Some Unique Holiday Song Videos

Most of us love to celebrate the holidays with traditional Christmas songs. But, what about songs of the season for those with blue souls, unique insights, and unusual tastes and associations. Sure, I have my favorite Christmas music that requires review; however, I find myself enjoying new songs and new interpretations of songs not normally played over and over during the Christmas season. Here are twenty music videos that can make you laugh, cry, upset, or show some other unique response.



I have tried to include videos with live performances where possible. Sometimes, I have chosen cover songs because of the distinct content of the video. And, sometimes I have chosen songs because I thought you may have never heard or seen them. So, in no ranking order, here are twenty unique holiday songs.





1. "Same Old Lang Syne"  Dan Fogelberg



The melody phrase at the beginning of each verse ("Met my old lover at the grocery store...") was taken by Fogelberg from Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."



Smooth Jazz giant Michael Brecker played soprano saxophone on this song. His part is featured in the ending, and is an improvised, jazzy snippet of the classic holiday tune "Auld Lang Syne."



As Fogelberg tells it on his official website, the song is totally autobiographical. He was visiting family back home in Peoria, Illinois in the mid-'70s when he ran into an old girlfriend at a convenience store.(www.songfacts.com)



After Fogelberg's death from prostate cancer in 2007, the woman whom he wrote the song about came forward with her story. Jill Greulich dated in Fogelberg in high school when she was Jill Anderson. As she explained to the Peoria Journal Star in a December 22, 2007 article, they were part of the Woodruff High School class of 1969, but later went to different colleges.



After college, Jill married and moved to Chicago, and Dan went to Colorado to pursue music. On Christmas Eve, they were each back in Peoria with their families when Jill went out for egg nog and Dan was dispatched to find whipping cream for Irish coffee. The only place open was a convenience store at the top of Abington Hill at Frye Avenue and Prospect Road, and that's where they had their encounter. They bought a six pack of beer and drank it in her car for two hours while they talked.



Five years later, Jill heard "Same Old Lang Syne" on the radio while driving to work, but she kept quiet about it, as Fogelberg also refused to reveal her identity. Her main concern was that coming forward would disrupt Fogelberg's marriage.



Looking at the lyrics, Jill says there are two inaccuracies: She has green eyes, not blue, and her husband was not an architect - he was a physical education teacher. It's unlikely Fogelberg knew his profession anyway. Regarding the line, "She would have liked to say she loved the man, but she didn't like to lie," Jill won't talk about it, but she had divorced her husband by the time the song was released.









2. "If We Make It Through December"  Merle Haggard



The song was also covered by Alan Jackson, Marty Robbins, and Faron Young.



Not technically referred to as a Christmas song, "If We Make It Through December," was written and released by Merle Haggard in 1973. It treats with Haggard's simple poetry the desperate optimism of a working-class man dealing with economic hardship. Having been laid off from his factory job just prior to the holidays, the man becomes depressed over his predicament during what normally should be a "happy time of year." At one point, he observes that his little girl "don't understand why Daddy can't afford no Christmas cheer." (Roland, Tom, The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits, 1991)



The chorus, "If we make it through December/Everything's gonna be alright I know" expresses hope, the protagonist telling himself that hope exists if he wants to deal with "the coldest time of winter" and the cold, lonely feeling he experiences while watching the snow fall ("and I shiver when I see the falling snow").









3. "River"  Joni Mitchell covered here by Sarah MaLachlan



The cover versions of "River" are too numerous to relate.  It is used in the 2000 film Almost Famous and in episodes of Alias, thirtysomething, and ER.



Released on Joni's Blue album (1971), the song opens to an off-key rendition of "Jingle Bells." It captures a unique essence of Christmas: moping, escapist fantasies, scorning people who have the audacity to pursue seasonal cheer, and ice skating.



 "I've known it from the time it was written, and I've always loved it," says James Taylor, who included it on his James Taylor at Christmas album.



"Most Christmas songs are light and shallow, but 'River' is a sad song. It starts with a description of a commercially produced version of Christmas in Los Angeles . . . then juxtaposes it with this frozen river, which says 'Christmas here is bringing me down,"' Taylor told The Washington Post.



"It's such a beautiful thing, to turn away from the commercial mayhem that Christmas becomes and just breathe in some pine needles. It's a really blue song," he said. (The Washington Post, December 24, 2006)













4. "Christmas Card From a Hooker In Minneapolis"  Tom Waits



Renowned singer/songwriter of "Downtown Train" and "Old '55" fame, Tom Waits release the album Blue Valentine that contained "Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis." 

The song comes almost verbatim from a Charles Bukowski poem, and when paired up with Waits' broken growl and his somber piano it becomes one of the most achingly beautiful songs ever written. Not many movies can retain the surprise of a twist ending on repeats, but somehow this song never loses the pure punch to the gut that comes with the final reveal. "Christmas Card" is on the short list of the most torturous and beautiful songs relating to the season. (www.sputnikmusic.com} 

It is not really a Christmas song either except at its most primal. The song is what the title says it is. The hooker must be the type that writes letters in her Christmas cards, and that helps the song. “Timmy’s out of diapers, Andrea has made the honor roll,” but this song turns that meme on its head. Charlie obviously knows the hooker, but not necessarily as a client. In short, it’s not a Christmas song because it’s about Christmas -- it’s a Christmas song because the whole song is Christmas.



The song begins, "Charlie, I'm pregnant/ Living on 9th Street/ Above a dirty book store..." Listen to the rest of the letter.









5. "Christmas In Prison"  John Prine



From the hilarious and clever mind of one of the best singer/songwriters alive, John Prine's "Christmas In Prison" was originally released from the 1991 album Sweet Revenge.  It is Prine's dark yule epistle to the woman who haunts a lonely inmate. "She reminds me of a chess game with someone I admire," Prine quotes, adding sorrowfully, "I dream of her always, even when I don't dream." 



