A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

For under-the-weather little ones, this adorable frog humidifier, is a fun get well soon gift that will actually help them feel better. When you're running the heat or A/C a lot, dry air is inevitable. But a humidifier does wonders to help kids breathe easier. When it runs it's whisper quiet so it won't disturb your sleeping sick one, but when he wakes up he'll have something cheerful to look at.

Crane Frog 1Gallon Humidifier starting at $34.99

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 

Look up "stocking stuffer" in the dictionary and there could easily be a picture of these packable slippers. These comfy fleece slippers easily fold up into a compact pocket-sized pouch perfect for travel. They come in five colors, and at $20 a pop, they won't put a dent in anyone's wallet. And as long as you shop before 12 p.m. on December 21, you can get free ground shipping and a $10 gift card when you spend over $50 at L.L. Bean.

While these are ideal for travel enthusiasts who like to kick off their shoes during a long flight or at the hotel, they're a good gift for pretty much anyone. A pair of these (each of a different color) in everyone's stocking would be a great gifting touch for the whole family–you can check off your whole list with one quick buy.

Packable Slippers starting at $19.95

Chicken soup is soooo dated. And flowers sure don’t make that cold go away. This is how you do a Get Well gift right. Try the Soup and Sandwich Ceramic Tray Duo. When it comes to comfort food, there's nothing I love more than a plate of steamy grilled cheese and tomato soup, but what I don't need is the inevitable mess and hassle of juggling both at the same time.

This duo puts breakfast in bed trays to shame with its unique design and portable size. Give it to an under-the-weather friend, with soup and grilled cheese included of course (whether you made it yourself or bought it from the best). And for the holidays, it's the perfect gift for a soup lover like me.

Soup and Sandwich Tray Duo starting at $30

This time of year, a Pumpkin 'N Posies flower arrangement is a treat that does the trick for wishing a happy birthday, Boss's Day, congratulations, speedy recovery, or housewarming! You really can't go wrong with flowers, but if you show special care in choosing a seasonal arrangement like this autumnal Pumpkin 'N Posies mix of flowers, you can really earn extra brownie points. Or maybe I should call them cookie points, since the flowers are delivered in an amber glass cookie jar that makes a great decoration once the flowers fade!

Pumpkin 'N Posies starting at $39.99

I’ve had one of these Laplander lap desks for awhile now. I use it with my laptop so I don’t feel the heat of the battery while skimming new restaurant reviews and checking email from the comfort of my couch. While it’s great for people like me and it will also make a great get well gift for someone who’s stuck in bed, the Laplander desk is an especially thoughtful gift this time of year for all the students heading back to school.

I’m sure the average 18-year-old starting college in a few weeks won’t be checking restaurant reviews from her couch, but I’m willing to bet she’ll be spending more than a few hours researching and writing papers from a dorm room bunk bed. And if she gets hungry, she just might search for the number of the nearest pizza delivery!

Laplander Lap Desk starting at $48

Maybe you have a sick friend or family member - someone who is recuperating from surgery or ordered to bedrest and has nothing but a pile of books and bad summer reality TV to keep her entertained. And maybe this is the same friend who, when you asked if she had a Dr. McSteamy checking on her, gave you a blank look, a shrug of the shoulders, and said, “a Dr. McWho?”

Waste no time then in presenting Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 DVD—a get well soon gift that will lift her from her daze and keep her entertained with a hot cast, dramatic storyline, and great music.

By the holiday, she’ll be caught up on her Grey’s and you two can compare notes with this new trivia game based on the show. Due out this fall. Seriously!

Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 DVD starting at $21.99

What do you get when you mix Tonya Harding, the grunge movement, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen (the toddler years), Mike Tyson, and a high-speed freeway maze with two parts yellow paint, and three parts blue? Hmm…I actually don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing it involves a boxing ring, some flannel, and at least one broken knee.

That’s where the Let’s Paint the ‘90s Activity Book comes in. You get to paint notable scenes from the decade like Vanilla Ice rapping “Ice Ice Baby” and Dan Quayle misspelling potato in a classroom spelling bee.

It not only makes a great birthday gift for your friend who loves all things pop culture, but imagine giving it to your buddy who’s laid-up at home with a bad back, or bringing it as a host gift to the next dinner party you attend. I’m sure it’ll be a big hit with all the guests—probably even more than the killer mojitos. After all, it features Milli Vanilli.

Let’s Paint The ’90s starting at $10.35