Paper E-mail Memo Pad

For today's post, as well as tomorrow and the day after, Amy's Stocking Stuffers will feature items appropriate for April Fool's Day, because it's already that time of year again! (Is it me, or is this year flying by?) For our first silly gag gift, how about this "paper e-mail" memo pad from ThinkGeek.com? I don't know about you, but I already have trouble remembering life before e-mail -- and it wouldn't surprise me if today's teenagers don't even believe there was a time so incredibly backwards that e-mails and texting weren't around. In any case, this pad measures 4 x 5.5 inches, and has 50 sheets. Sometimes, the old-fashioned way works best....

What: Paper E-mail Memo Pad
Where: ThinkGeek website
How much (as of today's post): $3.99 (plus shipping)

Kitty Egg Molded Crayons

I'm sneaking in this Etsy Easter post just a little earlier than I'd planned, because these kitty egg-shaped molded crayons from husband-and-wife Esty team KittyBabyLove (kittybblove) are too cute to pass up, and supplies are somewhat limited. (So if you want to order, order now!)

Aren't they adorable? The order is for a custom set of six crayons, the colors of which you specify (along with three back-up colors) when you place your order. There are at least 25 colors to choose from, so you're sure to find your little ones' favorites. And since they come nestled in an egg carton, they're just right for Easter -- a perfect accompaniment in the Easter basket so it doesn't have to be filled only with candy, and a way to encourage creative play instead of passive television watching.

And if you want to get something for a grown-up, you can choose a pair of beeswax candles in the exact same kitty egg shape. (And be sure to check out the Boo-boo Kitty Stress Dolls and the paintings as well. Clearly, we have cat lovers at work here!)

What: Kitty Egg Molded Crayons
Where: KittyBabyLove (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $15.00 (plus shipping)

Themed Mystery Series

As a genre, mystery series have been exploding in recent years, and it seems that no matter what interest or hobby a person may have, there may just be a mystery series based on that theme. If someone whose stocking you plan to fill has a hobby, why not see if there's a mystery series to go with it? If you go on Amazon and put in "knitting" and "mysteries", for example, you won't have any trouble finding several knitting mystery series to choose from!

The other plus is that mass market paperbacks usually fit in a stocking, and tend to run either $6.99 or $7.99, making them fairly affordable. Just make sure you get the first book in the series -- the website Stop, You're Killing Me! may be some help there -- once you've found an author's name, find it on the site and you'll get a list of books in their order of publication.

Here are some examples of hobbies and interests that have sprouted mystery series:

• Sarah Atwell's Glassblowing Mysteries
  
  
• Deb Baker's Dolls to Die For Mystery series
  
  
• Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mysteries (bookstore owner)
  
  
• Sammi Carter's Candy Shop Mysteries
  
  
• Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries
  
  
• Deborah Donnelly's Wedding Planner Mysteries
  
  
• Margaret Grace's Minatures Mysteries (dollhouses and miniature crafts)
  
  
• Kate Collins' Flower Shop Mysteries
  
  
• Joyce and Jim Lavene's Peggy Lee Garden Mystery series
  
  
• Joyce and Jim Lavene's Renaissance Faire Mystery series
  
  
• Sheila Lowe's Forensic Handwriting Mysteries
  
  
• Natalie M. Roberts' Jenny T. Partridge Dance Mysteries
  
  
• Maggie Sefton's Knitting Mysteries
  
  
• Terri Thayers' Stamping Sisters Mysteries (ink stamping/crafts)
  
  
• Elaine Viets' Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series

Have fun!

Pocket Pedometer with Health Management Software

Wow, even pedometers are super high-tech these days! This particular model, the Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer, gets a high review rating on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 700 reviews. It holds a week's results at a time, but it also comes with PC software for Windows 2000 or XP, so you can download your results and track your progress over the long term. Theoretically, you can even put this in your purse or bag instead of clipping it to your belt, although I would think you'd miss a lot of your daily step counts by doing it that way.

As usual, it's a bit difficult to tell whether you're getting a good deal from Amazon's prices or not. Amazon says the list price is $59.99, but they're selling this item for $29.50. (Since that's over $25, free standard shipping is automatic.) Of course, if you don't want to spend this much or go this high-tech, you can always find much less expensive pedometers without the software. I have to admit, though, that I find these bells and whistles kind of attractive, especially when the product has such positive reviews. I would also note that the Amazon product page has a convenient chart letting you compare the features of several different kinds of Omron pedometers in case there are certain features you've decided you do or don't need.

