Barack Obama is the first African-American president in U.S. history, an inspiration to millions and is ridiculously popular around the globe. Taken together, this can only mean one thing - there's no shortage of tacky kitsch available for the most avid -- and tasteless -- Obamamaniac.

Only days into office, Obama has been as good as advertised, but who knows how long that will last. You better act quickly to get a hold of the best Obama merchandise before the moment loses its luster and fades faster than a cheap "McCain/Palin 2008" T-shirt.

Our current favorite here at CTV.ca has to be the Chia Obama -- yes, from the makers of Chia Pets, the adorable clay figurines that sprout fur-like green foliage -- available exclusively online at www.chiaobama.com. "Can you grow one?" the website asks.

"Yes, you can," it answers helpfully. If you ever wanted Obama to go punk rock and dye his hair green, this could be the collectible for you.

At last search, there were more than 37,000 items tagged "Obama" available at online auction retailer Ebay. A lot of the items are rather mundane, such as collectible coins, paintings, coffee mugs, T-shirts and newspapers.

But digging deeper on Ebay there's also Barack Obama Swiss army-style knives, Obama Cognac (available in only four states!) and Barack Obama "Yes We CanCola."

But booze and soda are hardly the more intimate and thoughtful gift ideas for those stricken with Obamaphilia.

For the ladies, or our adventurous male readers, there's an Obama thong available at http://clothing.cafepress.com/item/party-like-a-barack-star-classic-thong/270702384.

It's probably the closest you will ever get to the most protected man on the planet.

Of course, anyone under the age of five is automatically a fan of the new president of the free world, and there is no shortage of Obama clothing for the tots. One store in Washington (http://www.kidsclosetdc.com/) is selling child T-shirts showing a toddler in a diaper with the tag line being "Obama: Time for a change."

Wait for it . . . yes, that was a "change" pun.

And what's even cuter than a toddler in a "Barack n' Roll" shirt? That's not a rhetorical question; the answer is a small dog in sparkly Obama 08 hoodie. Available at http://www.tailofaprincess.net/shopexd.asp?id=1151, it's only $17 American and comes in extra small to large. It's guaranteed to make you the coolest dog owner in Rosedale.

Now the majority of these products are being made and sold by smart entrepreneurs recognizing the marketing zeitgeist. But both the government and the Obama campaign have made a couple of dollars selling Obama merch.

Anyone who signed up on the Obama campaign email list was inundated with merchandise offers throughout the presidential campaign (and even afterwards.)

For example, less than a week after Obama's historic win, his campaign was offering me a US$30 "Change" T-shirt, with the proceeds going to the Democratic National Committee.

And on Jan. 10, the Presidential Inaugural Committee opened an Obama store just off the National Mall to feed off the million-plus who came to Washington, D.C. hungry for change.

And finally, for those thirsty for change, many Washington bars were quick to adapt Obama cocktails for their menu.

Trendy Louisiana-inspired restaurant Acadiana created "The Dream", a mix of bourbon, apple cider, caramel, and cinnamon, in honour of the first African-American president.

All of this Obama merchandise hoopla does beg one question. Is my George W. Bush-inspired "Somewhere in Texas, a village is missing an idiot" T-shirt going to be worth anything on Ebay?