Kodak Free Photo Magnet

The Saving Cents Together blog put me onto this free photo magnet deal from Kodak Gallery online. The normally $3.99 photo magnet is free with coupon code FREEMAGNET -- all you have to pay is the $1 shipping. This makes a perfect stocking stuffer for the total cost of one dollar -- how often does that happen? And you can get it for anyone: spouse, child, grandparent, boyfriend or girlfriend, and so on.

I mentioned in a post a while back that I always keep photos "on deck" so I can take advantage of such specials as they come up. So I just got a magnet of one of our kitties who has been feeling underrepresented in our family photo-wise. (A few of our cats are extremely photogenic while a few others -- we have many! -- seem to have demon eyes in every picture no matter how we take it. So we tend to have lots of photos of some and hardly any of others.) It's nice because you can also put a name or short caption on the photo magnet.

I have no idea how long this promotion will last, so I suggest taking advantage of it quickly!

What: Kodak Free Photo Magnet
Where: KodakGallery.com
How much (as of today's post): free ($1.00 shipping)

Tangrams -- Buy or DIY

Do you know Tangrams? I was first introduced to these many years ago, when I was in fourth grade. In fact, I still have my original set from back them! Tangrams are a Chinese puzzle set of seven specific shapes that are combined to make pictures of figures, flowers, boats, abstract shapes, etc. You simply move the pieces around in various combinations until they form the desired shape, but it's harder than it sounds. My set came with a book of solid black shapes, and the answers in the back showed the solutions by recreating the same shape but with white lines showing how the various puzzle pieces lined up. Probably the most common Tangram puzzle is to arrange the shapes in a simple square, like so:


But like I said, it's harder than it looks!

There are so many reasons Tangrams would make great stocking stuffers. First, they're inexpensive -- in fact, you can buy five complete sets on Amazon for only $5.99. These don't come with a book, but that doesn't matter, because you can print free Tangram puzzles online -- just go to Google.

Second, Tangrams are fun for kids, teens, college students, men, women -- anyone who enjoys games and puzzles. They also make a nice traveling game for car trips, as long as you have a lap desk. They're great for kids to play with while waiting for food at restaurants. Moms can keep them in a baggie in their purses!

Third, there are a lot of varieties these days. You can get magnetic Tangram sets, wooden sets that come in a little square-shaped frame for storage, sets of cards with new patterns when you've exhausted what you have, an ABC pattern book, a puzzle-a-day calendar, and so on. Here are some of the many options.

Fourth, if you prefer not to buy, Tangrams can also be a great do-it-yourself stocking stuffer, or a fun craft project for kids. I was so enamored of my set in fourth grade that I made my older sister a matching set out of cardboard that I painted. I just traced my set onto the cardboard and cut them out. Nowadays, you can just find free templates online. You can paint them or get fancier with ModPodge, although a busy pattern might make it harder to solve puzzles with them because it could be distracting.

What: Tangrams
Where: Amazon, elsewhere, or make your own!
How much (as of today's post):

Blank Puzzles

Here's something fun for kids: blank puzzles with either 12 larger pieces or 35 smaller pieces. In either case, the completed puzzles measure 8.5 by 11 inches, or the size of a standard piece of paper. The "frame" for the pieces therefore would be too big to put in the stocking, but that doesn't have to stop you from putting the pieces in a ziploc baggie (especially since you can get those with snowflake and other Christmas designs) in the stocking. A blank puzzle for your child to decorate him or herself would be great, or if you're a crafter or inkstamper, you could also create a cute personalized puzzle for your child. Come to think of it, you could create a personalized puzzle for just about anyone, and you do have the 35-piece option for older recipients so as not to make it too easy for them!

What: Blank Puzzles
Where: Romp website
How much (as of today's post): $5.00 (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)

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)

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)

Telegram Postcards

Have you ever received a telegram? I just turned 42, and I've never had one. And of course, with e-mail and cell phones, now I never will! In any case, these fun postcards look like telegrams and would be a cute thing to send in the mail to a friend, or to write up a little love note for a spouse. Or you could give the entire pack to a college student and remind them to let Mom and Dad know once in a while that they're still alive (even better if you put the postage on for them in advance!).

It's also nice that these come from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which means your purchase supports libraries. That's always a good thing!

What: Telegram Postcards
Where: Library Foundation of Los Angeles website
How much (as of today's post): $7.50 / pack of 8 postcards (plus shipping)

Pillbox Tins

Today's stocking stuffer is more a gift "wrapping" than a stuffer itself, but these little pillbox tins from the Nostalgic Candy website are cute enough that the recipient will want to keep them. They cost only $2.00 each, and there's a tin for just about everyone, including Betty Boop, the Cookie Monster, Horton (from Horton Hears a Who), Elvis, the Lone Ranger, Barbie, and Roy Rogers. In other words, that covers men, women, and kids!

