Do you find people still pinch you if you're not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day? Ouch! To avoid that fate this year, be sure to stock up now on the best St. Patrick's Day gear.
It's perfect timing for this adorable green "Lucky Dog" Snoopy T-shirt thanks to Uno the beagle and his groundbreaking "Best in Show" win at Westminster this year. You don't need to be Irish (or a dog) to be lucky! The "I'm not Irish but I'm hoping to get lucky" T-shirt is a sly way to make people think twice about just what you mean. And it's our exclusive so you won't find it anywhere else!
For anyone who's been planning this year's celebrations since last year, make sure they get to be the center of attention wearing this can't-miss hat with blinking shamrocks (plus matching bow tie). And be sure you're prepared to toast and lead your friends into a hearty Irish drinking song! The pocket-sized Irish Drinking Companion also includes traditional Irish drink recipes and hangover cures.
While St. Patrick's Day tends to get associated with green beer and great parades, it is also traditionally a day for spiritual renewal and prayer. The tree of life depicted on this beautiful porcelain pendant is an ancient symbol, in Celtic and many other cultures worldwide, of the link between Heaven and Earth.
However you choose to celebrate, have fun and be safe. To paraphrase an Irish blessing: May you always have laughter to cheer you and those you love near you.
Your Shamrockin' Gift Guru,
Linda
2.18.2008
Super Party, Super Bowl
Super Bowl parties (not to mention the actual game) can be the stuff of legends. I certainly had a memorable experience this year, as you'll find out.
I go to the same party every year, and every year my friend amazes me with her preparations and imagination. First, she sent out personalized invitations for the potluck party in which she included a suggested recipe for each of us (which were simple to make and yet extremely tasty, as we all found out). If she hadn't done that, I would have gone rifling through my trusted copy of "What Can I Bring?" cookbook.
And what an array of food there was! My stomach hurts to think about it again. But the showstoppers were the GIANT (no pun intended) cupcakes, each done up in the respective team colors. I won't tell you which one had more fans eating from it.
Another huge hit of the night were the frozen shot glasses that served up shooters for the adults. The women in particular oohed and aahed over the dessert shots served up in frozen chocolate shot glasses, using that same ice mold.
Yet my friend didn't forget about the children in attendance. She set up a kid-friendly area for them, with sports-related things to do in case they got bored. The wireless interactive games like boxing and baseball (played on the TV) turned out to be very popular.
But what made this a Super Bowl Party I'll never forget is the party favor I brought home…a broken rib! Completely unintentional, it happened during some typical Floridian poolside shenanigans. Though I didn't have my suspicions confirmed by a doctor until a few days later.
But don't worry about me, I can take a ribbing and keep on ticking.
Your Cracked-Up Gift Guru,
Linda
I go to the same party every year, and every year my friend amazes me with her preparations and imagination. First, she sent out personalized invitations for the potluck party in which she included a suggested recipe for each of us (which were simple to make and yet extremely tasty, as we all found out). If she hadn't done that, I would have gone rifling through my trusted copy of "What Can I Bring?" cookbook.
And what an array of food there was! My stomach hurts to think about it again. But the showstoppers were the GIANT (no pun intended) cupcakes, each done up in the respective team colors. I won't tell you which one had more fans eating from it.
Another huge hit of the night were the frozen shot glasses that served up shooters for the adults. The women in particular oohed and aahed over the dessert shots served up in frozen chocolate shot glasses, using that same ice mold.
Yet my friend didn't forget about the children in attendance. She set up a kid-friendly area for them, with sports-related things to do in case they got bored. The wireless interactive games like boxing and baseball (played on the TV) turned out to be very popular.
But what made this a Super Bowl Party I'll never forget is the party favor I brought home…a broken rib! Completely unintentional, it happened during some typical Floridian poolside shenanigans. Though I didn't have my suspicions confirmed by a doctor until a few days later.
But don't worry about me, I can take a ribbing and keep on ticking.
Your Cracked-Up Gift Guru,
Linda
2.12.2008
Valentine's Day: Make It Delightful!
