I'll just have one glass
Tell the world ( or just visitors at home ) just what working was like with the "How Was Your Day?" wine glass ( BigMouthToys.com ). Just an opinion: If you find yourself drinking from the "Don't Ask!" level several days in a row, you may need to change your life in some way.
The greatest love of all
Whitney Houston Love: Her Greatest Performances: The six-time Grammy-award winning singer's first-ever live album features the most memorable live performances from her storied career. Among the features are Houston's 1991 rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, her 1983 debut on The Merv Griffin Show and her duet with Mariah Carey at the 1999 Academy Awards.
Disco fever
You certainly can judge a book by its cover. In this case, Disco: An Encyclopedic Guide to the Cover Art of Disco ( $49.95; Amazon.com ) shows just that. There are covers of records by artists such as Donna Summer, Village People, Teddy Pendergrass and O'Jays as well as lesser-known musicians. Be warned, though: The fashions of that time are on full display, too.
Print condition
For those who like to get literary, Out of Print ( www.outofprintclothing.com ) has a variety of novelty items, including clothes, jewelry and even coaster sets. One of my favorites? The iPhone case that has the cover of The Great Gatsby we all read in high school ( the one with the darker blue background, complete with a woman's eyes and lips ); inside, that case reads, "Hello, old sport!"
A kit above
Bevel, by Walker & Company, is a subscription service that offers a full-range shaving system. Each 30-day starter kit ( $59.95; getbevel.com ) features a double-edge safety razor along with blades, a badger shaving brush, priming oil, shaving cream and restoring balm. ( Each kit after is for 90 days, and is $29.95 ). I have to admit: These items are pretty high-quality.
Feeling the Love
A number of companies submitted candies for consideration, but Norman Love Confections ( www.normanloveconfections.com ) won, hands down, for its decadent truffles ( with flavors such as eggnog latte, candy cane and S'mores )and assortments start at $6.25.
Multitasking
Une Bobine ( $35; www.fusechicken.com/products/bobine ) is a flexible and eclectic stand/dock/sync/charge cable for your iPhone, iPod or Android. The cable can be flexed in different positions, coiled, wrapped around objectsthe only limit is your imagination.
It's a sin
The seven deadly sins have never looked so tempting as they are as depicted in the Homoerotic Orthodox calendar ( Orthodox-Calendar.com or Amazon.com ), which fights homophobia in the Orthodox region. I'll say it again: Gluttony never looked so good.
Knockaround guys
Knockaround Sunglasses ( knockaround.com/ ) has a variety of items that fit every sort of taste and personalityand they're priced pretty reasonably ( $14-$30 ). There are monochrome, aviators, polarized, limited-edition and other items. You'll be the coolest-looking soul aroundas your glasses reflect the snow in Chicago ( or the sun while vacationing in Palm Springs ).
Feel the pressure
The efficient ( and colorful ) SilverStone microwave pressure cooker ( $69.99; Amazon.com ) is something any chef wannabe will appreciate. In addition, the package includes a removable steamer plate and a recipe booklet to inspire a variety of delicious, easy-to-prep dishes. Easy to cook? Sign me upalthough if it involves okra, I'm skipping it.
In brief...
TomboyX has come out with its own boxer briefs for women ( $27; www.tomboyx.com ). The company boasts that its underwear has a perfect fit, comfort and no pouch. Now we've truly reached equality.
I'll drink to that
Show your pride with a bottle of Equality Vodka ( $29.99; www.equalityvodka.com or 210-816-3557 ). For its first two years the brand, which just launched this month, has committed to donating a portion of sales to the Lambda Legal Defense Fund. Here's to equality!
Band together
Hammacher Schlemmer has introduced the Comfortable TV Listening Headband ( $149.95; www.hammacher.com ), which has lightweight, ultra-thin stereo speakers inside the fabric that connect wirelessly to the included Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into a television. This way, you can listen to Homeland ( orsighKeeping Up with the Kardashians ) without bothering your partner.