So for a stocking, these tins could hold some individual candies, a folded $5 or $10 or $20 bill, or a do-it-yourself "gift certificate" for "one pair of jeans", "two movie tickets", or anything else you can think of. Especially when it comes to clothing, a little do-if-yourself gift certificate might make more sense than a plastic gift card that ties the person to buying from one store only.

I have to say that my favorite is Horton! Although Barbie is kind of funny with her "A Plastic Tan Never Fades" message. (Just to be clear, I'm not in favor of fake tanning. I think it's dangerous and unnecessary.) I could see giving the Roy Rogers or Lone Ranger pillbox to my dad or even my mom -- she has told me she remembers seeing the Lone Ranger at the movies.

What: Pillbox Tins
Where: Nostalgic Candy website
How much (as of today's post): $2.00 (plus shipping)

DIY Hot Chocolate Kits

Yesterday I was rather alarmed when my computer started flashing a red and yellow warning at me, saying that it had been infected and all my accounts could be hacked and I should "click here" to fix it. Luckily I knew better than to "click here", but my husband and I are still determining how best to get rid of the virus pretending to be a cure for a virus. So I'm using my husband's laptop for this post. It has a tiny keyboard with no mouse, which I find very hard to use for any length of time, so today's post will be short, and (it feels like to me) a bit of a cheat since it will only be pointing to someone else's stocking stuffer idea. No pictures, even. :-( I feel like I've been electronically crippled!

Anyway, today's post is about Hot Chocolate Kits, which Heidi from the My Paper Crane blog made up for her child's classroom party favors. They're the perfect size for stocking stuffers, and would look lovely sticking up out of the top of the stocking. Basically Heidi used the plastic cone "bags" you use to pipe frosting, and filled them with one serving of hot chocolate mix, plus chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Then she tied them up with some festive ribbon, and presto! Click here to see the result (scroll down past the little gnomes, which are also adorable). Aren't these hot chocolate kits a perfect last minute stocking stuffer?

What: DIY Hot Chocolate Kits
Where: My Paper Crane blog
How much (as of today's post): (depends how many you make -- they should each be fairly inexpensive when you divide up the cost of the supplies)

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)

Daily Extra / Follow-up: Bananagrams

Way back in December, I posted about the Bananagrams game that I'd seen all over the place for last Christmas season: in Hallmark card stores, in department stores, in this little game kiosks they set up in the mall.... Well, now that I've actually played it a few times, I wanted to mention it again because it really is a very fun game! My husband and I went to the World Science Fiction Convention in Montreal back in August, and the hotel we were staying in gave us so many Happy Hour free drink coupons that we could have spent the entire trip tipsy. Instead, we invited our friends who were in other hotels to come over for Happy Hour. One of them brought Bananagrams, and because it requires no pencils, no paper, no nothin', we played right there in the bar while drinking wine and munching on cheese and crackers.

Lots and lots of fun. I definitely recommend playing with at least three people, though. You can play with two, but it's just not as fun.

I've also noticed that there are imitators waiting in the wings for this Christmas season -- at least two games in little apple-shaped pouches (Appletters and Scrabble Apple), and even a green pear-shaped game called Pairs in Pears! Me, I think I'll stick with the bananas for a while.

I won't bother listing where to buy this, because you're going to see it everywhere this holiday season. I even saw a Spanish version on Amazon!

Gloom Game

Here's a game you can play any time of year, but that seems especially apropos in October! Subtitled "The Game of Inauspicious Incidents & Grave Consequences", Gloom is a game in which you seek to have the most horrific events happen to you, and if a happy event comes up in the deck, you try to impose it on one of your opponents. In flavor it's very much like Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events", and it's fun for adults as well as kids. What's also neat is that the cards are made of plastic that are transparent in strategic spots so that you can pile cards on top of one another and some elements of the cards underneath are still visible and in play. It's really quite clever. We occasionally have friends over for games night, and everyone enjoyed this one. The recommended age is 8 years and up, and that sounds about right to me.

The original Gloom game comes in a little box that's about as wide as two decks of cards, and there are also expansion sets (one deck each) available: the Unwelcome Guests (think Typhoid Mary) expansion, the Unhappy Homes expansion, and so on. You can easily find these online or ask at your local game store. The original game has a suggested retail price of $24.95, but it's available on Amazon for $16.90 plus shipping.

Go forth and be miserable!

