tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70423829258621627172009-11-06T05:00:00.949-05:00Shop Lighter Side.com for the perfect inexpensive gift. Lighter Side offers funny T-shirts, famous brand collectibles, plus holiday decorations and personalized gifts.Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-82288378701896086322009-11-06T05:00:00.003-05:002009-11-06T05:00:01.041-05:00

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

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-89946664984052623372009-10-30T05:00:00.002-04:002009-10-30T05:00:09.458-04:00

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

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-81061681286998883462009-10-23T05:00:00.005-04:002009-10-23T05:00:00.687-04:00

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,

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57725854424119310732009-10-16T05:00:00.001-04:002009-10-16T05:00:02.483-04:00

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

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-87116263326604234692009-10-09T05:00:00.002-04:002009-10-09T05:00:05.532-04:00

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.

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-21474703747296288012009-10-02T05:00:00.000-04:002009-10-02T05:00:02.968-04:00

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

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-81594655517914266332009-09-25T05:00:00.003-04:002009-09-25T05:00:03.757-04:00

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

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-11954398765853785462009-09-18T05:00:00.001-04:002009-09-18T05:00:00.314-04:00

I've been watching a lot of TV lately. September is the hottest month of the year in Florida, so hunkering down in front of the air conditioner with a bowl of ice cream and the remote control is my favorite pastime right now. I don't mind staying indoors for a few weeks--it's a great way to find new As Seen On TV items that would make great gifts! Here are my top five picks from the gifts I've

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-9221460272919170362009-09-11T05:00:00.004-04:002009-09-11T05:00:02.033-04:00

Gift giving is a creative activity. Thinking through the recipient's hobbies and interests and then searching out something they'd really like takes time and imagination. Here at The Lighter Side, we try to help by bringing you fun and unique gifts that you can't find anywhere else. So this week, I thought I'd show you a few of our exclusive items to help you find the perfect gift for that

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-7133670001852300542009-09-04T05:00:00.002-04:002009-09-04T05:00:00.334-04:00

My friend Anita and her little girl Mandy are just crazy about dolls. I went to a dinner party Anita's house the other night and both of them were eager to show off their new cuties. Anita buys collectible dolls that sit in a display case and look pretty, but Mandy receives all of hers as gifts--and they do anything but sit on a shelf. She plays with her dolls constantly, drags them to pre-school

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-7333100180783874342009-08-28T05:00:00.002-04:002009-08-28T05:00:02.455-04:00

The U.S. has always been at the forefront of creating internationally recognized brands. From Coca~Cola® to M&M's®, American brands have become icons all over the world. So this week, I thought I'd show you a few gifts that celebrate some of our favorite brands.M&M's created an international sensation with their animated candy characters. The ads range from cute (Red M making fun of Yellow M for

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-46578071350535178082009-08-14T05:00:00.005-04:002009-08-14T11:35:09.122-04:00

The other night, I was flipping through television channels looking for a program that would put me to sleep when I stumbled on an I Love Lucy marathon. Each episode was funnier and more raucous than the last -- I couldn't stop watching even though I've seen them dozens of times. Finally, at three in the morning, I had to turn off the TV and drag myself to bed or I'd end up dozing at my desk the

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-26474830515075036442009-08-07T05:00:00.001-04:002009-08-07T05:00:02.705-04:00

When it comes to gifts, the more personal the better. A personalized gift not only shows how well you know someone, it lets them know that you care enough to find a gift that fits them perfectly. And, after all, isn't that what gift giving is all about?For the fisherman (or woman) in your life, how about a t-shirt or mug that declares them an official fish magnet? Both can be personalized with a

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-55331444615506334652009-07-31T05:00:00.001-04:002009-07-31T05:00:00.220-04:00

I have a friend who is crazy about The King of Rock & Roll. Since her birthday is coming up, I started looking through our Elvis items to find the perfect gift for her. With all the memorabilia to choose from, it's tough to decide, but I came up with a few themes to work with.Elvis in Your Kitchen: First, this Elvis Coffee Set is a great way to wake up with The King. No brewing necessary -- just

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-73578605428985211352009-07-24T05:00:00.001-04:002009-07-24T05:00:03.645-04:00

I had a late dinner with friends the other night and we started talking about the economy, our jobs and how it seems like everyone's working a little harder these days. One of my friends suggested that I write a blog about fun and whimsical gifts that brighten up the office. Since I have all sorts of do0-dads on my desk that make me smile and lighten up my day, I thought it was a great idea!One

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-75274968591353108062009-07-17T05:00:00.003-04:002009-07-17T05:00:04.207-04:00

Did you know that today's jigsaw puzzle actually started as a "dissected map" back in the 1760s? Map makers glued maps to wood and then cut them into pieces, creating a very successful educational toy that is still used to this day. But puzzling is also an adult pastime, which seems to have put down its strongest American roots during the Great Depression. According to puzzle historian Anne D.

