Twisted Cookie Exchange: Gingerbread people, complete with missing parts

In real life, there’s nothing funny about amputation. It’s just… wrong. The rules on funny bend a little bit, though, when applied to the lives of cookies. If you live in a household like mine, with a mind like anyone in my small family possesses, it’s extremely telling when you look at which part of the gingerbread person (we respect their privacy and don’t refer to them in any gender-specific manner) gets gobbled up first. With my daughter, it’s usually the head. She’s merciful for a preschooler. My husband prefers the legs (so they can’t run away). Me? I go for whatever is sticking out, because it’s a cookie.

When I saw these cookie cutters on Baking Bites, I knew these would be an awesome addition to our holiday cookie exchange. Instead of waiting for your child to horrify friends and relatives, you can make your own, pre-bitten, twisted cookies and decorate accordingly. It may not be for the faint of heart, but if you have some fans of the horror genre, or just some sick little puppies in your circle of friends, these are a perfect gift. Just be sure to include a nice recipe (if you’re at a loss for a recipe, try Baking Bite’s Gingerbread recipe) with them, so that gingerbread people can be made and shared immediately.

Posted on 10 Dec 2007 by Tina V.

Last Minute Hanukkah: A Gift for the Audiophile

Know someone who is really into music, spoken word, podcasts or audiobooks? If you do, and that person has an iPod, you’ve got a pretty easy combination for a gift: get them something to help them listen to their iPod in their car. Seriously — it’s like peanut butter meeting up with jelly. If you know a certain teenager who has earned their driver’s license, this would make a great gift as well.

Posted on 6 Dec 2007 by Tina V.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit

If you know of a runner, then the Nike+iPod Sport Kit is the newest gadget to get him or her! I’ve run 3 marathons (not fast, mind you, but I finished—yea!), and I wish that I had this package when I had run them. This combination, although the kit runs at $29 or less, can be a little pricey if you don’t already own the Nike+ shoes and the iPod Nano. But I think ultimately this is worth it!! So, if you know of someone who is trying to get into shape and who also loves music, then this is the package to get for Christmas and New Year’s combined (you know the whole resolution thing?).

Posted on 16 Oct 2006 by Anne B.

DVD Covers">D Skin DVD Covers

We just got back from an interstate driving trip. And, I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know what we would’ve done without the portable DVD player in the car. Honestly, for a 9 hour car trip where the kids are strapped in the entire time (I don’t remember having to do this in our big conversion van—we were all over the place when I was growing up!), the movies are the way to go. But how do you keep the DVDs “safe” while you’re changing them out and throwing things all over the car? D Skin is the answer!

Posted on 25 Sep 2006 by Anne B.

Plate Caddy

We had a BBQ last night at my house and took out the Plate Caddies for everyone to use. They were such a hit that I wanted you all to know what a wonderful and useful product this is. I can’t tell you how many parties I’ve been to where I have to try and juggle (and this is truly what you do when that drink starts to fall) my plate, silverware, a napkin and eat all at the same time. Well, at my house, you will never have to do this again, because we have the Plate Caddy at your service!! The caddies come with a hole to put your silverware, napkin, and even a little colored tee that identifies that plate as yours! Very clever!

Posted on 1 Aug 2006 by Anne B.

Action Sampler Camera

Even if you aren’t a photography fanatic, you’ll love this camera, simply for it’s simplistic mechanisms! I’m no Richard Avedon, but I love to take pictures to capture the moment. As the mom of two young ones, I always want to have a camera handy for that memorable moment that needs to be made into instant history. Along my travels, I found this little doozy in a neat gallery shop in Brooklyn last year. The Action Sampler Camera is an incredible gift for the photography enthusiast, scrapbook maker, or amateur historian in your life. The no-frills, non-automatic device uses four lenses to portray a collage of action shots, each about a quarter of a second apart. The results are artistic and interesting depending upon who or what your subject is.

Posted on 3 Jul 2006 by Anne B.

Teeter Hang-Ups

Oh dear, my back has been killing me lately. Too much sitting and not enough of my normal work out routines….what I would really like is about 15 minutes hanging upside just to loosen up my back.

Posted on 20 Jun 2006 by Anne W.

Sudoku Puzzleboard

While we were on vacation last month, my wonderful in-laws came and stayed with our kids. What a great time we had too. But that’s not what we are talking about here.

Posted on 14 Jun 2006 by Anne W.

Digital Photo Frame

I love my digital camera. And I love taking pictures of my children. So needless to say, I have a lot of pictures. And I would love to be able to display them without having to print them out (or send them out for printing) and then framing. Well you get the picture.

