this side of Switzerland since 1929. Franklin Roosevelt received weekly shipments during the 11 years he lived in the White House. England's Queen Mary was a loyal customer. This decidedly low-tech operation takes orders by phone; prices range from $10 to $20 per pound. A shipping charge will be added. The truly addicted should visit Teuscher on Newbury Street in Boston -- the chocolates are flown in weekly from Switzerland. Stowaway Sweets are available by calling (800) 432-0304. Teuscher is located at 230 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 536-1922.

* Perfume is another classic way to demonstrate your devotion. But try something special. Something that's first-rate but not a household name, such as fragrances from Marilyn Miglin. You may not think of Chicago as the scent center of the US, but this bustling metropolis is Miglin's home. For years her scents were available only from her boutique on Chicago's Miracle Mile or in a small shop in the Drake Hotel. Today Miglin's fragrances are available at Nordstrom (401-621-3111) and Lord & Taylor (401-273-4487) at Providence Place. Try Destiny, priced at $55. It's for the woman who balances her sensuality with her spirituality. (Products for men are also available.)

VENTURE CAPITALIST

* As the recent dynamics on Wall Street have reminded us, what goes up must come down. For that reason, bull and bear cuff links ($75) from Brooks Brothers are the perfect way to keep exuberance in check. Look at your watch as the market opens. There's Mr. Bull on your left wrist, tossing his horns in an upward motion. But cast a glance at your right and there's Mr. Bear, ready to take it all away with a downward swipe of his claw. Ain't stocks fun? And for those lady prospectors who have no use for cuff links, we offer pajamas. Not just any PJs -- Brooks Brothers men's pajamas ($65) for a roomy, comfortable sleep after a long, hard day of doling out cash. Available at Brooks Brothers, 29 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 270-4100, and at www.brooksbrothers.com.

WORKING GIRL OR GUY

* Got a co-worker or friend whose office looks as if a tornado hit it? Relieve his or her misery in a stylish yet practical way with the Coach line of office accessories. We especially adore the rectangular pony-skin boxes in red or brown with heavy Lucite lids ($145) -- perfect for storing paper clips, pens, or anything else that usually causes clutter. Also, check out the calfskin mousepad with wrist wrest ($68) or the calfskin and nickel letter opener ($58) -- how retro! Available at coach.com.

* As far as traditional gifts go, it's hard to beat a nice pen. Mont Blanc has practically cornered the market with its assortment of writing utensils in designs ranging from simple black enamel to lapis and gold. But now there's a new line geared to younger buyers (it's fittingly called "Generations"): rollerballs, ballpoints, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils enameled in eye-popping shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple ($100 to $120). Available at the Colorado Pen Company, 137 Providence Place, Providence, (401) 270-4090.

X-RATED MATE

* Traditionally, the holidays are a time for the family to come together over a game of Monopoly -- it just wouldn't be Christmas without all that swearing, weeping, and spitting. The lascivious board games at Amazing Express, however, inspire love rather than loathing -- although it may feel a bit odd asking Granny to join you for a round of Strip Bingo ($15.99), Bumps & Grinds ($14.99), or More Foreplay ($19.99). Many of the games here have props: candles, oils, and dart guns (don't ask). Then there's Spanky Spanky ($24.99), which comes with its own whip. Roll the wrong number or pick the wrong card and you could be in for some serious pain. Come to think of it, it sounds a lot like some people's Monopoly games. Available at Amazing Supertore, 15 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, (401) 467-7631.

YOURSELF

* What better present for yourself than self-help books -- the gifts that keep on giving! Take your hard-earned stock-option pennies (before they plummet even further) and put them to work toward something lasting: a new personality, boundless riches, and irresistible sex appeal. If anyone can get you out of the doldrums, it's late-night pitchman Anthony Robbins. You can get his classic tome Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement from Amazon.com for only $11.20 in paperback. Seasoned self-helpers will appreciate personal coach Cheryl Richardson's new offering, Life Makeovers ($17.56 from Amazon.com), which is broken into 52 chapters to get you through each week of the year.

* If fame and fortune still seem a long way off, you can jump-start your legacy by naming a star after yourself. Your 50 bucks might not get you into astronomical parlance (the professionals identify stars by number), but you'll at least get a fancy wall map, suitable for framing. Major star-name purveyors include Name a Star (stars available for $49.95 at www.nameastar.net) and the International Star Registry (stars available for $48 at www.starregistry.com).

ZANY FRIEND

* Those crazy folks at Altoids are at it again. Help your friend celebrate the holidays with a theme gift basket featuring huge tins of the addictive mints. The "Deck the Hall Kit" ($29.99) includes fake-snow spray, a popcorn-stringing kit, candy-cane lights, and a big tin of peppermint Altoids; the "Just Add Gelt Kit" ($24.99) combines menorah lights, candles, and a dreidel with a wintergreen Altoids tin; the "Just Add Vodka Kit" ($29.99) is the New Year's Eve version, with glow-in-the-dark 2001 glasses, shot glasses, party horns, champagne poppers, and silver tongs for the peppermint Altoids tin; and, strangest of all, the "Reindeer Wooing Kit" ($24.99) is stocked with furry antlers, a Rudolph nose, a studded collar, and a riding crop (and, of course, a big tin of cinnamon Altoids). Available at www.altoids.com.

* Wanna splurge on a deserving yet individualistic female pal? Buy her a fabulous Marie Galvin hat. The eponymous Boston milliner makes designs that range from classic black- velvet numbers to funky Seuss-like creations. They're all one-of-a-kind, and they're a surefire high-fashion cure for even the worst bad-hair day. Ready-to-wear selections start at $50 and go to $150; custom-made couture creations start at $150 and go up. Available at at www.mariegalvindesigns.com.