Holiday Gift Guide
This holiday gift guide is an eclectic mix of unusual, unique, and one-of-a-kind gifts.
I have chosen these particular gifts because they are not the kind of thing that you can find just anywhere, nor would they necessarily be the first thing a sales clerk would suggest.
Some of them are made by hand, some of them are books on interesting topics, and some are found in out of the way places.
I have also given you links and leads to other places to look for interesting gifts for yourself, your acquainances, and your loved ones.
As you browse this holiday gift guide, imagine yourself stepping into the doorway of a quaint little shop just packed to the brims with gifts of all sizes and shapes just waiting to be wrapped up and taken home.
Have fun shopping!
Featured in the Giant Squid Community Showcase
Yay! Featured on Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A List of the Rare, Unusual, and Somewhat Strange Gifts
A Fun Browse

- Featured in the Giant Squid Community Showcase
- This Guide is Stress Free Shopping
- How Do You Shop for Gifts?
- For Fans of a Christmas Story
- Rare, Used, or Out of Print Books
- The Four Agreements
- Chocolate Gifts
- Do You Have an Artist on Your Gift List?
- Custom Jeans for the Jean Perfectionist
- Never Enough Jewelry
- Jones Soda Holiday Packs
- For the Cook in Your Family
- Soothe Those Aches and Pains
- EDUN
- Recycled Bottle Dishware
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Help Others During the Holidays!
- The End to Boring Gift Ideas
- Autographed Items from Wolfgang's Vault
- Does Your Child Just Love to Dress Up?
- Do You Know a Collector?
- Great Gift for Music Lovers
- Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
- Got a Groove on for the Seventies
- What Do You Prefer?
- Looking for the Bizarre?
- Curioser and Curioser
- My Little Toads
- Search for Your Own Unusual Gift Items
- For The Avid Reader
- Unusual Ties
- Personalized Stocking Stuffers or Favors
- I Predict. . .
- Do You Like to Swing on a Star. . .
- Lake Erie Artists Gallery
- Jessica's Bizarre Gifts and Toys
- Toys from the World of the Strange
- Help Young Chidren Live a Better Life
- More Sources for the Unusual
- Having Trouble Choosing a Gift?
- About the Author
This Guide is Stress Free Shopping
No Sweat for Your Holiday Shopping This Year
"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value."
Charles Dudley Warner (1829 - 1900), 'Eleventh Study,' Backlog Studies, 1873
How Do You Shop for Gifts?
Procrastinate Until the Last Minute or Plan Ahead
For Fans of a Christmas Story
The Leg Lamp Makes a Perfect Gift

The movie A Christmas Story
Rare, Used, or Out of Print Books
Alibris is Your Best Source
Are you trying to find a rare first edition signed copy of Alice in Wonderland for an avid book collector? If so, Alibris is the best source. Alibris is a company that brokers books from the independent owners to stores, and individuals. They have thousands of unusual books in all price ranges and categories. It is fun just to search their site.

The Four Agreements
A Wonderful Book for Friends, Family or Acquaintances
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Sit at the foot of a native elder and listen as great wisdom of days long past is passed down. In The Four Agreements shamanic teacher and healer Don Miguel Ruiz exposes self-limiting beliefs and presents a simple yet effective code of personal conduct learned from his Toltec ancestors. Full of grace and simple truth, this handsomely designed book makes a lovely gift for anyone making an elementary change in life, and it reads in a voice that you would expect from an indigenous shaman. The four agreements are these: Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. It's the how and why one should do these things that make The Four Agreements worth reading and remembering. --P. Randall Cohan
Usually ships in 24 hours
Chocolate Gifts
For Unique Gourmet Chocolate Lovers
Chocolate is a staple in many people's lives, for cooking, baking, and for eating when your boyfriend dumps you or you are fighting with your best friend.
One of my favorites to recommend is
Spiced Savory Chocolate Sauce because this complex combination spices will make your mouth water for more of these South American flavors.
Do You Have an Artist on Your Gift List?
There is nothing better to give an artist, than art supplies.
Artists are always in need of art supplies in whatever field they are in. The problem is, they know much better than you what art supplies they need. Art supplies are expensive, too, so they are the perfect choice to give as gifts to help alleviate the cost to your friends and family. There is a wonderful solution to this dilemna, and that is to give a gift certificate to Dick Blick's. Dick Blick's is the ultimate in art supply stores for professional artists. They have EVERYTHING! So you can feel confident in purchasing a gift certificate from them.
Custom Jeans for the Jean Perfectionist
Fit to the T
There is nothing more comfortable than a perfect pair of jeans. And here is one place that really follows through on that promise. Get a pair of jeans that you will never want to give up or buy a pair for your sweetheart that you will love to watch them wear. Each pair of jeans is custom made to fit your order. And the site walks you through the process.
Never Enough Jewelry
My motto

