Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago

We can attest to the popularity of the Ball of Whacks and the X-Ball which we purchased at another Museum store; it’s been very popular with grandchildren as well as adults. I find the puzzle calendar tempting as it’s interactive, free standing and movable.

Projection Clock: “The Projection Clock allows four different clock faces – or, your own photos or creations – to be projected onto a wall. Switched off, it functions as a surprising mirror.”

A considerably less expensive object is the Early Bird alarm clock for $25, easy to set and “will awaken you gently and sweetly with woodsy chirping and a little bird icon that pulses and glows.”

And a zipper pin, in the more expensive region, performs a practical function of clasping your glasses … perhaps to attach to a purse instead of a blouse, or hip for matter.

And as inexpensive amusing gifts, the Winestein: Double-walled, borosilicate glass stein is 6″ tall x 4.25″ diameter (including handle). Or the Eggling: “It looks like an ordinary egg, but crack the Eggling’s top to create your own garden. A wildly popular Japanese item, the Eggling is all ready to start growing. Made of porous ceramic, it comes with its own little terra cotta dish – just add water and sun. After five months, the Eggling can be planted directly into the soil.”

A inexpensive accessory nowadays is the sack you can take to any store in lieu of a store shopping bag and the museum has created one after a Japanese pattern.