Perhaps something in our Historical Gift Guide will sound like the perfect present for the person in your life who has everything—everything except a 69-carat diamond, an eagle made of beer can tabs, and fire.

LISTS
Coffee may seem harmless, but its historical rap sheet is a mile long.
Peter Jackson's latest J.R.R. Tolkein-based film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters today. But Tolkein's books haven't just inspired films. Here's a look back at a few Hobbit- and Lord of the Rings-inspired musical moments.
When it comes time to make a big decision in your life, you want all the help you can get. Fortunately, there are some completely random things you can do to increase your chances of making the right decision.
Some of the most influential people who ever lived have had a fascination with Dionaea muscipula. Here are 11 facts guaranteed to inspire one of your own.
Cindy Lou Who proved that being cute won't stop the Grinch from stealing your Christmas tree. Luckily, Santa's posse has other strategies up their fuzzy red sleeves.
Looking for a bright and colorful gift to put under the tree? How about 200 Lucky Strike cigarettes?
When winter bears down, it can be hard to think of anything outside of how much you hate (or love!) the snow and ice. Here are a few of the words and phenomena that could define this season.
When two musically disparate acts collaborate, the end results can be ... interesting.
The Internet Archive hosts a Historical Software Collection, letting you play classic games online, such as 'Pac-Man' and 'Pitfall.'
My grandmother kept a stack of thin cookbooks, oftentimes product tie-ins, but the best were the ones that were dusty with history.
The Library of Congress has a collection of books that would make any bookworm turn green with envy. One of their most interesting collections is their rare children's book library.
What do Jason Voorhees and Happy Gilmore have in common? They're both one step removed from the seldom-seen 1977 holiday special, "Christmastime with Mister Rogers."
Aspiring Kris Kringles and Mrs. Clauses alike can enroll in one- or two-day workshops with the International University of Santa Claus for a crash course on all things related to playing jolly old Saint Nick.
A number of films and television shows once thought lost have been rediscovered, quite unexpectedly, in many unusual ways.
These cakes look they should be served out of a drive-through window.
From Michael Fassbender to Tom Hardy and others, the cast of HBO's “Band of Brothers” is a big part of what made the miniseries so great.
Researchers have discovered that there are actually five different kinds—and most people tend to experience just one type of boredom throughout their lives.
From herb and fat concoctions to various forms of animal poop potions, here are some historical hair loss remedies you probably don't want to slather on your head.
It's been a long road to the big screen for the beloved DC comics character.
When should a baby panda first learn to walk? How early is too early for otters to start swimming? When can infant tigers try out their skills in the water? Zoos know. Here are the milestones zoo babies must hit before crowds get a peek.
Making and distributing a short film is relatively less expensive than making a feature film, and sometimes it’s a director’s ticket to stardom in Hollywood. Here are 19 short films that were expanded into full-length feature films.
Whether you're deciphering a cryptic state seal or trying to impress your Catholic in-laws, knowing some Latin has its advantages.
Of course, we’re always spitting out random garbage into space—radio and TV signals, mostly. But the signals on this list are intended specifically to attract aliens.