Oneida Stainless Pro Series – Stainless Steel Multi-Pot
The Oneida Stainless Steel Multi-pot is such an awesome part of the kitchen that I wanted to use it as soon as I unwrapped it from the packaging. Whether you’re making pasta, steaming some vegetables, or making a delicious winter soup, Oneida and the Stainless Steel Multi-pot have got you covered. This is the first multi-pot I have owned and I knew I was going to love it from the moment I started using it. Cooking is a breeze no matter what you make with this pot. Just drop your pasta into the colander and you can cook and drain it all in the same pot. Steaming vegetables has also never been easier. Oneida gives you plenty of excuses to make family-style meals that the whole family can enjoy, all in one pot.

You can learn more about the Oneida Stainless Steel Multipot at the Oneida website. You should be able to find this where fine kitchen products are sold online or offline. It currently has a list price of under $70 on Amazon.

Cuisine Foundations: The Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu
It doesn’t seem to matter whether you know how to cook or you’d just prefer to eat, most people are familiar with the Le Cordon Bleu name and reputation. This is one of the reasons that I am thrilled to recommend Cuisine Foundations. Sold in a box set, you receive two books that will take any cook and make them a chef, if only for a meal. Not only that, but if you can’t cook this will be sure to propel you to at least a basic cook status.

If you have no cooking knowledge reading or looking through Cuisine Foundations can be a daunting task, but if you read and follow the basic instructions you will find that cooking is easier than you ever thought it could be. With a wide range of recipes you have the ability to start in your comfort zone and venture into the unknown once you are more comfortable. Each book offers plenty of full-color illustrations, step by step instructions, and the ability to look up cooking terms as you need them. The Cuisine Foundations set also includes a Chef’s Tea Towel.

Any foodie that likes to cook from recipe books needs this set. This will end up being the foundation for any gourmet meals cooked by new chefs at home, so if you’re buying for the person that loves to cook you should really consider this set for their present this year. Amazon has the Cuisine Foundations Set available for around $50.

Capresso Automatic Milk Frother – FrothPRO
The Capresso FrothPRO is the absolute perfect gift for the budding barista. Coffee drinks are incredibly popular these days, but they are also unnecessarily expensive. That being said, with a FrothPRO and a cappuccino, espresso or even a coffee maker there is no reason why someone can’t create the same amazing drinks at a fraction of the price. The froth PRO includes settings for hot, warm, and cold and you can choose to froth or just warm something up. While the froth setting will help to create delicious coffee based drinks, the warm setting is perfect for creating hot chocolate or just warm milk, if you like that sort of thing. The froth PRO is a standalone small appliance that won’t take up much space. It even includes an auto shut-off feature for safety. Two frothing discs and one heating disc is included. All parts are even dishwasher safe, so even cleanup will be a breeze.

I love our Capresso Froth PRO and use it often. While it may not seem to be the normal holiday gift, if you have a coffee shop fan in your family, this will be an invaluable present and they will love it!

The FrothPRO is also cost effective as far as presents go. You can order this through the Capresso website for $59.99. If you really want to splurge (or let your relatives feel like they live in a coffee shop) you might even want to consider the Capresso Impressa C9 One Touch Coffee Maker.

NuWave Oven
The NuWave Oven was something I had been curious about for some time. Whenever I see something on an infomercial I tend to write it off and move on, but I kept coming back to this intriguing item. The thing I liked the most about this was the convenience factor. Cleanup is simple and there is almost nothing that this oven won’t do. The NuWave oven will fry, bake, broil, grill, and dehydrate. I am sure it does other things, but you get the idea. You can cook poached eggs in the NuWave for breakfast and have ribs for dinner. You can even cook meat from a frozen state.

Using three cooking methods (infared, convection, and conduction) the NuWave Oven offers a fast, easy, and simple way to get dinner made in a healthy, delicious way. The NuWave doesn’t take up too much space but it will hold plenty of food. It comes with an extender ring to allow it to hold more food, but to give you an idea, without the ring it will cook a ten pound turkey. If you add the extender, the turkey can be as heavy as sixteen pounds! After hearing about this I considered buying it just for the convenience during holidays. I don’t know about you, but I always need more room in my oven. Foodies might be shocked at this present, but everyone I know that has one loves it. It will just take one meal for them to be incredibly thankful (if they aren’t to begin with).

You can learn more about the NuWave Oven at the NuWave Oven Website. This is available through the website for $120 and you receive numerous free extras at the time of purchase.

Conserving Now – Bring Your Own – Family Starter Eco Kit
If you have someone in your family that wants to make shopping trips easier or that cares about the environment then Conserving Now needs to be on your radar. Offering a host of eco-friendly products including ways to educate classrooms on the environment, Conserving Now offers excellent products at fair prices. We received the family starter eco-kit, which includes two oversized cotton totes, a set of three market bags with a cinch bag for storage, a bag recycler, some door hangers, and some static clings. While things like the door hangers and the static clings have not really been used by us, I have found the bags to be invaluable. They are huge, hold a great deal and are incredibly well made. With that in mind, these make a fabulous gift for shoppers and people hoping to avoid plastic bags in the future. These bags would easily hold the contents created in a small to medium shopping trip.

You can learn more at the Conserving Now website. The Family Starter Eco Kit is available on the website for $40.99.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Large Apple Green Colander
Green Ostrich offers a host of products that are all eco-friendly. Offering everything from kitchen products to various school supplies, Green Ostrich has you covered. I was shocked to find out how much I loved the Preserve line they carry. We recently moved and I was missing some key kitchen essentials so we decided to focus on those things. We received one of the Plastic Large Apple Green Colanders and its been love at first use ever since. Not only is it sturdy and made to last, it’s also incredibly inexpensive. I have priced other (non eco-friendly) colanders of this quality and found then to be in the $20 range. The Preserve colander is $8 less than that. It’s also a vibrant, gorgeous color. If you’re looking for practical gift options, I highly suggest putting this towards the top of your list.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Apple Green Colander at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Colander is available on the Green Ostrich website for just over $12.

Green Ostrich – Preserve Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Pack
Preserve eco-friendly tableware made me consider switching to completely eco-friendly dishes. While I have yet to make the full transition I will say that for about the last month this set of dishes (cups, plates, and bowls) has been our main set. We use them for the majority of our casual meals and snacks. As someone that needs to diet, I love the plates because they are a tad smaller than some dinner plates, which means less food. I still end up getting enough, but find that I am not taking too much because there just isn’t room for extras. Cleanup is simple and these packs come in a variety of great, vibrant colors. We chose the green and I absolutely adore them! These would be great for young families, college students, and people considering the switch to eco-friendly products.

You can learn more about the Preserve line and the Recycled Plastic Apple Green Tableware Set at the Green Ostrich website. The Preserve Apple Green Tableware Set is available on the Green Ostrich website for just under $20.

George Foreman Healthy Cooking Smart Kitchen Multi-Cooker
One of the coolest brands for cooking with small appliances these days is George Foreman Healthy Cooking. I have used George Foreman products in the past and it seems that everything works fabulous for my needs. We have an Evolve Grill that we received awhile back and I use it often. I was thrilled to try the Multicooker because it’s not what you’d normally expect from the George Foreman Healthy Cooking name. However, it works just as well as other products in the brand. Sporting a 26-cup (5 quart) cooking space, the Smart Kitchen Multicooker can steam rice, cook vegetables and meat, and is the perfect space to make delicious soups and strews. Like other Smart Kitchen products, this Multicooker is nonstick so you do not need to use excessive amounts of butter or oil. It’s also a cinch to clean. The Intelli-Probe has cook settings for rice, steaming, and different temperature settings including searing for stews and other foods. A stainless steel steaming basket is also included for fish, vegetables and other foods. Best of all, when you’re done cooking you can remove the pan (which is quite stylish) and bring it to the table for some delectable family style meals. This makes an excellent gift for the entire family or your favorite foodie.

You can learn more about the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. Some other great options (I have yet to try, but have my eye on) include the Skillite Searing Skillet and the Panini Grill. You can order the Smart Kitchen Multicooker at the George Foreman Healthy Cooking website. It’s normally $80, but is currently on sale for $40 so it’s the perfect time to buy one. We’re also giving one away so make sure to enter for your chance to win one!

TJ Maxx Kitchenware Products
I have been a TJ Maxx shopper for years. While the clothing section can always be hit or miss, I often find amazing deals on home products. If you’re looking for a brand name cookware set at the fraction of the price or you want some beautiful accent pieces to brighten up your kitchen TJMaxx is the perfect store to look. On a recent trip I purchased some glass canisters for around $12. They sit on my counter holding dried pasta, sugar, and flour. This is just one of the great finds that was available that day. From knife sets to gourmet pans, TJMaxx has just about everything your kitchen might need and could be missing. This makes TJMaxx an excellent option for holiday shopping. If you have any picky relatives or friends you’re buying for, TJMaxx offers such an eclectic range of products that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something for everyone. If you find you like what you see, but can’t find that perfect gift you can even consider a gift card, which would allow the gift participant to do the shopping for themselves.

You can visit the TJ Maxx website to find a store near you!

Novica Hand Blown Glass Products
We have had the pleasure of writing about Novica products in the past. We received a few items from them when we moved into our home. One of the items that we received, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue were a huge hit. These handblown glasses are absolutely amazing. They are thicker than your average glasses and the art work involved in creating these offers something simple yet dynamic. The spirals running through the glasses are fabulous. Our friends love them and we use them all the time. Purchasing from Novica also allows you to support artisans from around the world. The glasses we purchased were made by a duo of artisans that are incredibly talented. The men hail from Mexico and offer a number of different products through the Novica website.

You can learn more about The Spirals of Thought glasses at the Novica website. You can currently purchase these glasses for under $40 and there are a host of other amazing products available on the site.

Noodle and Boo Reed Diffuser
I’m a sucker for any product that adds a light, breezy scent to the room. The Crème Douce scent of the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is simply exquisite. It combines the scents of peach, water blossoms, mixed berries, clover honey, milk and vanilla beans. You’ll get a whiff of the individual scents, which combine to form a sweet, delicate flavor within the air. What I love about the Noodle & Boo Reed Diffuser is that the scent isn’t overpowering. Just the right hint of each scent combines to form a new, layered scent that gently wafts through the room or any other environment where you place it.

This gift is great for those who are looking for ways to make their home unique. This is definitely an original product. So many air fresheners do not last, but this reed diffuser is continuous, leaving the room smelling delicious. To find out more about Noodle and Boo visit the following website.

Don’t forget to visit our other holiday guides:
Food – Books – Toys

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Gift Giving, Ten Items, List of Ten, Home, Kitchen, NuWave, TJ Maxx, Novica, Recycled, Preserver, Capresso, Le Cordon Bleu, Oneida

So without further adieu, here is the best of the best in our Beauty and Body Care lineup!