Ave, Maria
Out actress Maria Bello ( Coyote Ugly; A History of Violence; The Jane Austen Book Club ) narrates Betrayed ( $24.49 for audiobook download ), the new novel by New York Times best-selling and Edgar Award-winning author Lisa Scottoline. And if you know Scottoline's work, you know there's some serious drama ( and action ) happening.
( red ) reckoning
( red ) joins forces with iconic brands to bring great products to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The store at www.RED.org has everything from The Killers' "Christmas in L.A." single to tennis backpacks to luggage tags to an "ADO( RED )" onesie for babies.
Jean therapy
Betabrand's Gay Jeans ( $98; www.betabrand.com/rainbow-denim-slim-fit-gay-jeans.html ) are like any other five-pocket denimsexcept that when the indigo dye fades away from washing, you ( and others ) will see a rainbow of yarn. Fabulous!
Time will reveal
Tissot watches ( us.tissotshop.com/ ) are stylish and, in some cases, multifunctional. For example, the Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar ( $1,150 ) has 25 functions, including compass, altimeter, chronograph, thermo, alarm and more. Whatit doesn't make coffee?
Flicks and treats
Cinephiles will definitely appreciate a subscription to IndieFlix ( indieflix.com/ ), which offers movies you will probably not find almost anywhere else. ( I love Netflix, but I bet most of these items are not there. ) The LGBTQ channel alone offers movies such as Audit, To Play or To Die, Vacationland, Fagbug and Prora.
You bring me Joy
HSN's Joy Mangano and supermodel Iman ( aka David Bowie's wife ) have teamed to debut their all new Joy & IMAN Multi-Pocket Luxe Genuine Leather Handbag ( $79.99 ). Available only on HSN, HSN.com and HSN mobile, these chic and fashionable items come in eight colorsJet black, rich cognac, crimson red, classic navy, sunset orange, cappuccino, latte, majestic purple, London gray and deep emerald.
All about Yves
From Thames & Hudson publishing company, Yves Saint Laurent ( $50; www.thamesandhudsonusa.com ) is Roxanne Lowit's personal photographic history of Saint Laurent from 1978, the year she first met him, to the last show he gave in 2002. Featuring contributions from individuals such as Catherine Deneuve, this is a must-have for any fashionista.
Keeping dates
One of the best gifts you can get someone is one of those page-a-day calendarsespecially if they cover topics the recipients find intriguing. Workman Publishing ( www.PageADay.com ) has a huge assortment of these items, including "1,000 Places to See Before You Die," "Shoes," "Zoo Portraits," "Mind Benders" and "308 Really Bad Jokes + 57 Hilarious Puns." ( Regarding the last item, here's one entry: "How many police officers does it take to change a lightbulb? None. It always turns itself in." Judge for yourself. )
Wine and yours
If you're one of those who does not drink your entire bottle of wine in one sitting ( and there are a few of you out there ), Savino ( www.SavinoWine.com ) just might be the perfect gift. Savino is a glassware product that keeps your wine fresh for up to a weekand, on top of that, it looks pretty cool. So save that chardonnay until the end of the week, when you might need it to cope with everything that happened during your work week.
And ... action!
For those who like being adventurous, you can capture those moments with the DVR 787 HD Affordable Action Camera ( $69.99; www.OfficeDepot.com ). It includes a touch screen, waterproof case, bike and helmet mounts, and even a remote control.
Plum kind of wonderful
Put down the spirits you always try and go for something different. Liqueurs such as Unicum Plum ( $31.99 ), Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur ( $29.99 ) and Bailey's Chocolate Cherry ( $21 ) offer unique ways to spice up the holidays without breaking the bank.
Of note...
Let's get local: Chicago Symphony Center ( CSO.org ) gift certificatesgood for ticket purchases for CSO and Symphony Center Presents showsare the perfect gift for concert enthusiasts. Side note: For music-themed merchandise and CSO Resound recordings, including Verdi's Otello with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus ( led by music director Riccardo Muti ), visit the CSO's Symphony Store at 67 E. Adams St.