Just a short note for those of you who is thinking of buying an electronic book reader Kindle: on Wednesday, July 8, Amazon has reduced a price of its prized reader to $299 from $359.

 
If you need more information, read this article at:
News.cnet.com
And don’t forget to read a lot of helpful comments, too. You future vacations and free time may depend on it.

 
If you received this post by electronic mailing and can’t see the image of Kindle Reader provided at the top, please click on the title of the post to be transferred to the site.

 

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When was the last time you played with the Rubik Cube? How much time did you spend trying to position those sides and colors, only to give up at the end? Are you still wondering how it’s done? Or were you able to solve it?

 
If you still are that person who tries to solve the puzzle, you’d be happy to know that the inventor of the Rubik Cube professor Ernö Rubik had invented a new gadget for you: Rubik’s 360.
It’s been 20 years since his last invention and the professor says that this one is much simpler.

 
“Rubik’s 360, which goes on sale next week, features six small balls inside three interlocking spheres. The task is to lock each ball into colour-coded capsules on the outermost sphere. Professor Rubik said of his cube that it was “easy to understand the task, but hard to work out the solution”. It is just as aggravating to crack the 360. ”

 
Judging by the reaction of the Times Online staff, which published the news, it isn’t, but you’ll have your say when you get you hands on it it . Meanwhile, read the article here: Timesonline.co.uk and see a good picture of it as well.

 
Meanwhile, you can order it from Amazon.com for $14.99. It should be shipped within 1-2 months.

 
And if you can’t wait to see how it works, here is the Youtube video for you: Rubik’s 360 Demonstration.

 

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It’s only a month left until February 14, and if you think of a gift, it’s time to move.
Of course, there are still holiday sales going on and you can buy some jewelry. You may buy flowers.  And, of course, there are always book store options, gift baskets, hobby items or a gift of wine.

 
Now, consider a wine with a message (not in the bottle, but on the label).

 

 
Personalized Wines have an an array of offerings: personalized wines, champagne, gift boxes, accessories, labels.
The prices start from $8 and choices are numerous.
All you have to do is submit a photo of yourself, the recipient, or whatever image (hopefully, decent) you have in mind, and you have an unusual present to present.

 
Also, if you consider a gift of chocolate, I suggest you try Recchiuti Confections.

 
It is so different from anything I’ve tried before, that I feel I must tell you about it. It’s rich, it’s creamy, it’s tasty. The presentation, the taste and the smell are absolutely exquisite, surprising in its intensity and unexpectedly complex and delicious in taste.
You may watch a video about the company and its production here.
Try this chocolate. You won’t regret it.

 
If wine or chocolate is not an option, you may check this site: CafePress
Enter a word (cat, cards) in a search box and find an abudance of items depicting your interests: t-shirts, calendars, home gifts, cards, stationary, etc.  Sift through the choices and order.

 
Consider yourself ready for the  Valentine Day.

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Via: Appliancist.com

 
4. Coffee Bean Canister
“An ultimate protector against oxygen which surely ruins the best coffee, the BeanVac coffee bean canister stores a pound of fresh coffee quite safely. By removing the air from the container, the beans last much longer. Equipped with a simple yet effective battery-powered pump that sucks out the air to create a partial vacuum inside the chamber, the BeanVac coffee bean canister eliminates oxidization and extends the deliciousness and lifetime of your beans, keeping your coffee beans fresh for weeks.” You may buy it at Amazon: Coffee Bean Canister for $40.00.
 
There are a few less expensive versions with a lesser price and less features as well:More Coffee Bean Canisters.
Via: www.appliancist.com
 
5. Pan with the Digital Thermometer
I, personally, would consider it a gadget, but then again, I am not a pro.”This pan comes with thermometer integrated into its handle.” The price: $50.00.
Find it at: www.appliancist.com.

 
Last Christmas I wrote about a panini maker, which you may consider this season as well: Panini is a glamorized sandwich.

 
There is also a last year’s post: Holiday shopping in 3 hours or less which you may find interesting. The links may not be up-to-date, but you get an idea.

 
Happy Shopping! Please, share this gift of information with your friends.

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First, Personalized Gifts and Holiday Greetings with  Google Templates from Google Docs.
There are templates available for party invitation, gift tags and even gift certificates. Imagine: you print out your own gift certificate, insert it in the envelope with personalized real or virtual card and a written promise or a check, and viola!. Very personal and even generous gift with a lot of time left for real celebration of being close.

 
On the other hand, who said all the greeting cards have to depict winter Holidays? Besides, some people have birthdays, aniversaries and many other important things to remember. In this case a bouquet of flowers (in form of the painting) by an artist “of the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism and Romanticism periods” would be an appropriate gift.
For that I’d like you to check out Web Gallery of Art: Here. 
“The Web Gallery of Art is a virtual museum and searchable database of European painting and sculpture from 12th to mid-19th centuries.”

You may send (by email) any picture of the collection as a postcard, and even have an option to attach a music to it.
All you have to do is to choose a painting and enter your own greeting text. You may change the background of the card (not painting) and the color of the text.  It’s fun, it’s original, it relays the message.

 
Christmass theme paintings are available also.
And, by the way, while you enjoy the Gallery, you may listen to a music as well.

 
Then, you may even combine these two ideas. From the comfort of your home (or office?) you may deliver as many gifts as you wish, and still,  you always have an option to deliver something material in addition to this virtual card, later.

