Hi - I am looking for a novel gift to give for Christmas and have, in
the past, come across people offering services like buying an
asteroid, sponsoring a segment of outer space, having a new species
named after you etc. Is there any place that contains this kind of
information on the web?

I am open to new suggestions of course - the more offbeat and geeky
the better - but as a guideline I am most interested in ideas of the
science and nature variety, particularly if it falls into the
astronomy/particle physics category. (For example, sponsoring a
programme to calculate pi to the most number of decimal places would
be intriguing if it is packaged well and the recipient would get a
certificate etc.) Tips for a really great idea!

Hi hungry_ghost-ga,

This question has been quite fun to research... I hope you enjoy my
findings as much as I did.
If you have any questions please feel free to request a clarification of my answer.
Best of luck to you on your Christmas shopping!
thanks,
chellphill-ga


International Star Registry:
http://www.starregistry.com/christmas-gift.cfm
(Prices starting at $54.00 USD)

TreeGivers:
http://www.treegivers.com/?AID=9238559&PID=1361065
(Prices start at $32.95 USD)

Countdown Creations:
http://www.countdowncreations.com/
A variety of space related gifts such as;
Astronaut space food- http://www.countdowncreations.com/astronaut_space_food.htm
Replica Apollo flight suits- http://www.countdowncreations.com/apollosuit_adult.htm
Space flight Hardware- http://www.countdowncreations.com/space_hardware.htm

Elite Titles
http://www.elitetitles.co.uk/main/index.htm
"Elite Titles provide effective legal Titles (English and Continental)
to clients all around the World. You too can obtain a Title and
receive "V.I.P" treatment wherever you go!"
(Prices start at $325 USD)

OneShare
http://www.oneshare.com/?AID=1110881&PID=1361065
"OneShare.comŽ  offers single shares of stocks as gifts. Our product
has been called  "the most innovative gift concept this century!" We
provide frames with our stock certificates, and pride ourselves on the
quality of our custom framing. We offer you the best in framing
materials at the lowest price possible."

Adopt a Real Reindeer
http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/children-gifts/presents/adopt-a-real-reindeer.html
(Based in the UK, but perhaps still a novel gift idea for US residents as well)
(Price is $56.72 USD)

Acre of the Moon
http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/seasonal-gift/gifts/acre-of-the-moon.html
" Buy an Official Acre of the Moon now and you can amaze your friends
and family every night when you look up to the moon and say "I own an
acre of that"!"
($33.99 USD)

DuneCraft inc
http://www.dunecraft.com/products/shop_online.htm
Selling an unusual variety of plant growing kits.

Slice of Silicon Valley
http://store.thetech.org/slicofsilval.html
"This truly unique slice of silicon wafer is matted and ready to
frame. Each slice has different markings for a one-of-a-kind gift. Six
inch wafer diameter. Lovely mounted in a frame or on its own."
($19.95 USD)

Adopt an Otter
http://www.lastminute.com/lmn/pso/catalog/Product.jhtml?POSITION=1&PRODID=353545147&CATID=100197

Sky Watch
http://www.sky-watch.com/christmas.html
"You will be giving a SkyWatch subscription that will keep your
amateur astronomer informed of important astronomy events that can
seen from their location for an entire year. Within 24 hours (and
usually less), the recipient will receive a note about your thoughtful
astronomy gift and will start receiving almost daily notices about
meteor showers, lunar eclipses and other fascinating sky events. They
will join the thousands of SkyWatch subscribers all over the word who
are kept up to date through the SkyWatch service."
(30.00 USD)

Other notable "unusual gift ideas"
Musical Names:
http://www.musicalnames.com/whatis.html
"Composer, Johnny Harris, has created a "musical alphabet" by
converting the 26 letter alphabet into musical notes.
He then converts the letters of a woman's first name into musical
notes.Using this exact line of notes, he creates the melody and then
produces a fully orchestrated "Musical Name" just for you."
(Prices starting at $11.95 USD)

Unique Christmas Gifts
http://www.christmasgifts.com/unique-gifts.php
Links to numerous sites offering unique Christmas gifts.

Nasa and space memorabilia
http://www.thespacestore.com/spaceauction1.html
Various space related gifts including an International Space Station
Destiny Module Replica for $1,650,000.00, and SHUCS Flight Backup
Palmtop Computers for $650.00.

Wildlife Adoptions
http://www.wwf.ca/HowYouCanHelp/PandaStore/PandaStore.asp

Adopt a Turtle
http://www.mcsuk.org/Turtles/adoptaturtle/aat.htm

 The Caledonia Land Deed 
http://www.squareinchland.com/default.htm
Buy your own piece of Scotland and proudly display the Deed of ownership.

Search terms used:
Unique Christmas Gifts
Unusual Christmas Gifts
?One of a kind? Gifts

http://www.findgift.com/Gift-Types/Geeky

just search for "geeky gift" on any research engine.  It's amazing!!

Do you have this link for offworld real estate?

http://www.moonestates.com/cat_Register.asp

Otherwise, a haggis is always a good bet. But make sure it?s gutted
first of course.

Best

haggis ! ! !   ahhhhgggghhhh!    yuck !  (sorry guzzi ! )

take a look at this:
http://www.sahalie.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2608&itemType=PRODUCT&sSearch=YES

it's scientific and natural and strangely phallic too . . . !
don't know if it actually works; I couldn't bring myself to get one
if you do end up purchasing this, puh-leeese come back and tell us if it works
(and tell me what kind of wood it is so I can make one myself!)

ts

hey, it's cheaper than "off-world real estate"!

ts