Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50

OMG it is day two of our holiday gift guide extravaganza not to be missed by young and old alike (working title).  I have to admit: all this web shopping has, as my grandfather would have said, taken the starch right out of me.  What does that even mean?  I always assumed it had something to do with carbs giving you fuel, but I really don't even know.  What I do know is this:  1.  I'm rambling 2. I'm tired (see #1) and 3. I've got the best damn gifts $50 can buy listed on this mofo right here today.

my-oh-my what do we have here?

Clockwise from upper left:

Swine Flu Hanky, $28

Inside My Head Vase, $39

Sinking Ship Candle Holder, $39 (welcome on my table anytime)

S-XL cake dish, $36 (also welcome anytime... don't you just love the shapes it makes!!!???)

Trio Herb Pot, $48

For the techy... and some other random people:

wall mountable phone / pda charging system, $30

USB Greenhouse, $43 (yes, this terrarium is charged by your computer.  get one.)

Cable Tie, $30

Moss Clear Resin Ring, $40

Flying Sofa Brooch, $40

For your littlest gift recipient:

Young Mad Scientist's First Alphabet, $40

Ok, I know I've been silent sam up until this point, but we really need to talk about the alphabet set.  It's insane.  Here's a description from the site:

These lovely blocks contain many carefully engraved illustrations of the equipment, training, and activities that a budding mad scientist will require, combined with a clever alphabetic introduction to the concept depicted.

Each block measures 1 3/8 inches square and depicts six mad science concepts and the appropriate letters. The set includes all 26 letters of the alphabet on five blocks (six illustrations per block).

And here's a listing of the images that accompany the letters:

A - Appendages, B - Bioengineering, C - Caffeine, D - Dirigible, E - Experiment, F - Freeze ray, G - Goggles, H - Henchmen, I - Invention, J - Jargon, K - Potassium, L - Laser, M - Maniacal, N - Nanotechnology, O - Organs, P - Peasants (with Pitchforks), Q - Quantum physics, R - Robot, S - Self-experimentation, T - Tentacles, U - Underground Lair, V - Virus, W - Wrench, X - X-Ray, Y - You, the Mad Scientist of Tomorrow, Z - Zombies

Recycled Socktopus, $30

Foxy Hip Hop Tee, $18 (ok, it's waaay under $50, just buy two or something)

Plug In Figures, $28

For the blank-walled-friend on your list, might I suggest a gift from 20x200?  Here are 2 of my favorite $50 prints still available:

(left) Nonsensical Infographic No. 1, $50  (I'm mildly obsessed with this one)

(right) Residential Web, $50

And a few choice accessories for your bff or gff or whateverff

embroidered geometryart necklace, $50

scale necklace, $48

world links necklace, $60 (so we're a little over, just use the left-over cash from the t-shirt I posted, ok?)

maximum fringe necklace, $59 (totally worth the extra $9)

And if you dudes are just biting your nails trying to decide what to get Erin, let me tell you, she's got one thing and one thing only on her list:  Mortimer Bust Candle, $30.  Erin is worth $30, right?

Were these gifts just not rich enough for your blood?  No worries, Erin will be back tomorrow with gifts under $100 and I'll be back on Thursday with my personal Christmas list gifts under $500; Friday we'll have a super secret surprise guide, so, check that out too.

Holiday Gift Guide: Under 25

Friends, it's that time of year again -- time to open your hearts (and wallets) to the magic of the holiday spirit. It's easy to get caught up the in the whirlwind of Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmos and Zhu Zhu pets, but let's all agree on something: giving gifts should feel good, and getting your post holiday bank statement shouldn't induce an aneurysm. So, kick back and celebrate with a variety of fiscally fun gifts that will have everyone singing joy to the world  -- all you boys and girls.

Gifts for everyone! Clockwise from top left: Marie Gardeski hand soap $20 | Gracia + Selena gold leafed soup bowl $15 | 35mm pinhole camera kit $27 | Stephen Crowhurst playing cards $14.

Groovy expandable vinyl bags made from recycled billboards collapse into flat discs for easy packing. Stretch Bag $16.

Stay warm Cyndi Lauper style: recycled cashmere and angora arm warmers by cashmeredejavu on Etsy $10.

Shirts for the lovable nerd in your life: My Blood Is Rich In Irony shirt, $12 | Heavy Metal shirt $16.

Statement jewelry that won't break the bank: Diamond Ring in red acrylic $12.

Rock out with your bling out. Ear buds $10.

Part Francis Bacon, part intergalactic apocalypse, 100% awesome. Disco Peak print by Ricky Allman $20.

All they want to do is dance. Critters Windup $12.

Find out if cats really always land on their feet. Cat-a-pult $10.

Streamlined design makes cooking fun tolerable. Sagaform stainless steel and wood cake serving set $22 | Sagaform self watering herb pot $20

Ahoy matey! These napkin rings can be custom made with your initials. From Brooklynrehab on Etsy. Set of six $24.

High style shakers will add pep to your prep. Icosa by Tai Design $29.

Clean your plate and uncover a colorful surprise. Eating brussel sprouts has never been so fun! Poketo's The Middletons series, set of two $24.

You know you want to. Fisticup $15.

Have some Mondrian with your Lichtenstein. I want these tumblers so badly... $8 each.

Drinking makes learning fun. Coastermaths, set of five $22.

I know what Karly wants for Christmas... Wild Horses kitchen towel $12.

Shall I admit that I kind of despise Christmas? Whenever December rolls around I get antsy and Grinchy, and I start cursing a lot under (and over) my breath. But this little dude has melted my icy, two sizes too small heart.

Happy lil' Christmas gnome, handmade by Stephanie of Even Cleveland. Tie him to presents or hang him from your tree. For $7, that's a whole lot of love.

Tomorrow Karly will be back with a deluge of great gifts under $50, so come on back and bring your checkbook.

I promise it won't hurt a bit.

A Giveaway to Dine For

As Erin mentioned yesterday, next week we will be posting our world famous holiday gift guide.  Yep, 5 full days of non-stop recommended shopping action.  It's going to be massive.  In preparation for our extravaganza, I suggest you take note of the two shopping rules I live by:  1.  Never shop on an empty stomach and 2.  Always get something for yourself. In preparation for the e-commerce bloodbath, The Inglenook Decor is making sure you can check rules one and two off your to-do list.  The lovely ladies that run Inglenook contacted Erin and I offering up holiday plates for your dining, self keeping and overall holiday pleasure.

You dudes know the drill:  swoon, comment, and maybe maybe win.  La random number generator will pick a winner next monday and I'll contact you via email on Tuesday.

The winner gets his or her choice of either of these two lovely holiday plate sets:

Option 1:  Haute Holiday Dessert Plates, set of four* plates in a lovely gift box

*sorry, I had originally posted that there were nine plates but I was mistaken... the plates are 9" wide and come in a set of 4 :)

Option 2: Four Calling Bird Dessert Plates with 24 karat GOLD!!!!!!  Have I reminded you lately how I love gold?  Le sigh!  These babies come in a set of four.

If you just can't wait until we post our guide next week to get your holiday shop on, perhaps you could cross a few names off your list with any of these gems from the Inglenook (note, these items are NOT part of the give away, I just feel like showing them to you.  So there)

Clockwise from top:

Gold Leaf Metal Birds Nest With Silver Spoon, $26.00

Amelie Luster Glasses, Set of 6, $36.50

Brown Shanghai Links Needlepoint Pillow, $53.50

Avocado Bamboo Pillow, $77.50

Ok everyone, start your engines... Pick a plate set and leave a comment and hopefully all your holiday wishes will come true.