A Hot Cup of Holidays - 2013 Edition

Ahhh, the Christmas season is right around the corner. And rather than frantically shopping last minute, I (mostly) will be doing my shopping online. You should, too, since there are plenty of great things out there that you can conveniently get right from your couch. Or desktop. Or dog. Wherever you put your computer when you're using it.

-Tribut Apparel is a solid choice for both guys and girls that need a little upgrading to their wardrobe. And with pricing between $19-$89, the music-meets-fashion tees and, hoodies and accessories are affordable, too. Check out their Fall 2013 Collection here.

This shirt looks as good as Jimi's guitar sounds.

-Nordstrom has a lot of clothing and accessories for the holiday season, but my favorite is from ShoesThatFit.org. For $10, you get a little tag, but the real gift is in giving: the $10 goes toward a pair of New Balance shoes for kids in need.

-Rachel Hofstetter's book "Cooking Up a Business: Lessons from Food Lovers Who Turned Their Passion into a Career -- and How You Can, Too" may be a mouthful to say, but it's a great read for those friends of yours interested in pursuing their own business. And after all, shouldn't you be doing what you love?

-Henry Bushkin's "Johnny Carson" gives an in-depth look (Bushkin was Carson's lawyer) at who many consider the greatest host in late night history. And it's often dark and a little grim. Carson is such a likable and kind person on-camera that it's a little disorienting to see him portrayed as a loner offscreen. But it's certainly an entertaining read.

-I've always looked forward to Matthew Berry's articles on ESPN.com. The man doles out mostly good fantasy advice, but his stories before he gets into the nitty gritty are what keeps me coming back. He's tackled everything from his own personal struggles with bullying to his experience on The Howard Stern Show. In "Fantasy Life: The Outrageous, Uplifting, and Heartbreaking World of Fantasy Sports from the Guy Who's Lived It," he does repeat some of those stories, but there's plenty of new material in here, and lots of good family-friendly messages.  

In related news, there's about a 100 percent chance my fantasy season is ending today in heartbreak.

-Even here in Austin, it gets cold during the winter months. Mujjo's Double-Layered Touchscreen Gloves keep your fingers warm while allowing you to still do things that require regular fingers, like, for instance, handling a touchscreen. Since we're all on our phones 24/7 anyway, it works well.

-Cards Against Humanity has been around for a couple of years, but it's still quite fantastic. It's everything I enjoy about Apples to Apples, except it's actually fun and provides for some of the most ridiculous answers I've ever heard. If you haven't played this "party game for horrible people," you essentially fill in the blank of one card with another card in your hand, and the funniest pairing wins. Very simple, often lowbrow, always hilarious. I also give bonus points to the company for raising their prices on Black Friday.

-For the (healthier) foodie, this sampler from Dry Creek Olive Co. offers a variety of options that gourmands will love. Plus olive oil is really good for you, so that's a nice little bonus. 

-One acre of Mars apparently costs about $30. That's not too shabby for a place that may someday be our home.

-What would a gift guide be without some shameless self-promotion? My album Pedestrian at Best is the perfect way to stay warm, because tapping your toes and bobbing your head keeps the blood pumping. It's science.

I scoff at dangerous intersections.

*Note: I received a few of these products to review free of charge (especially my own CD). I wouldn't include them in here if I didn't like 'em!