Now that moms have been very deservedly honored, it’s time to start focusing on the dads!

This year, Father’s Day is June 17th. And it’s common knowledge that dads tend to get the short end of the stick when it comes to gifting on their big day! But as a Gift Guru, it’s my job to rally the gifting troops and point out some great ways to find a gift a great Father’s Day gift.

So here are 7 sure-fire ways to come up with some super gifts ideas for dad.

#1. Does your dad remind you of a certain celebrity? Annually, we love to come up with some really fun gifts inspired by some of today’s most popular personalities. So whether he’s a “Guy’s Guy” like Adam Sandler or whip smart like Jon Stewart, we’ve got cool gifts that will appeal to his inner-star.

#2. Another way to gift for dad is to just think of our favorite gifting letter – “G” ! When it comes right down to it, there are some universally appreciate gifts that dads love and they all conveniently start with the letter “G”. Our guide, “The Five Gs Of Father’s Day Gifting” focusing solely on those big five. Gadgets, Golf, Guy’s Gear, Grilling Gifts and Gift Baskets.

#3. If you would like to start a gift search for dad from scratch, there’s no better place to start than our Father’s Day headquarters.  Whether you’re looking for something traditional or a little out-of-the-gift-box, you’ll be able to find scores of gifts, as well has very helpful gift advice from our Father’s HQ.

#4. Dad’s one of kind for sure. One way we love to offer help is by giving you gift suggestions based on his unique personality. Maybe the most fun way to find a gift for dad is via our quick little personality quiz. Answer just five questions or so, and you’ll be amazed with the cool stuff we find for him that complements his personality.

#5. A really helpful way to find just the thing for dad is to think “H.E.R.O.”. Aside from describing our dads, HERO refers to a four-step process to guide you through the search of finding a great gift. Hobbies, Expense, Recent interaction and Optimization are the key components you need to think about to get the perfect gift. Our H.E.R.O. guide can be found right here.

#6. Lastly, some of you like the really wide net approach. You say “show me everything you got!!”. Well, you asked for it, you got it. You’re just one little click away from seeing literally thousands of hand-picked gifts just for dad!

#7 Pinterest anyone?  Get inspired with our Father’s Day board.  We’re constantly pinning this year’s favorites for dad!

With that, we’ve just kicked Father’s Day into high gear!

It’s graduation season and that symbolizes the beginning of new adventures. What better way to document that journey than with an insanely cool camera? Even though my graduation was years ago, I was able to try out a La Sardina Cubic camera thanks to my friends at Lomography. I have to say that I haven’t touched film in a very long time and had no idea what to expect from this little camera designed after a sardine can. It has very few moving parts and its biggest bell and whistle is its unique design. I want to collect them all now! But, I love the color covers for the flash, the wide angle lens and the ability to take multiple exposures on the same frame. Check out the possibilities in the collage below!

In the spirit of documenting life as we know it, we’re giving away a La Sardina Metal Edition Czar.  It sells for $179! It comes in shimmering brass and elegant blue. You will feel like royalty when you tote this puppy around. It has all of the fun features of the La Sardina that I tried out but comes in this super cool limited edition design.  Today May 14th through June 1st, you can enter to win the La Sardina Czar. One lucky winner will start a new adventure of their own; wherever they are in life.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER & to see all the contest details.

Lomography is famous for their unique take on bringing film photography back to the lives of young people. They make their cameras affordable, easy to use and super stylish so that they become as much of an accessory as a cool pair of shoes. They also have a huge online community and stores with fun tutorials and events that make pushing boundaries with your camera more fun than you could ever imagine. If you sign up for their newsletter you’ll get invited to special events and learn about new tricks you can try and new cameras that are coming out.

Even though Mother’s Day is only two days away (yes, it is this Sunday, May 13th!) there is still time to get her something to make her day extra special. At Gifts.com, we’ve put together a list of great last minute ideas, some of which will make her feel like you’re right there with her.

Make Your Sunday Call So Much More

The call on Mother’s Day is the most important thing you can do short of showing up in person. This year, make the call last much longer with a Mother’s Day subscription to Skype. With their low rates anywhere in the world and special features, it will feel like you’re right there with her no matter where you are. Don’t forget to call early on Mother’s Day.