Because I'm assuming the software comes on a CD to load on your computer, it's not clear to me how big the overall package is and whether it will fit into a stocking. But you could take the pedometer out and wrap it separately for the stocking if you wanted to.

What: Omron HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer with Advanced Omron Health Management Software
Where: Amazon.com or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $29.50 (plus shipping)

Constructable Drinking Straw

Having trouble getting the rugrats to drink their milk? I remember having "crazy straws" as a kid, which made drinking milk or anything else much more entertaining than usual. Available from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) online store, this stocking stuffer takes it one step further, with rubber connector pieces from which you construct your own unique straw creation. It can even make a straw that lets you drink from more than one glass at the same time. Budding architects and Lego enthusiasts will love it!

What: Constructable Drinking Straw
Where: MoMA Store website
How much (as of today's post): $14.00 (plus shipping)

Bissinger’s Chocolate Liqueur Cups

I think this box would fit down inside a wide-mouthed stocking. But it definitely would fit in a gift basket, and would be especially appropriate for the chocolate lover or the entertainer. I can just see these filled with Kahlua, or Bailey's. Maybe Sambuca? A little experimentation might be necessary, and what a shame (not!) that would be....

What: Bissinger’s Chocolate Liqueur Cups
Where: Sur la Table website
How much (as of today's post): $10.00 (plus shipping)

Kitties on Tour Mighty Magnets

As far as I'm concerned, I can never have too many magnets, especially if they have cats on them! I received this set of "kitties on tour" Lucy Lu Mighty Magnets in my stocking several years ago, and was pleased to find that they're still available. My favorite one in the set is the tuxedo cat in front of the Eiffel Tower.

I believe I've seen some of these sets in bookstores before, but in any case they're available on the website "fridgedoor.com". They also have a "pretty kitties" set and a "pussy cat" set, both of which feature cat images from old art. Each set has eight square magnets measuring about an inch on each side, plus two 1 x 1.75 inch "tall" magnets. Finally, there's an "eyes have it" set of six 1 x 1.75 inch magnets showing only cats' eyes.

What: Kitties on Tour Mighty Magnets
Where: FridgeDoor.com website
How much (as of today's post): $12.95 (plus shipping)

Japanese Indiana Jones Capsule Toys

Continuing with my nerd theme from yesterday, check out these Indiana Jones "capsule toys" -- toys dispensed from capsule vending machines in Japan. Think bubblegum machine toys, only of much higher quality. I've said it before: the Japanese excel at "cute"!

The good news is, they're adorable and they're slightly unusual in the U.S., which means the lucky person who gets one of these in his or her stocking is more likely to be surprised and delighted by it.

The bad news is, even though these are available from an American company (Think Geek) that has imported them, you still don't get to choose which figure you want -- you're taking a chance, just as you would if you got one from a vending machine in Japan. For instance, I love the Indiana Jones, Prof. Henry Jones, and Marion-with-the-monkey figures (click through the link at the bottom of the post to see an image of the Marion figure from the packaging), and I wouldn't mind paying $7.99 for one of them. However, I wouldn't be thrilled about paying that much for the Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) figure because I didn't care for the most recent movie, or for whoever that head-dressed guy is supposed to be (probably Mola Ram from The Temple of Doom). Still, even the figures I don't like as well would be a fun stocking stuffer for Indiana Jones fans. And they certainly would be unique!

There are also Indiana Jones "artifacts" available -- originally $3.99 apiece, but marked down to $1.99. These include the idol head that Indiana stole from the temple in the first movie, with the famous rolling boulder scene; the headpiece from the Staff of Ra; the crystal skull; the Shiva stone.... (Really, how pathetic is it that I know the names of all these artifacts without even looking them up?!)

What: Japanese Indiana Jones Capsule Toys
Where: Think Geek website
How much (as of today's post): $7.99/figures; $1.99/artifacts (plus shipping)

Nerdy Baby ABC Flashcards

My husband and I are known as the nerds of our respective families -- after all, I'm a science fiction nut, and he's a planetary scientist. So it's not at all surprising that these Nerdy Baby Flashcards from Etsy seller Electric Boogaloo appeal to me so completely. I mean, obviously B is for Binary Code, not something silly like Ball or Bat!

