Animal Flash Cards on a Ring

Here are some bright, colorful flash cards on a ring from The Land of Nod, which is worth checking out soon since they currently have free shipping on all of their stocking stuffers. These 26 double-sided animal flash cards are illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, and come on a removable carrying ring. In addition to the animals set, there are also French and Spanish vocabulary sets. The customer reviews are pretty glowing, indicating that the cards are sturdy enough for "our sometimes over-eager little learners." I like the idea of at least one educational -- but still fun! -- stocking stuffer.

For slightly older little ones, there is another set, illustrated by Lisa Perrett, called Rhyme Time, where the front of each card has an image and its word, and the back of the card has three more words that rhyme with the first word.

What: Animal Flash Cards on a Ring
Where: Land of Nod website
How much (as of today's post): $12.95 (shipping is free!)

Illustrated Necklaces from Boygirlparty

I don't wear a lot of jewelry, but this is exactly the kind I like: unique and unusual with a sense of humor. These illustrated necklaces from Susie Ghahremani of Etsy shop Boygirlparty are original drawings by Susie embossed in cast metal. More specifically, they're brushed antique silvertone (a nickel alloy).

Susie doesn't limit herself to necklaces; her drawings also adorn clothing, note pads, book labels, to do lists, recipe cards, pocket mirrors, signed prints, and more. Many of these items feature the same delightful creatures, giving the opportunity for a themed batch of gifts, several of which are the perfect size for stocking stuffers. If you like the kitty, for instance, you can search on "kitty" in her shop and see all the kitty creations at once. There are lots of owls and other birds, and of course the octopi. I want just about everything I see in her shop!

What: Illustrated Necklaces
Where: Boygirlparty (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $22 and up (plus shipping)

Winner - Week 4 of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!

Congratulations to Lorraine, the winner of my week 4 stocking stuffer giveaway, which was stocking stuffers for men! She was entry number 15 out of a total 39 entries. Lorraine, I've sent you an e-mail to get your address.

Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by my blog and taking time to enter the giveaway contest! Please come back on Tuesday December 1 for Week 5 of my blogaversary giveaways: stocking stuffers for little ones!

Guest Blogging at Living My MoMent

[Today is the last day to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for men, which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. (based on the comment timestamp). Enter here, and remember to check back next week for another stocking stuffer giveaway! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

Abbey at the Living My MoMent blog was kind enough to allow me to provide a guest post for today about stocking stuffers. Read it here!

Pon Farr Perfume and Tiberius Cologne

[Today is the last day to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for men, which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. (based on the comment timestamp). Enter here, and remember to check back next week for another stocking stuffer giveaway! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

Not too long ago, I posted about the Star Trek Red Shirt Cologne that I had found on the Think Geek website. Then I received a Wireless catalog in the mail, only to find the Pon Farr perfume for women and the Tiberius cologne for men. I love it -- equal opportunity geekdom! Depending on how well you know your Star Trek, you may or may not know that Pon Farr refers to the mating cycle in which Vulcans go into, ahem, heat once every seven years. (And if I'm not mistaken, the shape of the bottle's stopper is reminiscent of the weapons that Kirk and Spock used while fighting over the fair Vulcan female....) The Wireless website description describes the perfume as blending "feminine floral notes with sandalwood and citrus." The bottle contains 50 ml.

For the men, this 100 ml bottle of manly cologne is named after James Tiberius Kirk, and is "spicy and woody, commanding yet casual." I note that the website already shows it as backordered! Well, it would certainly be easy to get a Trek-themed stocking going, what with this cologne, the just-released DVD of the new movie (which I thought was terrific fun), the Star Trek Enterprise bottle opener on ThinkGeek.com, and so on.... I would buy this cologne for my husband in a second, but sadly, any perfume or cologne tends to give me a headache. But never fear, Star Trek and science fiction will be well represented in his stocking this year!

What: Pon Farr Perfume and Tiberius Cologne
Where: Wireless Catalog website
How much (as of today's post): $31.95 (plus shipping)

Do It Yourself Stocking Stuffers, Part the Second

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for men. Giveaway ends Saturday Nov. 28, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

Usually for Fridays I post a "luxury stocking stuffer." But in real life, I do not spend the day after Thanksgiving going Black Friday shopping -- instead, I celebrate a personal "Buy Nothing" day. It's not that I have a problem with people shopping for bargains, especially in these economic times, but I dislike the way the retailers and the media try to whip people up in a frenzy, and I'd rather not participate in it myself.

So, instead of a luxury stocking stuffer today, here are links to a few more do it yourself stocking stuffers:

• Pretzel Birch Logs, from Anne Reeves' Moments of Delight blog. These would work for any holiday, of course. For Christmas you can go with the pretty and traditional "birch" look, or you might choose to use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate, decorate with red, white, and green jimmies or sugar crystals, and so on. Wrap in cellophane and tie up with a pretty curling ribbon, and you're all set.
  
  
• Another food-related idea is to take whole walnuts, carefully open the shells and remove the nuts, put in small charms or a fortune cookie type message, re-glue them closed, and decorate the outside with glitter or pipe cleaners or any scrap materials. I came across this idea as a 2004 post on GetCrafty.com, posted by someone with the username "Felt" (although I have been unable to locate the specific post again). You can also take the actual nuts and package them up in a pretty little bag for someone's stocking, getting two stocking stuffers for the price of one!
  