Send Mom Flowers

Moms love flowers. This is a simple and basic truth. Even if you’ve sent her another gift, now is the time to order a bright, colorful bouquet to light up her whole weekend. We love multi-colored bunches of tulips or a special arrangement of pink and red roses. The New Sensations bouquet from Teleflora is a fantastic arrangement of blooms in red, lavender, pink and green and will make mom say “wow.” Most arrangements are available for same day delivery but we suggest you order right away. Ask for Saturday delivery to make sure the flowers are right next to her when you call early on Sunday.

Deliver A Special Gourmet Treat

We know it’s late, so here’s last minute option that will make her day.  Possibly the best gift you can give, is the gift of time shared with mom.  Take her out to dinner to a favorite restaurant.  Or if geographically that’s tough to pull off, you could always send her an e-gift card (which she’ll receive via email instantly).  A great e-mail gift card choice she’ll love is to The Cheesecake Factory.  That’s a gift she won’t soon forget.  PS- a delicious Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory (image to the left) can be delivered to her door any time of year!

Visit Gifts.com for more last minute Mother’s Day gifts including a host of options with same day delivery. Be sure to check the shipping options on the merchant’s website for details.

Melissa Chapman is one busy lady! She regularly blogs about her marriage, family life, and everything in between at Married My Sugar Daddy and you can find her work in ABC News, Momtourage, Lifetime Moms, Babble, The Washington Post, Time Out NY Kids and iVillage. Thank you for contributing, Melissa!

Don’t get me wrong I love being a mother…most days. Honestly, I never knew I had the capacity to love another being as selflessly as I do my kids and I am forever awed by the fact that I created two little individuals who can be so charming, frustrating and disarming all at once. Despite how exhausting and oftentimes thankless being a mother may seem, when my kids put their arms around my neck and tell me they love me, all the chauffeuring, vomit cleaning, homework assistance, meal planning and refereeing seem to melt away. These two happy, little people I have sprung from my loins are daily reminders that the sacrifices and grinds that can sometimes make mothering feel like all work and no play are proof that ultimately its gifts are boundless.

And yet- in the same breath there are moments- though few and far between that I might hear the lyrics of a song or stand on my front porch at the peak of a crisp, early evening and for a split second feel like I’m back in my early 20′s when evenings signaled a freedom and possibility to be, explore or just relish in being as selfish and self-indulgent as I wanted to be( key word for buy a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and sit in bed watching marathons of Bewitched till I felt satiated).

Then, I became a mother and well- the opportunities to be as self-indulgent as I want have become as scarce as my ability to down a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not have it add 15 pounds to my butt by the next morning – unfortunately my metabolism at 38 is not burning calories as fast and furiously as it was in my 20′s. But there is something about indulging in certain pursuits and baubles (like a bottle of perfume or a colorful bauble) that are divinely egotistical. These are actions that are all about me-and as a mother sometimes the ability to separate who you are and what you need from the needs and wants of your kids is an impossibility, yet with a pump of spray- for those brief moments I indulge my passion-my love of sweet smelling scents- not to appease my kids- but to appease me, and it feels great.

So in honor of Mother’s Day, I want to help you embrace your inner single, indulgent-self- and pamper that woman inside who is not only an individual with wants and needs that deserve to be attended to. And yes – it might just be perfume- but if you see it as a metaphor for giving yourself permission to indulge- the possibilities are endless. So whether you gift yourself these sexy gifts or your partner gives them to you– they will help you amp up your sex quotient and make you feel like that sex kitten you are albeit covered in spit up breast milk or stuck behind the wheel of a car shuttling someone to yet another activity.

 SEXY PERFUME: These deliciously glorious scents care of two diva women who KNOW how to indulge their passions, will help bring the sexy out in every mama. Reveal the Passion by Halle Berry is for the mom who is full of confidence, endlessly elegant, and always the most intriguing person in the room. She knows intuitively that true passion is intertwined with untamed desire. Shine by Heidi Klum is a wonderfully feminine scent that encapsulates joyfulness, playfulness and authenticity. These perfumes won’t break the bank and will show the mama in your life that you appreciate exactly who she is.

SEXY BIKINI: Nothing says sexy mother’s day gift like an itty bitty bikini for your honey and a dip in the Jacuzzi that night! From the surf to the sand, eco-friendly, sustainable and stylish bikini line Odina Surf, can be mixed and matched to help mamas create the perfect look and hit the Jacuzzi or pool with confidence. All of Odina’s suits are tested by an elite team of Odina Surf Riders, female surfers from around the world including Hawaii and Australia that exclusively wear Odina, and test the functionality of the suits in action.

