Quotes of the Day
For the Bachelorette
Our favorite T shirt design from dollfacepunk.com — "How About Never? Is Never Good for You?" — also comes on a spaghetti tank top, trucker hat and thong. See Retro Collection.
For Mom
Proceeds from sales of these silk scarves, hand woven in the Cambodian village of Robib, not only pay workers' wages, the profits also support local assistance programs. Go to villageleap.com.
For the Pet Lover
At wagwear.com, click on the hanger icon to view catalog items, including this canvas carrier, $130. Ready to adopt? Click Dogs for profiles of those available through the Humane Society of New York.
For the Bachelor
You can find Win Her with Dinner, a primer for the culinary-challenged man at amazon.com. But ecookbooks.com carries it for the same price, $11; if you spend $40, you get free coffee beans.
For Dad
This Karim Rashid pocket watch, $140 at the New York Public Library's libraryshop.org, evokes the Op Art movement of the '60s. (The face doesn't look flat, but it is.) Momastore.org has equally stylish Rashid chess sets.
For the Jet Setter
Flight001.com offers this sleep mask, $20, in a dozen colorful patterns (shown: Pucci red and Morocco orange). A less flashy option: the squishy Föm eye mask from brookstone.com.
For the Artist
This suede-wrapped Compact Drawing Set, $32 at flaxart.com, comes in a palette of colors. The site also boasts art supplies galore, and plenty of kids' gifts, like the alphabet zoo puzzle and Noah's Big Ark.
For Inspiration
Who says action figures are for kids? Wickedcoolstuff.com's posable Albert Einstein, $9, and "First Appearances" Superman, modeled after the 1938 original, $17, make great desk accessories.
For the Commuter
Search Thermos at plumparty.com to find this striped number, $21. Planning a little shindig? The site has all manner of decorations and goody-bag gifts, plus funky serving platters.
For the Handyman
The Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with nylon sheath, $70, packs pliers, wire cutters, bit drivers, a saw, a serrated knife and more into one compact unit. At amazon.com.
For the Adventurer
Rain? Snow? Cold? Bring it on. The right equipment — and the right mind-set — is all you need
Reading Ahead
The maps, guides and travelogues at longitudebooks.com cover destinations from the Serengeti to Sicily. A few simple clicks pull up recommended reading.
It's Also a Watch!
Suunto's T9 Wristop Computer, available for $700 at summithut.com, crams a GPS tracker, barometer, altimeter, compass and more into one wearable package.
Slick Shades
These $100 Supertubes from Rip Curl, maker of cool stuff for surfers, feature rubber ear stems for a full-wrap fit. Polarized lenses are optional. See ripcurl.com for stores.
Against the Wind
Scrunched up, golite.com's nylon Helios Jacket, $100, weighs just 3.5 oz. and fits in a back pocket. For men or women; click Outdoor, then Clothing.
Out on the Trail
The selection is vast at rei.com; use Expert Advice links to help choose the right gear, like these Lightning Ascent snowshoes from MSR, $250, and the REI Runoff pack, $65, which holds water in an insulated reservoir and lets you drink hands free.
For the Domestic Goddess
Personal and home accessories for the woman who likes to nest in style
Soothing Soles
We heard moccasins were back in vogue, but for our goddess we prefer the more feminine Andrea slippers, $76.50 at patriciagreen.com. Click on Classics.
Pillow Talk
Maximodesign.com celebrates 20th century designer Alexander Girard with home furnishings featuring his work. The Sun and House pillows, $78 each, are in the Signature collection.
Home Scents
This Living Cologne by Jo Malone releases a bit of grapefruit and rosemary to improve your personal space; $95 a bottle at jomalone.com.
Grace Notes
These "Merci" cards, designed by stay-at-home mom turned Web entrepreneur Gillian Dewberry, keep neat in the stainless steel So Write Cube; $50 at dewdropdesigns.com.
Eye Candy
The Juicy Green Vase, $50 at cb2.com, Crate and Barrel's eclectic new site for home furnishings and accessories, is, believe it or not, made of lacquered wood.
