Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Just a quick note over here at The Southern Tea. Hope everyone has an amazing holiday season and finds everything they wish for under the Christmas tree this year! Happy New Year and most prosperous wishes for each and every one of us. It's turn quite chilly here in Palm Springs but the gleam of the desert sun gives some warmth to our bodies near afternoon. Wishing travelers calmness on their adventures out of places like Boulder, the north and locales of blizzard weather and dropping freezing temperatures. Dress warmly and make sure you have your phone and laptop chargers at near grasp. Just saying...

Ultimate Christmas Gifts for Men

This holiday season everyone needs a little bit of help when figuring out he right thing for the fabulous man in their life. The malls are packed with ridiculous behavior of over-zealous merchants and perfume gals offering to help. Here's a few more gift ideas for the men in your life this holiday season! Ordering online soon because it seems to be the way more shoppers are going.

Stuck on ideas that just won’t work?! Try smart Gift Cards from Amazon! Let people buy whatever they want and Amazon has EVERYTHING! From clothing to music and sports equipment, all of your shopping can be in one place. And there’ s NO fighting for that close parking space at the mall.

Does you man travel a lot?! Is reading something he considers relaxing or entertaining?! The new Kindle Fire delivers heat to anyone that holds one. Tons of electronic books, apps, games and more! All at his fingertips. It’s the only other thing that should be in his hands other than you! Trust!

Tom of Finland new book is available for pre-order and is a great idea for the gay man who enjoys the masculine visual of two sexy men together in their natural habitat of a leather bar or tied to a tree. The illustrations have seen their share of exposure over the years and every time a new issue of his work comes out it is a collector’s item! Great as a coffee table book for that right conversation starter among new friends!

Still not the answer?! OK… Let’s get in on the finer things for the home and check out Mercer Cutlery Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set with Tempered-Glass Block. Suggest your man carefully donates or tosses those old knifes that won’t cut, don’t cut, ain’t gonna cut anything. He’ll thank you over dinner really soon. And the glass block that houses them looks fierce!

In the end, if there’s something any man would love to have it’s a Kenneth Cole Reaction Leather Business Case. Gorgeous leather to strap over his broad shoulders and chest to carry his laptop and personals. It’s gorgeous! Check it out.

Happy Holidays and Mary Christmas to All… And to ALL happy shopping! X

ULTIMATE HOLIDAY MUSIC PLAYLIST

Having a holiday party? Got a long drive to grandmother's house you go?! Leave it up to me and you'll see that when your guests (and you, for that matter) hear these songs, the holiday cheer will be queer and fabulous! Sharing music with others is a way I show love. With the holidays coming up, these downloadable tracks make the best holiday playlist for your Apple iPod Touch.

The Carpenters have the favorite holiday classic Merry Christmas Darling. This song is very special to me. Gorgeous voice of Karen Carpenter. Simply divine. Another drag classic is Whitney Houston's Do You Hear What I Hear? I need to get downloading, myself! Blogging about these songs is making me want to play them!

Now That's What I Call Christmas has Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas" which I love! Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Luther Vandross, Britney Spears and Nat King Cole also appear on this two-disc set! Buy this now!

The Mariah Carey wonderment makes me happy every time I hear it and the energy of it really takes the listener on a happy joyful ride. All I Want for Christmas is You starts off our list of must have holiday songs. The Glee cast just released a kicky version on the music of Glee The Christmas Album Volume 2.

100 Classic Christmas Songs gives more traditional musical fare including Pat Boone and Doris Day while Ultimate Christmas gives listeners and holiday party guests current tracks and tunes. Can't decide?! Let these albums simply do the decision making for you!

The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album for just the right amount of chill next to a warm fire with your loved ones decorating the tree. And a valium or a (and a) glass of wine wouldn't hurt either. But I digress... However you spend holidays this year, make the soundtrack something your wonderful guests will talk about into the new year!

Love this song and burned a quick disc for my rental car during my recent trip home. This song was perfect for the chilly weather and drives around seeing Christmas lights twinkling about town. How could this list be anywhere near complete without Amy Grant's Tennessee Christmas on everyone's lips as it's played?

Happy Holidays Everyone! Best for 2012! xoSM.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2011

It's turned rather wintery here in Palm Springs which is fine with me. I love me a layer and sleeves with sweat pants to match. I guess it's what you could call my comfort zone. And it always matches, at least in my head that's for sure. Just a quick note to you Followers I try and reach out to. Thanks for reading and staying on top of all the gay popular culture and entertainment dish one can read from Yours Truly. My life over at iamstevenmichael has taken over and I truly hope you have found me over there. Be well and stay strong. I know the world can be a tough place to keep a head held high every single day. I'm sending you each and all the very best this holiday season and best wishes for '12. PEACE, SM.