Around the horn - What's new? Holiday gifts galore - Christmas gift ideas

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Nov, 2002

As the old Nat King Cole song extols, Christmas is for kids "one to 92." So when the big day finally does arrive, there's no telling what will be under the tree, except that the plethora of wrapped items will be wide-ranging, seeing as how Santa must come up with something for everyone. With this in mind, here's a potpourri of presents that just might fit the bill for someone special on your list:

Target Stores, the retail chain that has the uncanny knack of signing exclusivity contracts with top-name manufacturers, is at it again with a 12-inch boy's bike from Schwinn ($69.99), replete with a cool silver-and-red paint job, training wheels, chain guard, handlebar streamers, and clanging bell. For indoor fun, Target has snagged the Memorex Sphere TV Video Ball ($119.99), a futuristic-looking fire-engine red 13" color television set and remote. Ideal for bedroom viewing of favorite programs (and channel surfing), it also serves as a perfect playbase for such attachments as GameCube or other interactive TV games.

The We Did It! Dancing Dora doll ($29.99, Fisher-Price, East Aurora, N.Y.), like the children's Dora the Explorer character on TV, is bilingual, speaking in Spanish and English as well as dancing to and singing her trademark song, "We Did It!"

For the golfer in your life who has everything, try the Ahead Gift Box ($75) from Ahead, New Bedford, Mass. He or she will receive a stylish golf shirt, cap, ball marker, engraved divot-repair tool, bag tag, keyholder, and gift box. All items can be personalized with the name of the recipient. It is available by calling 1-800-282-2246.

A whimsical touch is available through the California Clock Company, Fountain Valley, Calif., and its his and her Kit-Cat Classic watches ($39.99 each). Like the company's more-well-known wall-hanging timepieces, these quartz-movement watches (with stitched leather bands) will provide smiles galore--and the correct time.

For the game-players on your list, there is Pop-Up Pirate ($9.99) from Tomy Corporation, Newport Beach, Calif., and Gobblet ($29.95) from Blue Orange Games, San Francisco, Calif. Pop-Up Pirate, which has sold in excess of 10,000,000 copies worldwide over the last 25 years, is available in the U.S. for the first time. The game centers around a miniature pirate who hides in a plastic barrel until he's "stuck" by a sword and jumps out. Gobblet is a more complicated-version of tic-tac-toe (you need four in a row). Its inventors maintain that it "can be learned in a minute and can be enjoyed by a seven-year-old as well as a chess champion."

The Discover Dome ($39.99) from Hoberman Designs, Inc., New York City, is a toy, reference tool, three-dimensional book, art object, and visual storyteller all in one. Available in nature, dinosaur, and space themes, it utilizes a new technology that adds an origami-like paper surface to expanding sphere linkages. Opening the Dome reveals beautiful visuals, original artwork, fun facts, interesting statistics, and other fascinating information.

L'Agneau D'Or, Housatonic, Mass., designs the most-adorable (and comfortable) kids pajamas ($40) on the planet. Moreover, the six holiday patterns--especially Santa's Face and Red & Blue Santa--of these Greek imports of interlock-woven cotton are vivid and imaginative. (No surprise there--the company's winter and spring/summer lines were just as stunning.) Call 413-274-3545 for the nearest retailer.

Hammond World Atlas Corp., Union, N.J., has a pair of dynamite map-related products that will both educate and delight youngsters: Swivel & Tilt Mini Globes ($12.95) and Dinosaur Smart Chart ($3.95). The globes come in four versions: The Stars, Antique Style, Pale Blue Oceans, and Dark Blue Oceans; can be rotated in all directions; are four inches in diameter; and are precision printed in full color. The Dinosaur Smart Chart measures 25" x 38" and is a real eye-opener. Superimposed on a world map are almost 50 vivid dinosaur images, showing the area of origination of these prehistoric creatures. Hammond products are available at museum gift shops, nature centers, and science and specialty stores.

Instead of bringing a six-pack of beer to your next party host, make it a four-pack of champagne. Better yet, make it a quartet of mini Moets since the four Moet & Chandron 187-milliliter bottles come with four mini flutes that slide into place on the neck of the mini Moet. The $40 package is available at fine wine and li-quor stores.

Sport-Fun, Los Angeles, Calif., has a line of skateboards for every age and ability. Rat Tailz ($9.99) are big enough to ride to school, yet small enough to put in your backpack once you get there. The company also produces conventional-size boards ($12.99 to $29.99) made for cruising and daredevil jumping, with character graphics that include Spider Man, Scooby Doo, and Yu-Gi-Oh!