The 4x6" laminated alphabet flashcards have rounded corners and come shrinkwrapped in a cotton drawstring bag. And if the ABC's aren't your thing, there are also counting flashcards for zero through ten (I love the one for eight planets, with the eight superimposed over a nine -- poor Pluto!). There's even a prime number counting wall chart! I think either set of flashcards would be great in the stocking of your favorite nerd-parents-to-be. Or if you don't want to wait for Christmas, they make a great baby shower gift. Hey, you can never start educating our future nerds too young!

What: Nerdy Baby ABC Flashcards
Where: Electric Boogaloo (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $20.00 (plus shipping)

Nativity Stocking Tradition

Here's a stocking tradition I always thought would be fun if I had kids. I've always enjoyed the nativity story, and I love nativity figures and scenes. So I think it would be fun to take the nativity figures -- as long as they're not overly fragile or valuable -- and randomly divvy them up at the bottom of the family's stockings. Then, if the stockings are the first gifts looked at on Christmas morning, the family could assemble the scene in the waiting manger as they come across the figures in their stockings. I think it's a great reminder of why Christmas came to be celebrated, and I think little ones would learn to love this tradition, because children like familiar stories. Just as I always fall in love again with my favorite Christmas ornaments when I unpack them each year, I think children would delight in seeing their favorite figures appear each Christmas morning.

The particular nativity set shown above would work especially well, I think. The figures are made of cast resin, and shouldn't break easily. They're of a shape that I think would appeal to small children -- in fact, they remind me of Weebles! Each figure is 1.5 to 2.5 inches high, and while the whole set of eleven figures originally was listed on the Signals website at $59.95, as of today the set is on sale for $29.95. It includes the Holy Family, the Three Kings, an angel, a shepherd, a cow, a lamb, and a bull.

Cupcake Pendant with Cupcake Box

I don't mean to keep coming back to jewelry, but cupcakes seem to be all the rage this year (have you seen the blog Cupcakes Take the Cake?). And this gold and diamond cupcake pendant with its accompanying cupcake box is awfully cute. (In fact, I almost like the box better than the pendant....)

The pendant itself is yellow gold and it's "iced" with tiny little diamonds. Amazon lists the original price at $191.25 but the current sale price is $99.99. I never know whether that original price is anything but a way to make you think you're saving money with the "amazing" sale price, so I don't actually know if this is a good deal or not. But it would make a nice birthday gift, or an extra nice stocking stuffer, especially for someone into baking.

What: Yellow Gold Diamond Cupcake Pendant with Cupcake Box
Where: Amazon.com
How much (as of today's post): $99.99 (free shipping)

Adjustable Measuring Spoons

If your kitchen drawers are as cluttered as mine, you might appreciate the simplicity of this adjustable teaspoon and tablespoon set from KitchenArt, which replaces eleven separate measuring spoons. You just adjust the slider to get a quarter or half teaspoon, or whatever other measure you need. I have a pair of these that I got years ago from a Pampered Chef party, and I love them. They're dishwasher safe, and mine have stood up just fine for several years. At only $3.99 for the pair, this is about as inexpensive a nice stocking stuffer as you're going to get.

What: Adjustable Measuring Spoons
Where: KitchenArt website
How much (as of today's post): $3.99 (plus shipping)

Cugino's Dipz! Mixes

I first came across Cugino's Dipz! mixes at an upscale liquor store, and was amused by the names Garlic Schmarlic, Taco Schmaco, Onion Wonion, and Veggie Weggie. Silly, but what's wrong with a company having a little fun? The packages even have cute little food cartoon characters on them, holding signs telling you to eat other stuff.

I then looked up the company's website and found even more varieties, such as spinach, dill, fire roasted ranch, and tomato lime salsa. They helpfully list all the ingredients right there on the web page, and I was pleased to find monosodium glutamate in only one dip mix, the cheesy bacon dip. Also, if you click on a specific dip mix, you'll get the same nutrition labeling you would see on the package in the store. (If you ask me, all food companies should be providing this info on the web.)

The company also sells soups, spreads, and rubs (great for a husband's stocking if he's into barbecuing). But back to the dip mixes -- they are $3.00 for a single packet, but less if you buy larger quantities from the website. I don't recall the store price for a single packet, but I imagine it's comparable.

