A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

We're kicking off our Fourth of July celebration a little bit early this year with some great gift ideas that are just as exciting and much less hazardous than fireworks.  Whether it's for the kids, the hostess or the whole family, these red, white, and blue treats are sure to make your holiday sparkle.

First up are these star spangled Patriotic Cupcakes from New York gourmet staple Dean & Deluca. The handmade set of nine includes three different cake and icing combos topped with tasty candy stars. Top off with sparklers at your own risk. 

Patriotic Cupcakes starting at $55.00

Most people in the workforce only daydream of playing hooky and hitting the links, but after retirement, there's ample time to swing away. For those people ready to tee off, the Hole in One Golf Bag is a great retirement gift.

Whether they're planning a golf getaway or just spending every afternoon on the green, this gift basket is sure to please. Filled with everything a pro needs like chocolate golf balls, key lime cookies, a sport-top water bottle, collector's mug and more, this golf bag carrier also functions as an insulated cooler. Perfect for those 19th hole refreshments. Snag one for your favorite Country Clubber or the Active Retiree!

Golf Gift Basket - Hole in One Golf Bag starting at $69.99

Still struggling to find a gift for Father's Day?  No sweat!  I've been keeping tabs on the greatest gifts for Dad, including all the options guaranteed to arrive by Sunday.  Here's a handy round-up of top last-minute gifts for Father's Day:

• Fighter Pilot Simulator for Two:  Your mission - give Dad a nickname and send him off to get his wings.  Better yet, join him for a day of virtual air combat and non-stop Top Gun references.
• Beer-of-the-Month Club Subscription:  It's the gift that keeps on giving and more than makes up for forgotten birthdays.  Choose between 3, 4, 6 and 12 month subscriptions.
• Grilling Greatness Gift Basket:  All the ingredients he needs to earn the title of Top Chef Grill Master.  Be sure to order by Friday 12PM EDT.
• Gifts.com Gift Card:  When in doubt, let him decide what he wants.  Whether it's tickets to the big game, his latest gadget obsession or a new set of clubs, this card gives Dad permission to treat himself.

With Mother's Day, birthdays, graduations and weddings, sometimes Father's Day, which is this Sunday, can get lost in the shuffle.  But Dads deserve their day, and the Gift Gurus have pulled together a great selection of last minute gifts to treat your dad to a super Sunday. 

Being a globe trotting Gift Guru, I would love to take my dad on a trip around the world for Father's Day. But since I'm running short on time (and money), this Around the World Beer Bucket will have do the trick instead.

This manly steel gift basket comes filled with everything a beer lover needs: six imported brews (from Stella to Newcastle) and some great salty snacks, because what's a beer without bar snacks? I have a feeling most lager-loving dads will appreciate this worldly gift, even if it doesn't include a passport.

Heads up, procrastinators!  Order this basket up until Friday, June 13th 7PM EDT and you can be assured it will arrive in time for Father's Day.

Around the World Beer Bucket starting at $89.99

When it comes to firing up the grill this Father's Day, dads are always looking for ways to take their game to the next level. And the Gourmet BBQ Sauce Set is a non-stop one-way ticket to the "Grill Masters."

This all-natural, fat-free sauce set represents different regional flavors with 4 18-oz. jars of Sweet Heartland, Spicy Deep South, Smoky Southwest, and Tangy High Country BBQ sauce. It's an essential gift for the Grill Master Dad and if you play your cards right, you just might be the beneficiary of some of his gourmet grilling.

Gourmet BBQ Sauce Set starting at $49.95

Once Mom is an empty nester, Mother's Day isn't quite as exciting as when she was a new mom, but you should still celebrate with her! One nice gift idea for Mom is this Spanish Paella & Rioja Wine Gift Set. It comes with everything you need to start preparing the traditional meal.

If you're no longer living under Mom's roof, send this gift basket to arrive a day or two before Mother's Day with a note saying you'll be paying her a surprise visit to cook dinner for her on Sunday. I guarantee the part she'll like the most is that she'll get to see you on her day! Or if you're shopping for your wife, treat her to a delicious Spanish meal and don't let her lift a finger. For gift ideas for new moms, grandmothers and more, read our guide Gifts for Every Stage of Motherhood.

Spanish Paella & Rioja Wine Gift Set starting at $69 

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones which create a special moment with friends and family that everyone will remember years from now. The Easter Cookie Decorating Kit is one of those meaningful gifts that will help create memories that last. The kit comes with icing, sugars and little candies to make one-of-a-kind treats.

Your kids might not remember everything in their Easter basket this year, but I'm sure, years from now, they'll remember the afternoon they spent in the kitchen with you decorating this batch of one dozen Easter lemon cookies! And what better gift is there than that? 

Easter Cookie Decorating Kit starting at $24.99

A key component of great gifting is planning ahead. With that in mind, now's the time to think about your St. Patrick's Day plans. Here's an easy one. Show up to a party (or make your own) with the St. Patrick's Day Irish Beer Bucket and you and your party pals will be doing a jig in no time.

The gift basket comes with six Emerald Isle favorites including Guinness Extra Stout, Smithwick's Irish Ale, and Harp Lager. And the bucket, which looks great right out of the box, includes a tin of peanuts, some pretzels and some beef jerky to go along with the suds. It's kinda like a party in a box. Erin Go Bragh!

St. Patrick's Day Irish Beer Bucket starting at $69.99

There's just not much life can throw at me that a piece of cheesecake can't make me forget–at least temporarily. And this Cheesecake Trio with Hand-Dipped Berries has even triple the power. Whether it's a canceled flight, a flat tire, or a spat with someone I care about, these delectable cheesecakes, from white chocolate to chocolate rocky road, make all of life's little burdens so…tolerable. A perfect "I'm Sorry" gift for the next time you need to tuck your tail between your legs. I'm sure if you think hard enough, you can find reason to apologize to yourself!

Cheesecake Trio starting at $59.98

Uh-oh, it's been a crazy month with the Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, Mardi Gras and all the hoopla following and now it's almost Valentine's Day and you've just realized you still haven't gotten your guy or gal something special.

Don't worry, the Juniors Chocolate Covered Heart Cheesecake is the perfect last minute, mouth-watering treat for your Valentine. Handmade by the Expert Bakers at Juniors in Brooklyn, the New York heart-shaped cheesecake is covered in enough decadent chocolate to satisfy the biggest sweet tooth.

Juniors Chocolate Covered Heart Cheesecake starting at $49.99