While the pile of wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree each year draws oohs and ahhs, the little trinkets stuffed inside the stockings hanging from the fireplace mantle can often be the coolest gifts of the season. This year, there are more options than ever before to give great but tiny gifts to all your friends and family. Many of them are even priced at twenty dollars or less.
If you like to put a little greenery inside the stockings of your loved ones, make the wrapping part of the surprise. The Green Bilz Box is a puzzle into which you can place cash, gift cards, concert tickets or other like-sized items. The recipient of the gift can have a great time trying to get at the interior prize by rolling a ball through a bi-level maze. It's challenging and fun and two gifts in one!
It is a gift that a grandparent will use and appreciate every day is a Picture Pen. This neat little stocking buffer is a click pen with a plastic casing into which you can insert a photograph of a grandchild, a pet, or other favorite subject for Grandma or Grandpa. This is a gift that so many people will appreciate, and it's less than six dollars.
The handy gadget for any friend or family member who is just a little bit hard of hearing is the telephone amplifier. This small device installs easily between the telephone and the handset, and it features fingertip control for turning the sound up to three times as high as normal. It can be used with almost any standard or electronic telephone and makes a really thoughtful gift.
Youngsters in the family will love a Kids Lap Desk. This is a portable desk that children can take with them in the car, to the park or anywhere they want. The hard writing surface sits on top of a soft bottom that rests on the child's lap. Side flaps with zippered compartments hold all the crayons or other craft supplies they want to take along. This is a gift that gives to Mom and Dad, too, as it keeps them little ones entertained for hours.
Other take-along item that will keep anyone entertained for hours is Pocket Solitaire. This hand-held game device features several classic Solitaire games, a timer challenge, as well as a game-review function. It runs on two AA batteries, so it's easy to keep it running for as long as the player wants it to go. It's small enough to fit in a purse or pocket, and it's a quiet, fun game.
Other fun stocking buffer for friends, family or pets is the Flying Monkey. Dressed in a cape and mask, this stretchy simian can fly up to fifty feet when you fire it like a slingshot. It even gives out a monkey cry as it flies. Dogs love to chase it as much as kids and adults love to fire it. Made of plush wool, it's a great plaything.
Speaking of pets, everyone will have fun with the Dancing Pet Speaker. This cool stocking buffer can be attached to an iPod and many MP3 players. The music comes out of the cat or dog speaker, and both animals dance to the beat. Pose the arms, turn on the music, and everyone dance.
The Electronic Hampster is another fun toy for people or pets. It's cute and furry, and it rolls freely around the room when powered by one battery. Watch the kids or the dog chase it around the house-taking care, of course, to supervise. It looks so real that you might even startle your friends when it scurries in front of them.
If practical jokes or gags are your favorite type of gift to give, there are several from which to choose this year. A Car Bandaid Jumbo makes a great gag gift for a friend who tends to ding his car. Frankie the Fish is a perennial favorite, moving his mouth and head while singing "Give Me Back My Filet O'Fish" -it's great for fishing enthusiasts or anyone who likes a fish sandwich. Give your friends some harmless fun with Racing Grannies-a pair of wind-up old ladies who race each other across the kitchen table. And who would not laugh when the Singing Toilet Paper kicks off its rendition of "Jingle Bells" as it begins to unroll?
There are plenty of coin banks for the money savers on your Christmas list. Choose a Chocolate Hershey's Syrup Bank, a variety of Elvis guitar banks, or a Miller High Life Bottle Bank. You can even choose a Customizable Money Jar that lets you put the recipient's favorite photograph on display. Or give your favorite saver a Coin Counting Bank that will automatically total the contents when they drop in a coin. Each of these banks will nestle down inside a stocking, just waiting to be put to use for next year's Christmas savings.
Consider these awesome gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season!