What: Cugino's Dipz! Mixes
Where: Cugino's website, or upscale grocery and liquor stores
How much (as of today's post): approximately $3.00

Desktop Mini "Recycling Bin"

Technically, this isn't an eco-friendly gift in and of itself, because you're not actually using it to recycle. Instead, this mini "recycling bin" is a desktop accessory that you can use to hold paper clips or rubber bands. Still, it expresses the sentiment that "I believe in recycling!"

And, of course, it's cute, because almost anything miniaturized is cute! At only $2.50 from the Grassroots website, it's just the right price for a stocking stuffer -- and, of course, the right size.

What: Desktop Mini "Recycling Bin"
Where: Grassroots website
How much (as of today's post): $2.50 (plus shipping)

Cuisipro Ice Cream Scoop & Stack

How's this for a nifty kitchen gadget? This ice cream scoop creates little cylinder blocks of ice cream that you can stack just for fun in ice cream cones, or you can use to make more elegant desserts. The brand is Cuisipro; their website indicates that in my area, their products can be found in Sur La Table, Crate & Barrel, and The Container Store. Or, of course, there's always good old Amazon.

In any case, at $14.99, this could be the one centerpiece stocking stuffer -- especially the red or green ones -- among some less expensive items, without actually breaking the bank completely (although I note an in-store price might be higher than Amazon's). The pink scoop, or the red one I saw at the Sur La Table website, would also be romantic for Valentine's Day. The product description says that it works well on hard ice cream, but I do note that a customer review suggests dipping it in hot water between scoops to prevent sticking.

What: Cuisipro Scoop and Stack Ice Cream Scoop
Where: Amazon, Sur La Table, Crate & Barrel, The Container Store
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (plus shipping)

Earrings, Cufflinks, Charms, Etc. from The Clay Collection

Let me just say right up front: the hardest part of writing this post was choosing which of the many cunning little designs to show here. Etsy seller Lauren of The Clay Collection sculpts little creations from polymer clay, which she then turns into earrings, cuff links, pins, and charms. She can also make zipper pulls (great for boys), cell phone charms, pendants, or charms for a charm bracelet. If you see a pair of earrings you like but just want a single charm of the same design instead, she even lists the price for that. Whatever you want, just ask! You can upgrade the earrings to sterling silver, or change the silver-tone cuff links to gold-tone. The possibilities are endless.

And the designs! There's a whole category for faux food, including the pancakes, cupcakes, and pecan pie shown here. A lot of the food designs remind me of the small, cute Japanese toys that are so popular now. And some of them, like the Snowman S'Mores shown at the end of this post and the pumpkin pie (not pictured), are especially good for the holidays. But there's plenty here for any time of year and any occasion.

There's another section for "jewelry geekery", including the computer floppy disks shown here. Plus there's a whole section for "jewelry Nintendo", featuring not only the characters from various games, but also the Nintendo controllers themselves. These are just perfect for teenagers into video games!

Once again, I'm amazed at the creativity displayed on Etsy. I'm also impressed with the details on these little creations -- I mean, look at the strawberries and bananas on the pancakes above (or click here for a closer look), and the pecans on the pecan pie below.

(Note: the prices range all the way from $5.00 to $34.00, so I have tagged this post under all of my price categories.)

What: Earrings, Cuff links, Charms, Etc. from The Clay Collection
Where: The Clay Collection (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): Range from $5.00 to $34.00 (plus shipping)

Family Games Night: Mille Bornes, Waterworks, Spoons, and Spit

Without getting too preachy about it, I want to say that I strongly believe in family games night. It was important back when I was a kid, but nowadays, when a lot of kids immediately retreat after dinner (assuming the family eats together) to their bedroom for the iPod, computer, or television, it's really important. Also, I don't have kids so I'm hardly an expert, but I have to imagine that it's easier to start this kind of tradition when the kids are younger, before it's not "cool" anymore.

Obviously, most games won't fit inside a Christmas stocking, but I fondly remember two games from my childhood that are still available and that might fit in a stocking. The first is Mille Bornes, which according to the Babelfish translation website is French for "Thousand Terminals". It's a game in which each player is taking an imaginary road trip with the goal of traveling 1,000 miles. But your opponents try to sidetrack you by sending stoplights, flat tires, and accidents your way. Amazon lists it as for ages 8 to 12, but I've enjoyed it many times as an adult. The box is 1.5 x 5 x 6 inches, so it would take a wide-mouthed stocking to hold it, but it might work.... As of today's writing, it's available on Amazon for only $10.79.