His compositions have been recorded by numerous other artists, including Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, Joan Baez, Carly Simon, and Bette Midler.



Great stories of Prine abound. One is that visitors to his den can view his Christmas tree year round. (Against his wishes, the tree is artificial.) It's supposedly been up since Christmas 1989. It seems he left for Ireland that holiday and didn't return until February. "I came back, plugged it in, sat down with a drink and said, "This looks pretty good." Now, Prine's friends bring ornaments from their new travels, and if the lights go out, John leaves them on and strings a new set.

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6. "Fairytale of New York"  Pogues and Kirsty MacColl



Co-songwriter of the song, Shane MacGowan, was born on Christmas Day. This song was inspired by JP Donleavy's 1961 novel of the same title. The author told The Daily Mail December 18, 2009: "Technically I could have taken legal action for piracy but as I know Shane MacGowan - I believe his father is a fan of my work - I decided not to bother." (www.songfacts.com)



"Fairytale of New York" is about the Irish who emigrated to America in the 19th century to escape the potato famine in hopes of making it as entertainers in New York. Many didn't, however, and ended up homeless.



"Fairytale of New York" is considered by many in the UK and Ireland to be the best Christmas song of all time ( 2004 VH1 poll, it was voted the UK's favorite Christmas song of all time.) It was released on the album If I Should Fall From Grace With God.



The basics of the song are about a drunken man thinking back to past Christmas celebrations while incarcerated in a New York City jail. The man remembers a failed relationship and much of the song involves words of bickering and crushed dreams. The recording of the song by the band the Pogues and singer Kirsty MacColl was released in 1987.



Kirsty MacColl was producer Steve Lillywhite's wife.On December 18, 2000, Kirsty MacColl died in a boating accident.  









7. "Put the Lights on the Tree"  Sufjan Stevens 



Detroit-born Stevens is best known for his 2005 album Illinois, which hit number one in the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and for the song "Chicago." Stevens began his musical career as a member of Marzuki, a folk-rock band from Holland, Michigan.While in college, he studied the oboe and English horn, which he also plays on his albums. He also plays guitar, piano, drums, and several other instruments in multi-tracking his music.



Back in 2001, Stevens began making annual EPs of traditional carols and songs mixed with his own holiday-themed tunes in order that he could better celebrate Christmas in his own style. Sufjan's Songs For Christmas has five EPs in one box. On the songs, Stevens uses a variety of instruments and writes music in various time signatures.



So, what do you get when you mix super cute vintage-style animation and sweet holiday cheer? “Put the Lights on the Tree” sung by Sufjan Stevens and animated by Tom Eaton. This song has a nostalgic feel that could easily become part of many Christmas traditions.



In 2007, Stevens' encouraged his musically inclined fans to email Stevens their best, original Christmas songs. The winner, in the spirit of gift-giving, would receive the full legal rights to an original Sufjan Stevens Christmas song in trade for rights to the winning song. Here’s a quote from the site:

In the words of Sufjan’s Asthmatic Kitty Records website, “Sufjan’s new song becomes your song. You can hoard it for yourself, sell it to a major soft drink corporation, use it in your daughter’s first Christmas video, or share it for free on your Web site. No one except Sufjan and you will hear his song, unless you decide otherwise.”



More than 600 fans submitted original compositions and a song called "Every Day is Christmas" by Alec Duffy was chosen. Duffy’s song became property of Asthmatic Kitty Records, and as promised, the rights to Stevens’ "The Lonely Man of Winter" went to Duffy.

Of late, beginning with Michigan, Stevens announced an intent to write an album for each of the fifty U.S. states. 











8. "Pretty Paper"  Roy Orbison



Written by Willie Nelson and released by Roy Orbison in 1963, "Pretty Paper" was also recorded by Willie  as the title cut of his first Christmas album in 1978. "Pretty Paper" has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Chris Isaak, Carly Simon and Kenny Chesney. Its message of folks getting too caught up in holiday shopping and failing to spread good will during the holidays rings true in any economy.Willie admits it's a "crying in your beer" song, but the song is also a holiday classic.









9. "Love Again"  John Denver



"Love Again" was featured in the Christmas movie The Christmas Gift (1986).



John Denver was for years on top of the world, but the success faded in the eighties. Indeed, Denver in the mid-1970s was arguably America's most celebrated male entertainer. His 1973 Greatest Hits album remained on Billboard magazine's chart of top album sellers for about three years. In 1975 and 1976, Denver won four American Music Awards—honors that measured the sentiments of music buyers rather than industry figures. Of his 24 albums released on the RCA label during his lifetime, 14 were eventually certified gold (for sales of 500,000 copies), and eight of those reached the platinum or million-seller mark.

When Denver did perform or record during the 1980s and early 1990s his music often served activist ends. He toured the Soviet Union and recorded a song, "Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)," with Russian vocalist Alexandre Gradsky, and in 1992 he became one of the first Western pop artists to tour in modern-day Communist China. (www.notablebiographies.com)



In an interview conducted by Henk van der Meyden for a Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf, April 4th 1997, Denver reveals some of the hardships he faced in life: 

"That was very hard. In that period also my father died. Those were sad years, but it was nothing compared to the hurt and pain from my recent divorce from Cassandra."



"The last few years were difficult for me. I divorced my second wife Cassendra last year. That pain is not over yet. Divorcing is something terrible."

 

He looks very vulnerable for a short moment. His whimsical attitude seems an armor to hide the pain, that is still there. The man, who wrote beautiful lovesongs like "Annie's Song" wasn't lucky in love himself. 



"After fourteen years my marriage with Annie ended, for whom I wrote that song Annie. That was very hard."