Posted on 6 Jun 2006 by Anne W.

Hot Dog Roller for the Grill

Happy Memorial Day everyone! As a military spouse, I am proud to be writing a post on this day of remembrance for those men and women who have fought and are currently fighting for democracy and for our freedom. But I also thought that I would promote what most people do during Memorial Day: GRILLING! The newest, coolest gadget I’ve seen in awhile is the Hot Dog Roller from Red Envelope. It’s a great gadget for today or a great gift for Father’s Day—June 18th!

Posted on 29 May 2006 by Anne B.

Cup-A-Cake cupcake holder

I like to bake, though I’m not, by any means, a baker extraordinaire. I can do a few things well, like muffins, cookies and cupcakes. The one problem I usually have is transporting baked goods to friends. Cookies and muffins are fine—they can be schlepped into a basket or artfully arranged on a plate and then covered with foil or plastic-wrap. Cupcakes, however, are a problem.

Posted on 29 Apr 2006 by Tina V.

Vincci Wine Opener

As a part-time wine connoisseur, albeit still a novice one at that, I look around at all the various wine paraphernalia in great wonder. My kitchen drawer contents consist of three different wine openers. And its become apparent that without any awareness of it, I have been on the great search for a new and unique wine opener.

Posted on 25 Apr 2006 by Anne W.

Garage Vacuum

Its Spring and cleaning is in the air too. Our garage is filled with the needle like leaves from a tree in our front yard. And the car and the truck are in need of a good cleaning. All things my husband prefers to do by hand. He and kids run around scrubbing and wiping and generally making a good mess and having a good time. The cars get clean, but the people need a bath afterward.

Posted on 18 Apr 2006 by Anne W.

Grill Fork/Thermometer with Rapid Read Tip

Its spring here in Southern California. Woohoo! And we can’t wait to start grilling again. My hubby is master of the grill. He loves grilling up something yummy for dinner. But like most grill masters he asks the age old question, “Is this done?â€?

Posted on 11 Apr 2006 by Anne W.

Light Wedge

I love to read, but I hardly have time any more except just before bed. And I love reading in bed, but I love my husband more. So I don’t want to read in bed if he’s sleeping, the light would keep him awake. So when I found the Light Wedge, I loved it immediately.

Posted on 5 Apr 2006 by Anne W.

Flickr Pro — Give the Gift of Service

I’m a bit of a shutterbug. It comes with the territory: my art degree involved a lot of photography and I also am a parent, which means that when my daughter sneezes funny, I want to take a picture. Couple that with living in a city full of fascinating architecture and you’ve got a Tina who takes her camera everywhere. When Flickr, an internet photo sharing application, debuted, I signed up immediately.

Posted on 31 Mar 2006 by Tina V.

Get-A-Grip Ultra Ice Cleats

My mother-in-law is a home shopping junkie, and over the years, we’ve received some really odd gifts. But this year for Christmas, she truly had my wellness at heart when she gave me the Get-A-Grip Ultra Ice Cleats to go over my regular shoes. I’d never thought to ever ask for such a gift, but being 8 months pregnant and living in an area that gets more ice than snow, I was thankful for my mother-in-law’s thoughtfulness.

Posted on 15 Mar 2006 by Anne B.

MP Digital Camera">Canon PowerShot A80 4 MP Digital Camera

Ok, I am not a techie, nor do I play one on television. So I am not going to give you long run down of all the bells and whistles of this camera. We did a lot of research when we purchased our digital camera, but after awhile, the numbers and acronyms just start running together. So we went to our favorite electronics store and asked around. We held several cameras of the big name and some smaller names too. We finally settled on the Canon PowerShot A80. This is one decision about technology that we have never regretted. We have a couple of wonderful and photogenic kids (you expected me to say something different?) In every situation, our little photographic genie has performed above our expectations. In fact, there is a lot this camera can do that we may never even get around to figuring out. There is a great book that comes with the camera and there are tons of online resources for learning how to get the most out of your Canon PowerShot A80 So as we all know pricing for cameras and other techies things changes rapidly. As of the time of posting, Amazon had this wonderful camera at $250.00 with free shipping. I think that’s a smoking deal.

Posted on 14 Mar 2006 by Gadget Guru

Key Cassette

Ok, due to a life situation (military family) we have moved a lot in the last several years, including 4 cross country moves in that last 4 years. And some of our stuff has not made each trip, so we have storage units, a home that we still own in one town, cars, 4 houses. Well you get the idea, we have had a lot of keys to keep track of. And I am a systems lover, I always want just the thing to help me keep things organized.

