Posts Tagged ‘Gifts’

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Finally, a video microscope for the rest of us – the Eyeclops Bionic Eye SE

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

The Eyeclops Bionic Eye SE is out at $40, so if you’ve been waiting for an affordable version of the video microscope for yourself, or another budding scientist in the house, now you can jump in. This is a super cool device that allows you to point a lens at anything within reach and see images at 200x power.

This might be billed as a toy, but it’s a pretty powerful device for looking at anything right up close, including a coin, your finger, or a strand of hair. And, the images really bring that 42″ TV to life.

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Gifts for Traveling Dads

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

1. If you have the only dad in America without an iPod, the choice is easy.

2. If the dad in your life travels like a maniac, the Kindle probably should be on his list since he’s going to find himself on a trip somewhere with no magazine and no internet connection one day. The Kindle packs all that in a small package he can keep at the bottom of his carry-on. The only drawback, other than the price, is that right now the mindless airlines treat it as an electronic device and make you shut it down during take-off and landing, which kind of defeats the purpose.

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3. The Tray-Bien – I’m a Francophile and am not in love with the name of this gizmo, but I do think it’s very useful if you have the discipline to use it. The Tray Bien is a black sleeve that fits over the tray table creating your own set of pockets including a bottle holder This may seem like a goofy idea, but after I left an ipod in the front seat pocket on my last flight of the day, I see the value. Just remove from seat back, fold and stick in your bag when you’re done. It is another thing to carry, but I always bring mine along now, especially when I’m with the kids since that’s when it’s easiest to get distracted and lose your brand new ipod because someone needs to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW (grumble, grumble). NOTE: the Tray Bien is useless on business class seats so skip this if your dad is a high flyer. Invented by a mom and available from SarahBelli.com. $39.95

4. A new head pillow. And while you’re at it, rather than just getting the traditional donut shape, take a gander at the TravelRest Travel Pillow from Hi-Gear Design. It is fatter on one end for your head, and narrower at the other to help support the body.

5. Bialetti espresso pot -Okay, he’s not going to get this into his carry-on, but if your dad needs an espresso to get going and lug the full-size Astra to your weekend getaway, this updated version of the classic espresso maker might be the next best thing. Can 50 Million Italians be wrong? $45 on Amazon.

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Woe is us! Fathers Day spending down in 2009.

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Yes, dads, don’t expect quite as many ties or chocolates this Fathers Day. Your celebration is yet another victim of the recession. However, note this: while moms “get” more on Mom’s Day per capita, spending on moms in 2009 was expected to be down 10% while spending for dads only will dip about 5%.

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Americans are expected to spend an average of $90.89 on gifts for dad, down slightly from $94.54 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $9.4 billion. Highlights from NRF’s 2009 Father’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey include:

Consumers will spend the most ($1.9 billion) on a special outing such as a dinner or even a sporting event. Clothing still ranks high among gift givers who are expected to spend $1.3 billion on new socks, slacks and ties.

Others will treat dad to a gift card ($1.2 billion), electronics ($1.0 billion), books or CDs ($548 million), home improvement items ($522 million) and sporting goods ($502 million).

Discount stores and department stores will be going head to head this Father’s Day as 33.9 percent of Americans plan on shopping at discounters and 33.7 percent will shop at department stores. Others will head to specialty stores like electronics and home improvement stores (26.8%), online (17.9%), at specialty clothing stores (6.1%) or through a catalog (2.8%).

The majority of those surveyed said they will only buy for their father/stepfather (51.1%). Husbands (28.6%), sons (7.6%), grandfathers (4.7%) and brothers (5.1%) will also see gifts from family members.

[From National Retail Federation - Fathers Day Trends 2009]

In case you haven’t picked out a gift, there are some helpful gift categories in the chart form the National Retail Federation.

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A few more gift ideas for Dad for Valentines Day

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

It’s getting late and maybe you’re sick and tired of yet another reason to buy more stuff. But, it’s hard to break out of this tradition. Most folks give their loved one a little something on Valentine’s Day, even if it’s a hand-written poem or a single rose.

Here are a few more thoughts for meaningful gifts for February 14th.