 

"With Cassandra it seemed I was going to be happy again, but that marriage went over also. Thank goodness I still see my daughter Jessey from that marriage. She is eight years now. For her I have bought a house in Carmel, so I am close to her."



So love hurts for the singer of the romantic country song. Doesn't he have a new girl friend at the moment? "Talking about love is difficult for me", he says. "I don't give my self so easily any more. I have girlfriends, but I am cautious to bind myself again. But love is important in my job. It inspires me to write again."



That's what Denver is asking himself after all disappointments. Will he ever really fall in love again? It seems like he is afraid of binding himself again.





Denver continues,"You are of course a lot on the road. That's not good for your family life. It asks sacrifices. In fact I have started disliking travelling. It is so weary. The singing and performing, that I still enjoy always.But the travelling... Terrible!" 

On October 12, 1997, John Denver played golf with friends and looked forward to an hour of flying his new aircraft over the ocean. Several practice takeoffs and landings went off uneventfully, but apparently drained one of the plane's two fuel tanks. Late in the afternoon, onlookers saw Denver's plane plummet into the ocean after what appeared to be an engine failure. The singer was probably killed instantly.

9. "Christmas 1915"  Celtic Thunder



The song was composed by Cormac MacConnell.  



Much has been written about the Christmas Day truce of 1914 during World War I, but Bertie Felstead, a member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, who died at age 106 in 2001, talked about his own experience of a similar truce in 1915. He recalled the sound of German soldiers singing "Silent Night," barely 100 yards away, which encouraged the British to respond with "Good King Wenceslas." (Diana Condell, "Last Survivor of a Famous First World Christmas Truce," The Guardian, August 3 2001)



The following day there was an impromptu kick-about with a football, and the seasonal fraternization went on for about half an hour, until brought to an abrupt end by a furious British officer, who ordered his men back to the trenches, telling them in no uncertain terms, the brutal truth of their situation. Namely, they were there "to kill the Hun, not make friends with him"



Felstead made a telling comment which explained why the military authorities reacted so strongly against friendly contact with the enemy. Recalling the carols, sung in the trenches on Christmas Eve, he said: "You couldn't hear each other sing like that without it affecting your feelings for the other side?"



And, in fact, the first Christmas truce lasted until January 1915, and there were real worries on the part of the commanders on both sides that there might be difficulty in getting the war started again.



Exquisitely covered by Celtic Thunder on their second album, "Christmas 1915" ends on a fairly optimistic note, but it’s still a horribly depressing song about war’s ability to strip people of their humanity. It starts off incredibly heartening, as “on the Western Front, the guns all died away.” British and German troops lay down their arms to spend the holiday peaceably interacting with one another and reveling together in the beauty of the hymn "Silent Night" despite the language barrier. By song’s end, however, the truce is over, and the men who were friends yesterday are back to killing each other again. Devastating, with the delicate harmonies of the singers reflecting the desire for harmony in the world.











10. "The Cat Carol"   Meryn Cadell



The song is possible the worst tear-jerking holiday song of all time. Well, suffice it to say the cat dies in the end. Listeners either love or hate this song - very little middle ground.

The Cat Carol is a Christmas song, written by Bruce Evans, and performed by Meryn Cadell.  It also features performances by talented artists such as Ken Myhr (guitarist from Cowboy Junkies, Jane Siberry), Erica Buss, and Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies).

 

The Cat Carol has a traditional appeal, but, granted, there’s an underlying humor which keeps it from getting too sucky. It crosses boundaries of age and audience, and has become a Christmas classic.

11. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)   Ramones



The Ramones… legendary "I Wanna Be Sedated" rockers. In a nutshell, they were four dudes from Queens, New York who all had a musical admiration for bands like the Stooges, the Beatles and Mad Magazine. The band played stripped down no frills anti-corporate rock akin to stuff like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. But also when put together, they became as volatile as a bleach and ammonia cocktail in a badly ventilated room.



Stephen Thomas Erlewine in his review for Rhino's Weird Tales of the Ramones boxset said, "The Ramones represented both extremes simultaneously -- sure, they celebrated bad taste and danced with danger, but their music was smartly stupid, knowing, and knowledgeable about pop music. In their heyday -- and, truth be told, also in the years just after their heyday, when they trudged through the '80s as a working band, turning out muddled records yet still retaining their '70s mystique -- being a Ramones fan meant that you were an outsider, something different from the norm."

"Merry Christmas..." offers the Ramones' Christmas quality.







12. "The 12 Days of Christmas"  Straight No Chaser



Originally formed over a dozen years ago while students together at Indiana University, the group has reassembled and reemerged as a phenomenon - with a massive fanbase, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous national TV appearances, and proven success with two holiday releases, 2008’s HOLIDAY SPIRITS and 2009’s CHRISTMAS CHEERS as well as WITH A TWIST, released this spring.



If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch.



"The 12 Days of Christmas," which incorporates Toto's "Africa," went Top 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart and was Top 10 on the Christmas radio chart.







13. "Christmas In Capetown"   Randy Newman



From 1983's Trouble In Paradise album, legendary recording artist/songwriter Randy Newman offers "Christmas In Capetown," a view of his darker side which reconstructs the holiday through the eyes of an Afrikaner racist, so the tale gets told from the point of view of one of those who "went along with the status quo" of the time.



“Christmas In Capetown,” one of the grimmest holiday songs ever, he gives voice to this aging white racist from South Africa who can’t understand that history is very quickly passing him by. Smart, savage, and still a lot more relevant than it should be, this one is ideal for when the season starts to curdle.



Newman's songs include "Sail Away," "Short People," "Mama Told Me Not To Come," "You Can Leave Your Hat On," "I Love L.A.,"  "Louisiana 1927," and tons of film scores like Ragtime, The Natural, and Toy Story.He has been awarded an Academy Award, three Emmys, four Grammy Awards, and the Governor's Award from the Recording Academy. Nwman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. And, in 2007, Newman was inducted as a Disney Legend.









