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Transformer Voice Changing Helmet $60. I remember watching Transformers cartoons on t.v. as a kid and thinking it was dope... Compared to the animation they produce today? It's crazy how sophisticated these things have become. Licensed toys also evolved dramatically. This Transformer Voice Changing helmet would have been on my Santa's list if it were available back then... But then again, if it existed back when, it would have cost a thousand bucks or something insane. Today, it's $60, which is such a great price for what you get.

The clock requires no batteries. Simply add water to the back reservoir and the clock will run for a few weeks. Adding flowers will take away water and shorten the life cycle , but it'll look very nifty. $13 at ThinkGeek.

This is the gift they will love and despise, each and every morning. Clocky is a little alarm bot clock that runs away from you when you try to hit the snooze button. I know a few people who qualify for this gift, don't you? $45-$50 at Amazon.

Derived from a 2003 NASA experiment, this fascinating gel serves both as habitat and nutrition for your pet ants (ships directly to your home). The aquarium is 100% self-sustaining, so no worries about feeding or cleaning. The Ant Habitat Kit includes magnifying glass and extreme zoom lens for close-up viewing. $29.99

This solar mobile gives 'spacing out' a new meaning. A great replacement for night lights, this unit also spins for added effect. $29

I first read about this moon mimicking light from Japan, and I was sad it was not available in the U.S. At that time, the light was about $150, which I thought was worth it. Big surprise. This year I found this lamp available everywhere, and at crazy low prices. This Moon Light from National Geographic is available for $21.

How does it work? It is a wall-mounted lamp that is a replica of the moon. You can program it to mimic the real moon's cycle. It comes with a remote control for easy control.

I don't think this item is for kids only. I am going to install a few in my home. I think they make great ambient light, and multiple units on a large wall create a fun and interesting wall display.

With this planetarium star projector, they can select one of 600 stars to wish upon. Features include a searchable database with over 600 star facts and myths, an interactive talking computer, and a backlit navigational screen. Fancy stuff for $80.

Turn an empty space into a solar maze with suspended large, colorful planets. A playful way to expose a child to the wonders of the solar system, this Inflatable Solar System kit is only $16 and comes with foot pump and repair kit.

A modern version of a sun catcher, this rainbow maker attaches to your window and uses the sun to deflect light through a Swarovski crystal pendant, casting rainbow color into your home. The solar panel energizes the spinning mechanism, which creates color flow. Fun stocking stuffer for moms and kids. $20

 

 
Does this hit you at the heart or what? One of my all-time favorite childhood memories - watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.

You, too, can have your own pathetic tree, with one single red ornament included, for $24 at Urban Outfitters. (I highly recommend buying early. Last year they sold out by the end of November.)

 

 

Other notable Charlie Brown gifts...

 

           

         

A Charlie Brown Christmas        A Charlie Brown Christmas            Charlie Brown Zig Zag T-Shirt

Book + Tree, $8.95                   Original Soundtrack, $7-$8             Adult + Youth, $17.95

Amazon                                    Amazon                                        Amazon

Earlier, I posted the In Vitro Orchid, and I thought myself clever for finding such a nifty little gift. Then I discovered this cool Plantarium Garden Labs Kit ($24) for kids. It's basically a space-age habitat plant growing kit. It's a self-sustaining garden. The gel's transparency allows you to watch plants grow both above and below the surface. When the plant reaches the top, it can be transplanted into provided pots.

I am getting this for my nephew. He is going to freak! (In a good way.)

 

Warning, this is not a good gift for someone with OCD tendencies. It will suck up more time than one can possibly imagine. It will be one of the coolest thing you own. It will also be one of the scariest things you own. Because like me, you will discover that we are all surrounded by microscopic aliens from out of space. Yeap.

One of my favorite discoveries last year, this microscope plugs directly to the computer and displays the full color miscrocopic  images on the computer monitor. With zero experience, I was able to look at 200x microscopic views of all sorts of things (name it, I looked at it). This is when I discovered microscopic aliens. Alright, objects at 200x pretty much look like they're from another planet. For the images that really freaked me, I was able to save them in JPEG format for storing and sharing. My very patient friends and family really love this function (uh, I think they are secretly strategizing how to steal this from my posession).

This QX5 Digital Microscope ($150) makes an amazing gift for any curious kid or adult. It zooms 10x, 60x and 200x. It can record video and be removed from its stand for hand-held use. The set-up is super easy - download the disc and plug it into a USB port.

Reader Comments (2)

November 30, 2007 | Kris

Very cool, indeed! When my son gets a bit older (and can take better care of his things) I will definitely consider this as a Christmas gift. For my part, though, I have no desire to see all the creepy crawlies in my home.

November 30, 2007 | anna t

Does look interesting.

 

Speaking of microscopic aliens...

Giant microbe stuffed toys for nonmicrophobics. Ranging from common illnesses to household parasites to life-threatening diseases, these plush toys are a fun way to introduce and educate children about hygiene and health issues. Or... Buy them as gag gifts - you may get a chuckle out of a hypochondriac (after they recover from fainting, that is). $7-$9 at Amazon.

Shown above: Scabies, Bed Bug, Lice, Dust Mite.

Reader Comments (1)

November 30, 2007 | anna t

looks cool.

 

 

 

 

There are so many great uses for these antique typewriter alphabet stamps, like creating personalized greeting cards, labeling storage boxes, or decorating your wall with poetic words. For $5.99 this makes an exceptional stocking stuffer.  

 

This season, the Uglydolls will give Barbie some tough competition for placement under the tree.  I personally know two grown-up men in their thirties (one a Schwab executive and the other a hipster DJ) who received these dolls as gifts, and they keep them on their beds like treasured prizes. Who woulda thunk? A great gift for $20-$25, available at Amazon.