D20 Magic 8 Ball

I'm old enough to remember Magic 8 Balls when they were new. Here's an updated version in the form of a 20-sided gaming dice (well, technically it's a "die"). If ThinkGeek's product information is to believe -- and you never can tell with them, because they tend to be a bit tongue-in-cheek -- possible answers to your gaming questions include "+5 CHA, you handsome devil!", "Yes (if 3rd Edition)", and "It’s a trap!" If you have any teens who are into gaming, this is for them!

What: D20 Magic 8 Ball
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 (plus shipping)

Draw Your Own Design Watch

As a teenager, I loved bright and colorful Swatch watches, but I think I would have really loved this -- a "draw your own design" watch! The plain white watch can be drawn on with pens or markers, to make any design that suits the wearer. Unfortunately the description doesn't give the measurements of the watch face or the length of the band, which to me is important because I have tiny wrists and even ladies' watches tend to be too big, but that aside, I love the idea of this as a super fun stocking stuffer for teens, especially artistic ones.

(Don't forget, ThinkGeek participates in Mr. Rebates.

What: Draw Your Own Design Watch
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $11.99

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)

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)

Zombie Dice Game

Halloween is upon us, and as usual I am caught out without a costume! I don't know why it is that I manage to get organized early for Christmas, but Halloween catches me off-guard every year.

In any case, here is a fun Halloween-themed stocking stuffer (although I suspect that any day now we're going to start hearing a slogan such as "Zombies... They're not just for Halloween anymore!" And it's true that zombies are everywhere these days, from Jane Austen novel mash-ups to a mock Sears website. Since zombies are currently cool, teens would probably enjoy this game, which comes with all the dice and directions tucked into the dice shaker cup. The product description says the game is easy to learn and games are quick, running about 10-20 minutes each.

And hey, how can you go wrong with dice that have "braaaaaiiiinnnnssss" on them?!

What: Zombie Dice Game
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 (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)

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)

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)

Recycled Toy Block Necklace with Swarovski Crystal

Here's something funky and trendy for girls and teens that won't completely break the bank: a recycled "toy block" (guess they're not allowed to say Lego!) pendant with a Swarovski crystal embedded in it. When I first saw this I feared the price would be $30 or more, but it's only $14.99, which isn't too bad. The toy blocks are actually recycled, not made new, so that's another plus. It comes with an 18 inch silver-plated chain, and comes in red, pink, blue, white, and black.

What: Recycled Toy Block Necklace with Swarovski Crystal
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (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)

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)