Wearing all black is a look that will never go out of style. True, the look may go by different names depending on what circles you’re in: Sometimes it’s a sign of being artsy, while for others it’s a goth look, and so on and so forth. Either way, black is always in and slimming, and, unfortunately, also a friend of lint. Anything and everything that’s floating in the air or on the floor will somehow attach itself to a black article of clothing. Seriously, I never realized how much dust there is in the air until I wear my black blazer because then I’m wearing all that dirt. In a pinch, using pieces of tapes to adhere to the hair and dust bunnies on that black turtleneck may work, but for a thorough cleaning and a truly on point look a must-have for anyone rocking a chic black outfit is a lint brush.

Wearing all black is a look that will never go out of style. True, the look may go by different names depending on what circles you’re in: Sometimes it’s a sign of being artsy, while for others it’s a goth look, and so on and so forth. Either way, black is always in and slimming, and, unfortunately, also a friend of lint. Anything and everything that’s floating in the air or on the floor will somehow attach itself to a black article of clothing. Seriously, I never realized how much dust there is in the air until I wear my black blazer because then I’m wearing all that dirt. In a pinch, using pieces of tapes to adhere to the hair and dust bunnies on that black turtleneck may work, but for a thorough cleaning and a truly on point look a must-have for anyone rocking a chic black outfit is a lint brush.

Where to go:
The lint brush is so useful. Whether it’s an actual brush or just a roll of sticky paper on a handle, it can get rid of all the dust designs overpowering a black top. And due to its rather rudimentary construction it can be found at your local, chain all-purpose retail stores. The lint brush is a great personal grooming buy and as a gift would be thoughtful for someone preparing for an important meeting, interview, or audition. Everyone likes it when someone is making sure they look good.
The lint brush is so useful. Whether it’s an actual brush or just a roll of sticky paper on a handle, it can get rid of all the dust designs overpowering a black top. And due to its rather rudimentary construction it can be found at your local, chain all-purpose retail stores. The lint brush is a great personal grooming buy and as a gift would be thoughtful for someone preparing for an important meeting, interview, or audition. Everyone likes it when someone is making sure they look good.

For the snack-happy telecommuter

There’s nothing like snacking and typing…speaking of which I may want to do that now. Anyway, the problem with doing that is the crunchy noises the keys make when you press them down…not real natural or sanitary. So a great way to deal with the crumbs or other debris that fall between the crevices of keys is a keyboard vacuum. This is especially useful for those people who are nighttime studiers or late-working-folks since midnight brings out the munchies to get that second wind.

A keyboard vacuum is a great way to deal with those stubborn crumbs. And thankfully, you can sometimes get complete computer cleaning kits, because sometimes you just forget not to touch the screen even though you can always zoom in as needed.

Where to go:
My favorite type of store: the office supply store! And of course, electronics stores. In a nutshell: anyplace that sales computers because it makes sense to sell the accessories too.

Some of the things you can find include:
A handy and nifty USB vacuuming device - Mini USB Desktop Keyboard Cleaner

(Image from mcbworld.com)

This is almost the whole kit and caboodle (except no monitor cleaning supplies) - Fellowes Mouse & Keyboard Cleaning Kit

(Image from amazon.com)

For the homebody night owl or the prostrate couch potato

When someone’s obsession is laying around then it’s important that the sedentary lifestyle incorporates proper lumbar support for the lower back…or something like that, I heard it on an exercise DVD. The point is: pillows, pillows, as far as the eye can see.

Pillows make great gifts because people like soft stuff and they can be fancy and set out for specific occasions or practical and appropriate for the wear-and-tear of daily life. The only issue is choosing the right color so it actually fits with something in the gift recipient’s space. That’s why I’m not advocating for all types of pillows. No, there is one in particular that is a must-have for anyone who tries to pull-off the half-laying-down/sitting-up pose on a couch or bed: the husband pillow.

Also known as a bedrest, (but husband pillow is a far cooler name) this embracing cushion will help your gift recipient not go to bed or wake up with back pain and is just all around a good thing to have around when you want to lay your legs down but keep your torso up. Plus, the husband pillow makes a great Valentine companion: Who needs a husband when you’ve got a pillow? Comfortably watch TV or sleep right through the whole holiday.

Where to go:
I think it’s safe to say that anyplace that sales bedding will probably have husband pillows on its shelves, or at least know where to get one.

As stated earlier, pillows, because they are relatively easy to mass-produce, can come customized to fit special occasions. Some prospects:

For the sports-lover: Sports Team Husband Pillow:

(Image from bigflysports.com)

For the finicky homebody-couch potato:

The Bedlounge Husband Pillow (Image from http://www.bedlounge.com/) – This one has a lot of bells and whistles over the traditional type of pillow since you can change its form to fit your position.

The timeless under $20 (usually) gift for the readers out there

Assuming your getting a gift for someone who can read you have a world of gift-giving opportunities available for you in the form of magazine subscriptions. Not to knock books and book certificates, but not everyone is bookish, but I have yet to meet someone who isn’t “magazinish.” Why? Whether you flip through a magazine for the articles or the glossy pictures there are magazines that fit any type within that spectrum. Yes, the same can be said for books too, but the differentiating factor is the disposability of magazines. Have you ever thrown out a book? Maybe, but you possibly felt weird about doing it. There’s no such remorse for disposing of a magazine after a good perusal or two.

