Cheese / Grill / Tea Honey

It's my last Wednesday food post before Easter, and I just can't face posting about any more chocolate at the moment. ;-) So instead, today's stocking stuffer (or gift basket stuffer) is a pretty honey jar from Crate and Barrel. They have three varieties: cheese honey, grill honey, and tea honey. I don't know what, if anything, makes one honey better than another for cheese versus grilling, but there you have it! I also admit that I'm a sucker for a pretty bottle or jar. I don't drink hard liquor, but I love looking at all the amazing bottle designs (especially vodka) at the liquor store. And these honey jars are elegant in their simplicity, I think. The description notes that they are 100% natural and kosher certified. If you prefer organic, you might also check Whole Foods or your local grocery store for an organic honey in a pretty bottle.

(Speaking of honey, allergies seem particularly bad in Houston this spring, and someone suggested to me that I try eating local honey -- apparently it helps your body adjust to the particular local pollen so you're less affected by it. I'll have to give that a try!)

What: Cheese / Grill / Tea Honey
Where: Crate and Barrel
How much (as of today's post): $10.95 (plus shipping)

Kids Garden in a Bag

The other day in one of my online communities that has to do with food and nutrition, a person asked about Easter basket stuffers that are non-food, since she didn't want the Easter bunny to bring just candy. Here's something that would do nicely: a kid's "garden in a bag" from the Branch website. I love plants myself, and I like the idea of getting kids interested in growing things. This kit contains a plastic-lined kraft paper bag, soil, flower seeds, and a wood planting stake. The bag can be colored and personalized, and then the plant is grown right in the bag which is also waterproof. Once the plant is big enough, it can be transplanted elsewhere.

I wasn't sure whether to call this an eco-friendly gift since the bag is plastic-lined, but I think it does pretty well, all things considered. Where I live we can recycle all kinds of paper, so I would even be able to recycle the bag once I took the plastic lining out.

The following plants are available: sunflower, nasturtium, strawberry, tomato, a pretty Mother's Day assortment, and more! Altogether I counted 21 different options. Cat grass, dog grass (I never knew there was such a thing!), a "thank you" assortment, a number of herbs.... It's a lovely selection. The prices vary based on the plant, from $9.00 to $16.00.

What: Kids Garden in a Bag
Where: Branch website
How much (as of today's post): ranges from $9.00 to $16.00 (plus shipping)

Organic Bamboo Coasters

Aren't these bamboo coasters lovely? They are made from organically grown bamboo, by a company named Bambu in China. According to the description on the Branch website, "Bambu works only with manufacturing partners who demonstrate a commitment to health and safety, environmental protection and fair labor practices. In turn, Bambu supports and reinforces worker health and safety measures, and funds international third-party auditing procedures." This makes sense, considering that Branch's tagline is "Sustainable Design for Living".

The coasters come in a set of four, and measure 3.75 inches square. I like that they look elegant and natural at the same time.

What: Organic Bamboo Coasters
Where: Branch website
How much (as of today's post): $16.00 (plus shipping)

Easter Puzzle Ball

If the Easter Bunny needs help filling out the Easter basket with some non-sugar-coma-inducing items, this Easter puzzle ball might be just the thing. It's a 30 piece puzzle that makes an egg shape when assembled, and it comes with a plastic stand and a string so you can display upright or hang the egg when finished. The description notes that it measures two inches by two inches, although I don't think that can be quite accurate because an egg doesn't measure the same width as length. It's probably close enough, though.

What: Easter Puzzle Ball
Where: Puzzle Inspiration website
How much (as of today's post): $7.95 (plus shipping)

"Swingbird" Correction Tape

I'm not entirely sure why this is called "Swingbird Correction Tape", when I would have been inclined to call if "yellow chick correction tape" or some such. But in any case, here is a little office supply stocking/Easter basket stuffer that won't add inches to the waistline. Regular $9.95, it's currently on sale from Solutions for $4.99 plus shipping, making it quite the affordable little office stocking stuffer.

