Gifts for Family

For years, goyim have had all the kitschy fun: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and the Peanuts Christmas special. This year, Jews strike back with the Latke Larry Doll, the first Jewish talking action doll, and of course there's food involved! Voiced by actor Jerry Stiller, this pint sized potato pusher sings about latkes, dances, and even says, "Serenity Now." He's funny, weirdly cute, and cooks better than my grandma. All the proceeds from his price tag, $17.99, benefit the non-profit organization The Friendship Circle, . It provides assistance and support to Jewish families of children with special needs by creating a community network. www.latkelarry.com

Cookbook Heaven: The Strand What ties are to Father's Day, cookbooks are to Christmas; that fail-safe gift. But what's the fail-safe place to get them: The Strand? After all, the Strand has that center table where you can always get a discounted copy of one of the classic cookbooks: Marcella Hazan or Mario Batali on Tuscan cooking, James Beard on Bread, Maida Heatter on desserts. And the Strand also has great new and used art books for your highbrow pals who don't actually read but want to look at pictures. (Note: They're especially strong on highbrow kink books put out by Taschen.) As well, they've got scads of history books, many wonderfully discounted and new, for your history-buff geek friends. Plus, they always have lots of great discounted softcovers of the best 20th century novels. (We'll never forget getting Waugh's "Sword of Honour" trilogy there in three volumes for $13.00)

The Strand Main Store

28 B'way (at E. 12th St.), 212-473-1452; Mon.-Sat. 9:30

a.m.-10:30, Sun. 11 a.m.-10:30, go to strandbooks.com for more information.

-JL

I know the saying "cold hands, warm heart," but no one has ever said anything about what cold feet indicate. All I know is, if I'm cuddling someone and they've got cold feet, it, shall we say, makes me alert in not a good way. This is why I am eying Uggs Australia Cold Weather Collection boots. The men's Monument ($185.00), Women's Glacier ($175.00) and all the boots in the collection have Gore-Tex for 100% waterproof comfort, Vibram soles, and shearling trim. To order a pair to put under the tree, next to the menorah or wherever, go to www.uggaustralia.com or call 1-800-847-8447

Nancy's always in the lab playing with proteins, never at home. She'd like to buy stuff for brand new house, but never has the time. For the Nancys in our lives, hit Amazon.com's Home & Garden store. You can splurge in the new DKNY home store; DKNY's Dusted Moonlight collection of bedding, 220 thread count, is soothing, neutral earth tones and is priced from $39.99 and up. Or be frugal with essentials like a Black and Decker Cyclonic Dustbuster at $36.99, or a Cook's Essential Coffee Maker with two stainless steel mugs ($29.99). Amazon.com has everything to feather a nest, even hardware, and works with every budget.

www.amazon.com/homeandgarden

Most of us don't have a car. We live in a city where you really don't need one. But it would be nice to have access to one for a trip to the beach or moving a desk cross town. It used to be that renting was a nightmare; traveling to Jersey or the Island just to get a good rate. Thank god for Zipcar. If you need a car for an hour, it's only $8.50 ? that's with gas, insurance and parking included. Want to run away? $65 lets you escape from New York for a day. A monthly membership is only $50.00. True the car's names are dumb; Prius Picasso, Sienna Sandy and my favorite, Golf Gordy, but the price is right, and you're giving the gift of freedom. For more information on Zipcar, click on over to their website www.zipcar.com or call them at 866.4ZIPCAR (866.494.7227)

www.zipcar.com

866.4ZIPCAR (866.494.7227)

When they're not perched the your nose, sparing someone's eyes from sun glare, Nannini Eyewear's chic and sleek sunglasses fold flat and fit into a clear plastic almost-flat carrying case that fits into the smallest pocket or purse, or Christmas stocking. That's right- flat. Because the eyeglasses frame's over-the-ears bars are engineered to twist one above the lenses, the other below, into storing position. Compact, lightweight and comes in gray or brown lenses. Handsome. Priced at $20.00, they're as easy on the budget as they are on the eyes. $20.00 for designer eyewear, amazing!

Museum of Modern Art

Design Shop, 44 West 53 Street

(212)767-1050.

-JM

If you want to give someone a unique timepiece, give a Youngblood watch. Many men's watches are blah looking; the Youngblood stands out, with its leather centered stainless band and mother of pearl face. It's eye-catching, lightweight and comfortable. Youngblood watches have a day, date face that's 42 mm in diameter and a Japanese Miyota OS11 movement with a six hour counter. There are two versions of the watch; Young Blood Version 1 ? comes in black or white $225; the Special Edition has a mother of pearl face, $315. They look twice more expensive than they are. To order yours, go to

www.ybtimepieces.com