  
• Do-it-yourself Batman or other soap, as posted by Lesley on the Pink Toque blog. I'm sometimes a little intimidated by trying new crafts, but Lesley's tutorial makes this look super easy, and it can be adapted in many ways, such as using the recipient's initials instead of a Batman or other logo.
  
  
• Where the Wild Things Are characters out of toilet paper rolls, as shown on the Wes Funderberg blog. Scroll down to the second photo to see the book characters specifically. Unfortunately, after following the link to Katie Steurnagle's blog, I was unable to find an entry there with any kind of tutorial, but I believe I could make these characters from toilet paper rolls based just on the photo.
  
  
• Homemade sidewalk chalk using toilet paper or paper towel rolls, from the Mad Maggie Designs blog. You could also try finding a smaller tube of some kind if you want pieces that aren't so big around, but I kind of like the big pieces.

I hope you find something here that inspires you, and that you had a lovely Thanksgiving yesterday!

Wishing Cats Ornament from the Animal Rescue Site

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for men. Giveaway ends Saturday Nov. 28, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

I have never before actually listed an ornament on this blog as a stocking stuffer -- the closest I came was when I posted about some lovely suncatchers from Etsy that could also double as ornaments -- but this Wishing Cats ornament has three things going for it:

• It's from the Animal Rescue Site store, which means part of the purchase proceeds go towards food for animals in shelters and sanctuaries;
  
  
• It's not actually Christmas-y if you look closely at it, and would therefore make a lovely window or wall decoration year-round;
  
  
• Today is Thanksgiving, and this lovely ornament reflects the gratitude I feel for each of the cats that have come into our lives. Each one has a truly unique personality, and they have made our lives richer every day. Especially for the feral cats that we trapped, I feel privileged that they have bestowed their trust upon me.

The ornament measures about 3 inches square, and is two-toned metal: gold-toned on the outer rim, and bronzed-toned for the rest.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

What: Wishing Cats Ornament
Where: Animal Rescue Site store
How much (as of today's post): $9.95 (plus shipping)

Godiva Pecan Pie Truffles

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for men. Giveaway ends Saturday Nov. 28, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

It's cutting it close, but if you have a Godiva store near you (we have one in our mall), you might be able to get these Pecan Pie Truffles in time for tomorrow! If not, I'm sure they'll still be appreciated in a Christmas stocking or as part of a gift basket. My dad in particular loves pecan pie and rarely gets it, so this might be just the thing. The Godiva website says that the truffles are individually wrapped in foil, and contain "roasted pecans caramelized with brown sugar and enrobed in Godiva milk chocolate". (I like that -- "enrobed" in chocolate!)

What: Godiva Pecan Pie Truffles
Where: Godiva website or Godiva store
How much (as of today's post): $13.00 (plus shipping)

Got Men? Week 4 of the Stocking Stuffers Giveaways!

Welcome to Week 4 of my blogaversary stocking stuffer giveaways! This one consists of stocking stuffers for men, including:

• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra sleep shorts, size M, in a sealed gift tin.
  
  
• An Air Force One DVD, starring Harrison Ford and Glenn Close.
  
  
• A collection of five milk chocolate Lindt polar bears (1.7 oz total).
  
  
• A Trivial Pursuit scratch-off trivia game.
  
  
• A "Taste of Wine" boxed card set, with 40 information cards filled with information on various wines.
  
  
• A red & white hearts boxer shorts gift box, suitable for a gift card, a love message, or small candies.
  
  
• A $10 Target giftcard.

As with my last giveaway, all items are new and unopened, and the candy is fresh -- no leftovers from last year, I promise! Also as with my last giveaway, due to shipping and customs issues, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. (My apologies to readers outside the U.S.)

To enter this week's giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me if you are staying home or traveling this Christmas.

Additional optional entries are available by: 1) becoming a follower OR already being a follower; 2) subscribing via an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader) OR already being a subscriber; and 3) posting a note anywhere on your blog (including sidebar) about this giveaway. If any of these options apply to you, please leave me another comment letting me know.

Because I was late posting this today, I'm running the entry period an extra day through Saturday November 28, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. based on the timestamp shown by the comments. I will draw a random winner on Sunday and get in touch with the winner for his or her address. Good luck!

Do It Yourself Dishwasher Clean/Dirty Magnet

Finally, a do if yourself stocking stuffer than I came up with all on my own! This is a dishwasher clean/dirty magnet featuring my own Jean-Luc, who is the beauty of our feline family. But as you can see, even he can look dirty, as here when he got into the fireplace one day. I know I'm anthropomorphizing, but doesn't he look grumpy with the smudges on his nose and paws? (This was the largest I could get Blogger to display the whole magnet, so I've posted the "dirty" image by itself at the bottom of this post.)