14. "Silver Bells"   Paul Simon and Steve Martin



The famous pair are in rare form on this rare classic parody. 



The origin of this semi-legendary bootleg is a bit of a mystery. Most sources claim that it’s an outtake from an episode of Saturday Night Live, but Martin and Simon were never on the same show at the same time. Further complicating things, Billy Joel—in a magazine interview from 2001—claims that it’s him playing the piano, and that it wasn’t for television at all, but merely the three of them, lubricated on wine, goofing around in a recording studio. Whatever the case, it’s hands-down the funniest version ever made of this classic carol.







15. "In a Christmas Duel"  The Hives and Cynid Lauper



Recorded as a special Christmas duet in 2008, Swedish rock band The Hives and singer/songwriter Cyndi Lauper offer another unique take for the holiday season. Let's just say that the pair get a little scrappy. The song juxtaposes sweet music with nasty lyrics.



The Hives explained, "It may sound weird and come as a surprise to some, but we had to. It came to us. It landed in our lap and was way too good to shake or toss. We knew we had to record it. A sign if you will." Cyndi Lauper offered "this goes to show even rat sideswipers can have a good Xmas too."



After a sweet, slow opening, the song kicks into Phil Spector wall of sound style. "I bought no gift this year and I slept with your sister, I know I should have thought twice before I kissed her," Pelle sings on the track, with Lauper responding with lyrics like "I bought no tree this year and I slept with your brother, I wrecked your daddy's car and went down on your mother."







16. "Merry Christmas From the Family"   Robert Earl Keen



There's no place like home for the holidays . . . which is a good thing when you have a family like Robert Earl Keen's. As Keen tells it in this wry send-up of all those impossibly sweet, "not like our family" Christmas carols, Mom and Dad got drunk at the Christmas party, sister and brother brought their dubious significant others, the relatives' motor home blew out the Christmas lights, and a convenience store supplied all the goodies.



Robert Earl Keen is a Texas-based singer-songwriter whose ten critically acclaimed albums include Farm Fresh Onions, Gravitational Forces, Walking Distance, Picnic, and No. 2 Live Dinner.A dynamic live performer who averages 125-140 days on the road every year, Keen has been selling out shows from Maine to Mexico and from Washington, D.C., to Seattle for the past ten years.His songs have been recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Kelly Willis, George Strait, Gillian Welch, and Johnny Cash and the Highwaymen, among others..









17. "Back Door Santa"  (Cover)  Black Crowes



Originally a blues song written by Clarence Carter in collaboration with Marcus Daniel, and originally performed by Carter, "Back Door Santa" was released on a compilation album Soul Christmas in 1968. Also covered by the likes of Bon Jovi and B.B. King, the song makes no bones about Santa's intentions.



Younger listeners might recognize Carter's original version as the basis for the sample on Run D.M.C's "Christmas in Hollis."



This version is a simple, rocking tune by the Black Crowes.







18. "Must Be Santa"  Bob Dylan

It's sort of unclear if Dylan - who recorded a trilogy of Christianity-themed albums between 1979 and 1981 - was aiming to celebrate the holiday, or gently poke fun at the music's Norman Rockwell-esque simplicity.

2009

In 2009, he released Christmas in the Heart, a collection of traditional holiday classics, including "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Little Drummer Boy" and "The First Noel." Also, the polka-inspired "Must Be Santa" was included on the album.



The festive-theme of the video for "Must Be Santa" is arguably a bit bizarre, with the "Blowin' in the Wind" crooner donning different hats and seeming quite out of place, while crazed Christmas revelers dance and party around him. But, it's evident Dylan is having fun and



Dylan will donate all  his U.S. royalties from Christmas In the Heart in perpetuity to three charities that aid the hungry: Feeding America, the U.K.-based Crisis and the United Nations' World Food Programme.

19. "Just For Now" Imogen Heap 

Londoner Imogen Heap is a Grammy Award-winning British singer, composer and songwriter. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes. Her two Grammy nominations include a win for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

A skilled multi-instrumentalist, Heap extensively uses manipulated electronic sounds as an integral part of her music. She also mixes ambient sound into her music (such as the sound of a frying pan in use cooking food, in the background of her song "Hide and Seek").

In the "Just For Now" video,  Imogen Heap essentially builds the effects, vocals, and beats as she goes along with the use of her synthesizer, records them, and then reuses them. What gets created is this simple, beautiful, raw and organic body of work that involves only her voice, her breathe and her hands she uses to layer one upon another in different harmony sequences. (www.homorazzi.com)

 20. "Music Box Blues"  Trans-Siberian Orchestra

 A very special tribute. The video and song speak for themselves.











 



21. "Lonely This Christmas"  Mud



Mud was an English glam band formed in 1966. "Lonely This Christmas" has become something of an annual fixture on British radio and television. Of course, the echoes of Elvis are apparent here.

Unique Gifts - Under $20.00

It's almost the big day. If you're like me, you begin your Christmas shopping anytime now. This blog entry has set a $20.00 spending limit for a Christmas gift, many of which are very unique and all of which should be available on the Internet. I have specified title, price, and website. I cannot guarantee the absolute quality and durability of the items; however, I have searched for gifts that seem both reasonably worth the price and that offer something for a wide variety of people. You are on your own to shop and figure the costs and time of shipping.

The Presents

1. Hope In a Bottle  $19.00  gift.water.org

Actor Matt Damon, co-founded of water.org, and social entrepreneur Gary White have helped provide clean drinking water and sanitation around the world. Help him in his efforts by giving this environmentally-friendly, BPA-free plastic bottle to everyone on your list this year — 100 percent of the profits will go to water.org. 

2. Rosa's Fudge $12.80  www.rosasfudge.com

 Create your own 24-piece assortment from our 16 gourmet flavors.



