December 14 is International Monkey Day, a day created to raise awareness about these animals, their habitats, and species conservation.  As a graduate student, I not only took classes on non-human primates, but I taught them as well. First lesson was always teaching the difference between monkeys and apes; monkeys, for the most part, have tails and are usually smaller than apes.  And humans are more closely related to the apes than we are to monkeys.  With more than 260 species of monkeys in the world today, there is sure to be one that is your favorite.  Be sure to share it with us! In the meantime, here is a curated collection of unique gifts for the simian lover on your holiday gift list:

Sock Monkey

No monkey gift guide would be complete without sock monkeys.  But don’t limit yourself to the usual red-hatted variety.  These are unique and adorable and not just for kids.

Monkey Statue

For the yoga enthusiast on your list, a statue for their meditation garden.

Monkey Tie

For the man who has everything, you can be almost certain that he doesn’t have this tie.

Monkey Rolling Pin

For the chef on your holiday list, this rolling pin is a must.

Monkey Pillow

For any fan of decorative pillows, this one is a conversation starter.

Monkey Necklace

I have several pieces of fun, retro, monkey-themed jewelry.  But I think this piece might be my favorite.

Flying Monkeys

For the young, or the young at heart, these flying monkeys are sure to elicit a laugh as they are launched through the air. The best part? They come in sets of three.

Squirrel Monkey Plush

Having worked with squirrel monkeys in the past, I can tell you this guy is a good deal easier to keep happy.

Monkey Shoes
For a fun, matching gift for an adult and a child, how about these fun, super-comfortable slip-on shoes.

 

The Langurs of Abu
No gift guide is complete without book recommendations.  If you are interested in conservation and research being done in the wild, you will enjoy “The Langurs of Abu,” by Sarah Blaffer Hrdy.

Never Smile At A Monkey
Finally, for young children, this book is terrific.  Not only do they learn why you shouldn’t smile at a monkey, they will also learn about other animals and their behavior. Fascinating stuff for kids 4-8 years of age. “Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things to Remember,” by Steven Jenkins.

Julie Bond

Julie Bond is a voracious reader with eclectic tastes running the gamut from YA lit, to psychological suspense, and anything dog-related, of course. You can find her haunting her favorite San Francisco Bay Area indie bookstores. Email her at ObsessiveBookFanatic@gmail.com

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