1. Instead of a material gift, give him an “experience.” It’s amazing the kind of wild adventures there are available for sale these days. Hire a jet fighter, fly in a dirigible, take flying lessons. There’s even a place in San Francisco that gives indoor parachuting lessons, where you can give him the sensation of jumping and flying without risking his life in the process. Other ideas are rock climing, glider rides, and race car driving. Click here to brainstorm other experience gifts.   

2. Don’t buy a gift like a massage, that says you want him to be more like a girl. Guys still like romance but there are plenty of romantic ideas that will energize him that don’t involve candles. Go to a local observatory and see the stars for example.

3. Who says guys always have to buy lingerie for women. Buy lingerie for yourself and give it to him. He selfishly wantst to give it to you anyway. This sends a lot of the right Valentines Day messages.

4. Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Even if it’s just one bar of Valrhona for $4, chocolate says decadence, but studies also show it does everything from fighting tooth decay to (mildly) elevating mood levels. Just skip skip the milk chocolate. Your sweetie is sweet enough without getting fat.

5. Buy a book. Not any book, but the perfect book that shows you really care. If he’s a book lover, go to Alibris.com and look for a signed first edition from his favorite author. Even if he’s not the literary type, you can still find a book that says more than “hey, I found this in the discount aisle,” but that really shows your interest. Think “Intro to Italian,” “Magic for Dads,” “Planning a trip to Alaska.” Subjects that are of interest or possible interest, or stir a plan for the two of you for the future.

Good luck. And, if all else fails, there’s always flowers and a coupon for a massage.

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face out on DVD

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Audrey Hepburn is my daughter’s favorite movie star. She has seen all her movies except for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which we continue to think is just a little mature for her.
Funny Face, however, is one of her favorites. Though there are scenes of people smoking, most of it is pretty tame, though it is the kind of love story little girls love.

She has bought three books on Audrey Hepburn with her own money, very quickly realizing that they all use the same photos and have very little new to say. So if anyone is out there thinking of a great book to write for my daughter, an all-new story on Audrey Hepburn would be great. Her birthday is in March, so you have 45 days!

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Best last-minute gift ideas for moms

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Just a few days left to get your shopping done. Here are some ideas if you’re short on time.

1. Go to the bookstore. Books are a great idea because you can wander the aisles and be prompted by book titles to think of the right subject for the recipient. A trip to a bookstore, even after work, or on a Sunday afternoon, is a relatively peaceful experience and you might even consider it a break in an otherwise hectic shopping day. Books also have an important advantage: they are easy to exchange or return for full refund.

2. Concert DVDs. Here’s an idea that not everyone thinks of especially for women. If you were the one to buy the 55 inch HDTV, a concert DVD is a perfect way to showcase its features. With so many DVDs for rock, classical, jazz, and every other style imaginable, you can find something really original that will bring the music home.

3. Theater, ballet, opera, or anything else you usually don’t attend, tickets. Many women complain that man just won’t go to these types of events. If there is a type of performance that she’s dying to see, this will surely be a hit. You can even suggest you take another friend, but for even larger effect, volunteer, without complaining, to attend with her.

4. Flowers. Don’t forget this old standby, especially if on Christmas eve day there are still no flowers on your holiday table. Even though there’s not a present to unwrap, flowers are never unwelcome as a surprise gift.

5. Don’t forget that spa certificate. While the spa certificate has become a cliché gift, it’s still always a welcome one. What woman doesn’t want to be pampered for an hour or even a full day. To make this gift extra special however, take the extra step of making a tentative appointment in the near future, as well as making childcare arrangements. Then, all she has to do is show up. This is far better than putting the onus on her to find child care and the perfect moment to take a break.

Remember that online services still can ship with just two days, or even one day advance purchase. If you still have lots of shopping left to do, consider an Amazon prime membership, which provides free two day shipping on all purchases for $79 per year. It isn’t cheap, but it is a good deal if you have a lot of shopping and shipping left to do.

Have a great holiday!

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Inexpensive and easy-to-make gifts for dad

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Dads can be hard to be buy for, but nothing is better than getting a gift from your kids that they made themselves. Here are two simple ideas that kids can easily make in time for holidays. Not only that, but the first is energy efficient!