Our fudge is crafted with premium butter, real vanilla, California walnuts, and heavy cream. Rosa's individually wraps each piece of fudge to seal in the most freshness possible. Their fudge is shipped daily and is guaranteed fresh, guaranteed delicious.

Frugal Prices

Compare, Compare

Friendly Packaging

Individually wrapped 1.25 oz squares

16 flavors

Mix and Match or preselected assortments

Simple No Fuss Guarantee

If you are not 100% happy with your order

call them for a full refund or credit.

No Product Return Needed

3. Personalized Zippo Candle Lighter  $14.95 zippocasemuseum.com

Candle lovers will get fired up when they see this new pocket-sized lighter. 

4. Drinxx Playing Cards  $3.50 ashevilleart.org

The most brilliant use of synthetic coating since the plastic bedsheet: waterproof drinking game playing cards. Not only can this deck withstand a spill or two, each card has a different cocktail recipe on the back, letting you expand your horizons while you're waiting for someone to fold on the river.

5. Air Fork One  $9.99 perpetualkid.com



Quit pretending your kid's fork is an airplane just to get him to eat -- with Air Fork One, your child is too fascinated by his silverware to even ask for you to add the annoying sound effects. The stainless steel fork is dishwasher- and kid-friendly, encouraging picky eaters and aspiring jet pilots alike to gobble up their Chef Boyardee.

6. Trion: Z Wrist Bracelet  $17.99 www.amazon.com

Wear the bracelet worn on the top PGA Tour Pros, Triathletes, Baseball Players, Formula 1 Race Car Drivers, and other professional athletes. Combines the power of minus ions and medical grade magnets for the most powerful therapy product on the market today. Counteracts the positive ion build-up caused by physical stress, UV Rays, and electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, televisions, and machinery. Excess positive ions are associated with muscle aches, joint aches, lack of concentration, excess fatigue, and other detrimental symptoms.



7. Redneck 6 Pack Beer & Soda Can Holster Belt (Camoflauge)   $9.05  www.amazon.com

It also makes a great gift for that beer drinkin' guy in your life! Why bother getting him a tool belt that he'll never use? He won't complain about doing yardwork with this strapped around his waist. Also available in Pink! It'll make a great gag gift for that girl who drinks with the guys! Fits waist sizes 30" - 54."



8. The Original Palmassage, Sapphire Blue  $7.95  www.amazon.com

The Original Palm massager by Pressure Positive is one of the most efficient massage therapy aids ever made. Hold it firmly in the palm of the hand and use one, two or three of its smooth, round knobs to massage tense, tired or sore muscles of the neck, back, shoulders, arms or legs. Ergonomically placed finger holds at the base of each leg provide for optimum comfort and control.

9. Staple Free Stapler 450  $10.99 www.amazon.com 

Picture a staple-free world!!!

Staples have become a scourge to the office environment. Those shiny metal wires have jammed in thumbs, caught on sweaters, stuck into feet! This handy (and might we add, environmentally friendly) device cuts a tiny flap in the corner of your paper, and folds it in on itself, tucked in a tiny paper pocket. At this price, you can afford to give one of these amazing little gifts to each of your workmates. Staple Free Stapler can clip together up to five sheets with ease. Save one for me!!

10. MP3 Retro Speaker Amp  $19.95  www.thinkgeek.com

These days, most speakers that are sold as "MP3 speakers" are pitiful and anemic little things, shaped like bubbles and sounding like, well... sounding like crap, frankly. Buzzy, tinny and no bass response. Sad and pathetic, but what's a proper rocking geek god supposed to do to entertain his entourage with the latest nerdcore or arpeggiated moogsynth jams?



What you need is an old-school retro guitar-amp, zapped with a shrink ray, but still capable of cranking to eleven, and blasting your ears with 5W of power! If only somebody made such a thing! If only... Hey, look! ThinkGeek's got 'em! Yay!



This little amp is perfectly sized for portable rock. Maybe you won't be able to plug in your favorite Gibson or Fender or Rickenbacker, but you can plug in your iPod, iPhone, Zune or Zen. Really, anything that can send sound down a 3.5" mini-jack will do just fine. Powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included) or by your computer's USB port, it pumps out plenty of sound out of that little body. So before you try and overdrive your tiny headphones in an effort to let your friends hear your songs, maybe you should plug in your amplifier, and get with the proper rocking.



 

12. Esso Ion Watch  $19.95  www.essowatches.com



These watches are a craze in Italy and coming over to the US faster than Santa can fly around. What they are: Silicon watches that have the new trend of health benefits infused into the bands. The health component is called negative ion and is supposed to be great for your balance, energy, and flexibility.

 13. Oster Wine Opener  $19.99 amazon.com

At the touch of a button, the Oster Wine Opener easily opens up to 30 bottles on a single charge. The stylish and ergonomically designed soft-grip handle will fit into the palm of your hand for a firm grip. Also includes a foil cutter to remove wine seals and a recharging base for convenience.



14. Boxers Or Briefs Adult Board Game $16.00 amazon.com

Here is a great board game idea for an adult party. Boxers Or Briefs has more than 2,000 unique and funny phrases designed to make other players reveal things about themselves. It's basically designed to make you laugh so hard you will cry. Amazon reviewers have warned people not to drink milk before reading a card as it will "come out of your nose".

When "Boxers Or Briefs?" was briefly discontinued in 2008 people were listing it on ebay for well over $200 and retail it went for $50.This easy to learn game is for 4-10 players. Recommended for ages 16+  Rated 4.5/5 at Amazon





15. Blokus Classics Game (Family) $13.50 amazon.com  

With 500 reviews on amazon at an average of 5 Stars Blokus is highly rated. In 2003 it received Europe's Game of the Year and professional tournaments have been held around the globe. Having received a Mensa award for promoting healthy brain activity, Blokus forces players to think outside of the box. Winner of over 20 awards, it is the most-awarded game of the 21st century.



