A Bit of a Rough Week....

Apologies for the radio silence, which I'm afraid is going to continue for the next 2 1/2 weeks or so. Long story short, on Sunday I went to bed perfectly fine, and on Monday I woke up violently ill, as in sometimes literally crawling between the bedroom and the bathroom ill. Naturally, this happened while my husband is away for several weeks. On Tuesday I roused myself long enough to call a friend and ask her to take me to the doctor, and the doctor sent me to the ER just in case. It turned out to be a viral infection (aka nasty stomach bug), which is much better than the alternative. It's Wednesday evening and I'm feeling much more human, but still not myself.

And tomorrow I fly to Europe to meet my husband. Not only am I not particularly looking forward to flying, I now have to take schoolwork and freelance writing work on my vacation. I'm leaving the house in an absolute shambles for the petsitter. I'm still trying to do laundry and at least scrub the litter boxes, but I'm not exactly full of energy. Tomorrow morning I also have to return the second pair of headphones I've bought for this flight (first pair didn't work, second pair hurt the top of my head within seconds of putting them on).

Ah well, it can only get better, right? We seriously considered canceling the trip for me, but since I feel so much better today than yesterday, I'm hoping tomorrow I'll feel lots better than today -- and we would have lost so much money on this trip.

I'd planned to have all of those posts done in advance, of course. Not possible now, I'm afraid. I'll be back when I'm back (August 9), and in the meantime I hope you have a wonderful couple of weeks!

Mudpuppy "N is for Nature" Flashcards

I'm generally in favor of anything that is fun, educational, and eco-minded, so naturally I think this Mudpuppy "N is for Nature" flashcard set would make a nice stocking stuffer. According to the product description, the set includes "26 durable, two-sided cards on a reclosable ring." The front of each card has the uppercase letter and a corresponding image from nature, while the back side has both the upper and lowercase letter plus words that begin with that letter. The cards are printed with non-toxic inks.

For me, reading is one of the greatest joys in life. I believe in starting kids early on the alphabet and a love of reading -- not to mention a love of nature!

What: Mudpuppy "N is for Nature" Flashcards
Where: ChildTrek.com
How much (as of today's post): $11.95 (plus shipping)

Ice Cream Sandwich Molds

These farm animal ice cream sandwich molds would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone with kids who likes being creative in the kitchen. The molds make ice cream sandwiches about 2 inches wide, so the molds themselves are probably just a little bigger than that. They could be put individually in the stocking, but it's possible that the entire box would fit since it's long and narrow. The product description says "bake a full sheet of cookies (recipe included), cut the cookie with design of your choice, press ice cream between cookies and enjoy!" I suspect it's not quite as easy as it sounds, but I'm not the most talented person in the kitchen so I'm sure mileage may vary.

They're also dishwasher safe. That's almost a requirement for me when it comes to buying anything for the kitchen! And I have to say, I like the cheery colors.

What: Ice Cream Sandwich Molds
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $8.95 (plus shipping)

Mechanical Kitty Coin Bank

Another item that's really too expensive for a stocking stuffer, but oh! it's so cute. And it's Friday.... which I've designated for "luxury stocking stuffers." This one is a Mechanical Kitty Bank from Japan, infused with that special brand of Japanese cuteness. You put a coin on the little fish "food bowl", and the clever kitteh hiding in the box pops out and steals it. As usual, ThinkGeek is clever with their descriptions, claiming that this kitty is saving up for that long-desire cheezburger.

Made of plastic, the bank requires two AA batteries to work, which are not included. In addition to being pricey at $29.99, the bank is also a little big for a stocking stuffer unless you have a pretty big stocking; it measures 11.5 x 12 x 10 cm (which I converted to learn that it's just under 5 inches on the largest side). You can choose a brown or white kitty, and you'll have different Japanese writing and graphics on the "cardboard" box depending which you choose.

Perfect for LOLcat lovers, or for teens into anime and manga, for whom anything cute and Japanese is cool!

What: Mechanical Kitty Coin Bank
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $29.99 (plus shipping)

Two Sided Pi/Pie Puzzle

How clever is this? This 81-piece double-sided puzzle features cherry pie on one side, and a pie tin with pi carried to 400 decimal places on the other side! The puzzle is 8 inches in diameter when assembled. The only problem in terms of whether it works as a stocking stuffer is that the website doesn't give the size of the tin it comes in, but since they have other similar puzzles in small tins and the price is so low, I think it's probably small enough for a stocking stuffer. I think it would work nicely for teens or college students, or anyone into puzzles or math.

