Gift idea No. 15: Holidays come alive with 'Death Note'

It's funny that I keep sharing gift ideas, because the truth is, I haven't purchased a single present for my family yet. This week is going to involve many trips to ... well, wherever people in this city buy their last-minute holiday gifts. I still haven't figured that one out yet.

However, I can suggest a couple cool items for either you or someone else on your list. As I've mentioned before, one of my favorite manga series is called Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba. (Honestly, it's the only manga series I've ever become obsessed with.) It follows this high-school kid who stumbles upon a magical notebook. He discovers that if he writes someone's name in the book, that person will die. And instead of being responsible and smart about acquiring it, well, he develops a sinister "agenda."

Trust me, it's good stuff! And now VIZ Media has published a slick, hardcover edition of the first volume ($19.99) that will last longer than the cheap paperback copy. They've also released a box set of the first 20 episodes of the anime series ($69.98). Both would make good gifts for people who are familiar with the story or just getting started.

Good luck with your shopping this week -- I hope you've gotten more done than I have. And if you see a mysterious notebook in the street, please don't write my name in it.

Gift idea No. 14: Slightly embarrassing music DVDs

Today's gift ideas aren't too similar, and I don't know a lot of people who'd appreciate both of them. However, they do have one thing in common: If a cute date came to your apartment, you might temporarily shove 'em under the couch.

The goods:

- Dirty Dancing Official Dance Workout (Lions Gate, $16.98). Yes, this is a workout video based on Dirty Dancing. I haven't tried it -- and I'm not sure I'll tell you if I do -- but it includes the dance routines for Do You Love Me, Johnny's Mambo and other songs from the slumber-party classic. The upside: Despite the sexy photos on the cover, you don't need a partner for any of the tunes. The downside: (I've Had) The Time of My Life and She's Like the Wind aren't listed among the routines. Bummer.

- Punk Rock Karaoke (MVD Entertainment, $19.95). Have you ever wanted to sing in a punk band but never had the time? Punk Rock Karaoke is a CD/DVD set from members of NOFX, Bad Religion, Social Distortion and other bands that allows fans to join guest vocalists for renditions of their favorite punk songs from Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, etc. or just watch the performances (lyrics appear on the screen).

Some of the guest singers include Dicky Barrett from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Pennywise's Jim Lindberg. If you live on the West Coast, you can catch live versions of punk rock karaoke, too.

Enjoy, and I hope you sing and dance your way into the new year.

Gift idea No. 13: A ticklish plant

The box for the TickleMe Plant sounds like a miracle: "Ever see a plant move when you tickle it?" "Amazing and fun!" "Grows in days, any time of year!"

The marketing folks are almost as smart as the people who sell sea monkeys. But TickleMe Plants aren't new; they're also known as Mimosa pudicas, or perennial herbs that curl their leaves when you touch them. (I remember learning about these plants in biology class -- they are pretty cool the first time you get your hands on one.)

The company sells a variety of kits and seeds, but one plant costs just $5.95 and makes a cool stocking stuffer for a kid or co-worker in need of a jazzier desk space. I just started growing one, and I'm hoping it will soon make me popular in this new office.

The folks at TickleMe seem to really care about educating kids and include growing tips, facts and more on their website. I'm hoping mine really does grow in days ... and, with any luck, I won't end up with a Little Shop of Horrors situation in my cubicle.

Gift idea No. 12: Educational facial hair (and more)

Today's holiday tip is another thing I doubt you'll see on other people's gift roundups, but I just like it so much that I had to pass it on.

A few months ago, I stumbled across a tote bag that displayed the "U.S. Presidential Facial Hair Hall of Fame." Since I lived in D.C. and (as you know) happened to harbor a facial-hair obsession, I felt this accessory was made for me!

It turns out an entire line of presidential facial-hair products is available on etsy.com from a seller named elloh. She's a former book designer who has worked on things like Nancy Drew's Guide to Life.

Her online store is a pop-culture wonderland and includes facial-hair T-shirts, along with handmade items relating to The Golden Girls, The Office, Office Space, The Princess Bride, Lost and everything else that truly matters. Her wares are affordable and certainly unique.

Gotta buy a secret-Santa present this year? I suggest the 2009 "cubicle calendar" featuring hand-painted characters from The Office ... sitting in their cubicles! And where else can you find Flight of the Conchords magnets (Murray included)?

Gift idea No. 11: High-quality short films

It can be easy to find videos of stupid animal tricks or, say, J*** in my Pants on the Internet. However, if you're a movie buff, finding high-quality short films can be a challenge.

Today's gift idea is for anyone with a short-attention span who likes to be ahead of the curve in the film world. The Journal of Short Film is a great quarterly DVD journal that carries a variety of voices by talented filmmakers.

The discs are "non-corporate and ad-free," and each installment contains 90-120 minutes of work. The latest volume, released today, includes everything from a hand-painted and step-printed film (Jon Behrens' The Astrum Argentum) to Mike Olenick's The Son of Samsonite, a nine-minute flick "filled with irony and black humor, puns and pop songs, and a troubled relationship unfolding amongst disasters."

"There exists a huge body of independent filmmakers desperate for a medium to show their work," reads the website. "Poets have journals, painters and photographers have local galleries. Why is there no similar venue for filmmakers?"

Each volume costs $10, or you can order a one-year subscription for $36.

