A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

This year get your assistant an Assistants' Day gift that she can enjoy when she's off the clock. The JBL Spyro Speaker System, a miniature pair of flower-shaped speakers and a domed subwoofer, is not only really cute, it produces a startling rich, authoritative sound. Your assistant will love playing crystal clear music at high volume to let off a little steam after a hard day at work, appreciating such a thoughtful gesture from you as you show your all appreciation for her. 

JBL Spyro Speaker System starting at $108.24

If you expect him (or her) to spend every waking hour at his (or her) desk, it's your job to make it fun. Bosses, meet the iGrowbot Planter.

The perfect Assistants' Day gift is just techie enough to fit alongside a computer (it has a mod, futuristic robot bod) and funky enough to brighten up your assistant's day every day (its "hair" is real growing green grass). Not to mention it requires almost no care (just fill the planter with peat and seeds, water, and watch it grow). There's no better way to bring the outside in. Especially if you don't let your assistant out of your sight!

iGrowbot Planter starting at $11.99 

When it comes to Assistant's Day Gifts, you don't want to give something that's too personal, but you also don't want to give something that your assistant will just set aside a few days later. That's why the Gifts.com Gift Card is a good way to show how much you appreciate your assistant's hard work.

It's a good choice for both male and female assistants because they can choose where to spend the card. If she's into fashion she can redeem it for gift cards to Bloomingdale's or Banana Republic and if he likes eating out he can redeem it for gift certificates to T.G.I. Friday's or Cheesecake Factory.  

Gifts.com Gift Card starting at $25

Ah, Administrative Assistants' Day. You could go with flowers, candy, or even a fruit basket. But why not just acknowledge what a pain in the—well, you know—you've been with this clever Giant Aspirin Tablet?

The enormous (662,250 milligrams) pill might not make up for all the headaches you've caused, but it will hold down all the paperwork you've assigned (the heavy ceramic tablet has a felt back for paperweight use). Yes, it's quirky, but it's a great gift for assistants with a sense of humor!

Giant Aspirin Tablet starting at $18.97

Your assistant works hard all year and you'd love to show your appreciation with an Assistants' Day gift that's personal but not too personal, pretty and something she can enjoy both at work or at home. This Mulitcolor Murano Glass Paperweight is the perfect answer.

Bursting with color in a charming tree design, the paperweight is handmade in Venice, Italy using antique glass work techniques. On a desk at the office or on display at home, the paperweight will remind your assistant how appreciated she is all year long. 

Trees - Multicolor Murano Glass Paperweight starting at $83.95

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love birds. Well, not real ones, but just about any artistic interpretation out there. So naturally I love this adorable little bird desk accessory. And since it chirps when you touch it, it gives you another reason to stop what you should be doing to enjoy a few seconds with your new little buddy. This is a great gift for any student, bird lover or office dweller.

Chirping Bird Paper Clip Holder starting at $14.99 

Tannoy is best known for it's professional grade speaker design and manufacturing. At CES they introduced the Tannoy i30 speaker which is designed for use with iPods. I plugged in my Nano was was truly blown away. While most iPod docks use a single driver, the i30 uses two separate drive units to produce a rich and faithful sound. In fact, I was given an "A/B" test between the i30 and the Bose SoundDock and while initially pleased with the Bose sound, against the i30 there was really no comparison.

When the i30 hits retail it will be around $400, which while not cheap, does fall in line with the high end iPod docks. This is a nice higher-end gift for the music lover who appreciates fine things–such as truly amazing sounding music. Look for this stellar unit to be available March 2008.

There's no debate that iPod's rule the digital media player field. But there are plenty of non-Apple products that present better value, more features and frankly, comprable style as the ubiquitous iPods. 

I just tested two Creative models at CES that, though not new, really did impress me with their overall functionality and amazing sound. The 2GB and 4GB Creative Zen Stone is a sub-compact MP3 player that comes in an array of colors and starting at around $40, presents excellent value. There were four new Stone colors unveiled at CES this week.

I also really like the feature-rich Creative Zen. The Zen sports an amazingly vivid display and features FM radio, photos, video, music, even an SD slot for added content. In capacities from 2GB to 32GB these affordable MP3 players are ideal for Gadget Gurus and digital media masters who want to make a non-iPod statement!

Creative Zen Stone starting at $35.99  & Creative Zen starting at $129.99

This Kai Body Buffer is on Oprah's list of Favorite Things for the Holidays, but I liked it WAY before Oprah did. Someone gave it to me when I was a house guest and I became an instant fan! Infused with a light blend of exotic perfumes and natural essences, including palm, coconut and olive, the scent is fantastic (think tropical paradise!) and the buffer lasts for a long time (you get two halves).

The Kai Body Buffer is a chic little something for the girlfriends who already have everything. It would make a great hostess gift or stocking stuffer.

Kai Body Buffer starting at $28

Seriously, unless it’s a Mont Blanc, does anyone really need another pen? Turns out the answer is “yes.” Because what good is a pen unless you have something to write on?

So simple, yet so ingenious, this pen supplies both necessities in one compact package, guaranteeing it’s always ready when you are to jot down directions, to-do lists or perhaps the phone number of that cute guy at the gym.

So, ladies, the real question is “Who doesn’t need a pen like this?”

Scroll Pen starting at $35