The Modern Fireplace
Love those fancy glass fireplaces at luxury boutique hotels? Here's an affordable way to bring it home with the Anywhere Tabletop Fireplace. This metropolitan glass and stainless steel fireplace sits on any steady surface indoors or outdoors and offers the joys of a wood-burning fire without the downsides like smoke, soot, sparks -- and messy cleanup. It burns clean bio-ethanol liquid fuel made for it, needs no gas or electric or extra venting. It heats a 325-square foot area, and since the stainless steel burner unit sits between two panes of tempered glass and is raised off a surface by two inches, heat is generated upward and out so tables never get damaged. $179.95, Hammacher.com
Do Good in Bed (er, With Bedding)
Thread Experiment is a newly launched gay-owned men's bedding brand, created by Justin Mikita (founder of Tie the Knot with his actor husband, Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Greg Shugar (founder of the Tie Bar). A one-for-one company, for every full set of bedding purchased from Thread Experiment, a set is donated to the Los Angeles LGBT Center. We love the totally modern and masculine Root Comforter set, a sort of plaid-meets-paisley stunner that serves that Mikita calls a pure "ode to menswear." $28 and up, ThreadExperiment.com
A Family Affair
No other gift is as one of a kind and personal as an Ancestry DNA Kit from AncestryDNA. Essentially a DNA test combined with Ancestry.com's 1 million person (plus) database, this kit helps people uncover their ethnic mix going back multiple generations, discover close or distant relatives already on Ancestry.com, and find new details about their family history, all with a simple saliva sample. What other gift helps recipients discover family history going back centuries? $99, DNA.Ancestry.com
The Original Productivity App
Use this super cool,Vintage Streamline Timer to keep track of your work, chores, or how long you've got to go downtown. It all works. $25, Kikkerland.com
Canned Unicorn Meat?
OK, for real: You can't eat this. But it's a hilarious gift for one of those die-hard unicorn lovers (or haters). It's literally a dismembered stuffed unicorn in a can. (Also, experience tells us it's not for children.) $9.99, ThinkGeek
Put Putin Where He Belongs
I can comfortably say that Vladimir Pootin' Lavatory Mist will be the highlight of your stocking stuffers. (Thankfully, it smells like light jasmine and red tea.) $11.99, BlueQ.com
Now You Can Finally Buy Him That Lexus
Created exclusively for Barneys, the limited-edition Lexus RC F Ready-To-Run Remote Control Car is this year's ultimate holiday toy for kids big and small -- or for the budget-busting spouse who keeps asking for the grown-up version. This 1/10 scale, high-performance vehicle is built on an all-wheel drive Apex chassis and driven by the powerful Reedy 3300k V 540 brushless motor. The Barneys-only edition of this performance coupe replica features fully operational LED headlights and tail lights in a silver chrome and black finish, colors that aren't available anywhere else. (Recommended for those ages 14 and up.) $210, Barneys.com
The Ten Year Journal
Every year I buy two different journals. One is for my daily thoughts and the other is to record all of my appointments, deadlines, dates, events, and goals for the year. I'll admit, I often write nothing in the first while my daily planner is crammed full. At the end of the year I'm at a loss for what to do with it. I can't bear to throw it away, imaging one day I'll compare different years to really get a feel for how I spend my time on a macro level. But I never seem to get around to it. That's why this year I've asked Santa for a Ten Year Journal. The luxuriously leather-bound journal offers the perfect blend of space for dated entries and daily thoughts -- and it records an entire decade of metrics for posterity. But what really sets it apart is the organization of the journal, which is broken into specific time capsules and offers space for daily highlights, special date reminders, goal setting, developing monthly overviews, and planning for the long term. Each page is dated and broken down by year, which encourages you to simultaneously reflect on where you've been and where you are going. It's not just a journal, it's a window into a unique perspective on your life, how you are spending your time, and whether you are reaching your goals. $39.95, TenYearJournal.com
Or Give a Personalized Book Prompter
The Dear Mom Journal (and others from Journals of a Lifetime aimed at dads and grandparents, friends, and adult children) is a great open-ended hard back book with 60 questions (or prompts) designed to get mom telling her personal story. She can also add photos or other memorabilia. It's a gift that'll come back to you eventually, helping you know your mom better than ever, but be prepared to find out mom was a whole different person before you were born. Bonus: The books are manufactured from pulp paper sourced from forests that are legally and sustainably managed. $17.95, FromYouToMe.us
Punny and Sardonic Travel Pouches
Blue Q sells some of the funniest, cleverest gear on the planet, and these quirky zippered travel pouches are no exception. Whether it's the typographical humor of "Be Bold or Italic, Never Regular," the crime-show inspiration of the "Evidence" bag, or the knobs and buttons of the "Control Panel," there's something for everyone on your last-minute list. Made from 95 percent post-consumer recycled materials, and 1 percent of sales goes to the Nature Conservancy. $2.99 and up, BlueQ.com
Looking for a Manly Narwhal?