The other game was originally from the same company, although I think the manufacturers of both games have since changed. This one is called Waterworks, and it's similar in that you lay down cards and your opponents put other cards on top of them. This time, you're putting down pipes that turn, branch off, or go straight, and the other players try to stop your water flow by putting down leaky pipes on top of your good ones. The bad news is, Amazon is listing this game at $63.99 from a Marketplace seller, which is ridiculous, of course. The good news is, it turns out you can get a Card Game Classics Tin for $25.99 (also from a Marketplace seller) that contains cards and rules for Waterworks, Mille Bornes, Pit, and Canasta, all in one place. (Canasta... that's another one we used to play.) This one is too large for a stocking, unfortunately, but it's still a nice gift idea. And it's possible the price for Waterworks will come down, or that it will be reissued again.

However, you don't have to go even this "fancy" to incorporate games night into your family's stockings. You can always put a generic pack of playing cards in a stocking. But don't just leave it at that -- print out and put in the rules for Spoons, or the rules for Spit and put them in the stocking too. These are two card games that are simple enough for kids too young for canasta, but quick-moving and fun for adults. Spit is also an excellent sitting-on-the-floor at the airport kind of game. If you're traveling for the holidays with kids, you just might need something like that!

Mark Poulin Zodiac Charm Necklace

If these images look vaguely familiar, it may be that you recognize the artistry of Mark Poulin, whose cat and dog necklaces I featured back on January 16. I don't want to get repetitive on this blog, but I couldn't resist posting about Mr. Poulin's charming zodiac charm necklaces, which are also available on the Uncommon Goods website. Naturally, there's one for each sign! What I love about them is that they manage to be adorable yet utterly classy all at once. There are only one or two that don't quite work for me, but the rest of them work very well for me indeed.

Even if you've already decided for or against purchasing any particular sign, it's fun to click on each one to see Poulin's unique and modern interpretations of a concept that's been around for thousands of years. (The individual links are small and don't jump out, so you have to look for them under the item description.) My personal favorites are Sagittarius (above), Aries (right), and Leo (below).

Although the cost might become too prohibitive, I would love to see all twelve of these charms on a single charm bracelet, for all the astrology lovers out there. Can't you just see it?

What: Mark Poulin Zodiac Charm Necklace
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $32.00 (plus shipping)

Natural Glycerin Soap with Pig

If you don't think this pig soap is cute, well then, maybe you're just grumpy! The soap is natural glycerin and not tested on animals, which is always a plus in my book. It measures 3 x 2.5". A user review on the Bath & Body Works website says it has a grapefruit scent. I assume once the soap gets used up, you still have a cute little pig left. There's also version with a yellow rubber duckie.

As always with soap or other scented products, it's better not to put them in the same stocking or otherwise too close to chocolate, which can pick up the fragrance. Soapy-tasting chocolate is no fun!

What: Natural Glycerin Soap with Pig
Where: Bath & Body Works website
How much (as of today's post): $6.00 (plus shipping)

Gourmet Petits Fours

I love petits fours. Around Thanksgiving, when the Hickory Farms kiosk shows up at the mall, we buy one box of 24 -- the regular ones, not the all-chocolate ones -- and it lasts me until halfway through January. To me the whole point of petits fours is to not have them too often, to keep them a "special occasion" or holiday kind of thing.

I'm picky about them, too. I once bought a box of petits fours at the grocery store bakery instead of Hickory Farms. I won't be doing that again. They were too large, and the icing was too sickly sweet.

The only bad thing is that so few places sell them in small enough boxes to fit inside a stocking. They can be found online, but they just might be this kind of expensive petits fours: a four-piece box from Valerie Confections selling for $16.00, with one each of rose petal, ginger, lemon, and orange marzipan. Don't they look gorgeous?

I'm not sure I could bring myself to spend $16.00, plus shipping, for four petits fours. That's more than $4.00 apiece! Can they really be that good? I admit, I sure am tempted to try them once and find out. And if you have a petits fours lover in your life, maybe you'll want to splurge on these just this once.

(Note: I first saw these particular petits fours in a post at the Weddify blog.)

