THE BEST PRESENT folks can wake up to on Christmas morning after more than a month of pumpkin pie eating and eggnog swilling is something to make them feel like active elves again. Whether they're training for a marathon, taking up yoga, considering bike commuting, planning the ultimate family camping trip or just trying to increase their exercise level, everyone could use a push to get going. (Even Santa! You might stuff your face at the company holiday party, but Santa has to make up for millions of cookies.) And if none of these 10 choices is a winner for any of the names on your list, don't forget that experiential gifts can be goodies, too. Rock-climbing classes, dance class gift cards, ski getaways and race entrance fees are sure to make the season brighter, and lighter, for fitness fanatics.
» To Have and to Fold
The Dahon MU P8 might not fit inside a stocking, but the bike does collapse into a manageable bundle that makes commuting on two wheels a cinch. After a ride to work, just store it under your desk. But expect jealous stares from your co-workers. ($560, Amazon.com)
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» Hipper Sipper
Outside it may be cold and nasty, but it's always spring on this floral-patterned aluminum water bottle. Plus, it looks like a much-more-expensive Sigg, although it's perfectly priced for office secret Santas. ($13, Gaiam.com)
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» Porky the Pod
The iPig ($140, Speakal.com) dock turns that suave status symbol in your pocket into a big joke. We suggest loading your iPod with the proper music, say, the Bacon Brothers.
Pictured above.
» Get Blastered
Of course we're buying the Hasbro Lazer Tag System ($75, Toysrus.com) for a kid! Really. We're not going to have epic inter-office battles between the accounting department and human resources.
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» Digital Digits
Your pal can use his touch-screen phone even in the winter with gloves ($15, Dotsgloves.com) that have tiny scratch-proof metal dots embedded in them. They'll conduct enough current between his fingers and the screen to let him text you all winter.
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» TiVo for Radio
The portable XMp3 from Pioneer ($250, XMRadio.com/xmp3) will record up to five XM stations at once and play back MP3s from portable media. You can listen to Howard Stern and record Oprah for later!
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» Small Favorite
Ditch the bulky tower! If a desktop computer is your thing, try the paperback book-size Eee Box from Asus (in white at Amazon.com), which for only $300 packs a large list of features.
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» Sharp Focus
The Blackbird, fly ($135, Shopping.icp.org/store/) camera hearkens back to the old days of photography, yet it takes regular 35mm film. Plus, you'll look retro cool while shooting.
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» Hot Snapshot
Epson's new all-in-one Artisan 700 printer ($200, Epson.com) features two paper trays (one for photo, one for text), Wi-Fi and a sleek black design that's less than 8 inches tall. Plus, it churns out text pages at an amazing 38 pages per minute!
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» Two for One
Philanthropy can feel good in the wallet, too, not just your heart: For $400, get two XO laptops from One Laptop Per Child (Laptop.org). An underprivileged child overseas gets a kidproof laptop, and then the wee one in your life scores one, too.
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Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman
THIS YEAR, small and retro is the new black. OK, so that's a bit of a mouthful, but our picks for 2008's hottest tech gifts seem to have one thing in common: They're teeny. Check out the slim MacBooks, mini (we mean paperback book-size) Eee PCs, the printer that's smaller than a bread box and more. You'll find gizmos here for gearheads and casual tech users alike — Mom can finally get her e-mail on the go, while your brother can turn his commute into a video game with the oddly named PLX Kiwi, which tracks a car's miles per gallon directly from the diagnostic port. Futuristic! Last, it's not a tech guide without some sweet toys, so we rounded up the porkiest iPod dock we could find and a new, updated-for-the-millennium version of the '80s classic Lazer Tag. Get the latter for your favorite kid (or childish adult), and watch the holiday light show fly.
» Range Rover
The Cell Ranger ($150, Getcellranger.com) boosts your signal when you're short on bars. The one here attaches to your car antenna for rural drives; another USB version could work in basement apartments.
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» Mini and Mighty
Teeny Pico D USB drives ($23, Newegg.com) from Super Talent fit on a key chain and hold up to 8 GB of docs and tunes. Just don't lose the itty bitty thing; it's just 1.5 inches tall!
