List 2011

Thanksgiving is in a few days and my mind is swirling with recipes,
grocery lists, housecleaning lists, seating arrangements,
you name it... 

But behind the temporary chaos of the impending Turkey Day
is the background murmur
that the big one is coming...

You know...

Christmas... 

I thought by this time Operation Deprivation would have ceased in our house... 

Nope, not so much...

Still broke.... 

So, I will be conjuring up ideas for homemade gifts shortly ( I hope!) 
Sometimes it's good to peruse gift lists offered by every magazine,
major website, TV show, etc., just to come up with some more ideas...

Most of the choice "It" items are out of my reach,
but now and then a few cool gadgets catch my eye as a cool gift...

Here are some things I think are neat
and most likely beyond my budget. 
But hey, a girl can look, right?

For the Guys:  

 Sonos 5 All in One Music Player:  Tom would love to have this...better sell more cars!
 

Muji Ice Ball Maker.  If you have a mixologist in your ranks, this trendy ball of ice will be the cat's meow.

Ultimat Vodka  Pretty bottle, and I'll bet a pretty darn good Cape Cod...

Long Johns  For those cold Chicago days.  Heck, Tom wears his from October to May...

Five Very Good Reasons to Punch a Dolphin in the Mouth  This author makes Tom laugh so hard he sobs...

North Shore Gin  Made near Chicago and each holiday they sell a special bottled concoction...

For the Kids:

Nanoblocks  are these super tiny Lego-like blocks.  Lots of nifty kits, tiny enough to embed themselves into your instep like a splinter.  The kids love 'em...

Perplexus Epic  is a crazy marble run contained in a sphere.  Jack would play with this for hours...

Bedol Water Powered Clock.  A fun way to teach alternative energy...

Lite Brite:  Who doesn't love this classic toy? 

Uncle Milton Ant Farm Revolution  Not a fan of the six (or 8) legged creatures,
but this little commune lights up and looks pretty fun! 

Barbie I Can be an Architect Doll  Go Barbie! 
She can bring home the bacon, draw an elevation of her kitchen
and then fry it up in a pan! 

FyrFlyz Blue Angel  Light up the night sky with this handheld toy...

Dusty Pink Dress  So dreamy for Christmas....

For the Ladies: 

Martha's Entertaining, A Year of Celebrations:  Okay, maybe not everyone will want this, but I do!

Be Optimistic tags:  Really, this can be given to anyone,
sewn in the neck of a new jacket,
inside a lovely handbag or to the end of a child's scarf. 
It just picks you up!  
 

Leather Bracelets  You have to discover Etsy.com; The coolness is endless!  

Keep Calm Earrings  For that Tacky Christmas Sweater theme party....

Julius Meinl Coffee  A decadent hostess gift...

Green Crystal Earrings  Love these.....

Green Fringed Scarf  Screams luxurious warmth....

Hot Mama Holiday Dress  This jersey number would look great on most body types....

Bird Pillow  Perfect for Kate's room...

Custom Portraits by Superstudio    This artist is so good!  I can't talk about it, but he made something COOL for me....

 Cameo Cookies   Too pretty to eat....

Cardamom Spice Body Lotion  Smells so good you might want to lick it off....oooh...did I just say that?

Kahlua Peppermint Mocha    Hint, hint, Santa.... :)

Happy Shopping!