Random Ramblings of a Shopaholic

Looking for some last minute stocking stuffers? How about one of these ideas?

Digital photo frames have been one of the hottest gift ideas this holiday season. Give this Digital Photo Viewer Keychain from Office Depot for just $9.99. It holds 42 color photos and has a 1.1" display. I think I'm going to ask for one of these myself!

20Q is a game for everyone. Adults will love this one as well as kids and it's the perfect size to fit in a stocking. Try to stump the game. I bet you can't! It's kind of creepy how it always knows what you're thinking! It's around $12 from most toy retailers.

The Professional Pure Color Gloss Collection by Estee Lauder is just $30 at Macy's. The champagne case comes with 6 Pure Color Glosses and perfect for her holiday parties.

Guys need to look good, too! Give him this Nautica Manicure Kit. It comes with everything he needs to make sure his hands are as well groomed as the rest of him. It's just $24.99(down from $40) at Macy's.

The weather is suddenly more chilly and the snow is starting to fall. If you're looking for last minute gifts--or perhaps just something to keep yourself warm, check out these cold weather items. These Quilted Ear Warmers have built in headphones! Who would have thought? They're $29.99(down from $40) and come in black and white. You can get a matching scarf and gloves to go along with them. Now you can keep your ears warm AND listen to your iPod at the same time!

I love these Cashmere Polka Dot Scarves. I'm partial to the pink, but the black and white would go with a lot more. You'll stay warm and look stylish with this one. It's $52.50(down from $75.) I wouldn't mind finding one of these under my Christmas tree!

Let's not forget the guys! Get him this Polo Signature Lambswool Scarf to keep him toasty. Available in nine different colors, it's a classic style that will always be in style.

How cool are these these Iso by Isotoner Hand Jive Fleece-Lined Sport Gloves? Only the red "Ok" sign and the blue "peace" sign are still available, but for just $14.99, they make a really cute gift. They're microfiber and fleece lined, so they'll keep his hands warm, too!

You can find more gloves, hats and scarfs on sale at Macy's. Don't forget that your order ships free when you spend $99. Use code GIFTED(ends 12/17/07.)

Still looking for Christmas decorations? Macy's is having a fabulous sale on holiday items. You can even use coupon code GIFTED to get free shipping when you spend $99. Even if you don't need more holiday decorations for yourself, still be sure to check out the sale. There are tons of items that would make great gifts.

Who doesn't want a tree that looks like Martha Stewart's? Pick up this Martha Stewart Collection Christmas Tree, 7.5 ft. tree for just $99. It was originally $275, so it's a steal! Add some of her Winter Whimsies Assorted Glass Balls. You'll get 26 of them for just $24.85(down from $50) and you'll have your own Martha tree!

Wouldn't these Winter Whimsies Ceramic Cookie Ornaments, also by Martha Stewart, look adorable on your tree as well? How about attaching them to a present or gift bag? I love that idea! Attach one of these to a bottle of lotion or a candle and you have a great teacher gift. They're darling and just $7.45 for 3(down from $15.)

Do you know someone who just recently had a baby? This Pooh Baby's First Christmas by Lenox ($19.99) is a gift they'll treasure. Gift it in the Baby's First Christmas Stocking($7.45) and you have a perfect present for under $30.

Speaking of stockings--one of my favorite things to do is buy a stocking and stuff it full of candy and small gifts for someone special. These stockings are beautiful and your recipients keep them for years down the road. The green velour stocking is by Holiday Lane and is just $7.45(down from $15.) The red is a Martha Stewart Collection Forest Enchantment Red Die-Cut Felt Stocking and is also $7.45. By the way, guys, we also have NO problem with you adding something sparkly at the bottom of our stockings. May I suggest something like this?

I don't know about you, but I get bored with sticking money into a card during the holidays. For those teens or other hard to buy for people you usually wind up gifting with cash, why not make them work to get to their money? Check out some of these cool ways to give your money away.

This Money Maze Bank is available at Deep Discount for just $8.95 with free shipping. Your gift recipient will have to find the solution to the maze before they can get to their money. Don't worry. A solution comes along with the box just in case!

Bits and Pieces has quite a few money holders, including this puzzle box. They'll have to figure out how to open it before they can get to the cash.

The Bilz Box forces the recipient to solve a two level puzzle before the prize(money, concert tickets, etc) will be released. It's available many places online, but you get a discount the more you buy here!

