The editors and staff of The Pulse have gathered together a wide-ranging collection of holiday gift ideas from around the city and around the world. Each week between now and a week before Christmas itself, we'll be sharing our ideas with you. Happy holidays!
Ever had a hankering for fondue but didn't want to go to all the hassle of setting up the big pot? Treat yourself with this Sweetheart Chocolate Fondue Mug. It comes with the ceramic fondue mug, two fondue forks and a tea light candle.
$8 • wysada.com
Tired of losing golf balls? What you need is a pair of The Golf Ball Locating Glasses that help golfers locate golf balls obscured by shadows and thick rough. The lenses have a blue pigment that filters light as it passes through, making white golf balls easier to locate against dark backgrounds.
$39.95 • hammacher.com
Sure, no one ever said, "I really wish Santa would get me a new thermostat for Christmas." Well, that was before we checked out the Nest Learning Thermostat, which programs itself and helps save energy when you’re away. And you can control it from anywhere using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
$249 • nest.com
Instant fun day or night, rain or shine, on any smooth surface with the Pongo Portable Table Tennis. Best of all, no mounting required for anytime funtime.
$40 • umbra.com
Take the edge off with Whiskey Wedge, the artful way to perfectly chill, but not water down your favorite spirits. Designed to melt much slower than smaller traditional ice cubes, Whiskey Wedge helps retain your drink’s full flavor.
$16.95 • corkcicle.com
To the prolific of spirit. To the bold of heart. To all unencumbered by convention, but weighed by the travails of progress not yet charted comes the Original Ancho Chile Liqueur. Pleasently sweet, followed by chile with moderate heat and hints of spices, tamarind, plum, cacao, apple and almond notes. Be brave. Be bold. Be unafraid.
Play with pictures—win with words with this innovative and fun Word Dominoes game set. Perfect for the word nerd.
$24.95 • chroniclebooks.com
Crack open those tough nuts with this large retro Robot Nutcracker. Place any nut into the Robot Nutcracker's belly and twist the wind-up key to crack open that tough shell. Made from solid beechwood, this nutcracker is easy to use and will break into any nut.
$44.95 • broadwaypanhandler.com
Grow your own crops of delicious, edible mushrooms with the Mushroom Log (just be sure to read our cover story this week first). Each hand-cut hardwood log is inoculated with spores that will sprout organic mushrooms.
$32 • shopterrain.com
Gifts For Her
Line your eyes like never before with this seven-piece Marc Jacobs Petites Highliner Collection. Cased in a limited-edition collectible box, these perfect petites include five best-selling shades and two new limited-edition eyeliner shades.
$45 • marcjacobsbeauty.com
While we don't see very much snow here in the Tennessee Valley, you never know when the bext big blizzard will hit. Be prepared for snowman building with this Joules Sherpa Hat. When it comes to warm, this hat is head and shoulders above the rest.
$35 • joulesusa.com
The APL Joyride women's running shoes feature a Propelium™ midsole/outsole compound designed to increase energy generation. Incredible comfort and a great aesthetic at home, on the pavement, on the treadmill, and everywhere else in between.
$120 • athleticpropulsionlabs.com
The stylish GOLiFE Care Smart Fitness Band brings an all-day living experience. Throughout the day, it tracks your steps, knows the distance you've trekked, and how many calories you've burned. And it looks good, too.
$179 • shop.gifts.com
From American Eagle Outfitters, this Vegan Leather Moto Jacket is 100 percent polyurethane, with classic moto styling and a slant zipper.
$80 • ae.com
Tiklari Mukki Bracelets are subtle with a sharp pop of color, great in a stack, or mixed with other textures and materials. Handmade by artisans in Istanbul, Turkey.
$45 each • zady.com
The Barr-Co. Bubble Bath Elixir has a clean vanilla, milk, and oatmeal scent and is crafted with natural plant extracts, soothing minerals, and oatmeal. Crafted in small batches at a time for optimum freshness.
$31.50 • thegardengates.com
No need to give up making a fashion statement when the weather gets bad. Open up this Illesteva Umbrella with a purple flower interior and stay dry and stylish.
$250 • illesteva.com
Transform ordinary food into superfood and add years to your life with the Magic Bullet NutriBullet. This 12-piece high-speed blender/mixer system effortlessly pulverizes fruits, vegetables, superfoods and protein shakes.
$79 • amazon.com
Gifts For Him
Tired of skin and bdy care products that leave you smelling like your old college dorm room or that feel like they are peeling your skin off with harsh chemicals? Check out the Bulldog Men's Original Skincare line of products, with no burn and no smell.
$65 • abesmarket.com
Live every week like it's Shark Week with a Jaws-dropping pair of cotton-polyester-spandex Shark Socks that add kick to your workwear. Whether you're circling the water cooler or swimming in deep water, you're sure to bring humor and style to any room with outrageous "shark attack" graphics. After all, business casual bites—so why not bite back?
$9 • uncommongoods.com
The Power Shave Collection features advanced shaving instruments that combine high performance design and powered motion for optimal shaving results.
$470 • theartofshaving.com
Pizza is the food of the gods. Represent your higher status with this cheesy Pizza Zip-Up Hoodie. You really knead this; it's worth the dough, no matter how you slice it.
$79.95 • rageon.com
Travel with style on campus or the skatepark with the Quest Tribes Longboard. This board is great for transportation, but also has a performance edge that will surprise and delight and allow you to cruise with efficiency, stability and comfort. Designed with Native American inspired graphics, this longboard is as stylish as it is functional.
$58.99 • overstock.com
Elevate your style with the MB Chronowing Smartwatch, precision created by Michael Bastion. Stay connected and look good while doing it.
$349 • gilt.com
More than just a handsome homage to a whiskey-loving couple, this miniature oak Customized Whiskey Barrel ages spirits to peak flavor, just like its full-sized siblings found in professional distilleries. You have to be 21 or over to order, of course.
Prices vary • uncommongoods.com
Puddles and raindrops will quiver in fear when you approach in these Timberland Earthkeepers Stormbuck 6" Duck Boots. Premium full-grain waterproof leather upper provides protection to keep feet dry and comfortable in any weather. The seam-sealed construction and the molded thermo-plastic rubberbrogue detailed toe cap offer additional waterproof protection.
$195 • timberland.com