It happens every year: The next-door neighbor, the co-worker, the second-cousin-twice-removed pulls out a gift and you’re left standing there with nothing to give but a bewildered thank you. This year prevent embarrassment by picking up a few stocking stuffers to have on hand, just in case. (Tip: Save yourself some time and buy these goodies in multiples.)
Coffee coup
Eschew the ubiquitous gift certificate to Starbucks and get a coffee lover something a bit more original. Deer Joe Coffee from Deerfields Bakery comes in four varieties: NoJoe (decaf), LoJoe (lighter roast with a mellow flavor), GoJoe (medium roast with a hearty flavor) and, for the caffeine fiend, MoJoe (dark roast with a bold, sharp flavor). The coffee’s branding was conceived by Notre Dame students and is certified organic and free trade. At Deerfields Bakery in Deerfield, Schaumburg and Buffalo Grove, deerfieldsbakery.com, or call 847-520-0068 to order, $7.49-$8.49 per pound.
Double duty coasters
Save the planet and your table? You bet. Eco-conscious folks will love the dual purpose of these Confetti coasters, made from recycled printed paper. Using traditional bamboo weaving techniques, Vietnamese artisans have transformed trash into vibrant and useful little pieces of art. Vases and picture frames round out the collection. At the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., mcachicagostore.org, $2.95 for each coaster.
Doggie do-gooder
We know what you’re thinking — who wants another calendar filled with saccharine-sweet pooch pictures? But this one is different, we promise. The 2008 Dog Days calendar features sophisticated black-and-white prints of canines with their owners. Ten thousand of the calendars, shot by Evanston-based photographer David Sutton, have been given to local animal welfare organizations to sell as a fundraiser. For a list of participating locations, visit sutton studios.com. $10 suggested donation.
Give ’em a hand
As any Chicagoan can attest, a certainty of chilly winter weather is dry, cracked hands. So both men and women will appreciate Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, an ultra-rich, heavy-duty cream that lasts all day. Kiehl’s, 907 W. Armitage Ave., kiehls.com, $12.50.
Lashing out
It costs less than $20 and is small enough to slip into a clutch. She Uemura’s famed eyelash curler, considered by some as the ultimate beauty tool, will prep a frequent party-goer’s eyes for a big night out or help her look a little more awake at the office the next morning. Sephora, visit sephora.com for locations, $18.
Word play
Gamers on-the-go will appreciate the easy-to-tote Bananagram, a soft banana-shaped zippered pouch that stores 144 letter tiles. Aspiring wordsmiths can keep boredom away during holiday travel by working to form individual crosswords and then rearranging letters into new words. Flight 001, 1133 N. State St., flight001.com, $16.
Illuminate them
Handymen, avid readers and students can all use the Cyclops LED Light. This mini, but bright light clips onto books so readers and studiers can toil away late into the night. It also lights up dark corners for projects around the house — the bendy neck shines on the spot just where it’s needed. The Container Store, container store.com for locations, $9.99.