Must-Have Make-Up

EyeCandy Eye Coolers: These little pads you put over your eyes really cool you down, especially when you are experiencing a headache. Shaped like small, blue (I received blue, but they come in a variety of colors), cucumber slices, you just pop these babies in the freezer and when you need them, you get them out. Before you place them over your eyes, you will have to lay down or lean back, otherwise they will fall off. You won’t want to move much either while the Eye Candy Eye Coolers do their magic. Not only do these tiny, blue, round healers help with headaches, they are also great for removing puffiness and swelling around the eyes. Best of all, you can reuse these, by placing them in the freezer, fridge, or even in a glass of ice water. With their compact size and large ability to benefit most people, the Eye Candy Eye Coolers make the perfect stocking stuffer!

To find out more about Eye Candy Eye Coolers, visit the http://www.eyecandycoolers.com/ website.

CND Super Treatments Nail Polish Duo: Super Treatments offers a duo of nail top coats. In the pack you will receive a bottle of Super Shiney and a bottle of Super Matte. The Matte offers your nails a suede finish, while the Shiney offers a patent (like patent leather) finish. You just have to apply a base coat, two coats of the color of your choice and finish with a layer of one of these top coats. These are great because you can get a totally different look, even if you use the same color of polish beneath the top coat. They are also affordable, allowing for longer lasting, stronger nails. Just an FYI, this works great with the Silver and Gold Sparkling Effects nail glitter, by CND. If you want a glossy, shiny, or matted look to your nails, these make the perfect stocking stuffer.

To find out more about all of the great products by CND, including the CND Super Treatments Nail Polish Duo, visit http://www.cnd.com/.

MAC Cosmetics: How do I love MAC? Let me count the ways. The MAC line of cosmetics offers professional quality makeup, for the average woman. I am not going to lie. MAC is more expensive than many other brands, but oh so worth it! Every woman who knows about makeup knows the name MAC. You will be giving that special woman in your life quite the extravagant gift when you get her MAC cosmetics, but the price tag attached is oh so worth it. I would say everything from lipstick to foundation would fit great in a stocking, but if you plan to pamper her with MAC cosmetics, you’ll want to wrap whatever you buy up and put it under the tree. No matter the time of year (but especially during the holidays) MAC cosmetics are worth their weight in wrapping paper.

To find out more on MAC cosmetics and to see all the offerings, from eye shadow, to skincare products and even accessories, visit the MAC website.

Arbonne Lip Polish: Give the gift of luscious lips this holiday. The Lip Polish I received came in a set of three, in a little bag. There were three unique colors; nude, raisin and brown sugar, but the Arbonne Lip Polish product page lists several other colors to choose from, when picking out this silky smooth, lip covering delight. What I love about Arbonne Lip Polish is that it gives you that glossy sheen, which is classic for a lip gloss, but instead of wearing off relatively quickly, Arbonne Lip Polish stays on longer, like lipstick does. It does not have that waxy lipstick feel, it is not heavy on your lips, and it is also not sticky, which is more common with a lip gloss. Overall, Arbonne Lip Polish is the perfect way to provide a little color and shine to your lips without being annoyed by how it feels when you wear it.

To check out the other colors available, visit the Arbonne Lip Polish Product Page.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish: Sinful Colors has quite a selection of colors and styles of polish. I recommend you check out the Sinful Colors Nail Art Wild About Color Set, Dark Red, Neon Green, and White. You will also want to consider the Sinful Colors Professional, which I recommend in Silver, Gold, Red, Blue or Green. What I like about this set is the versatility of colors. I received at least ten different colors, and I still did not have every shade. With neon, sparkly, glossy, and even emo shades like black, there is a Sinful Colors Nail Polish for everyone, regardless of gender. The color when you paint your nails, with two coats, is brilliant. This is not a polish that mutes in color when coming out of the bottle. The shade you buy is the shade you’ll wear. I also like how strong this polish is. I work a lot with my hands and the polish did not chip easily. This year, make sure to get a variety of colors and stick Sinful Colors Nail Polish bottles in her (or his) stocking or gift basket.

To see the massive selection of Sinful Colors Products and Polish Colors, please visit the Sinful Colors Color Guide.

Cosmoholic Lip Gloss: Make a bold statement this holiday with Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. These are super bright colors. I received Cosmoholic Lip Gloss in Pink and Red and we’re not talking light pink or soft red. These shades are Hot Pink and Candy Apple Red. While I prefer a more muted, darker look, I have some friends who love the more vibrant colors. After trying these out myself, I decided to purchase a set for a friend who enjoys showing off her lips! What I noticed about Cosmoholic Lip Gloss is its lack of stickiness. I love lip gloss, but I often find my lips get stuck together when wearing it. Not so with Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. Also a chemist is said to have designed this gloss to nourish the lips, which is always an added bonus. If you know someone who wants to show off her lips this holiday and beyond, get her Cosmoholic Lip Gloss. She’ll thank you for it.

You can find out where to buy Cosmoholic Lip Gloss and more about the product at the Cosmoholic website.

Must-Have Skin Care

CND Scentsations Sparkling Champagne Hand and Body Lotion: More than anything, I loved the smell. They don’t call this product Scentsations for nothing. This Body and Hand Lotion actually smells like champagne and the scent lingers, once you rub it on, for quite some time. CND has a variety of other Scentsations Hand and Body Lotion scents, so even if you are not fond of champagne you can purchase another Lotion. Other scents include Black Cherry & Nutmeg and Cranberry. Many of the Gift Sets offered by CND provide smaller sized bottles, which is great, because I just slip them in my purse and take them everywhere I go. Scentsations Sparkling Champagne Hand and Body Lotion is amazing for those with dry skin as it mosturizes well, leaving skin feeling smooth and silky.

You can check out Scentsations at the CND website.

Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Ultra-Moisturizing Body Wash: I hate the smell of Tea Tree Oil, but there is no doubt the oil has amazing benefits. I have been trying to find both body wash and shampoo that offers the benefits of Tea Tree Oil without the nasty smell. Body Essence offers a few different Body Gels for showering. Besides the Tea Tree Oil, there is Cucumber Melon (with extracts of Cucumber and Papaya fruits) and Sweet Pomegranate. I love the Tea Tree Oil, because it leaves the skin feeling smooth and clean without irritating it. I use it on Dom, who has a lot of skin problems, and it is one of the few body gels he has never complained about when using it. The Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Ultra-Moisturizing Body Wash helps to prevent skin irritation, smooths and sooths dry skin, and it even helped to relieve some of Dom’s itching, which is common when a person has dry or dead skin. The bottle we use is 28 oz. It is well worth the $4 price tag and lasts quite a while. If you know someone with skin sensitivities this is the perfect gift for them, plus it smells absolutely divine.

For more information on the Body Essence Body Gels and other skin products, visit http://www.body-essence.com.

Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash: While I prefer the Pomegranate and Mango SoftSoap Moisturizing Body Wash, there are a variety of scents to please any consumer. The Pomegranate and Mango contains actual extracts of Pomegranate and Mango. It is also incredibly thick and lathers really well, so you do not have to use a ton of soap. This means Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash lasts longer, and you get more bang for your buck. I find that after using Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash, my body feels clean, smooth, and silky. Plus I smell great and the scent lasts longer than it does with most body washes. If you want to brighten that special someone’s day, get them Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash. It will leave them feeling clean, refreshed, and smelling amazing!

To see all of the SoftSoap products and choose the right scent for you, visit Colgate’s website.

St. Ives Moisturizing Body Wash: If you want to moisturize and hydrate your skin, then you need to check out the Oatmeal and Shea Butter St. Ives Moisturizing Body Wash. I am in love with many of the scents available by St. Ives, from Creamy Vanilla to WhippedSilk, but the Oatmeal and Shea Butter has to be my favorite. St. Ives is a brand I have used and trusted for years, when buying lotion. Now, I trust the brand for my body washing needs, as well. I chose this specific scent because I know how great oatmeal is for your skin. It leaves it looking shiny, smooth and healthy. Adding in shea butter, this gel moisturizes to help dry, cracked and itchy skin. I will alternate this with the Body Essence Tea Tree Oil Body Wash, for Dom, and together, these two Body Washes have made a difference on his dry, cracked, and damaged skin. He itches less and complains less about skin sensitivities. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Wash by St. Ives will leave your skin feeling vibrant and looking brilliant.

You can visit the St. Ives website at http://www.stives.com/.

Eshu Skin Assist: Made in Australia, the Eshu Skin Assist is part of a Skin Care line that is made entirely for men. While most of the aforementioned products are primarily for women, this one is perfect for the man in your life that cares about his complexion. Men battle acne and blemishes, too. They often care as much about keeping their skin healthy, vibrant and clean, as women do. This works really great. It is very light and does not take much to get the job done, making this an economical option to more commercial brands of skin assisting products. Eshu Skin Assist can be used by younger men who still may be facing the dermatological affects of puberty or by older men to prevent the occasional blemishes that every person is prone to getting. If you have a guy who cares about how he looks, make sure to get him Eshu Skin Assist this year.

To learn more about Eshu and its various products for men, please go to http://www.eshu.com.au/.

Smith and Vandiver Aroma Therapy Treatment Packets: You can receive healthy, nutrient-enriched packets through Smith and Vandiver. Their all-natural Treatment Packets are convenient and affordable. These are great if you are going on a business trip or even heading out to stay with the family during the holidays. There are a variety of Treatment packs available, each for under $2. They include Body Gel, Soothing Foot Soak, Green Tea Bath Oil, Conditioning Hair Mask, Salt Body Scrub, Face Mask, Foot Cream, Face Polish, Invigorating Body Scrub and Toning Face Mud. Depending on the packet, what you receive may be enriched with natural healing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Chamomile, Honey, Sea Salt, Clays, Geranium and Rosewood, to name a few. These packets brought my skin back to life. I felt vibrant and energized after using the Shower Gel, Face Mask, the Foot Soak, the Body Scrub and the Hair Mask. With these packets being so affordable, if you are looking for great stocking stuffers and are on a budget, I highly recommend Smith and Vandiver Aroma Therapy Treatment Packets.

To find out about Smith & VanDiver and their Treatment Packets and to purchase them directly from the site, visit the Smith & VanDiver website.

Antica Farmacista Champagne Body Gel:
If you want to pamper yourself (or that someone special) you owe it to yourself to try Antica Farmacista Champagne Body Gel. While I cannot say how realistic the scent of champagne is in this body gel, I can say that the body gel does smell quite scrumptious. More importantly, the pleasing smell is long lasting. A little bit goes a long way. Everything about this body gel screams luxury from the beautiful body to the soft, smooth, lavish bathing experience that it helps to provide. This would make an excellent stocking stuffer for the holiday or a wonderful smaller gift for family or friends that love luxury and want to be pampered right from home.

You can check out all of the Antica Farmacista Bath and Body products by visiting http://www.anticafarmacista.com.