The goal of the game is to try to fit all of your pieces onto the board while blocking others from playing their pieces. While building on your own pieces you map out territory and block others from playing their pieces thus allowing you to play more of your own.

16. Personalized Birthstone Ornaments   $19.95 gifts.redenvelope.com



What’s a Christmas tree without something amazing to hang from its branches? With personalized birthstone ornaments, each and every member of the family is celebrated for who they are and for the uniqueness they bring to the family. They are destined to become cherished heirlooms.

• made of delicate glass


• select one of twelve birthstone colors to personalize


• hand painted in gold with any name, up to 8 characters


• 3” diam

17. Star Trek: The Original Series 365  $14.99 amazon.com

Star Trek: The Original Series 365 is the definitive, authorized guide to Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry's groundbreaking television program that first aired from 1966 through 1969 and went on to become a cultural phenomenon. A visual celebration of the original voyages of the Starship Enterprise, the book covers the entire series in unprecedented detail, combining in-depth commentary, behind-the-scenes histories, and interviews with writers, cast, and crew with synopses for each of the series' 79 episodes. In addition to a wealth of never-before-seen images and newly commissioned photography, Star Trek 365 presents a treasure trove of remastered stills from the CBS archives, bringing to vivid life the famous five-year mission of Captain Kirk, Mister Spock, Doctor McCoy, and countless other characters for longtime and new fans alike. 18. Timex Men's T41711 Expedition Analog Camper Watch  $18.99 amazon.com  Get ready to head to the great outdoors for a weekend of hiking or mountain biking with the Timex T41711 Camper watch. It has a medium-sized round, brown resin case that will be able to take a licking. It frames a black dial background with full Arabic numeral display, luminous dotted markers and hands (with seconds hand), and inset 24-hour marks. It also features a nylon grosgrain strap in olive, 10-year battery life, and water resistance to 30 meters (99 feet). Product Description This Timex Watch (but not any battery, crystal, band, or strap) is warranted to the owner for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of purchase against defects in manufacture by Timex Corporation.		19. Smith and Wesson Powertech Galaxy Flashlight  $19.99  www.opticsplanet.net

19. Smith and Wesson Powertech Galaxy 6 LED Flashlight  $19.99  www.opticsplanet.net

Two Independent Switches For Fast, Secure Selection Between LED Modes Choice Between Four Different LED Colors Knurled Grip for Secure Handling with Anti-Roll Bezel Constructed of Precision Machined 6063 Anodized Aluminum for Superior Corrosion Resistance, Durability, and Weather Resistance Includes Deluxe Nylon Holster with Battery Storage and 2 AA Batterie  20. Hopside Down Beer Glass  $17.90  www.coolstuffcheap.com The Hopside Down Beer Glass is perfect for you if you have ever heard, "don't drink from the bottle, use a glass". This bottle-in-a-glass tumbler is made from double-walled borosilicate glass that insulates the heat of your hands from your beer so it stays cool longer. The Hopside Down is hand-blown, precisely crafted, and measures 3 inches in diameter x 7 inches tall.    21. Pocket Purifier  $19.95   X-tremegeek.com

For $19.95 you can buy the ultimate clean gift for the germaphobe guy on your list; a Pocket Purifier that kills germs in 15 seconds with a compact UV light. It requires four double “A” batteries which are also included.

• Built in 4 watt germicidal ultraviolet light, deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens destroying their ability to multiply.


• Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) for easy carrying and safe usage.


• Great for purifying masks, table wares, kitchen utensils, telephone sets, shavers, nail clippers, scissors, cabinets, as well as clothing and shoes inside a cabinet, baby toys, pacifiers, cribs, strollers and most everyday items.


• It can be used anytime when necessary. Exposure of 10-15 seconds results in purifying effect enhancing the customers life and health at work, home and while traveling.


• The specially designed UV-Lid helps avoid any harm of ultraviolet light to eyes and skin and also enhances the germ killing function.

 22. VuPoint Temperature Sensitive LED Faucet Light  $17.49  www.overstock.com

This VuPoint temperature sensitive LED will light up as blue to signify cold water, or red for hot.

• LED lights blue when cold and red when hot


• Easy to install


• Fits most faucets


• Product dimensions: 1.5 inches wide x 2 inches high


• Weighs 0.9 ounces


• Three (3) LR44 batteries required (included)

23. Whiskey Stones  $19.99 (Set of 9) www.winestuff.com

Who needs ice? Keep your drink cold with whiskey stones! Whiskey Stones are perfect for on the rocks drinks like whiskey, soapstone pieces like these chill your beverage without watering it down. Simply place the Whiskey Stones in the freezer for a few hours, add a couple to your glass of spirits, let stand for five minutes and enjoy! 



The Whiskey Stones are proudly made by soapstone workers in Perkinsville, Vermont. The Whiskey Stones Features are: Made of soapstone. Handcrafted by soapstone workers in Perkinsville, Vermont in some of the oldest soapstone workshops in the USA. All natural soapstones cool your favorite spirit without diluting the flavors. Easy to use - just chill the stones in the freezer.Won't chill as cold as ice.



 

24. Energy Love Potion  $3.99-$19.99 www.thinkgeek.com

Love potions have been around for ages. Ever since the first person was told, "Let's just be friends," people have been searching for a magical elixir to sway the mood of the uninterested. Well, this ain't it. What this is, however, is the only love potion you will ever need to get yourself in the mood. Love Energy Potion is a little bottle of magical magic. Read on, alchemist-to-be.