I've been meaning to make this magnet for ages, because my husband and I had kept forgetting if we had run the dishwasher, so I scribbled "clean" and "dirty" on a piece of paper and we stuck it on the dishwasher with a magnet. But then I remembered the fireplace picture of Jean-Luc, and I knew I had several pictures of him looking clean and pretty. I don't have Photoshop or any fancy graphics software on my computer, but it finally occurred to me to try this in Microsoft Publisher, where I typed in the "clean" and "dirty" captions, turned one photo upside down, and then "snagged" the two together as a single "photo" using SnagIt. I then uploaded the result to Walgreens and ordered it as a 4x6 photo print. Finally, I used an adhesive magnet backing sheet that I've had lying around for ages -- I can't remember where I got it because it literally was several years ago, but surely they sell this stuff at craft stores?

And I'm really happy with the result! Because I had to save as a jpg in order to upload to Walgreens (as opposed to a .png file, which retains more detail), the letters are a little pixelated, but the result is still good enough that I'd be happy to give this as a gift. Wouldn't this be a terrific stocking stuffer for a grandparent, showing the inevitable "baby eats spaghetti" or "baby eats birthday cake" as the "dirty" side and a really angelic photo for the "clean" side?

It's also really affordable, because you can make several magnets out of a magnet backing sheet, and the photo print at Walgreens was all of 19 cents! Walgreen's also lets you play around with all kinds of borders and effects, so this is something you can really have fun with! I also experimented with printing the whole image as wallet-sized, which would result in a fairly small magnet. Ultimately, though, I went with the larger 4x6 size, because I love Jean-Luc's little face, clean or dirty!


[Don't forget to come back tomorrow for another stocking stuffers giveaway -- this time, it will be stocking stuffers for men!]

What: Do It Yourself Dishwasher Clean/Dirty Magnet
How much (as of today's post): $1-2 in supplies

Handmade Amigurumi / Teddy Bears by Knitting Dreams

Teddy bears, named after President Theodore Roosevelt, have been around in the U.S. and elsewhere for a long time. I still have my favorite panda bear from my childhood, and even had him refurbished a few years ago along with my Drowsy and Raggedy Ann dolls at a wonderful doll's hospital here in Houston.

And here, from Etsy seller Knitting Dreams, is a wonderful selection of handmade amigurumi and miniature teddy bears that are just right for Christmas stockings! Have you ever seen anything sweeter than the little panda shown above? This little guy is about 3.5 inches tall and 2 inches wide, and is one of the many custom designs that Knitting Dreams makes to order. The sizes vary slightly (some are close to 4 inches high), but all are well within the perfect size range for stocking stuffers. Take a look at the entire selection, and remember that if you don't see exactly what you're looking for, you should just ask! There are sweet enough for children, yet special enough for adults. Nobody is too old for a teddy bear!

What: Handmade Amigurumi Bears by Knitting Dreams
Where: Knitting Dreams (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): varies (plus shipping)

Do It Yourself Stocking Stuffers, Part the First

I'm afraid I've been a little under the weather this week, so for today's post I'm going to rely on the cleverness of others. All year I've been bookmarking posts to come back to for DIY stocking stuffers, with the idea that I would try them all myself first before listing them.

Well, you'd think someone whose blog is dedicated to something Christmas related wouldn't get caught off guard just because it's almost Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here any second, but you would be wrong! So I haven't tried these myself yet, but they're simple enough that I feel confident even I could make these without messing them up!

So without further ado, here are some links to some of my favorite do it yourself stocking stuffers:

• DIY rubber stamps from dollar store erasers, courtesy of Obsessively Stitching
  
  
• The most elegant DIY S'Mores kits that you'll ever see, courtesy of Twig & Thistle
  
  
• A DIY wooden memory game, courtesy of Heather at Dollar Store Crafts
  
  
• A DIY mint-scented travel candle from an Altoids tin, courtesy of Kate at Design*Sponge
  
  
• DIY spiced nuts, courtesy of The Washington Post. [Note: I don't think any registration is required to access this article, but if it is required, it's definitely free. See the comments after the article for additional tips.]

I hope you see something on this list that inspires you. If you have any terrific DIY stocking stuffer ideas yourself, please do leave a comment!

Winner - Week 3 of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!

Congratulations to Kim, the winner of my week 3 stocking stuffer giveaway, which was stocking stuffers for girls! She was entry number 5 out of a total 54 entries. Kim, I've sent you an e-mail to get your address.

Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by my blog and taking time to enter the giveaway contest! Please come back on Tuesday November 24 for Week 4 of my blogaversary giveaways: stocking stuffers for men!

U-Phono Vinyl & Cassette Ripper

[Today is the last day to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for girls, which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. (based on the comment timestamp). Enter here, and remember to check back next week for another stocking stuffer giveaway! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

Here is a wicked cool luxury stocking stuffer that I sure wouldn't mind finding in my own stocking: a U-Phono Vinyl & Cassette Ripper that you use to convert old cassette tapes or even vinyl records into audio files that you can then put on your iPod (or equivalent). I still have almost all of my cassettes from my college days, and in particular I have some truly wonderful audiobooks on cassette of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. Since those particular editions of the audiobooks have long been out of print, I've been hoping for a way to convert them so I can enjoy them again.

What do you think? Perfect stocking stuffer for men! And also great for women who have a lot of older music to convert. The ThinkGeek product description even says that the included Audacity software "reduces clicks, pops, hiss and other noises from worn recordings to restore the full quality of your vinyl or tapes." It works with PCs or Macs, and you don't even need a power source because it's powered through the USB connector.

