Michael Banovsky's gift suggestions

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A wiggling dashtop hula girl is the best way to size up a potential partner: buy her something so silly for Christmas she'll either run or have a good laugh.

Michael Banovsky

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Gifts for me, under $50

Domo Arigato Toyota Land Cruiser T-Shirt

I was never a fan of off-roading until I actually tried it. Now, I long for the days of unpaved dirt tracks stretching into the wilderness in some exotic land, and to be at the wheel of a Toyota off-road truck, waving to locals and listening to a crackling AM radio for entertainment. But this is 2008, so I'll settle for a nostalgic T-shirt. $15 (U.S.).

sackwear.com

TO Traffic iPhone application

Despite the impending cellphone ban, I think I could talk the officer out of a ticket while using this, an application for the iPhone that displays images from nearly every traffic camera in the Toronto area. This tool, combined with the radio on 680 News, would basically render me invincible to construction zones, accidents and slowdowns on our notoriously notorious road network.. Available from the iTunes store. $9.99.

pavlidis.ca

Saab Aero bath towel

Sometimes, I'm not quite dry. For those occasions, it's nice to know that someone at Saab was thinking of me. This towel is to be used in between being wet and wanting to be dry, but I don't think its functionality stretches beyond that. $25 (U.S).

saabexpressions.com

Gifts to give, under $100

Wiggly Hula Girl

The best judge of a potential partner is to buy her something so silly, she'll either run or have a good laugh. A wiggling dashtop hula girl is perfect, but don't be a hero and pair it with tickets to Hawaii. You can thank me later for the dating tip. $8.95 (U.S.).

mcphee.com

Mini headlight T-shirt

Everyone needs a nice T-shirt. And it helps if you own a Mini, but this headlight-themed shirt is perfect for workouts, jogs or casual Fridays. Available from its website or your local Mini dealer. $36.50.

minishop.ca

Genuine Chevrolet Purse

I love the Woodward Dream Cruise. But you, your friends and your love interest must blend with the crowd. Otherwise it's like turning up at a Formula One race driving a hearse. This genuine Chevrolet purse should help, combining the chic look of a re-used belt buckle with dual rally stripes. $40 (U.S.).

chevymall.com

Gifts for me, Unlimited

Sony Ericsson Bluetooth car speakers

The in-car cellphone ban assumes many things, including that cellphones are more distracting than, say, eating a bagel, reading the newspaper or putting on makeup while behind the wheel. And my car (a 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo) is not new enough to have a fancy Bluetooth phone hookup. This device clips onto the car's visor, provides 15 hours of talk time, is rechargeable at home (no wires!), has caller ID, and a tilt sensor that keeps the display readable when you swing the visor down to block direct sunlight. $229.99. www.sonyericsson.com

D-BOX Motion Control Gaming Chair

I've tried several so-called "gaming" chairs, and despite the steep price of this one, it's a clear head and shoulders above the rest. Featuring three axis motion control (meaning the entire chair will dive under braking), and the most accurate electric motors for a realistic feel, the chair pairs nicely with rFactor, a popular PC-based driving simulator. And after you give your significant other that hula girl, there won't be anyone left in the house to nag that you've been playing for too long. $14,000.

sounddesigns.ca

Crawford-tuned Subaru STI Gymkhana car

You've seen the Ken Block Gymkhana video, right? Before reading further, go to Crawford Performance's website, click on "Media", then "Videos" and then "Ken Block – He calls it Gymkhana." It's a tuned Subaru STI, with about 600 horsepower to the wheels, with a sequential gearbox and hydraulic handbrake. It sounds like Pavarotti gargling Chuck Norris, all the while capable – in Block's hands, at least – of some of the most amazing automotive hoonage seen in a long time. You can have your Bullitt Mustangs and Vanishing Point Challengers, but this is the new benchmark of automotive tomfoolery. $50,000 (U.S.).

www.crawfordperformance.com

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