By CRYSTAL GUILLORY 

Seasons Shriekin's, readers!

 I know some of you haven't finished your huge pile of leftover Halloween candy (If you have why didn't you leave me any?) but it’s that time of the year to buy gifts for one so dear (and co-workers, too).

Yes, I know the thought of going to a mall during one of the busiest times  of the year gives you a chill to the marrow of your bones like no horror movie can. Of course, you might think of shopping on the internet but its so large and confusing, where to begin?

Now, readers, don't you know by now this is where I come in and show you all the unique and horrifying gifts for friends, family, co- workers, and other oddballs whose name you happened to pull out of a hat? So, without further ado, let me show you some interesting gift ideas this year.

I'm going to start with a familiar favorite, Creepy Classics. This is a great place to buy items such as CD's, t-shirts, books, and other items for that monster fan in your life. If the tastes run more to the modern horror, it would be good to go to Monster Mania, which has a good mix of the classic and contemporary horror items.

If the fan in your life has tastes that run to the extreme than Cinema Wasteland would be a great place to acquire their gift . Some of these Websites do have gift certificates if you can't remember if the person you are shopping for has that copy of The Universal Monsters Mummy Legacy or Flesh For The Beast.

If you are really puzzled about what to get them, there is a simple solution: Buy them a pass to any of the Cons (Monster Bash, Monster-Mania and Cinema Wasteland in case you got confused) the aforementioned businesses sponsor. There are other shows, such as Chiller, Scary Camp, and Horrorfind that are selling pre-registrations that would make excellent gifts as well.

Subscriptions to popular monster magazines are another good option for the gift giver this season. Imagine the look on your favorite horror fan's face when they get a subscription to the monster boomer favorite, Scary Monsters. For the fan that likes his horror with a dash of gore, then Rue Morgue is a great choice for them. Another excellent choice for the monster fan--and film fans for that matter--is a subscription for the stylish Scarlet Street magazine.

While we are on the subject of Scarlet Street, you may want to check out their CD entitled "Jeepers Creepers," which has various performers covering songs from various horror movies, which is fun to listen to any time of year.

Another great idea for the horror fan or a fan of radio theatre is a CD of one of the many productions from The Atlanta Radio Theatre Company. This group does live performances at events such as Dragon Con and they have developed a following for twenty years now.

While we are on the subject of CD's, I have brought up the most unique, the most scientific gift anyone on your gift list would beg to have. I am talking about the latest CD from the musical mad scientists, The Consortium of Genius (better known as the COG). This sonic offering is entitled "In C.O.G. We Trust" and this bit of musical anarchy will be available to the unsuspecting public just in time for the Christmas season.

By now, everyone and their second cousin twice removed has a DVD player, so gifts of DVDs are always desired. Places such as Creepy Classics, Cinema Wasteland, and Scarlet Street are great places to get such items. If you have a person on your list who's a fan of horror hosts, the gift of Count Gore's Creature Double Feature, Volumes One and Two would be horrifyingly perfect. Count Gore also has his collection of Creature Feature legacy DVDs for sale which would be a great addition to anyone's DVD collection.

For the literate person on your list, I can't think of a better DVD then the latest adaptation of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, which has gotten great reviews and awards among the fans. I watched this on Halloween night and I found it to be an elegant but terrifying version of this classic story. Mark Redfield should be commended for bringing this classic horror story to life.

If that person on your gift list wants something a little lighter after that scary story, I can personally recommend the very charming DVD Flip: A Short Film. To those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing this movie at one of the monster shows, this is a story about a boy who gets a dollar from his grandmother and is told to spend it wisely. Well, what better place to shop then the back of a comic book?

The two Flip Webtoons are also included on this DVD, as well as the trailer for Revenge Of The Robot Beast. If you wish, you could purchase one of the posters to give along with the DVD to the monster boomer on your gift list. Readers, I saw Flip: A Short Film at Baron Mondo Von Doren's spook show over the summer and I enjoyed this nostalgic movie.