Must-Have Beautiful Hair

Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener: I have very thick, heavy, naturally curly hair. Because my hair is so thick, it only curls in the most inappropriate places, such as my bangs and at random spots in the back of my hair. I also am prone to headaches due to the weight of my hair, but I prefer to keep my hair longer because I look cuter. I was looking for a straightener that would both lighten the weight of my hair and straighten those problem areas. I initially chose the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener because it cost under $25 and straighteners can be quite expensive. However, I have come to absolutely love this product. It heats up in seconds, so if you are running late you still have a chance to do your hair. The setup of the plates makes it impossible to burn yourself with the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener. I can also use it to curl my hair if I want more control over the location and style of my curls after straightening it. I have always hated my bangs, but with the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener they look super cute. Straightening it makes my hair feel lighter, look thinner and it looks more together. I cannot recommend the Conair You Style Ceramic Straightener more highly if I tried.

Check out ConAir’s selection of Straighteners at the ConAir website.

John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo: I try not to buy John Frieda because let’s face it. His products are expensive. That being said, I LOVE John Frieda products. I use the John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo once a week. This way, it lasts longer, but I still get the benefits of using a John Frieda Product. When you use it on a schedule as opposed to every day, I find that it takes the residue off that is left from daily use shampoos. With John Frieda Root Awakening Health Infusing Shampoo my hair feels fresh and almost as if it have been awakened. It is alive, energized, bouncy, shiny, and makes me feel like a million bucks after using it. If you are looking to splurge this holiday, a bottle of John Freida shampoo is the way to go!

Check out all of John Frieda’s Root Awakening Products at the John Frieda website.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

CND Snuggle Set: CND products are a great way to create that spa experience right from home. Offering a range of products for the hands, feet, and all over the body, CND has you covered when you want to feel good and look your best. The Snuggle Set includes Almond hydrating lotion, Solar oil, and a pair of toeless pedicure socks. These socks are absolutely soft and wondrous. If you know someone that loves painting their toenails these socks will keep their feet toasty while they do their toes. Of course, the socks are just an added bonus that goes with the hydrating lotion, which smells great and keeps skin hydrated and feeling alive and the solar oil that also offers your skin a number of benefits. All of these items together in one set make for a great gift this holiday season.

You can find out more about this Snuggle Set from CND at the CND website.

AmeriBag I Love My Life Healthy Backbag: The Healthy Backbag was created because of all the problems that people may encounter when using a traditional backpack. The Healthy Backbag is a cross between a backpack and a purse. It might not be big enough to hold things like school books or a laptop, but it will handle all of your smaller items with ease and it is aerodynamically designed to ensure that it does not hurt your back in any way. The Ameribag is black and offers a beautiful, yet subtle design. This is great for women that do not want to use traditional purses or teens that need to carry things with them, but don’t necessarily require a backpack or a purse. When I first saw the Healthy Backbag it reminded me of a trendier version of the fanny pack for your back. Combining comfort and style, the Healthy Backbag is sure to become a mainstay in any woman’s grab and go fashion arsenal.

You can visit the AmeriBag website and find out more about the AmeriBag I Love My Life Healthy Backbag at www.ameribag.com.

Kiwi Leather Care Kit: This leather kit makes the perfect offering for anyone that has a newer pair of leather shoes. Suitable for both black and brown leather, the Kiwi Leather Care Kit includes everything you need to make sure that your new shoes are protected from the elements and the majority of things that can do damage to your leather. The kit comes with two daubers, a shine cloth, and a shine brush. Two tins of polish, one for black leather and the other for brown are also included. While this might seem like an unconventional gift, it’s also an invaluable one. Treating your shoes is so important if you want them to last for longer periods of time and the Kiwi Leather Care Kit can definitely help to make sure that this happens.

You can check out the Kiwi Leather Care Kit and other Kiwi products at the Kiwi website.

Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle: I have to admit, I was sold at Pumpkin Pie Spice. I was further sold when I learned that is smells even better than I thought it would. This fabulous candle just screams sex appeal. Candles are nice enough on their own, but this one is a special candle. You see, not only does the Scandle candle smell great, it also doubles as a massage candle. Using a low temperature wax, these candles turn into massage oil when melted. Just burn your candle down and the next thing you know you are able to use the wax for a massage. A Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle massage mixed with the tempting aroma of pumpkin pie spice makes for one relaxing evening. This makes a perfect stocking stuffer or would go great in a homemade spa gift basket. Either way, this is a must have gift for the special, over-worked woman in your life.

You can check out all of the different Scandle Shimmering Lotion Candle scents available besides Pumpkin Pie Spice by visiting www.abodycandle.com.

Schick Ultimate Skin Comfort Gift Set: Good razors can not only be hard to come by, they can also be rather expensive. Knowing this, Schick is offering the Schick Hydro 5 gift set for a reasonable price. The set includes the Schick Hydro 5 razor with extra blades and a can of Moisturizing Shave Gel. Considering the cost of most razors (which usually do not come with additional blades) this is a great deal and one that the man in your life can truly appreciate. Schick offers high quality razors and this gives a person the chance to sample them before buying them on their own. This also makes a great gift for the teenage boy that is just beginning to need to shave. Not only will it serve a purpose, it will likely make him feel good just by receiving it!

To find out more about this Schick Hydro line and all of its assorted products, visit the Schick Hydro website.

Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set: I adore everything about the Arbonne Pampermint Gift Set from the snuggly, fuzzy candy cane socks all the way to the exfoliating cream and the foot lotion. The whole set is divine. Everything smells great and the large jars of cream and scrub help to keep your feet smooth and relaxed. The Pampermint set includes a jar of FootWork Foot Scrub, a jar of SoleMate Foot Cream and Signature candy cane fuzzy socks that are all wrapped up in an adorable holiday gift box. This makes a great gift for mom, but would work for anyone that suffers from dry, cracked feet or other assorted foot problems. Fuzzy sock lovers would like this too, for the socks if nothing else!

To find out more about Arbonne and the Pampermint Gift Set (which may only be available during the holidays) please visit the Arbonne website.

Smith and Vandiver Bath Products: Smith and Vandiver is going to be a savior for anyone having trouble getting their little ones to take a bath. Offering some truly fun products for younger people and some spa essentials for adults, it seems as if Smith and Vandiver offers it all. For kids alone, Smith & Vandiver offers some totally fun stocking stuffers like Dino Fizz Eggs (bath fizzy beads), Ducky or Dino Bubbles (all natural bath suds), Frog Bath Fizzies and other Bath Party essentials. If you have friends in college that have showers but no bath tubs, Aroma Therapy Energize or Destress Spa Shower Tablets offer a spa-like aroma therapy experience without a tub. Just place one of the spa tablets into the shower stall and the aroma envelops you offering you all the benefits right from the shower! I have yet to find a Smith & Vandiver product that I wouldn’t recommend to a friend. I highly suggest checking out Smith & Vandiver for all of your supplemental gift giving needs.

To discover all of the wonderful Bath Products Smith and Vandiver offer (for both kids and adults), please visit the Smith and Vandiver website.

Frownies Face Lift in a Bag: Frownies Face Lift in a Bag was the perfect gift for my mom, who is always on the lookout for a good face product that will make her look and feel younger without costing her a fortune or leading her towards surgery. Face Lift in a Bag is excellent. Even if you’re using it as a facial regime without hopes of taking off years it’s wonderful. The bag includes a number of products that will peel the years off your skin and keep you looking younger and fresher, while offering a beautiful, more youthful appearance. Each kit comes with pH Balancing Complexion Wash, Biologically Active Immune Perfect, Rose Water Hydrator, Forehead & Between the Eyes Facial Patches, Corner of Eyes & Mouth Patches, Gel Eye Patches, and Immune Shield. Each product works to tone your skin and remove those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

To order a Face Lift in a Bag or find out about more Frownies products, visit www.frownies.com.

Axe Men Gift Sets: All of the men in my life like to smell good. My brother, Dom, EmoTeen and even my nephew, Lil B. All of them enjoy the fresh feeling of using Axe Body Wash, Shampoo and Deodorant. This year, I decided to give Dom and EmoTeen Axe Body Sets (early, of course, otherwise I would ruin it in this guide!). I bought Dom the Dark Temptations and EmoTeen the Axe Twist. Both sets include Body Wash, Spray, Deodorant, and Sample Size Shampoo and Conditioner. These sets both smell great and Axe always leaves them feeling clean and refreshed. The only complaint Dom has is that the scent does not last nearly as long as he would like it to, but that is a minor complaint, in the grand scheme of things. If you have a man in your life that likes to smell great, consider getting them an Axe Men’s Gift Set for the holidays.

Check out Axe at the Axe website, http://www.theaxeeffect.com/.

Yantra Mat: I was nervous when presenting this mat to the family, because it seems sharp and spiky. Dom has excessive amounts of pain in his legs, hip and back. EmoTeen has Asperger’s Syndrome so he is very finicky when it comes to tactile sensations. Both of them absolutely loved the Yantra Mat. EmoTeen would lay his back against it, and he said it helped to sooth him and calm him down. Dom would have me tuck it in the side of his wheelchair so it created constant pressure against his ailing hip and leg or I would lift both legs up and lay them on the mat. It creates pressure that makes the pain tolerable without pricking the skin or being too abrasive. The mat is a source of acupressure that can relieve tension, stress and fatigue, as well as pain, as we found in Dom’s case. If you have a lot of stress in your life, chronic pain or tension in your muscles, the Yantra Mat is a soothing, natural solution to help you feel better.

Check out the Yantra Mat and all its benefits at the Yantra Mat website.

Clothing Must-Haves

Out of Print Clothing: I love, love, love, love LOVE the t-shirts we received from Out of Print Clothing. We received the 1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird shirts. These shirts are soft, comfortable, and feel amazing against your skin. They are also stylish and as a bookworm I am totally down with the fact that they promote literacy. Out of Print Clothing comes in a variety of sizes and is perfect for either genders. Dom has exceptionally large shoulders, which often prove to make t-shirt wearing uncomfortable for him. These shirts are plenty big without being humongous on him and are able to accommodate his shoulder width without feeling tight in the shoulders and arms. The material stretches back because after he wears it, I can wear the shirts, too and my shoulders and body are smaller than his. The material is also durable without being harsh or abrasive. If you want to buy a cool, well-designed, comfortable t-shirt, you owe it to yourself to check out Out of Print Clothing.

This holiday, go buy a tee from Out of Print Clothing at their website. You will love them!

Crazy Dog T-Shirts: I could give you a million reasons why you should buy a Crazy Dog T-shirt. First off, they have some of the best designs if you’re looking for anything nostalgia-oriented. This is especially true if you want something from the 80s or that deals with movies or television pop culture references. While this is definitely a necessity in a good tee, more importantly is the fact that these shirts are crazy comfortable! This has to be some of the softest cotton I’ve ever felt. These shirts are amazing for wearing around the house, but they are fashionable and funny enough to wear whenever you go out, too. We received the Dick in a Box T-Shirt and the Ninja’s Don’t Kill People T-Shirt and we love them both! They are comfortable, funny and illicit responses (usually laughter) from those who see us wearing them. Crazy Dog T-Shirts make great gifts for pop culture junkies, movie lovers, and anyone emo that’s in need of a good black t-shirt with some smart ass saying on it.

