College Times

Issue date: 11/22/07 Section: Main Stories

Media Credit: iStockPhoto(dot)com

Holiday gift shopping is like taking shots the morning after a heavy night of drinking – pleasurable for sadomasochists and those with warped minds, repulsive for the rest of us. But like final exams, going to the bathroom and pretending to like Grandma Ethel’s tapioca pudding, it’s something you have to do.

Here’s some ideas to get you started. Happy holidays …

 

Fun Finds

Pokemon Madness

        Remember them from your childhood? Now they’re back and cool – or something. Hot Topic offers a whole host of Pokemon stuff this season, including vivid-hue t-shirts, a cotton-knit lounge/boxer set,  belt buckles, canvas tote bags with foil appliqué and stitching embellishments, pen set, journals, rubber buttons, stickers, key chains, cell phone charms and wrist bands. All at Hot Topic, locations Valleywide, prices range from $4-$50

Beer Bands by Fred

        Beer Bands fit over bottles or cans to humorously distinguish your beverage from that of your fellow partier. Changing Hands Bookstore, $7.50

Magnetic Bulletin Board by Magnetic Poetry Inc.

        Comes with a smattering of attractive, strong, thick magnets for holding up stuff like crayon drawings and parking tickets, Changing Hands Bookstore, $20

Bananagram

        This game will provide a challenge for all those ‘wordies’ you know. Changing Hands Bookstore, $14.95

Hangover Buster

        You know your friends are going to drink this holiday season. Help them recover more quickly with the effervescent goodness of Hangover Buster, $5.99, www.hangoverbuster.com

Sake Set

        Give your best friend a sake night out with this cool new set by Kafuh Japan. It comes in an elegant black gift box. The set includes one sake bottle and four sake cups. Available at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 480.730.0205, $20

Pomegranate - Body Ritual Collection Cleanse

        Moisturize and exfoliate your skin with the finest elements of nature. Changing Hands Bookstore, $35

Fictional Character T-shirt

        As seen on author-celebs such as Stephanie Meyer and Jack Pendarvis, this shirt bears the line “Fictional Character” and Changing Hands Bookstore is printed on the back. They are women’s Bella 100 percent cotton or men’s American Apparel 100 percent cotton t-shirts in sizes S-XXL, Changing Hands Bookstore, $18

Nicktoons Book

        Ren and Stimpy, Doug, Fairly Oddparents, Spongebob Square-pants – what cartoon character from your childhood didn’t come from Nickelodeon? Relive them all in this retrospective of Nicktoons. Major book retailers and Amazon.com, $40

 

Green Gifts

Organic shampoo

        Avalon Organics Nourishing Shampoo in Lavender reduces the use of artificial scents, colors, waxes and preservatives. Makes a nice stocking stuffer. $5-$8, various online stores

Natural soaps

        Buy Texas-made products such as Anne’s Naturally! soaps and you’ll lessen the amount of fuel used to bring products to market. www.annesnaturally.com, $5.95 per bar plus shipping

Pencil perfect

        The No. 2 pencil goes greener in Ticonderoga’s EnviroStiks pencils made of timber from renewable, managed forests. Another great stocking stuffer. $2.50 for a 10 pack at Office Max

Rubber bulletin board

        The Container Store carries this $20 bulletin board it says is fashioned from previously used rubber.

Light pen

        Recycled car headlights and compact discs make up the body of Zebra’s Jimnie retractable ballpoint pen. $13.60 for 10 pack, staples.com

Organic jeans

        Levi Strauss & Co. announced last fall that it would release its Eco line of 100 percent organic cotton men’s and women’s jeans with zippers and buttons from recycled material. From $68 at Levis.com

Recycled hamper

        This hamper made mostly from woven recycled paper includes a cotton liner that is removable to use as a laundry bag, $80 at Pier 1 stores.

 

Tech Toys

Zeppelin

        Seriously sleek, high-end iPod stereo speaker; three-way stereo system with two 1-inch tweeters, two 3.5-inch midrange drivers and one 5-inch woofer; 150 watts of power; mirror-polished stainless steel cabinet with black cloth grille; matching remote control; video output for hookup to a TV, $600, available in December, check cnet.com for locations

Hand Powered MP3

        The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player is an MP3 player that can be powered using either a USB connection or a built-in hand crank, $350

Sprint Centro

        Small and sassy, this new smartphone has the features of previous Palms with a new, hip look. Perfect for the soon-to-be-graduate, this will easily make the transition from the classroom to the boardroom. Starting at $79.99 with a new two-year contract. Available at WirelessToyz, find a store near you at WirelessToyz.com

Helio Ocean

        Featuring duel-slide design, numeric/text keyboards, stereo Blue-tooth® and 2.0 megapixel camera, the Helio Ocean helps class-laden multi-taskers stay organized by keeping all those IMs, text/pic messages and e-mails in one place. Starting at $199 with new two-year contract. Available at WirelessToyz, find a store near you at WirelessToyz.com

T-Mobile Sidekick LX

        Just when you thought the Sidekick couldn’t get any cooler . . . The sleek new Sidekick LX is the perfect gift for the trend-starter on your list. With a larger display, lighter feel and two new colors, the new Sidekick still lets you store music, browse the web, text and snap photos with ease. Starting at $159.99 with new two-year contract. Available at WirelessToyz, find a store near you at WirelessToyz.com

Super Scanner/Printer for Cheap

        Features of the HP Photosmart C5280 All-in-One printer, scanner and copier include conventional printing, printing images on CDs/DVDs, scanning and copying in either black-and-white or color. The printer is available for $149 and information is available at www.hp.com

Pantech Duo

        This dual-side, full keypad phone is one of the most advanced in its price class. It runs off the Windows Mobil 6 platform and utilized AT&T’s 3G BroadBand Con-nect Network. $199 with contract and rebates

Perfect batteries

        Everybody needs batteries around the holidays. These you can use again and again: The batteries are available in a four-pack for $12.99 and the Mobile Charger ($24.99) comes with with two AA and two AAA. Stores Valleywide

 

Animal Accents

Collapsible Travel Bowl

        This travel bowl is compact, lightweight and collapsible. Made of durable nylon, the bowl folds flat for easy storage. A waterproof liner prevents leaks and drys quickly. Use the plastic clip to attach the bowl to your backpack or belt loop. Machine washable, available in orange and gray, $7.99

The ASPCA Collapsible Dog Travel Carrier

        These collapsible travel carriers are the most convenient and versatile pet carriers you will find anywhere. Made of soft, lightweight, durable nylon, the carrier easily folds into a travel-friendly portfolio case when not in use. Available in green, red and pink colors, sizes S, M and L, $49.99 to $79.99 depending on size.

Flashing Collars and Leashes

                These safety products flash on your pet so it’s more visible in the dark. Various lengths available, from $12.99 to $24.99

Dog Travel ID Tag

        Made of durable aluminum, the ID’s waterproof storage tube allows you to store trip and contact information to get your pet home quickly and safely if he or she becomes lost. Available in orange and gray, one size, $5.99

Anti-Spill Travel Bowl

        Keeps the water inside even if it is tipped over. Made of durable plastic and holds 48 ounces. Available in orange and gray, one size, $9.99

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