It's not too late to do your holiday shopping by catalog. And since I've somehow landed on a bevy of mailing lists for the weird, a lot of them cross my desk.
Catalog shopping really is an easy, convenient way to find unusual gifts for that very special loved one. Or that not-so-special liked one. Or that person about whom you're still ambivalent.So, in the interest of livening up the shopping season, I've been collecting a number of these catalogs over the past month or so, just in case you're unable to find what you want in local stores:
- COMPUTER GEAR, 4028 148th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052 (1-800-373-6353). This one is subtitled "Random Bytes of Fun" and is, as the name suggests, aimed at the computer geek in the family - of which there is no small surplus these days. Lots of T-shirts, "Dilbert" stuff, a "Star Trek" wall clock (complete with star date). Highlight: Computer Voodoo Pillow, a 5 1/2-inch cushion shaped like a computer, complete with pins. ($7.99)
- THE MUSIC STAND, 1 Music Stand Plaza, 66 Benning Street, W. Lebanon, NH 03784-3400 (1-800-717-7010). For warblers, instrumentalists and fans, those who love all things musical. Clothing, collectibles and unique goodies in the shape of or decorated with musical notes, instruments, etc. Keyboard sweatsuit, with piano keys down the arms and legs; soprano saxophone lamp, art deco music box with a figure of Billie Holiday. Highlight: Brass alarm clock shaped like a drum set, complete with cymbal. ($39.95)
- THE DISNEY CATALOG, P.O. Box 29144, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201-9144 (1-800-237-5751). This one should be self-explanatory; the Disney Store in magazine form. Dolls, figurines and clothing galore - for all ages (including adult Winnie the Pooh overalls!) - a shower curtain with the face of Mickey Mouse on each brass hook, a Buzz Lightyear outfit. Highlight: Choo Choo Pooh Ride-On Train, on a 7-foot oval track, big enough for kids ages 2-4 (with a 45-pound weight restriction). ($225)
- MOVIES & MEMORIES/MUSIC & MEMORIES, Good Music Co., P.O. Box 1935, Ridgely, MD 21681-1935 (1-800-538-4200). These catalogs feature videos and recordings (CDs and tapes), focusing on the era of "golden oldies." Videos include classic movies ("Arsenic and Old Lace"), classic TV shows ("The Life of Riley") and not-so-classic material (Foster Brooks, "The Lovable Lush"). Recordings similarly range from Artie Shaw to Patti Page to Jim Nabors. Highlight: "The Korn Kobblers," with such numbers as "I'm My Own Grandpa" and "Don't Shoot the Bartender (He's Half Shot Now)." (CD, $16.98; two cassettes, $12.98)
- SUNDANCE CATALOG CO. Customer Service Center, 1909 S. 4250 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (1-800-422-2770). Robert Redford's pricey purchaseables, mostly handcrafted items with a Western bent, some with high-tech elements. Electric candleholders, stained-glass lamps, pewter cigar paperweight, Mexican herb pots, wool U.S. Army cavalry jacket with brass studs and buttons and beaded epaulettes. Highlight: Alarm clock shaped like a fishing reel, which goes off with the sound of a screaming reel, then says, "Hey, wake up! You got a bite. Fish on." ($129; listen to the greeting by calling 1-800-571-5888.)
- IN THE COMPANY OF DOGS, P.O. Box 1075, Beverly, MA 01915-0775 (1-800-924-5050). Described as "Gifts and gear for dogs & the people who share their lives." For humans: Dog figures on bath robes, pajamas, caps, ties, jewelry, a CD holder, collectibles. For dogs: Treat tins with bagels or cookies, sweaters and jackets, squeak toys (such as a series of "reindogs" called "Santa Paws"). Highlight: Toppers sauces, to "add gourmet flavor and variety" to dry dog food, in four flavors - Rack of Lamb, Chicken Teriyaki, Roast Turkey and Vegetable Marinara. ($24 for four bottles in a wooden rack.)
- SHOP AT HOME CATALOGS, P.O. Box 173854, Denver, CO 80217-3854 (1-800-315-1995). And if you just can't have too many catalogs, how about this catalog that features nothing but catalogs, for every imaginable special interest. "Inkydinks" (rubber stamps), "Trekker Science Fiction Catalog" ("Star Trek" stuff), "Allergy & Asthma Guide" (products for sufferers), "Paula's Hatbox" (lots of hats), "Funtoos" (temporary tattoos), "Kuma Beads," "Sexy Shoes." Highlight: "The Crate Shoppe," how to build various crates - apple, turkey, orange, lobster traps, CD racks.
And my kids say I'm tough to shop for . . . .