To view all the cool T-Shirts Crazy Dog Tees has available, visit www.crazydogtshirts.com.

Future Oxygen Ecowear: The special thing about Future Oxygen Ecowear is that it’s jewelry that you can wear that eventually becomes biodegradable. What’s even neater than that is that inside the jewelry there are seeds for flowers or plants. Essentially, by offering someone Future Oxygen wear for the holidays you’re offering them fashion and beauty that later turns into flowers, plants or something else equally as beautiful. This is such a unique gift people can’t help but smile when they receive it. Teenagers will love them (or at least ours did) because you’re offering them something that will benefit the planet but that also is designed with style in mind for them. Each necklace lasts for over a year, so you get plenty of time with it before it goes into the ground to release the seeds. From there, it begins to grow into something new. The Dragon Necklace we received was one of our all time favorite gift guide submissions this year. Future Oxygen takes eco-responsibility to a fashion-friendly level that we won’t soon forget!

To learn more about Future Oxygen and view all of the Ecowear they have available, visit www.futureoxygencards.com/.

Crocs: Prior to receiving these Crocs for review for this guide I had never owned a pair. Immediately, I was shocked at just how many styles are available. It’s hard to imagine that a shoe lover would not find something they were looking for in the Crocs lineup. I received a pair of Mary Janes and a midlength knee boot that goes by the name of Berryessa. The Mary Janes were the perfect casual shoe and the boots worked with casual outfits or with something a little more fashionable. Crocs are incredibly comfortable and they work in a variety of settings. If you need a pair of shoes that aren’t tennis shoes I highly recommend checking out the amazing selection and finding something for you and the rest of the family. Whether you’re buying shoes for gifts or because you need some new shoes, Crocs is a good place to start your search.

You can check out all of the varieties of Crocs available at the Crocs website.

Technorati Tags: Must-Have, Beauty, Body Care, Products, Clothing, Miscellaneous, Makeup, Skin Care, Hair Care, Gift Set, 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Presents, Holiday

Roku HD: This is a nifty little device that is also affordable. The Roku lets you watch Netflix, MLBtv, the NFL channel, Hulu Plus, Vimeo videos, view Flickr galleries, listen to Pandora, and utilize a variety of other media services. For most of these, there may be an added fee (such as buying Netflix each month). However, it beats using these programs on your computer, which often has substandard graphics. We use the Roku on our Big Screen television and it looks like we are watching shows or movies as they would air on television. A Roku HD costs around $60, but this is a one time fee. This is a low cost option to watch Netflix on your television, especially if you do not have an Xbox 360, Wii or PS3. This won’t be for everyone, but it is certainly going to be a great purchase for non-gamers who enjoy movies and television.

You can find out more about the Roku HD by visiting the http://www.roku.com/roku-products webpage.

Apple iPod Shuffle, 4th Generation: Having a teenager means we end up buying more electronics than toys these days. Our son is a bit obsessed with technology, so we wanted something he could play with, but that we knew would be safe for him to use. Enter the iPod Shuffle. You will be hard-pressed to find a kid (let alone anyone) who does not like music and with the sleek, 4th generation design to the iPod Shuffle, this is the perfect, portable device. On the outside, the new shuffle is small and comes in five different colors, but inside it packs quite the punch. There is 2 GB of storage room for plenty of songs downloadable through iTunes, and easily accessible track, play and volume buttons. The iPod Shuffle is not loaded with features that will allow your teen to browse the web, which we like, because those sorts of gadgets can get kids in trouble. The iPod Shuffle is also relatively affordable, unlike many of the other Apple products out there! This mp3 player is a simple yet stylish music player your kids are going to love receiving from you this holiday.

You can check out the Apple iPod Shuffle at http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/.

Apple iPad: It is hard to say anything bad about the iPad. I admit, initially we did not get the appeal of the iPad and we were two of the people who made jokes about it. Truth be told, it was not long before we wanted an iPad of our very own. The unique thing is that the iPad is a great device for everyone. This mini-computer/apps house is showing that it has the potential to allow for communication with children and adults with disabilities who may not be able to talk and many who cannot handle using a traditional computer with keyboard and mouse. From those with autistic spectrum disorders to muscle diseases, thanks to the touchscreen interface, the benefits of using an iPad are becoming vast. For everyone else, the iPad is convenient, portable and an asset to any work/business situation. If you splurge on anything this holiday, splurge on an iPad. You won’t regret it.

The Apple website offers more information on the Apple iPad. You can get there by visiting http://www.apple.com/ipad/.

Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player: This media player is awesome because you can take the external hard drive and fill it with music, movies and other media from your computer and then play it on your television. It is also a bonus that the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD offers HD quality. If you are using the Seagate without the external hard drive, it can be used to stream NetFlix. This is great for televisions that are not connected to gaming consoles, such as the TVs in your bedroom. It is also thin, stylish and takes up very little space, making it much more economical than other, similar media systems. The Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player can be used to stream YouTube videos and view pictures from Picasa and Flickr. Widgets and programs continue to be added to this device, such as the weather widget and the Text and Video Feeds RSS.

You can get more information on the Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player by visiting its product page at the Seagate website.

Rockin’ Accessories

Lexar JumpDrives: If you are looking into USB devices, you will want to check out Lexar’s line of JumpDrives. They can be pricey (for the bigger drives), but are well worth the price you’ll pay. Our favorite was the Lexar JumpDrive TwistTurn USB Flash Drive. The TwistTurn is available for as low as $14 for a 2 GB storage device to $200 for the 64 GB device. Depending on the capacity of the drive, the TwistTurn USB Flash Drive comes in a variety of colors. There are white, red, silver, blue, and black options. The TwistTurn comes in a small package, in order to connect to your USB, but it packs quite the punch. With the Lexar JumpDrive TwistTurn USB Flash Drive you can easily and quickly store, transfer, and share large amounts of data from your computer. These are especially great for college students and business professionals who need to transfer and share data with other computer systems on a regular basis.

To see about pricing considerations and find out more about these JumpDrives, check out the Lexar website.

Duracell Rechargeable Batteries GoMobile: This holiday, you’ll probably be using a lot of batteries. It is always good to have some on hand, and they make a great stocking stuffer. Your kids may not get why they received batteries until you start putting all their toys together, but once you do they will be grateful for the purchase. This is an eco-friendly option, because you will not be purchasing an array of disposable batteries. You can charge up to four AA or AAA rechargeable batteries and it takes just one hour to get them going, with the Duracell GoMobile. This nifty little device also features a car adapter, so you can charge while on the go with minimal effort. This is great for charging batteries during the long ride home from Grandma’s house after a holiday meal or in your living room after the kids open their presents (and even the grown ups) and then want to play with all the new items they’ve received. The GoMobile comes with the charger, External AC power, a car adapter, and either 4 AA or 4 AAA rechargeable batteries. This is one item you will not want to be without this holiday.

You can check out the GoMobile, and some of the other Rechargable Battery options from Duracell at http://www.duracell.com/en-US/product/gomobile-battery-charger.jspx.

Duracell Holiday Promotional Packs: This Holiday, pick up one of the Duracell Multipacks. These are available specifically for the holiday. We go through loads of batteries, once all the presents are open. Most families do. Of course, the nice thing about the AA and AAA multipacks is what comes with them. During this holiday season, you can pick up a AA Multipack and also get a box cutter. With all the boxes you will receive this holiday, you will find this item to be quite useful. The AAA Multipack comes with a mini-screwdriver. Then, when the presents are opened, you will be ready to start installing batteries in all the goodies you (and the kids) receive. This is a special holiday promotion, so pick up a Duracell Multipack while you can.

Note: This picture shows the 10-pack. We received the 24-pack.

In the meantime, feel free to check out the Duracell website, to learn more about the company and their various products that can make the holidays easier.

Epson Stylus NX420: We love this printer. It is an all-in-one and it works great! The Epson Stylus NX420 can be used to scan, print, and copy documents, pictures, fliers, and pretty much handles any other printing needs you have. The cool thing is that you can network it (without a wire) to your computer for easy control over your printing, copying and scanning. We have been using our Epson Stylus for quite a while and we have not had to change the ink. For the quality of printer you will receive, the Epson Stylus NX420 is quite affordable, running at just under $100. We cannot say enough good things about this printer. You need to order one for yourself (or that special someone) and see all of the great things it can do for you when it comes to your printing needs.

To find out more about the Epson Stylus NX420, go to its product page on the Epson website. While there, you can read over 300 reviews posted by others using this printer, with the majority of them satisfied with their purchase.

NuPower Charge & Sync+: Developed by Newer Technology, the NuPower Charge & Sync+ offers a portable way to easily charge iPhones, iPod Touches, micro-USB devices and mini-USB devices. The small charger is light, stylish and comes with an AC adapter and charger, a USB charging cable and a 1mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack. This will charge pretty much all of your portable devices and it comes in one, small, sleek, white package. While the NuPower Charge & Sync+ is going to be limited in its length of charging ability, its versatility and ease of use make this semi-affordable device (it runs around $40) worth the purchase, especially if you have a family member who has to have their gadgets! While this is not going to break the bank, it won’t be recommended for just anyone, unless they have a need to charge multiple, portable devices.

You can find out information on the NuPower Charge & Sync+ by going here.

Awesome Computer Software

Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010: One of the leading innovators in computer software for 3D design, Maya is a must-have product on every graphic designer’s holiday wishlist. Autodesk took the time to put together this exciting Creation Suite, which contains Autodesk Maya 2010, Autodesk Mudbox 2010, and Autodesk MotionBuilder 2010. These three applications work together to create full graphic animations in 3D. Maya is used primarily for modeling, compositing and rendering images, adding visual effects and designing the overall animation. Mudbox is used for painting 3D textures and digital sculpting and MotionBuilder adds motion and character simulations in ways that a variety of animators (from game developers to cartoonists), film editors and directors, and other creators can use to make their lives easier.

The Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010 can be used to create animations that go above and beyond industry standards. It also is easy enough to use that both professionals and beginning animators can benefit from this software. Each of the Maya products offer tutorial videos to help you get started and there are a variety of tutorial images just waiting to be used when practicing your animation skills. However, there is one downside when using Mudbox. If you do not have an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card you cannot use the software. However, if you have plans of being a graphic designer, animator or work at another profession in the video arts, you should already be looking into purchasing a computer with such a high quality graphics card.

While this is professional grade software and the Maya Entertainment Creation Suite 2010 package runs close to $5,000, if you know anyone who is looking to become an animator, film director or artist in any capacity, this invaluable software is going to be one of the main tools they will be able to use to find success.

To find out more about Maya, check out the Autodesk Website.

Microsoft Windows 7: From the time Windows Vista was released, all we heard was complaints. Friends disliked it. Our family members begged to go back to XP. Vista was a rat trap. Well, Microsoft listened to all of the complaints and took action. Essentially, the core of what Vista had remains within Windows 7. Anything good about Vista remains while all of the things that users complained about have been fixed. For instance, users have way more control over the new, customizable user interface for this Operating System. It is a cleaner, less cluttered system, which allows you to pin the programs you used the most to the taskbar (this comes in handy!). Plus, Microsoft 7 allows for the use of cool programs when combined with Windows Live, such as The Cloud, a nifty, photo and video editing program that has some powerful performance features. If you hate Vista, upgrade to Windows 7. You’ll love it!

