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When Tackyness is cool

Named for Archie McPhee, a 1920s musician notorious for his fun-loving spirit, www.mcphee.com offers kitschy accessories and unusual gifts perfect for the college student. Archie's great-nephew-in-law began stockpiling his personal junk collection, and in 1986, the original Archie McPhee store opened in Seattle.

Fortunately for tacky gift fans everywhere, the store created its own site. Surfing here is not only entertaining, but easily accessible, with everything conveniently divided into specific categories.

For the mischievous child, a mini guillotine will keep G.I. Joe in check, and X-Men favorite Wolverine can be purchased as well.

Archie McPhee addresses the global village by providing gifts from the "Wonders of the World" section. Included in this are potential dorm accessories, especially the Easter Island gods and Sphinx statues.

Religious types can aim their browsers to the "Wholly Holy" section for truly blasphemous gift giving. It's the Jews versus the Mennonites when Amish and Rabbi punching dolls go head-to-head. Just to be politically correct, plenty of Hindu and Buddhist items are available as well.

The Web site even offers a figurine of St. Claire, the Patron Saint of Television, advertised to possess the power to protect owners from obnoxious infomercials and bothersome reruns.

Ultimately, Archie McPhee is the authority in bad gifts and office pranks, but it offers much more. Visitors to the site can also learn from various nostalgia contests and become members of Archie's growing legion of fans.