What: Two Sided Pi/Pie Puzzle
Where: Archie McPhee website
How much (as of today's post): $6.95 (plus shipping)

Shakespeare Fortune Cookies (Buy or DIY)

If you know someone who loves everything Shakespeare, here's a cute food gift idea for their stockings: Shakespeare Fortune Cookies. I'm sure it goes without saying that each one features a quote from the man himself! The pint-sized red "carry out" container has six cookies and costs $5.95, and a quart-size with ten cookies is also available for $7.95.

I've also listed this as a possible DIY stocking stuffer since I know people do make their own fortune cookies. Here's a link to instructions on WikiHow.com, or you can just google "make your own fortune cookies" and find the instructions you like best.

What: Shakespeare Fortune Cookies
Where: Folger Library website
How much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping) or DIY

Tea Sub Infuser

I admit right up front: this is too expensive for what it is. But it's so darn cute! This little yellow submarine doubles as a tea infuser. It's made of dishwasher safe, heat resistant silicone on a metal chain. The sub measures about 2.5 by 2.5 inches. I know, I know -- a tea infuser should not cost $14. But my husband is a big-time tea drinker, and a little boy at heart, and I'm seriously tempted.

What: Where:
FredFlare.com
How much (as of today's post): $14.00 (plus shipping)

Wizard of Oz Magnets

Oh dear! The weekend completely got away from me. Rather than play catch-up, I'm going to start fresh today with these Wizard of Oz magnets. And I chose them for today because I had an Oz-infused weekend! On Saturday, my husband and I went to see the touring company performance of "Wicked", which I missed last time it came through Houston. I read the book years ago and even got to meet the author, and I'm a huge fan of Kristen Chenowith, who originated the role of Glinda in the Broadway show, so I've been dying to see this show for some time. My husband was willing to go but not particularly excited since not only did he not know anything about "Wicked", he had never seen the movie "The Wizard of Oz.

Well, of course we needed to remedy that, so on Friday night we watched the movie. The most fun part was watching my husband react to lines like "Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!" and "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" and saying "So, that's where that line comes from!"

And was he ever glad that he saw the movie, because there are so many jokes in "Wicked" that depend on it. As for the show itself, I loved the story more than I expected (I've forgotten a lot since I read the book so long ago, and I'm sure there were some changes), and did not like some of the music as much as I expected. But that said, there are two songs, "Popular" and "Defying Gravity", that are worth the price of admission alone.

What does any of this have to do with stocking stuffers? Almost nothing, except if you have an Oz-enthusiast in your family, you could do worse than to fill their stockings with a magnet cut-out of the ruby slippers, or Glinda, or the Wicked Witch of the West. There's also a group shot from the poppy field scene. (I've also seen the same cut-out images as stickers at Michael's, by the way.) The magnets are $2.99 apiece at FridgeDoor.com, or you can buy the set of four for $9.95.

[Edited to add: In ironic timing, I just now saw a news item saying that movement seems to be picking up on a movie adaptation of "Wicked"! I had been wondering about that this weekend, and was thinking "please let them get Kristen Chenowith for Glinda!"]

What: Wizard of Oz Magnets
Where: FridgeDoor.com
How much (as of today's post): $2.99 (plus shipping)

Dr. Who Cell Phone Alert Charms

Even though I don't watch Dr. Who (I watch lots of other science fiction, but I'm not a Whovian, alas), I still think this Tardis cell phone alert charm is adorable. This charm spins and lights up when you get a call, even when your cell phone is on silent mode. And it doesn't even have to be attached to your cell phone -- instead, attach it to your purse, backpack, bag, jacket.... The product info on ThinkGeek notes that it reacts to the phone's wavelengths, which is why it doesn't need to be attached to the phone.

And if the Tardis isn't your thing, there are also Cybermen and Dalek charms available. They measure 1.75 inches tall and required three LR41 batteries, which are included. There's also an important note that the charms only work with 800-1600 MHz GSM network cell phones.

Myself, I'm holding out for a Star Trek version....

What: Dr. Who Cell Phone Alert Charms
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 (plus shipping)

Happy Face Kitchen Brush

Are you the type who loves kitchen things in her stocking, or who hates them because it reminds you of work you'd rather not be doing? Personally, I love little kitchen gadgets, or even just utilitarian things such as a really good paring knife. In fact, I spent most of my Fourth of July weekend cooking, and really enjoyed it! (Not that I'm a terribly accomplished cook, but still....)