Why would you just stick cash in a card when you can use one of these puzzle boxes to torment them? That's what they get for being so hard to buy for, right?  Can you tell I have a hard to buy for teen?

If you're buying for young children this holiday season, you're probably concerned about the safety of the toys on the store shelves. Luckily, there are some online retailers to help you out by offering toys that are guaranteed safe. Many of these sites have links on their home pages regarding toy safety, so please check them out if you're concerned.

Craftsbury Kids offers a selection natural, wooden toys finished in lead-free paint--many made in the USA. The Little Engine That Could train set is $36 and guess what?! It's compatible with your Thomas the Tank Engine track. This train set is painted with lead-free paint, so no worries there. If you spend $75, you can also get free shipping with coupon code HFS.

Didn't we all have a little red wagon when we were kids? Red Wagons has the toys we remember from way back when. The Retro - Rocket is $44(down from $66.) They also have wagons, rocking horses and the ride on toy that was my favorite from my childhood, The Inchworm. (It's $44.95.)

Instead of giving them something that requires batteries, give them something to create. Hearthsong has wonderful craft sets and imaginative toys to encourage your child's imagination. The Knot a Quilt set is just $19.99. They also have Potholder Loom & Loops Sets like I remember from my childhood for only $9.98. Use coupon code HS99 for $4.99 shipping when you spend $50.

Quite a few other sites have taken the initiative to offer you toys you can feel safe buying. eBeanstalk.com has actually gone so far as to lead test all their toys. They also have a few coupon codes to help you out. Use code GIFTSERIES for 15% off orders from their gift series or use code FREESHIP for free shipping when you spend $75. You'll also get free shipping when you spend just $25 at Oh Toy. Magic Cabin is another site to feed their imaginations. Maybe this will be the year you won't have to race out on Christmas Eve after forgotten batteries!

If you have a child between the ages of 8 - 12, you know how difficult Tweens can be to buy for at the holidays. If a cell phone, iPod, or digital camera is out of your budget, how about one of these gifts? They all look like a ton of fun and are $40 or less.

The Eyeclops allows you to look at any item at up to 200 times its normal size. It plugs right into your tv and I know my 11 yr old would love it. It retails for about $40. Don't forget the batteries though. This one takes 5 AAs.

The MiJam Guitar ($24.99 at eToys) will let them rock out with their favorite music. It connects to their iPod, MP3 player or other digital music device and lets them play along. It's also great because they can put their iPod headphones on and you don't have to hear a thing. Perfect!

Webkinz are adorable stuffed animals that come with a code that lets you bring them to life on your computer. Think of it as your Beanie Baby meets the Sims. You have to take care of your pet, feed them, bathe them, clothe them and more to keep them happy and healthy. There are cool games to play to earn Kinz Cash so you can buy more items for your pet. They retail for about $12.99. Check out the website for more details.

Do you have a fashionista who is constantly trying out new outfits at home? Let her try her hand at the DESIGNER’S WORLD TV Plug-in Game from Hasbro. ($39.99) You get to create your own designs and present your line to a group of judges on the runway. It plugs right into your TV so no other game hardware is required.

Gifts of Food

We all have someone who is imposible to buy for at the holidays. In those cases, food can be a perfect gift. It's even better when you can find food on sale--like these yummy items.

This Giant Hannukah Fortune Cookie is almost a pound of goodness. It's also marked down to $24.99 from $33 at Macy's. There must be someone you know who would love this.

Who wouldn't love some Chocolate Covered Holiday Oreos? YUM! You must know someone who would love to dunk these in milk. At just $14.99(down from $22 at Macy's, also) they make an affordable gift for anyone, but if you want to send them to me, let me know and I'll get you my address!

Looking for something a little more substantial? Head over to Omaha Steaks. They have their Ideal Gift Collection marked down to $59 down from $133. It comes with steaks, hamburgers, chicken, stuffed bake potatoese, sole and even a chocolate cake for dessert.

If you want to spoil someone send them this Chocolate Lover's Cheesecake Sampler from Eli's Cheesecake. It's $44, but includes samples of three different flavors, making it a great way to end your holiday meal. Something tells me I should only blog on a full stomach...

Something to Hug

There's an unspoken rule in our house. Santa must leave something to hug under our tree. My kids have always found something cuddly with their names on it Christmas Day. This year, it will be a Webkinz in their stocking, but if you have the same tradition--or if you're just looking for a holiday gift for a little one--here are a few ideas I found. Of course, they're all on sale!