Love Energy Potion is chock full of goodies to get your body in high gear and ready for action. 90mg of caffeine per tiny, 1.69oz bottle (that's more caffeine than a standard 8oz energy drink) plus a load of vitamins awaits you. Plus, since this is a love potion, you'll get some aphrodisiacs: damiana to relax you, ashwaganda to relax and titillate you, and horny goat weed to . . . well, you can guess by its name. Drink it by the ounce, drink it by the dram - but imbibing Love Energy Potion will make certain you are ready for love.



25. Electronic Butterfly In a Jar  $19.99  www.thinkgeek.com

When we were kids, we like putting butterflies in jars so we could keep them forever and ever. But sometimes they always died. It was sad - extra sad because butterflies (in our opinion) are like rainbows and unicorns: unadulterated creations of magic and beauty. Now comes Electronic Butterfly in a Jar. Read on, and find out why you need one very badly.



Each Electronic Butterfly in a Jar is a jar with a wire in it. The wire has a fake butterfly on the end. Somehow, when you tap the top or make a loud sound, the electronics in the cap make the wire wiggle. This creates the very realistic illusion of the butterfly fluttering around your jar. It even just stays on the glass and flexes its wings sometimes. There is absolutely no way you can look at a Electronic Butterfly in a Jar and not smile. It is like having a piece of magic nature on your desk that defies death. Pick your favorite butterfly flavor (or collect the whole team) and get ready to feel good when you marvel at your Electronic Butterfly in a Jar.

26. Outdoor LCD Window Thermometer  $12.99  www.thinkgeek.com



Since the temperature is the one thing that most effects your comfort level you typically want to know what to expect before heading out the door. Sure, you could open a door or window to check your local temperature but that is definitely way low tech. This simple but clean looking LCD Window Thermometer will give you a much easier way to know what it feels like outside.







It easily mounts outside and features a large LCD digit display to show temperature reading. Shows minimum and maximum values with auto reset.

• Detachable for easy window cleaning


• Weather-resistant


• Temperature Range: -13°F to 158°F (display in fahrenheit only)


• Takes 1 AAA battery


• Dimensions: 4" x 3.75" x 1.25" 

27. Tool Logic Survival Card With Firestarter  $19.95 www.thinkgeek.com



A brand new shiny credit card: good. A brand new shiny credit card with an extremely high credit limit: better. A credit card survival tool that can start a fire: priceless (especially in emergency situations). If you're venturing into the wilderness or just your own backyard, it's nice to be well prepared. Being able to quickly and reliably start a fire is an important survival requirement.







This new Tool Logic Survival Card is packed with lifesaving features. A fixed blade serrated knife of tough AUS 8A type stainless steel, a magnesium alloy fire starter, a loud signal whistle, plus a brilliant red LED flashlight. There’s also a tweezer and toothpick and a hole for lanyard attachment. Credit card size and less than two ounces, this essential tool kit deserves a place in your car, backpack and even your home. Keep the Survival Card with you and you’ll always be prepared for life’s unforeseen emergencies.

• 2" Serrated Blade


• Magnesium Alloy Firestarter (replaceable)


• Loud Signal Whistle


• Tweezer and Toothpick


• Red LED Flashlight


• Weight: 1.9 oz (53gm)


• Dimensions: About 1/8" (4mm) thick

28. Solar LED Address Numbers  $19.99 (per number)  www.thinkgeek.com

Kind of like the moon appearing after the sun goes down, these Solar LED Address Numbers illuminate at night making the numbers easy to read. The unit turns on automatically and lights up using two bright white LEDs. Mounting is simple (no wiring or timers) with the included hardware. The number plate itself is spaced 1" from the wall causing the LEDs to provide a backlighting effect. The numbers are made from anondized aluminum and the entire unit is weather resistant. The lights run on for about 8 to 10 hours (direct sunlight, of course, producing the best results). This price is per number.







Simply select from the dropdown the numbers needed to create your address.

• Mounting hardware included


• Solar powered - can run 8 to 10 hours on a full charge


• Numerals are 3.5" high and cut into 3/32" anodized aluminum


• Dimensions: 6 1/8" H x 3 1/2" W x 1 3/8" D


• Choose the numerals to form your address


• One year manufacturer warranty


• Note: Listed price is per number 

29. Craftsman Programmable Digital Tire Gauge  $14.99 www.sears.com



Programmable Digital Tire Gauge - Proper pressure helps improve gas mileage.

• Digital Tire Gauge


• Program the Target Tire Pressure of a Vehicle


• Extra large backlight display


• Durable, Metal, Straight-push Nozzle


• Air Bleed Function for Exact pressure


• Beeps When Gauge locks in Pressure Reading


• White LED flashlight

30. Pogo iPhone Stylus  $14.99  www.thinkgeek.com  

You love your iPhone, but the sensitive touchscreen designed for folks with small fingers couldn’t be more frustrating. Pick up a Pogo iPhone Stylus. The felt-tipped Stylus will help you quickly and accurately send texts without ruining your screen.





31. Zipit Motorized Package Opener  $19.99 thinkgeek.com

There’s nothing more annoying than trying to penetrate that damn indestructible plastic packaging. It’s impossible, and when knives get involved, it’s downright dangerous. For $20, the wireless, battery-operated Zipit Motorized Package Opener is a handy investment.



32. Sharper Image Digital Photo Keychain  $18.99 Amazon.com  



In the age of smartphones and digital cameras, people just don’t carry pictures in their wallets anymore. Phone pics usually do the trick but there’s a more organized way to carry your favorite photos with you. Sharper Image has a digital photo keychain that can hold up to 60 images. The pictures are displayed on a 1.5″ LCD screen and can play in slideshow mode.



33. Push 'n Hang Push-Hammer/Nail Driver  $20.00   gadgetnation.net

* The Push 'n Hang Push-hammer hangs pictures quickly!

* One-handed, quick-push action easily drives a nail into drywall surfaces.

* User-adjustable plastic sleeves ensure nail is driven the correct distance every time.