Posted on 1 Mar 2006 by Anne W.

SS925 Storm Station">Black & Decker SS925 Storm Station

This is an All-in-one Rechargeable Power Source/Radio/Light for when those times when the lights go out. I lived a lot of years in the tornado alley in the Midwest and then moved to hurricane central in Florida for a couple of years and now I live in earthquake prove Southern California. I remember many times when the lights would go and we would scramble for the candles and matches, which we always had set aside for just such occasions. I have discovered the value of being prepared. So if you are looking to give a gift to someone who loved to be prepared for those times when the lights go out, take a good look at this Storm Station. It is a great help to have some light and power to assist with those little appliances that require electricity (like a cell phone charger). This unit has a detachable and rechargeable flashlight, an integral room light that illuminates the immediate area, a 25 watt power sources to operate low wattage devices, an AM/FM/TV Audio/Weather-Band Radio. And best of all, when the lights go out, if the Storm Station is left plugged into an electrical socket, the built-in locator light will automatically turn on and assist you in finding the unit. This great gift of a Black & Decker Storm Station is $99 at Amazon.

Posted on 21 Feb 2006 by Gadget Guru

Back To Basics Egg N’ Muffin

I’m not really a breakfast person. My idea of breakfast is a cup of yoghurt or a muffin along with a strong cup of coffee. When I was in college, it was coffee and nacho chips, or whatever else was in our apartment’s pantry. My husband, on the other hand, is a sucker for the egg sandwich. He’ll stop at the closest fast-food chain to get his fix, but the Back to Basics TEM500 Egg & Muffin 2-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher may actually make his artery-clogging routine change.

Posted on 21 Feb 2006 by Tina V.

iPulse Zip Connect

Well its Tuesday and Tuesdays mean Gadgets. In fact in the coming weeks, you will be meeting our Gadget Guru who will be bringing some of the best and coolest gadgets available.

Posted on 14 Feb 2006 by Anne W.

Omron Digital Premium Pedometer

I live in Southern California and it’s been so beautiful. It’s especially so since I walk for exercise. I usually walk about 4-6 miles a day, with my kids in tow in my double jogging stroller. I sit a lot because I work on the internet most of the day and into the evening, when I am not running after my kids. I take my exercise seriously and so I tend to buy the best equipment I can find. So when I went looking for a pedometer so I could measure my progress, I was very pleased when I found this one: the Omron Digital Premium Pedometer. Since I have a double jogger using an odometer proved difficult to attach and still be able to fold the jogger down. So I needed a pedometer. This one features the ability to measure steps even while attached to my belt clip which is great since I need to keep both hands on the stroller as I walk up and down the hills of Southern California. Yep its really hilly here. Check it out. This make a great gift for someone who’s trying to get in shape or someone who loves to exercise. Amazon has this for under $22. Omron Digital Premium Pedometer.

Posted on 10 Feb 2006 by Anne W.

Readylightâ„¢ Hand Crank Flashlight

With all of the technological gadgets around these days, you’d think that the last gift someone would want would be a hand crank flashlight. But this was far from the case when my husband received his Readylightâ„¢ Hand Crank Flashlight from Brookstone this Christmas. His response was pure joy and appreciation, as he was intending to buy one of these for himself (which I was unaware of until he mentioned it).

Posted on 21 Jan 2006 by Anne B.

Zap Cap

Hey, I know this guy who’s hard to buy for …. Who doesn’t have one of those in our lives? You’d like to find an inexpensive gift that he’ll not only use but also one that will impress him with your thoughtfulness. Whether he’s a beer or root beer drinker, the Zap Cap from www.thecontainerstore.com is an ideal gift.

Posted on 11 Jan 2006 by Anne B.

Long Range Cable Free Barometer with Weather Forecaster (Wireless Weather Station from Oregon Scientific)

When people are asked to name the items without which they couldn’t live, many will say their cell phones, cable television, or the Internet. One thing that’s on the top of my list is our Wireless Weather Station. I’m not an amateur weatherman or anything (those gadgets cost around $400), but I do check the temperature on a regular basis. Why? I have two small children, and being prepared for the weather outside is essential to our daily lives. I know that you can get the weather from the local news or cable weather station and even the Internet, but I need to know what’s going on in my backyard, not what it feels like at the weather station fifteen miles from my home.

Posted on 10 Jan 2006 by Anne B.