A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

Opening ceremonies are just a week away, but you can start your Olympic games now with Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.

It features everyone's favorite Italian plumber and lightning-fast hedgehog along with other beloved characters (Luigi, Yoshi, Tails) in virtual Beijing. Score a perfect 10 inside the National Indoor Stadium, shoot a bull's-eye at Archery Field or bring home the table-tennis gold at Peking University.

Catch the Olympic spirit yourself with our gold medal gift list, then pass the torch to a loved one or your favorite video gamer so they too can bring home the glory.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games starting at $49.99

I won't dip a toe in the ocean because I saw Jaws when I was about 11 years old.  But in a way I'm thankful, because I can only imagine the impact Discovery Channel's Shark Week has on kids these days. All kidding aside, I look forward to Shark Week every July.  Not only am I amazed abut how much we (humans) don't know about sharks, but I also look forward to seeing some of the fun shark-related products out there that would make great summertime gifts.  So dive in and enjoy these not-so menacing goodies.

If you haven't heard of Wall-E, you must be living under a rock. And if you already can't get enough of the little robot that could, these out-of-this-world toys are for you.

For the video gamer, check out the Wall-E game for Wii. Explore nine different worlds filled with puzzles and challenges along the way. Play as Pixar's lovable robot and help clean up the Earth or flit around as Eve, Wall-E's love interest.

For those who want a Wall-E of their very own, there's the U-Command Wall-E remote control robot. Make Wall-E talk, dance and scoot around your living room all with the push of a button. 

Like the movie, these techie toys are a great birthday gift for kids of all ages.

Wall-E Nintendo Wii starting at $39.99

U-Command Wall-E starting at $52.69.

I have an addiction and I'm not afraid to admit it, and that addiction is the new Boom Blox game for Wii. Pretty soon, you'll be hooked too because we are giving away copies of Boom Blox this week.

Want to win? Post a comment below and tell us about your favorite family bonding activity by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, July 24. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

Being the sibling to a master video gamer, I always relished my Tetris victories over my brother. Sure, the graphics were a fuzzy gray and I heard its repetitive theme song in my sleep, but it got me through many car trips and backseat battles. That's why I'm psyched it's back with the Tetris Gold Game.

The handheld gadget contains all the fun of the classic, addictive game but with sharp, bright hues, a 2.5-inch color screen, 10 challenging levels, and four modes including Marathon and Ultra 40, (play with caution). 

The best part is that kids and big kids alike can take the device on the go and play anywhere, anytime. It's perfect for your favorite Tech Head or a bon voyage present for a family.

Tetris Gold Game starting at $34.95

I'm not one of those girls that has her shows. You know, the ones that you just can't miss? In fact, I don't even have TiVo. But even I have to admit that this ARCHOS Portable Media Player is pretty darn awesome. And it's the perfect gift for the grad Most Likely to Travel the World in 80 Days, particularly if he or she can't bear to be away from Lost or Gossip Girl (or whatever everyone is watching these days).

The 4.3-inch flat-screen allows you to download movies, photos, videos, music, PDFs and TV shows wirelessly. Plus it plays MP3s through its built-in stereo speakers (for those of us who prefer music to television). And the best part is that it's a gift he or she will use long after high school or college graduation.

ARCHOS Portable Media Player starting at $99.99

There comes a point in every teenager’s life when he has to start writing essays. And there comes another time when those essays have to be good enough to help him get accepted into and graduate from a respectable university. Lucky for them, The Elements of Style Illustrated will help them hone writing skills that will inspire a lifetime of well crafted prose.

With the same timeless tips as the classic manual The Elements of Style, this update is illustrated by off-beat, renowned artist Maira Kalman who has drawn numerous covers of The New Yorker and has designed fabrics for Isaac Mizrahi and Kate Spade. The artwork adds clarity and entertainment value. This book is guaranteed to remain on any teen’s bookshelf long after high school graduation gifts are received. 

The Elements of Style Illustrated starting at $13.50 

The baseball season is officially underway and that's a great thing because I'm a baseball nut. Every baseball season, I like to pick up a few new books on America's Pastime. And be it a books on stats, a piece of fiction or a book on the game's history, I really get into it. 

Right now, I'm nose-deep in Baseball Prospectus 2008, and I'm looking for my next read. Click here to find more of my favorite picks that ought to please the most die-hard baseball fan out there. Play ball!

Baseball Prospectus 2008: The Essential Guide to the 2008 Baseball Season starting at $17.56 

Really want to get to somebody this April Fool's?  If you know their weakness, you can go straight for the jugular with one of these hilarious guides to ruining your life. They might sound a little cruel, but I swear they're funny!

I know just the hypochondriac I’m going to send The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You to! And if you know a girl who's uber conscious about watching her figure, send her How to Get Fat so she can learn to lighten up a little!   

How to Get Fat starting at $10

There are some people that can pull an April Fool's Day prank with little effort, and then there are some that need extra help to pull one off. That's where the Prank University book comes in. Whether you want to play an April Fool's joke on a coworker at the office, a friend or a family member, this book will help you get it done.

Pranks like the Doorbell Drench, Silly String Sleep, Wasabi Paste, Plastic Forking and many, many more are listed with step-by-step instructions and ingenious diagrams that'll ensure they go off without a hitch. Each idea in Prank University includes a difficulty rating, cost and number of accomplices needed. Buyer beware–your recipient may use your gift to turn on you!

Prank University starting at $4.95