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)

Spot It

This "Spot It" game is the perfect size for a stocking stuffer! It comes in a 3.5 inch diameter, 1 inch high circular tin, and contains 55 cards with 8 symbols each. There are 4 different versions of the game, all of which incorporate matching symbols the most quickly. The product description says it's for 2 to 8 players, ages 7 and up. The compact size means it would make a good take-along game, as well. Looks like fun, don't you think?

What: Spot It
Where: Solutions
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)

Star Trek Outlet and Light Switch Plate Covers

This arrived last week from ThinkGeek.com, and I think it's my favorite thing that I'll be putting in my husband's stocking this year. For the uber-Trek-geek in your life: Star Trek outlet and light switch plate covers! I got my husband the outlet plate, which I see is now temporarily out of stock, but they also have light switch and slider light switch covers. The outlet cover was $12.99, and the light switch plates are $17.99 apiece. My husband and I each have our own "room" -- mine is an office and his is his game room -- and this will be Just Perfect for his game room. I can't wait until he opens it!

What: Star Trek Outlet and Light Switchplate Covers
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $12.99-$17.99 (plus shipping)

Pewter Wall Pegs

I've had these pewter wall pegs bookmarked forever, so when I went back to the link I was happy to see they're on sale for $14.99, down from the original $22.00! (I also note, though, that they've been discontinued -- so once they're gone they're gone.) Uncommon Goods often has stuff priced a little higher than I would like, but at the same time their merchandise always looks to be of very high quality. In any case, I think these pewter wall pegs would make great stocking stuffers, especially for cat or dog lovers. They're perfect for holding a key ring or two, or a dog leash. They're approximately 3 inches long by 1 inch wide.

What: Pewter Wall Pegs
Where: Uncommon Goods
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (on sale from $22.00) (plus shipping)

Retro Ice Bags

I take some very expensive prescription migraine medicine (I'm blessed to have good prescription benefits through my employer), but I have to admit, sometimes the least fancy remedies work wonders, such as a good old ice bag on the back of the neck. My ice bag is a pretty boring affair, but the Container Store has these designer "retro" ice bags which might make a cute and useful stocking stuffer for someone in need.

The ice bags are made from "rubberized cotton cloth" (I'm not entirely sure what that means) and are leak proof. The four designs are Black Dots, Green Boxes, Pink Hibiscus, and Yellow Ducks. Personally, I like the duckies the best!

What: Retro Ice Bags
Where: Container Store website or stores
How much (as of today's post): $12.99 (plus shipping)

Darth Vader Flexible Spatula

Williams Sonoma has been rockin' the Star Wars stuff lately! Sandwich molds, cookie cutters, pancake molds, and now this awesome Darth Vader spatula. It seems a strange combination of interests, but one of my best friends is totally into Star Wars/sci-fi and she loves to bake!

Details: flexible nylon-silicone head that won't scratch nonstick pans; stainless steel handle; and (most importantly!) dishwasher safe. It's 10 1/2 inches long. Which makes it perfect for sticking out the top of a stocking!

What: Darth Vader Flexible Spatula
Where: Williams Sonoma website or stores
How much (as of today's post): $12.00

Tank Robot Keychain Watch

About two years ago, I posted a "luxury stocking stuffer" -- a spiffy Tank Robot Clock that was wonderful but that cost $45. Well, here is Tank Robot's baby sibling -- a Tank Robot Keychain Watch for $14.99. The clock came in red or black, but the keychain watch version comes in ivory, teal, or red. (I see right now that the Perpetual Kid website has only ivory in stock, but you can keep an eye out for when they get the other colors back in, or search for them elsewhere.

Perfect for clipping on a backpack, don't you think? They're made of metal and are 1.75 inches tall.

What: Tank Robot Keychain Watch
Where: Perpetual Kid website
How much (as of today's post): $14.99 (plus shipping)

Lacing Cards -- Buy or DIY!

I love Eric Carle illustrations -- in fact, I've been to the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts -- so this set of animal lacing cards caught my eye. The box has 10 cards measuring 6.5 by 5.25 inches and 10 brightly colored laces to attract little ones' eyes. And at the same time, of course, lacing helps children develop all kinds of skills, including sequencing, dexterity, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Of course, this is something that you could easily make yourself for less! You could use extra sturdy cardstock or cardboard, and stamp them with fun images or even just paint or draw. You can look in the dollar store for inexpensive colored shoelaces. You could even put a set of cards with the laces in a store-bought or handmade drawstring bag. The images could even be photographs that you've taken of your kids or pets. The possibilities are endless!

And you know what? I'm just now having a flashback.... I'm pretty sure my mom made lacing cards for us out of recycled Christmas cards at one point!

What: Lacing Cards
Where: Chinaberry or DIY!
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)

Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit

Here's a fun stocking stuffer that makes a great parent-and-child activity for later on: a Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit. This kit lets you assemble the included plastic lenses, mirrored strips, and cardboard tubes to showcase the colored beads, and you can add your own little decorative bits and trinkets as well. I can also envision drawing on the outside tube to personalize the kaleidoscope, or perhaps decorating it with stickers.

I imagine the crafty among you could also figure out how to do this yourself from scratch -- I think it's a bit beyond me, though!

What: Build-Your-Own-Kaleidoscope Kit
Where: FredFlare.com
How much (as of today's post): $14.00 (plus shipping)

Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters

It's the Ninjabread Men! These little cookie cutters put a new twist on an old classic -- perhaps inspired by the Gingerbread Man of the Shrek movies?

