POP FUN
Personalized bobbleheads An exaggerated caricature with a bouncing cranium is sure to brighten anyone’s day, no matter how many times it’s looked at. Plus, you can customize the setting to include props, from the addition of a bobblehead pet to a motorcycle or drum set. These mini-mes can get pricey, but each sculpture is carefully detailed by hand. $79-$145, bobbleheads.com or yesbobbleheads.com.
The Best of the Harvard Lampoon: 140 Years of American Humor We need laughter like never before. And we need a big, historical perspective on the saving grace of humor in America. Find it in this collection of writing by humorists like Andy Borowitz, Patricia Marx, George Plimpton and B.J. Novak, along with cartoons, poems and songs from 140 years of laughing. $20, amazon.com.
Pop! Vinyl at the Toy Box This Downtown Summerlin shop has two full walls of Pop! Vinyl character figurines, likely the biggest selection in town and a great way to nerd out and expand your TV and movie escapism. It’s a deep-dive into obscurity, too—we’re talking Bib Fortuna instead of Han Solo, or a giant plush version of Marvel alternaverse character Spider-Gwen. Cool. Prices vary, 702-776-8690.
Filmstruck + Criterion Channel subscription Cinema didn’t begin with the Transformers movies. Filmstruck, a Netflix-like streaming service presented by Turner Classic Movies and Criterion, is more than a collection of old movies; it’s an education in Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Truffaut. $11 per month or $99 per year, filmstruck.com.
Mondo posters Modern movie posters are ugly, market-tested things. Austin-based Mondo reclaims this commercial art form by offering flat-out gorgeous custom works. They are, in essence, gig posters for movies—every one a frame-worthy, limited-run pop masterpiece. Prices vary, mondotees.com.
NOSTALGIC GAMING
This year makes me yearn for an earlier, simpler time in my life, and this year’s video game holiday list seems highly influenced by nostalgia:
Nothing takes me back to my childhood like the Nintendo Classic. This retro console has 30 of my favorite childhood games, an HDMI port to plug into my flat-screen TV and incredibly short cords forcing me to sit cross-legged in the middle of the living room just like I did when I was a kid. $60, amazon.com, Target, Walmart.
If you just can’t seem to escape from the doom and gloom of 2016, why not rewrite history? Civilization VI starts from the age of stone as you guide your people into the future playing as the greatest leaders in history. Hopefully in your version, this year went a lot better. $60, Target.
Legos were a big part of most kids’ childhood, and the Lego Dimensions Starter Pack is the perfect way to relive that experience without stepping on the sharp plastic pieces in the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom. $57-$90, Walmart.
Nothing says taking a break from reality like disappearing into a virtual world. The Playstation VR is a bit expensive, but full immersion to stave off existential dread has its price. $400, Best Buy. –Todd Hailstone
VINYL DELIVERIES
POWERFUL VOICES Beloved British songbird Kate Bush went 35 years between live shows, and the four-LP Before the Dawn ($54) showcases her magical 2014 return to the stage. ... Erykah Badu’s first two albums—neo-soul must-owns Baduizm and Mama’s Gun—have been reissued on vinyl, with the former expanded to its original full-length form ($23) ... And rocker Neil Young has reissued his ’70s “Ditch Trilogy”—On the Beach, Tonight’s the Night and, for the first time in forever, Time Fades Away—along with 1975’s Zuma ($18-$24) . –Spencer Patterson
’90S FLASHBACK Weezer recently reissued its first six albums ($17-$19), so you can once again take landmark LPs Blue Album and Pinkerton for a spin on the turntable. … U.K. electronic pioneers The Chemical Brothers are also repressing their full-lengths (December 9, $20-$30), highlighted by genre flashpoints Exit Planet Dust and Dig Your Own Hole. … And one highlight of Record Store Day Black Friday (November 25) is a three-LP version of the Afghan Whigs’ 1996 bleak soul-rock boogie Black Love ($45). –Annie Zaleski
SEMINAL SEATTLE Mother Love Bone’s three-record On Earth as It Is ($85) highlights the pre-Pearl Jam glam/grunge band whose career was cut short by frontman Andrew Wood’s 1990 death. … Temple of the Dog—the supergroup honoring Wood—has issued a remastered, expanded version of its lone, 1991 album ($30). … And Soundgarden has repressed ’91’s sludge-rock classic Badmotorfinger in various configurations, including a two-LP vinyl version ($34). –AZ
WONDERFUL WEIRDNESS Glitchy electronic duo Autechre has made its first three albums—groundbreaking mid-’90s LPs Incunabula, Amber and Tri Repetae (1995) available again ($23 apiece) … Superior Viaduct’s campaign to reissue The Fall’s early catalog continues with what many consider to be the English post-punkers’ best LP, 1982’s Hex Enduction Hour, on December 2, along with its same-year follow-up, Room to Live ($20 apiece). … And Secretly Canadian has launched a series of long-overdue Yoko Ono reissues with three of the experimental artist’s early records: Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, Unfinished Music No. 2: Life With the Lions and Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band ($23 apiece). –SP
SEASONAL SPLURGES Classic rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have compiled their catalog on vinyl via two sets due December 9 ($235 apiece). … Rush commemorates the 40th anniversary of sci-fi prog masterpiece 2112 with a remastered reissue augmented with live cuts and a DVD (December 16, $113). … And fans of pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd—when the U.K. band was its most psychedelic and experimental—can dive into the whopping, 27-disc The Early Years: 1965-1972 ($571). That one’s CD only, sadly. –AZ
MUNCHIES AND MORE
Blades by Rick Moonen One of Las Vegas’ favorite chefs just dropped his own cutlery set, a 12-piece rust-resistant arsenal made with high-carbon stainless steel. We’ve used ’em, and felt like kitchen ninjas. $199, bladesbymoonen.com.
