Does this mean that if we don't shop, the terrorists win???

Just curious, do the manufacturers/distributors of any of the featured products pay anything to Salon.com?

I expected Salon to be hip to Buy Nothing Day. Instead, this oh so 20th century Gift Guide? Sigh. Change comes slowly.

gimme a break! How about a charity or volunteer list where WE can give time or donate? Big raspberries for caving to the madness!

Yeah, holiday gift guides are really appropriate this year. Especially luxury gift guides.

Well I guess the upper middle class who runs Salon still feels buffered and hasn't caught on yet.

Here's a great holiday idea: pay my utility bills for xmas, volunteer to be a surrogate to the IRS for xmas, be depressed around the holidays on someone's behalf, sit and shiver in an unheated apartment for a day.

What the f%$k! Now I'm pissed-off.

I understand why some are irked. But just for the record, I appreciated the gift ideas and jotted a few down. After all, insofar as commerce is actually important right now, thoughtful gifts are actually one of the better ways to use one's dollars (if there's anything left after we pay bills.)

(Grinch economists disagree, though--those of you who have heard of the "dead-weight loss of Christmas" know what I'm talking about.)

But since this time of year is also when many decide which charities to give to, I would be interested to see a list of some interesting and worthwhile organizations to which Salon readers can consider donating.

those of us who are erotic?

Not everyone will admit this however, I will.

I have exchanged some really erotically great gifts with some of my women friends.

Well, why don't you post some links and get the conversational balls - er, ball- rolling?

Get over being grumpy over gift-giving guide! In case you didn't notice, there is a link to the make-your-own-coupon site.

Though, a "non-consumer" gift guide would be a good idea too. There have been many years when I and friends gave home-made gifts to people, instead of buying stuff: cookies and fudge, soaps, knitted socks and mittens and scarves, embroidered dish towels ... I've also given "gift certificates" to people for babysitting kids so they can have a date night, or yard raking in the spring, or pet-sitting while someone goes on vacation, (one friend offered to do everyone's taxes, which was excellent!) ...

Personally, I find the "I donated to Charity X in your name" gifts uber-annoying. They are self-righteous, passive-aggressive, and say much more about the giver than the recipient. (I think the "Friends" episode where Chandler donated to the NY Ballet says it all). If you are concerned about charities, donate in your own name, or better yet, anonymously! And I see nothing wrong with saying "This year, please don't giveme gifts, but donate any money you would spend on me to Charity X instead."

But ... even so, it's entertaining to read gift guides about cheese and cookbooks and Spanish hams .... lighten up!

To all you babies throwing a hissy fit over the gift guide: The world as we know it hasn't ended! People are still living their lives, giving gifts to loved ones and by doing so keeping retail workers in their jobs so they don't end up on the bread line!! If y'all can't deal wth that, lock yourself in your messy rooms until after the holidays when the grownups are done!!

Thank you, Salon, for some good ideas which will help me out with my gift-giving this year.

I would be interested to see a list of some interesting and worthwhile organizations to which Salon readers can consider donating.

Really? Is it that hard to find a good cause to donate to? Look around, there's charities all over the place. Look in your mail for inspiration.