For the butchy guy who dreams of being -- or smelling like -- a mountain man, pirate, or lumberjack comes these fabulous body, bath, and hair "luxuries" from the Gnarly Whale, which specializes in 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free minimal ingredient products. Its specially curated sets come with an assortment of scents and products. The perfect gift: The Manly Narwhal Set comes with Shampoo, Beard Tonic, Face and Body Scrub, and manly Lip Balms. $32, TheGnarlyWhale.com
Illuminate Your Mind -- And Your Room
From the gay-owned science and toy emporium Xump.com comes this ingenious Periodic Table Lamp, which functions as a light source and cheat sheet for anyone still struggling with chemistry (isn't that everyone?). There's a full periodic table emblazoned across the lamp's Mylar surface, complete with each element's atomic number, symbol, name, state, atomic weight, and oxidation states. Talk about a great study aid or teacher's gift. $29, Xump.com
More Butchy Beauty Swag
Gentlemen's Tonic is a masculine luxury grooming company that started in London and has a line of men's products with plant derived materials from sustained and renewable sources. Consisting of a striking blend of naturally based plant-derived materials from sustained and renewable resources they have no parabens, petroleum, artificial colors, synthetics, or chemical additives. The Gentlemen's Tonic Ultimate Gift Set is a six-piece collection featuring teh brand's best-selling Mayfair shaving set with a stylish stand, super fine badger-hair brush and a professional razor as well as Pre Shave Oil, Classic Shave Cream, and Soothing Aftershave Balm. $290, GentlemensTonic.com
Scents That Evolve
Air Wick's new LifeScents Holiday Collection offers the first multilayered fragrance candles, where the smells change as the candle burns through each layer. We particularly enjoy the Spice Apple Crumble (with layers of pastry crust, spiced apple, and vanilla) and Emerald Woodland (morning frost, evergreen, and sugar cookie). A bonus of Air Wick's candles is that their labels peel off, so they fit in with the decor of any home, and they'll last 30 hours. $3, AirWick.us
The "Bring Something to Eat" Gathering
Potluck? Meet Erin's Popcorn, an easy-to-pick-up treat (stock up like you do wine bottles and you have a quirky and fun housewarming gift). Best bet: the two new decadent popcorn flavors, Jalapeno White Cheddar and Churro, a sweet treat that may not sound good but is surprisingly addictive. Handcrafted in small batches, the artisanal popcorn is gluten-free and popped from specially grown white corn. Erin's Popcorn is available in grocery stores and via the award-winning environmentally-friendly snack company Tim's Chips. $2.39/bag, $22.50/case, TimsChips.com
Say "Yes" to Geeky Girl Power!
Chicks in comics and graphic novels tend to take a backseat to the boys, which is why it's exciting to see Batgirl getting her due in statue and graphic domains. From the streets of Burnside comes this wonderful 12.5-inch DC Comics Batgirl Statue sculpted by Irene Matar, based on designs by Eisner Award-nominated Batgirl scribe Babs Tarr and cowriter/cover artist Cameron Stewart. New to the mythology? Pick up Batgirl Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside, the graphic novel or comic series hardback in which Stewart, Tarr, and Brenden Fletcher reinvent Barbara Gordon in Gotham City's hip border district of Burnside, where she must face twin sister assassins on motorcycles (among other adventurous things). Statue: $159.95, ShopDCEntertainment.com; Book: $20.26, Amazon.com
The Wil Wheaton Totally Rad Quarterly Box
These fun and unexpected boxes from the subscription company Quarterly are curated by the Big Bang Theory/Star Trek actor and pop culture mainstay Wil Wheaton. Every box, which come every three months, features selections that represent a decade in Wheaton's life and career. For example, the 1980s Box includes the Dungeons & Dragon 5th Edition Starter Set, custom Wesley Crusher-Inspired Socks by Sock Panda, a signed copy of Edward Packard's Return to the Cave of Time, Vintage NES Game + Retrobit Duo NES Console, and more. $100 a box, Quarterly.com
Give the Gift of Looking Well-Rested
Some beauty musts this year, are anti-aging wonders created and developed by LaBelle Day Spa & Salons owner and renowned skin care innovator Bella Schneider. While the BSB Culmine Golden Glow DIY Facial Kit, which uses real 24-karat gold leaves, offers a red carpet-worthy glow, I can't stop recommending the Beauty Globes + De-Puff & Smoothing Serum for Eyes Kit. The latter is a de-puffing treatment using cool glass globes to apply the licorice root, D panthenol-hyaluronic acid, and detoxifying seaweed-infused De-Puff & Smoothing Serum, which dramatically reduces the appearance of dark circles, puffy eyes and wrinkles. $95 each, Labelledayspas.com
Perfect Stocking Stuffers
You can't go wrong with the MaskerAide Very Radiant Gift Set, a six-pack of its most popular hydrating facial sheet masks that are all eco-friendly, biodegradable, and free of parabens, sulfate, and mineral oil. With different themes (like pre-party and anti-aging) each easy-to-use mask (seriously, it's a sheet you plop on your face and wait a few minutes) is also called something fun (like Detox Diva and All Nighter), so they make perfect (or slightly bitchy) $7 stocking stuffers on their own. My fave: I Don't Wanna Grow Up, an anti-aging mask filled with Ylang-Ylang oil, Argan oil, vitamin E, hydrolyzed collagen, and elastin. Masks: $7; Gift set: $37, MaskerAide.us
