I am trying to work out Christmas gifts in advance this year; I know, how organized of me…right? Anyway, there are a couple of people I dearly love, but who are nearly impossible to buy for because they have just about everything they have ever wanted. On the one hand, I am so happy that they are in this position; on the other hand, it sure makes buying gifts difficult! When I ask them what they might like for Christmas, I get nothing but blank looks and a scrunchy face as they try to think of something. Hmm.

Years ago, Julie made me a photo book after our families took a trip to Scotland together. It is still one of the most thoughtful gifts I can remember ever getting from anyone, so when this Picaboo Photo Books special passed through my inbox, I thought it might be just the ticket. Unfortunately it is only for Windows, so I am not yet sure if I will do it — but maybe one of you can benefit from the deal.

You can create and buy one Picaboo Photo Book and get a second copy free when you use the code NVBGF; this offer is only good until November 30; simple books start at $19.99, but they can get much pricier and very elaborate.

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Just in time for Santa’s big night, the Gear Diary team has gotten together and shared our favorite Holiday Music Favorites.  Just so we don’t leave anyone out, this is for all winter holidays the team celebrates, which includes Hanukkah.

The list is after the jump!

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Did you put off sending Christmas Cards this year so long that your only reasonable alternative is an eCard? If so, head over to Sony’s singwiththeking site and put your vocal chords into the game in a duet with the King. You’ll rock out to Blue Christmas for few verses (both solo and along with Elvis). When you’re done send out the recording to your (former) friends and your family.

Sing With The King (sample)

Well, here we are.  The last week before the holidays.  Channukah starts Sunday and Christmas will follow just a few short days later.  And to be honest, I have no idea what day is supposed to be Festivus.  Many of us are ready.  The presents are hidden and waiting to be wrapped, purchases have been finalized, and it will be weeks before that final credit card bill shows up in your mailbox.  To some of you, however, the last days before the holidays means time to start thinking about a gift.  Yikes!  But don’t panic.  This article is for you late starters.  Today, I want to take a look at two potential gifts for the gadget lovers in your life: The Wii Saber from DreamGear and the surprisingly cool Duck Bill Money Clip.  Before you tear your way through those empty shelves looking for the best of what’s left, take a look at these.

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Been running VLC version 0.9.4 since I installed Kubuntu 8.10, and today I discovered a cool treat.  The developers included an Easter egg based on the date; as of December 19th, your VLC icon will now be adorned with a Santa Hat!  Check it out!

For those who don’t know what VLC is, it’s a awesome media player that started out on Linux, but has since branched out to include Windows and Mac OS X.  If you have a video, and the video players you have won’t play it, odds are that VLC will.  Check it out, and Merry Christmas!

Those of you that know me well, know that I have an insatiable thirst for Diet Coke; I generally buy it in cans, and I go through quite a few of them…to put it mildly. My solution has been to recycle, but some enterprising folks have come up with a better and creative option: turn those loose cans into the mother of all redneck Christmas trees.

While I don’t think that I will be creating one of my own this year (or likely ever), I thought it would be fun to show you the Mountain Dew Christmas tree that I discovered on Make…

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Is your living room short on space? Here’s an interesting alternative Christmas Tree. It’s 4 foot high and 45 inches wide. Don’t worry that it won’t fit in your living room. This tree hangs from the ceiling – like a bat. The price is a bit steep at $149.99 however that includes 200 clear lights and 370 tips. No idea where you put the presents. Maybe hang them in a net?

Christmas Trees Galore

Are you a fan of the 1983 film A Christmas Story? This story, set in the 1940’s (and seems to play around the clock this time of year), tells the tale of a young boy trying to convince his parents to buy him a Red Ryder BB gun. The whole movie is a tribute to old fashioned Christmases. One scene features a large crate being unboxed by the father who has “Won a major prize” in a contest. Inside is the classic Lamp Leg which the father places proudly in the center of the living room in a window for the entire neighborhood to observe. Now Amazon.com offers this 40″ replica for those of you with $199 and a burning desire to own your own piece of A Christmas Story. Those with a smaller budget might try this $8.49 Leg Lamp nightlight (a perfect stocking stuffer).

Amazon – Christmas Story 40″ Lamp – Large Leg

While I was waiting in line at Target on Black Friday, one of the groups handing our free coffee and hot chocolate was the folks from MerryMob.com.

Merry Mob is a local group of flash mobbers made up of members of the Columbus community.  How it works is they get a text message or e-mail that tells them what, when and where about the next merry event.  It also tells them what they should bring.  Like for example, they need to bring paper cups or something to that effect.  Then on the day of the event, they gather and then they do their nice thing and then leave.  Just like a flash mob, but with a purpose.

The best thing is, sometime this season, they will do something truly wonderful for a local family and change their life!  Maybe it’s fixing their house up or making sure a family has a Merry Christmas.  It’s a wonderful idea and something I really could get behind.