To find out more about Microsoft Windows 7, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/home.

Microsoft Office 2010: Whether you are a student or a business professional, chances are you’ve had to use at least one of the Microsoft Office software applications. The latest version of Microsoft Office is 2010, which builds off of the previous version. All of the Microsoft Office products have a sleek, ribbon interface and the ability to integrate between applications with ease. There are three main versions available, Professional, Home, and Student. The differences between the three lie in their price and what programs you receive. Students receive a discount because they only receive Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. These are the primary programs college students use, though. Home users also get OutLook and Professionals get all of the aforementioned programs plus Access and Publisher.

While Microsoft Office 2010 retains its core design from the last release, it offers more flexibility when it comes to sharing, saving and printing your Office creations. Information on the document is easy to access, and an invaluable feature we use all the time, that has become much easier to use, is access to Recent Files that have been opened previously. While Microsoft Office 2010 does not offer a complete makeover of any of its products (and we’re thankful for that), there are enough cool features to make upgrading a worthy consideration. If you have an amazing student or business professional in your life, they will appreciate Microsoft Office 2010 this holiday season.

To find out more about Microsoft Office, visit the Microsoft Office page.

Adobe Creative Suite 5: Adobe offers software that allows for photo editing, illustration, film editing, website design and even magazine-style creation. The vast array of programs make the purchase of Creative Suite 5 worthwhile for those involved in website and graphic design and other artistic pursuits. If you or your loved one designs, you probably already know how great the Adobe line of products are. The thing is, the majority of the programs have been updated, so making the chance to CS 5 is worth it. The programs have been updated so that they are easier to use by both beginners and seasoned professionals, who have been using the most common Adobe applications, like Photoshop, for years.

To find out more about Adobe Creative at http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/.

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Electronics, Software, Microsoft, Apple, Maya, Entertainment, Adobe, Accessories, Gadgets

Wise Alec Family Trivia Game:
Normally I don’t advocate the predetermined ages on a board game unless it appears to be as hard as the makers say it is. Wise Alec’s age is 8 years and up and in this case I would agree. It’s not that the game is hard, but it has the potential to be hard. The questions, at times, can be uneven. With two scoring options you get the ability to pick the question you want. Unfortunately, what we learned is that sometimes the lesser point questions are actually harder! So, you will want to watch out for that. Questions are based on school subjects, so this is great to sneak a little learning into the kids when they aren’t looking. Finally, you have the Wise Alec cards. These are lower point cards that have you doing little challenges. These are the most fun cards, unless you are the one drawing them repeatedly, because due to the lower points you get from them, it becomes virtually impossible to win.

Still, as far as family games go, people with tweens will like this game. I wouldn’t recommend it for all adults, but it would be great if you’re playing with kids. You can learn more about Wise Alec at Griddly Games. You can find Wise Alec in a number of specialty stores or online at places like Amazon where it is available for $25.

Lego Games Race 3000:
Lego Race 3000 is a cute game, aimed at younger kids for two or more people to race. You get to build the board, which LEGO fans should enjoy quite a bit. A bonus for parents is that once built, the board seems to fit fine in the box. The major problem with this game seems to be instructions. They tend to be vague, so parents will want to be on hand to explain things to the kids. If not, there might be some problems. Otherwise, this game will be fun for kids. As the board is a bit smaller, it’s harder for adult hands to navigate, but this game is going to be far more amusing to children anyway, so that shouldn’t be a problem.

You can learn more about Lego Games Race 3000 at the Lego Website. You can find this at most stores that sell Lego products including Amazon where it is available for $11.

Rack-O:
Rack-O is a good choice for any family board game collection. Now in its 50th year, Rack-O has simple rules and offers an all around good time. The rules are easy to learn. All you have to do is get ten cards in sequential order from lowest to highest. It might sound easy, but it’s not. If you get what you’re hoping you can win some big points. You also get points if you have three cards in a row and through other combinations. The person with 500 points will win, but you can bet it will take more than one round. On the plus side, time flies when you play this game, so you won’t get bored while playing and trying to win! This is even great for younger kids learning their numbers. Not only will you have some fun with the family, you can sneak in some learning, too.

You can find Rack-O in most major department stores and online, where it generally retails for under $10.

Bezzerwizzer:
I admit that we have not spent an extensive amount of time playing Bezzerwizzer, but I can tell you that you will either love this game or feel like a complete moron when you play it. This has to be one of the most challenging trivia games that I have played in recent years. In many ways, that makes it excellent. On the downside, kids might end up frustrated with this game for that reason. Don’t expect an easy win here (unless you’re a previous Jeopardy winner). That being said, if you like trivia games and want to learn something new, Bezzerwizzer is going to become a classic in your eyes relatively quickly. Danish for know-it-all, this game is already a hit in Denmark and now its sweeping the nation. Utilizing 20 categories there are more than 5,000 questions so you don’t have to worry about this game becoming tiresome. You will have quite a few questions to go through before you start running into duplicates.

Using a set of game tiles, you draw four categories and put them in order of easiest (the category you’ll have the most trouble with) to hardest (the one you’re most familiar with) and you have to complete the questions in those categories to win. Of course, some trickery is involved to, so it’s not as easy as it sounds. You can even steal people’s questions so if you’re not sure about something in your own deck, you do have some other options. You can find this at most stores where Mattel games are sold. It’s also available online for around $30.

Say Anything:
Say Anything is a fun, conversational style game created by the makers of Wits and Wagers. Meant to be a party-style game, this is perfect for teens and adults with the more people available to play, the merrier the time you will have. The questions are sure to cause debate. One minute you’re answering (or arguing) about the best movie or all time and the next minute you’re talking about the biggest thing you’d ever love to own. You have the chance to ask any question from the card that is drawn and people need to…say anything…that they want or can think of. The answers are written on cards and the person asking the question gets to decide the best answer. From there, everyone has to make a guess about what answer was picked as the best.

Even people that are not fond of traditional board games will have a fun time playing this. Say Anything should be available where board games are sold. You can also find it online through Amazon for under $20.

Wits and Wagers:
Speak of the devil (or in this case Wits and Wagers) and it shall appear. The game mixes a good dose of guessing with some trivia that pretty much wouldn’t possibly be known by the average person. The good news is that you don’t need to know the answers to win. Everyone writes their answer on a tablet and the answers are lined up appropriately. From there, you get to wager which answer you think is correct. As long as you make the correct wagers you have a good chance at winning. The whole mix of betting and trivia allows fans of both types of activities to have a little fun. Wits and Wagers is suitable for ages ten and up. This is one of those games that is going to provide a better time if you have more people playing, so you will want to keep that in mind!

You can find out about Wits and Wagers and other North Star games at the North Star Games website. You can also find this on Amazon for around $20.

Chronicles of the Mind:
The thing that makes Chronicles of the Mind fun is that you can say whatever you want! You are asked a conversation based question. For example, of the around 119 prompts you might be asked who your first crush was or where you went on your first date. You can tell the truth, fix up the story to make it a little more exciting, or you can create a lie. It will be up to the others in the group to determine if you’re telling the truth or not. This party game is going to be most suitable for adults and you will want to have a small or large group to get the most fun out of this.

You can learn more about this and other Griddly Games over at the Griddly Games website. Chronicles of the Mind is available online for $13.

Yamodo!:
Yamodo Party Time is a game that gets the mind going and offers a hilarious time for all players. The rules are simple. You receive some made up words. That’s right, the words you are dealing with will have no official meaning. As a player it will be your job to breathe meaning into these words. You can create any type of meaning you want, but you have to define these words! Use your imagination because you will be competing against every other player. The judge gets to pick the best definition and the winner of the round! The makers of the game suggest this for teens to adults, though it’s possible that slightly younger kids could play this successfully, as well.

You can find Yamodo and Yamodo Party Time online at various retailers including Amazon, where it is available for under $50.

Zunker Christmas Party Gift Exchange Game:
I will admit we have not actually played Zunker yet, but if you’ve ever done Secret Santa you will absolutely adore Zunker. This game is all about the holiday gift exchange. This makes it perfect for office parties and large families that tend to offer one gift as opposed to buying for everyone in the family. During round one you get to roll the dice and take turns unwrapping the gifts so all the amazing presents are laid out for everyone to see. The next round has you rolling to pass, win and lose the presents that you had your eyes on. Zunker is fast paced, fun, and sure to leave a lasting impression on all your present-oriented parties. This will be great for all kinds of events! We cannot wait to use it at our holiday party, this year!

You can learn more about the Zunker Gift Exchange website. Zunker is available for around $25.

Technorati Tags: Zunker, Board Games, 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Wits and Wagers, Yamodo Party Time, Chronicles of the Mind, Bezzerwizzer, Say Anything, Rack-O, Lego Games Race 3000, Wise Alec

For the Little Mommy/Daddy

Loveable Look-A-Like
These dolls are awesome for all the right reasons. They might not look like something your child would initially take to, but if they have anyone in their life that they miss or wish was with them, the Loveable Look-A-Like could be the perfect solution! On the outside, the Loveable Look-a-Like dolls are androgynous and rather basic. They have on a white shirt and some jeans, which makes them perfect for both boys and girls. It also makes it perfect for turning a doll into your child’s favorite person no matter who they are. You just take a picture of your child’s favorite person or the one they miss the most and iron it onto the doll’s face. This is absolutely perfect for young kids that have parents in the military. We had a young reviewer check this out for us and we put her daddy’s head on it, because he is away in the war. Alexis pointed out that the head looked kind of funny (it is ironed on, after all), but it reminded her of her daddy and for that reason alone, she loved it.

We received the Do-it-Yourself Doll Kit which was easy to handle and its cost effective at $25. Loveable Look-A-Likes also offers personalized kits for $10 more or $15 more if you’d also like a personalized t-shirt. Either way, this is a great gift for children that have recently lost someone or have a parent that is currently away from home.

Fisher Price – Little Mommy Play All Day
If you know a little one that wants to be a parent (boy or girl) this is going to be a fabulous toy for them and it will be sure to make their holiday brighter. The Little Mommy Play All Day also works as an excellent toy to get back at a friend or sibling. Just give it to their child and watch the parent pull their hair out. This only works if they do not like toys that produce excessive amounts of noise, so keep that in mind, if you’re purchasing solely for revenge. The Little Mommy Play All Day is a talking baby doll that has plenty to say! She is motion activated so if you so much as nudge her she is talking! The one we received even speaks in Spanish occasionally, though I am not sure if that makes her defective or if they all do that. In fact, she knows up to 50 phrases and responses to basic play activities like rocking, flying like a birdie, and dancing. The doll takes 3 AA batteries, but they are already installed, so you will just need more for later. Alexis loves this doll so much she wants to play with her all day.

