I'm Beginning to Shop a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas is going to be different this year. It won't just be that the outside of every house will be decorated in red, white, and blue bulbs. Or that you have to take the time to explain to the kids that Santa's beard is white because he's old, not because it's covered in anthrax. Neither will it be because the American flag will be sitting on top of the tree where those boring old angels and lighted stars used to hang out. No, the main reason it will be different is that when you splurge on gifts this year you won't have to feel guilty. In fact, you'll feel downright good knowing that you're not only bringing a smile to people's faces, you'll also be helping the economy get back on its feet and doing your part to win the war on terrorism. It warms your heart more than the heartburn you get from egg nog, doesn't it?

The problem, though, will be what to buy. That's assuming, of course, that you're not one of those people who finished their Christmas shopping on July 17th because they started it the day after Christmas last year, yet are still at the mall at 7 AM every morning so they can get a jump on next year. Can't Attorney General John Ashcroft lock them up too?

The first suggestion is for anyone on your list who's full of hot, uh, air. Consider buying them Under-Ease (www.under-tec.com), the air-tight underwear for the flatulent that has a specially designed hole in the back and a replaceable filter. Hey, even NASA couldn't have dreamed this one up.

The unique design forces expelled gas out through the hole where the activated charcoal in the filter deodorizes it, suddenly filling the room with minty freshness. Just kidding. Actually it will be clean country scent. Or more likely I Can't Believe It's Not Rotten Eggs™.

Buck Weimer, the inventor, was awarded a 2001 Ig Nobel prize for these. That puts him in the company of such past winners as the self-perfuming business suit (which could become extinct should Under-Ease catch on), the world's most expensive coffee (made from coffee beans which an Indonesian palm civet eats, then excretes), and a Japanese study which tried to determine whether earthquakes are caused by catfish wiggling their tails. Unfortunately I'm not kidding about any of these.

Once you've given everyone their Under-Ease and Christmas dinner is no longer a live re-creation of the campfire scene in Blazing Saddles, it's time to turn your thoughts to how your guests will get home. Especially since thanks to your thoughtfulness jet propulsion is no longer an option. That's why they'll all appreciate the Segway.

A Segway, in case you've been too busy waiting for the Temptation Island Christmas Special to run again so you can remember to tape it this time, is the incredibly over-hyped electric scooter-like thing which insults your intelligence by insinuating you'd be unable to pronounce "segue." They gave it this name because they're convinced it will move the world to the next level. It might, but only after Internet-connected toasters, popcorn poppers, and fondue pots do it first. In other words, in someone's dreams.

In all honesty, an electric-powered personal vehicle which can't tip over does seem like a pretty cool invention. Of course at $8,000 for a commercial version and an estimated $3,000 for the personal one it had better be. While it's going to be a hard sell here, it might work overseas where they're more open to trendy things. Like in Japan, for instance. The same place where you can buy a gift certificate for that special someone for the hot new restaurant, The Lockup.

This is a theme restaurant in Osaka which recreates the lovely dining experience of a prison. Yes, you sit behind bars, are waited on by "guards," and can even book a private cell in case you want to spend some quality alone time with that prisoner at Table 4 who has taken to calling you his bitch.