Caviar Showcase for Two

$350

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$350

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Nothing says “special occasion” like caviar. Celebrate with your favorite bon vivant by giving 125 grams of Petrossian’s farm-raised Royal Transmontanus (likened to the finest Ossetra), two vodka flutes and two mother-of-pearl caviar spoons.

This product is sold by Petrossian

Stainless Steel Double Magnetic Measuring Spoons

$15

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$15

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Three things make these the perfect measuring spoons: The magnet keeps them together but allows easy access—no annoying ring; each measure has both a liquid and a dry scoop; and flat bottoms allow the measure to rest squarely and spill-free on the counter.

Exercise Cards

$15

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$15

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Perfect for those who can’t swing a gym membership and lack the discipline needed for solo workouts, the FitDeck packs all the necessary exercises while keeping things interesting. Just pick a card at random, do what it says and repeat at will. They also have sets tailored for yoga, offices or airplane seats.

This product is sold by FitDeck

The Ghostly Box Series 8.0

Now into its third year, the Ghostly Box Series is a smart way to introduce your friends and family to the Ghostly Universe. Series 8.0 of The Ghostly Box for 2008 is a hand-numbered edition of 50 that includes a Text Ghost Tee (designed by Ashkhan from Don't Stop Studio), an exclusive Ghostly Moleskine notebook with embossed logo and a copy of the Ghostly Swim compilation (which we covered earlier this year), available on CD for the first time.

Also included in the box set is your choice of any CD from Ghostly's 2008 full-length releases, a pair of Ghostly & Spectral lapel pins, an assortment of stickers and (a Cool Hunting office favorite) a set of three Ghostly Computer Decals that will turn any MacBook into a spooky ghost machine (see right).

To purchase the box set for $60 plus shipping, simply head to the Ghostly Store. To guarantee domestic holiday delivery, order Friday 19 December 2008 by 2pm EST to ship via UPS three-day Select or Monday 22 December 2008 by 2pm EST to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air.

Last Minute Shopping in the Cool Hunting Gift Guide

If you're like us, you're sitting around wondering how you can get your packages to your holiday destination without paying an extortionate fee at the airport. The best option is order online and have them sent—especially with all of the free shipping offers in the Cool Hunting Exclusive Deals & Steals section of our 2008 Holiday Gift Guide.

But are you too late to get it there on time you ask? Maybe it's the holiday spirit, but we've decided to help you sort through the options and provide you with a list of places and the details that will guarantee you get it there before the 25th. This way, even if you can't make Mama proud with a shiny new Rolex, at least she'll think you have your act togehter and that's something even Santa can't get her.

Patagonia
Get free two-day shipping on all U.S. orders over $100, for online orders placed between 15-22 December. Warm up your friends with an Isotope Parka or a Down Sweater, both offer slim fits and minimal weight while providing ultra insulation.

Uncommon Goods
To order items like their Wine Thermometer or Drop Stop Tea Strainer by 24 December, order by 5pm on 18 December via standard shipping or shop through 23 December and choose express checkout.

Amazon
While the last full day to order is 22 December, this year Amazon is offering Local Express Shipping as late as 9:30am on 24 December for select cities. With a flexible shipping method and books like The Flavor Bible, Christopher Walken A to Z, and the Robert Bolaño: 2666 Three-Volume Boxed Set in addition to music like Cornelius: Sensurround + B-Sides and Grace Jones: Hurricane, or gadgets like the Travel Sewing Kit there's something there for everyone.

MoMA Store
Offering unique gifts for the design-savvy crowd, the MoMA Store's last day to shop with guaranteed standard shipping to U.S. locations is 18 December, but luckily they're offering to accept orders placed by 9am on 22 December and ship them express for an extra $15. For the java-lover in your life, there's the Handpresso Portable Espresso Maker which will get they're morning going even when on the go, or pick up a Tigrado Backpack for the tykes, or show someone you care and keep them bicycle accident-free with Windrider Bicycle Clips.

Selfridges
For our U.K. readers, Selfridges offers clever and decadent hampers available for xmas delivery provide you order by noon on 22 December 2008.

Playing Around: Kid’s Gifts For Any Age

Winter break means the kids are home and most likely trapped indoors with little to do. Double the fun by giving them gifts you can both enjoy, they'll be happy to spend time with you and you'll be happy to act like a kid again. Here's a list of our top items from the 2008 Holiday Gift Guide that allow you to hang with anyone, from the smallest of tykes to your teenage sibling.

Project No. 8's Leather Skateboard combines skateboarding, fashion and art.

Japanese musician and producer Cornelius' 5.1 DVD Cornelius: Sensurround + B-Sides is perfect for audiophiles while entertaining kids—it's like a modern Fantasia.

Create your own Muppet with Muppet Whatnot Workshop.

We often wish we hadn't given away our childhood Lite-Brite. With Bandai Luminodot Lite-Brite HD Board we can recapture the magic and more.

This jazzed up Flashflight Light-Up Flying Disc features LED lights that change colors.

The Sno-Baller effortlessly makes the perfect ball every time for dominating any snow skirmishes this winter.

Experiment with molecular gastronomy in the comfort of your own kitchen with the Texturas Spherification Mini-kit, keeping tweens occupied and teaching them a lesson in science.

