Giving the gift of the
millennium
by Gordon
Black
 In the interests of full disclosure, I
declare that I'm a committed lover of novelties and curios: pens
that shimmer, snow globes of Paris, Mr. Potatohead salt shakers.
The millennium is the Gregorian-given manna for manufacturers of
such stuff. Yet retailers in my corner of the planet have been
slow to grasp the epoch-like potential to cash in on the century's
end. Enter the cyber merchants, ready to crank up the virtual
cash register wherever Main Street ends. Just don't have expectations that
there's a veritable Corn Palace full because, in truth, the available millennium-inspired
goodies lack
inventiveness.
Where are the Web sites with millennium gifts
that would make a state-fair huckster blanch? We're talking the
products of the new millennia, after all. That said, I cast my
browser loose into the Web's void, trolling five search engines for
"millenium gifts." My catch was rich in quantity, if not exactly in
the novelty gifts of my fantasy. There were no snow globes of the Greenwich Millennium Dome but there are items ready
to adorn a wall, your wrist, your head.
There are even some you can eat.
Novelty value
The Year2000 Web site claims to have the widest
range of Year 2000 products - and it
seems to. The range extends from a neon wall sign, to babywear, glassware, a
talking teddy bear ("Happy Millenium"), the inevitable clocks and my own personal
favorite, a baseball cap with "2000 Party Crew" in
flashing electronics. Finding items on the site is easy, but there is
no secure connection for ordering installed. If you want to purchase something,
you must first sent an email. Too bad that the creative
genius who came up with Y2K teddy couldn't convert that imagination
into a more visually appealing Web site. But at least it has the
goods. I was tempted to kit out the whole family.
Our rating: 
Weighty gifts
There's more to the millenium than gag gifts. Some people want to
mark the passage of time in a more subtle way. When the occasion
calls for a certain appropriate tastefulness, turn to the Panopoly site. The items offered here are practical
and may well be admired long after the humor of a gag gift has
passed. The site is attractively laid out, easy to follow, and you
can purchase online via a secure connection. The drawback is the
limited offerings: just eight glass paperweights with a millenium
theme.
Our rating: 
Say it with words
The millenium should be a time to invoke great quotes from
wordsmiths of the past 1000 years. Maybe even give space to creating
a few thoughtful words on the new millenium. Alas, the message on
the imprinted t-shirts and baseball caps from Millenium Gifts wouldn't
rate a one-liner on late-night TV. Certainly, though the messages on
these millenium-inspired items won't offend anyone, and it will let
the world know that you know the millenium is upon us, if that's
important for you to let the world know that you know. You can order
via a secure server.
Our rating: 
No batteries required
When the power goes out January 1, fire up the propane lantern
and pull out Milleniumopoly, a board game that promises to inject
some fun into the dawning new millenium. While you're playing the
game, the kids can ponder where to bury the M&M Year 2000 Time
Capsule Kit. The kit includes information about the millenium as well as
a Likes & Dislikes List and the intriguing M&M Inner Circle
Brochure. Yes, the package contains the famous colored candy too. The
site from Z Millennium also
offers the "official hat" (a baseball cap) of the Zmillenium.
Sadly, the site doesn't match the sophistication of the products
offered, and there's no secure server for ordering online.
Our rating:
Time for a change
How do you know the millennium has rolled around unless you have
a timepiece? The 2001 Inc web site
sells what it calls the Countdown watch. It displays the days,
hours and minutes until the year 2000 begins, and then it becomes
just a regular old watch. You can order the watch online but through
an insecure site. The site itself is rather basic and uninviting.
But think of how you'll impress your pals with a countdown watch.
Our rating: 
There is other millenium merchandise out
there, in addition to the bomb shelters, household water reservoirs
and dried food. Several sites not featured here promised "fun" items
soon. With less than 150 shopping days to the millenium, the
suppliers better get stocked up quickly.
 The Corn Palace
is a building in Mitchell, S.D. adorned with murals made from corn,
grass, wheat and other crops each year.
Gordon Black shares the minority
view that the millenium isn't over until the end of
2000.
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Rating system
These sites are rated on
the firework system, on a scale of one to four fireworks. Ratings are
totally subjective and based on selection of merchandise, appearance
and organization of the site, ease of
use and whatever else we think is
important.
Good selection of certifiable Y2K stuff,
offered in an easy-to-navigate Web site.
Offered less goodies but redeemed itself with a splashier
site.
Neither a stunning site nor a plethora
of gifts but still worthy.
An also-ran that was
simply too good to pass up
Boring details
All sites listed were visited using
a 56.6 kps modem. Load times varied, but none were
unbearable. If you ask me, waiting online beats waiting in line at
the check-out stand any day.
If you have concerns about
shopping online, our list of safety tips may put
your mind at ease.
By
using the hyperlinks located in this article, you will
be entering Internet sites outside of Microsoft's
control.
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