For the Kids
We looked beyond the Gap, Wal-Mart and Target to find unique items for babies, tots and older kids
Lounging Around
Just say no to teddy-bear and balloon prints. The mercifully subtle Oeuf Baby Lounger, $110 at babygeared.com, is listed under Activity Apparatus (see Bouncers).
Look, Ma, No Pedals
The LikeABike, a German import, prepares kids ages 2 to 5 for the real thing by teaching them first how to balance on two wheels; $279 at likeabikeusa.com.
Transformed
The original etoys.com is long gone, but that address still takes you to a sensible place to shop for, say, Hasbro's $45 Omega Supreme, a robot you can turn into a crane or battleship.
Top Kicks
Zappos.com will make you rethink shoe shopping online. The site's massive inventory covers the whole family and shipping is free — even for returns. These Easy Riders by Puma Kids are $45.
Fork, Knife, Spoon
Most of these utensils, which gingerandscallion.com imports from Japan, come as part of a set: Ocean, Sea or Petit Marine ($20-$22). A stainless-steel turtle spoon ($5) is sold separately.
Pampered Set
Save that new mom from the hideous diaper bag she brought home from the hospital with reeseli.com's inspired totes ($100-$120) and burp cloths ($24 for a set of two).
Cheeky Monkey
If what you're after is a gift that lasts, try magiccabin.com for "heirloom quality" dolls, toys and crafts, like this Crochet Critter, $25, or an adorable red polka-dot cat, $30.
Flame Boy
Is your kid begging for a skateboard? Monsterskate.com has it all, like this complete set from World Industries ($72). Warning: when shopping at this site, it helps to have a brand in mind.
Revolutionary
Does a $25 onesie seem a little steep? Not with Che Guevara's face printed on the front. Find this and other gems at lalaling.com (click eShop, Hot Fashion, New Arrivals). For more Che, visit thechestore.com.
Balancing Act
With a foot at each end, you can maneuver the balls across this Seesaw Balance Board--$85 at zebrahall.com — by shifting your weight. Our 4-year-old tester is hooked.
For the Gardener
There is beauty and passion in nature. Reward those who revel in it — up to their elbows
For the Tree
Adorn that Douglas fir with one of smithandhawken.com's copper watering-can ornaments, $10. The site will also deliver the Emperor's Head-- a $129 cast-stone planter, that is.
Birdland
This circus birdhouse, $30, reminds us why uncommongoods.com remains a perennial fave among gift shops. For a full selection of birdhouses and feeders, go to bestnest.com.
Get a Grip
The three-piece Gel-e Gardening Essentials set, $25 at oxo.com (a second trowel isn't shown), features the company's trademark nonslip-handle design. Kitchen utensils and barware are cool too.
Roll with It
Not just for display, this $115 fully functional wheelbarrow, handmade by an Amish woodworker exclusively for lehmans.com, is a replica of a 19th century design.
A Good Fit
These Foxgloves, $25 a pair at gardenerseden.com, are both practical and stylish, and the Lycra-spandex material breathes. We also dig the plaid Wellies, $48. Find both under Garden Tools.
For the Foodie
These gifts for the gourmet say eat, drink and be merry-- with friends or on your own
Fork Fun
Fishing for a fondue pot? Make sure it's enameled cast iron, like this $120 Staub from surlatable.com. That way the crusty cheese bits at the bottom won't burn, and it'll be easier to clean.
Lobster Gram
If you'd like to send friends a Maine Shore Clambake Deluxe ($110 and up) or some other feast from livelob.com, better warn them first. The lobsters arrive alive, and the site suggests same-day consumption.
Quick Comfort
You'll need only an hour to put a pot roast on the table with the WMF Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker, $165 at chefscatalog.com.
Slice of Heaven
At murrayscheese.com — the online extension of a New York City shop — go to Cheese by Country for $75 gift assortments. (Click on each picture for details.) The $40 wheel of Manchego is already on our wish list.
Make Mine an Espresso
There's something for every java junkie at wholelattelove.com, plus buying guides, user reviews and gift ideas grouped by price range. The Nespresso D290, $499, brews from single-serving capsules.
- Maryanne Murray Buechner