There’s still time. And I found these on line. I got my Sunday NYT delivery recently (thank you again Glenn and Kate always) and there was a design section. I was, at first, thinking the “Neiman-Marcus pop-up book” might be the strangest things I’d seen. But then I saw something about a frangrance for dogs. i think both of these were serious or at least "real" products. Then I saw the sugar necklace. Others listed ehre are just thingsI know about. Or, um, own…..

Not quite milk through the nose funny but we have

The classic mouse rug. Still using amouse. Want to make its life nicer? How about a nice Navajo rug? (designed in connection with Pendleton Mills, no joke) More of a classicist? Persian work for you?

http://www.bitwisegifts.com/page/bg/CTGY/04000

They have many goofy items. How about the “drip clips” paper clip dispenser that looks like a bathroom sink with a gasket leak? Just avoid al the smiley face stuff, please? But the office gods are on sale….

The Canadian designers at Contexture Design (www.contexture.ca) offer some lovely items reclaining stuff like veneer. Their coffee cuff, which is to fit around a cardboard coffee cut can double as a bracelet and uses really handsome wood veneers. Using woods like birds-eye maple, which has fantastic grain, and black walnut, it’s a bit pricy for ME at $68, but wow, how cool. Money clips also available for $44 or $48 depending on size of clip. Do go look just for kicks.

Last year, I got my sister some sushi soap from one of the nicest people at doublebrush.com. Fantastically silly imitations of nigiri sushi made of glycerin soap can be found at http://www.doublebrush.com/generic43.html

While you’re here, of course, you could get less silly things like Kona coffee. Or you could stick with the silly theme and pick up some futomaki candles. Or combine the two and get some coffee soy candles. There ya go! (or you could go over to the website of the Japanese American national Museum) and get some sushi soap there maybe with a nice edamame pin?
http://www.janmstore.com/120267.html

Not sure quite how I feel about these, but there’s no denying the creativity. I just don’t know if I want my plates scolding me.

http://www.topoware.org/china.html

And if you still can’t find anything, why not consider the CD from Meshugga Beach Party, huh? How could no not want to hear traditional Jewish music with a surfer boy/Beach Boy beat?

http://www.meshuggabeachparty.com/meshugga/index.htm

Okay and for absolutely no money, you can download your own German castle, or http://papertoys.com/neuschwanstein-castle.htm. Or how about Angkor Wat? Just go to Papertoys.com and you’ll find something to suit anyone’s taste!