What: "Swingbird" Correction
Where: Solutions website
How much (as of today's post): $4.99 (plus shipping)

Webkinz Argyle Sweater

If you have a child into Webkinz, here's an adorable argyle sweater to fit that or most other 8 inch stuffed animals. The sweater is officially licensed from Webkinz, and comes with a code to unlock a visit to the KinzStyle Shop on webkinz.com. I admit I don't really understand how the whole Webkinz thing works, but I do love stuffed animals and I think this is an adorable accessory.

What: Webkinz Argyle Sweater
Where: Ever After website
How much (as of today's post): $10.95 (plus shipping)

Mummy Rummy Game

I came across a review for this game on the Gamewright website, and I think it looks fun. It's called Mummy Rummy, and it's a game in which players "dig and sift" for cards that complete picture sets showing ancient Egyptian treasures. "Certain cards with special power can transform the pictures, and antiques can suddenly jump from one player to another." It's a game for 2-5 players aged 8 and up.

Here's another thought: right now I'm reading the latest book in the "Theodosia Throckmorton" series by R.L. LaFevers. If you haven't heard of them, the series has three books so far, and I would describe it as a cross between Nancy Drew and Indiana Jones. Theodosia is an eleven-year-old girl living in England around 1907. Her parents are brilliant but absent-minded archaologists/Egyptologists, and Theodosia spends her time protecting her parents and their museum from the many curses that seem to be imported with the Egyptian artifacts. She's smart and spunky and proactive. So.... if you have a 9-12 year old girl who likes to read, you could put the books under the tree and the Mummy Rummy game in the stocking!

What: Mummy Rummy Game
Where: Amazon or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $8.95 to $9.99 (plus shipping)

Godiva Easter Carrot

Last week's Wednesday food post was the Lindt chocolate carrots, this week is Godiva's similar offering: a carrot-shaped toot filled with orange candy-coated milk chocolate pearls. It has a net weight of 4 oz. and looks very elegant, in my opinion!

What: Godiva Easter Carrot
Where: Godiva.com or Godiva stores
How much (as of today's post): $8.95 (plus shipping)

Instant Beach Ball

Here's something silly but fun as we start moving into the warmer weather: an instant beach ball in a can. Now, I'm the first to admit that any beach ball is an instant beach ball, since all you do is blow it up. But I do think the little tin can it comes in makes it funnier. It would make a cute small gift for a co-worker, as part of an "emergency de-stressing kit" of some kind -- which obviously would also include chocolate! Anyhow, it's just a thought, on this nice sunny, breezy day here in Houston.....

What: Instant Beach Ball
Where: Archie McPhee website
How much (as of today's post): $6.95 (plus shipping)

Fish Coin Purse

My husband just got back from Japan, so maybe I have koi on the mind. How cute is this fish coin purse? It's made from rubber with a nylon base, and measures 5 inches long by 2.25 inches wide by 3 inches high. At $16, it's slightly pricey for a coin purse... but it's so cute!

What: Fish Coin Purse
Where: Pylones website
How much (as of today's post): $16.00 (plus shipping)

Hand Grenade Screwdriver Set

It's not often you find a suitable stocking stuffer for men that's under $5, but this hand grenade screwdriver set certainly fills the bill. I found this on the website "The Afternoon", which has a lot of gift ideas, including my favorite category, "gifts for nerds." The description for this set says that the "base of the 'grenade' is actually the handle for six enclosed stainless steel screwtips." It measures 3.5 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter. See? Perfect for stockings, and would also make a cute Father's Day gift if your husband or father is handy (or likes to think he is!).

What: Hand Grenade Screwdriver Set
Where: The Afternoon website
How much (as of today's post): $4.95 (plus shipping)

Baby Chick Loofah

Here's a non-chocolate Easter basket stuffer: a baby chick loofah from the Spoon Sisters website. It's odd, though -- I always think of a loofah as a personal bathing item, but the description for this chick indicates that it's meant for the kitchen, for cleaning pots and pans. It's handmade and certified organic, and it's "tough enough to clean stubborn dirty dishes, yet gentle enough to scrub fruits and vegetables."

