Politics Gift Guide

Occupy Wall Street Not Palestine

Need a stocking stuffer that's not simply utilitarian? For a pittance, you can have a tote bag that combines in a phrase two political causes likely to generate two lines of engaged conversations. And if your peace-loving relatives are dodging the questions in deference to the season, you can still use the bag for the rest of your holiday loot. $15. www.shoppalestine.org.

Muggin' Around

Hot cocoa on a winter morning never tasted so good. Each time your favorite progressive giftee takes a sip out of the Indicted: Gov. Rick Perry mugshot mug, it'll be a not-so-subtle reminder to conservative friends and family that sometimes even the king can fall from the throne. Also available as a T-shirt and bumper sticker. $14. www.store.txdemocrats.org.

Watch for the Wishlist

While the holidays can be an opportunity to surprise friends and family with gifts they need and want, they're also a time of gifts gotten out of a sense of obligation and received with dubious gratitude. Rather than get your acquaintances tchotchkes that will remind them of you every time they decide not to throw them out, give to a worthy cause in their names. The Chronicle's yearly Wishlist features local organizations in need of donations – look for it in the Dec. 12 & 19 issues.