The Lighter Side

Calendars make great gifts. At The Lighter Side, we have calendars to fit every age and interest. Whether they need it for desk or wall, home or office, you can find a 2010 calendar that fits your special someone perfectly.

For sports fans, we have the MLB Personalized Calendar that includes the game schedule and key dates in the team's history.

Just tell us the name of the recipient and we'll print it on the back of their hero's jersey in a triumphant photo and turn it into a 2010 calendar. They can enjoy their "moment in the spotlight" for the entire year. And this unique college calendar plays the fan's school fight song at the press of a button. Plus, each month features an action photo of a different player, along with their bio. There's even a bonus page with record holders and past team results. A great gift for college students, alumni and fans.

Cartoon characters are a favorite for daily calendars because you get a new "toon" to brighten each day.

With our Betty Boop calendar, your Boop fan can watch Betty flirt and tease her way through another year with a different cartoon every day. It also includes all about-Betty information, anniversary notes of her movie releases, and pop-culture trivia. And with our daily calendar from Hallmark's Shoebox collection, they get a laugh a day as the the crabby, irreverent Maxine dishes up her uncommon view of daily life along with her hilarious commentary.

I think everyone knows at least one die-hard Elvis fan. This daily calendar contains 365 tributes to The King of Rock & Roll.

Your Elvis fan can remember The King every day with private and public photos, trivia, favorite recipes and quotes about acting, music and more. And while it's a commonly held belief that only men love The Three Stooges, I know of at least three of my female friends who adore the irrepressible trio. Male or female, Stooge lovers will adore this calendar with a "guaranteed 'nyuk-nyuk-nyuk' on every page."

For a monthly dose of pop culture--old and new--our Wizard of Oz or Twilight wall calendars make great gifts. 70 years after its release, The Wizard of Oz is still one of the world's most adored movies.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road all year with 30s-style artwork and famous scenes and dialogue from the original Wizard of Oz movie. With our 16-month Twilight calendar, devotees of the contemporary cult favorite can follow Bella and Edward as they strive to make their love work against staggering odds. The calendar features full color photos of the lead characters as well as photos of supporting players from the mixed cast of humans and vampires.

Finally, for families on the go, we have a 17-month Peanuts Family Planner.

The large grid makes it easy to keep track of up to five schedules at a time with plenty of space to write in appointments, activities like games and recitals, birthdays and other important dates and events. The at-a-glance schedule helps busy families avoid double-booking and helps plan for upcoming projects and events in advance. It also includes a contact list for parents' and kids' phone numbers and 400 activity stickers to make keeping track of a busy life a little more fun.

A calendar makes a great gift for any occasion and remember, it's never too early to start thinking about next year!

Your "Day Planning" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, November 6, 2009

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Whether you watch football or not, chances are someone on your gift list is an avid fan of the sport. In this series of blogs, we're matching perfect gifts to the interests of your "special someones," and this week I came up with more football goodies than you can throw a flag at.

Two of my favorites are personalized prints. The locker print shows your football fan's name on the back of their favorite team's jersey.

They can see their name hanging right next to the names of legendary players from their favorite NFL team.
Our draft print shows the enthusiast's last name on the back of a team jersey and their full name appears as the number one draft pick on a banner underneath the center photo. There are dozens of teams to choose from and both prints come ready to hang. Perfect for dens, game rooms, or the home "sports bar."

Our neon NFL helmet is also great for the den, TV room or anywhere in the house where football is celebrated.

An officially licensed NFL team logo is surrounded by a bright neon light. It looks great hanging on the wall, but it includes a stand for desktop or tabletop display. It also comes in a college team version. The dancing NFL halfback is one of my favorites. Set him off and he dances his victory touchdown dance while a rock & roll stadium anthem plays. With official team colors and embroidered logo, they can watch him do his when their team scores or just let him entertain during commercials.

Our football watches make great gifts, too. They'll always be on time (at least for the game) with one of our high quality timepieces. Both NFL and college team watches proudly display officially licensed team logos and colors. They're water-resistant and feature glass crystals, genuine leather bands and quartz movement and best of all, both come ready-to-give in a tin gift box. It doesn't get any easier than that!

For keeping warm at home or at the game, our college Snuggie makes a great gift for gridiron groupies, whether they're still in school or not. Made of ultra soft fleece, it keeps them warm from head to toe while leaving their hands free to cheer, do the wave, or shake their fist at the opposing team. It's machine washable and goes easily from home to games and back again.

