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Letters to Santa

Because when it comes to giving the right present, sometimes you just need it spelled out for you

by SARAH MUSGRAVE

From A for Atari video games to Z for zombie flicks like Dawn of the Dead, we bring you an alphabet of ideas in this season of C for Christmas, crass consumerism or capitalist conspiracy, depending on your mood.

A

Arcade classics from Atari and Namco are built directly into a joystick, for vintage gameplay on your TV screen. Just plug it into your set for access to Pacman, Galaxian, Pong, Asteroids, Centipede and more pixel-perfect action from the time of eight-bit video game consoles. Batteries not, repeat, not, included. $24.93 at Wal-Mart, 5400 Jean-Talon W., 735-5295

B

Bloomsbury bestseller Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is the latest hit from the British press that brought you Harry Potter and Schott’s Miscellany. Susanna Clarke’s 800-page twisted tale of English magic is filled with historical fantasy and folktales, and liberally sprinkled with fairy dust and footnotes. $29.95 at Paragraphe, 2220 McGill College, 845-5811

C

Chocolats de Chloé takes an all-natural, artisinal approach to life’s sweeter side. At this bonbon boutique, handmade haute hot cocoa mix is concocted with spices or fresh vanilla, and takes the form of little valrhona fishies that you melt down and combine with milk. $5 and $10 at 375 Roy E., 849-5550

D

Dallas does DVD! The first and second seasons of this decadent, deranged television drama add up to five discs of family infighting, oil industry intrigue and political power-mongering—Texas style. Except it’s set in the ’80s. Starring Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal and Larry Hagman. $51.99 at HMV, 1020 Ste-Catherine W., 875-0765

E

Exploreur wine glasses claim to optimize tasting thanks to a special, patented “aroma rib” inside the bowl. The tumblers in the Exploreur 3 series are suited to dark spirits and full-bodied vintages; Exploreur 5 is made up of sleek stemware. $33.50 for four at vino accessories store 12º En Cave, 367 St-Paul E., 866-5722

F

Fauna Clothing, the label of local designatrix Alexis Walker, takes its inspiration from pretty things past. Her one-of-a-kind accessories are assembled from whimsical motifs and materials, including synthetic furs and retro fabrics she’s accumulated over the years. Handbags are $60 to $120 at Glam, 364 St-Paul W., 499-0601.

G

Gerard Jones’ Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book (Basic Books, 324pp) traces the history of the industry from Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster to censorship in the ’50s to the renewed elevation of superhero status. This non-fiction Kavalier and Clay is $36.95 at Indigo, 1500 McGill College, 281-5549. Combine it with current-wave comix titles from Montreal-based publishers Drawn & Quarterly, such as Anders Nilsen’s Dogs and Water, $9.95 at Mojo, 3968 St-Laurent; 282-7730 or France’s freakshow silkscreeners Le Dernier Cri at F52, 4826 St-Denis, 286-0352.

H

Hats, hanging Christmas ornaments and handbags are among the items on sale at the Roy Street Collective’s Christmas Emporium, Thursday to Sunday, Dec.9–12 and 16–23, 1 p.m.–9 p.m. at 111 Roy, 284-5211. Rusty Plum’s holiday sale, spotlighting works by 30 local artisans, takes place the weekends of Dec. 4 & 5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19 at Le Divan Orange, 4234 St-Laurent, 273-3933.

I

Image 1200 instant camera from Polaroid, purveyors of instant gratification, steps up the shutterbuggery. Premium features include a pop-up LCD screen for more precise previews, exposure control, a self-timer and professional-quality wide-format film. The model is being snapped up for $159.99 at L.L. Lozeau, now at 6229 St-Hubert, 274-6577.

J

Joyce Yahouda’s Store is the commercial component of a downtown gallery. Launched earlier this year, it’s a place to peruse and purchase real, actual, bona fide art. Prices range from $2 for stickers by Dominique Toutant to $300 for Corine Lemieux’s mutant dog sculptures to about $3,000 for a lamp by Jacques Bilodeau. Suite 516, 372 Ste-Catherine W., 875-2323

K

Kissing Disease, also known as ever-popular Mononucleosis, is one of a host of cuddly-wuddly germs by Giant Microbes, which manufactures magnified plush dolls shaped like real health afflictions. Other top sellers include Black Death, Ebola and the all-too-common Common Cold. In stock for flu season, $7.99 at Kidlink, 5604 Monkland, 482-4188

L

Lululemon makes athletic apparel for the stretch and strengthen crowd. Ladies and gents appreciate this B.C.-based company for its strong, shape-hugging gear, particularly yoga pants that fit well on the ass. Get a namaste in return for this $84 velour coco jacket from the Montreal retail outlet, which opened this summer at 1394 Greene, 937-5151.