All I know is, it's cute. ;-)

What: Baby Chick Loofah
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Hand-Painted Wind Up Music Boxes

I tend to think of my "luxury Friday" stocking stuffer posts as sort of "fantasy items" -- the kind I would buy if money were no object. Today's post is no exception: I fell in love with these vintage-inspired music boxes from the Uncommon Goods website. I have a baby shower coming up at the end of the month, and oh! wouldn't I love to buy one of these! But these days I rarely deviate from a baby registry for baby gifts, because I know first-time parents in particular really need the practical stuff more than anything else.

But if I could swing one of these in addition to something more practical, you bet I would! These musical boxes are handmade and hand-painted, with the lyrics to "Love Makes the World Go Round" printed on the back. The little wooden knob, decorated with bunnies in pink or squirrels in blue, spin around while the music is playing. Aren't they sweet? They measure 4 inches long by 3.5 inches wide by 8 inches high.

What: Hand-Painted Wind Up Music Boxes
Where: UncommonGoods website
How much (as of today's post): $50.00 (plus shipping)

Board Book Blocks

Most regular board books are small enough to make great stocking stuffers, but this chunky block board books are even more well suited to the task! Each book is 12 pages long, and suitable for ages one and up. The choices include Kids ABC, Animal ABC, and Things That Go. Because of their chunky shape, they can also stack like blocks. (It's two bad they don't sell a reasonably priced set of 20, which would really make a nice set of readable blocks.)

What: Board Book Blocks
Where: The Land of Nod website
How much (as of today's post): $3.95 (on sale from $5.95) (plus shipping)

Lindt Chocolate "Carrots"

Aren't these chocolate "carrots" by Lindt adorable? I saw them in the grocery store a few weeks ago. I'm sorry to say I forgot to note down the price, but I think they were under $5. Hard to believe it's almost Easter, isn't it?!

What: Lindt Chocolate "Carrots"
Where: Borders, candy stores, drugstores, etc.
How much (as of today's post): under $5 (I think!)

Classic Candy Mini Tin Candles

Love the Reese's peanut butter cup smell? Here's a chance to have it in a candle housed in a mini-tin with the classic candy wrapper design! These classic candy mini tin candles come in three "flavors": Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (currently out of stock, but there's an e-mail alert sign-up for when they come back in), York Peppermint Patty, and Hershey's Milk Chocolate. The tins are 4 ounces, measure 3.25 inches in diameter and 1 inch tall, and will burn for approximately 15 hours. The wax is soy, and the wick is lead-free cotton.

Definitely not a good stocking stuffer for anyone on a diet!

What: Classic Candy Mini Tin Candles
Where: Vat19 website
How much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Chocolate Truffle-filled Easter Eggs

On a recent trip to Williams Sonoma, I saw this lovely box of chocolate truffle-filled eggs. I'm not even a big chocoholic, but it's such a cute box I wanted them! Perfect if you want something a little fancier than the bag of foil-wrapped chocolates from the grocery store.

What: Chocolate Truffle-Filled Eggs
Where: Williams Sonoma (online or stores)
How much (as of today's post): $14.00

Poker Dice

Yesterday at Half Price Books I saw a cute little mini-kit game called "Poker Dice". Instead of numbers, the dice had playing card images on them, such as the king, queen, and jack, plus suites on some sides. The kit came with a set of five dice, plus a little book of instructions, and because it was Half Price Books, it was only $2.98.

If you don't have a Half Price Books near you, other versions of "poker dice" are available on Amazon, including the set shown above, which comes with dice and a drawstring pouch to hold them. Even these are under $5! I think these would make a cute stocking stuffer for men in particular, who are so hard to buy for. It might also be fun for college students.

What: Poker Dice
Where: Amazon, Half Price Books, etc.
How much (as of today's post): $2.98 - $4.99

Chilean Good Luck Pig

Especially in this economy, people could use a little good luck, don't you think? Here's a fun and unique way to try and send a little luck someone's way: a Chilean 3-legged good luck pig. I first saw these this past weekend in a Ten Thousand Villages shop in Austin, Texas, but now I see they're also available on the Ten Thousand Villages website. If you're not familiar with this organization, I wrote about them here, waaaaayyyy back in November 2008. It's a fair trade organization that supports and promotes the work of artisans from all over the world, helping to ensure they get a fair price for their work.

