A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

It’s that time again, to make then brake then make some more resolutions for a better, happier, fitter you. Every year I make some sort of self improvement resolution, loose weight, sleep more, and drink less, but alas all goes to waste by February.

This year I decided to focus on a change that goes beyond myself and will be worthwhile, I plan to volunteer on a regular basis. And to get me jump started and I’m going to look to the experts, Good Magazine. It’s filled with fascinating articles to jump start anyone’s can-do attitude. So whether it’s being more eco-aware or donating my time one weekend rather than babysitting the couch, I’m looking forward to actually keeping my resolution this year. Check out more great charitable and volunteering gift ideas to help you give back.

Good Magazine starting at $20.00. 

We Gift Gurus here have decided to share our personal resolutions all this week to help give you some great gift ideas and kick off 2009 right. One thing I really want to tackle this year is getting organized. Being more organized will help me be more efficient and get more done with less stress. Sounds great to me! 

I found these amazing little binders to help make those daunting tasks like organizing medical records, moving documents, keeping track of valuables, etc a whole lot easier. Finally, everything I need will be at my fingertips and easy to access. For those of you out there resolving to organize your life, here's your starting point.

Family Medical Organizer starting at $20.00. 

Even if (or perhaps especially if) "drink less" is No. 5 on your list of resolutions, it’s hard to get through New Year’s Eve without an adult beverage (or two). So it’s inevitable that you’re not feeling up to par today.

My advice is to stay at home, put your resolutions aside (at least until you can see without squinting) and get yourself one of these fun hangover helpers. We found all kinds of great stuff, from breakfast baskets to bartender’s guides to hot/cold packs shaped like IV bags. Clearly, today is not the day to start your new running routine, so pop in a cheesy movie, make some pancakes and relax.

Bloody Mary Gift Basket starting at $79.99

If you've ever dealt with a total computer meltdown and losing files, photos and music, you've learned your lesson and you probably already back up your files religiously. But for everyone out there that hasn't started backing up their files, an external hard drive, like this Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini is one of the best gifts you can give.

It's a nice gift for anyone that needs a little encouragement to get their electronic files organized or for the family historian who needs to ensure all of his or her digital memories will be safe years from now. This week we're giving one away to help you (or a friend or family member) get organized for the New Year.

Want to win? Post a comment below by 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, January 28. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini 160GB Portable External Hard Drive starting at $149.99

Want to be more of a do-gooder this year? You could vow to volunteer often, shop fair trade, donate to charities and recycle, but unfortunately, it's really easy to get overwhelmed by it all. That's why I'm super excited about these awesome AE Better World Scarves—they make giving back easy!

The snazzy neck warmers by American Eagle are more than just an accessory; they're scarves with a conscience. You'll be tickled pink by the fuchsia option because it supports Big Brothers Big Sisters. Feeling blue? Opt for the navy one, and $10 of your purchase will go to the Student Conservation Association. Or go red and donate to Jumpstart, which prepares at-risk preschoolers for school. 

Either way, you'll be making a difference! They make great gifts for all the good Samaritans in your life!

AE Better World Scarf starting at $19.50

If you know someone who has declared 2008 the year to make a career–or to at least make it to the next rung on the corporate ladder–these corporate flashcards, featuring a pronunciation guide and definition and synonyms for 60 terms, are a great way to brush them up on their jargon and help fight that case of post-holiday, back-to-work blues.

While they won't guarantee an instant promotion or dream job, the flashcards will at least provide a helpful guide to climbing the corporate ladder. They're also a great gift for the recent college grad still looking for his or her first "real job."

Corporate Flashcards starting at $14

I don't know about you, but I drink a lot of bottled water: at the gym, walking around the city, at work. And while I do my best to reuse bottles, a lot still get tossed in the bin. A couple factoids for you: Americans throw away over 30 million plastic water bottles every day! What's worse is that manufacturing and transporting the bottles (which are already made from petroleum based plastics) burns 1.5 million barrels of fossil fuel a year.

That's why this year I'm resolving to make a more eco-friendly choice–a reusable Sigg Sport Top Water Bottle. If you've got friends who are trying to be a little greener this year or ones that are always chugging bottled water, help them our with the gift of a Sigg bottle.

Sigg Sport Top Water Bottles starting at $23.95

I wish I could say I whip up delectable meals every night, but I usually get home so late that I end up ordering in instead. This year, look out Domestic Diva! I'm resolving to cook more, and I'm getting started with this Italian Herb Garden.

The window gardening kit comes with three plants: basil, oregano and chives. So in no time at all, I'll be whipping up chicken cacciatore, osso bucco, risotto alla Milanese—well, one thing at a time! But at least I'll be using some of the freshest ingredients. Besides my loft totally needs some plant life to soften its industrial vibe!

If you know a Top Chef hopeful, surprise them with this Italian Herb Kit for his or her birthday, housewarming or just because.

Italian Herb Kit starting at $29

Every year I make a lot of useless resolutions, like watch less TV (what? miss Project Runway?) and get to the gym every day (wish I had time for that!). But this year, I'm vowing to make more meaningful (and lasting) resolutions, starting with balancing my carbon footprint.

If you know someone who is aiming toward the same goal, why not get him or her this Save the Environment charity gift certificate? Your donation can go toward cleaning the air or water, saving the forests, or stopping global warming. Whatever you choose, you'll be helping your mindful pal make a difference—and get one step closer to erasing that footprint.

Save the Environment Charity Gift Certificate starting at $50

After all those Christmas cookies and the extra pounds that a steady relationship adds, I have to get some exercise ASAP. And so, my new obsession is the JumpSnap Ropeless Jump Rope. The nifty little gadget consists of two handles with short tails that rotate just like a full rope would and count your jumps, time and estimated calories (double pow!).

With the JumpSnap, I won't have to go outside (brr!), and I don't need much space to use it. Not to mention it only takes up a small spot in my dresser drawer when not in use. It's the perfect "home gym" for city dwellers with limited space—and limited motivation to go anywhere in the dead of winter.

JumpSnap Ropeless Jump Rope starting at $59.95