What: U-Phono Vinyl & Cassette Ripper
Where: ThinkGeek website
How much (as of today's post): $34.99 (plus shipping)

Airplane Stationery Set

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for girls. Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 20, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

Here's a stocking stuffer suitable for the men: an airplane stationery set, consisting of a ballpoint pen (the fuselage), a ruler (the wings), and a paper clip (the tail section). I admit it's more clever than useful in some ways, because it's not like someone would dismantle the plane just to use the tail as a paperclip. But I can see using the pen and the ruler, then putting it back together again. Considering how hard it can be to find stocking stuffers for the men other than neckties, golf tees, and cologne, I'm pretty satisfied with this! The Afternoon website that sells this notes that it measures 5" x 5" x 1.5". Might be a tight squeeze for a stocking, but I guess that depends on the stocking!

What: Airplane Stationery Set
Where: The Afternoon website
How much (as of today's post): $10.00

Tin of Cookie Jar Spices

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for girls. Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 20, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

This little tin of "cookie jar spices" seems a little extravagant in a way, but it's also cute and I think it would be useful. The tin holds a dozen packets of one-teaspoon portions of spices traditionally used in holiday baking: cinnamon (4), cardamom (2), cloves (2), ginger (2), lemon zest (1), and orange zest (1). I especially like the idea of the orange and lemon zest, because I have never quite trusted myself to get the zest from a lemon or orange without getting the bitter pith. Why didn't they teach us something useful like that in 7th grade home ec?!

The Crate & Barrel website doesn't list the dimensions of the tin, but I feel confident that it would be small enough to fit in a stocking. If you know someone who loves baking, this might be just the stocking stuffer!

What: Tin of Cookie Jar Spices
Where: Crate & Barrel website or store
How much (as of today's post): $8.95 (plus shipping)

Got Girls? Week 3 of the Stocking Stuffers Giveaways!

Welcome to Week 3 of my blogaversary stocking stuffer giveaways! This one consists of stocking stuffers for girls, including:

• Tales of Emily Windsnap gift box set with two books and a shell necklace (recommended ages 7 and up)
  
  
• Pair of cat socks (8 years to adult)
  
  
• Box of Hello Kitty band-aids
  
  
• Princess and the Pea pocket mirror from Etsy seller Serpentmandalas
  
  
• Teddy bear magnet from recycled Pepsi can from Etsy seller FunkyRecycling
  
  
• Hallmark pocket photo frame
  
  
• Taleidoscope from Japan (if I understand correctly, the difference between a kaleidoscope and a taleidoscope is that the former has bits of pebbles or beads inside that shift when you turn it, whereas a taleidoscope has an open-ended lens that you look at things through)
  
  
• A $10 Target gift card.

As with my last giveaway, all items are new and unopened! Also as with my last giveaway, due to shipping and customs issues, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. (My apologies to readers outside the U.S.)

To enter this week's giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite stocking stuffer to give or receive.

Additional optional entries are available by: 1) becoming a follower OR already being a follower; 2) subscribing via an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader) OR already being a subscriber; and 3) posting a note anywhere on your blog (including sidebar) about this giveaway. If any of these options apply to you, please leave me another comment letting me know.

The entry period will run through Friday November 20, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. based on the timestamp shown by the comments. I will draw a random winner on Saturday and get in touch with the winner for his or her address. Good luck!

101 Uses for Customized Dogtags

I was very excited recently when Matt from MyDogTag.com contacted me about the possibility of customized dog tags as stocking stuffers. He kindly offered to send me a sample to evaluate, which just arrived the other day. And they were just as much fun as they looked like they would be!

The reason I am so excited about these dogtags is that I can think of a zillion uses for them, as stocking stuffers and otherwise! Here is the sample I chose for myself:

Now, this may seem strange, but if you've seen Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, you'll get the reference. Neil Patrick Harris plays Billy, an aspiring evil supergenius trying to get into the Evil League of Evil, and also trying to get the girl, Penny (played by Felicia Day of The Guild). Nathan Fillion, of Firefly and Castle, plays Captain Hammer, the supposed hero who may not be as heroic as he seems. The entire 45 minutes is done as a musical, and Neil Patrick Harris in particular can really sing!

Anyway, for our annual New Year's Eve party this year, my husband and I decided we would have a Dr. Horrible-themed party, consisting of open auditions to the Evil League of Evil! Champagne served in test tubes, mad scientist decorations, and glowing green things everywhere. And maybe we'll use these souvenir dogtags as prizes for the best supervillain costumes!

So just think of what else you could do with these:

• I FIGHT FOR TEAM JACOB or I FIGHT FOR TEAM EDWARD dogtags for your Twilight-crazed teen or 'tween
  
  
• Re-usable family gift tags, one for each family member
  
  
• Souvenir gift tags for a baby gift, noting the baby's name, date and time of birth, and weight. Silver dog tags would look right in place on a baby blue or baby pink package with a silver bow!
  
  
• Birthday party favors
  
  
• AMANDA'S BEST FRIEND and JENNIFER'S BEST FRIEND -- in other words, best friend tags to give to your daughter and her best friend!