In any case, these little pigs are quite adorable. Because they're handmade, there is some variation, but they measure approximately 2 inches square by 1.5 inches tall. In case you're wondering why they're three-legged, well, apparently that's the part that's supposed to be lucky! You certainly can't beat these as stocking stuffers in terms of uniqueness, and in buying something that supports artisans around the world.

What: Chilean Good Luck Pig
Where: Ten Thousand Villages
How much (as of today's post): $4.95 (plus shipping)

Chinese Zodiac Necklaces

Oh dear, at this price these qualify as uber-luxury stocking stuffers, but they're so pretty I wanted to bring them to your attention. These are Chinese zodiac necklaces handcrafted by Mindy and Grant Searcey and offered by Uncommon Goods. They're made of recycled sterling silver with semi-precious jade, and come in each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac: pig, ox, dog, dragon, horse, monkey, rabbit, ram, rat, rooster, snake, and tiger. If you click on each individual necklace, you'll see the years to which they apply.

The rabbit and tiger are shown above. But oh dear, I would have to go and be the year of the monkey....

What: Chinese Zodiac Necklaces
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $60.00 (plus shipping)

Big Trucks and Diggers Matching Game

Every once in a while, I realize again that I tend to short-change the boys on this blog. They are just so much harder to buy for than girls! So I was happy to see this cute "Big Trucks and Diggers" matching game from Bas Bleu. This set has 72 square cards that each measure 2.75 x 2.75 inches. I love the yellow and black construction stripes on the backs of the cards, and I think this would be fairly challenging considering that I'm not that good at telling all that machinery apart! But you know that once kids' minds fasten on to a subject, it's amazing what they can learn and know, like when a four-year-old can tell you all about different dinosaur species!

What: Big Trucks and Diggers Matching Game
Where: Bas Bleu website
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)

Ice Cream Accents

This cute little four-compartment container holds different ice cream toppings to turn a dish of ice cream into a celebration: Fruit Imperials, Cinnamon Imperials, Carnival Sprinkles, and Rainbow Non-Pareils. I saw something similar at Sur La Table last weekend, and then found this version on the BetterTaste.com website (which also has a Chocolate Ice Cream Accents version, for all those chocoholics out there!). Put this in the stocking with an ice cream scoop and put a monogrammed ice cream dish under the tree for a fun paired gift.

What: Ice Cream Accents
Where: BetterTaste.com, Sur la Table, or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $5.50 (plus shipping)

Snack & Stack Utensil Set

This is a little pricey -- just under my limit before I call something a "luxury" stocking stuffer, in fact -- but I do think it's awfully cute and maybe just the thing for a college student's stocking, especially if they're in a dorm room and don't need a lot of silverware, but just a little something to have on hand. It also has the nostalgia factor (Legos, anyone?) and the funky factor that suits college students.

And now that I think of it, it's also great for kids who are still a little new to the whole utensils thing! I mean, I don't think they're appropriate for toddlers, who might jab themselves accidentally, but wouldn't five to seven years old love these?

What: Snack & Stack Utensil Set
Where: FredFlare.com
How much (as of today's post): $20 (plus shipping)

Quirky Corks Wine Stoppers

I can't even remember where I saw these -- somewhere when I was shopping this last weekend -- but at any rate they're available online too, which is always convenient. These Quirky Corks Wine Stoppers come with cute wine-related sayings, such as "Put a cork in it", "May your glass always be half full", and "I go well with everything" (clearly intended for that insecure bottle of wine that just wants to be loved....) My favorite is "Put a cork in it" but they're all cute! Each wine stopper is $11.95 from Wrapables.com, although it might be worth a little comparison shopping just to see if they're cheaper elsewhere.

What: Quirky Corks Wine Stoppers
Where: Wrapables.com
How much (as of today's post): $11.95 (plus shipping)

Ice Kabobs

(Another after-the-fact post -- hopefully I'll be back on track after this!)

These Ice Kabobs are little ice trays that make a fancy ice "swizzle stick" for your guests' drinks. I saw then in Sur La Table over the weekend, but they're also available online from Perpetual Kid and elsewhere. They would make a fun stocking stuffer for someone you know likes to throw parties!

