As hard as it is to believe, Presidents’ Day is upon us once again. It seems like just yesterday I was shopping for myself at deep-discount sales in celebration of Washington, Lincoln, and other POTUS, past and present. This year, however, I’m thinking of giving a gift to the Commander-in-Chief instead. In case any of you are feeling similarly generous, I’ve put together a slide show of historical Presidential and Vice-Presidential gifts. It’s tough buying a present for the leader of the free world, but hopefully I can at least help minimize the embarrassment of giving something unoriginal, like another bust made out of cheese, or a pair of porcupines. 

- James Pomerantz.  Click-through for a slideshow of historical presidential and vice-presidential gifts: http://nyr.kr/12ShlOv

(Source: newyorker.com)

There’s a time of year, in late November and early December, when Christmas shopping is thoughtful, even contemplative. Then there’s this time of year….

A reflection on the art of giving the perfect gift: http://nyr.kr/WmAiCE

Cartoon by William Haefeli. For more: http://nyr.kr/SHCdQY

In this week’s issue, David Sedaris reflects upon his search for the perfect gift: a stuffed owl:

The story sounds a bit far-fetched, but there was no denying that the arm was real. The cut had been made two inches south of the elbow, and the exposed end, with its cleanly severed radius and ulna, reminded me of osso bucco. “It was my grandfather who mummified it,” the taxidermist said. “You can see it’s not the best job in the world, but it’s really rather good for a first attempt.”

I leaned closer.

“Touch it,” the taxidermist whispered.

As if I were under a spell, I did, shuddering a little at the feel of the hairs. Equally creepy was the arm’s color, which was not Caucasian flesh tone but not brown, either, the way most desiccated body parts are. This was the same slightly toasted shade as a spray-on tan.

“I think I’ll just take one of those owls,” I said.

Continue reading…

Photograph by Richard Barnes.

The New Yorker Cartoons of the Year is now available on newsstands and in bookstores. The special issue features cartoons by Roz Chast, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Jack Ziegler, Danny Shanahan, and many more: http://nyr.kr/tJgdOG

(Source: newyorker.com)