A SEXY GADGET! Every sexy mama needs a sleek and sexy gadget! The Samsung Galaxy Note incorporates the best features of both a phone and tablet in one super light, sleek device and is perfect for anyone looking to simplify their everyday tasks with one easy to use gadget! The Galaxy Note’s 5.3-inch high-resolution screen provides a bright, colorful viewing experience and creates a much clearer, vivid experience for eReading, watching videos and browsing the web. To further set this device apart from the crowd, the Galaxy Note includes a unique tool called the S Pen which allows you to create a handwritten notes or drawings that you can share via text, email or on a social network (perfect for a husband who wants to send those all important love notes to his sexy wife!) No need to carry around a digital camera anymore because the Galaxy Note includes an 8 megapixel camera for crisp photos which you can then draw directly on with the S Pen!

A SEXY KIMONO: This sheer, La Fee Verte Silk Kimono in Blue Gypsy Rose is 100% Silk and well it just SCREAMS SEX! Check out more sexy lingerie and sleepwear items from Forty Winks boutique’s online shop

The SEX BOX and Online Romance Helper! At Lovendar.com, couples can manage the story of their love with videos, love letters, photos, romantic ideas and customized reminders, while keeping their relationships more private and secure than in common social networking sites. Lovendar.com has a powerful message and unique benefit for couples at all stages of their relationship. Whether a couple is nurturing a new relationship or preserving an existing marriage, Lovendar makes it easy to proactively plan romance. Lovendar.com offers integrated online and offline services, providing customized advice, a reminder system, and in-depth questionnaire to help identify commonalities and suggest ways to enhance and improve the quality of relationships. The Lovendar.com system is designed to help couples better understand what makes their relationship work based on individual behavioral patterns. In addition to online help, Lovendar also offers a subscription based monthly “Lovendar Box” which includes hands-on activities for spending quality time with a significant other through communication, intimacy, romance and recreation. The box has monthly surprises and enjoyable experiences all geared towards maintaining a strong connection.

The SEXY self indulgent kit: Pure Romance has got you covered with their limited edition Mother’s Day kits which creates the naughty time out mom needs and craves! The best part of the gift? It can be used solo or with a partner – it’s truly a gift that keeps giving. With my Sweet Escape, moms can indulge in a luxurious shower-time experience with Pure Romance’s bath collection. Start with the rich lather of Excape bubble bath and shower gel, whose special formula includes invigorating pink champagne and ginseng for gorgeous skin. Follow your soak with a dab of Coochy rash-free shave lotion! Take advantage of your private tub time to enjoy the vibrating power of their Pleasure Puff loofah-ideal for exfoliating skin, soothing sore muscles, or pampering yourself any way you wish. Finish off with a spritz of Kiss body splash in the same sensual scent as Excape. The green and white tea extracts in Kiss will keep you feeling cool, refreshed, and rejuvenated-even when the attraction is sizzling!

A SEXY Game: All Things Equal produces a great board game for couples and make a fantastic gift. Adult Loaded Questions tests players (or significant others) on how well they know each other with more than 300 suggestively-silly questions. Examples: What is a sure sign you are dating a psycho? If you were an adult film star, what would be your screen name? What television show would you watch if it included full nudity?

KidCrave is a site loaded with stylish, playful and practical kid stuff and I love it.

I’m always on the lookout for the newest and coolest kid-friendly gift ideas available. And, as Childrens’ Gift Editor, websites are one of the cornerstones of my research strategy to find the next “big” thing. One of my favorite kid websites is KidCrave. This unstuffy yet chic editorial website is on the lookout 24/7 for anything the ‘cool kids’ have to have. And I’m talking about the parents too! From toys to clothing to entertainment this site is perfect when looking for what kids will love. The products they feature are mostly items that you will not find at your local department & toy store. Their mission is to find kid friendly products that will have every child (and parent) wanting to try them out or play with them.

KidCrave serves up fun with toys, DIY projects, gear reviews and even kid friendly recipes. They also collect their favorite family friendly posts & parenting advice from sites across the web in their feature ‘The Weekly Scoop’. This week my favorite feature is is Stitchagram. This website transforms your favorite Instagram photo into a cool customized pillow.