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» Special Delivery
CrackBerry addicts will turn up their noses at the tiny Peek ($79.95 plus $19.95 monthly fee, Getpeek.com), but we bet Mom would love a way to get her e-mail on the go and still keep her pink Razr.
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» In the Quick of Things
Get wireless Internet access without having to hide the router. Linksys' WRT610N ($200, Amazon.com) is easy on the eyes and has dual-band 802.11N frequencies — in English, that means fast ($199.99, Amazon).
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» Gas Perfect
The PLX Kiwi ($300, PLXKiwi.com) plugs into your car's diagnostic computer to track fuel efficiency on a detailed level, making it easier to save the planet.
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» In the Key of Cool
The T-Mobile G1 ($179 with two-year plan, Tmobile.com) sports a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and easy access to all things Google.
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Written by Express contributor Rachel Kaufman
IF DIAMONDS are a girl's best friend, these sophisticated and statement-making finds are a pretty close second.
» Knit Wit
The mitten-shaped pockets on Ruth Cross' soft wool scarf add a playful touch. ($235, Ginger, 7114 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda; 301-664-9242)
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» Arm Candy
Kate Spade's new line of shiny baubles — like this disco ball charm bracelet — will help bling in the New Year. ($255, Kate Spade, 3061 M St.; 202-333-8306)
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» Notable Tote-ables
Saltbox's eye-popping collection of patch-front bags lend a downplayed cool to a heavy-duty carry-all. ($45, Popdeluxe.net)
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» Undercover
Irish textile designer Orla Kiely has decked out a new notebook line in her signature designs. ($10-$25, Jasperandblack.com)
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» Ringleaders
The sparkly stones in Daphne Olive's
stunning sterling rings come in eight colors and are perfect for stacking up or wearing solo. ($84 each, Tabletop, 1608 20th St. NW; 202-387-7117)
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» Sweet Dreams
The fun sleepwear from the Cat's Pajamas blends utterly scrumptious patterns with super-soft flannel. ($88, Thecatspjs.com)
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TIES, BEGONE! Instead, give him the coolest gadgets and the most creative garb.
»Monkeying Around
No, this isn't the material for the world's biggest sock monkey; it's actually an inventive winter scarf from Brit brand YMC. ($65, For the Greater Good, 1781 Florida Ave. NW; 202-387-0177)
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»Block and Load
This Lego-inspired iPod dock might look like kid's stuff, but there's a high-quality sound system hidden inside. ($69, Paper Source, 3019 M St. NW; 202-298-5545)
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»Lens Crafters
Photos always look artsy when snapped with this wide-angle lomography camera, which uses standard 35mm film. ($70, Urban Outfitters, 3111 M St. NW; 202-342-1012)
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»Heard Mentality
These Japanese striped headphones have been a design favorite for years but only recently became available in the United States. ($40, Audiocubes.com)
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»Make Some Noise
The sleek shape and wooden knobs of this Magno radio have a refreshingly retro appeal. ($255, Rckndy)
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»Mixed Bag
Leave the plain, tiresome tote behind. This sleek option has a cool design and gadget-protecting pockets. ($95, Crumplerbags.com)
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WHETHER YOU'RE SHOPPING for a hospitable hostess or a serious design snob, these decor finds make for adorable adornments.
»Fowl Play
These cheeky salt and pepper shakers from Perch Designs are a subtle but statement-making table addition. ($48 per set, Tabletop)
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»Prints Charming
The newest batch of these hand-screened Fauna Pico pillows means that, for once, you won't mind spots on the couch. (24 each, Areaware.com)
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»Serves You Right
We can't get enough of the whimsical designs on these hip handmade plates by Vancouver-based ceramics line Cul de Sac. ($39, $49 and $59, Rckndy, 1515 U St. NW; 202-332-5639)
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»Blanket Approach
These unbelievably soft throws — crafted from baby alpaca fur — add a cool twist to getting cozy. ($295, Jonathanadler.com)
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»Wick-ed Cool
The best part about these graphic Crash candles? They smell as good as they look. ($28, Proper Topper, 3213 P St. NW, 202-333-6200)
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»Fruit Loops
A basic bowl turns into a sculptural statement with Black + Blum's artsy touch. ($42, Momastore.org)
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Addison Road