Briefs

It’s that rush before Christmas, you still have presents to buy and no time to visit exhibitions or attend talks, so in place of the Week Ahead, DW offers a round-up of gift suggestions:

Computer games

There are several must haves in this section. The first is Duck City, a new game for kids from 4 to 74. Six different games include Snip Snip, in which you act as hairdresser, RoboDuck, who keeps criminal slugs under control, and Slug Farm, in which you raise prize-winning slugs. Guaranteed fun. Priced at 19.99 and available from all games stockists.

Actua Soccer is the first football game for the PowerMac. Don your shorts and pick your favourite team (choice of 44) in this international battle with custom cups, leagues and tournaments, replays from virtual camera angles and commentary by Barry Davies. Priced 39.99. Call Gremlin Interactive on 0114-2753423 for stockist information.

Award winners Myst (pictured) and The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis from Brderbund offer an alterative to the shoot ’em up action games. Myst (29.99) is a journey of discovery through a superbly realised surrealist world, while Zoombinis (29) offers kids and grown-ups an entertaining series of puzzles and games to improve maths and logic skills.

Stocking Fillers

Wallace and Gromit fans can now shop at Aardmarket, an Internet shopping facility for all Wallace and Gromit goodies. Point your browser at www. aardman. com. If you can’t get enough of them, they even appear on mouse mats. The Mousepad Company produces mats showing the famous duo, as well as the Mr Men, Beatles and Manga characters. Priced from 6.99 and available from WH Smith and HMV.

Books

It’s Dark in London is edited by Oscar Zarate and includes pieces by London writers such as Ian Sinclair and Stella Duffy illustrated by the likes of Dix and Alan Moore. Published by Serpent’s Tail at 9.99. Arty farty relatives might like the 1997/1998 Calendar of Art Exhibitions published by Lund Humphries at 5.99.

CDs

Dance music fans should love the new Renaissance album. The cover was designed by Dolphin with photography by Toby McFarlan Pond. 19.99.

Miscellaneous

We were intrigued by the tape recorder pen for 20 and tooth- brushes for 3 each (pictured) or the keyring torch for 9 at Paul Smith. If you have a bigger budget the good-looking Jeep Boom Box comes in at 195. Paul Smith, 41-44 Floral Street, London WC2. Telephone enquiries on 0171-379 7133.

Check out Octopus for interesting knick-knacks. We liked the fish-shaped pen and rubber table lighter, both at 7.50. And the wacky plastic bibs (7.50) may make Christmas dinner easier for friends with babies. Octopus, 28 Carnaby Street, London W1.