1. A tie snake – With cold weather seeping in through every door and window, make a snake draft blocker using a colorful old tie filled with polypropylene pellets, or even dried beans (make sure they don’t get wet). Sew up both ends and you have a very long snake. If you want to go the extra distance, make it into a snake-looking object by sewing on eyes, and gluing on a red felt tongue.

2. A silk muscle-warmer made out of a tie.

Fill the tie instead with rice and you have a silky soft and heatable pad for sore muscles, keeping warm in the car, or to drape over your eyes during a nap. Microwave for 2-3 minutes and the rice will stay arem for up to two hours.

Thanks to Make Dad a Tie Snake for Christmas at Mommyland for this tip.

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Excite Books – a Netflix for books?

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

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Well, sorta… Excite Books (ExciteBooks.com) is a subscription book service that sends books monthly to your child, along with a few extra toys and goodies to keep him or her interested. Packages start at $4.95 per month and books are selected based on grade level and sex of child.

ExciteBooks is the brainchild of Austin George, a commercial pilot, who has always had a commitment to education. Before founding Excite Books, George volunteered as a motivational speaker in schools, where he was often surprised at the lack of books in the school library. George created Excite Books to “add excitement and energy into a child’s reading activities by allowing the child to be an active participant in all phases of learning and development through responsibility, motivation, and giving back to the community.”

A key element of the Excite Books program is a large plastic return prepaid envelope so you can send used or unwanted books back at the end of twelve months. Unfortunately, you can not use the bag to send all of your extra books to the chosen school since postage weight has already been determined.

Plans are available at a $4.99, $9.99 and $14.95 (one, two and three books per month) levels and comes with an “excitement guarantee.” If the books aren’t interesting to the child, he’ll refund the purchase price. Each package is engineered to excite a child, starting with the red metallic envelope. Three-book subscribers also get added educational activities.

Our sample package had books that immediately interested both my four and eight year olds, though they might not have been books they would have personally picked. This looks like a fun gift from faraway grandparents that want to foster the joy of reading in a small child, but can’t be there to help buy books on a regular basis. The price is right, the message is good, and as parents suffering always from too much clutter, we like the option of easily sending the books to schools that need them.

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Holiday gifts for grilling dads

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

1. Electric Grill Brush – $28 – Boy, do I wish I had one of these. We’d grill outside more often. Our grill is caked with who-knows-what caked over the chrome. I brush most of it away, but a lot always remains. To the hardboiled, I know that means good barbecue flavor, but I can’t get over eating burnt meat grease.

2. Laguiole 6-Piece Steak Knife set – $42 – This is a treat for steak lovers. These French knives, which look like the famous Laguiole pocket knife look great at a table set for meat.

3. Wireless talking BBQ thermometer – $49.99 We’re not saying you really need it. I mean, does anyone barbecue that much? But maybe the dad on your list does like to bbq while watching the news and needs a reminder call if you really want to consistently hit medium rare.

4. Grilling Tool Set – Even the best of tools need to be replaced. Dads will appreciate this storage case when everything is put back the way they found it ready for next time. We can’t vouch for this set, though it looks like the one we use. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a good set, but make sure the tools are more than 20″ long so dad doesn’t burn the hair off his harms when cooking dinner.

5. Weber Chimney Starter – $14 – If the dad on your list is still using lighter fluid, this is a simple tool he has to have. It uses just one page out of the newspaper to get the fire started. That means less noxious fumes and less chance you’ll be eating lighter fluid in your burger.

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Buy this today – Lego Advent calendar

Friday, October 10th, 2008

LEGO City Advent Calendar 2008 – If you wait very much longer this cool advent calendar will be sold out for Christmas. This calendar has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday, but kids love to open up the little parts every day at breakfast, counting down the days ’till they have more stuff to open. Make sure to get a little plastic box as well to hold all the little tiny parts. Once the tiny pieces are assembled, they come apart and end up all over the house.

Lego CASTLE Advent Calendar 2008

LEGO City Advent Calendar (2007)

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