* Comfortable, ergonomic, nonslip grip.

* Works with 1" and 1 ¼" nails. Package includes 6 each of 1" and 1 ¼" nails and an extra nail sleeve. Features a twist-off cap for nail storage.

The Nail Driver is the perfect tool for fast and easy hanging of picture frames on drywall surfaces. Lightweight and easy to use, it drives a nail into the wall with just one hand! Just load the nail into the sleeve at the bottom of the unit, then easily push the nail into the wall. Now you can hang your picture frame! It is faster and safer than the regular hammer-and-nail method, which means no more damaged walls or smashed fingers!

Measures approximately 6.3 inches long x 2.8 inches diameter. Weighs 6 oz.



34. E.A.B. Gerber Knife  $17.28    www.gerbergear.com





The Gerber Exchange-A-Blade pocket knives use contractor grade or standard size utility blades that can be easily replaced. New for 2010, the E.A.B. Lite also features deep finger groves that provide a secure grip in a lighter knife. Both the E.A.B. Lite and the original E.A.B. sport stainless steel handles that also double as a pocket or money clip.

• Contractor-grade replaceable utility blade


• Deep finger grooves for secure fit


• Handle also doubles as pocket or money clip

Limited Lifetime Warranty:Gerber warrants to the consumer that this product will be free of defects, in material and workmanship for as long as you own the product.

35. Glif  $20.00 www.theglif.com



Sometimes in life, less is more. The Glif performs just two simple functions in order for us to enjoy our iPhone 4's even more. It can mount it to any standard tripod, so you get the most out of the 5-megapixel camera, and the Glif also props up your phone in various angles to maximize your viewing pleasure. Being made from recyclable rubberized plastic is just an added bonus.

36. Dickies Toolmaker's Apron  $14.00  www.dickies.com

Keep your tools handy and your clothes protected with the Dickies Toolmaker's Apron. Made from preshrunk denim or unbleached drill fabric, this simple piece of workwear sports two deep bottom pockets, a ruler or pencil pocket, a swing micrometer pocket, and brass grommets. Plus, it's under $15, so you don't have to worry too much about destroying it trying to build your next project.

 

37. Key Tool  $10.00  www.thinkgeek.com

We've written about keychain-sized multitools before, but never one that masquerades as an actual key. The Key Tool is so small is fits over a standard key, offering three sizes of screwdriver, a bottle opener, wire cutter, tweezers, finger nail cleaner, and nail file, all contained within a strong stainless steel sheath. Great for impromptu handyman work, or for carrying a host of tools onto a flight without getting harassed by the TSA.

38. CC4073 Steak Station Monitor   $21.01 (just a little over $200)  www.amazon.com                      



Steak Station can monitor four steaks at the same time, allowing those commanding the grill to confidently cook multiple steaks each to the desired degree of doneness (we'll take medium rare please). A monitor allows for quick and easy evaluation of how much a steak has been cooked. The colorful Steak Station probes measure from 115°F to 170°F, indicating a complete spectrum of doneness and helping you remember whose steak is whose. Steak Station can also be used in the oven as a regular meat thermometer to monitor meats throughout the cooking process.



 

39. Clever Hook  $10.00 www.dwr.com/product

The Clever Hook (2004) lives up to its brainy name. Neatly packed into a translucent acrylic housing, the wall-mounted Clever Hook has a self-grabbing mechanism that holds up to 40 lbs. When you hang a towel or jacket on the lower “arm” of the mechanism, the weight of the item automatically causes the top “arm” to come down and pinch the item in place; the heavier the item, the tighter the grab. To remove, slightly lift up the item, and the top arm will retract. The Clever Hook makes it easy to hang things like towels that tend to fall off hooks, as well as items like jackets that have those pesky loops sewn into the collar. Designed by sculptor Stefan Bennedahl who calls upon his engineering background to design functional items like the Clever Hook. Made in Sweden.

• Photo shows side view of this self-grabbing hook, inside a translucent acrylic housing.


• Each Clever Hook is delivered with two wood screws ready for mounting.


• Holds up to 40 lbs. 

40. PermaFlow Never-Clog Drain  $17.89  www.amazon.com   



There's nothing quite as annoying — or gross — as a clogged drain, so enter the PermaFlow Never-Clog Drain.Made from clear ABS plastic and synthetic rubber, the Perma-Flow attaches easily to standard kitchen and bath drains, and features a unique, integrated drain-clearing wiper that helps you move clogs on down the line, and stops lost items from venturing past the point of no return. Plus, by removing the need for excess amounts of Liquid-Plumr, you're also doing the environment a favor at the same time.



41. GhostCam  $1.00 itunes.apple.com



Add some fright to your iPhone pics with the GhostCam. Able to take pics directly from the iPhone's camera or load up pics from the iPhone or iPod touch's Library, this simple app adds Unsolved Mysteries-style ghostly flourishes to your photos. For maximum effect, take a pic of a drunk friend and freak them out with the result.

42. DivPro  $14.99 www.nojoke.com

Trim your arsenal of golf tools down by picking up a DivPro. This multi-functional golf tool combines a typical divot tool with a ball marker, cigar holder, club face cleaner, grip saver, and a shotgun opener for the clandestine chugging of beers mid-round.

43.Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter  $17.99  www.amazon.com



Weber's chimney starter makes starting your charcoal a snap. It also cuts down the amount of time it takes for the coals to get ready. Just load up our extra large cannister full of coals, light up a fire starter or crinkled up newspaper, and set the cannister over the flame. In a matter of minutes the coals will be red hot. Who ever thought it could be so easy? The chimney starter offers an extra-large capacity that can hold enough briquettes for a 22-1/2-inch kettle grill, and its double thermoplastic handle extends outward from a mounted panel to keep hands away from heat. For use on a grill or grate only.