What: Gourmet Petit Fours
Where: Valerie Confections website
How much (as of today's post): $16.00 (plus shipping)

Children's Critter Scissors

At $3.95 a pair, these children's critter scissors are a fun and inexpensive stocking stuffer. The ladybug and snake pictured are my favorites from the Shop Scissors website, but there are many more, including a frog, a zebra, a lion, and a monkey. The most expensive children's scissors still squeeze in under $5, and some of the less fancy ones are as low as $2.95.

Aren't they cute? If you prefer not to shop online, you should be able to find some fun kids' scissors in craft stores or teacher supply stores. I think it's a good idea to foster creativity early!

What: Children's Critter Scissors
Where: Shop Scissors website
How much (as of today's post): $2.95-$4.95 (plus shipping)

Hand-Crank Make-Your-Own Music Box

Have you ever wanted to give someone a music box but you didn't like the song it came with? This clever kit lets you punch out three melodies of your choice using the blank strips and the hole punch. (It also comes with a strip that plays "Happy Birthday".) You can punch out one song and let the recipient do the other two, or you can let them have all the fun. Music paper strip refills are also available. The music box itself measures approximately 3 x 1.5 x 1".

I think I would choose "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music. It would be kind of funny to make a rock tune for a teenager, though. ;-)

What: Hand-Crank Make-Your-Own Music Box
Where: Signals website
How much (as of today's post): $16.00 (plus shipping)

Tweetie Bird Coasters

Etsy has many types of drink coasters available, including crocheted, quilted, or otherwise stitched. I generally prefer ceramic coasters myself, though, so I was glad to see these coasters by Etsy seller ShoopTiles32. I love the simple graphic design! The 4 x 4" coasters are sealed with polyurethane, and have cork feet to protect your table tops.

There are lots of other designs, including a little deer, an owl, and even a pair of lovebirds suitable for Valentine's Day. There's also a set with a monogrammed initial that would be great for a small wedding shower gift. If black-and-white isn't your thing, there's a pretty set of tropical flower coasters in teal and orange with white graphics. The price is $12.50 plus shipping for a set of four, making these not just nicer, but also possibly cheaper than you'd find in a traditional store.

What: Tweetie Bird Coasters
Where: ShoopTiles32 (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $12.50 (plus shipping)

Gold Dollar Coins / Start a Coin Collection

Folks in the United States are fairly familiar the Sacajawea dollar coin that was first issued in the year 2000. Me, I'm a big fan of the dollar coin idea. I still have a few Susan B. Anthony dollars tucked away, and I've put aside some Sacajawea coins too because I really like them.

But how many people know about the Presidential $1 Coin Program that started in 2007? Similar to the state quarters program in which they issued five new quarters per year, now the U.S. Mint is issuing four $1 coins per year, featuring the American Presidents in the order in which they served. The 2009 coins will feature William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor. The U.S. Mint website has a program overview page, including an FAQ link.

So what am I getting at? Shiny gold $1 coins would make nice stocking stuffers for kids, especially to start a little coin collection. These coins are at least a bit educational, especially if you can get your kids interested in juvenile biographies of those featured on the coins. Check at your bank to see if they'll be getting the coins in regularly, and if they still have any of the 2007 and 2008 presidential dollars available.

It might also be fun to spread them a little throughout the year -- the February released coin could go in the Easter basket, for instance. And don't forget to fit Susan B. Anthony and Sacajawea in there at some point! You can also bring back coins from any foreign trips, of course -- even Canadian coins seem exotic to American kids. (The Looney and the Tooney will be especially big hits.)

Hermione's Yule Ball Earrings

Occasionally I get catalogs from "The Noble Collection", a company that obtains licenses to produce detailed replicas of props and jewelry from various movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Da Vinci Code, and Lord of the Rings. A lot of their merchandise is very expensive and not to my taste, but I do like these earrings based on those worn by Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Yule Ball scene is one of my favorites, when the butterfly Hermione we all knew was there emerges from the caterpillar bookworm cocoon for the first time.

Admittedly, these earrings are pricey, at $59.00. But they'd make an extra special stocking stuffer for a girl aged ten to fourteen or so who is into the Harry Potter books and movies. And even if she outgrows Harry Potter -- which I haven't done at age forty-one! -- they're very pretty earrings.