Empire State of Mind
Love the look of the stars of Empire? Now you can have it. Empire and Saks Fifth Avenue partnered to offer super hot fashion inspired by this season's number 1 drama. The Empire x Saks Collection features curated collections from luxury fashion brands that represent the hit show's glamorous aesthetic, including stuff from Alexis Bittar, Cushnie et Ochs, Jimmy Choo, and MCM. My faves: these oh-so-queer Lame Glitter Jimmy Choo Oxfords ($725) and this McQ Alexander McQueen Googe Cotton Chaos Shirt ($325), both from SaksFifthAvenue.com. Looking like one of the Lyon clan out of your price range? Those on Team Cookie can snag the Empire X Deborah Lippmann Limited-Edition Collection, a trio of nail polish hues named after songs performed by the cast. $24, DeborahLippmann.com
Virtual Valet Fashion Curator
The best thing about having a valet is that they help a gentleman dress. You can't exactly give your hubby known for his fashion faux pas his own valet, but you can do the next best thing: Sign him up for Trendy Butler services. The innovative fashion subscription services hooks members up with curated boxes of stylish clothes delivered directly to their doorstep. Through a simple process of answering an online survey, a style profile is created for each member, which will inform the items chosen each month from Trendy Butler's participating international and emerging brands. Containing up to three items, boxes range in value up to $150 but cost much less. (Trendy Butler is so hot now it's even partnering with Grindr.) $65/month, TrendyButler.com
Trans Heroes Bow Tie
Trans designer Jack Jackson created this limited edition transgender celebrity bow tie in celebration of transgender awareness, which features the names of actress Laverne Cox, activist-performer Buck Angel, musicians Rae Spoon and Lucas Silveira, and model Andreja Pejic. The Toronto-based Jackson handcrafts bow ties for "the discerning dandy" and their dogs, and Jackson's company, All Jacked Up, has an activist bent. It donated half of all proceeds from its products purchased during Transgender Awareness Week to Supporting Our Youth, a Toronto-based organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and intersex youth. Check out its "queer favorites" and buy a matching one for your giftee's fur child. $35-$55, AllJackedUp.ca
Naughty Gifts for Your Wonderfully Slutty Friends
You have to know someone pretty well to give them sex toys (or have no boundaries). Either way, a few this year are so wonderful you just have share. (Suggestion: Buy two of each, keep one.) For guys, try the Hugo Remote Control Prostate Massager, one of three new male sex toys from luxury designer Lelo, which is trying to bring the health benefits of prostate massage to the masses. Hugo's sense motion technology and remote control increases the intensity of orgasms by 33 percent, say the makers. It's wireless and waterproof, the Swedish design features eight vibe settings, and it has a motor in the base and tip, USB rechargeablity, and a 10 year guarantee (as does the come-hither Loki Wave and Bruno, both worth checking out for guys). Hugo: $219, Lelo.com
And for the Ladies, the New It Toy
If there's a toy to fight over, it comes from Fun Factory this year. The Stronic Drei or the Stronic Zwei are both innovative pulsating (instead of vibrating) toys with 10 stimulation levels that use low frequencies combined with a natural back-and-forth thrusting movements you can't find in other toys. (They're great for anal and perineum use as well). But the biggest surprise this year: the Bi Stronic Fusion, which is the world's first dual-action toy that combines realistic thrusting of a pulsator with rumbling vibration of a traditional vibe. It has a whopping 64 stimulation settings, a clit vibrator, fluttering wings for the labia, a G-spot friendly shape, and it's waterproof and rechargeable (so your orgasms are sustainable in more than one way). Bi Stronic Fusion: $219.99; Stronic Drei or Zwei: $199, FunFactory.com
Where Naughty and Nice Meets Safer Sex
L Condoms Naughty & Nice Holiday Kit gives back by donating one condom to a developing country for every one bought (hence the "nice" part of it). The Naughty + Nice Holiday Kit includes a 12 pack of L. Condoms, lesbian artist Tee Corrine's Cunt Coloring Book, and a felt mistletoe ornament. $35, ThisIsL.com
If You're Feeling Wittier and Perhaps Less Charitable
There are these perfect Thanks for Nothing Condoms, just 10 rubbers in a jar. $24, PleaseDoNotEnterShop.com
The Manual We All Needed
Good Vibrations' badass bisexual staff sexologist Carol Queen and lesbian author-provocateur Shar Rednour have collaborated on a book to demystify sex and offer enough fun, detailed knowledge to make solo or sociable sex fabulous for just about everyone. With subjects including the sexual identity spectrum, relationships, sex through the lifespan, sexual anatomy, and health and disability, it has tons of information about sexual practices, positions, and of course toys in The Sex & Pleasure Book: Good Vibrations Guide to Great Sex for Everyone. The book draws on the now-chain store's nearly four decades of (very queer) experience. A great gift for the parent of a teen preparing for "the talk." $24.95, Goodvibes.com