Small Square Bright Earrings
$45.00
City Style Earrings
$65.00
Simple Jasper Necklace
$35.00
Amber Crystal Necklace
$45.00
Amber Silver Necklace
$45.00
Baby Leaf Earrings
$25.00
Pearl Drop Earrings
$30.00
Mother and Child Necklace
$45.00
Square Earrings w/Pearl Drop
$55.00
Jones Soda Holiday Packs
Great for a laugh for Chanukah or Christmas
I had to include this gift because it makes me laugh every time I think of it. What a fun gift for a friend for the holidays. Jones Soda comes up with holiday gift packs every year and here are the soda flavors in the Chanukah pack and the Christmas pack. Of course, you can choose whatever flavors you like, they don't have to be just these.
Chanukah Pack
Latke Soda, Apple Sauce Soda, Chocolate Coins Soda and Jelly Doughnut Soda.
Christmas Pack
Christmas Ham Soda, Christmas Tree Soda, Egg Nog Soda and Sugar Plum Soda.
No Kwanzaa Pack yet, but you can make up your own.

For the Cook in Your Family
A Revised Classic
This book is a classic that has been revised and is now in paperback. A great cookbook for entertaining. A wonderful gift for any foodie or lover of great cooking.

New Elegant But Easy Cookbook
New in paper! Originally published in 1960, Elegant but Easy was a mixture of homegrown and imported recipes, liberally seasoned with butter, cream, and cheese (especially American cheese), with a generous helping of convenience foods. Now, almost forty years and 500,000 copies later, authors Marian Burros and Lois Levine have written a completely revised and updated version of the classic cookbook that set the standard for entertaining. The New Elegant but Easy Cookbook reflects the way we cook today while keeping the concept behind the original book: recipes that can be prepared ahead of time so the cook can enjoy the party instead of hovering over the stove. We all know that stirring risotto in the kitchen while your guests are gossiping in the living room is no fun. That's why all the recipes in The New Elegant but Easy Cookbook can be prepared in advance and refrigerated or frozen until your party. While sharing all-new recipes for delectable dishes like Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, Michele's Corn Pudding, or an astonishing Prepare-Ahead Chocolate Soufflé, Burros and Levine have also included 50 favorites from the original cookbook, like Sherley's Parmesan Puffs, Baked Imperial Chicken, Green and Gold Squash, and Lois's Original Plum Torte (the most requested recipe ever reprinted in the New York Times). To make your life even easier, the book has new features, like an ingredients list with mail-order sources and lists of recipes for specific needs and occasions. Best of all, there are ten foolproof menus, from an Old-Fashioned Casual Dinner for 6 to a Brunch for 16 to Cocktails for 24, each with a shopping list and a two-week count-down game plan that will take the fear out of entertaining for even the first-time host.
Soothe Those Aches and Pains
Gifts to Comfort and Relax
Relaxation Wrap - Aromatherapy Hot/ Cold Therapeutic Wrap - Microwaveable Heat Pack - Moist Heat Herbal Wrap
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EDUN
EDUN is a company known for its social action. Here is a blurb telling about it.
New York, NY - October 16, 2007:
Following the success of the 2006 collaboration, The ONE Campaign and EDUN have come together for the second-year-running to launch the ONE.org T-shirt by EDUN. 2006 saw tens of thousands of t-shirts sold, delivering the message to millions of people worldwide that, together, we can help fight global disease and extreme poverty and bring fair trade and AIDS treatment to Lesotho, Africa.
The campaign, produced and partially underwritten by Elle magazine, was shot again by photographer and supermodel Helena Christensen, photographing a host of Hollywood stars and musicians all of whom have come together to support EDUN and ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History.

