Local hero

Hot out of the mould, primo prime minister John A. Macdonald is the first stand-up man in a new series called Canadian Legends, spotlighting political action figures from our nation's glorious past. He comes with a little wooden table to hold his learned books, with space left over for a tumbler of whiskey (not included). This educational toy, produced by Kirkland-based Nafekh Technologies, also contains a pamphlet on his contribution to the country. $17.99 at Legends Action Figures. (SM)

Baggie deerest

It's all fawn and games with this adorable over the shoulder bag from Montreal design company Roadkill. With its playful Bambi-esque love scene stitched onto the soft striped velveteen, it's a nice girl must this season and provides ample room to tote around other nice girl essentials like scented lip gloss, Hello Kitty stationary and mace. $89 at Lola & Emily, 3475 St-Laurent. (RK)

Kitchen synch

With its sci-fi-inspired brushed chrome curves and glowing blue computer screen, the Toastmaster Lightwave looks more like the USS Enterprise's food replicator than a six-slice toaster oven and broiler. But the techno fetishism is more than skin deep: instead of a heat coil, it uses a combination of infrared and halogen light to cook your food, and there's no preheating time. Evenly toast both sides of the bread for $99.99 at Wal-Mart. (MC)

It's all yin

It's always nice to share the warmth and this spliffy fliptop lighter is emblazoned with globally inclusive, guh-roovy symbols of every kind: the yin-yang; the ancient Egyptian ankh for eternal life; the requisite peace sign, and a few sparkly inset gems for that "I remember the Bedazzler" look. Available for $9.95, along with bongs, pipes and Ron Jeremy rolling papers at one-stop head shop Duchess of Amsterdam, 1228 St-Marc. (SM)

Dead can dance

Don't be misled by the bland self-help title. When it comes to getting the creative juices flowing, America's grand dame of crossover choreography, Twyla Tharp, kicks serious ass. This intelligent, compulsively readable book draws from excellent life experience, artists' bios and pop culture. The elegant layout, graphics, pictures and eccentric exercises make it a great page flipper. Put this on someone's coffee table and they won't be lying on the couch much longer. The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life, Simon & Schuster, $37.50 at local bookstores. (JW)

Wash stop

Giving soap is not an insult - you can give it to people even if they don't smell bad. And the all-natural-ingredient soap of Station Knowlton is among the very best I've ever used (or smelled). A broad range of fragrances are packaged in various sizes of gift packs, and the shop also stocks bath salts, bubble bath and cards. $1.95-$50, 425A McGill in Old Montreal. (MH)

Thinking small

The Game Boy Player may be the best thing you've plugged into your television since that fateful day in 1990 when you brought home Super Mario Bros. 3. Designed to link up to the Nintendo GameCube, it lets you play Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games on the big screen. You can even connect up to three Game Boys for a little big-screen-small-screen-head-to-head-action. The best part: with Super Mario Bros. 1– 3, Super Mario World and the SNES version of the Legend of Zelda already available for the Game Boy Advance, there's no better way to relive yesterday's games on your TV. $69.99, wherever Nintendo games are sold. (MC)

Human touch

At Studio Bliss, a recently opened spa on the St-Laurent strip, you can double your pleasure with a four-hand massage or soak up a rain massage. Unleashed last month, this treatment combines a misty shower that soothes with hot hydro while a certified therapist works magic on tired muscles. Leave friends dripping with joy with a gift certificate (approximately $65 to $130) for this pleasure palace at 3841 St-Laurent, 286-0007. (SM)

All-ages adventure

Raiders of the Lost Ark makes for the ultimate family-friendly holiday purchase. The original film was truly an adventure film that had something for all ages. Sadly, the first sequel was a misfire, especially the lame Kate Capshaw (notably, Spielberg's wife), who turns in a sucky performance as a useless damsel in distress. Lucky for us, they picked up the ball for the final entry, thanks in large part to a super turn from Sean Connery, playing Harrison Ford's dad. The boxed set is $64.95 at video retailers. (MH)

Lace it up

Twenty-four-year-old interior design student turned fashion upstart Christie Dyball has been making waves from Montreal to Miami. Maxeen's limited edition runs have female fashionistas freaking over her keen detailing and sassy feminine style. While nice girls will probably opt for the white model, naughty and nasty girls will be pleased to know that this lacy beaded Victorian frock also comes in black, lilac, brown and cream. With its high button-up neck and frilly ruffle details, it's both flattering and comfortable. About $150 at Lola & Emily. (RK)

Organic and orgasmic

All-natural Biovigora takes a softer approach to hard-ons than its similarly named competition. These kinder, gentler sex-enhancing capsules contain Aframomum which, in addition to sounding exotic, was used as a spice by "sexually vigorous tribes" in Africa. Reported to heighten desire in both genders, it works in less than an hour - perfect for a Quebec quickie! $39.95 at Rachelle Bery. (SM)

The Mirror Gift Guide coordinated by SARAH MUSGRAVE.
By MICHAEL CITROME, MATTHEW HAYS, RAF KATIGBAK, SARAH MUSGRAVE and JULIET WATERS.