As useful as this site is for parents, I think it’s equally as useful for the super-aunt or grandma who wants to spoil the little ones. So, check it out and see what fun things you can find and learn. KidCrave covers just about everything awesome for ages 0-15. I always look forward to taking a few minutes to comb through their latest posts. It never fails to provide me with inspiration. Thanks KidCrave!

Thumbnail & feature images courtesy of KidCrave.

I was a teacher for a few years so I know a thing or two about what teachers want. In general, avoid anything that says #1 teacher unless you know that your teacher collects it. My suggestion for the best teacher gifts is to help make their job a little bit more interesting. Here are a few of my favorite teacher gifts for under $50, most under $20, that will brighten their desk and show them that you appreciate all of their hard work and inspiration.

Always check with your school’s policy on teacher gifts to make sure it’s ok. Of course, a hand written note is really all it takes to make a teacher’s day and those are always welcome. If you aren’t prepared to thank your teachers today, remember that any day can be Teachers Day!

1. Snail Tape Dispenser $11.99

2. Like/Dislike Stamps $15

3. Sunflower Garden $38

4. DIY Watercolor Postcards $15

5. Starbucks Gift Card $25

6. Personalized Gavel $45

7. Mummy Mike Rubber Band Holder $12.99

8. The Inkless Metal Pen $27.99

9. Rhombins Set of 3 $35

10. Sunny Outlook Solar Owl $11.99

Image courtesy of: OECD Education Today

Graduation gift etiquette can be completely confusing. Between kindergarten graduation, high school graduation, and college degrees, graduation is a potential gift giving mine field. When are you expected to give a gift and when is it ok not too? With all of our purse strings as tight as they can be, you need to know the hard and fast rules to help you smoothly navigate graduation season.

Basically, there are only 2 essential rules for when you DO give graduation gifts:

1. Always send a card if you receive a graduation announcement or invitation. You do not have to put cash in the card. You can still send a gift or bring one with you to the event.

2. If you do attend the graduation ceremony or graduation party, you must bring a gift.

And, a quick explanation of when you DON’T give graduation gifts:

1. If you are invited and don’t attend, don’t worry about sending a gift.

2. If you receive a graduation announcement you are not required to send a gift.

3. If you aren’t invited to the graduation ceremony or graduation party you don’t have to send a gift.

That being said… rules shmools! Rules are made to be broken and the same holds true for graduation.

When considering what to do for the graduates in your life remember that they need all the support and guidance they can get right now. If you can, you should send them a little something to commemorate their efforts and encourage a bright future.

Some people take these types of events more personally than others, you know who they are, so weigh your choices carefully; especially if you’re family. It may be worth it to send a gift, no matter what the rules are, to keep things kosher.

So, now you need to figure out what to give. I wrote a post a few weeks ago on how much to spend on graduation gifts that should help you out. And, you can see all of our favorite graduation gift ideas too.

Vintage graduate artwork stamps (above image)

Cinco de Mayo is this weekend – so it’s time to break out el sombrero and maracas you have buried in the back of your closet! I tend to stay away from tequila every other day of the year (several too many bad college nights with Jose Cuervo) but on Cinco de Mayo it is all about the margaritas , so tequila is a must. The Dos Cominos margarita is one of my favorites here in NYC and they are kind enough to share their secret recipe on their website so you can party with them at home when you can’t make it to the restaurant!

I don’t want to brag but Gifts.com headquarters has legendary Cinco de Mayo parties. We have our own special “mixo de mayo” loaded with our favorite mariachi band tunes. We have sombreros for all and loads of home-made guacamole too. We love a good party…it comes with the territory so we can’t help ourselves.

If you are planning on attending any Cinco de Mayo parties this weekend, we have some great gift ideas that the host is sure to love. My favorite (non-gimmicky) gift is this Salsabol which is the perfectly shaped bowl to truly enjoy your salsa & chips (if you ask me!).

Just make sure not to overstay your welcome. When the host says the party is over; say, “adios”, grab a cab and get home safely!

The survey is short, sweet and to the point. It shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes to complete. Your opinion is confidential; we won’t share your answers with anyone. We want to know what’s important to you so that we can simplify your life while making you the best gift giver you can be! Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

Or, shop for the perfect gift now and think about the app later!

