With the recent dedication of the newly completed New Mexico spaceway, which will serve to launch the first commercial flights into space, you may be tempted to run out and fork over the $20,000 space-flight deposit as your unique gift for someone very special in your life. (Pop diva Katy Perry did for her now-husband, comedian Russel Brand’s birthday, why not you?)

You don’t even have to go far to book — Tangerine Travel in Woodinville has one of the few accredited space flight agents on hand, ready to sign people up for the two-hour, $200,000 flights that will be offered sooner or later, thanks to the dreams and deep pockets of Sir Richard Branson.

But if the $200,000 (or the $20,000 for that matter) sets you back a bit much, or you don’t want to torture your loved one with the unknown wait time, you could certainly find a few alternatives closer to Earth — true, maybe less exciting, but certainly more practical (and practical gifts, according to the gift experts, are currently en vogue).

If it’s the thought that counts, one less expensive gift is a hot air balloon ride. Airial Balloon Co. in Snohomish offers lovely sunset flights at $210 a pop, or if you don’t want to be in very tight quarters with several others for a few hours, drop $1,400 for a flight for two. Sky diving is not a bad idea either, especially since those less daring souls can opt for the tandem style; though no one would blame you if you think giving a gift of jumping out of a perfectly fine airplane is not humane.

For those not afraid to walk a bit on the wild side but prefer to remain on the ground, a potential solution may be found at RockIt Roost in Silverdale. Also known as rockabilly couture central, this quirky shop offers pinup poster packages, complete with makeup and styling, some clothing choices and final products such as posters and cards ($150 and up). It’s the perfect universal gift — guys can surprise their ladies with a gift certificate for a session, and ladies can star in their own fantasy and wrap up a poster to place under the tree (preferably in a place where young children will not look).

Have your family members labeled you a prankster? The pains of coming up with new clever touches each year are no doubt making you want to scrape that $20Gs after all. Everyone’s tired of the leg lamp, the underwear repair kit and the “talking pencil sharpeners” that are shaped like a dog or cat and have pencils inserted into their… never mind.

So how about something more hip? Like a Flying Alarm Clock ($13.50 on amazon.com), which has a helicopter-blade-looking key that flies away when the alarm goes off, and you can’t turn off the siren-like sound until you catch the key and insert it back (check it out on YouTube). Or maybe, a portable phone jammer (who can’t use one in a movie theater or a meeting?) that you can buy for around $40. Or perhaps a set of Robert Graham cufflinks with fashionable designs that double as USB keys? At $200-plus a pair at cufflinks.com, they’re not the cheapest fashion statement but certainly the strangest — not counting, of course, the Nubrella, a weird, helmet-looking hands-free umbrella (save your $50 and pass on this one, but only because nobody needs umbrellas in the Northwest).

You can find other humorous and strange things at Spencer’s at the Kitsap Mall, including, for the inner superhero, adult throw blankets with sleeves with characters like Spider Man (hurry, they were clearanced out and won’t last) and other novelties (some of which are not fit to describe in print).

Too cheap for jokes? Opt for some more useful gadgets that would make any astronaut-in-training proud. For example, a Cuisinart Soup Maker, which not only chops up the veggies, it can sauté, boil, heat and simmer, and when the soup is done, it will blend it all up to the desired consistency and keep it hot until you’re ready for it. The downside of this gift idea is that at the moment, you’ll have to ask a friend from the UK to smuggle one in, as it hasn’t come to the U.S. market just yet — but it looks promising, with a rating of four out of five stars by customers on amazon.co.uk.

Anyone ready for space surely must appreciate Mother Earth first. How about an Earth-friendly gift, like a solar-powered videocamera? The SOLAR Camcorder (available at amazon.com for about $250 and other websites) does photos and HD video, saves to an SD card, and uses solar power to recharge the battery at the rate of 12 extra minutes for every hour of exposure to the sun. Or for a more artsy twist, check out the whimsical art made of recycled typewriter parts and glass by Port Orchard artist Dan Spence (available at the Verksted Gallery in downtown Poulsbo, starting at around $130).

Alas, if you’re still stuck on the space-related gift idea and a NASA T-shirt won’t do, here are some other options: a “2012: game over” or “I believe” mug from zazzle.com; a “We are not alone” tile coaster or high-res moon clock at cafepress.com; a three-piece meteorite collection or freeze-dried “Astronaut” ice cream from thespaceshop.com. For a more domestic touch, check out the futuristic-looking “UFO” ceiling fan at modern-fans.com or a beautiful crystal shuttle clock from spacecamp.com.

The gifts are out there. Set forth and explore.