Mother In Law’s Kimchi $20 at Essex Street Market, 120 Essex St. (betw. Rivington & Delancey Sts.), 212-777-3844 Why give sweets when you could give the spicy, delicious gift of pickle more

The year 2010 has brought not only a wealth of extended digital audio to the consumer market, but vinyl has become an integral part of many a deluxe edition. Clarity may not yet have won over quantity, but as far as this gift guide is concerned, the industry is finally getting on the same wavelength and the same frequency as collectors. Here are some fine examples of what to get for the music-loving technophile that has everything—except that one raw take from that one aborted session that’s only now received official reference-grade remastering. more

$4 each at Levians, 167 W. 74th St. (betw. Amsterdam Columbus Aves.), 212-874-6080. more

People are always saying that Christmas is losing its religious leanings, but those people are obviously wearing very boring underwear. If they were wearing the biblically-inspired skivvies from Piss & Vinegar—available as briefs, boxer briefs or a crowd-pleasing jock strap—they would realize that Christmas cheer is obviously religious and easy to share (in this case, it also happens to offer excellent support). So go ahead and spread it… holiday cheer, that is. more

Sometimes its not the thought that counts; sometimes its the size of the package. Lets admit it, Christmas is for the size queens, recession or no. Especially when it comes to music fans: You now need a present bulging with features to compete with the convenience of an iTunes card. more

Chalking is for tweens, but who wants to deal with the whole “committing a crime” thing that actual spray-paint graffiti requires? Well, there is a magical middle of the road option with suckUK’s Glow Graffiti. This kit comes with a “spray can,” which is really just a UV light that lets you paint any glowing message or design you want on the special canvas. You can use the stencils that are supplied or just go free form and follow your inner Dick Chicken. The images fade after awhile, meaning this gift can be stored once it gets boring and brought back out whenever the need for a UV party hits. more

Rather than wasting precious time trying to rewind the tape in their old-school cassettes, the people over at Sonic Fabric decided to turn it into neckties. The end result is one wardrobe accessory that’s at once fashionable and audible. Made from a 50/50 mix of audiocassette tape and polyester thread, Sonic Fabric neckties take the fusion of fashion and music to the next level; all it takes is a tape head—compliments of a little MacGyvering with an old Walkman—to unleash these ties’ melodious mysteries. A special edition series of ties come in gray, black or brown, and, thanks to a collaboration with artists Julio Cesar, feature an audio ode to New York City life recorded on the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn. more

We know the price tag is mad steep. If there’s a director you’re going to splurge on, though, it might as well be one of the all-time cinematic masters, whose astonishingly varied and rich oeuvre is very much represented in Criterion’s expansive boxed set. And truly, there’s something for everybody here: ruminations on mortality and kick-ass samurai battles, Shakespearean grandeur and noir-ish intrigue. Complete with an illustrated guide that offers notes and commentary on each film, it will blow the chunky glasses right off your favorite cineaste this holiday season. more

When it comes to receiving gifts, conventional wisdom states that how much someone spent on you speaks to how much they love you. This year, however, with everyone flipping out about a recession, perhaps it really will be the thought that counts. While we’re no strangers to Dec. 24 Duane Reade runs—what mom doesn’t love a picture frame?—with two weeks until the big day (and Hanukkah kicking off at sundown on Dec. 21), there’s still time to pick up a decent gift for any budget. more

When it comes to receiving gifts, conventional wisdom states that how much someone spent on you speaks to how much they love you. This year, however, with everyone flipping out about a recession, perhaps it really will be the thought that counts. While we’re no strangers to Dec. 24 Duane Reade runs—what mom doesn’t love a picture frame?—with two weeks until the big day (and Hanukkah kicking off at sundown on Dec. 21), there’s still time to pick up a decent gift for any budget. more