Is there a new little princess in your life? This Sonja Doll by Gund ($7.87 at Macy's) is sure to make her happy. Soft and cuddly, she's the perfect first doll. My daughter had a similar one as a baby and carried her everywhere.

Spunky the Dog by Gund will be anyone's best friend. Spunky comes in brown, pink or blue. I can't tell if he(or she) comes with the little Radio Flyer wagon, but even if he doesn't, he's still a good value at $16.50. My son loves dogs and every year since he was a baby, he gets a new puppy. I know he would love this one for his collection!

If you have a Thomas fan at your house, you already know how much these would be loved. Choose from Thomas, Percy or James for $7.87 each. I used to find the trains in bed with my kids, so now you can give them one to hug--and you won't have to worry about them rolling over on a wooden train in their sleep!

Of course, we can't leave out everyone's favorite little monster! I'm not sure how cuddly TMX Elmo ($34.99) is, but he sure is cute! He also has his friends, Tickle Me Cookie Monster and Tickle Me Ernie. Should I admit that we had the originals? How old does that make my kids? Yikes. TOO old!

If you have older kids, you know that the Nintendo Wii is THE hot item yet again this year. If you have younger kids, what's hot for them? I've done some surfing and these look like not only "hot" toys, but also toys that your kids will love. They won't be those piles of plastic that wind up hidden away in the toy box by New Year's! Aside from the classics like Barbie and Elmo, I found a slew of cool toys to keep them busy a long time!

The Fisher Price Smart Cycle is sold out almost everywhere online, but I did find it at FisherPrice.com for $100. Keep an eye out at your favorite online toy stores like eToys and it may appear again. The Smart Cycle is a great idea. It's a toy that will get your toddler or preschooler moving. It plugs into your tv and as your child pedals, he will meet up with is favorite characters like Dora, Blue, Bob the Builder and many others. They'll learn about numbers, letters, and shapes in an entertaining way. Plus, they'll get rid of some of that excess energy my preschoolers always had!

The younger set will love the Little Superstar Sing Along Stage (around $45) also from Fisher Price. It has all the things babies this age love. It makes music. It lights up and best of all, there's a mirror so baby can look at herself while she plays. This toy has great reviews and I don't think you can go wrong with it.

The Kidizoom Digital Camera by VTech(about $59) allows preschoolers to take their own pictures and even make their own 5 minute videos. It's kid-tough and actually looks cool. Your preschool will love taking pictures just like mom and dad. Order it from eToys and get free shipping when you spend $100.

It's another Fisher-Price toy on the list. The Digital Arts & Crafts Studio(about $50 at KBToys) will let your child take his(or her!) creativity to the next level. It plugs into your PC via a USB port and will let your little artist create their masterpieces on your computer and then print them out. I imagine a LOT of refrigerators covered in artwork on Dec. 26th!
Shop at eToys now for free shipping on your $99 purchase. KBToys is offering free shipping on a whole slew of toys. Follow the links on their home page.

Dress Them in Their Best

Have you picked out the perfect outfits for your little ones for their holiday pictures? If you're still debating what to buy, check out the sale at Macy's. Their Perfect Gift sale is going on now and you'll get free shipping when you spend $99.

If you're dressing a little one, some of the deals here can't be beat! I think this First Impressions Baby Girl Velour Dress and Tights Set is the sweetest thing! It's marked down to $17.92(originally $32.) Won't she be adorable her first Christmas in this outfit? It comes up to a size 9 months so if it still fits, she can wear it again in February for Valentine's Day! (Unless, of course, that's holly around the neck. I can't tell for sure. Either way, it's precious.)

Not to be outdone, this darling 3 Piece Coverall Set from First Impressions will be adorable on your little guy on Christmas Day. It's just $16.80(down from $32.) Everyone will ooooooh and aaaah over your little darling in this! They have some sweater sets and suits for boys marked down as well.

If you're into matching dresses for your girls for the holidays, Macy's has you covered. Check out this taffeta dress by Charter Club. It comes in sizes up to a 6x and is on sale for $29 from $68. If you need something in a larger size, this satin dress by Charter Club will match perfectly.

And Mom, if you need something for yourself, how about this cashmere v-neck sweater? It's a bargain at $69(down from $100.)