A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

Fourth of July has arrived and the presidential election is fast approaching, so here's a list of gift ideas in honor of all your parties - patriotic and political.

For the weekend kickoff: Save your political jabs for your steaks with these Political Party Branding Irons.  

For the early risers: Fill up the Blue States Mug and watch the red states disappear as the mug heats up. But don't cry in your coffee just yet, there's the Make My Day Mug for red state lovers too! 

For the mini patriots: Rock the vote and the cradle with the pint-sized Future Voter Patriotic Baby Romper for star spangled babies.

For the peacekeepers: To keep political banter at bay and celebrate as citizens, try on the Swing Voters Custom Tee for those who like to support any party. 

For the roadtrippers: Let the gridlock games begin.  Study up on your patriotic trivia with the Secret Lives of Presidents Trivia Card Game. There's plenty of dirty laundry to cross state lines. 

It's been years (I won't say how long) since I've been on Spring Break or a road trip, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good cooler. Especially this tailgating style Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler.

Whether you're hitting the beach, a parade or roadside fireworks this Fourth of July, you can wheel this cooler right along with you. It holds up to 54 12-oz drinks and has a 33-liter capacity so you can beat the heat no matter how large your party. It will even keep its cool after hours of traffic with a 12-volt adapter that plugs right into your car. 

Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler starting at $88.88

Personalized Cape Cod Folding Beach Chair starting at $149.95

They're your partners in crime, your wingmen and they've always stood up for you. But this time, they'll be doing it on your big day (literally). So show your groomsmen some true appreciation with these classy Monogrammable Beer Mugs.

This set of four glasses comes with a hand-etched single initial monogram, giving it that personal touch. Choose either double old-fashioned glasses or tall beer mugs depending on their drink of choice: beer loving buddy gets the mugs and scotch-connoisseur pal gets the tumblers. It's a great way to thank them for that all-out bachelor party they threw you. 

Elegant Monogrammable Beer Mugs starting at $60.00.

You already know Dad's going to be manning the grill on Father's Day. There's something about cooking over the flames that speaks to a guy's primal instincts. So for this installment of the Four "G's" of Father's Day gifts, why not help Grill Master Dad take his grill skills to the next level with a Personalized Grilling Apron?

He can proudly wear it all summer long without smothering his #1 Dad shirt with barbecue sauce. Throw in a cookbook and other grilling accessories to make Dad feel like the grill king!

"Been Doin' the BBQ'n" Personalized Grilling Apron starting at $21.95

Want to win a cool gift for dear old Dad?  Enter the Father's Day Gift Giveaway for a slick new Sony Digital Photo Frame!

My life in the city is pretty hectic. Between a full-time job, catching a show when I can, going to dinner parties, meeting girlfriends for happy hour, and squeezing in the rare workout, there's not much time left to find a quiet spot and just sit. That's why I love the idea of this Lands End Picnic Wine Basket — it encourages people to escape the insanity and head to the park or even out to the country for a relaxing afternoon.

With four china plates, four goblets, cloth napkins and a tablecloth, two insulated bags (one for wine and one for cheese and fruit), and a stainless steel service set for four, the picnic wine basket has all the trappings for a perfect day in the park with close friends or loved ones. A perfect anniversary or birthday gift!

Lands' End Picnic Wine Basket starting at $299

You gotta love when two of a guy's favorite interests come together to make one great gift idea. Like when you cross America's most popular past-time with the thrill of the grill to form this baseball bat peppermill!

This 28" long beech wood bat is not only a unique gift idea, it's practical too. No more singed knuckles from getting them too close to the grill. Also, the bat can be brandished in a menacing fashion if anyone gets too close to your steaks before they're done!

I love this one for Dad for Father's Day, but it's certainly an ideal gift for any baseball fan who plans to be chillin' and grillin' this summer.

King Pepper Mill Baseball Bat starting at $49.99

I like to think of myself as a grill master. But that doesn't mean I want to spend every day this summer slaving over hot coals. Thankfully, there's this Talking Digital Grill Thermometer.

With the ability to monitor eight types of meat (from beef to veal) to four levels of doneness (rare to well done), this handy gadget takes the guesswork out of grilling. Not to mention you can walk up to 330 feet away without worrying if you've charred your chicken.  It makes a pretty sweet Father's Day gift, especially if dear old Dad is a barbecue king.

Talking Digital Grill Thermometer starting at $59.99

Procrastinators, you are a lucky bunch this year.  Even though Mother’s Day is this Sunday, you still have time to send Mom something special.  The Gift Gurus have pulled together a selection of last-minute gifts for Mother’s Day. Order one of these today (right now, why are you still reading this?) and look like you’ve been thinking about Mom all year long.

If you want to go beyond the standard flowers and chocolates, look for a gift basket that matches Mom’s interests.  For moms with green thumbs, this Garden Treasures Gift Basket comes complete with 6 tools in a nice canvas bag plus some sweet treats including our all-time favorite cookie, Snickerdoodles.  Whether your mom is a chocoholic, a tea lover, a beauty junkie or a top chef, there are plenty of gift baskets to suit her style.  But hurry up and order by Thursday noon EDT to get your gift to Mom on time. 

Garden Treasures Gift Basket starting at $39.99

When is a mug a work of art? When it's a celebrity-designed, ethically produced, charity-giving mug by Whatever It Takes.

More than 300 actors, musicians, artists and designers have donated their time to create these small symbols of hope, with each mug raising money for the celeb's chosen charity. Like style maven Donna Karan and her Love Forever Mug. The white china cup features Karan's pink self-portrait and a Love Forever print, with proceeds going to Spirituality for Kids.

I think this one makes a lovely Mother's Day gift, but with so many to choose from, you can easily give according to the cause that suits your friend or loved one best. And isn't giving back what it's all about?

Donna Karan Love Forever Mug starting at $20.00