Part of the fun is that you design the dogtags yourself right on the website, choosing the text, style of the dogtag (there are even brass and copper ones), color of the "silencer" (the elastic rubber that fits around the edge to reduce jangling), a long or short chain, and optional gift/storage pouches. The dogtags come in sets of 2 for $7.99, and the two tags can be completely different! The tags ship from Toronto, Canada, and shipping for any number of tags to the U.S. is extremely reasonable.

Last but not least, you might also want to check out the survival gadgets under the "Extras" drop-down menu, for a number of other items that might make useful stocking stuffers. My favorite is the lightweight aluminum howler whistle, a great emergency whistle especially for women.

What: Customized Dogtags
Where: MyDogTag.com
How much (as of today's post): $7.99 for two (plus shipping)

Midwest Seed Bombs

Here's a lovely stocking stuffer for the gardener in your life, or even someone who's not really a gardener but who loves plants. Etsy seller VisuaLingual offers these "seed bombs", consisting of a "bird-, bee- and butterfly-friendly wildflower mixture" that allows you to commit random acts of gardening. See the description for the entire list of seeds in each packet, which were chosen because they are native to Midwest. And many of the seeds are native to most of North America, which means that these make a lovely gift no matter where the recipient lives.

(On an entirely different note, VisuaLingual also offers these wonderful Ohio River coasters, in green and several other colors. I was born in Cleveland myself and still have relatives in Ohio, so I'm partial to these, but they're clever no matter where you come from!)


[Note: I first came across these seed bombs on the Design Public blog.]

What: Midwest Seed Bombs
Where: VisuaLingual (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $6.00 (plus shipping)

Custom Stockings Handmade by Aimee

More than a year posting about different stocking stuffers every day, so how is it I have not yet posted about Christmas stockings themselves? Well, I now have the perfect excuse to remedy that omission by letting you know about custom stockings handmade by Aimee, who makes:

• 19-inch custom stockings that reflect the stocking owner's occupation, hobbies, and/or interests (up to 2-3 images incorporated into the design), or a Christmas theme if you prefer;
  
  
• 19-inch custom pet portrait stockings based on your photo; and
  
  
• 28-inch jumbo stockings incorporating 4-5 images.

You choose the size and color (red, burgundy, green, or navy with either a white or cream cuff), hand-cut felt letters or cursive hand-embroidery for the name on the cuff, and your list of what you want incorporated into the design. Aimee then sends a proposed description, you hammer out the details, and viola! You have a beautifully personalized stocking on the way!

Because I only just discovered these stockings, and Aimee does have a waiting list at the moment, I won't be ordering for my husband and myself for this Christmas. This works out just as well, because I've already established my budget for this year, plus I want a little time to think over exactly what to get. Right now, my husband and I are using two store-bought stockings that are certainly pretty enough, but my husband doesn't think they're "us". I also still have my childhood stocking, which my mom decorated with felt cookie cutter shapes, a few jingle bells, and some sequins, but I'd kind of like for my husband and I to have matching stockings.

So sometime early next year, I plan to order stockings that are very us -- something that combines space, science fiction, books, and cats. I'll probably go for the 28-inch stockings so we can have more images, and because I happened to be married to one of those rare husbands who is a very talented and dedicated stocking stuffer. I might as well make sure I have a large stocking for him to fill, don't you think? Really, I'm only trying to be considerate of him! ;-) I will be sure to do a follow-up post to show you the results!

Take a look at the gallery on Aimee's site for some terrific examples of stockings. I have to say, I think the pricing is very reasonable for a beautifully handcrafted stocking that will bring pleasure year after year. The 19-inch stockings are $32 and the 28-inch jumbo stockings are $52. I think they're terrific!

NOTE: I first came across Aimee's stockings on the Everything Up Close blog by Ilissa. She currently has a giveaway, running until November 20, for a make-your-own-stocking kit from Aimee.

Winner - Week 2 of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!

Congratulations to Jacky, the winner of my week 2 stocking stuffer giveaway, which was stocking stuffers for boys! She was entry number 3 out of a total 74 entries. Jacky, I've sent you an e-mail to get your address.

Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by my blog and taking time to enter the giveaway contest! Please come back on Tuesday November 17 for Week 3 of my blogaversary giveaways: stocking stuffers for girls!

Elegant Mini Salt and Pepper Mills

[Today is the last day to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for boys, which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. (based on the comment timestamp). Enter here, and remember to check back next week for another stocking stuffer giveaway! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

When all the holiday catalogs start pouring in, especially from Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrell, Sur la Table, and so on, I start picturing in my mind a gorgeous elegant table that I've set with those beautiful, heavy, plain white plates, luxurious cloth napkins, and a stunning centerpiece. But because I can't bear to replace things that are perfectly functional, I am still using two sets of dishes that my parents were using long before I graduated from high school (and I've already had my twentieth reunion, so we're not talking about yesterday here!). But I still like to dream of my perfect, pretty table. Some day I'll take the plunge.

In the meantime, I came across these miniature salt and pepper mills, which fit right in to my plain-yet-elegant dream table setting. From the first photo, you really quite can't tell that they're "mini", but look at the second photo, which shows how people use them. Aren't they refined? They should be, at this price -- $19.95 apiece, so not only are they "luxury Friday" stocking stuffers, they're really double luxury stocking stuffers!