In any case, here is a stocking stuffer that would brighten up anyone's kitchen: a happy face kitchen brush measuring 8.25 inches long. It's dishwasher-safe, made of high-density plastic with nylon bristles. Wouldn't this little guy be cute peeking out the top of a stocking?

What: Happy Face Kitchen Brush
Where: Sur La Table website
How much (as of today's post): $6.00 (plus shipping)

Floating LED Keychain

Here's a handy and inexpensive stocking stuffer for men: a floating LED keychain for use while boating and fishing. The keychain starts flashing when it comes into contact with water, and it keeps the keys from sinking (always a plus!). This is currently on sale at Solutions.com for only $2.99, but if you don't like to do mail and internet orders for something so small, sports stores and hardware stores might carry these as well.

What: Floating LED Keychain
Where: Solutions website
How much (as of today's post): $2.99 (on sale from $6.48) (plus shipping)

Cat Puzzle Box

Girls -- especially those in the 'tween years and younger -- love puzzle boxes, diaries with locks, and other places to hide thoughts or treasures. For those who are also cat lovers, this puzzle box would be a lovely small gift (and can double as a stocking stuffer due to its 5 x 4 x 2 inch size). It's also nice knowing that the boxes are handmade by HSSS artisans in India. This is a nonprofit organization of underprivileged artisans with educational, training and/or health related issues. Last but not least, this is an eco-friendly gift; according to the Uncommon Goods website, the boxes are made "of sustainable Shisham wood, native to the Indian subcontinent, bought under supervision and quota from the government of India (which sells the wood of dead trees)."

What: Cat Puzzle Box
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $20.00 (plus shipping)

Compass Set in Tin

Happy Fourth of July!

This "first compass" set would make a great stocking stuffer for any child who likes to explore. The little tin contains the compass, which is mounted in a wood frame that hangs from an adjustable 28-inch cord, and a booklet with directions and some nature tips. The Chinaberry website recommends this compass for children aged 7 to 11. Let's get those kids away from the television and out in the fresh air!

What: Compass Set in Tin
Where: Chinaberry website
How much (as of today's post): $14.97 (on sale from $17.95) (plus shipping)

Silicone Purple Paw Measuring Spoons

Surely almost everyone has at least one dog lover in their lives! If you have one, you can feel good about these silicone paws as measuring spoons because the Animal Rescue Site store contributes to animal rescue efforts with each purchase made. These spoons have stainless steel handles with silicone "paws" and are dishwasher safe. The set includes one each of tablespoon, teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon. Cute, don't you think? Plus they're on sale for $8.00, down from the regular $12.95 price.

What: Silicone Purple Paw Measuring Spoons
Where: Animal Rescue Site store
How much (as of today's post): $8.00 (on sale from $12.95) (plus shipping)

KinderGlo Night Lights

Fridays are "luxury stocking stuffer" days -- days where I post about special items that are a little more expensive than you generally want to spend. I include them because I do think it's nice when a stocking contains at least one item that is more "gift-like", if that makes sense. And this one is too cute for words: KinderGlo Night Lights, which are available in the shape of a brontosaurus, an owl, a crescent moon, and (my favorite) a T-rex! These are portable, cool-to-the-touch night lights that you can set on the soft red, blue, or green, or you can let them cycle between all three! You can leave them on all night or set them for a 30-minute auto shut-off.

Last but not least, the night lights come with a charging station and a six-foot charging cable, and they are BPA and lead-free. Seems like they've thought of everything! The moon is the largest with height and width at 5.5 inches, while the rest are no more then 4 or 4.5 inches on their longest dimension.

What: KinderGlo Night Lights
Where: Vat19.com
How much (as of today's post): $23.95 to $25.95 (plus shipping)

Christmas in July !

I don't know who started the "Christmas in July" trend -- well, actually, I imagine Hallmark and/or some other retailers started it with their mid-summer Christmas clearance sales and ornament previews. In any case, I'm back from my virtual vacation to celebrate Christmas in July with a new stocking stuffer every day of the month!

Let's start with a geeky one (my favorite kind!): App Magnets from ThinkGeek.com. There are 18 magnets in the set, each measuring 0.875 inches square. Each one has the logo of an app for an iPhone (or eye-phone, as ThinkGeek is calling them). These are perfect for someone who is attached to their iPhone with an umbilical cord!

(By the way, ThinkGeek participates in Mr. Rebates, with a 4% rebate.

What: App Magnets
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 (plus shipping)