In honor of this week's feature story about nesting and gifts that comfort, and in honor of unveiling the new logo for our upcoming weekly picks website, Bargainista.com (launching this spring), Meghan and I thought we'd dedicate our first-ever Shoestring Steal of the Day to that "icon of American thrift and inventiveness": the sock monkey. We were so inspired by sock monkeys for our logo that we went a little overboard, and we wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if you did, too.
So, to instill or revive a nostalgic love affair with these plucky homemade pals, check out our selection of holiday gifts for kids (and kids at heart) of all ages, from handmade to hilarious, all under $50:
FOR KIDS:
Sock Monkey Jack in the Box, $25 (Amazon.com)
Who needs scary clowns when you've got a friendly sock monkey! We saw this fantastic update on the classic kids' toy at the Museum of Modern Art store (MoMAStore.org), and were sad (but not surprised) to find that they'd already sold out. For just a few more dollars, you can find it at Amazon (where you can also buy it together with an original Schylling sock monkey
for around $40, plus free shipping in time for the holidays). Just try not to have Pop Goes the Weasel stuck in your head all day. (We certainly weren't able to pull that off.)
Sock Monkey Costume for toddlers, $20 (BuyCostumes.com)

We couldn't resist the idea of being "that aunt" a la Ralphie's bunny suit in A Christmas Story when we saw this sock monkey Halloween costume. If you have a little one in your life (whose parents also happen to have a sense of humor), stock up now at serious savings and give the gift that gives back next October. We promise the pictures will be priceless—just hope and pray for the little one's sake that those same parents show restraint and don't make the poor kid try it on next to the tree.
Fleece-lined Wool Hat with Tassels, $35 at PolkadotPatch.com
We fell in love with these hats from Animal Designs when purusing our local independent bookstore earlier this fall, and have scoured the interwebs to hunt them down. Imagine our joy when we found the Polkadot Patch Boutique, carrying not just our favorite hats but an entire "must-see" shop dedicated to Sock Monkey Animals & Gifts, including the "Cheeky Monkey" line of cotton tees, tank dresses, and onesies from Morfs (from $32 to $39). We heart this store for punky parents everywhere, even though the prices better lend themselves to aunts, uncles, and grandparents who love to spoil children.
Punky Monkeys by artist Clarity Miller, $30 each (Elsewares.com)
What child of the 80s could resist this Clash-inspired pair of sock monkeys? Plaid, grommets, homemade anarchy tees and all, these two are a must for any hard-partying breeders in your life (and their spawn). Beware, however, that true to tradition, this duo is all kitted out in safety pins, so they're probably not the best thing to have around small children. You don't want a mutiny or mosh pit to rise up in the crib, anyway. Not punk enough for Punky Monkeys? Check out the Socktopus, which is—you got it—a sock monkey octopus.
FOR FRIENDS WITH NEW KIDS:
Newborn wool hat and long john set, $35 (True2Ewe on Etsy.com)
Yes, you caught us, we've had a few new additions to the Bargainista Media friends and family crew this year, which has switched our minds permanently over to brainstorming the very best (and cutest) baby shower bargains on the planet. We scored big time with this handmade wool set from knitter True2Ewe on Etsy. Wouldn't you just die if you saw a little freshie sporting them at the coffee shop? Yeah, we thought so, too. Check out this knitter's other cabled sets for kids, including a custom little girl's hat with flower for just $20.
New Baby Sock Monkey Ornaments, $10 each (SpiritMama on Etsy.com)
As precious as could be, these darling ornaments are the perfect present to don the tree of those new parents in your life. Handcrafted by artist Waxela Sananda, these mini monkeys are made of polymer clay with yarn hair and are strung with coordinating ribbon (pink for girls, blue for boys). They even suck on tiny monkey pacifiers! We melted. Also, check out the seven additional styles of sock monkey ornaments from the designer's shop, ranging in price from $14 to $55.
Unisex Sock Monkey Onesie & Bootie Set, $36 (PolkadotPatch.com)
The ornaments above aside, we're not really keen on the idea of assigning classic color schemes to kids' sexes, which is why we absolutely love this gender-neutral set from Three Little Monkey's. Not only is it adorable, but it's practical, too, since it's easily transferable as a hand-me-down between siblings. Plus, it's available in sizes from 3 to 6 months all the way up to 12 to 18 months, so you can buy a size or two up for your newly parental friends, who'll love having backups on hand when the sprout inevitably sprouts up faster than they anticipated.
FOR KIDS AT HEART:
Sock Monkeys: 200 Out of 1,863, $7 (Amazon.com)