Start the toddlers young with this Wooden Cell Phone.

Moss returns this holiday season with Gone But Not Forgotten Finger Puppets, designed by the wonderful Il Golfini della Nonna.

Make your own ukulele with this customizable DIY Ukulele Kit.

Instructions for essential skills to get you through the rigors and challenges of modern living are included in "Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know."

Simultaneously fun and educational, Boa Stacking Rings with Sounds is a stack and squeeze toy with a different sound for each squishy ring and a giggling head when stacking is complete.

Get crafty with Mona Doll, a truly an imaginary friend. The blank Mona doll comes equipped with 10 machine washable markers, leaving the looks of Mona solely up to any kid's (and yours) imagination.

A classic film that most of us grew up with, the The Red Balloon book is a great way to pass on the story to a another generation.

Playing a series of notes when you break any of the six laser beams with the movement of your hands, the Laser Beam Music Generator allows you to reproduce music and save it for immediate playback.

Leather Lanthe Notebook

£45

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£45

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This leather bound diary is embossed with Liberty of London’s signature Lanthe pattern. It’s available in three sizes.

This product is sold by Liberty of London

Ikon Hand Held Knife Sharpener

$30

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$30

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This knife sharpener by industry leaders Wusthof has diamond and ceramic sharpening wheels. It works with several varieties of blades including straight, serrated and left- or right-handed scissors.

This product is sold by Wusthof

Brewing Pitcher

$39

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$39

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This attractive pitcher from Tea Forte has a lidded upper container for steeping tea which can then be poured into ice in the lower container to flash chill. It’s made from hand-blown heat-resistant glass.

This product is sold by Tea Forte

Mmm Mmm Good Gifts

Food's temporal nature eliminates the burden of gifting an object of questionable desirability. When in doubt, look to consumables. Rather than the usual box of chocolates, we've gathered some items that will express your gift-giving personality and bring joy to tummies worldwide, like milk chocolate-covered bacon, an array of English cheeses or macaroons handmade in New Orleans. Check the Cool Hunting Holiday 2008 Gift Guide for a wider assortment of goodies and some kitchen gadgets for pairing or on their own for the chef in your life.

Wicked Good Hand Warmers

$10

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$10

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Made from all-natural ingredients, these hand warmers offer instant relief from the cold. They fit comfortably inside mittens and last for up to six hours.

This product is sold by L.L. Bean

Typeface: Classic Typography for Contemporary Design

$26

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$26

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Sixty classic fonts are documented, discussed and shown in action. One nice feature is the display of similar typefaces that work as substitutes for each other.

This product is sold by Tamye Riggs

Classic Dog Raincoat

$50+

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$50+

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We are not supportive of frivolous decorative gear for dogs, but rainy days call for a little protection. CH mascots Otis and Logan protest but ultimately give in to their stylish raincoats, which are easy to get on and off, well-made, well-priced and available in multiple sizes/colors.

This product is sold by Zoomie's

Seriously Funny Gifts

Take the misery out of holiday shopping with these funny gifts, designed to make even Scrooge crack a smile. Our favorite is the F*CK The Rain Umbrella, which would cheer up any gloomy day. Other fun items are bacon dental floss (look for other bacon-inspired items in the gift guide), and the Savin' Up For series of tin banks which offer a plethora of options to save up for, everything from your next vacation to drug money. All these items and more can be found in our 2008 Holiday Gift Guide.

Candele Da Viaggio

$42

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$42

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For true girly-girls, this set of candles includes Cleopatra, Grace, Havana and Kyoto, a sampling of Tocca’s deliciously heady scents. The votive-size glass is small enough to tuck into carry-ones for mood-setting on the road.

This product is sold by Tocca

Vegan Bag

$45+

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$45+

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Vegan accessories are hard to come by, but this Canadian label is certainly leading the field in terms of sophisticated bag design. We love their innovative use of materials and bold colors.

This product is sold by Matt & Nat

Plant A Tree

$100

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$100

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If you want to offset your carbon footprint or a friend’s, Trees for the Future can help. TTF works with communities in environmentally at risk areas, giving them seeds and teaching them how to restore tree cover to their lands, which helps to preserve traditional livelihoods. For $100 they will plant 1,000 trees.

This product is sold by Trees For The Future

Wrapping Paper Wrap-Up

'Tis the season to start thinking about how you're going to wrap up all of your thoughtful presents. Need we remind you that, especially for the humblest of gifts, it's all in the presentation? As design enthusiasts, we enjoy finding great wrapping paper that really stands out for its graphic motif or method of construction.

Eco-Friendly Paper

Feeling guilty isn't very festive and neither is wrapping your gifts in recycled brown paper bags. We've found three sites that offer eco-friendly wrapping paper and prove that environmentally-driven products don't have to be plain and simple. We particularly like the jolly prints from New York City-based Seltzer Goods (above left), with their bright graphics, like this camel-inspired design printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. They even use veggie ink, making it all the more green.

For patterns that really shine, look to Fish Lips (above center), who spread holiday cheer on recycled satin paper using soy-based inks. Their aim is to bridge the gap between contemporary prints, like this one with antlers and fire hydrants, and eco-conscious products.

Another source for responsible wrapping paper is