With that in mind, I am sure that $35 is more than a fair price for the Little Mommy Play All Day!

Precious Baby Doll – Katya
Precious baby dolls allow your child to adopt a baby from another destination. While it’s nice to have a doll that shares the same features, it’s even better to have a doll that is unique. Precious baby dolls are absolutely gorgeous with fine details down to a tee and a sweet baby smell that is reminiscent of real children. We received Katya Irina to check out and I fell in love with her. Our child reviewer, of course, feels the same way!

Each Precious Baby Doll is 17 inches long and has a cloth body with arms, legs, and has a face made of vinyl. The hands and feet even look real, which goes to show the amount of fine detail put into each doll. All babies are dressed in accordance to their culture/home location. Each doll (there are currently four to choose from) costs $69.99. In addition to the dolls, books about the dolls homeland are also available. Each book costs an additional $9.99. With or without the books these dolls are highly recommended. They are so beautiful it almost seems like a crime to let them be toys, but knowing the joy a child will get from one of these dolls makes it a worthwhile gift consideration.

The Precious Baby Dolls are our most expensive doll option on this guide this year, but they are also the most precious and well crafted in the bunch, too. The folks over at Precious Baby Dolls want to extend our readers a special deal, which makes this holiday gift even sweeter. You can use the following coupon code to get an additional $10 off on each doll:

Katya doll = 1000
Kimberly doll = 1500
Sophia doll = 2000
Li Ming = 2500

For the Little Professional

“The Budding Artist”: – Kidzsack
Kidzsack is perfect for the kid on the go that likes to color and has an artistic streak. This great back sack comes in a variety of designs and includes eight washable markers so your kids can create the perfect scene for the moment. Then when they are ready, they can wash it out (or you can, of course) and start all over again. In the meantime, they can use the bag to carry their favorite possessions when they are out and about. Whether they are going to school or to a friends house, the Kidzsack can transport all of the items they need. They can even toss their markers in there and finish coloring their bag in the car, if it’s not completed when they leave the house. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, but fun, eco-friendly gift idea for kids, you should really consider Kidzsacks. Not only are they practical, they are lots of fun, too.

The main Kidzsacks designs include Jungle, SeaLife, Sports, and Castle. There are plenty of custom designs available as well to suit the taste of most children. You can pick up a Kidzsack for $23.00, which includes shipping and handling charges. This might be a bit pricier than your average book bag, but this is one that your child can create and re-create as the mood strikes. The artistic quality alone (and the eco-friendliness) makes it well worth the purchase!

“The Banker”: Zillionz Savings Goal ATM Bank
If your child uses a jar or standard piggy bank to hold their money, the Zillons Savings Goal ATM Bank might be something that they would enjoy greatly. There are a number of great things about this bank. First off, it teaches your kids about ATMs and banking. It’s always a nice lesson to let them see that the ATM isn’t an endless money pit and that you need to put money in to get it out. If they have siblings, this is always a great way to keep the money safe and hidden, as you need the credit card and pin number to deposit the money and to get it out. CT loves banks like this, so we knew we had to check this out. It ends up being a great solution for kids that are saving up their money for something and it allows them a little independence in handling their money, too, which is a good thing. Some people have had problems with change being miscounted, but we have not experienced this issue. It ends up being both a practical present for older kids and a fun, amusing toy for younger ones.

Amazon has the Zillions Savings Banks available for just under $30. If you’re hoping to buy something for a younger child I would recommend looking for something else, as the Zillions Bank is not going to be as popular with the kids that just want a toy and not a safe way to handle their money. However, if you have a child looking to keep track of their dough and have a safe way to do it, this would be perfect!

“The Sports Star”: One World Futbol
I could say plenty of great things about the One World Futbal. I could talk about how it seems sturdy enough to last for life or how great the blue color is. I could even go into the fabulous concept behind the futbal and why I feel the way I do. What it all comes down to though is that your kids are gonna love this! From a purchase perspective, you can’t go wrong with this ball. It will never go flat even if it is punctured because it is made using state-of-the-art technology that requires no stitching. It also carries the same rebound characteristics of traditional soccer balls.

However, the real reason to buy a One World Futbal has little to do with the pretty color or the durability (though these are certainly nice reasons). More importantly, when you purchase a ball for yourself, someone else receives a ball through an organization that helps people in need. So, buying one of these balls for your budding sport’s star means that someone in a third world country or another impoverished area will also receive a present, as well.

Purchasing a One World Futbal is simple. Just visit the One World Futbal website and you can purchase them right there. The balls are listed for a price of $39.50, which secures a ball for you and one that will be sent to charity. Two One World Futbals for under $40 is not a bad deal at all. In fact, it’s one of the best on this list!

“The Sports Star”: The Pro Mini Hoop
The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop is by far the best constructed and most durable mini-hoop I have ever seen for home use. While I was not expecting much for this relatively inexpensive product, I am happy to say that this really does appear to be a mini basketball hoop. Basketball fans will absolutely adore this whether it’s for a younger child needing some excitement in their bedroom or some older kids wanting to have some dorm room fun. Sporting a shatter-proof backboard and a spring-action breakaway rim this is the closest thing to real basketball you’ll find inside a house. The backboard can take shots with ease and the rim won’t break should you decide to practice your jump shot. The weakest part of this set is the basketball and even that is fine, should you decide to keep the one that comes with the set. Everything you need construction-wise is included, with exception to the pump required to inflate the basketball.

You can learn more about the Pro Mini Hoop or other SKLZ products by visiting the SKLZ website. The Pro Mini Hoop is available on the site for just $29.99 or if you’d prefer a larger backboard you can opt for the Pro Mini Hoop XL for just $39.99.

“The Roadster”: Road Rippers RC Motor Muscle Car
Perfect for car lovers of any age, the Road Ripper RC is suited for kids seven years old and up. These great remote control cars come in a small variety of popular car models and various colors. We received the yellow car from the various product options and it was a hit with everyone in the house. The best thing about Road Rippers is the level of realism that you will find here. These babies have working radios, lights that come on and off, and realistic sounds. They are controlled completely via a remote control and they are simple to use. If you have a boy (or girl) that loves cars and is growing up, but isn’t too old this would make a great gift. Toys like this are still toys, but they are a little more adult, so the kids can’t say you’re treating them like babies. They will love it and chances are, so will you.

Road Rippers RC cars take three AA batteries for the remote, which are included in the box. You will need an additional four AA batteries for the car, so you might want to keep that in mind. You can learn more about these cars at the Road Rippers website. The Road Ripper RC cars are available at most major retailers for under $30.

For the Little Builder

NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set:
Knex offers some of the coolest building products on the market. Whether you’re five years old or 25, Knex has something inventive and challenging for you to create. This building set, the NASCAR 88 AMP Car, was made for budding race fans. Kids interested in NASCAR and current fans of Dale Jr will really enjoy building this stock car and playing with it when it is all done. The Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car includes 100+ K’NEX bricks, rods and connectors, as well as wheels for push play. There is also a Dale Jr. K’NEX-man to complete the set! After all, it wouldn’t be a true 88 car without Dale Jr!

You can learn more about the Knex NASCAR 88 Amp Energy Car Building Set at the Knex website. According to the Knex website the 88 car is suitable for ages five years and up. You should be able to find this in stores that sell Knex including the Knex site, which has it listed for just under $15.

K’Nex Speed Demon Coaster
Unlike the 88 car, the Speed Demon Coaster by Knex is suitable for someone nine years old and older. Standing over three feet tall, the Speed Demon Coaster includes over 625 colorful K’NEX pieces, including a coaster car, motor, chain lift and track. That’s right, this is a fully working coaster! I don’t know who enjoyed this more, the kids or the adults. I suppose it didn’t matter, the point is that everyone truly enjoyed it! It takes some time to build but that is because it’s just that big! The instructions are easy to follow and are color coded so there shouldn’t be any problem putting this together. Once it’s together your kids (or the adult that gets this bad boy) can watch the coaster car move to the top of the peak only to fly down through 19 feet of twists, turns, and loops!

Available for only $30 the Knex Speed Demon Coaster is definitely a bargain! You can learn more about the Speed Demon on the Knex website. The website should have a link for purchasing, but you shouldn’t have a hard time finding these locally at stores like Walmart and Target.

Miscellaneous Goodies

Glide Table Top Shuffleboard:
I know what you’re thinking. Shuffleboard?!? For kids?!? I thought that too, until we received the Glide Shuffleboard. Suitable for pairs of players or teams ages six years old and up, the Glide tabletop Shuffleboard game will have kids and adults competing and having a ball! Zabazoo offers plenty of unique gifts for the whole family. Glide comes with four different colored stones that you slide along the four foot long board. The rules are the same as traditional shuffleboard and it will take some talent to ensure that you knock our your opponents with ease. Whether the kids win or lose though they are bound to have loads of fun. Parents will also appreciate the easy cleanup and the ability to have this out or fold it up and keep it up and away unless in use.

You can learn more about the Glide at the Zabazoo website. The Glide is available at numerous stores online, including Amazon where it can be found for $24.99.

Z Wind Up Toys:
The holiday would not be complete without some uniquely fun and totally outrageous stocking stuffers. I remember a time when parents would use the stocking to add all those little gifts that wouldn’t go over well if they were wrapped up. You know, things like shampoo and toothpaste. Well, if you must you can still add those things, just throw in a few Z Windups and it will transform your child’s stocking into something fun and exciting for them! As they plow through the deodorant and the chewing gum, a few of these windup toys are guaranteed to put a smile on their face! Z’s Windups come in a variety of designs that are sure to please every child in your house.

The Z’s Windup store will give you a clue as to just how many options are available. At around $5 a piece (some toys are more or less), these make a great inexpensive addition to the stockings in your home. Some personal Windup favorites include Larry Slider, Cookie, Ferris, and Basie!

We hope that this list has helped you to complete your shopping this year. If you’re looking for other gifts make sure to check out our other guides and suggestions!

Food

Technorati Tags: 2010, Holiday Guide, Hot Holiday Toys, Dolls, Building Sets, Unique Gifts, Holidays, Presents, Kids, Board Games, Children’s Gifts, Shopping, Gift Guide

Make sure to stop back by and let us know if you tried any of the items below and if you enjoyed them as much as we did! We cannot wait to hear what you think!

WineTime Chocolate Bars:
WineTime chocolate bars and actual wine have something in common. Reservatrol is a powerful antioxidant that is found in grapes. It has such health benefits that scientists have claimed that it could explain how French citizens can have such a fatty diet and yet remain fairly healthy. WineTime Bars take the reservatrol from the wine and create a chocolate bar that you won’t soon forget. The suspected health benefits are nice, but they wouldn’t mean much if the chocolate didn’t taste good. Come to find out, I would be pleasantly surprised with what I received in WineTime. Each bar contains various super fruits (cranberry, pomegranate, acai, and blueberry), along with dates and almonds all hiding in delicious dark chocolate. The result is a chewy, rich chocolate bar that tastes fabulous and is healthier for you than you could imagine.

