Salon.com > Salon's 2012 Gift Guide

Last-minute holiday shopping list!

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Joan Walsh, Editor at Large
1. Drivable Wheel Loader

Ah, the perfect Christmas gift. Hands down the best gift I ever gave was a little driveable wheel-loader to my then-2-year-old nephew. He's 15 now, and it's still his favorite gift ever. But it's not really a reliable go-to gift unless you've the Octomom or the Duggers and you've always got preschoolers on your list.

2. Mexican Cocoa Pacifica Candles

I love Pacifica candles, in all sizes and fragrances. This year my favorite is Mexican Cocoa. It smells like Christmas to me, but it works to make a house smell homey – which means, to me, that it smells like you have time to bake – any time of year.

3. San Francisco Giants swag

Every year someone on my list gets some kind of San Francisco Giants swag; when my team wins the World Series, everyone gets something. That's now two out of the last three years: I'm happy about that, but it's getting expensive.

Score with Magic Mike!

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000

He always has the best booze. Let him show off his cocktail skills with this retro twin-engine airplane cocktail shaker ($79). Pair it with the wood and steel Sheesham Ice Bucket ($198) for a full service.

A classic badger shaving brush ($175) for a classic dude.

Customize his favorite jacket with these Ben Silver gold-plated blazer buttons featuring a wily fox ($225). The set includes three large coat buttons and six sleeve buttons.

On the surface he's a gentleman, but don't mess with him or his business. He can tuck in the message end of the Marc McNairy "F*** Off" pocket square ($18), but he'll know it's there.

Gift advice that’ll bring you Knope and joy

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Of course she has a crush on Nate Silver. And during her next campaign, she's going to want to know his secrets. Silver's "The Signal and the Noise" ($24) takes a long hard look at data and what the numbers can (and can't) tell us.

Help her keep her life together with the Tory Burch Robinson Smart Phone Wallet ($155) in brown Italian leather. It keeps her phone separate from her cards, and the wrist strap will ensure she doesn't lose more than her dignity at karaoke.

Because her desk is always two steps away from becoming a scary hoarder nightmare, she'll get a sick kick out of the visual pun that is Catherine Mui's Clipnote Organizer ($12).