Before giving some suggestions on where to get magazine gifts, please note that the odd, not-really-clear-what-that-is picture up top is supposed to be a magazine cover. Sorry, I’m not a graphic designer.

Where to go:
Most mainstream magazines have websites where a gift subscription can be ordered. For small press periodicals you can probably do a search online and get instructions on how to place an order.

A good alternative is to buy a gift subscription box set. The magazines available will be limited and only come from one publishing house, but it takes the guesswork out of the process. The box sets are under $20 and allow the gift-receiver to choose a subscription from a list of several (we’re talking 20 magazines or more). Check out giftscriptions.com

For the Wine & Dine Casanova

I must admit that this idea is coming from an article I read about how to personalize your apartment, but I felt this idea was so amusing that I had to use it for the Gift IdeaList. So, the apartment must-have equipment that I found so amusing: dimmer switch. That’s right for all the single guys and gals out there who like to set the mood or ambience in their own place, a good housewarming gift is a dimmer switch.

In doing research on dimmer switches for this entry I was surprised to learn that the way they work (at least relatively new and modern switches) is by switching the light off and on several times in a second. We can’t sense this switching so it just seems like a steady stream of low intensity light to our eyes. Interesting, right? Anyway, back to the gift at hand.

If you don’t think your gift recipient is too handy and would have some trouble connecting a dimmer to a wall light switch, consider dimmers that can be attached to lamps. These all-in-one dimming packs can easily be attached to stand-along lamps in the new place. No more harsh light bearing down while snoozing after plopping down on the sofa.

Where to go:
Hardware store! Personally, I enjoy being in hardware stores. All the possibilities; the possibilities of a more aesthetically pleasing environment, but I’m not a real DIY type of person so it’s more about giving the appearance of knowing how to build things. Anyway, a hardware store should offer a selection of dimmer switches.

Broan White 4-Function Wall Switch (Image from homedepot.com)
Wall dimmer switches can also be a knob or be a sliding switch (able to change the lighting by moving the switch up and down).

Lutron 300 Watt Plug-In Crendza Lamp Dimmer, Black (Image from homedepot.com)

For the Belated “Thanks-for-letting-crash-at-your-place-for-my-cheap-weekend-excursion” Acknowledgement

The most frugal type of traveling you can do is traveling to places where you know people who will let you stay with them. Hotels are nice, but free lodging is even better. Although it’s customary to greet your host(s) with a gift, sometimes it’s difficult to remember to arrive with a gift when you’re trying to budget for your trip. Never fear, belated gifts have practically become their own industry now since you can buy cute, self-deprecating cards to match the occasion. But because it’s late you’ll have to up the ante on what you give back. A generic box of candies or sparkling something-or-other in a bottle won’t cut it.

A great first part in a two-part gift-giving spree is to take your host out to dinner during the last days of your stay. That’s the first punch. Then the second punch for the KO can come with a gift card showing how indebted you were for your host’s kindness, either in person or through the mail or email. The gift card should show some thoughtfulness behind it. A great way to show your appreciation for the free shelter is to send a gift card from a store that’s in host’s neighborhood, or preferably, that you visited with your host while there. It’s not just a thoughtful gesture but literally a way to repay your room and board, especially if it’s a card for food or furnishings. Those will definitely be welcomed and used.

For the quick-zipping traveler

When I heard about this invention about a year ago I thought it was such a good idea. It’s a new type of luggage where instead of folding your clothes you roll them up. I learned early on that rolling your clothes is a much more efficient way to pack than folding (that’s how I was able to move all my stuff back-and-forth to college), but alas I didn’t think of using that idea to design a new kind of carry-on luggage. The SkyRoll® garment bag is a neat way to stash not only your clothes, but also shoes and toiletries for quick trips. So this would be a great gift for a short excursions traveler who is not so keen on ironing.

Where to go:
Just check the website: http://www.skyroll.com/

Straight from the Home to your Heart: The sounds of your emotion

Audio cassette tapes are long gone and CDs (sadly, in my opinion) are on the outs. But that doesn’t spell the end of the almighty mixtape – that purest vessel of story-telling, emotion, and illegally recording songs and distributing them to someone else. With digital music rising fast, it is actually helping the mixtape making it easier than ever to express your thoughts through other people’s (and maybe your own) music.

The old-fashion way of literally recoding one cassette onto another is still passable, but really it’s all about burning MP3s onto CDs, which can then be played and/or downloaded onto the recipient’s computer.

The mixtape is oftentimes associated with romance, an easy way to set the right mood for an intimate dinner for tow. But don’t underestimate the power of music for other occasions. Mixtapes for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day are great ways to thank your parents on the cheap. And it’s not about putting on songs they like, but rather songs that say thanks and love ya’ lots. There are tons of “I love my mama songs.” You’re more hard-pressed for songs celebrating fathers, but they’re out there and can be found with some creative Internet searching. So have fun with it. Rediscover some favorites and uncover new ones and just express whatever you’re feeling or need to say.

