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What? You're still doing your holiday shopping? Check your local bookstores for these maps, because they are genius. Instead of endlessly folding/refolding, you just crumple up this map and throw it in your bag or pocket. Plus, it's 100% waterproof and includes streets, monuments, museums, art galleries and much more (as in, 10 “SoulSights" to excite you). Map Size: 87x58 cm Available versions: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Chicago, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Florence, Hamburg, ...Read more

How about a hefty menorah? This one by Josh Owens is made of solid cast iron and has an integrated tray to catch wax drippings (or a used match). Happy Hanukkah! Also, if you're looking for a menorah, take a look at the Jewish Museum Shops... they've got plenty of good ones. Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 3.5 inches...Read more

Designed by Richard Tipping, these signs play with familiar images and text that will have you looking twice. Open/Closed Sign, $18.00, from Design Warehouse Sante Fe 'Come in we're Closed' or 'Sorry We're Open'. Either way just isn't right for most folks. Durable plastic. 8" H | 12" D One Day Sign, $16.00, from Design Warehouse Sante Fe Defeatist and yet optimistic, this sign might get you going in the right direction if you ...Read more

This might be the best gift ever, unless the recipient is extremely clumsy. It's a whole ecosystem completely enclosed in handblown glass. With sufficient light and a comfortable room temperature, the shrimp, algae and microbes will coexist peacefully in their own little world without any help. Plus, when the life span of 2 to 3 years is up (some have lived up to 10 years), each EcoSphere comes with a replacement, recharge or ...Read more

If you have a plethora of sticky notes around your workspace, just think how nice would it be to make a little origami from them instead of chucking them in the bin. You could take a tiny creative break whenever you complete the task or no longer need the note. I'm sure it would help the day go by a bit easier. Each pad has instructions for 10 different shapes (pig; ...Read more

Keep track of your friends and foes with these colorful notebooks, or just pretend like you do and use it for notes and sketches instead (which would be my recommendation). -matte satin cardstock cover -160 blank pages of Lessebo Linn paper with sewn signatures. Designer: Archie Grand, Sweden Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 6 1/2" Also available at Archie Grand, €11.95. Originally published October 8, 2009....Read more

A hollow coin is a low tech tool for transferring sensitive messages or perhaps also a perfect place for a tiny transmitter (not that I know anything about those sorts of things). Sort of fun, no? $40.00, Buy it here. Originally posted Aug 5, 2009....Read more

We've posted this pen before (Space Pen), but the black and gold options are eyecatchers. Also, if anyone cites the Russian Space Pen (a pencil) as an alternative, just be sure to note it's not safe in outer space. See original post for details. "This pen was invented for NASA. It will write upside down, under water, over grease, in freezing cold, boiling heat, and in outer space; each pen ...Read more

Remember how this week we'll be updating our Gifts section? Well, if you're lucky enough to have some snow, consider this for a gift this year... When life gives you snow, you go sledding, obviously. Made from 5/8” thick marine-grade molded plywood, this fully steerable sled will hopefully help you and/or your kids fly down the hill safe and sound (and, of course, super fast). "The sled's wide stance makes ...Read more

Top 25 Funniest Autocorrects of DYAC. If you enjoyed those, they have a book: Damn You, Autocorrect!: Awesomely Embarrassing Text Messages You Didn't Mean to Send, $11.19 Love this Geometric Holiday Garland from Blow Up!. So-amazing-yet-out-of-my-price-range Shadow bike stand. via bookofjoe Have you heard of this? Fancy Hands, personal assistants for everyone. TBD: Design a quilt panel for the (2015) Quilt. Cambridge Digital Library: Early Papers by Isaac Newton via @nytimesbits Gizmodo: Facebook ...Read more

Remember this bench? It's definitely time for an update as Chadhaus now has its own online store. The Vollen bench is hand built in Seattle from sustainably harvested local hard wood. Modern and simple, they'll fit into many a room easily, especially as there are several sizes and finishes to choose from. Also, use the code STORE LAUNCH for 20% off, effective now through 12/31/11. Shown above: Vollen Bench Painted, $450.00 - $1700.00 Finished ...Read more

Hip flasks seem to go hand in hand with the holidays, just like mistletoe, family visits and frantic shopping. If you're still not finished crossing off your gift list (get a move on!), consider this flask, or, if it's a bit pricey, just plug in 'flask' into Amazon or your local search engine and you'll find all manner of flasks that can be shipped overnight to wherever you desire- maybe ...Read more

Sometimes minimal decoration on presents and packages looks much better than a bunch of fancy bows, case in point is this gift tag stamp from Yellow Owl Workshop. To win recycling points, use newspapers or paper grocery bags for wrapping, and then some string and this stamp to state the giver/recipient. Ta-da. You're done. Natural rubber stamps mounted on maple blocks, packaged in a gift box. Includes one rubber ...Read more

Remember the Mousepad Rugs? Those digitally dyed nylon and rubber rugs that are machine washable and skid-resistant? Well, here they are again, except now there's a few more to choose from through Decurate (a weekly mag featuring design sales, if you're not familiar) or directly from Domestic Construction. My favorites shown below. Main image: Skullz Rug, $98.00 - $198.00 Burst Rug, $98.00 - $198.00 Moon Dance, $98.00 - $198.00 Paper Dome, $98.00 - $198.00 Of course, remember that ...Read more

How do you feel about faux-bois woodgrain? Terrific or tacky? I vote for terrific in this case, as the pattern is grooved into the sides and top of a white coffee table. It adds an organic feel- "updated organic modern" would be the label if you're in need of classification. Perhaps even more exciting than the table is the handy storage box (Stump Storage Box, pictured below) which provides a ...Read more