A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

With temperatures rising and a serious dry spell in summer entertainment, some of us long for the chilly and cheery times of the holiday season. Good thing, it’s time for Christmas in July.  

Throw a party at home or surprise loved ones with some holiday cheer. Either way, we’ve got something for everyone on your list because Santa’s still on vacation.

For the festive family: This red and green Bocce Set is great backyard fun for any age.

For the trendy teen: These Chuck Taylor® All Star® Pine Tree shoes feature mini trees for those who like to dress festively year round.

For the holiday host/hostess: These cheeky Holiday Bar Exam Melamine Tidbit Dishes are a great way to spice up a holiday party without going overboard on themed decorations.

For the Thinker: Hit the beach or chill at home with the xmas-themed Little Red and Green Book of Crosswords from puzzle pros, The New York Times.

For the sweet tooth: It may be too early to wrap presents but it's not too early to send the edible kind with these Thank You Cookies from Dean and Deluca. 

Merry Christmas in July to all our readers!

I remember my first guitar. How I begged my parents for one and all the lessons and skipping of lessons that followed. Wouldn't it be great if you could get your budding superstar a guitar they could teach themselves to play? Well you can with the 1 Man Band Acoustic Guitar. This thing is equipped with the works. It has a built in tempo and beat system you can strum along to, as well as a pick, guitar case and instructional CD.

This guitar is a great gift for a music lover of any age who wants to learn a new instrument but doesn't know where to begin. 

1 Man Band starting at  $99.99

It seems like every guy I know has gotten an iPhone in the last 6 months. And now that they’ve exhausted all the ways to brag about their shiny purchases, they’re ready for the next thing to brag about. Well, I found the next cool thing. 

If you need a gift for the gadget obsessed, trendy young guy who has an iPhone and knows how cool it is, your search stops here. This funky Concrete Jungle case will make his gadget look super hot–as if it needed any extra help! And besides making it look awesome, the case helps protect fancy iPhones from scratches and other accidents. Lookout ladies–you're gonna hear all about this one! 

The Concrete Jungle iPhone Case starting at $50

Eco-friendly toys (not surprisingly) are a huge theme at Toy Fair this year. And Sprig Toys is a line that's green from manufacturing to playing. The safari themed vehicles for the 3+ set are all made from reclaimed wood and plastic that's produced in Canada. The toys are also made in Canada which cuts down on shipping and in turn reduces the company's carbon footprint.

And the fun part–while the toys are all battery free, they do have electronic components. When kids push the vehicles they power lights and sounds. Each character is tied to a different adventure–Africa, Australia or the Arctic–and each will cause the Discover Rig truck to play different music and stories. They're great gifts to get kids thinking green. Look for Sprig Toys on Gifts.com later this year.

I have a major soft spot for stuffed animals so I wasted no time falling in love with the Deglingos at Toy Fair. The collection of unique characters is made using over 50 different fabrics and the details and personalities are unbeatable. Take Poilodos the Sheep for example–he says, "Brrrr, it's cold in here - can you close the door? Even with this fleece coat I get so chillios" (the Deglingos have their own language in which words often end in "os").

I think they're all hilariously lovable from Bigbos the Wolf to Ronronos the Cat. They're perfect for imaginative boys and girls. 

Poilodos the Sheep starting at $42 

This week the Gift Gurus and I are at Toy Fair playing with all the hottest new toys and games set to come out later in '08. Stay tuned because we'll be blogging about all the stuff that we think will be at the top of every kid's birthday and Christmas lists this year.

First up, LeapFrog's Didj, a hand held educational gaming system for kids 6 to 10 years old who've moved beyond the Leapster. But this isn't any old gaming system–it mixes the smart stuff that parents approve of with the shooting stuff that kids love, plus its got a bunch of customizable features. Players each get to create their own monster-like avatar, parents can input spelling lists from school and as kids master learning skills they get to add new components to their game. Look for the LeapFrog Didj this summer starting at $89.99.

There are a handful of things that I can always count on to get me through a chilly winter's day: a mug of Bailey's coffee, a grilled cheese sandwich with a big bowl of tomato soup, and a cozy pair of luxurious slippers, like these Cashmere Slippers from Frontgate.

With a cable-knit top, a waffle-knit covered memory-foam sole, and a cute little velvet bow, these slippers take elegant comfort to a whole new level. They almost make me wish winter lasted a few months longer. Almost. A Valentine's Day gift any Urban Sophisticate would appreciate. 

Frontgate Cashmere Slippers starting at $99.50 

Alarm clocks are a great gift for the travel enthusiast, but if you really want a gift that keeps on giving, literally, pick up the H20 Multifunction Clock. Running entirely on water powered battery, it’s a great alternative to most electronics that waste batteries year after year. Plus all of its components are recyclable. Besides its eco-friendly benefits, this clock’s handy design lets you switch from alarm mode to temperature display and timer just by turning it on different sides.

If you’ve got a picky green-minded boyfriend or a lover of travel gadgets, this clock is a great find. 

Water Powered Multifunction Clock starting at $24.95

There's nothing more uncomfortable than awkward party silence. Especially if it's your party (we've all been there). So break the ice by breaking out these super cool Arctic Frozen Ice Shots. Just fill the molds with water, pop in the freezer, and ta-da!—cold-as-ice (ha, ha) shot glasses.

Impress all your guests with a fire-and-ice-themed New Year's Eve shindig. Or just add a fun touch to any ol' party. Not hosting? Gift your host/hostess with a set (extra shots, er, props if you make a few before you go).

Arctic Frozen Ice Shots starting at $19.99