The truest of true die-hard fans will have to have one or both of our larger-than-life bruisers, made by the same people who make the official NFL stadium mascots. There's no doubt which team they support when they inflate the five-foot huddled mascot or the eight-foot standing mascot. Great for the yard, porch, tailgate parties--wherever a giant inflatable mascot is required. Both come with internal inflation fans, adjustable tie-downs and ground and base stakes to secure them in place.

Now that I've shown you the best of the best football gifts at The Lighter Side, I'll even give you a famous quote to write inside the card:

"We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time."
~Vince Lombardi

Your "Gridiron" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, October 30, 2009

Here Kitty, Kitty

Last week we talked about great gifts for dog lovers. This week, I found some wonderful items for the cat lovers in your life. From goofy to sweet to useful, The Lighter Side has something for every feline and their human friends.

This Kitty Grass not only helps digestion, it makes a safe and fun alternative to houseplants and turf grass. Just put the seeds in the adorable mouse-shaped container, water and cover to germinate. It only takes a few days to grow a "sweet grass" treat for cats.

Cat lovers can keep warm this winter with our generously sized fleece throw featuring a portrait of seven lovely kitties. Soft and cuddly, this throw is machine washable, has sturdy stitched edges and is perfect for snuggling or for displaying over a chair or couch. For outdoor warmth, try our denim or woven jackets. The classic jean jacket buttons in the front and has an amazingly detailed embossed feline face across the back. It's made of easy-care 100% cotton and has two front and two side pockets--perfect for storing little bits of cat nip! Our woven cat jacket features original artwork by Jan Marie showing curious kitties frolicking in a summer garden on both front and back.

To help friends of felines show their seasonal spirit, we have this collection of six cat flags. Each brightly colored flag is made of durable polyester and has two loops for hanging.

The set includes flags for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And since most real cats won't sit still for playing dress-up, we have a ceramic figurine complete with four adorable seasonal outfits, including St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July, Halloween and Christmas. At least you know this cat won't kick, bite and scratch its way out of getting decked out for the holidays!

These two items are purr-fect for both home and office. Our ceramic stone sign reveals the "Cat's Motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it." It's six inches wide and comes with a handy hanging cord. This cute clock is made of handpainted earthenware and is fully functional with a quartz mechanism. It's great for desk or nightstand, but it doesn't include an alarm. We can't put the morning mousers out of work, can we?

Know someone who loves their little tiger but hates the smelly litterbox? "Scoop No More" is a cat toilet training system that allows owners to teach their feline friends to use the bathroom like everyone else in the house. It works for all breeds and teaches owners how to train more than one cat in the household. Young or old, big or small, this easy-to-follow DVD reveals proven training techniques to train any cat in as little as eight weeks. It includes explanations of how to use inexpensive household items to aid in training as well as cat motivation and behavior correction techniques.

This series of blogs is all about matching a gift to the recipient's interests. That's what makes a gift personal and individual and it lets them know that you put some thought into choosing the perfect gift for their special occasion. Now that we've taken a trip through the animal kingdom with monkeys, dogs and cats, I think we can move on to less furry interests. Coming next week: "Are you ready for some football?"

Your "Meow-Meow" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, October 23, 2009

Puppy Love

Dog lovers are a breed unto themselves. They care for their pooches as if they were, well, a best friend. The good news? Their dogged devotion to our canine friends makes shopping for the perfect gift as easy as rolling over.

We have a new game that lets people play with their dogs even when the weather is too awful for Frisbee at the park. It's a board game where humans earn "wag tags" for coaxing their dogs to do tricks--like giving their owner a pooch smooch--before the timer runs out.

Doggie treats aren't included, but gamers are allowed to persuade their "partner" with the dog's favorite munchie. I like this Puppy Pinata because a portion of the sales are donated to the SPCA. The plush pinata is pre-stuffed with all-natural beef jerky. Once the dog gets a whiff of the treats inside, they go wild trying to free the goodies from the toy's secret pocket. And the dog's human will get a kick out of watching them hunt for their food!

These doggie doormats make great gifts, too. They can be used indoors or outside on covered porches or can be placed under feeding bowls to catch drips and spills. You can personalize this doormat with both a picture of the breed and the dog's name, which is inscribed on the bone in its mouth, completing the very sweet sentence "...makes our house a home." And this mat thanks guests for not letting the dog out "no matter what it tells you." It probably has the best comic effect on a porch or in an entryway, but with an easy-clean polyester face, it can also be used just about anywhere.

Since most people can't take their dogs to work, how about a little something for their desk to remind them of their beloved pet? Our pencil and notepad holders are sculpted in resin with hand painted accents and you can choose from several different dog breeds. Embedded with cute little paw prints, the pencil holder doesn't take up a lot of space and it makes a great home for pens, pencils and other small items. And our notepad holder includes a pad of paper and a pen. It also has a large magnetic backing, so it can be hung on a file cabinet or refrigerator.