What: Gloom Game
Where: Amazon or any game store
How much (as of today's post): $16.90 (plus shipping)

Animusic DVDs

It's kind of difficult to explain the Animusic DVDs to anyone who hasn't seen them. I first encountered them at a Christmas party a few years ago, held in a funky warehouse loft apartment. The host was a computer and techno whiz, and he had these DVDs set up to project on the wall, looping over and over for background ambiance. I've since also seen some Animusic on PBS, of all places!

So what is this all about? Basically, both DVDs contain several tracks of computer-generated animated instruments playing different types of music. For instance, a bouncing ball may land on the correct synthesizer keys to plunk out a melody, while in the background some robot percussion instruments keep the beat. Shoot, I knew it was going to be impossible to explain! There's no way a simple description can get across how fascinating and hypnotizing these animations are. They're visually fascinating, and the whole time you're watching them you can't help but think how incredibly clever they are!

There are two volumes for sale on Amazon, Animusic and Animusic, Vol. 2. Even the customer descriptions on Amazon don't really do these justice, but every single customer review as of today is a five-star rating. In any case, these would make terrific stocking stuffers for just about anyone. They're suitable for kids, great for teens or college students, and definitely perfect for computer and science fiction geeks. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't find this fascinating.

What: Animusic DVDs
Where: Amazon or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $19.99 (plus shipping)

Make Your Own Ruler Kit

Here's a fun stocking stuffer idea that I'd never come across before: a "make your own ruler kit" from Escapade Direct. This plastic ruler, which has both inches and centimeters, has an easy pop-out backing that allows you to change the ruler "art" at any time. You can put in photos, drawings, paintings, or even a collage. On the one hand, this would be great for kids so that they can make their own ruler. On the other hand, this would make a great gift to a friend, sweetheart, or grandparent if you first fill it with appropriate photos. Very versatile, don't you think? And just the right price!

What: Make Your Own Ruler Kit
Where: Escapade Direct website
How much (as of today's post): $4.25 (plus shipping)

Vince Mints

Are there any art lovers in your life? If so, they might appreciate finding the an artistic tin of Vince Mints in their Christmas stockings. This 2.75 x 1.6 inch tin features the instantly recognizable "Sunflowers" by Vincent Van Gogh, and is filled with sugar-free peppermints. I found it on the Shakespeare's Den website. At $1.95, the price is certainly right.

And I have to say, this tin of mints is in much better taste (no pun intended) than the Van Gogh ear keychain, which I will not be listing on this blog.

What: Vince Mints
Where: Shakespeare's Den website
How much (as of today's post): $1.95 (plus shipping)

Printable Gift Boxes from "Don't Eat the Paste" Blog

In my opinion, the best way to write a good blog is to read a lot of other blogs. That means exploring constantly to see what's out there, and trust me, you'll discover wonderful things! One of the nicest things about the blogosphere is that so many creative people are willing to share. Sometimes they're sharing ideas, but lots of bloggers even share their creations for free, like Shala from Alaska, who shares beadwork patterns on her Shala's Beadwork site, and downloadable, printable gift boxes on her Don't Eat the Paste blog.

From a Christmas stocking perspective, Don't Eat the Paste is an absolute treasure trove! Shala has three pages of every occasion gift boxes, a page of printable cards, a page of gift bag shaped boxes, and my favorite, the page of holiday gift boxes. Most of the standard box patterns make 2.25 inch cubes -- the perfect size for stockings! They're intended to be printed in color on cardstock; then you cut and fold, then presto! Naturally, since they're made of cardstock, they're not indestructable, but if you put them at the top of the stocking, just peeking over the edge, they should be fine with a little treat or small gift inside.

There are designs suitable for everyone, like the yummy peppermint pattern shown above. There are even boxes that would be especially wonderful for boys or men, like the dreamy winterland fox shown right. Take your time looking around the site -- there are cone-shaped ornament boxes that can be filled with treats and placed on the Christmas tree, boxes designed especially to hold earrings, boxes meant for tea.... And make sure to bookmark the page to come back, because there are adorable Halloween and Easter designs too!

Special thanks to Shala for allowing me to post about her lovely work. Please note that the images shown here and on her site are copyrighted and cannot be reposted without permission, or used for commercial purposes. If you use Shala's work, please also consider making a small donation to help her support her websites -- it's not required, but there's a convenient Paypal donation button on the website.

Custom Scrabble Blank Journal

Although I've featured handmade journals from Etsy artists before, this one has a new twist that I just couldn't resist: it's a custom-made journal fashioned from vintage Scrabble boards, and you specify what the Scrabble tiles will spell out! Sara of the Re:Paper Etsy shop refers to herself as a "hackbooker", or to quote Sara herself, one who indulges in the "craft of guerrilla bookbinding, using found objects and fine papers to create mixed-media books, albums, and folding frames." Since I love both books and recycling, it doesn't get much better than this for me!