In any case, these would be great stocking stuffer for any mom whose kids take karate, and I understand it's more and more popular these days. They would also be great for said kids if they also enjoy baking or would like to take a treat to their karate class. Or they can even be used to make cookies for men who never grew out of their kung fu movie phase. I love the way the sample cookies are decorated!

What: Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters
Where: Uncommon Goods website
How much (as of today's post): $12.00 (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)

Garden "Bon-bons" (not to eat!)

Wow, where did the last week go? I had planned to post every day, but I am teaching a class this semester for the first time, and it swallowed my life? It was only an 8-week course and last week was the last week (!), so I was dealing with grading and anxious students on top of my usual full-time job.

In any case, today I'm back with a stocking stuffer/small gift that looks good enough to eat, but you shouldn't eat it! These Garden "Bon-bons" are actually more like "seed bombs" -- bundles of clay, compost, and seeds that you drop into soil, water, and watch grow. The unique part is the packaging, because the "bon-bons" are made up in a box with little paper candy "cups" just like you'd see in a real box of chocolates. The seed assortment includes 2 basil, 4 parsley, 2 chives, and 2 thyme. These are handmade in the USA.

(Of course, for those of you in winter climates, this might not be the best time of year unless your recipient grows indoor herbs. Or you could just bookmark this for Mother's Day or some other Spring occasion.)

What: Garden "Bon-bons"
Where: Vat19
How much (as of today's post): $15.95 (plus shipping)

Day of the Dead Mini Skulls Gift Box

I would be the first to say that $13 for 3 chocolates, no matter how big and luscious, is a lot, but I admit I am tempted by the clever skull shapes, and intrigued by the three decadent flavors represented. The product description notes that the gift box has one each of these varieties:

• Tequila Caramel Skull (Corzo silver tequila + Fleur de Sel sea salt + 70% cacao dark chocolate)
  
• Red Fire Caramel Skull (Ancho y chipotle chillies + Ceylon cinnamon + 70% cacao dark chocolate)
  
• Dulce de Leche Skull (Argentine dulce de leche + 45% cacao deep milk chocolate)

Not your average chocolates, in other words!

What: Day of the Dead Mini Skulls Gift Box
Where: Vosges website or stores such as Whole Foods
How much (as of today's post): $13.00 (plus shipping)

Knik Foldable Trivet

If your kitchen counter is as cluttered as mine is, you would appreciate this Knik Foldable Trivet as a stocking stuffer as much as I would! It's made from stainless steel, silicone, and heat resistant plastic; when folded for storing it's only 4.5 inches long, but when extended for use it has a diameter of 8.7 inches. Plus I just like that it looks so sleek! You can't see it in this image, but on the ThinkGeek site you can see it folding and unfolding. Oh, and it's dishwasher safe too.

What: Knik Foldable Trivet
Where: ThinkGeek.com
How much (as of today's post): $13.99 (plus shipping)*

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

Burger Coin Purse

Is it me, or does this burger coin purse look incredibly Japanese? They certainly know how to anthropomorphize anything and make it cute! According to the product description, this coin purse is made of shaped canvas with PVC appliques and embroidery, with a zipper closure and a contrast lining; zipper closure. It measures 4.5 inches wide by 4 inches high. I think it would make an adorable stocking stuffer for a girl or 'tween.

What: Burger Coin Purse
Where: Karmaloop website
How much (as of today's post): $11.95 (plus shipping)

Mummy Jewelry Box

This mummy jewelry box will delight little girls who love Halloween. I also have an adult friend who's very into bats, skeletons, and mummies year round. In any case, it's a bit of fun Halloween whimsy. The jewelry box is 10 3/4 long by 4 1/2" wide (actually a little bigger than I would have guessed from the photo). Oddly, the product desciprtion doesn't say what it's made of, so I'm guessing some kind of resin -- I hope it's not plastic!

What: Mummy Jewelry Box
Where: Wireless catalog
How much (as of today's post): $12.94 (plus shipping)

Pride and Prejudice Mint Boxes

Look at these lovely mint boxes featuring Pride and Prejudice! I almost had a heart attack when I saw the $14.95 price tag for a box of mints, but then I realized that the boxes are laquered and plastic (I'm not quite sure how that works together) and are meant to be kept. The two choices are a box featuring a book cover image from Pride and Prejudice and a box with Mr. Bingley telling Darcy, "Come, Darcy, I must have you dance." Aren't they charming?

Great item for a Jane Austen-themed stocking.... just sayin'.

What: Pride and Prejudice Mint Boxes
Where: Bas Bleu website
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)

Splashimals Floating Cards

Here's a cute stocking stuffer for the little ones: Splashimals Floating Cards. Obviously they're waterproof, making them just right for bathtime. But they're also pretty clever in an of themselves. There are 15 animals split into two cards each, and their names as well as their pictures are split right down the middle. The pictures are set up so you can mix and match the cards and create brand new animals like the "pentle" (penguin and turtle) and the "ostriphant" (ostrich and elephant). Can you believe there are more than 225 possible animal combinations?!

The cards measure 2 5/8 inches wide by 4 inches high, and come with a zippered mesh bag for storage. I think these are terrific, and the waterproof quality for bath time is just icing on the cake.

What:
Where: Spoon Sisters website
How much (as of today's post): $11.95 (plus shipping)