Hanukkah is over, but we still have Solstice, Christmas and Kwanzaa coming up.

A couple years ago I wrote a series of posts in my other blog called “Ten Ways to Take a Stand Against Ignorance.”   In it, I suggested buying gifts from organizations whose only purpose is to expand human knowledge, because in that way everyone benefits.   So I’d like to pass that along as my final holiday suggestion for this year.

Does your local museum or public library have a shop?   If not, annual memberships to museums and Friends of the Library organizations are almost always reasonably priced and they’re available all year round.   National museums like the Metropolitan Museum, Smithsonian Institution and Chicago Art Institute offer gift certificates (and they sell a lot more than art in their catalogs).

Consider giving a subscription to National Geographic, Smithsonian, or a similar periodical.   (Bonus, those magazines often feature glorious photography of people with body art.)   That way, you’re giving a gift that will keep on arriving all year round.

Give a membership to your local public radio or TV station.   Commercial free programming is always a plus.

Most of all, give something that shows you’re putting your own knowledge of someone else’s joys to good use.

Happy holidays to all Multi.Colored people and those who want to be!

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A t-shirt with a picture of a favorite tattoo (you can make this yourself with iron-on transfers if you feel up to it).   You could also provide a disk with images and a box of iron-on transfer paper in case the recipient doesn’t like what you picked.   And doesn’t mind being given a gift they have to put together themselves.     Since my dragon tattoo is almost never visible, I’m thinking seriously of making a shirt with an iron-on of the dragon over where it actually is on my left shoulderblade.

An item of clothing or a bumper sticker with the logo of your or the recipients’ favorite tattoo artist (if the artist sells such things, I’m sure he or she will appreciate the extra income).

Jewelry with tattoo designs.   Lots of this available all over the internet and at places like Hot Topic.

A sheet of vintage tattoo flash, framed for hanging on the wall (there are many web sites devoted to vintage flash and you can also find it on eBay).

There is an iPhone app called Tattoo Mania.   I’m sure there are others.   I don’t have an iPhone.  

If the recipient’s favorite artist offers gift certificates, buy one for an hour’s work.   If the artist doesn’t do this, find out what he or she charges by the hour and get a prepaid gift card from Master Card, Amex, etc.   for that amount.   (Of course, whether the recipient spends the card on artwork is then up to him or her.)

Today’s the last day of Hanukkah, but the Solstice is coming soon, followed by Christmas and Kwanzaa, so there are plenty of opportunities left this year to spread some Multi.Colored joy around!
photo credit: __april

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Hanukkah started at sundown last night.   My family is nonreligious, but we light candles every year on Hanukkah in the hope that in the year to come the world will find more enlightenment.

In honor of Hanukkah, I’d like to suggest these eight skin care products that are good all year round.   I won’t link to specific stores, because you can find these products just about everywhere these days.   I’ve chosen Burt’s Bees, not only because I’ve used many of these products and like them, but because honey often plays a part in Hanukkah meals.

Burt’s Bees Hand Salve–contains almost identical ingredients as pricey tattoo creams, and works just as well (personal experience speaking, here).

Burt’s Bees Vitamin E Body and Bath Oil–if you take baths, this stuff is great.   Only down side is that it is indeed oil and you’ll have to be sure to wash the tub afterwards.   Smells great.

Burt’s Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion–smells sort of like honey, and does a good job of moisturizing.

Burt’s Bees Natural Skin Care for Men Soap–haven’t tried this one myself, but have it on good authority that it’s good stuff.  

Burt’s Bees Rosewater & Glycerin Toner–this is for “sensitive and mature skin” and it feels very soothing.   I don’t happen to like the scent of roses, but if you do, this is for you.

Burt’s Bees Honey & Shea Butter Body Butter–they’re not kidding when they call it “butter.” It’s a very thick, solid cream that takes a while to rub in, but makes your skin feel great.

Burt’s Bees Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash–this stuff works great in the shower, I’ve found, and it’s an easy way to moisturize your whole body.

Burt’s Bees Carrot Nutritive Day Cream–really works wonders on dry skin, and smells nice, too.

If you have any skin care products you’re especially fond of, please tell us about them in the comments.

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Crafty Computer Paper (in the UK) sells inkjet paper designed for printing fake tattoos.   In the US, so does DecalPaper.com.   What better way to get someone started on the path to real decoration than printing out temporary tattoos in their own designs?

If your recipients aren’t quite ready to mark up their own skin, how about tattoo-themed gifts from Zazzle or Tattoo Art Gifts?

Zazzle also has tattoo bumper stickers.

And of course, for the real Multi.Colored fan, there is always (you knew this was coming, right?) one of my own Multi.Colored designs from my CafePress store.

That’s just for starters.   More suggestions in days to come.   Feel free to add your own!
photo credit: comawe

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Hanukkah has begun, the Solstice is past and Christmas is coming.  In the USA at least, it seems as though the nation’s focus is on Buying Stuff.  Not that this is a bad thing; it makes people happy and keeps people employed, and we definitely need that!

But the best holiday gift of all need not cost a cent.

Give of yourself.  Spend some time with someone.  Consider your priorities and think about what you might regret later if you missed doing it today.

If you’ve got a long-standing disagreement, be the first one to bury the hatchet.  Call or email someone you haven’t seen for a while.

Take time to count your friends and count your blessings.  Find a reason to be happy and find a way to make someone else happy.

Don’t focus so much on your own holiday that you forget to celebrate other people’s.  December is a month for wrapping up the old and preparing for the new.  You don’t have to make a New Year’s resolution–just tell yourself you’re going to look for the bright side from now on.

I hope you all have happiness and peace, regardless of which holidays you celebrate.  And let’s all work together to see the new year in with happiness and hope!

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Check out their web site here.

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If your gift recipient isn’t quite ready to go for permanent ink, temporary tattoos can fill the bill.   Check out the venerable Archie McPhee Catalog for just a few good examples.

If you’d rather put your ink on your clothing instead of your skin, check out the offerings in the Zazzle catalog.

And, as always, check with your favorite artist to see if he or she offers gift certificates.   Nothing like offering a great incentive to join the MultiColored community!

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There are the books I recommended last year, which I still recomnend.   Or a box set of “Miami Ink” (most seasons are available now) or “LA Ink” (looks like Season 1 is out) or the A&E show “Inked.”

If you’re more interested in movies featuring tattoos, check out this great link from Squidoo.

As I mentioned in a reply to the previous message, if someone you know has an iPod, you can find some great skins for it (or for a laptop computer) at Gelaskins.

And here is the Traditions Collection, where you can find just about anything for anyone who loves tattoos.

Those are today’s quick suggestions–more to come! I welcome your comments as well!

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If you missed last year’s series of holiday-gift posts, you can find the beginning here.

I’m going to throw out a few brief suggestions, with more to come in subsequent posts.

• Vintage flash, framed for display (available on eBay and multiple web sites)
• A tattoo shaped charm, to wear on a necklace, key chain or charm bracelet
• A t-shirt with a tattoo design or an appropriate slogan
• Tickets to an upcoming tattoo expo
• This would probably require the cooperation of the recipient:   A full color photo of his/her best ink, framed
• A photo of your own favorite tattoo to give to an appreciative friend or relative
• Tickets to see a tattooed musician or musical group

What’s your best gift idea for multicolored people?

photo credit: PORKCHOP RULES

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