Set of Like/Dislike Stamps

OK, this is temporarily out of stock at ThinkGeek BUT it's due back in stock by December 13, and it's too cute not to post about!

So.... Got Facebook? Or, more importantly, got a teen or college student who's on Facebook? He/she might love this set of like/dislike stamps! The set includes both stamps, which each measure 3 by 1.25 by 2.5 inches. And they're self-inking, always a plus.

And hey, why does Facebook still not have a dislike button?!

What: Set of Like/Dislike Stamps
Where: ThinkGeek
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 for set (plus shipping)

Ninja Salt & Pepper Shakers

What's with all the ninja stuff out there these days?! In the past I've listed ninja star coat hooks, ninja star push pins, a ninja toothbrush sanitizer, and ninja-bread men cookie cutters. They're almost as ubiquitous as zombies and vampires! For today, I found these adorable ninja salt and pepper shakers online at The Afternoon. I normally don't "do" cutesy salt and pepper shakers, but I do find these appealing. They strike (no pun intended) just the right tone for a college student or young adult in his or her first apartment, especially if they're into anime or manga or martial arts films.

The shakers are approximately 3 inches tall and made of ceramic.

What: Ninja Salt & Pepper Shakers
Where: The Afternoon
How much (as of today's post): $19.95 (plus shipping)

Ambulance Bandages

These are among the cutest novelty bandages I've seen: little ambulances and emergency response vehicles with a decidedly Japanese flavor. There are 24 latex-free bandages in assorted sizes, packaged in a tin that measures 2 5/8 inches wide by 3 5/8 inches high.

This would also make the cute centerpiece of a little homemade first aid kid that you can put together for a college student's dorm room, especially if your college student is into Japanese anime or manga.


What: Ambulance Bandages
Where: Spoon Sisters websiteHow much (as of today's post): $5.95 (plus shipping)

Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs

These Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs would make a cute gift for kids, or for college students who are too far away to make it home for Thanksgiving dinner! There are three flavors: Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Pie. I think they would certainly taste.... interesting! But I probably should not indulge myself -- I can't stand the buttered popcorn flavor of Jelly Belly, because the taste is right, but so wrong with that texture! I have to imagine turkey-flavored gum might be a similar experience.... But kids love things that are weird or even gross!

What: Thanksgiving Dinner Gumballs
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $3.99 (or $9.99 for three) (plus shipping)

Body Double Magnets

This is a stocking stuffer that is too large as is to put in a stocking, but which can be easily repackaged or even split among several recipients to keep down the cost. The overall pack of these "body double magnets" measures 6.5 inches wide by 10 inches high, but the individual magnets are only 2.5 inches high. Splitting them among recipients lowers your cost-per-stocking-stuffer quite a bit!

So what are these "body double magnets"? They're magnets that let you put a new body on a familiar face. Turn your husband into a body builder or your little girl into a prima ballerina. (I could turn me and my husband into the nerd with the pocket protector, but it's already pretty obvious we're nerds!) I think this would be especially fun for teens and college students, who are always plastering their rooms with photos of their friends anyway.

This is also another possibility for a DIY stocking stuffer, using adhesive-backed magnetic sheets, the kind that let you turn photos into magnets.

What: Body Double Magnets
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $7.50 (plus shipping)

M.C. Escher Mirror Puzzle

I went through an M.C. Escher phase in high school, when I was convinced he was the world's most brilliant artist. I even tried recreating some of his work in pencil, with limited success.... Seeing this Escher mirror puzzle from Vat19 brought back those memories, and I think it would make a nice stocking stuffer (assuming a generous-sized stocking) for a teen or a college student who likes puzzles.

So what's this puzzle about? Each of 9 cubes, measuring 1.25 inches apiece, has two mirrored sides plus pieces from five different Escher images. I'm not quite sure how the math on that works.... I think I need to see this in action! I especially want to see how the mirrored sides play into the solution.

The frame or base for the puzzle makes the total dimensions 5.25 x 5.25 x 1.5 inches. The product description actually says it's appropriate for kids age 7 and up, so if you have a younger little brainiac, I'm sure they would like this too! This puzzle/game is also a great candidate for paired gifts, such as an Escher book under the tree, an Escher bookmark in the stocking, and so on.

What: M.C. Escher Mirror Puzzle
Where: Vat19.com
How much (as of today's post): $19.95 (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)

Wallet Bottle Opener

The starting-out price for this stocking stuffer for men is not bad at $14.95, but it you want engraving -- which to me would kind of be the point -- the price does go up by another $9.95, and then of course there's shipping. Which moves this well into the category of "luxury" stocking stuffer. But it can make a unique and lasting gift tailored to an individual. What is it? A bottle opener that can be carried in the wallet like a credit card, but that can also be personalized.