Happy Gifting!

Why are people so evangelical about yoga? What is Bikram yoga, exactly?

Bikram yoga was developed by one of the most famous living yogis, Bikram Choudhury. He set up 26 poses in a specific order so that they produce the maximum benefits for your body and mind. The standard Bikram yoga room temperature is 105 degrees, but at my studio it often feels much, much hotter. The heat helps your body stretch deeper. It also causes your heart rate to increase because your body is trying to stay cool. So, Bikram yoga gives you cardio, strength and flexibility training at the same time. It’s the ultimate workout.

I started practicing Bikram yoga in 2009 and am now officially addicted. Last month, I went to a 90-minute class every single day, no matter what. I felt my body transform and I learned that if you really want to, you can make exercise part of daily life. It’s not as hard as you might think. But, you do need to be prepared. So I put together a list of 10 essential Bikram yoga accessories for beginners and advanced students alike.

1.Gym Bag – I go straight from the studio to the office so a gym bag and a lock for a locker is essential.

2.Beginning Bikram Book – This book, published by Bikram Choudhury himself, shows and explains in detail each of the 26 poses. It’s great for when you’re getting started and is really helpful to revisit as you progress in your practice.

3.Wrap Dress – You’re going to need something to wear over your skimpy Bikram outfit on your way to the studio. A wrap dress is easy to roll up and into your gym bag. I love having something easy like this to wear every day. Since I only wear it to the studio, which takes all of 30 minutes, I wear the same ‘over clothes’ every day and wash it on Sunday. It’s not gross, I promise.

4.Sports Bra – I like a small top so that I have more exposed skin and opportunity for sweat to cool me down. This Nike Reversible Strappy Sports Bra is a perfect partner for the shorts (below). But any small short & sports bra will do. No bathing suits in Bikram!

5.Fitted Short – Unlike traditional yoga classes where bootleg yoga pants are standard, you want to be as close to naked as possible in Bikram so that your sweat can help regulate your body temperature. I am obsessed with these Nike Game Shorts because they have a crotch gusset which makes movement a lot more comfortable and they aren’t too short.

6.Yoga Mat – Any mat will do, it is mainly to mark you space in the room and to potentially help you grip during hard poses like Triangle.

7.Mat Cleaner – When you sweat as much as you do in Bikram, you need to clean your mat regularly or it will get funky fast. I clean mine at least once a week.

8.Large Water Bottle– Because you sweat so much, you need to stay hydrated. I swear by my 40 oz Hydro Flask because it’s double walled so water stays cool and it has a large capacity that you need in class. I drink the entire thing during the 90 minute session every day. I also refill it at work at least twice to re-hydrate after class.

9.Bottle Tote – Another obsession of mine is my Built NY insulated water bottle tote. This makes sure that the water in my bottle stays cool through the entire class & makes my bottle easier to carry because of its handy handle. Thank you Built NY for letting me test this out & wonder how I ever lived without it!

10.Skidless Yoga Towel – You will be sweating like crazy and may find it hard to do some standing poses on a wet mat, so a Skidless towel made to cover any standard mat makes a huge difference. It dries fast and is easy to rinse at home, so you can use it over and over again.

Some other Bikram yoga tips:

Don’t worry about feeling overwhelmed. It’s ok to sit down if you need a rest, but get back up as soon as you can.

It’s about trying to get your body in the right alignment before it’s about depth so don’t push, feel. It can take years to get into a pose correctly.

Do the absolute best you can every day. Yoga is about challenging yourself today, not competing with others or competing with who you were yesterday.

Go as often as possible, but don’t push yourself too hard in each class. If you’re really sore from previous sessions, treat your next class like a warm-up instead of a full blown workout. It’s ok, you still made it to class and are doing yoga!

Hydrate! I drink about 160 ounces of water a day and eat a lot of watery fruits and vegetables. Some say you sweat up to a gallon of water at one Bikram yoga session!

It’s National Meditation Month, you owe it to yourself to practice a 90 minute meditation in a 105 degree room. It’s easier than you think & you will feel so satisfied afterward. Even on mornings where I’ve only gotten 6 hours of sleep I feel great after leaving yoga. However you choose to do it, take a few minutes each day to empty your head and just listen to yourself breathe a few deep belly breaths. Namaste!

Yoga pose drawings courtesy of Happiness Series