Shopping Tips Online

Like nearly 80% of consumers polled in a recent survey by the
The National Retail Federation, I am planning on giving at least one gift card this Christmas. Gift card sales this year will total nearly $25 billion, up $6 billion over last year. They are huge business, and consumers and retailers both love them.

Gift cards are convenient, they show that I know what the recipient’s interests are, and they allow the person to choose exactly what they want. Since 14 year olds are nearly impossible to buy for, we will give our nephew an iTunes gift card.

The brothers-in-law will get a card from Cabela’s. I always give the card along with a little something – the iTunes card will come in an iPod “sweater,” and the Cabela’s card might come with a hunting cap. We will receive gift cards ourselves, which we appreciate. I usually wait until the after-Christmas sales to use them, so I get more for the “money.”

There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing gift cards. (more…)

From Thanksgiving through the New Year you will doubtless attend a lot of parties hosted by friends, family or business associates. When a hostess gift is called for, think outside the box of wine. Gifts with some personality say you care about the hosts, and really appreciate the invitation.

Why not consider a unique salt and pepper set with personality plus? I found two that are worth checking out. One set has a sweet, nostalgic flare, and the other with a modern, mid-century sensibility.

Fred Flare has these cute bear-shaped shakers for $9. They would be adorable on a breakfast table alongside the classic bear-shaped honey jar.

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I love Brian’s Belly. The web site, I mean. Their slogan is “Eat, Drink & be Heavy™” It’s a great site for all things manly, including recipes, beer, and a lot of laughs. I have successfully used many of their grilling recipes. Bob particularly loves the Brian’s Belly Baked Beer Burgers, and their description of them: “Anytime you combine beer and beef into any type of recipe you know that it’s gonna knock your freggin’ socks off.”

Brian’s Belly offers logo items through an affiliation with Cafe Press, including some sweet items for “that guy” on your list.

Won’t this apron look sweet on your guy while he’s deep frying the Thanksgiving bird at the end of the driveway – a beer in one hand and the fire extinguisher in the other.

Brian’s Belly, Gift Ideas, Man Gifts, Unusual Gifts, Apron, Thanksgiving, Deep Fried Turkey

Giving gifts can be a lot of fun, or it can be a major pain. Even for people you know very well it can be a challenge to come up with something that’s unique and personal. It’s hard not to fall into the trap of giving the same person the same kinds of gifts every year –Aunt Edna may collect bunnies, but how many ceramic rabbits does one person need?

I’m searching for unique ideas for Christmas and Holiday giving this year, and will share some of these with you. I’m doing a lot of my shopping online, but many of these ideas can be purchased on-premise as well.

You don’t have to have an avid stamp collector on your list to find something interesting and different at the U.S. Postal Service. Their online shop has everything from apparel, to plush toys and coloring books, to stamp collecting supplies. And of course, stamps. Here are just a few things I found that I thought were unique.

A mailbox bank, for just $4.95 is cute – I would put some change in to get the little guy or gal’s saving started. (more…)

I am a cashmere addict. I love the baby-soft feel and the lightweight warmth. I will never forget buying my very first cashmere sweater, one I still own to this day. I parted with some cash for that sweater because I had to – years ago, the low-cost retailers had not jumped on the cashmere bandwagon. Now, you can find cashmere just about everywhere you go, including Wal-Mart.

But, are they the same? In a word, no. Experts say you can judge cashmere by its softness. A very soft yarn is a sign of high quality. If it feels coarse or fuzzy, it is a lesser quality cashmere. Ply can be an indication, but not always. Cashmere sweaters are either one- or two-ply. A two-ply yarn creates a sturdier knit, but it still may not be high quality. A manufacturer may add a ply, but if the cashmere itself is of a lesser quality, then the sweater will be, too. Low quality cashmere sweaters will pill, and will not retain their shape over time.

Here are two, similar cashmere sweaters, both cable knit V-necks, both in a range of colors. The first is from Wal-Mart. Their George brand sweater sells for $34.88 online.

The second is J.Crew with a retail price of $148. Ultra-premium cashmere sweaters can go for as much as $600, so for some people, this is still considered a “low price.” But for most of us, $150 is not pocket change.

There is definitely a difference in the quality of these sweaters. The J.Crew sweater, at over 4 times the price, is a higher quality garment, an investment piece you would be proud of for years and years. The George sweater is not an investment piece. It feels soft, but not as soft. It’s a “disposable” cashmere sweater.

So, here’s my advice. If you are shopping for your significant other, go for the quality. She or he is worth it, right? If you just want to have a cute sweater, maybe in a color you wouldn’t normally buy, go for the less expensive sweater and just have fun with it. Throw it on over a tee shirt with jeans and top it with a cute hoodie. Or wear it with pajama bottoms to lounge around the house in. You’d never do that with a $150 sweater, right?

In this battle between low and high price, it’s your call.

Cashmere, J.Crew, Wal-Mart, Sweaters, Gifts, Christmas

Scripps News Service reported today that one of the hottest holiday gifts this year could be Blue Man Group branded instruments.

The line of instruments by ToyQuest combine the wacky creativity and high technology of the Blue Man Group in an easy-to-use instrument. You can even play along with your favorite music by inserting your iPod or other MP3 player into the loading dock. Toys “R” Us is advertising the percussion tubes at a retail price of $69.99. Just think, you could be entertaining your family and friends with your own Blue Man Group rendition of “White Christmas.” But order early, to avoid a “Blue Christmas!”

Blue Man Group, Instruments, Hot Toys for the Holidays, Percussion Instruments, Christmas Gifts, Christmas 2007, iPod, Apple, MP3

Licensed products for both of these shows are available online at the NBC Universal Store Check out this sweet Heroes tee-shirt! I need/want/have to have one.

And the Dwight bobblehead would look great on my desk!

These would make terrific gifts for the NBC-watcher on your holiday gift list.

While you’re at it, check out Watching Heroes and Watching the Office. These great blogs will keep you updated on what’s happening in both shows, as well as fill you in on little-known facts, what’s happening behind-the-scenes, and all the latest buzz.

Shopping. Heroes. It’s a super-powered combination.

Heroes, The Office, NBC, NBC Store, Heroes Tee, Dwight Bobblehead

If your taste tends toward the quirky, and the new mommy and daddy are more fun-loving than traditional, ditch the cutesy bunny-and-puppy bib and go for something from The Retro Baby. They have a wide variety of fun and funny baby gifts (and some that I would steer clear of unless you know the parents pretty well).

I chose the “One Love” onesie for our friends’ new daughter Zoe. She’s personality plus, and so is the outfit!

Babies, Gifts, Onsies, Shopping