The product of a chance meeting between a sock monkey collector and a photographer, Sock Monkeys is a beautiful coffee table book of black and white portraits, first shown at the Julie Saul Gallery in NYC, which captures the essential character, charm, and individuality of the classic sock monkey. Contributors to the book include Jonathan Safran
Foer, Penn and Teller, Simon Doonan, Isaac Mizrahi and Glenn O'Brien,
who have "interjected original short stories inspired by the subject of their
favorite sock monkey photograph," as Svenson noted. "The stories range
from the sweet to the frightening, the sublime to the bizarre." Svenson is sort of like the Diane Arbus of toys that come alive at night, or so we like to think.
Sock Monkey Slippers for Adults, $28 (UncommonGoods.com)

Who doesn't want to snuggle up with a pair of warm slippers, once winter's chill slices through to the bone? Meghan and I each have a pair of these seriously silly slippers, and have rarely been at home without them since they and their pure cotton comfort entered our lives and shopping carts. Also available in baby ($18) and kids' ($22) versions. Why not just stock up now and make it a family affair?
Sock Monkey Cameo Pin, $24 (Trollflings on Etsy.com)
We love that all things brooch have become back in style this year, so why not have some fun with fashion? The sock monkey take on the traditional cameo portrait is unexpected and eccentric, but the silver scalloped backing and subtle glitter are as festive as can be. Style with a casually slung cashmere scarf over a little black dress and you've got some seriously understated silliness at work this season. Designed and sold by artist Amber Matthies in her Etsy shop.
Sock Monkey Series Graphic Novels by Tony Millionaire, $10 (Amazon.com)
For those of you who've never heard of Boston-bred Tony Millionaire, he's an Eisner-winning comic book artist and author whose other popular syndicated cartoon strip, Maakies
, was animated for Saturday Night Live and Adult Swim. Graphic novels really have made quite a comeback in popularity over the past few years, and we were psyched to find and feature this spirited series featuring Uncle Gabby
, a poetic monkey with "a penchant for top hats" and friends, including Mr. Crow, a plush crow. The dark humor and intelligent, cynical dialogue are not for young kids, although Millionaire did pen and spin off a children's series by the same name, including That Darn Yarn
. All the Sock Monkey books are published by indie house Dark Horse Comics, and are available on Amazon.
FOR THE HEARTFELT CRAFTERS:
Peejay the Sock Monkey Kit, $10 (Target.com)
This little dude was too adorable not to include, even though he's only available on the Target website (not in stores) and, according to the shipping notes, won't arrive in time for the holidays. True to his name, when this kit is sewn and stuffed, a new sock monkey friend comes wearing pajama cap and slippers, and holds his very own Teddy bear. If I were a mom (or had room for my sewing machine in this 450 square foot shoebox), I would snatch one up for every kid on my list. Also perfect for teaching sewing basics to pre-teens and teens of both genders, since I'm sure home economics has sadly been cut from most school programs at this point (or will be shortly...)
Original Red Heel Sock Kit for Monkey or Elephant, $14 (Overstock.com)

If you're more of a classicist, then this is the crafting kit for you. The kit consists of two pairs of original Rockford Red Heel socks in small and large ("so you can craft mom and baby sock doll sets
"), plus the same instructions for making Sock Monkey and Sock Elephant toys that have been included since 1920, when the Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford, Illinois started packaging the directions with each sale of Red Heel Socks due to the overwhelming popularity of these work socks as crafting materials for 18th century moms.
JUST FOR FUN (AND NOWHERE CLOSE TO $50)
Sock Monkey Dress and Chair, $1500 and up (SockMonkeys.com)
These works of wearable and functional art put our giddiness envelopes to the test, and were the deciding factor in choosing a sock monkey as the logo for Bargainista. So, regardless of price, we couldn't very well have a post about sock monkeys without giving Minnesota artist Rebecca Yaker a shout out. Ms. Yaker originally designed the dress as a runway piece for the Walker Un-Prom: Not Your Mama's Formal, a benefit fundraiser for the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council in Minneapolis. We came across this exhibit photo on Flickr from her later collection at the Minnesota State Fair, and quite frankly fell in love. Who wouldn't want that chair in their bar, nursery, or living room? Rebecca, if you're out there, we're accepting samples... :)