What: Elegant Mini Salt and Pepper Mills
Where: Crate & Barrel website or stores
How much (as of today's post): $19.95 each (not per set) (plus shipping)

Russian Nesting Doll Measuring Cups

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for boys. Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 13, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

These are perhaps officially the cutest things I've ever seen! I love Russian nesting dolls and have actually thought of posting them as a stocking stuffer, but I haven't found too many online that are both affordable and of high quality. A lot of nesting dolls these days have gotten away from the traditional style where the dolls' heads encompass the entire top of the figure, both front and back. Instead, many of the dolls these days simply have a flat character painted on one side. I actually have Star Trek: Next Generation nesting dolls that I bought from some Russian students at the World Science Fiction Convention a number of years ago, and they're done the traditional way. (They are Jean-Luc Picard, William Riker, Deanna Troi, Geordi La Forge, and a wee tiny little Worf, in case you were wondering! And they all look like they're of Russian descent!)

But I digress.... These clever Russian nesting doll measuring cups from FredFlare.com have the traditional nesting doll faces and (a hint of the) costumes, but they are actually six functional measuring cups of the standard sizes. The tallest is approximately 5.25 inches high. I think they are too cute for words, and would make a terrific stocking stuffer or bridal shower gift.

What: Russian Nesting Doll Measuring Cups
Where: FredFlare.com
How much (as of today's post): $16.00 (plus shipping)

Pac-Man Power Pellets and Ghost Sours Set

[Click here to enter my ongoing giveaway of stocking stuffers for boys. Giveaway ends Friday Nov. 13, 2009! Apologies, but U.S. residents only.]

How's this for a blast from the past? I stopped into a speciality candy shop the other day and saw Pac-Man Power Pellets, i.e. a tin shaped like our traditional yellow hero with "power pellet" candy (I'm assuming some form of pure sugar). Then I came home and looked for them online, and lo and behold, I found this entire set from the fredflare.com website! Mr. Pac-Man has the power pellets, the red ghostie contains cherry ghost sours (the candies are actually shaped like the ghosts), and the blue ghostie holds blue raspberry ghost sours. Pretty funny, don't you think? The entire set (one of each tin with candy) is $12 plus shipping, or you can look at a candy store to see if you can buy them individually. I don't recall the exact price of the single Pac-Man tin I saw in person, but I'm pretty sure it was right around $5.

I'm not sure I'd like the candy -- thankfully my sweet tooth has declined as I've gotten older -- but I sure as heck like those tins!

What: Pac-Man Power Pellets and Set
Where: fredflare.com or candy stores
How much (as of today's post): $12 for set (plus shipping); under $5 for one in candy stores

Got Boys? Week 2 of the Stocking Stuffers Giveaways!

Welcome to Week 2 of my blogaversary stocking stuffer giveaways! This one consists of stocking stuffers for boys, including:

• A Pirates of Davy Jones' Curse constructible strategy game, special edition box with 6 constructible ships plus a limited edition bonus ship. (For those not in the know, this is a game with heavy cardboard ships that you put together, plus tiny dice so you can face off in pirate battles. Recommended for ages 8 and up.)
  
  
• Two additional pirate ship packs -- each pack includes everything one person needs to play, including two constructible ships, crew or treasure, an island, game rules, and a die.
  
  
• One sheet of Star Wars: The Clone Wars stickers.
  
  
• A mini box of Russell Stover assorted chocolates.
  
  
• A Hot Wheels Mystery Car (ages 3 and up).
  
  
• A box of Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper Snowballs.
  
  
• An official NASA antenna topper/backpack clip.
  
  
• A $10 Target giftcard.

As with my last giveaway, all items are new and unopened, and the candy is fresh -- no leftovers from last year, I promise! Also as with my last giveaway, due to shipping and customs issues, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only. (My apologies to readers outside the U.S.)

To enter this week's giveaway, please leave a comment on this post telling me whether you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

Additional optional entries are available by: 1) becoming a follower OR already being a follower; 2) subscribing via an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader) OR already being a subscriber; and 3) posting a note anywhere on your blog (including sidebar) about this giveaway. If any of these options apply to you, please leave me another comment letting me know.

The entry period will run through Friday November 13, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. based on the timestamp shown by the comments. I will draw a random winner on Saturday and get in touch with the winner for his or her address. Good luck!

Splitterbot Headphone Sharing Robot

I've posted an entry about headphone splitters before, but that one was fairly utilitarian. I recently came across this Splitterbot version on the ThinkGeek website, and it was just too cute not to post about, so please forgive the overlap! I just think this is among the most perfect stocking stuffers for teens or college students that I've ever seen, especially since that generation seems to have headphones growing out of their heads! This little 'bot will allow two people to connect their headphones to the same audio device, and it's small enough to hang from a keychain or backpack. No batteries are required since it's just a connecting device.

If you have boys, don't forget to come back tomorrow for Week 2 of my stocking stuffer giveaways -- this one will be stocking stuffers for boys!

