For the person who likes the finer things, the Museum of Contemporary Art store (www.mcachicago.org/) has intriguing items that won’t break the bank. For example, the peanut bowl ($55) is cast from real peanuts, and is perfect for serving nuts. (Insert your own joke here.) Also, there’s the Sambonet Cocktail Fork Set ($40), which has 12 forks with different designs so people can identify their plates. There’s free ground shipping on online orders of at least $75—but you probably can walk or take the train there, anyway.
A sporting chance
Give your favorite sports-lover (and, yes, there are some out there) a gift from ESPN (www.espnshop.com). Those who want to practice their aim will love the ESPN 3 in 1 Skills Challenge, while others may simply be content with ornaments or bedroom decor. (I’m assuming the last item is for kids, but you never know.)
ZAGG reel
We all have the need to express our individuality—hence, the masses of people who get identical tattoos. Anyway, ZAGGskins (www.zagg.com/personalize/zaggskins/index.php; starting at $19.99) provides yet another (and less painful) way to stick out from the crowd. You can take one of hundreds of designs to customize your own ZAGGskin—protecting your Apple product while looking stylish. (You can even have a photo put on, making it truly personal.)
(Rent)boy’s town
You can watch and drool over the hard-working guys at Rentboy.com with the Rentboy Diaries calendar (www.rentboy.com; $15.95). Sagi (pictured), Gio, Junior, Rick and others show (in various eye-popping ways) why 2011 will be hot—and it’s not just because of global warming.
It’s a date (or 365)
The next year will be a lot easier to deal with, thanks to the Village Lighthouse, Inc.’s calendars (www.villagelighthouse.com/calendars). With calendars that cover everything from hairy men to guys in uniform, there’s something for almost everyone.