For the Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans on your list (and we know who you are!) there's the newly released DVD, Play MSTie For Me, Volumes I, II, and III. This contains many of the musical numbers from the cult TV show that would have your fan singing for days.

Books are also an appreciated item during the holidays and there are many fine books out on there on genre films. In fact there are so many I won't have room to mention them all but one, Monster Movie Memories by Cheryl Duran of The Monster Club. From what I've seen of this book, it will please many of the fans on your gift list.

Food and drink items are always popular gifts during the holidays, so what better thing to give your hostess than a bag of "Spider Baby Blend" coffee, which is inspired by horrordom's own Sid Haig? This company has a variety of dark and medium roasts as well as some decaf (now that is scary) flavors. I can personally recommend the zombie dirt blend, since that has given a jolt to my electrodes on many a morning.

The gift of artwork is another great idea for those on your "chopping" list this year. The darkly whimsical art of Misty Benson  is a terrorific example
of this. Her playful skeleton prints would make delightful gifts for some in your fang-mily. There is also the dreamlike artwork of David Gough to consider for gifts as well. If the tastes of those on your list aren't so gothic,, you may want to consider the playful MST3K inspired artwork of Jean Jackson. The artist gently spoofs many classic pieces of art that would grace the living room of any crypt.

Now where would Christmas be without toys? Yes, there are some of you that thought "peaceful," but I beg to differ. I say forget about Elmo and the other toys that Madison Avenue brainwash the children into demanding-- get them something truly unique instead. Why, can you imagine the look of your precious angel when she unwraps her gift and finds this? Who could say no to faces as adorable as these?

Then again, there are the Teddy Scares to consider for gifts this year. I imagine that any child who received one of these unique toys would never forget about it, ever.

Okay, we've taken care of various people on your (I’m talking to the guys here) list such as friends, co-workers, nieces and nephews but we haven't gotten to the ladies in your lives yet. Well, unless you have a yen for sleeping on the couch on Christmas night I suggest you choose the gift very carefully. Now, aren't you glad you are reading an article written by a member of the female species?

It’s a fact that most women do have a thing for perfume, and we aren't talking about the designer knockoffs you see at the dollar stores. Our fiends at the Vampire Boutique in New Orleans sell their very own perfume that has been created by one of the oldest perfumers in that city. The "Bouquet du Vampyre" is made with roses which add to its alluring  mystique. This same boutique also sells candles with little charms inside that can reveal things about you, if you dare to find out. If nothing else the candles can be useful to the lady in your life when she wants to take a relaxing bath.

Well, candy may be dandy to the lady, but there are times when only jewelry will do. (Don't worry fellows, my selections aren't that expensive!) For starters, what lady in your life could resist this stunning choker to die for? Oh, and it comes with a bracelet too! If the lady's tastes run more towards silver, then obtain something from the good people from Dragonweave. This company has a lovely selection that should please the eyes of that special lady in your life. For something completely different but oh so elegant, take a look at the jewelry on this site.

Some of you right now are no doubt scratching your heads wondering why am I including non-horror related jewelry on this gift list, but I have a good reason to do so. Fellows, doesn't the "ghoul" in your life deserve something nice for all those times she sat through those old monster movies with you? I say this would make a great gift for your "ghoul," even if she was into monsters anyway.

Well, readers, if you are still puzzled about what to get people on your list, allow me to suggest the store portion of this very zine. You could give someone a lovely t-shirt with this e-zine's logo on it, or a coffee mug to drink "Spider Baby Blend" out of if you wish.  After all, I'm sure my boss Renfield would appreciate the business.

So there you have it, readers, my list of Websites where you can procure gifts for those on your list. As always this article can be used as a subtle hint; just print this out and highlight the gifts you are interested in.  Oh and by the way, if any of you are wondering what to get yours ghouly (and you know who you are) feel free to use any of my suggestions.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to more shopping and wrapping to do. Oh I also have to mail Renfield's gift to him…boy won't he be surprised!