Here we are: the week of. And exams, holiday parties, overdue papers and candy cane comas have kept you from completing your appointed rounds of consumerism. No worries… I’ve got some ideas for you, a virtual sleighful of real sugar-plums for the unobstructed-view theatrically-minded person on your “nice” list.

TWELVE BLU-RAY MOVIES
A DVD or Blu-ray of a great contemporary musical movie like DREAMGIRLS or NINE or a classic like EASTER PARADE or SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.

ELEVEN MONOLOGUES
A book of monologues. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with the same material. This gift idea could be especially helpful to anyone hunting down college audition material or for a theater educator.

TEN COLLECTORS’ ITEMS
Rare recordings or hard-to-find memorabilia. I’d do a spit take if someone surprised me with the elusive recording of LEADER OF THE PACK: THE ELLIE GREENWICH MUSICAL. Let’s just say it’s a BEAUTIFUL before its time.

NINE NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS
A trade paper, online or via snail mail. A publication such as Variety, Backstage, Actors’ Access, IMDB Pro or Casting Networks. I wouldn’t trust a producer who has gone more than a week without reading Variety.

EIGHT VOCAL PAGES
Any actor who sings is always in need of sheet music. And you can get it online—even download it directly and send it to your printer. Go for songs from more obscure musicals or from the world of Off Broadway, selections the actor has not come across already.

SEVEN JAZZ OR TAP SHOES
Actor-wear. A gift certificate to Capezio for jazz shoes or Lululemon for dance wear is always appreciated. Dance shoes in particular can be expensive and people rarely think of rehearsal and audition gear.

SIX HAND-SIGNED POSTERS
A signed item from a show, past or present. Is he or she a fan of a particular performer, play or musical currently playing? You could wait outside the stage door after purchasing a poster, t-shirt or CD elsewhere (read: like the theatre gift shop across from PHANTOM) and get the item personalized by cast members. Have someone take a picture of you scoring the John Hancocks and make that the card.

FIVE LAUDED PLAYS
A copy of the play that won the Pulizter Prize for Drama the year your gift recipient was born (or some other significant year). Warning: the award isn’t given out every year, but you could always go for the Tony Winner, if that’s the case.

FOUR ROWS FROM STAGE
Tickets to an alternative theater experience, like SLEEP NO MORE, or to a non-theatre performance like the opera or the ballet. Even a puppet show or modern dance a la Cedar Lake Dance Company.

THREE BOX SEATS
Theatre tickets. Duh. But instead of the obvious big musical (unless this is what they’ve hinted at), get them a ticket to something off the beaten path. Guide your giftee towards something amazing they don’t even know about. Try the Suzan-Lori Parks trilogy at the Public Theater or something by the Transport Group.

TWO PERSON SCENE
Classes: dance, scene study, method, on-camera, improv, puppetry, voice, audition workshop, casting director seminar, etc…

AND A WEEKEND TO SEE NYC!
A trip to New York. I’ll take them for a hot chocolate at Bouchon Bakery. No extra charge.