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-55539441196412426982009-07-10T05:00:00.004-04:002009-07-10T05:00:03.826-04:00

Everyone knows at least one person who is a dyed-in-the-wool animal lover. Dog lovers, cat lovers--they all have one thing in common: total devotion. One of my best friends, who is a self-described "dog person" has a birthday coming up. In my search for the perfect gift for her, it occurred to me that some of you might need gift ideas for the critter enthusiasts in your lives, so here are my "

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-79508495760659874132009-07-06T05:00:00.001-04:002009-07-06T05:00:36.210-04:00

"The Greatest Picture in the History of Entertainment." That was the tagline when The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939 and it might hold true even today. The film will be 70 years old next month and it's still one of the best loved American movies of all time. And it was a special effects miracle! Where else could you see a massive tornado, a horse of a different color, flying monkeys and a

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-53989934810445560032009-06-26T05:00:00.002-04:002009-06-26T05:00:11.444-04:00

Last week, I counted down my top five picks of summer fun activities for kids. This week, I wanted to see what I could find to keep the adults occupied during the Dog Days. So, here's my top five countdown for adult summer fun:#5 - Put a new spin on your golf game! Our Bandit Golf Balls will shock and amaze everyone on the course. They're specially designed with a reactive core, aerodynamic

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-22817806481115972762009-06-19T05:00:00.007-04:002009-06-19T05:02:48.481-04:00

School's out, which means it's time to find something for the kids to do with all those free hours. With no time to spare, I came up with my top five countdown of Picks For Summer Fun:#5: Make Something Frosty! Kids always want something icy and sweet on a hot summer day. Here's a great way to keep them busy and give them their favorite treats at the same time. The Freeze Pop Machine lets you

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-83421973799165693732009-06-12T05:00:00.004-04:002009-06-12T05:00:00.312-04:00

There are always little messes at parties. Guests don't mean to, but sometimes they spill things and drop things. One at a time, these accidental puddles and blobs of food debris are easy to deal with, but afterwards, your house can be in shambles. There are carpets to spot-clean, gooey spots of who-knows-what to scrub off of floors and just general clutter. So, not being a housework queen, I

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-85069963577584784872009-06-05T05:00:00.003-04:002009-06-05T05:00:01.089-04:00

Father's Day is approaching, and being the local "gift guru", I've been getting cries for help from people who don't know what to get for their dads this year. "The tie is tired," said one of my friends. Another wants to get something silly or fun for her dad. So, I dug through my gift bag and came up with a few ideas for special, unique and fun ways to honor Dad on his day.My friend's comment

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-59586893823925013232009-05-29T05:00:00.001-04:002009-05-29T05:00:00.524-04:00

Earning a degree is hard work. There are classes to attend, books to read, equations to solve, facts to memorize, papers to write and exams to pass. Just thinking about it wears me out! For all that effort, I think graduates deserve something very special to commemorate and celebrate their victory. Maybe I'm dating myself by saying so, but I have quite a few friends with kids who are graduating

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-19780498318018326122009-05-19T16:54:00.001-04:002009-05-19T16:54:10.230-04:00

The buzz right now is all about Twilight, the first in a series of vampire novels written by Stephenie Meyer. I borrowed a copy from a friend to see what all the excitement is about. Although the books are aimed at older teen readers, I have to admit, it was a page turner. The ending definitely makes you want more, and Meyer obliges her fans with three follow-up books in the series. The

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042382925862162717.post-57603511219493512082009-04-13T08:59:00.001-04:002009-04-13T08:59:40.005-04:00

Do you remember the first Earth Day? It was April 22, 1970, when my generation was first awakened to the idea of becoming more environmentally responsible. Hopefully, you’ve been practicing the mantra of “reduce/reuse/recycle” all these many years and helping to preserve our planet. If not, it’s never too late to start--and I can help! Reduce food waste. Food is expensive. There’s nothing worse

Bettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10897381127611510937noreply@blogger.com