You can pick up WineTime Bars at the WineTime website, where you can learn more about Resveratrol and about WineTime. Pricing options include a 10 bar pack for $29.90, a 20 bar monthly package for $59.80, and a 40 bar “family pack” for $89.70.

Green and Blacks Organic Chocolate Bars:
There are no words to describe how much I truly love Green & Black’s organic chocolate bars. I like to consider myself a chocolate snob. Not all brands do it for me. I tend to only prefer dark chocolates and find milk chocolates to be revolting in most cases. However, Green & Black’s tends to be an exception to this rule. The folks at G&B’s were nice enough to send us a variety of the bars to try out. Among the options were Milk, Dark, Toffee, Peanut, Maya Gold, and Mint. All of them were fabulous, though I personally was partial to the dark, toffee, and peanut. I liked the mint, but you have to really enjoy mint to enjoy this candy bar because it offers an intensley strong mint flavor that many mint chocolate bars lack. If you’re planning chocolate in the stocking this year, do yourself a favor and get Green & Black’s for the whole family – they have a variety of selections that are sure to satisfy all the different tastes in your home.

You can learn more about Green & Black’s at the Green & Black’s website. If you are looking for some stocking stuffers you can find Green & Black’s in most places where chocolate is sold, including stores such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger. Prices will vary, but in most cases you find find Green & Blacks for around $2 a bar.

Cari-Free Lollipops:
CariFree Lollies are great for kids and parents whether we’re talking holidays or anytime of year. Kids will enjoy the five tasty flavors including cherry, grape, lime, citrus, and raspberry. Parents will like the fact that each lollie contains .5g of xylitol, which helps to fight cavities and removes cavity-causing bacteria. This is a perfect mid-day treat because it will get some tooth defense in between the morning and night brushing. These are sugar free, but still taste good so kids should like them as much as any other lollipop. According to the website, you shouldn’t eat more than 20 of these per day. I don’t know anyone that offers their child more than 20 suckers though, so this shouldn’t be a major issue though. These would be great for stocking stuffers. The kids don’t even have to know that they are good for them and their teeth!

You can learn more about CariFree products at the CariFree website. Currently a 24-lollie, variety pack comes to $12.50 on the website. Prices likely do not include shipping.

PopChips:
PopChips are the best and most mysterious chips that you will ever truly enjoy. They taste like traditional chips. They taste fried, fatty, and utterly delicious. The funny thing is that they aren’t fried and they aren’t fatty. They are delicious though! Offering a chip with some good crunch and fabulous flavors, PopChip offers a healthy snack alternative that tastes about a million times better than baked or other healthy chips. These yummy chips taste like the chips that you crave without all the crap you don’t need. As a result after one of these chips you will be hooked and that won’t be a bad thing. With flavors like Parmesan Garlic and Cheddar Potato, traditional chip lovers should be very happy. They are also inexpensive (no more than most regular brands), All-Natural, and easy to find (available at Whole Foods, Target, and other retailers).

Check out more about PopChips or Read our PopChips Review!

The Fresh Market Good Cheer Basket:
We often have adverse things to say about gift baskets. After receiving a stale, seemingly outdated gift basket from Bea’s Gift Baskets earlier in the year we’ve been weary about the things that we consider for review in this area. However, The Fresh Market looked so yummy it was hard to say no. So, we agreed to check out The Good Cheer Basket and come to find out this was the best gift basket we reviewed all year! Filled with tasty goodies like pistachios, peanuts, sesame sticks, crackers, Nueske’s Summer Sausage, stone ground mustard, Jelly Belly’s, and other great items, The Good Cheer basket will be sure to please even the pickiest snacker. A box of Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookies and some amazing, Kell Bran Caramel Popcorn are also included. At $49.99 the Good Cheer basket is worth every penny.

The Fresh Market also offers a number of other holiday goodies and gift baskets to suit all tastes and budgets.

Navitas Naturals Chocolate Kit:
One of the best part of the holidays is the food! I love baking and enjoying the fine treats that we get to make each year. The last couple of years we’ve received a chocolate making kit each year to review. I was nervous with my first one, but I’ve since learned that there is nothing to making chocolate in kits like this. Navitas Naturals makes chocolate making a snap with easy instructions and all of the ingredients laid out as they should be. You can choose from a variety of kits that offer additions of the most important super foods into your chocolate. If I didn’t know better I would think the super foods were an excuse to eat more of the chocolate! These make great family gifts for friends that love chocolate. They are inexpensive, delicious, and offer a chance for some fun family friendly memories.

You can learn more about these Organic Chocolate Making Kits at the Navitas Naturals website.

Vosges Baking Mixes: When I received an email from Vosges and it included the moniker “Haute Chocolate,” I couldn’t help but laugh. That was because at the time, I was not very familiar with the company. I knew they offered chocolates and yummy eatables, but that was about it. The folks at Vosges offered to send us some baking mixes to see if they would make the cut for the guide. We received Vosges Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chunk Brownies, and Super Duper Sugar Cookies. All I can say is you HAVE to try these! Vosges definitely earned the haute chocolate label they use! Each box comes with all of the dry ingredients in the box. All ingredients are the top of the line and it shows in the final result. Make sure to read your boxes for all the instruction you need to make the perfect dessert. In order to make most of the mixes you will need things like water, oil, milk, unsalted butter, and/or vanilla depending on the mix. A card with detailed instructions comes with each mix, allowing even the most inexperienced baker a chance to shine in the kitchen this holiday!

Vosges mixes are perfect gifts for your favorite foodie. Alternately, if you like to give food oriented gifts that you’ve baked yourself you could pick up some Vosges mixes and make some cookies and brownies that will blow your mind. You can learn more about these amazing bake mixes at the Vosges website.

Fairytale Brownies:
Earlier in the year we reviewed Fairytale Brownies. They did not ask to be included in this gift guide, but they did submit their product for review and they were so good we felt we couldn’t leave them out here. You can choose between two flavors of Fairytale Cookies or a scrumptious selection of brownies. In a standard dozen you receive such flavors as Original, Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Cream Cheese, Espresso Nib, Mint Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Pecan, Raspberry Swirl, Toffee Crunch, Walnut and White Chocolate. It’s been awhile since we indulged, but if memory serves correctly there was not one specific flavor that we didn’t like. We even went as far as to fight over a couple.

Okay, we’re not proud of it, but they were so good, we just couldn’t help ourselves. A standard dozen is around $40, but for the moist, melt-in-your-mouth brownies that you receive you won’t think twice about what you paid for them. They are worth the price you pay as they end up putting a smile on the face of everyone I have seen eat one. It’s no wonder the brand name is Fairytale Brownies – it’s hard to believe these are as good as they are. We even won a few brownie haters over when we tried them out last time!

You can learn more about these delish brownies at the Fairytale Brownies website or you can check out our Fairytale Brownies review!

Swiss Colony Products:
Swiss Colony is one of those brands that nearly everyone is familiar with. Chances are you’ve received their catalogs and have viewed their website. If you’re like me, despite all this advertising and the delicious appearing food, you’ve never tried them. Rectifying that was one of the best decisions that I made this whole holiday season. I’ve only had a chance to try two things from Swiss Colony so far, but I can say that they will not be the last things we try. We received the Reindeer Torte (ribbons upon ribbons of rich fudge creme and tender chocolate cake blanketed in milk chocolate) and some Incredible Spreadables with Crisps. In the case of the latter item, we received the $19.95 set that includes Mellow Cheddar and Herb Garden Cheese along with three flavors of crisps. I don’t recall asking for either item, but I have to say that the whole review team loved them! The items arrived just before lunch and we had to force ourselves to stop eating the crisps and cheese and start eating our lunch. On the plus side, the Reindeer Torte provided some excellent dessert and the combination of both items made some future customers out of us!

You can learn more about all of the delicious items for gifts (or to indulge on your own) at Swiss Colony. We will also be reviewing both items soon (look out for the links to come soon).

The Fresh Market Pumpkin Butter:
Rounding out our holiday guide this year is Pumpkin Butter from The Fresh Market. I was skeptical about this when we first received it, merely because of the presence of apricot in the butter. Dom loved TFM Pumpkin Butter more than any pumpkin item that we’ve had recently. I liked it, though I admit, I was not as in love with it. I felt that in many bites I got more apricot and less pumpkin. Ignoring the pumpkin name, the flavored butter is actually quite good. If you have a fan of jellies, jams, and flavored butters in your family, this will win them over. Each bottle is available for $5 and is well worth every penny.

To learn more about TheFreshMarket Pumpkin Butter or other great products in the lineup we recommend checking out The Fresh Market website.

Technorati Tags: 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, Yummy Food, Season’s Greetings, Season’s Eatings, Candy, Cookies, Chocolate, Gift Basket, The Fresh Market, Vosges, PopChips, Holidays

Novica offers everything from furniture to kitchenware. Knowing that we needed some unique items for the kitchen led me to looking at everything from salad bowls to drinking glasses. I had $75 to spend, which is often not a lot of money when you’re buying for the home, but Novica does have a nice variety of lower priced items, so if you’re looking for something small or practical you can often make your money go a long way.

After much deliberation about what was going to make our new living space shine, we decided to go with some drinking glasses and a glass pitcher. To be more specific we ended up choosing, the Spirals of Thought Glasses in Blue and the Glass Pitcher in Aqua.

Javier and Efren are the artisans that made our Spirals of Thought Glasses. These glasses are far more beautiful than the picture gives these men credit for. You really do need to see them to fully appreciate them. Each glass is slightly unique due to the fact that they are actually hand blown. The glass is quite thick, which I enjoyed as I am used to the standard sets bought in stores that are plain and often break quite easily due to being lightweight. These two men have been working together since the 1990s and offer excellent products. We received a six glass set for $39.99, which was an incredibly fair price for the thickness and the beauty of the glasses. We couldn’t be happier with them.

Since we have had them, they have been put to the test. They have been used daily for our family and when we have guests. My big worry with them (as with any glasses) had to do with the staying power of the glasses. I don’t know how many times I have purchased a set of glasses only to see them break during washing or after daily wear and tear. We’ve had these glasses for quite a bit and so far we have only lost one. It actually had more to do with a pan slipping out of my hand while washing dishes, as opposed to actually breaking the glass for other reasons.

Javier and Efren also make the Glass pitcher in Aqua. Unlike the Spiral glasses, which have a blue rim and spirals of blue running along the clear glass, the glass pitcher is clear with the exception of a thick aqua colored rim. I cannot say how invaluable this has been to me. We tend to make a lot of frozen juice and this pitcher is the perfect size for that. It sits in the refrigerator with no problem and it makes any flavor juice we want with room to spare. We’ve had friends comment on how much they like it, and we have to agree, we are big fans of it, too. The pitcher was available for under $30, though the last time I checked the website it was not currently available.