M

Manu Reva Pottery is a one-stop ceramics co-op, hosting original, functional designs by 30 regional creators. Johanne Weilbrenner and Jean-Claude Lebeau give a nod to the nautical in their Marine collection, smartly emblazoned with stripes and anchors, like this $38 butter dish. 5141 St-Laurent, 948-1717

N

Northbound’s naughty and nice leather accessories include a big, bold, black Christmas stocking that’s just waiting to be stuffed with attitude. It retails for $35, with proceeds going to AIDS organization Séro Zéro. Look for more skin stuff—shoes, whips, outfits and sex toys—at Cuir Northbound in the heart of the Village, 1323 Ste-Catherine E., 929-0808.

O

Olive & Olives is all about acquired tastes— it showcases dozens of hard-to-find olive oils, arranged by geographical origin. From the south of Spain comes Fuente Baena, renowned for its golden hue and complex flavour that hints at grilled almonds and citrus. $20.95/500 ml at 1389 Laurier E., 526-8989 or a new location opening at Jean-Talon Market this week.

P

Printakid publishes personalized stories for children. Specify the skin, eye and hair colour of your favourite little egofiend, and this Montreal outfit will print a book in which he or she stars fighting automatons, befriending penguins or saving Christmas. $29.99 through www.printakid.com or 729-9696. Allow two to three weeks for delivery.

Q

Quilts with square-stitched detailing are offered in various shades and patterns at trendoid HQ Urban Outfitters this winter. Bed coverings range from vibrant chrysanthemums to a patchwork of bright silk scarves to reversible satin two-toners, $112 at 1246 Ste-Catherine W., 874-0063.

R

RoboSapien Robot, released last month by WowWee, is the first remote-controlled toy of its kind. It was created according to the science of applied biomorphic robotics, meaning its movements are based on the amazing things human animals can do: bend at the waist, kick, dance, kung-fu fight and, of course, waste time, burp and fart. $110, Future Shop (various locations).

S

Sleep sets by Ine, Lola & Emily’s house line, consist of a pair of pjs packaged in a peekaboo voile envelope. The oopsy I’m so cutesy boxers and tanks are like borrowing your boyfriend’s clothes to snuggle in—except way more feminine. Perfect for a makeout session. $42, 3475 St-Laurent, 288-7598

T

T-shirts by local graphic goddess Leslie Robinson bring a dose of post-trucker chic to city slicker guys and gals. The latest from her Zeitgeist line takes “Cabin Fever” as its theme, breaking free of urban constraints with images of wild animals like elk, deer, mountain goats and squirrels. $38 at Local 23, 23 Bernard W., 270-9333.

U

USB Audio Interface & Desktop Amplifier by the inventive geeks Griffin Technologies allows you to archive your entire LP and cassette collection on CD or MP3. The PowerWave also works as a compact, self-powered amp to connect standard stereo speakers to your iPod. $135 at www.coolusb.ca

V

Vinylux gives vintage albums a new spin when designer Jeff Davis shapes recycled rock ’n’ roll records into eye-catching bowls. Labels and spindle holes are covered with a protective Mylar seal. $26 (U.S.) through Canada-friendly www.uncommongoods.com.

W

WiFi signal locators are the tech-head must-have of the year. Small enough to fit on a keychain, they allow wireless signals to be located without booting up a laptop—an efficient way to prove that there are hot spots in town besides Laïka. The Kensington network detector is $30 at Future Shop locations, while the next generation Digital Hotspotter, released two weeks ago, is $49.95 (U.S.) at www.canarywireless.com.

X

Xbox first-person shooter game Halo 2 ($59.99) has been hogging the attention this season, but on Dec. 3, Montreal’s own Ubi Soft unveils CSI: Crime Scene Investigation ($29), in which you work alongside the team to crack 10 complex cases. Car-racing oriented Burnout 3: Takedown ($69) and sadly overlooked RPG Lord of the Rings the Third Age ($64.99) are on shelves, too. The release of Playboy: The Mansion, however, has been delayed until early next year. Find them all at EB Games in Complexe Les Ailes, 1500 University, 285-6400.

Y

Yoga bag by Mantra is designed to hold your mat, money and water bottle when you head to your next pilates or ashtanga class. This sleeked-down, toned-up pvc gym tote sells for $125 exclusively at Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke W., 842-5111.

Z

Zombie films are being resurrected this year with the release of the Dawn of the Dead four-disc set that includes commentary from George A. Romero about his 1979 horror classic. $54.95 at Boîte Noire, 4450 St-Denis, 287-1249. Other undead flicks on disc include Zombie Night, Stink of Flesh, Zombie Planet and 1961’s Blood of the Zombie (also known as The Dead One), recently unearthed by Shriek Show Video ($14.99). Cult-movie specialists Sukubus will do their best to dig them up for you, 3629 Wellington, 765-3131.