Interesting nuggets from newspapers, magazines, and the web to help you survive, and possibly enjoy, the holiday season. Check back for fresh finds...


Holiday gift ideas for the truly paranoid... We all have one on our Christmas list -- the uncle or cousin that have three months worth of food and water stored away in their bomb shelter just waiting for the day the world implodes. What do you get these guys? Jezebel.com has some suggestions:


  • Pepper Spray Phone Case: It's a cell phone case that holds an iPhone AND a can of pepper spray. They never saw it comin'! (link)
  • Survival Wisdom and Know-How: A book that teaches them how to survive under adverse conditions when they have absolutely no prior training. (link)
  • American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub: It's a radio, USB power source, flashlight and emergency beacon all in one handy unit. It's self-powered, too... just crank it! (link)
  • Homesafe Hardback Book Safe: It looks like a dictionary, but it's hallow and has a lock. Great to stash emergency cash and the 'ol passport in case they need to leave the country ASAP! (link)

Gift ideas for the unemployed... Does your jobless friend need a pick me up? Here are a few ideas from Lindy West...

  • Literally anything from SkyMall... "SkyMall is made from 100% pure comedy gold." (link)
  • A good bra: Take them to Nordstrum for a good old fashion bra fitting. This idea may need to be tweaked for a guy.
  • A tank of gas.




Sitting down for this? Your kids want an iPad... A Nielsen survey discovered 48% of kids age 6 to 12 will ask Santa for an iPad this year. Will Santa deliver? This is the third year that an iPad tops the list. Here's the wishlist... and man are kids getting expensive!

  1. iPad ($500)
  2. Nintendo Wii U ($400)
  3. iPod Touch ($199)
  4. iPad Mini ($329)
  5. iPhone

Have fun, Santa!