What to engrave? The example shown gives important dates for the forgetful man to remember, but one reviewer on the website noted that she gave one to her son and one to his college roommate, with their college and year engraved on it. I think that's a terrific idea! You could also have a meaningful quote engraved, or make is a message from your kids to their father or grandfather.

Here are some product particulars:

• It measures 3 3/8 x 2 1/8 inches
  
• It's made of stainless steel
  
• It can be engraved with up to 5 lines, 20 characters each line. The size of the letters depends on how much you have engraved -- more characters will result in smaller engraving

Great idea for Father's Day, which always manages to sneak up on me....

What: Wallet Bottle Opener
Where: Red Envelope website
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus more for engraving if desired) (plus shipping)

Buckyballs

I know that $29.95 for a magnetic toy seems super expensive, but I have played with Buckyballs and they are as fascinating as everyone says they are. Buckyballs come as a set of 216 tiny ball-shaped rare earth magnets that seem to take on a life of their own. Naturally they're not suitable for any child that might swallow them, but they're a fun gift for just about anyone else.

Seriously, check out the 2 minute demo video here. It's far more entertaining than anything I could say about them. ;-)

What: Buckyballs
Where: Buckyballs website, ThinkGeek.com, or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $29.95 (plus shipping)

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

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)

Ninja Star Pushpins

These are definitely on the pricey side, but I do know a couple of guys (of various ages -- they're all really just boys, aren't they?) who would love these ninja push pins as a stocking stuffer. They're 2.75 inches from tip to tip, and made of "injection molded ABS" (whatever that is!) with a chrome plated finish. They come three to a set for $9.99, which is why I said they're pricey, but they look so cool sticking out of a bulletin board, as if a ninja assassin just missed his target....

(Ages ago I posted about the ninja star coat hook, which would go nicely with the pushpins....)

What: Ninja Star Pushpins
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $9.99 for set of 3 (plus shipping)

Handerpants

These definitely fall into the gag gift stocking stuffer category: Handerpants, otherwise known as underwear for your hands! These fingerless gloves are designed to look like men's briefs, and are just the kind of silly thing that teens or college students might find amusing. They're available on several websites including Archie McPhee and Perpetual Kid. They're 95% cotton and 5% spandex.

What: Handerpants
Where: Archie McPhee or elsewhere
How much (as of today's post): $11.95 (plus shipping)

Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer

OK, this is way too expensive, but I've designated Friday posts for luxury stocking stuffers, so here goes: look at this Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer! It's new on the ThinkGeek website, and I think it's hilarious. Plus it's one of those gifts that works for kids, teens, college students, and even geeky adults, especially the men.

Instead of just raving about it, I suppose I should mention the particulars. It requires 3 AA batteries (too bad, I would prefer a plug), it uses ultraviolet light to eliminate bacterial growth, and it eliminates 99.9% of viruses. So it's both funny and practical.

What: Bacteria Assassin Ninja Toothbrush Sanitizer
Where: ThinkGeek website
How much (as of today's post): $36.99 (plus shipping)

Faux Chocolate Calculator

I was actually about to list this as a food gift when I realized it actually is a calculator that looks like chocolate, not chocolate that looks like a calculator (although I imagine those exist somewhere out there too!). This working calculator takes the illusion to an amazing degree -- it has a candy bar wrapping and even smells like chocolate. This would make a really cute stocking stuffer for kids, teens, college students, or any chocoholic.

What: Faux Chocolate Calculator
Where: WishingFish.com
How much (as of today's post): $6.00 (plus shipping)

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)

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

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)

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)

Jo!e Small Fry Mini Pan

On Saturday, I posted about my trip to Bed Bath & Beyond, and said I had found one thing so cute that I wanted to save it for its own post. Here it is: the Jo!e Small Fry Mini Pan, which is just big enough for one egg, and just small enough to fit in a generous-sized stocking! I wasn't able to find the exact dimensions online, but I could tell from looking at it in the store that it would just fit in the size of Christmas stockings my husband and I use. Is it not the cutest thing you've ever seen? It looks like a doll-sized pan!

In any case, I think this would be a terrific stocking stuffer for an adult who cooks for one, a college student in their first apartment, or even someone who is married but only one of the spouses likes eggs, which is the case with me and my husband. The pan was $7.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond, which is quite a good price for an unusual and useful stocking stuffer. I did see it for sale at various places online, but listed for $9.00 or higher, so I'd be inclined to just pick it up at the store. There's also a similar mini omelette pan, but it's slightly larger and would be more difficult to fit in a stocking.

What: Jo!e Small Fry Mini Pan
Where: Bed Bath & Beyond or other kitchen stores
How much (as of today's post): $7.99