Holiday gift guide: this year, make your holiday dollars count, whether by supporting gay and AIDS causes or simply by expressing your same-sex affection with the perfect gift. May we offer some suggestions?

gifts that Matter

amfAR

2003 holiday cards

Talk about sending a letter from the heart: This year's set of four beautiful cards--"Homes," "Penguin," "Snowman," and "Elf"--was designed by children's book author and illustrator David Costello. The cards will have a custom-printed message of your choice inside and be hand-addressed and mailed to your loved ones. (American Foundation for AIDS Research; $500 for 100, $25 for each additional lot of five cards)

Human Rights Campaign

"Jackie" ornament Jackie, oh! The offering from HRC's fourth annual ornament series, "Jackie" was designed by Christopher Radko, who was also responsible for last year's ornament, "Snowie." ($36)

PFLAG 

Looking to bring warmth to your loved ones this winter? Kisses and hugs do nicely, and so will PFLAG's Polarfleece pullovers (in black and charcoal) and variety of fine wines: cabernet sauvignon, sparkling, merlot, and chardonnay. "Family gatherings usually include good food and good wine," notes

PFLAG's Craig Ziskin. "Bring a bottle to your parents and family." (Fleece pullover, $50; fine Californian wines, $58-$72, four-packs, or $132-$2388, cases; all from Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

Broadway Cares/EFA

Artist Ty Wilson's 2003 edition of BC/EFA's highly collectible snow globes features marquees of more than 20 Broadway musicals. Christopher Radko's exquisite ornament depicts marquees, drama masks, and New York's cityscape with a red ribbon. The Hairspray holiday card set features a dozen cards with lyrics from the Tony award--winning score. The Carols CD features casts and stars from Broadway's top shows--including Nine's Antonio Banderas, The Boy From Oz's Hugh Jackman, and Hairspray's Harvey Flerstein--belting out original and traditional holiday tunes. (2003 Broadway snow globe, $50; Forever Broadway ornament, $40; Hairspray holiday card set, $30; Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Volume V, $20; all from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS)

Project Angel Food

Illume angel food cake-scented candle

Have your cake and snog by it too! This exclusive frosted-glass--encased candle from Illume smells just like delicious angel food cake when it burns--for 60 hours, and with no carbs to boot. "This is the most delicious candle ever," testifies the simply singing diva Sheryl Lee Ralph. "It is an aroma I want in my home every day. Everyone will think I am baking! And knowing it supports Project Angel Food's hotmeal delivery to people homebound because of HIV/AIDS makes it a holiday gift-giving must." ($24, or two for $45)

--Lawrence Ferber

Gadgetry 

Final Fantasy X-2

Role-playing games like the Final Fantasy series have always been big with girls, gays, and gamers of all types. But with this new spin-off of the hit game Final Fantasy X, Square Enix seems to be speaking to a new market altogether. Take cute Yuna and her girlfriends on a journey across the world and join in some good, clean, and flirtatiously lesbian fun. This is the only video game where you can save the world and give an evil queen a back massage. (Square Enix USA for PlayStation 2, $50)

Sonicare Elite

After your sweetie's done downing the cranberry sauce, red wine, gravy, and coffee this holiday season, her molars will be happy to find salvation in the brand-new Sonicare Elite, which removes 20% more plaque than older models of the popular sonic toothbrush. ($120)

TDK DA-9000 CDRW Jukebox

For your favorite audiophile, here's the perfect way to mix in modern technology without breaking out the laptop and software. The TDK DA-9000 allows you to transfer MP3 files directly from your computer--or just pop in a disc and put it on the internal 20-gigabyte hard drive. The analog connectors also let you effortlessly make MP3's of your tape and record collection as well, and you can even burn your own CDs. ($420)

AIBO 

An AIBO is the perfect gift for the sinus-challenged dog lovers in your life. This year, Sony takes the allergen-free pet even further; with new cutting edge software, it can send digital images from its "eyes" to various locations, including your mobile phone. (Sony, $1,599)

Kenwood Excelon KVT-111 DVD In-Dash

The Kenwood Excelon is more than just a car stereo. It actually has a built-in screen that emerges from the front for DVD watching. Is it essential? No. Is it frivolous? Absolutely. But let us just say three little words: Mary Tyler Moore. ($2,200)

Kenwood Here2Anywhere Portable Sirius Satellite Radio Tuner The Here2Anywhere portable Sirius radio tuner is the most versatile way for your girlfriend to try out the new Sirius satellite radio service. She can listen to over 100 streams--including the all-queer-allthe-time talk channel OutQ--in the car, then detach the unit and plug it into her home stereo. For the avid radio listener, it's a no-brainer. ($130)

Sony Ericsson T610 photo phone

The new Sony Ericsson T610 photo phone is sexy, sleek, and totally useful. Small enough to fit in your pal's pocket, it features a camera on the back for snapping sneaky photos (of Santa, of course) and a bright color screen for showing off his handiwork. ($369, or less if you get a deal from your local cell provider)

Hot + Cold Mini-Fridge

The perfect gift for the executives in your life. They can keep their vodka cool or their soup warm with just a flip of a switch. It's small enough to fit on (or under) any desk. (Sharper Image, $150)

CD Shower Companion

It plays radio, CDs, and even MP3 discs while she concentrates on scrubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Besides, showers aren't just for showering, so why not have a soundtrack? (Sharper Image, $200)

Lexar Media JumpDrive

This less-than-pocket-size hard drive plugs into any USB port and replaces those nasty old 3.5-inch floppies. It's the perfect gift for the techno head in your life. Who knows? Maybe he'll finally fix your Web cam in gratitude. The JumpDrive also comes in more expensive 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB memory sizes. (Lexar Media, $60 for 128 MB)

NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX

Finally! A sexy, PC-friendly competitor to Apple's unstoppable iPod digital music player. The NOMAD Jukebox Zen NX is even smaller than the previous model and uses USB 2.0 for fast downloading of your favorite MP3s. It's a great option for your favorite music fanatic or gym junkie. (Creative Technology, $250)

--Vincent Lopez

oh, Grow up

Blue Q magnets

These queer-themed magnets are fun, funny, and reasonably priced. Choose "Men's Underwear Styles," "Coming Out," "Manly Man," and many more. ($11)

Pinup Nick stockings

Created by The Real Worlds original lesbian, Beth Anthony, and her partner, Amber, these colorful Christmas socks pay homage to classic pinups--and they'll add a little heat to your fireplace. ($12)

Uglydolls

Adorably ugly and attracting a huge cult following, the Uglydolls have hilarious life stories. For instance, there's Tray, who was born a boy with three brains and realized it was smarter to become a girl, so he changed sexes. ($30)

A Queer Year page-a-day calendar

Mix up queer culture, witty quips, fabulous facts, and a sassy attitude for 365 days, and you've got the best desk calendar on the market. (Workman Publishing, $11)--R.A.

Play time

Scene It?

The first DVD-based board game, this gift scores big with movie queens and novices alike. Name directors, actors, and film locations, or simply pay attention to the clips and figure out the answers yourself. (Mattel, $30)

Gayopoly

Collect bars, gyms, and store properties from real-life gay ghettos. In this new twist on an old favorite there's no going to jail--instead you're thrown back into the closet, and the only way out is through impromptu karaoke. One question: Did they have to make the box a pink triangle? (833)

Rigamarole 

Taste tests, tongue twisters, storytelling, and random useless information all go into this crazy new board game that's getting loads of attention. ($30)--R.A.

the Hours

Nike Presto Cee Analog

It has rubber nubs on the inside and a coating like your new car, and it slips on like a bracelet. It's unisex while still being absolutely sexy. ($59)

The Mini GTO 

A sexy little number that's decidedly retro without being gaudy. Give it to the bicycle messenger who's always flirting with you at the office. (Nixon, $120)

Straight Forward Watch from the Square Collection

A great option for that special someone who loves being wacky without being all Paul Lynde about it. (Swatch, $75)

Arctura Kinetic Chronograph 

These actually use kinetic energy from movement to recharge their batteries. They scream status symbol, but the environmentally friendly design will enchant Green Party types. (Seiko, $650)

Space Heroes and Sweet Unicorn

Kid-size and decorated in universal themes we can all identify with--rocket ships, unicorns, and party girls--these Flik Flak models are also pint-size in the pocketbook, which means they're a nice price for a few special nieces and nephews as well. (Swatch, $23)

Esperanza Watch

An elegant affair that manages to keep a masculine edge when it comes to the details. Which is good, because while diamonds may be a girl's best friend, it's a strong silver band that can make your favorite lesbian's heart go boom. (Movado, $995-$1,895)--V.L.

entrepreneurs

Basket guys

In 1998 the owner of Aroma Cafe, a Los Angeles restaurant, asked Andre Barron and Tom Lasley if they'd be interested in creating gift baskets to be sold in Aroma's adjacent store. When Lasley made some for Halloween, he recalls, "we got a call the next morning saying that Bridget Fonda had bought five and they needed more." Shortly thereafter, these two former actors quit their day jobs, and basketGuy was born.

Using a blend of class and simplicity, basketGuy serves celebrity customers such as Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow as well as corporations and, well, oddballs. One client hired them to make $250 baskets for her friends' dogs; another requested a $1,200 arrangement. (On the basketGuy Web site, prices start at $35.)

Barron's primary focus is on marketing and sales while Lasley focuses on design. The couple rely on their uncanny ability to find the perfect toys, candies, snacks, and accessories to complete the package. For instance, notes Lasley, "Andre was making a basket for Jennifer Garner for the ABC fall preview party, and I heard him talking to himself and saying, 'Yeah, I think Jennifer will like this,' as if he knows her personally." They laugh. "That's why it works."

"We're not trying to reinvent the whole concept of gift baskets," Barton explains. "We're just improving the quality of what's in them."-Richard Andreoli

entrepreneur

tingle all the Way

It's an orgasm for the head,"

says Wendy Robbins (pictured, left) of the Tingler, the arachnoid, 10-pronged, copper head massager she created with partner Jorli McLain (right). "It relieves stress, makes friends of strangers. I know that sounds like a sales line, but it's not."

Robbins, 43, and McLain, 42, know a little about sales lines. In just four years the inventor-entrepreneurs have turned a vision (and a $10,000 start-up credit card debt) into Everything for Love, a $10 million retail company. Other trademarked best sellers available on the Web, via catalog, and at 3,500 stores internationally include the Sqwiggler (a motorized Tingler), Love Fingers (handheld massage enhancers), and Love Paws (Love Fingers for pets).

Once lovers, now best friends, Robbins and McLain rule their E-commerce empire out of the house they share high up in the mountains 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. "The Internet is our way of staying in touch," Robbins explains, "so it made sense to sell online." The duo are also planning self-help books and a worldwide speaking tour.

For all their accomplishments, one thing neither Robbins nor McLain had done before now is come out publicly. "I feel really good with it," Robbins says. "I don't look at myself as gay, straight, or whatever. I just love women. So I guess that makes me gay--which I guess makes me happy!"--Daniel Vaillancourt