Dear Present Professor,
We have a tradition in our family that we give to charity as a “main” gift, then we exchange small gifts for fun on Christmas Day. We’re looking for a new idea this year. Any suggestions?

For the game enthusiast on your list, check out the Xbox 360 Cooling Station, the Boompod Audio Chair, or a variety of gaming apparel and accessories.

And enter to win one of two Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals games for Nintendo DS.

Let’s face it, people. Most of us are slobs. Muffin-loving slobs. Muffin-loving, Internet-surfing slobs. Now, give your muffin-loving slobby friend a USB keyboard vac. You plug it directly into your laptop, making it portable, practical, and perfect for stuffing into stockings. And also, for removing stuffing from in between the keys on your keyboard.

Beth writes:

I’m dealing with multiple out of town families…. All transplanted new yorkers. Modest budget, we are in a recession. No, really, just a gift to say, hey –thinking of you. In years past I’ve done juniors cheesecakes, cannoli’s from little italy, family board games…. That sort of thing.

Remember when Mrs. Brady lost her voice and Cindy asked Santa Claus to cure her in time to sing at Church on Christmas? Remember when Ralph Kramden sold his bowling ball to pay for a gift for Alice? When Alex P. Keaton endures his own Scrooge-esque nightmare, sitcom-style?

No, you don’t remember? Well, maybe you know someone who does. And that someone would probably enjoy the Holiday Treats DVD.

Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet by Corbett Marshall and Jim Deskevich demonstrates the everyday dangers in traditional cleaners and pet products–then shows you how to make your own safe, natural foods, flea treatments, and toys. There’s even instructions to recycle your old sweaters into a felt blanket for Sparky. Here’s an idea: Make one of the recipes from the book (but don’t get it dirty!) to present with the gift.

Sesame Street Old School, Volume 2, $26.99. Picture it: 1974-79. Mr. Hooper is still alive. Elmo has yet to be formed out of a devilish blaze of red felt. Richard Pryor reinterprets the alphabet. And Fonzie and Richie Cunningham brush their teeth.