If you are looking for some new and different places to do your Christmas shopping, you might want to consider some of the following catalogs. We are not endorsing any of these companies - you take your chances. Some of the items offered in the catalogs can be found in local stores, and prices may vary. But here are some of the more unusual, intriguing offerings that have arrived in my mail recently.
If you would like to look through the catalogs write or give them a call. But be warned, too, that once you get on "the list," you could be flooded with catalogs. Many of these companies trade mailing lists.1. World Wildlife Fund: animal-related items.
P.O. Box 224, Peru, Indiana 46970; 1-800-833-1600
2. UNICEF: gifts and stationery; sales benefit UNICEF
U.S. Committee for UNICEF, 475 Oberlin Ave. So. CN 2110, Lakewood, N.J. 08701; 1-800-553-1200
3. F.A.O. Schwarz: "the ultimate toy catalog"
P.O. Box 182225, Chattanooga, TN 37422-7225; 1-800-426-TOYS
4. Animail: pet care products
2515 E. 43rd St., Box 23547, Chattanooga, TN 37422-3547; 1-800-255-3723
5. Art Institute of Chicago: fine art and gifts
The Museum Shop, Michigan Avenue at Adams Street, Chicago, ILL 60603; (312) 298-9730
6. Center for Environmental Education: "whales and other gifts"
P.O. Box 810, Old Saybrook, CN 06475-0810; 1-800-227-1929
7. Cashs of Ireland: Irish woolens and other products
P.O. Box 47, St. Patrick St., Cork, Ireland; 1-800-223-8100
8. Wireless: audio and related items
Minnesota Public Radio, P.O. Box 70870, St. Paul, MN 55170-0252; 1-800-328-5252
9. Museum Books: Museum-quality books and gifts
San Francisco Museum of Fine Art, P.O. Box 182203, Chattanooga, TN 37422; 1-800-447-1454
10. Rand McNally: travel books, maps, videos
Fullment Center, 5535 N. Long, Chicago, ILL 60630; 1-800-762-2665
11. What on Earth: "fun wear and delightful diversions" from around the world.
Universal Screen Arts, 2501 Richmond Road, Cleveland, OH 44146; (216) 831-5588
12. San Francisco Music Box Co.: music boxes
Mail Order Department, P.O. Box 7817, San Francisco, CA 94120-7817; 1-800-227-2190
13. The Nature Company: nature-related items
P.O. Box 2310, Berkeley, CA 94702; 1-800-227-1114
14. Smith & Hawken: gifts for gardeners
25 Corte Madera, Mill Valley, CA 94941; (415) 383-2000
15. Gifted Children's Catalog: educational toys and books
Pied Piper, 2922 N. 35th Ave, Suite 4, Drawer 11408, Phoenix, AZ 85061-1408
16. Williams-Sonoma: kitchen and cooking items
P.O. Box 7456, San Francisco, CA 94120-7456; (415) 421-4555
17. The Company Store: down-filled clothes and home furnishings
500 Company Store Road, La Crosse, WI 54601-4477; 1-800-356-9367
18. Comfortably Yours: for handicapped and to "make life easier"
61 West Hunter Ave., Maywood, N.J. 07607; (201) 368-0400
19. Paramount's Special Effects: "inspired by today's blockbuster hits"
475 Oberlin Ave. So., P.O. Box 823, Lakewood, N.J. 08701; 1-800-245-1007
20. Country Loft: country crafts and other items
South Shore Park, Hingham, Mass. 02043; 1-800-225-5408
21. Smithsonian Catalog: gifts from the Smithsonian shops
Dept. 0006, Washington, D.C. 20073-0006; (703) 455-1700
22. The Chocolate Catalog: chocolate and other foods
Karl Bissinger French Confections, 3983 Gratiot, St. Louis, MO 63110; 1-800-325-8881
23. The Disney Co.: Disney items
CN 2100, 475 Oberlin Ave. So., Lakewood, N.J. 08701-6989; 1-800-237-5751
24. James Avery Craftsman: jewelry
P.O. Box 1367, Kerville, TX 78029-1367; 1-800-531-7198
25. The Paragon: miscellaneous gift items
Tom Harvey Road, P.O. Box 995, Westerly, R.I. 02891-0995; (401) 596-0134