Recycled Bottle Dishware
A Gift for Someone Who Has Everything

These dishes are made from glass bottles that are recycled from bars and restaurants here in Cleveland, Ohio by a local glass artist, Deby Cowdin. These are a set made from Grey Goose bottles and are available in lemon (pictured), orange, or plain (grey). The set comes with a flat cheese tray and a dish, accompanied by beaded utensils to match.
Price is $65 plus shipping.
To order, sales@lakeerieartists.com.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." ~Dr. Seuss
Help Others During the Holidays!
Give a gift of love
The End to Boring Gift Ideas
Fresh Trends
This blog--Fresh Trends--is constantly giving unique gift ideas. This is fun to read, and even more fun to shop.

Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNot what we give,
But what we share,
For the gift
without the giver
Is bare.
~James Russell Lowell
Autographed Items from Wolfgang's Vault
Here is a great site for autographed posters and more
"Nothing's as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas." ~Kin Hubbard
Does Your Child Just Love to Dress Up?
What is More Fun Than to Pretend With Real Costumes?
Do You Know a Collector?
This Box is a Wonderful Home for Small Collections
Great Gift for Music Lovers
Need to Find Something Different
Vintage Vinyl LP Record Coasters - Set of 6
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane
Give a Box of Candy from Your Growing Up Years
There is nothing more fun than opening a box of candy from when you were in high school. I recently got one of these as a gift and I remembered so many friends that I used to share the candy with. Do you remember Now & Laters, Lemonheads, and candy cigarettes? Funny how small things like that bring back all sorts of memories.

Christmas - Candy you ate as a kid® 4 lb.- 70s assortment with personalized box top message - $ 34.99
Wax Lips, Fizzies, Slo Pokes, Wax Bottles with flavored syrup, Candy Cigarettes, Necco Wafers, Candy Buttons on paper tape, Sugar Daddies, Mary Janes, Chiclets, Zagnut, Chunky, Abba-Zaba, BB Bats, Sen Sen, Chick-O-Sticks, Teaberry Gum, Kits, Sugar Babies, and many more candies from the 1970s... still available after all these years.
Got a Groove on for the Seventies
Here are Some Music Classics to Bring Back Memories
Top Hits of the Seventies: Chart Toppers
Amazon Price: $16.97 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Usually ships in 24 hours
What Do You Prefer?
For Holiday Gatherings, Would You Rather Give Gifts to Everyone or Just Enjoy the Company?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI Love Giving and Getting Gifts!
Intuitive says:
I've always loved picking just the right gift and/or making one.
Posted November 12, 2008
Jewelsofawe says:
I grew up giving and getting gifts with my family so I do tend to enjoy that and also company
Posted November 11, 2008
lilbabycakes says:
I have always believed in giving to receive. I enjoy holiday time with my family and friends.
Posted October 19, 2008
TraderGirl says:
I would enjoy both. If I had the money, I would like to give gifts, things people would enjoy. If not, fix everyone a nice meal and enjoy their company.
Posted October 19, 2008
Angelina_Howard says:
I love giving and giving. But I do enjoy the company because that is what memories are made of.
Posted October 13, 2008
dreamsgate says:
I love giving gifts. I spend quite a bit of time handmaking all my gifts for family and friends.
Posted October 11, 2008
daria369 says:
I love giving and receiving gifts - it's great when they are thoughtful!
Posted October 08, 2008
susannaduffy says:
I like to give small inexpensive gifts to everyone. I buy little things during the year for end of year celebrations
Posted October 08, 2008
MarcoG says:
I love giving, but I don't like getting...if I get something, I'm so bad at pretending to like it, if I don't, so to save embarrasment I'd rather not get anything at all lol x
Posted October 08, 2008
Rya says:
I like both giving and getting gifts--I tend to obsess over figuring out that perfect gift for everyone on my list because I hate to think of anyone not feeling special on the holidays :)
Posted October 06, 2008
The_Party_Animal says:
I would rather receive gifts - I guess I am greedy - lol
Posted October 05, 2008
It is Too Much Bother! Let's Just Relax Together.
dustytoes says:
I'd love to just have all my kids together in my house! With everyone spread out all over the country, that would be my gift!
Posted October 27, 2008
naturegirl7 says:
Actually, I'm in the middle. I like to give small, handmade gifts or food items and also relax and enjoy each others' company.
Posted October 08, 2008
awelldressedbullet says:
When I was a wee one, the gifts were a big part of the holidays, now (that I am waaaay older) I rather enjoy sitting around with family and good friends
Posted October 08, 2008
BFuniv.com says:
The relationships are what counts. I tend to give gifts all year as I find something appropriate - I would just as soon skip a set time and token gifts.
Posted October 08, 2008
YourCover_Mama says:
Gifts are fun, but holiday gatherings are more about appreciating the family and friends around you, and spending wonderful time with them with food, fun, and laughter!
Posted October 08, 2008
ArtByLinda says:
I just love being with family and spending time. When I was a little girl I always looked forward more to the gifts, not it is the people I look forward to. Though it is exciting to give when you know you have something really special for someone you love!
Posted October 07, 2008
Margo_Arrowsmith says:
Too many gifts gets to be too much. A nice grab bag or something like that is the best.
Posted October 05, 2008

