1. Buckyballs This insanely infectious string of magnetic beads — capable of being shaped and manipulated into endless configurations — is the perfect gift for stressed-out moms and dads, and a creative jewelry and art tool for mature kids and teens. Original Buckyballs retail for around $30, with gold-plated sets available, and are available at getbuckyballs.com or locally at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Urban Outfitters.
2. Richmond-centric books. Two new non-fiction tomes from local publisher Dementi Milestone will just thrill mom: “Secretariat's Meadow” by Kate Chenery Tweedy ($29.95), which tells the local story of the great Triple Crown champion, and “Finding Thalhimers” by Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt ($24.95), which finds nostalgia in downtown Richmond's former retail anchor.
3. Midway Chess Set This replica of the specially designed chess board that Frank Lloyd Wright built in 1914 is ideal for the cerebral gamesman in your life. Retails for around $220, available at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts gift shop.
4. Give Richmond Giving Card Hand one of these to your recipient and they can forward your donation to a favorite local cause in their name. Deadline to get the card by Christmas is Dec. 15. See GiveRichmond.org for a list of eligible charities. (Sorry, George Costanza, there's no Human Fund listed.)