For cuddling up with their furry friends, this throw is just the thing. It's handcrafted of 100% cotton and is machine washable. There are dozens of breeds to choose from and each dog is shown in a portrait like setting. Personalize the throw with the dog's name for a perfect snuggly winter gift.

And for dog lovers on the go, we have this adorable pet purse. It looks like a cuddly puppy, but it's really a handbag! The plush purse has a realistic face and texture, brocade lining, a collar complete with dog tag and a leash-like handle. Some of them even have rhinestone-studded paw prints. Now, that's stylish! For a roomier version, our tapestry tote can be personalized with both the dog's name and its breed. It's fully lined and large enough to carry the dog's toys along with all the things its human might need on a trip to the park, a sporting event or other outing.

Finding treats for dog lovers was so much fun, I'll see what we have for friends of felines next week.

Your "Bow-wow" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, October 16, 2009

Monkeying Around

There's nothing more personal than choosing a gift that matches the recipient's particular interests. Last week, we came up with some gift ideas for coffee lovers. It seems like lots of people are into monkeys right now, so this week I found some great gifts for people who adore our primate friends.

Our Nuts About You book from award-winning photographer Bob Elsdale is perfect for chimp lovers. Candid photographs of two baby chimpanzees named Kenzy and Willie are accompanied by captions that tell a wonderful, emotional story about being together, being happy and being yourself. One of my favorites is an adorable picture of one of the chimps "singing." The caption reads: "You never let the fact that you don't know all the words keep you from singing your heart out!"

For a little "roll on the floor" laughter, check out our rolling monkey (and dog). You just turn the monkey on, put him on the floor and he starts rolling and laughing hysterically. He's motion activated, so every time someone walks by, he starts up again. It's funny, cute and the laughter is contagious! Watch the video to see them in action.

We have monkeys for all seasons, too. Perfect for a kitchen or tiki bar, this adorable chimp welcomes guests to your jungle.

He also comes with 4th of July, Halloween and Christmas themed signs, so he can hang around all year long. Our dress up chimp comes with four silly outfits for the same holidays, so you can dress him to match his hanging friend. With holiday-themed hats, props and wacky wooden signs that show off his barrel-of-laughs personality, this primate is ready for the party.

For kicking back in the jungle, we have these comfy terrycloth lounge pants.

Printed with charming chimps and bunches of bananas, they're a great match for our "La La La" t-shirt. The pants have roomy front pockets and an adjustable drawstring waist and the tee is made of soft 100% cotton. Together they make perfect pajamas or an easy going outfit for relaxing in simian style.

No collection is complete without at least one flying monkey. Our masked and caped version is a slingshot that you shoot across the room by hooking his hands to your fingertips and pulling his tail.

He flies through the air and lets out a scream when he lands. Of course, fair warning is in order before calling out the flying monkeys. That's where our t-shirt comes in. The caution is printed on a green tee in some very witchy-looking script and warns "Don't make me break out my flying monkeys." It's a great combo gift and at The Lighter Side, you even save ten percent when you buy them together.

A well thought out gift that doesn't cost much always beats an expensive gift that will either sit unused or go back to the returns counter at the store. My best advice for gift-giving? Just ask yourself what your special someone is into. From coffee to monkeys to poker to golf, everyone has a unique interest that makes them, well, special.

Your "Monkey Business" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, October 9, 2009

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

I get a lot of panicky calls for help from friends and relatives when they need to find a great gift. But there's really only one real trick to finding the perfect present for anyone: matching your gift to their interests. So I thought I'd take a couple of weeks to explore some common interests and the gifts that complement them.

Everyone knows someone who just can't get going without their morning cup of joe, so we'll start with some ideal goodies for coffee drinkers.

Whether it's a t-shirt for lounging around the house on a lazy morning or a warning sign to hang in the office, we have some great gifts for people who need that caffeine kick-start to get their day going. We've put together a couple of gift pairs for java jun

kies that celebrate the beanie beverage without breaking the bank. Save ten percent when you buy our "No pulse yet..." t-shirt with the humorous "Don't make me kill you" cautionary sign or our "Warning" tee with a ceramic mug that comes complete with a bell on the handle. Both shirts are made of 100% cotton in creamy coffee colors. Yummy.

Since we're talking about saving money, these three tees are on sale right now. "I start working when the coffee does" is tonally reminiscent of a sweet mochachino. We also have two tees in darker, more espresso-like colors. If it wasn't for the coffee, I'd have no personality at all" is one of my favorites. Or, for that special someone who detests the breakfast beverage for the same reason most of us love it: "I hate coffee. It keeps me awake at work!" Choose the sentiment and café color to match the recipient's personality and predisposition toward the percolated brew.