Looking for the Bizarre?
Something Strange and Wonderful
Book of the Bizarre: Freaky Facts and Strange Stories
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Usually ships in 24 hours
Curioser and Curioser
Gifts for Curiosity Seekers
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/12/2009)![]()
Usually ships in 24 hours
My Little Toads
For Babies and Moms to Be--A Touch of the Unusual
Search for Your Own Unusual Gift Items
Don't Like My List? Search for Your Own
For The Avid Reader
Amazon's Kindle--Carry Your Library With You
Unusual Ties
For The Tie Collector
If you know someone who collects unusual ties, there is no better place to get them than Zazzle. On Zazzle, artists can create ties from any design they wish. Below are designs from two artists.

Indoor Dreams--Customizable colors
by
purrprints
Design a Necktie With www.zazzle.com
Personalized Stocking Stuffers or Favors
Customize a Gift
I Predict. . .
Holiday Predictions
My prediction:
lakeerieartists, at 12pm on October 3, 2008 predicts:
I predict that your gift giving will be more creative this holiday season.
Reader predictions:
Fetching predictions now... please stand by
kiwisoutback, at 12pm on December 5, 2008 predicts:
I'm having trouble thinking of gifts for some people, but this lens gave me some ideas. Thanks!
dustytoes, at 3pm on October 27, 2008 predicts:
That we will have a white Christmas in NH again this year!
Rajays, at 2pm on October 25, 2008 predicts:
I say that you are right. The world of possibilites just opened up.
knowgodnow, at 1pm on October 16, 2008 predicts:
I will sell my paintings!
WhitU4ever, at 10pm on October 8, 2008 predicts:
I predict you are right!
Fetching predictions now... please stand byDo You Like to Swing on a Star. . .
Carry Moonbeams Home in a Jar. . .
Here's my favorite link:
Christmas brings enormous electric bills. Candles are used for Hanukkah. Not only are we spared enormous electric bills, but we get to feel good about not contributing to the energy crisis. ~KOACH Humor, "Holiday Distinctions Finally Explained" (KOACH College Outreach is a project of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism)
Jessica's Bizarre Gifts and Toys
Great for Gag Gifts and Things That You Can't Find Anywhere Else
If you are looking for the unusual, hard to find toy or gag gift, Jessica's is a great source. I mean, who doesn't need these. . .
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by"Gift giving is tough--I want to give something special this year!"
Toys from the World of the Strange
I am Not Sure What to Say about This Toy
Help Young Chidren Live a Better Life
Give to others during the holidays
More Sources for the Unusual
How Unusual is Your Gift Recipient?

Uglydolls from Calliope Boutique
- Uncommon Goods
- Unique accessories and other gift items.
- Mable's
- Novelty items.
- Vat 19
- Curiously awesome products.
- Etsy
- The source for all things handmade.
- Calliope Boutique
- Live exuberantly.

Having Trouble Choosing a Gift?
Or Have Something to Add to this Lens?