You can have a lot of fun with Valentine's Day, making anyone feel loved and appreciated (including yourself—you deserve extra attention too!). Here's a quick list of gift suggestions for men and women, kids and grandparents, and everyone in between.
Webkinz are super popular right now with kids, and this adorable (and available only for a short time) Love Frog is sure to be a huge hit with the little one(s) in your life.
Chocolates are a favorite to give and receive, but not always so great for our hips or diets! Give your Valentine a different sweet treat with this melt-your-heart Precious Moments™ couple that comes tucked inside a heart-shaped "candy" box.
Fresh flowers are nice, but I know I always feel sad when it's time to toss out the wilted bouquet. Here's a necklace that has a real rose petal preserved within an acrylic heart. It's a loving gesture that lasts much longer than a couple of days.
Got a group of close-knit friends or office pals? Here's a neat tip. Get a set, like the M&M's® Love Bunch, and split it up, giving them out individually to your friends based on what personality they match up with! Are they a flirty Green, amorous Red, or a smooth Blue?
Have a movie-marathon with your partner (watch their favorites, of course!) snuggled up on the couch in these ultra-comfy footed red pajamas. You can always get a little frisky later with the Naughty Knot. Va-va-voom!
Your Mushy Gift Guru,
Linda
Webkinz are super popular right now with kids, and this adorable (and available only for a short time) Love Frog is sure to be a huge hit with the little one(s) in your life.
Chocolates are a favorite to give and receive, but not always so great for our hips or diets! Give your Valentine a different sweet treat with this melt-your-heart Precious Moments™ couple that comes tucked inside a heart-shaped "candy" box.
Fresh flowers are nice, but I know I always feel sad when it's time to toss out the wilted bouquet. Here's a necklace that has a real rose petal preserved within an acrylic heart. It's a loving gesture that lasts much longer than a couple of days.
Got a group of close-knit friends or office pals? Here's a neat tip. Get a set, like the M&M's® Love Bunch, and split it up, giving them out individually to your friends based on what personality they match up with! Are they a flirty Green, amorous Red, or a smooth Blue?
Have a movie-marathon with your partner (watch their favorites, of course!) snuggled up on the couch in these ultra-comfy footed red pajamas. You can always get a little frisky later with the Naughty Knot. Va-va-voom!
Your Mushy Gift Guru,
Linda
2.08.2008
The Presidential Primary Parade
Now there's no political agenda here—We're called The Lighter Side for a reason. We appreciate a good chuckle no matter what side of the political fence it's coming from. So with that in mind let's check out some of the latest political memorabilia possibly destined to be the next hot item on Ebay or even a future Antiques Roadshow showpiece!
The political scene is on fire as the presidential primaries heat up. Study up on it with this deck of cards full of humorous non-partisan illustrations casting today's most popular pundits and politicians as characters from feature films. I'm sure, for example, that the $400 John Edwards spent on a haircut helped him land the "role" as model Derek Zoolander.
Red-hot campaign collectibles include these U.S. dollar coins with a colorized portrait of Hillary or Obama added to the face. Which politician would you prefer to have in your pocket?
If you know someone who tends to get a little, shall we say, frustrated with our government, they'll appreciate a Hillary or George W. toilet brush. It may be the first time they smile while scrubbing the royal throne!
If you know someone who tends to get a little, shall we say, frustrated with our government, they'll appreciate a Hillary or George W. toilet brush. It may be the first time they smile while scrubbing the royal throne!
Our politically-themed gifts are always fun to give, particularly when you're doing it to tease a good-natured opponent (If you're not sure how they'll react, I suggest standing out of their throwing range.) One gift that should appeal to either side is the Hillary Clinton nutcracker. She's tough-as-nails and will bust your "nuts" to prove it. (And I know I wouldn't mind people saying I had legs of steel. Or abs. Well, you get the point.)
You just never know what other zingers I'll turn up during my hunts for memorable gifts. Check back soon!Your Civil-Minded Gift Guru,
Linda
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