What: Hermione's Yule Ball Earrings
Where: Noble Collection website
How much (as of today's post): $59.00 (plus shipping)

Monkey and Skeleton Key Caps

If someone you know has trouble keeping all their keys straight, here's a fun solution/stocking stuffer. These "key caps" slip over the tops of keys, letting you see at a glance your "green" house key or your "blue" office key. A set of six costs $5.95, and they come in either monkeys or skeletons. I like them both, but I think the expressions on the monkeys' faces are especially fun. I also noticed the cute little play on words: monKEYS or skeleton KEYS.

I first saw both sets of key caps in a Borders bookstore, but they're also available via the Archie McPhee website. The skeleton key caps would also make a fun little gift around Halloween.

Update: As of today, the monkey key caps are out of stock at Archie McPhee's, but you can bookmark the page and check back if you like them, or check Borders.

What: Monkey and Skeleton Key Caps
Where: Archie McPhee website
How much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Chardonnay or Chambourcin Wine Jelly

I realize this isn't the most exciting graphic image in the world, but I do find the thought of these wine jellies enticing. The lighter-colored jar on top is the Chardonnay jelly, which the Muirhead site recommends serving "with a lightly flavored cheese on a crusty baguette." Mmmmm.... The Chambourcin wine jelly, on the other hand, has a unique plum and raspberry flavor that they say is just right for a weekend picnic. At 4.6 oz apiece, these little jars would make lovely stocking stuffers, or items in a gift basket.

Is it summer yet?

What: Chardonnay or Chambourcin Wine Jelly
Where: Muirhead website
How much (as of today's post): $5.75 or $6.50 respectively (plus shipping)

Versamark Pen and Embossing Powder

Today's stocking stuffer is an item I came across while making artist trading cards: the Versamark pen. I'd been to a Stampin' Up party (if you're not familiar with it, it's like a Tupperware-style party for ink stamps and scrapbooking supplies). Versamark "watermarks" your craft paper and card stock, making a darker mark in the same color as the paper. You can use the Versamark ink pad to watermark a stamped image, or you can use the Versamark pen to make freestyle watermark designs. You can leave it at that, or while it's still wet, you can sprinkle embossing powder onto the watermarks, tap off the excess, and then use a heat gun to melt the powder so that your design is now embossed. I've had really good results using both the Versamark pad and the Versamark pen.

I think the best way to find this item would be to go online and simply enter "versamark" into Google. I found the pad but not the pen on the Michael's store website, but I was able to find both on various craft and scrapbook supply sites. And of course there's always eBay. Paired with a little vial of silver or gold embossing powder, this would make a nice stocking stuffer for a crafter or artist. I'm guessing you can get both the pen and some powder for under $10 (before shipping) if you shop around a bit.

What: Versamark Pen and Embossing Powder
Where: Various craft & scrapbooking supply stores and websites
How much (as of today's post): approximately $10

Barrel of Monkeys

What can I say, it's a classic! Younger children (as long as they're not too young to be in danger from the small pieces) will enjoy this game that encourages hand-eye coordination. Honestly, how often does something this inexpensive provide so much entertainment?

What: Barrel of Monkeys
Where: Hammond Toys Hobbies Dolls (Amazon Marketplace Seller) and elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $4.98

Personalized Rocket Woman Note Cards

Although I love the internet and spend a good portion of every day on it, I miss the days when snail mail was a normal thing, and we actually got letters once in a while rather than just bills and advertisements. Nowadays, presonal correspondence seems relegated to just the holidays, which is a shame because it's such a pleasure to get an actual letter. If you miss that too, then do something about it by sending your friends and family the occasional letter or card "just because."

You can also give note cards as a gift, and it's even better yet if they're personalized, like these rocket woman note cards from Esty seller Farouche. I spend a lot of time at science fiction and writing conferences and conventions, and I know at least a dozen women off the top of my head who would love these note cards. They're also perfect for that teen girl who's starting to read science fiction and fantasy, and who may just be a future astronaut! Don't you just love the "Saving one galaxy at a time" tagline?

The Farouche shop also has other personalized note cards, such as this vintage typewriter, which is perfect for the writer in your life. To sort for personalized items, simply enter the word "personalized" in the search box at the top of the shop. But do remember to look at the rest of the shop too -- there are also beautiful gift tags, prints suitable for framing and hanging, and more.

What: Personalized Rocket Woman Note cards
Where: Farouche (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $25.00 (plus shipping)