TheFishCatcher wrote...
The Christmas Story lamp has got to be my all time favorite
Rewards4life wrote...
Nice things, the rubber ducks are brilliant. I am a, Procrastinate Until the Last Minute man but like to have it all planned out, not sure why but that's just the way... You have some really good books on here, I know what I'll be putting on my list. 5*
Intuitive wrote...
Is it possible to have too many goodies in one lens? I thought I wanted the jeans, but I love the little toads (even though I don't have kids), and there was something else, what was it... ? :) 5*
dustytoes wrote...
Spectacular array of wonderful gift ideas! I had to add that old time candy link to my favorites, my son would love that!!...wish it was still penny candy...oh well...I really enjoyed this lens - it is a favorite!
Rajays wrote...
Wonderful gift ideas here. So many choices and all great. I personally like to do my shopping way before the holiday seasons.
spirituality wrote...
These are great looking gifts. Congrats on getting featured on the giant squid community showcase blog :)
OrganicGiftsByDiana wrote...
WOW !
What a lot of links here !
I see you are in Cleveland, Ohio - I am in Hubbard, Ohio about an hour or so away.
I am going to go check out your website as I love art and even try to incorporate some little touches in my handmade products and packaging... too.
Organically Yours,
Diana
http://organicgiftsbydiana.mybisi.com/
mexemx wrote...
What a great selection!, although I was looking for newborn baby gifts and mother to be gifts, so here is my suggestion for unusual and unique gifts...
Baby Bouquets, they are flower arrangements made of baby clothes and accessories, very fun and cute, find them at www.swankyblooms.com
aquariann wrote...
Wonderfully laid out lens with lots of fun and unique gift ideas! That Book of Bizarre is especially enticing.
faithcreations wrote...
Nice Lens! Welcome to the "SHOP AT HOME" group! Faith
ashleymia wrote...
This lens is very nice. This is really very useful guide to every one as shopping guide. I am so much impressed by this. 5*s.
daria369 wrote...
There are some gift ideas in this lens I'd never think of so - thank you for so many suggestions. Great lens!
naturegirl7 wrote...
Congratulations on becoming a Giant Squid. How in the world did you find all of those...ah ...interesting and unusual gifts. I'd have to break the leg lamp, just like in the movie.
awelldressedbullet wrote...
Congratulations on both joining the Giant Squid family and for your featured lens. And now there is no excuse for folks to find an unusual and unique gift. Well done! Ok, let's gather our funds together and buy that leg lamp for Linda LOL - Kathy
susannaduffy wrote...
Some wonderful ideas in here. 5* of course for another excellent and imaginative lens from you. I want a Leg Lamp for myself!
dandepp wrote...
Another great lens you have - Im trying to keep up! Nice unique gift ideas! Great read!
MarcoG wrote...
Another wonderful lens...so many great ideas. Ugly dolls rock and I'm totally going to make ties for people out of my art work on zazzle hehe. Great work here Paula xxx
Joan4 wrote...
Congratulations on being Featured on the Giant Squid Community Showcase! I will definitely return to your beautiful lens! Great ideas -- and a great lens to learn from!
ArtByLinda wrote...
Love this lens, and love the holidays! But I have to say if anyone gives me that leg lamp...!!!
(lol) Congrats on being featured on the Giant Squid Community Showcase! GReat job! Linda
a_willow wrote...
This is really great selection of gifts! And many great ideas!
rms wrote...
This great lens is today's feature at the Giant Squid Community Showcase! Stop by and Grab Your Badge.
www.giantsquidshowcase.com
ChristiannaGarrett-Martin wrote...
A great Lens! Very well done, and some excellent and different gifts you have chosen to feature.
5 star and favourite :)
Christianna.
About the Author
Lensmaster lakeerieartists, aka Paula Atwell, has been a member since June 5 2008, has rated 2,095 lenses, favorited 134, and has created 247 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Eco-Chic Green Fashion". See all my lenses
Check out these great lenses...
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- "Making your First Lens" Mentor
EVERYBODY can Squidoo! You can too! It might take you an afternoon to 'get the hang of it', but that afternoon can be LOTS of fun. You don't need to be an expert in anything 'internet-y' to be able to build a beautiful, useful and successful Squido... view lens -
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- Lake Erie Artists Gallery at Shaker Square
Lake Erie Artists Gallery has moved from downtown Cleveland, Ohio to a new location at Shaker Square, the second oldest shopping center in the United States, at the junction of Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland Heights, Ohio and Shaker Heights, Ohio just ea... view lens -
- PMC Metal Clay Tips and Tutorials
Precious Metal Clay is a unique material made up of particles of pure silver or gold mixed in an organic binder. It is available in several forms, but the most popular is the lump clay. Once fired you are left with fine silver or gold. If you are ju... view lens
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- So, to find these wonderful gifts for a woman to consider the Christmas gifts for her. Christmas gifts for her are a collection of wonderful gifts and novelties. The gifts are beautiful and perform functions unique and immediately ...
by lakeerieartists

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