What: Splitterbot Headphone Sharing Robot
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $7.99 (plus shipping)

Japanese Iwako Erasers

My husband travels to Japan a few times a year for work (and I got to go with him once!), and he always brings me back Japanese stickers and little toys and picture books. So I was pleased to come across the Etsy shop Jujubee's Goodies, from which the owner Joy sells the cutest little Japanese erasers that would make absolutely perfect stocking stuffers!

As I'm sure you know, there is nothing that the Japanese can't make into something small and cute, and these erasers are no exception. Among Jujubee's more than 300 erasers for sale are several food items, such as sherbert, milk cartons, shrimp tempura, sliced bread, cookies, sushi, donuts, and more.

If cute food isn't your thing, there are also lots of animal erasers, including bunnies, penguins, dolphins, frogs, bears, and more. There are also some erasers especially suitable for boys, such as helicopters, police cars, and motorcycles. Joy notes that many of the erasers have parts that can be easily separated and put back together, and they even hold jump rings and screw eyes very well, which means you can turn them into backpack danglies or other types of ornaments. The erasers run from 99 cents to $3.99 for some of the more complex ones, like the sliced bread which is really several erasers anyway. There are also some cute sets (donuts, sushi, etc.). Shipping is $3.00 for the first item plus 50 cent for each eraser thereafter, and if you're in the United States and buy more than 5 erasers, you get $6.00 flat shipping for up to 20 erasers total.

Joy's shop also contains other goodies that would work as stocking stuffers, including modern Japanese stickers as well as vintage scratch-n-sniff stickers. Remember those?!

What: Japanese Iwako Erasers
Where: Jujubee's Goodies(an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $0.99-3.99 (plus shipping)

DIY Santa Gum Pack

Happy Saturday! I took a trip to the dollar store this morning and felt pretty uninspired by what I found there, so I thought today would be the perfect time to finally post about this lovely little do-it-yourself stocking stuffer that I came across quite a while ago at the My Creative Corner blog by Wanda.

As you can see, Wanda came up with an incredibly cute and easy way to dress up one of those rectangular packs of gum, by turning it into a Santa Claus! Her blog entry gives detailed instructions so I will direct you there for the how-to. I'm definitely going to use this for my husband and sisters this year -- it's so easy even I can do it!

Be sure and check out the other posts on Wanda's blog -- she has posts with her lovely handmade cards, ornaments, favors, and more!

What: DIY Santa Gum Pack
Where: My Creative Corner
How much (as of today's post): approx $1-2 (gum and materials)

Winner - Week 1 of the Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!

Congratulations to Rebekah, the winner of my week 1 stocking stuffer giveaway, which was stocking stuffers for women! She was entry number 28 out of a total 55 entries. Rebekah, I've sent you an e-mail to get your address.

Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by my blog and taking time to enter the giveaway contest! Please come back on Tuesday November 10 for Week 2 of my blogaversary giveaways: stocking stuffers for boys!

Bathe Like a Pirate Washcloth Set

Technically this Bathe Like a Pirate Washcloth Set from the Uncommon Goods website has to be posted as a "luxury Friday" stocking stuffer because of the cost, which is $25 for a set of three. But you could split these up among recipients, lowering the per-item cost a bit.... I admit they're still a little pricey, but I do think they're funny. The set includes:

• A clean booty is a happy booty. (black)
  
  
• Live clean! Fight dirty! (red)
  
  
• No one likes a smelly pirate. (beige)

The washcloths are made in India of 100% cotton terrycloth, and each washcloth is 12 inches square. The best thing is that this is the rare gift that can work for recipients of almost any age. Kids as young as five who like to play pirates will love them, and even teens and college students should enjoy them, especially if they liked Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

(At least I didn't post about these on Talk Like a Pirate Day, which I swear, seems to come around at least two or three times every year!)

Today is the last day to enter my ongoing stocking stuffer giveaway, which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. (based on the comment timestamp). Enter here, and remember to check back next week for another stocking stuffer giveaway!

What: Bathe Like a Pirate Washcloth Set
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $25.00 for set of 3 (plus shipping)

Gingerbread Man Spatula

I don't normally give gifts with specific Christmas decor, because in general I want people to be able to enjoy and/or use the gifts I give them all year round. But I think this is something I could make an exception for, because although it can be Christmas, it doesn't have to be Christmas, and I myself would be perfectly happy using this year-round. It's a gingerbread man spatula from Crate & Barrel, and I think it would be adorable sticking out the top of a stocking.

Don't forget to enter my ongoing stocking stuffer giveaway, which ends Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Enter here!

What: Gingerbread Man Spatula
Where: Crate & Barrel website or store
How much (as of today's post): $6.95 (plus shipping)

Chocolate Sardines

Wow, for a minute there I thought it said chocolate-covered sardines! How gross would that be?! But no, it's just a funny little tin of sardine-shaped milk chocolates. The 4.2 ounce container holds 12 "sardines". I think this would be pretty funny in a guy's stocking!

Don't forget to enter my ongoing stocking stuffer giveaway, which ends Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. Enter here!

What: Chocolate Sardines
Where: Plow & Hearth website
How much (as of today's post): $9.95 (plus shipping)

Blogaversary Giveaway: Week 1 of the Stocking Stuffers Blog Candy!

