1. Just what they've always wanted - giant microbes! Who wouldn't want a giant Ebola or Black Death or, in their 'professional line' -- Hepatitis? All stuffed, of course, and larger than life...(check them out here at ThinkGeek too).
2. They may not be available for Holiday 2006 -- but it's possible that the folks that make giant microbes might branch into...Microbe Christmas Ornaments! That special gift for the difficult person on your list - perhaps available in 2007?
3. Now here's the gift for the person that has everything - for that special man or woman on your list, Infectious Awareables!! How can you go wrong with this emerging awareable, Avian Flu? It's the tie for the man who has everything! Or what about...BioNotes? Perhaps 'in' Staphylococcus? Or better yet, the Gonorrhea or Testosterone boxers? This could solve all of your last minute shopping worries!
4. For that geeky kid on your list? What about going to MicroscopeWorld and checking out one of these? They're pretty fancy - but geez, everybody needs their "First Lab Microscope", don't you think? If that one is out of your price range - check out these Microscopes for Children - what about the Micropro Microscope for only $29.95?
5. For that little one - what about this Microbiology Coloring Book??? Perfect! Or this book titled "Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple, Edition 3"? Better yet! Or what about the new 2006 edition of The Prokaryotes? For that microbiologist with everything? For anywhere from $3,900-4,900, it's yours! All seven volumes! (I personally would like to blow some cash on this one...but am refraining).
6. What about microbiology art for that art collector on your list? Posters...or what about a short article on the Microbiology of Art? Then, there's always a video....
7. Hmmm...there's always a lifetime membership to the Micropolitan Museum of microscopic art forms...now, who wouldn't want that? (I know, I know - it's free - but it won't be for long! How perfect is free?).
8. You can't forget the Ecospheres! In small, medium, and large!
Ahhh...this is just an abbreviated list...but fear not, there are so many possibilities for that special microbiologist on your gift list...
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For subsequent years:
Oh, I SO want an ebola virus! It's the joke at my place of employment that the only two acceptable illness excuses are pink eye and ebola (and the ebola is iffy because we have large amounts of Vitamin K on hand to hold off the bleeding until you've finished your shift).
Thanks for the link, Pam!
Posted by: JanetLee | 13 December 2006 at 04:29 AM
JanetLee: Perfect! Maybe next year they'll have the Christmas ornaments too! I think I'm ordering a giant microbe for a friend's kid - just haven't decided which one yet.
Posted by: Pam | 13 December 2006 at 08:15 AM
Dang, I have no microbiologists on my list of people to buy for this year. Wouldn't you know that would be the case, just when you give us all these great suggestions...
Posted by: Carol | 13 December 2006 at 11:28 PM
I had pink eye once jeff
Posted by: jeff | 14 December 2006 at 03:28 PM
I had pink eye once jeff
Posted by: jeff | 14 December 2006 at 03:28 PM
Carol: No microbiologists on your list...for shame! I have some students in my lab that would allow you to adopt them...provided you supply cookies, help repair their cars (when needed) and purchase them microbiology-related gifts. See -- they're easy. :)
Jeff: It looks like you had pink eye twice :)) -- but seriously, according to JanetLee, you get a stay home free card for that!
Posted by: Pam | 14 December 2006 at 08:23 PM