With every purchase you make, the artisan that creates your item includes a story card so you can learn more about them and the process behind making your items. This was a nice added touch that I enjoyed seeing in the package. Due to the fact that most items are handmade, shipping can take between one and three weeks. While this could be seen as a deterrent for some, the quality is certainly worth the wait. It’s safe to say you won’t find anything like what you can find at Novica during a local shopping trip! So, if you’re in the market for a great holiday gift or need some unique home furnishings you should give Novica a look, chances are you’ll find just what you’re looking for and a whole lot more.

Technorati Tags: Novica, Hand Blown Glasses, Moving Feature, Product Review, Kitchenware, Drinking Glasses, Artisans, Unique Gifts, Spirals of Thought, Javier and Efren

I was sent three main products, one from each brand, to test out and help keep my bathroom and kitchen neat and clean. The one I was most excited about was the Swiffer Sweeper Vac. Accompanying the new sweeper vac came the Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner and Febreze Set & Refresh Room Deodorizer. All of the products except the Febreze Set & Refresh were used in the bathroom and kitchen. The Set & Refresh was used in the bedroom.

In addition, my mom purchased us some of the Limited Edition Febreze fall scent canisters. I believe the scent is cinnamon & sugar. If you can find those in your area, I highly recommend picking them up because they smell divine and they are only around for a short time.

SweeperVac

I was thrilled to receive a Swiffer Sweeper Vac for this review. While I did not know what the PR team would be sending, in my teaser post I specifically mentioned that I was hoping for one of these. The thing that I was most fond of is that you can mop up small messes like with your normal Swiffer, but after a brief charging session you can use this as a vacuum, as well. This comes in handy when you just want to give the floor a quick and efficient sweeping.

The Sweeper Vac spends most of the time in our kitchen. We have small tiles in our bathroom and are more inclined to mop it, but find that the Sweeper Vac is perfect for use on the smooth tiles in the kitchen. When you take it out of the box, it needs to charge for about 12 hours, but after that you’re good to go without a charging for quite some time (assuming your house isn’t huge/mansion-like). I use the SweeperVac almost daily and am always amazed at the gunk that it picks up. It has become an invaluable cleaning tool for me since we’ve moved.

The standard Swiffer pads are required to use the Sweeper Vac. Two come in the box to get you started. From there, standard pad refills will work out. This is especially nice if you have more than one Swiffer, as the pads are interchangeable. As for the stuff that does not stick to the pad, that collects in a vacuum pod that you can remove and clean out so that it is clean for the next time you need to brush up your floors.

You can pick the Sweeper Vac Starter Kit up for around $35, which is well worth it considering how much use you will be able to get out of it. This is one of those products that takes the work out of cleaning.

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner

Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is a multipurpose cleaner that can be used on any hard or tile surface. We use it in the sinks, to clean the tubs, and when I mop the bathroom floor or clean the tile walls. When we moved into our apartment, I found out how glad I was to receive this Mr. Clean product. You see, unfortunately, our apartment was not very clean when we moved in. I am not sure what the people were like that lived here before us, but at best, the cleaning crew did a slight surface clean and nothing else. This left soap scum on the tile in the bathroom and on the walls. Needless to say, the bathroom really needed to be clean.

The cleaning process with Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner is similar to any other disinfecting cleaner on the market. You spray the area that you would like to clean and after a few minutes you wipe the area until the soap is gone and the area is clean. It’s as simple as that. When wiping up the soap we used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Thanks to the addition of the Febreze there is no chemical cleaning smell like you might receive with some bathroom cleaners.

The best thing about this Mr. Clean product is that a little goes a long way. A few squirts cleaned one entire wall. So, you pay a few bucks and this will last you months. Again, this is well worth the purchase. You should be able to find Mr. Clean Disinfecting Bath Cleaner wherever household cleaning products are sold.

Febreze Set & Refresh

This was my favorite décor product of what we received. I was not sure if they would send anything that qualified, but I knew of the Febreze at Home line, so I was hoping that they would. The Set & Refresh sits upright on a desk or other flat top surface. We have ours sitting in our bedroom on an end table. Before placing it where you’d like it to sit, you just pop in the fragrance stick and pull the bottom of the Set & Refresh open. That’s it. Once it’s open a nice, subtle scent (depending on the scent you purchase) will remain in your room.

This isn’t going to be so powerful that it is all you smell. Instead, it will waft around you occasionally and you will get pleasant hints of the scent. Of course, it’s working even when you can’t smell it in abundance. It always manages to block any unpleasant odors whether it’s noticeable or not. We’ve had ours sitting in our bedroom, open, for about a month and can still smell it as much as we could the first day. Considering what these types of air fresheners usually cost, the Febreze Set & Refresh are definitely a good, cost effective option for someone looking to spruce up their home in style and smell.

Final Thoughts
All in all, I was incredibly happy with all of the products that I tested from Mr. Clean, Febreze, and Swiffer. I was already a customer of those brands, but having experienced these new products just reiterated in my own mind why I shop these brands in the first place. All items are beating my expectations in keeping my home clean and smelling great. I couldn’t be happier!

Technorati Tags: Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Sweeper Vac, Febreze, Set & Refesh, Moving 2010, Home Review, Product Review, Cleaning Supplies

The 5-in-1 Toy Story Tasty Baker has its name because you get to make tasty treats in five shapes. The shapes include Woody, Buzz, Rex, the Alien, and Lotso the Teddy Bear. Toy Story fans will love these shapes because not only are they Toy Story and some of the most popular characters in the series, they also come through beautifully. The nonstick baking surface allows you to slide the cakes/treats right out off of the baking area and onto the plate in perfect condition, looking just as they should.

Lil B definitely had the most fun with this. We made some videos with us using the Tasty Baker that he called “Cooking Show.” It’s been a while since we have used the Tasty Baker to play Cooking Show, but every time he sees the Tasty Baker he asks if it is time to play.

The best thing about the Toy Story Tasty Baker is the versatility factor. You have five slots to make whatever you want. If you have two kids and they both want something different you can mix and match what you are making. Of course, just about everything you make in the Tasty Baker is made in between five and eight minutes, so you could really make two batches of whatever you wanted in no time at all.

A list of recipes comes with the Toy Story Tasty Baker, though I have to admit, I have yet to try any of the ones that they have included. Lil B insisted that we make cake for Cooking Show, so I used a Duncan Hines boxed mix and whipped it up so that we could get cooking! The kids agreed on an orange swirl cake that would end up being iced with a cream cheese frosting. The cakes were a hit and honestly, they ended up tasting good enough to eat them warm out of the Tasty Baker without any frosting. I liked them warm the best, though the kids wanted them cooled down a bit because they were all about the frosting.

When cooking, you have the option of four different temperature settings via a dial that sets the heat for the Tasty Baker. The dial not only sets the heat, it also determines how light/dark your treats will end up. Once you set the dial (I use setting four for baked goods like cakes) there is an indicator light that will turn green to let you know that it’s time to get cooking. You can add any batter with the included batter scoop, which makes things easy and ensures you won’t pile up on the dishes. After the batter is in, you close the lid and wait a few minutes. Make sure you fill the molds up enough otherwise it will be harder to see the awesome design of your Toy Story baked goods.

Since we did Cooking Show I have made other cakes, pancakes, and muffins in the Tasty Baker all with great success. It is such a fun item to use. CT is a picky eater and normally isn’t a fan of shaped foods (he loved Burger King chicken tenders until they came out with the crowns and then he picketed), but he really enjoyed the shapes in the Tasty Baker. He thought they were fun and was not at all offended at the idea of eating them.

In the end this turned out to be a hit with the kids. The folks at Pop Art Toaster (home of the Tasty Baker) even report that children with Autism have responded incredibly well with their Tasty Baker line. Apparently kids that are picky eaters are really stepping out of their shells and eating loads of things that they really like thanks to this product. You can get in touch with them for more information if you have a child that has Autism and would like to learn more.

In any case, the kids loved this and while we probably wouldn’t use this without them, if you have kids this will definitely be a cooking tool that you get your money out of. The $35 you pay is comparable to other, similar cooking devices that aren’t as kid friendly (design-wise), which makes the Tasty Baker even better as kids will love it. This is well worth the purchase, especially if you have kids that love Toy Story!

You can see more “Cooking Show” videos with the Tasty Baker on The Literary Illusions YouTube Channel

Technorati Tags: Tasty Baker, Toy Story, 5-in-1 Tasty Baker, Cooking Show, Product Review, Cakes, Pancakes

We received the stand the day that we were set to move. The next day, after the dust had cleared and some of the smaller things had been unpacked we set to the task of building some furniture. Beyond the Ming Media Stand, we had several items that needed to be assembled. After putting together a small bookshelf and a computer desk, we set to the task of getting the stand set up.

I should point out that I am notorious for putting things together wrong and finding out they are wrong three quarters of the way through. Unfortunately, Dominick (who is much savvier with these things) is in a wheelchair so the only help he can offer (he’d be putting things together if he could) is to read the instructions and check each piece before I screw it in on the wrong side!

We took everything out of the box and about half-way through an incredibly easy assembly process we realized that one of the main pieces (the “D” piece which stabilizes the middle of the stand) was missing! After a few minutes of back and forth with Dominick asking me if I was sure I didn’t throw it away, we contacted Southern Enterprises and told them what happened. Within four or so days (we had to get through a weekend) the “D” piece arrived and we were back in business. The entire assembly process took about an hour, if that. I put the majority of it together on my own with no administrative help from Dominick and managed to put it together the right way! That should show you just how easy it is.

We have received compliments about our Ming Media stand from everyone that has come into our house. People love the glass doors and the shelf space, which allows us to store things under the television as opposed to adding another shelf or placing things around the television. This works great for us because we have hundreds of movies, video games, and all of the major game consoles. Naturally, with this many items that go with our television some extra space was not only wanted, it was necessary.

Each shelf holds roughly twenty pounds which would easily hold a DVD player or game system and some movies or games. Our shelves include a shelf filled with video games, another filled with DVD box sets (part of our television collection), and two shelves contain a selection of our DVDs. This still gives us plenty of room for a few game controllers or game accessories, as needed. Everything fits perfectly and looks fabulous.

Depending on where you purchase the Ming Media Stand you can find it in the $400 range. Considering the fact that it holds up to a 52′ television plus includes space for additional items, this is not a bad deal at all. Southern Enterprises is actually a wholesaler, but you can purchase Southern Enterprises furniture at a host of stores, including EA Distributors.

I absolutely love the Ming Media stand and hope to review other Southern Enterprises furniture pieces. I have no doubt that every piece offers something fashionable, functional, and affordable depending on your taste and budget. The dark, espresso wood goes well with a range of decorating options and the shelves are sturdy enough to hold a fair amount of weight (about 20 pounds per shelf). Add in the fact that it’s easy to put together and you have the sure sign of a winner! I highly recommend checking their furniture and accent pieces out. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

Note: Pictures of our stand will be up shortly. Due to some unforeseen Internet problems while moving we have been unable to upload anything until now. Stay tuned for them though as they will be up soon.

Technorati Tags: Ming Media Stand, Southern Enterprises, Furniture, Wholesale, Furniture Review, Product Review, Television, Moving 2010