Whew! I didn't think I'd ever get this post up today! After running around to three polling places to vote this morning, I then put in a full day at work, and then had to run to three places to find "pill pockets", which are kitty treats that you hide the pill in. Then I had to pick up the last few items for today's Blogaversary Stocking Stuffers Blog Candy, Week 1: Women's Edition!

Without further ado, the winner of this giveaway will receive all of the following stocking stuffers:

• The Wedding Date DVD (one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies!)
  
  
• A mini-box of Mrs. Fields Cookie Recipe Chocolates
  
  
• An "Original S'Mores" Christmas ornament
  
  
• A Fiskars Fingertip Control Craft Knife
  
  
• A mini winter pine diffuser kit
  
  
• A mini Bunco game
  
  
• A floating rose candle
  
  
• A mini-box of M&Ms Premiums Triple Chocolate Candies
  
  
• A packet of Sharpies
  
  
• A "panic button" (to be installed wherever the greatest need lies!)
  
  
• A $10 Target giftcard

All items are new and unopened, and the candy is fresh -- no leftovers from last year, I promise! As you can see, this week's stocking stuffers are geared towards women. I tried to get a variety in there of pampering items, decadent items, and useful items, and put in something for the crafter, the women who enjoys games, and so on. And as you may have guessed, my subsequent giveaways for the remaining Tuesdays in November -- and actually, leading into December, too! -- will be for men, girls, boys, and a separate giveaway for "little ones" (boys or girls under a certain age).

I'm afraid that due to shipping and customs issues, this giveaway is for U.S. residents only (all 50 states and the territories).

To enter this week's giveaway, please leave a comment on this post, preferably with your e-mail address.

Additional optional entries are available by: 1) becoming a follower OR already being a follower; 2) subscribing via an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader) OR already being a subscriber; and 3) posting a note anywhere on your blog (including sidebar) about this giveaway. If any of these options apply to you, please leave me another comment letting me know.

The entry period will run through Friday November 6, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. based on the timestamp shown by the comments. I will draw a random winner on Saturday and get in touch with the winner for his or her address.

Thanks for visiting! I've had so much fun with this blog in the past year, and I'm really looking forward to punching it up a notch for the actual holiday season!

Jungle Buddy Blocks

Ack! Today has gotten off to a rocky start -- I had to go three different places to find my voting precinct. (Texas has early voting and for that you can vote in any location, but not so on actual Election Day. Lesson learned!)

So today's blog candy giveaway post will be later than usual -- but it will be today! In the meantime, here's a bonus stocking stuffer to consider: the Jungle Buddy Blocks from OneStepAhead. This little 3½" x 3½" x 2½" wood box holds four blocks that toddlers match first on color, then arrange to form one of six different jungle animals: zebra, giraffe, elephant, monkey, lion, and buffalo. (Wait a minute -- are there buffalo in the jungles?) These are made from eco-friendly rubberwood, so it's a great choice all around.

I remember my older sister had a set with six blocks, showing six different fairy tale illustrations. I wonder is she still has that anywhere....

I'll be back tonight with the stocking stuffer blog candy giveaway post!

What: Jungle Buddy Blocks
Where: OneStepAhead website
How much (as of today's post): $12.95 (plus shipping)

Fall Forest Piecrust Cutters

Just another Manic Monday! Today's stocking stuffer is perfect for the crisp days of autumn and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday: Fall Forest Piecrust Cutters, available exclusively from Williams-Sonoma. They measure approximately 1.75 inches wide by 1.75 inches high. You press down the leaf's edges to cut, then use the spring-loaded handle to release the cut shape. Pretty, don't you think?

Gentlemen, a word of caution: do not buy your wife or girlfriend any kitchen-related stocking stuffers as a hint that she should do more cooking or baking! You may only give such stocking stuffers if the said wife or girlfriend is a self-affirmed lover of cooking or baking. You have been warned!

And by the way, in frugal times, I see nothing wrong with purchasing the set and splitting it up among two recipients.

What: Fall Forest Piecrust Cutters
Where: Williams Sonoma website or store
How much (as of today's post): $18.00 (plus shipping)

Twilight Inspired Cartoon Zipper Pouch

It's November 1st! It's the Day of the Dead. It's the beginning of the winter holiday season (to me, anyway -- I suppose we all have our own ideas on that!). For many, it's the start of the serious countdown to New Moon, the second Twilight movie.

And it's my one-year blogaversary on Amy's Stocking Stuffers! Check back on Tuesday for the first on my weekly blogaversary giveaways that will be going on for all of November.

But in the meantime, it's Etsy Sunday, and today's Etsy stocking stuffer is one that teen and 'tween girls will go crazy for: a Twilight-inspired cartoon zipper pouch. Etsy seller Kukubee creates fabrics out of their own original designs, which have that anime look to them, and this Twilight pouch is spot on, don't you think? The brooding Edward with his wavy hair and his apple, the big-eyed Bella....

If Twilight isn't your thing, there are plenty of other fun designs, including a geisha panda, a killer panda, a Grim Reaper bunny, a sweet little book lover... and getting back to Twilight, there's a cute lion and lamb design. Be sure and check them all out!

What: Twilight Inspired Cartoon Zipper Pouch
Where: Kukubee(an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $12.00 (plus shipping)