If you wanna package that with another DVD magazine, check out Wholphin, which I've mentioned before. These discs, also released quarterly, are more mainstream, and they're produced by the folks at McSweeney's. Past issues have included work by Gus Van Sant, Alexander Payne and Miranda July. One-year subscriptions cost $50.

Gift idea No. 10: Fun art for your phone

My friend James is obsessed with space ladies. He's also obsessed with his iPhone.

This is why I'm thinking of getting him one of Tara McPherson's Infectious iPhone designs for the holidays. (With any luck, James isn't reading this right now.) Infectious is this site where you can purchase art to affix to your iPhone, laptop, wall or car.

McPherson is one of several talented artists featured on the site. As she mentions in her bio, she has created concert posters for Beck, The Strokes and other bands, and her work can really spruce up a gadget.

Infectious also offers designs by Dalek, Shag, Erik Otto and others. It ranges from the naughty (skulls and devils and such) to sexy to abstract pics. The iPhone decals are currently on sale for $9.99, and the wall art can go for $99.99.

As for my favorite spacegirl, here she is, looking sexy in the city.

Gift idea No. 9: Super-heavy comic-book books

Today's gift idea is another suggestion for comics and/or superhero fans. DK Publishing has just released a couple massive collections that many folks may never buy on their own but would love to have on their coffee tables or bookshelves.

Take a peek, and then try to figure out which one matches that special person on your list. (Who knows, maybe it's you):

- The Vertigo Encyclopedia by Alex Irvine (DK Publishing, $29.99). Vertigo has put out dozens of excellent series, from Y: The Last Man to Neil Gaiman's Sandman to Fables to Preacher. In this fancy hardcover, fans get an A-to-Z rundown of the people, places and things in the Vertigo universe. Gaiman pens the introduction, and each series -- no matter how small -- gets a moment in the spotlight. For readers who will pick up a new series as long as it bears the Vertigo name, this might make a good addition to their collections.

- Marvel Chronicle: A Year by Year History (DK Publishing, $50). This heavy book takes readers through the history of Marvel comics from the creation of Timely Comics in 1939 all the way to the present day. Stan Lee writes the foreword, Joe Quesada pens the afterword and in between you'll find enticing artwork, fun facts and detailed information on what was happening in the Marvel universe and the real world.

While this isn't my favorite book about the history of Marvel -- that would be the fun Amazing Marvel Universe that features a talking Stan Lee -- it does offer the most complete portrait of the comic-book publisher that I've seen. Package it with Paramount's pre-wrapped edition of Iron Man, and you're good to go.

Gift idea No. 8: Cool, affordable art

Today's gift suggestion wasn't pitched to me by a PR firm or sent in the mail (though I do receive some pretty sweet stuff). Nope, I discovered these guys earlier this year during my trip to Birmingham, Ala., and their wares have brightened my home ever since.

Naked Art is a store that doubles as an art gallery. According to its website, it focuses on "functional art," and the shop also makes an effort to "keep the prices reasonable, because we strongly feel that art should be within everyone's reach."

The work ranges from jewelry to paintings to lamps, and most of it is made by Southern artists. Much of it is pop-culture-inspired, too -- an entire room in the store is devoted to Elvis! If you can't travel to the 'ham, just browse the online store. Each item comes with a bio of the artist, so you can sound very informed when friends ask, "Heavens, where did you get that lovely (blank)?"

Below is a photo of my favorite Naked Art purchase, a Gumby portrait by Constance Ehrlich. If you like her stuff, a Mr. Potato Head ornament is available just in time for the holidays ...

Gift idea No. 7: Make-your-own bobblehead

If you already own a Dwight Schrute bobblehead and want to take it up a notch this year, why not put your own face (or someone else's) on a freakishly large plastic noggin?

A website called HeadBobble.com specializes in customized bobbleheads, and they offer many body types and body parts to choose from. (I will say that, unfortunately, men have way more selections than women. For some reason, a large percentage of the female bodies involve bikini tops.)

Upload your photo to the site, and they'll whip up a bobblehead in four to six weeks. They cost about $79-89, unless you request a "customized body." Several samples are available so you can compare photos to the finished products; for a sneak peek, see some celebrity designs, which include Regis and Al Roker.

If you desperately want your 'head before the holidays, the site says quick delivery is possible. It also creates couples that you can stick on top of a wedding cake, if you're into that sort of thing.

Gift idea No. 6: Stylish USB flash drives

I know what you're thinking: "Come on, Pop Candy. I have a very special person in my life. Do you really expect me to wow him/her with a USB flash drive? Do you want me to sustain an injury over the holidays?"

Seriously, just hear me out: For a few months I displayed my MIMOBOT Princess Leia USB flash drive in my cubicle, and I received many compliments on it. At first, people treated it as an art object. Once they realized it had a useful purpose, they appreciated it even more! It's one of my favorite things.

MIMOBOT makes these handy devices in a variety of designs: C-3P0, Han Solo, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, Wickett and Darth Sidious are included in the Star Wars series. (Those MIMOBOTS even say lines from the movies when you insert/remove them.) A new artist series includes cool flash drives designed by Gary Baseman, tokidoki, Treeson and others. There are crossovers with Domo, Happy Tree Friends and other companies. They're the perfect gifts for your geeky friends who have everything and spend too much time on their laptops.

Most of these devices start at about $34.95, and you can even buy little "hoodies" that will latch them onto your keychain. They'll hold anywhere from 1GB-8GB, and they're compatible with Macs and PCs.

Who says technology can't be cute and functional?