Manuka Honey Candy New Zealand Manuka Honey is the new sugar, at least where these sweet (but healthier) candies are concerned. Try chewy, buttery salted caramels, organic honey nuggets or mint-flavored chocolates that taste like fluffier York Peppermint Patties. $5-$11, shoppri.com/collections/manuka-honey-candy.
Thug Kitchen 101: Fast as F*ck The new vegan cookbook from the potty-mouthed Thug Kitchen duo teaches you how to make plant-based nachos and mac and cheese that don’t suck. $18, thugkitchen.com.
Happy Pills/Calm Pills Now’s a good time to break out the chill pills. Try some herbal Calm Now anxiety-relief pills—chock full of good stuff like chamomile and passion flower. Or, to refuel a stressed body and make your mind smile, there’s Lumiday, packed with the extra Vitamin B you need plus supplements aimed at elevating your mood. $19-$42, amazon.com or GNC.
Wondermint The small-batch spirits revolution has largely skipped over oft-derided schnapps, but Wondermint, from Wisconsin’s Death’s Door Spirits, is the chestnuts-roasting-by-an-open-fire jam. Minty, but not overly sweet with a nutty finish courtesy of almond, rosewater and wormwood, Wondermint is the taste of sophisticated-yet-festive yuletide imbibing. $25, Total Wine.
NatureBox subscription Get ahead of Nevada’s looming case of the munchies. NatureBox delivers a box of healthy snacks on the monthly, featuring such delectable delights as mini cocoa Belgian waffles, lemon tea biscuits and sriracha roasted cashews. $5 per month plus individual snack purchases, naturebox.com.
Oil & Vinegar Tastings Focus on taste at Oil & Vinegar at Downtown Summerlin, which has hundreds of types of olive oils, vinegars, spices and seasonings, and lets you taste before you buy. Gift a bottle of something unique that makes you focus on the little things, like say, the African Collection or the Olive Wood Board and Sweet Jams from Bulgaria. Group tastings (up to 10 people) cost $7-$10 per person, or buy a gift card in any amount. 702-405-7444.
UP AND AT 'EM
Global Entry The U.S. verified traveler program costs $100 for five years (provided you pass a background check) and gets you TSA Precheck status, along with your own special line to speed through customs after long international flights. Which is, basically, priceless. cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.
Neon Museum annual membership Strangely enough for something comprised of castoff pieces of Las Vegas’ past, the Neon Museum is this city’s crown jewel. An annual membership allows for weekly, even daily visits to the Vegas that time forgot. $40-$1,000, neonmuseum.org.
Springs Preserve membership You know someone who needs cultural and environmental rejuvenation. Give them unlimited visits to Springs Preserve, which means entry to all of its museums and galleries, early entrance to the botanical gardens and trails, discounts and more. $25-$80, springspreserve.org.
Fillaseat Las Vegas membership If Las Vegas offers the modern equivalent of bread and circuses, Fillaseat seat-filler service can help your loved ones with the latter, by allowing them to reserve free tickets (a box-office fee applies) at various local shows and live events. $70-$160, fillaseatlasvegas.com.
America the Beautiful annual pass Las Vegas doesn’t get enough credit for its outdoor offerings. For those natural play areas with entrance/daily use fees—including Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead—an annual pass will cover all riders in a passenger car for a year. $80, nps.gov/planyourvisit.
HOME GOODS AND GADGETS
Leica Sofort instant camera Leica has been making some of the world’s best street photography-suited cameras for 102 years. With the Sofort, they step confidently into party photography with a Polaroid-style instant camera equipped with a terrific 60mm lens. $299, us.leica-camera.com.
Sin in Linen Tattoo bedrooms, bathrooms or kitchens with Sin in Linen’s stylish, counterculture-inspired designs. From Tom of Finland duvet covers to pinup-girl pillowcases to spiderweb tablecloths, this Seattle company weirds up a house but good. Prices vary, sininlinen.com.
Lucky Elephant teapot Because tea, luck and cute elephant. Also, the principles of Feng Shui say elephants represent protection, wisdom and fertility (Careful!). But mostly, these are bright, happy pots with which to prepare your calming tea. $45, yellowoctopus.com.au.
BioPop Dino Pet Animal companionship fosters positivity, but what if you can’t take home a furry friend? Adopt an adorable Dino Pet—an Apatosaurus-shaped micro-aquarium that houses living, bioluminescent dinoflagellates. The microscopic sea organisms glow bright blue and only need sunlight, water and “Dino Food.” $60, biopop.com.
Slimfold wallet Jam your entire poker bankroll, every casino loyalty card in existence and anything else you might need into a wallet that you might not even feel in your front pants pocket. $20-$50, slimfoldwallet.com.
Reusable water bottle We never bring enough water. So give the gift of hydration in a vessel that doesn’t look like a promotional Subway sipper. If the end-times really are nigh, at least you won’t go thirsty. $19; amzn.to/2fDVdkX.
Lil Dude planters Described as “radical rebels who need help with their hair,” these three planters are excellent ridiculousness. They’re not only cute, with rye grass growing out of their head, they’re also a positive gesture: There is hope in watching seeds grow! $22, yellowoctopus.com.au.
Monkey Lights There are two good reasons to put LED Monkey Lights on any bicycle, old or new: They dramatically improve a cyclist’s nighttime visibility, and they create colorful pictures and patterns as the wheels go ’round. $25-$57, monkeylectric.com.
