The Well-Rounded Ornament
O joy! A radiant way to greet the season.
$8; TheOprahStore.com
Mirror, Mirror
Any self-regarding woman will welcome a pocket mirror, brightly slipcased in leather, to check for mascara tracks, lettuce in teeth, and other facial pitfalls.
$19 each; BaekGaardLtd.com
Fantastic Elastics
This brilliant ball of 100 vividly colored elastics will provide your favorite long-haired woman (or girl, or man, or Lhasa Apso) with a steady supply of ponytail holders throughout 2009.
$20; BumbleandBumble.com
Shaving Grace
Men's face wash, shaving cream, and lotion come with a toiletry bag and three travel-size products (a body wash, two-in-one shampoo, and body bar)—all for $10. We called the company twice to make sure it wasn't a typo.
$10; EveryManJack.com
Classic with a Twist
More challenging than the square old black-and-whites, the latest take on dominoes requires a fit and a match for each piece. It also makes a singular snaky pattern on the table.
Bendomino, $17; Target.com
Instant Heirlooms
Add elegance to someone's dinner table for the price of a couple of movie tickets: These sensational candlesticks do a remarkable impersonation of silver-lined mercury glass.
$10 to $11 each; Ikea-USA.com
Card Sharp
Ingenious online software lets you use your own photos to create customized Visa gift cards; $1 per card goes to Toys for Tots, a Marine Corps charity.
$10 to $250, plus $6 for card; GiftCardLab.com
Chalk It Up
Get personal when you're cooking for company: Write guests' names on scented chalkboard candles (colored chalk is provided). Voilà—unusual, reusable place cards or take-home party favors.
$24 each; MineDesignCandles.com
Squeal Appeal
Even if you don't save a cent, these handpainted polka-dot piggy banks are too adorable to pass up. Give a large one or a porcine family group.
$20 to $47 each; ElegantBaby.com
De-Icing the Easy Way
For those brrrutally frigid mornings, this combination glove and scraper defrosts hands while cleaning the windshield.
$15 each; EddieBauer.com
