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These past couple of months has been a mix of heaven and hell for many Americans. The heavenly part, at least for this reporter and his friends, has been the election of Barack Obama as our next President and the potential dawn of a new, exciting political age. The hellish aspect, however, has been the failing economy, which has become a major stressor in most Americans' lives. The current turbulent times and financial uncertainty facing us all means that this holiday season may be a frugal one indeed. In light of the present economic realities, many of you are needing to scale down your gift giving, be it for Secret Santa arrangements at the office, stocking stuffers for family, traditional exchanges of presents with friends, or splurging on yourself. Here are some gift suggestions that will hopefully make an impact, but without breaking the bank. Books Screwed
Up Life of Charlie The Second
by Drew Ferguson is quite entertaining and also quite familiar.
Set in the northwestern Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake, this
at times comical coming-of-age story is about 17-year-old Charles
James Stewart II and how he deals with his blooming sexuality
and the relationships with his parents, friends, and brand new
boyfriend. The story is smartly written and interestingly presents
the complicated nature of Much more adult in nature and possessing explicit sexual prose that will generate some heat in the loins, Sean Wolfe's Taboo explores the delicious naughty imagination that not only dwells in the depths of his mind, but in the minds of many others. In this book, Wolfe has created a collection of erotic tales that deal with a wide range of forbidden desires associated with different parts of the country, such as incestuous Mormon twins out West, interracial sex in the Deep South, and a pastor in the Midwest who defiantly uses his confessional booth as a glory hole. Yes, this book is aptly named and is perfect for those who like their erotic fiction delivered with a challenging and sometimes controversial edge. Music Special Christmas music you might
be interested in bestowing upon others - or yourself - include
Hey
Mr. Christmas by Kristine W.
This is her first
Apparel
& Merchandise The gay-owned men's jewelry line
Cruz
Azur has the perfect gift
for the
Where To
Shop |
While
the simple act of reading a book seems to have gone by the wayside
for so many in this technological age, books in paperback are
still great gifts. There are two gay themed titles from Kensington
Books that I've recently read that should be on your radar.
homosexuality in today's American high
school culture (much more "out" and accepting than
25 years ago, but still fraught with difficulties at school and
at home). This is a fun read that will appeal to a wide audience.
There
are quite a few seasonal CDs on the market that will make for
perfect gifts to give to friends, or most especially the hosts
of the holiday parties you attend. First off, a trip to Borderline Music (3333 N. Broadway) is highly recommended
for all of your physical CD musical purchases of the artists
our community loves so much, especially if their name is Cher,
Madonna, Janet, or Kylie. Superstars with large gay followings
have recently released fantastic new albums - Seal's Soul, Enya's And Winter Came, and David Foster's Hit Man -
so stop into Borderline to see if they have them in stock. 
holiday album, and it features two new
original songs ("Mr. Christmas" & "Everyday's
a Holiday") in addition to several classics that have been
re-worked with that special Kristine W flair (this album is available
in CD format at Borders Books and in mp3 format at www.kristinew.com).
When
you put together your up-tempo holiday playlist, in addition
to remixes of traditional fare, don't forget to spice it up with
some newer original tracks. Fresh off her recent chart-topping
big roomer "Surrender Me" and "Piece of My Love,"
Debby
Holiday is back at it with
"Joyful
Sound,"
a song that is currently
being featured on LOGO-TV's Sordid Lives. Remixes available
at www.Masterbeat.com and www.CDBaby.com have been turned in
by Hex 
Hector, Tracy Young, Scotty K and Jake
Benson, all which will have you snapping your fingers and bopping
your head. And then for those who want a bit of campy humor
infused into their season groove, Jonny "The Gay Pimp"
McGovern does just that with
"A
Dirty Gay Christmas"
It's available on iTunes and will simultaneously keep you dancing
and laughing.
Speaking
of the Gay Pimp, he's not only producing music, he's also creating
and selling "the most inappropriate, retarded, and faggoty
t-shirts on the Internet." Perfect for wearing out and
about on the town on weekends when seeking maximum attention
at bars and clubs, these Gay Pimp tees - with slogans such as
"Bossy Bottom" and "Not Shady Just Fierce"
- can be purchased ($20 - $24) at www.gaypimp.com. 
dance music fan in your life: two styles
of DJ-inspired sterling silver pendants ($65). If you stuff
your fave DJs stocking with this gift (available at www.cruzazur.com)
you're sure to have all your song requests immediately played
for the next twelve months. 
While
receiving underwear as a gift when you were a kid was far from
exciting, it can be a thrilling and most appreciative present
during adulthood if the underwear is of the fashionable variety.
This season, Baskit
Underwear is releasing their
new holiday bear-backer brief that's available at Universal Gear ($17). And if you need style on a budget,
Target is now carrying 2(x)ist's
new line of Evolve underwear (8 - $16). 