What: Ice Kabobs
Where: Perpetual Kid, Sur La Table, or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $7.99 (plus shipping)

Chalkboard Heart Paperweight

Oh, I wish I'd seen this in time for Valentine's Day last month! This clever paperweight is ceramic but the surface imitates a chalkboard, and it has an attached piece of chalk on a string to write a love message to your sweetheart. It's 4.25 inches wide, 3.75 inches long, and 1.5 inches tall, and comes in a gift box. Since we're now post-Valentine's season, it's on sale: originally $12.95, now $10.36, and $9.32 for members of the New York Public Library.

What: Chalkboard Heart Paperweight
Where: The Library Shop (NY Public Library)
How much (as of today's post): $10.36 ($9.32 for members) (on sale from $12.95) (plus shipping)

Jelly Bean Bingo

Oh dear, it finally happened -- I missed a post. I started this blog on November 1, 2008, and this is the first time I didn't manage to get a daily post up. My husband and I were traveling, and I managed to pre-schedule some posts, but I ran out of time and mistakenly thought I could get back to a computer in time. So I'm writing this post after the fact....

In any case, here's a cute little Easter basket "stuffer" that I saw at Borders this past weekend: a miniature "book" edition of Jelly Bean Bingo. This kit includes: six bingo mats, a fold-out caller's sheet, 75 numbered cards, a prize, and a 32-page miniature book. This would be good way for the kids to entertain themselves if you're stuck in the kitchen getting Easter dinner ready!

What: Jelly Bean Bingo
Where: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.
How much (as of today's post): $6.95

Sparrow Clips

These are a wee bit pricey for what are essentially clothespins, BUT look how cute they are! And consider: if it's $15 for a pack of 16 sparrow clips, you could divide them up, say four groups of four, and have a really cute stocking stuffer or small gift for four different people at a cost of just under $4 apiece! And if you think they look cute on a bag of potato chips, think how adorable they would be on a clothesline (assuming anyone still uses a clothesline!).

Oops, just noticed they're on "backorder" at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) website, but they should be back in stock on March 30. The clips are made of plastic and measure 4.25 inches high by 3 inches wide. They make me feel like it's springtime!

What: Sparrow Clips
Where: MoMA Store website
How much (as of today's post): $15.00 ($13.50 for members) for pack of 16 (plus shipping)

Bunny Hot Cocoa -- To Buy or Do It Yourself

This little "toot" or cone of hot chocolate would be lovely for Easter, especially in those places where your winter is lasting forever this year! I found this on the Pelican Bay website, but it occurs to me it would be something that would be fairly easy to do yourself. Even if you don't have a little cone-shaped bag (since I'm not sure where to buy them), you could also use a little sterilized jar that you fill with cocoa and tiny pastel marshmallows, and then decorate with Easter trimmings. It would work for other holidays too, for that matter.

If you're not handy in the kitchen or with crafts, though, you can always just buy this!

What: Bunny Hot Cocoa
Where: Pelican Bay website or DIY
How much (as of today's post): $6.50 (plus shipping) or pennies if you DIY

Dog Coin Purse

Some time ago, I posted about some adorable bunny coin purses -- which, incidentally, are now on sale for $5.99 down from $11.99. And now I see that Perpetual Kid also has a similar dog coin purse, also on sale for $5.99. Aren't they adorable? And I love that imitation leather instead of real leather, which I generally try to avoid. The coin purses measure 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall and come in a variety of colors. Perfect for kids and dog lovers!

What: Dog Coin Purse
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $5.99 (on sale from $11.99) (plus shipping)

Retro Rocket Night Light

At 3.5 inches wide and 5.75 inches high, this retro rocket night light should work as a stocking stuffer, although it's hard to predict how big the packaging in comes in will be. And boy, would I ever have loved this when I was a kid! One of my favorite books was Eleanor Cameron's The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, in which two boys build a rocket ship to help Mr. Bass save his people on the Mushroom Planet. (That reminds me, I haven't re-read that in a while....)

Anyway, this should be perfect for boys or girls who enjoy adventure stories and space tales, or as a retro-gift for adults into science fiction. For kids, you might also pair this with a book under the tree, such as Harry and Horsie or Curious George and the Rocket or any number of other titles.

What: Retro Rocket Night Light
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $19.99 (plus shipping)