For the arts lover/cheap ticket theater crowd:

Sometimes the late bird catches the worm…or at least gets a few crumbs. OK, that was a little gross. My apologies. But seriously, in the arts world, sometimes the longer you wait the lower the price goes down for a ticket. It isn’t a sure-fire bet, but for those who are patient, they just might get the opportunity to see the latest play getting rave reviews at a fraction of the price as other attendees. The catch? (There has to be one) You are most definitely relegated to the nose-bleed section…unless it’s one of those spaces built so everyone has a decent view. Since there’s no guarantee of that, though, a great gift for those people who frequent theater shows are opera glasses.

Yes, opera glasses may seem froufrou, pretentious, snooty, and whatnot, but hey, they are practical. And sometimes being practical can come off as conceited, as the fellow last row attendees complain, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Where to go:
There is in fact an operaglasses.com. I don’t know why I’m shocked by that, considering my success in finding the theme songs for little known children’s programs from the early 1980s, but I am. I would say http://www.operaglasses.com/ probably wouldn’t be a bad place to look for, you know, opera glasses and binoculars too (also available at http://www.binoculars.com/)!

The oh-so-chic long-handle opera glasses. (Image of lorgnette opera glasses from operaglasses.com)

Pop-up magnification courtesy of these fold up opera glasses (Image from operaglasses.com)

I’ve also had random run-ins with classy magnifying instruments at the big wholesale stores, like Sam’s Club and Costco. I feel this is a bit of a hit-or-miss option, though.

Another possible source would be stores in you resident theater district. It would only make sense, right? You have to give the people what they need.

For the hospital-ridden:

Lying about in a hospital is no fun. I used to volunteer at a children’s hospital and I saw how hard it was for them. Uno® was usually a huge hit and card games because it doesn’t take a lot of energy and movement to play them. Another option to put on the radar once card games get stale is also an oldie, but goodie: Mad Libs®.

Mad Libs® is a simple game that allows for a little creativity and fun without requiring a lot of supplies and clean-up. Plus there is a variety of Mad Libs® books to choose from, from holiday-themed ones to ones based on movies and TV-shows, or even based on other games (e.g. Operation Mad Libs®).

And don’t just think all these books are aimed at the pre-teen and younger set. There are more adult theme books for older patients who need a little cheering up, including Family Guy Mad Libs® or Adult Mad Libs: Kiss Me, I’m Single®.

(Image from Amazon.com)

Where to go:
Check out the website (http://www.madlibs.com/) to see a full line of products. And of course, because it’s a paper product, you can find a selection at the bookstore.

For the Tender-footed:

Heels aren’t for everyone, especially those nights when you have to walk half a mile to catch a cab after being on your feet for hours. On that particular night, inspiration hit me: collapsible high-heel shoes. I had on flats but my companions’ assortment of wedges, stilettos, and whatever other ways you can pay to put your feet at great, uncomfortable heights, slowed down our travels to a taxi oasis. Anyway, unfortunately my breakthrough idea was a few years late. The collapsible heel has been available for a few years now, though I don’t believe it is readily available in stores.

Where to go:
Collapsible/adjustable height heels can be found at the following site:

CAMiLEON Heels: http://www.camileonheels.com/
You can order directly online or check out the list of stores, by state, that carry the line.

There are also other collapsible heel lines in the works, apparently, but just try searching around to find out about other options for tender-footed, stiletto-loving friends.

The “Declic” a foldable/collapsible heel stiletto made by a design student in the UK in 2004. (Image from CNN.com, International)

For the perpetual “table-for-one” friend

Some people are loners. Whether it’s intentional or not, someone in a restaurant/cafeteria somewhere is eating alone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But eating alone can be a boring affair, especially if you’re in an establishment with few diversions, whether it be TVs, a boisterous waitstaff, or what have you. A “table-for-oner” may talk on the phone incessantly or bring a book or magazine, but you can put a twist on these stand-bys with an interactive diversion that is quiet (thus allowing for people watching): puzzle books.

Unless you know what type of brainteasers a person likes it might be best to err on the side of variety. Word scrambles, crossword puzzles, riddles, soduku, and whatever other ways we try to stretch our minds are good fare for an entertaining, if not interesting meal.

Where to go:
The usual suspect is the bookstore for the bound, sleek, this-is-going-to-be-teasing-your-mind-for-a-while puzzle book. There are also several puzzle-making companies that can be found online if you have some time to order a unique puzzle book.

This works best as an add-on, trinket gift. Unless the gift-receiver is a hardcore puzzler, then this gift will probably seem a little random and not too thoughtful, or just simple puzzling (I had to work it in). Try presenting it in a pair with something denoting relaxation/taking the time to think things through, such as a nice mug, toiletry set, or just be blatant with a restaurant gift card (usually available right by the cash register at a chain convenience store).

For more spur of the moment giving, cheap, lightweight puzzle compilations can be found in the magazine section of convenience stores. This can be a cute parting gift for someone about to take a little excursion.