And what's a coffee drinker without their favorite mug? There's something truly satisfying about serving up the morning java in a cherished cup. Most people personalize our "generic" ceramic mug with a first name, but you can be as creative as you like--up to sixteen characters. I personalized one for my friend Sue, who drinks nothing but Sumatra Black Satin. It says "Sue's Sumatra" and it's the only cup she uses now. She even takes it to work with her. A new twist on the travel mug is our porcelain Eco Cup. It looks like a paper to-go cup, but it's reusable. It even has a sipping lid and silicone band around the middle that stays cool to the touch. Best of all, it's microwave and dishwasher safe! Want to make sure no one makes off with their mug? Try the Dirty Mug. No one would touch it! It has realistic painted-on lipstick prints and coffee stains inside and out. Only the owner knows when it's clean or dirty!

True coffee aficionados drink coffee not just for the caffeine, but for the aroma, the flavor and/or the pleasure of taking a break with a rich, steaming beverage. So when it's time to buy for your favorite coffee drinker, consider what they love most about their morning brew and then match your gift to their enthusiasm.

Your "caffeinated" gift guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, October 2, 2009

Halloween is for Kids...And Kids-At-Heart!

Halloween will be here before we know it! I'm helping a friend plan two parties--one for the adults and one for the kids. To get ready for the holiday, we have to find costumes for my friend, her husband and their two kids, plus decorate her house and get ready to greet trick-or-treaters. We have our work cut out for us!

She decided to go with a "couples" theme for the adult party, but as soon as she sent out the invitations, people started calling her looking for costume ideas. "You're the guru, Linda," she said on the phone yesterday. "Can you help?" I think I can...

Our Plug In Outlet Costume set is one of our best selling costumes. She wears a pull-over dress with sockets and he wears a plug with several feet of "cord" that pulls on over street clothes. Both are made of comfortable cloth-covered foam and the pull-up plug has an elastic waistband for a good fit. Looking for something a little less racy? Lord and Lady Gruesome are the most chilling couple at the party! The Lady wears a "decayed" gown with a matching headpiece and the Lord wears a shredded hooded tunic to match. Something a little more haunting? How about the Ghostly Guy & Gal? He wears a tattered hat and coat with plastic chains and padlocks and she wears a wide-brimmed hat with veil and a ghostly white dress.

Since I was looking at ideas for the adults, I figured I might as well find a few suggestions for the little ones, too. For little girls, we have the Cheerless Leader costume that even includes creepy pom-poms. Just add a little make-up, furry boot covers and stitched stockings and glovettes to make her the gloomiest girl at the game. Our Monster Bride is one wicked wife-to-be. The costume comes complete with a giant monster bonnet that includes hat bolts. Accessorize with all the finishing touches of the cheerleader costume and add the skull purse to complete the bad-tempered bride's outfit.

For the little superhero in your house, our 3-D Transformer costumes are truly outstanding. Your child can be the wisecracking Bumblebee or the courageous leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. Both high quality costumes come complete with 3-D armor jumpsuit and mask. Or this Power Rangers costume lets your child choose to be Red Ranger or Blue Ranger, or a different Ranger for each Halloween event. The costume includes a reversible muscle jumpsuit and both red and blue masks. A Saber Sword and Blaster complete the heroic look.

To get ready for the trick-or-treaters, we have to start with a spooky outdoor feel. These window posters create a creepy atmosphere without a lot of trouble and mess. Made of translucent poly-film, the posters are back-lit by interior lights for a creepy nighttime effect. During the day, sunlight illuminates them from the outside. They can be trimmed to fit windows and the adhesive corners make them easy to work with. Plus, they fold easily for storage and can be used year after year. Choose from a voracious vampire, a menacing mummy or spooky spiders.

Finally, we have to give the little ghosts and goblins at least one good scare before giving up the goodies! Our Fright Doorbell is perfect. It comes with a sign that tells trick-or-treaters to press the purple doorbell. When they do, the speaker inside emits one of eight eerie sounds from creaking doors to evil laughs to ghostly moans to wolf howls to cries for help!

Well, I'm running out of time. I have lots of phone calls to return, decorations to dig through and candy to buy. Plus, I have to order my costumes today. I mean, what would my friend think if her Halloween guru arrived at the party in a makeshift costume of whatever gauze I could find decorated with the leftover ketchup in the fridge? (Don't laugh! I've had to do it before!)

Your "Ghoulish" Gift Guru,
Linda

Posted by Linda at 5:00 AM | Friday, September 25, 2009