This particular custom Scrabble journal measures 4.5 x 5.75 inches, which should just work as a stocking stuffer. There's also a taller version available, as well as many other lovely journals, including a custom wedding journal, a journal made from a vintage Chutes and Ladders board game, and even one made from beer boxes! It's definitely an eclectic collection. I'm drawn to many of the designs, but I admit I keep coming back to that Scrabble journal.

So what would yours say? I'm thinking "Book Lover", "Cat Lady", or one of Sara's own concoctions, which was "Word Nerd" (that one has since been sold, but she tells me she'll be putting another up for sale in the near future). If someone you know is a real Scrabble aficionado, "Scrabble Ninja" might be funny. That's what I love about Etsy; so many of its artists allow you to be part of the creative process too!

What: Custom Scrabble Blank Journal
Where: Re:Paper (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $25 (plus shipping)

UV Monkey

This product has kind of a strange name -- it's not as though it looks like a monkey! -- but the Think Geek website explains that it's like the monkeys we sent up in space to make sure it was safe for humans. This UV Monkey, then, it designed to show UV levels so you know how much sunscreen protection you might need. (It also mentions that it will help you know best when to charge your solar-powered devices. I always assumed solar-powered devices charged on visible light, not UV, but I guess I should take the geeks' word for it!)

How does it work? The center circle changes color to indicate four different levels of UV intensity. The UV Monkey measures 1.5 inches in diameter and attaches easily to a keyring, making it the perfect size for a stocking stuffer. But since we're in the middle of a hot summer (I can't tell you how many 100+ degree days we've had in Houston so far this year), you may not want to wait until Christmas!

What: UV Monkey
Where: Think Geek website
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 (plus shipping)

Ducky Soaps

Although the Ducky Soaps shop on Etsy has something for everyone -- and I do mean everyone -- the soaps I chose to show here are the ones most appropriate for boys and men (=large boys), since we all know they are lots harder to buy for than girls! The first soap that caught my eye was this adorable little hockey player duck, because my husband is Canadian and therefore he, my brothers-in-law, and my nephews all love hockey. (I'm convinced it's actually genetic!) The glycerin soap is hypoallergenic and gentle enough for babies, and the rubber ducks themselves are soft and safe for children, which is great because it means these soaps make great gifts for almost any age.

Next up is this adorable construction worker duck. He happens to come in an "orange dream" scent, but all of the soaps are available scent free if desired. And if the "slow" construction sign isn't your first choice, there are three other construction worker ducks holding other tools of the trade.

And before I start talking about soaps for your other gift recipients, I just have to show one more for the guys: this little referee duck. This one is perfect if the man in your life is a complete sports nut and can't settle on just one sport!

But I really would be doing Ducky Soaps a disservice if I didn't mention their other offerings. There's a section in the store for birthdays and holidays, another for weddings and baby showers, one with fairy tale characters and pirates, one for pigs, cows, and bears, and then the sports and occupations section where I found the soaps shown above. But even that section has lots for girls and women: cheerleader ducks in various colors, a funny dentist duck with a great big white smile, an adorable chef duck, a pilot duck.... Even different branches of the armed forces are represented.

And then there's the "All Other Ducky Soaps" section with several miscellaneous items, including a glow-in-the-dark duck, a breast cancer awareness duck, and even a rainbow hippie chick that comes in a grape soda scent! Honestly, I've barely even scratched the surface. You could easily find something for every single person on your stocking stuffer list here.

What: Ducky Soaps
Where: Ducky Soaps (an Etsy shop)
How much (as of today's post): $6 (plus shipping)

Star Trek Minimates

I'm spending this weekend at a science fiction convention that has a heavy emphasis on Star Trek, so in honor of that, here are some Star Trek Minimates, which are perfect for stocking stuffers! If you take them out of the package, you can even fit them into the little drawers in a wooden Advent calendar. The price for these can vary widely; I've seen a pair of them sell for $5.99 up to $9.99. You can find them at Target, Toys R Us, Amazon, and comic book and game stores. On Amazon, just search for "Trek minimates", and you'll get tons of results, ranging from classic Trek to Next Gen to Deep Space Nine to the movies.

And now, back to the convention!

[Note: Last chance to to enter my ongoing giveaway for a Swarovski rhinestone stretch bracelet! The giveaway ends tonight (July 11, 2009) at 11:59 Central time, based on the comment timestamp.]

What: Star Trek Minimates
Where: Amazon, Target, game stores, etc.
How much (as of today's post): price varies