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1. At the Wedding Ring Workshop USA, the happy couple or a party of one, who’s set to surprise his/her partner can, using the metal and stones of their choice, within a few hours design and make wedding rings for each other. Experienced jeweler at their site will guide and help; session includes a disposable camera to monitor the progress and get the picture of the unique experience for the posterity.

 
2. At A Butterfly Affaire, which is in Hemet, CA you will find an absolutely divine way to enhance any event: releasing butterflies. Individually packed and carefully delivered, they arrive at the wedding in a healthy state. Many clients like this idea, because it’s less messy, than rice throwing and more humane, than releasing domesticated doves into the wild. You may watch the video about this service at the company’s site.
 

3. With women always doing most of the planning and running the show, many of the mens’ needs were left unfulfilled. Now there is a help in a form of The Man Registry. This site is created by the man and for the men: answering questions, helping create their part of the registry, hinting at thing a groom always wanted to know, but was afraid to ask. Now every groom can be equally involved in the wedding planning and receive more attention, too.

 
Source: Entrepreneur 

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Here is the product, which may make your travelling life easier: iGo Stowaway Keyboard at Amazon. While the price is $29.99, check it out and don’t forget to read the comments, please.

 
Since the keyboard is so close to your phone for the duration of the usage, you are forced to notice it and pack away, when finished. If you still manage to leave it behind, it’s not as painful, as a lost computer.
Read an article at www.news.com and make your decision.

 
It’s a perfect gift for any occasion, too.

 
Shop at Amazon.com

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“The Aquavista 500 combines beauty with technology. It’s a patented, self-contained wall mounted aquarium that hangs like framed art.
The Aquavista 500 is a complete setup, containing everything you need to keep fish. The aquarium comes pre-assembled with proprietary wet-dry filtration, air pump, overhead lighting, heating system, and a programmable LCD display control panel which simplifies control. It sets up in under five minutes-including programming, and hangs with the included custom steel mounting bracket. You only need to add fish!”
It could be a great gift to yourself or to anybody, who’s ever expressed a desire for it. 

 
The price: $299.99 + fish.
For more info and the picture click here:
www.smarthome.com

 
If after aquiring your aquarium you start thinking about yoga, here is your starting point:”How to start doing yoga” article, which should help you.
Yoga.About.com

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Find a perfect way to commemorate someone’s Birthday, Wedding Anniversary or other Special Occasion. Get an original archive Newspaper from a date & city of your choice.
www.newspapersremembered.com

 
If you don’t think, it’s a good idea to remind a recipient about his/her age, give them a subscription to the newspaper or magazine they would enjoy reading.

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Get a piece of paper, or open an electronic file (whatever you prefer), divide the page vertically in 2 columns and on the left side of it list all the people for who you intend to get a gift. On the right side, across from the name, write the item you think you’ll buy for that person or place a question mark. If you think, that all three of your nieces should get identical sweaters, it’s fine, really, write it down for now. (As long as you know them well enough to even entertain such a thought). When you scroll down on my list, you might get some more ideas. Try to visualize a person, when you think of the gift associated with the name and start making your choices.

 
Books: bestsellers or hobby related – your choice.

 
Music: modern or classical for you to choose.

 
Jewelry: buy it from a store, where you may look and touch, unless you know exactly what you need.

 
Food
Bentley’s Tea in a wood grain tea chest – $21.43
Very classy presentation. Contains 60 packets of black (regular and flavored) and green tea.
I’ve been buying for myself and gifting it for the last couple of years. Bentley’s Tea
Now, add some Hershey’s dark chocolate product, done. Hershey’s Chocolate

 
Beauty Products
I do not recommend any perfume, because it’s a very personal choice.
Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner may appeal to many, who strive to have long and thick eyelashes. $139.00 and it works. Read the reviews, too. Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner

 
Clothes for women:
Cashmere sweater. For any woman in your life. Try not to choose anything with prominent Christmas or Halloween ornaments, because it limits the use.
Women’s Cashmere Sweaters 
Read the comments and then choose a style and a color. Don’t forget to indicate a size.

 
Pashmina-Cashmere Shawl. It’s great for keeping a woman worm, and to complete an outfit, too. $23.99 Pashmina Shawls

 
Pashmina-Silk Paisley Self-design Shawl / Wrap / Stole – 36 Colors, $15.90-$23.99
Pashmina Silk Shawls

 
Scarves. The choices are abundant. The prices vary.  Scarf

 
Electronics:

 
Amazon’s new Wireless Reading Device: Kindle $399.00, and out of stock as of now.
Amazon Book Reader: Kindle

 
If you can’t get an iPhone, get something useful to compliment it:
The Book “How to do everything with your iPhone” is new from www.lifehacker.com guys – $16.49. How to…iPhone Book

 
Panini Maker
Have your sandwich grilled to perfection with you choice of the panini maker. Panini Maker
Add a book full of recipes, and you have you gift ready to go. Panini Recipes Book

 
Toaster-Microwave Combo
SHARP R-55TS Warm & Toasty Toaster and Microwave Combo $124.88 Toaster-Microwave Combo
It’ll fit into a rental unit’s kitchen better, then 2 separate items.

 
Toaster-Oven by Black & Decker $35.93
Toaster-Oven
And more to choose from here:
More choices for toaster-oven

 
More cooking items:
Dutch oven. (Keep in mind, it may be heavy for some women). Many models, and “101 things to do with a Dutch Oven” book here:
Dutch Ovens and Cookbooks

 
Coffee Maker. Many choices here: Coffee Maker
and Espresso Machines here: Espresso Machine

 
Some books on this subject:
Books on Espresso Cooking
Now, add some coffee (beans or ground) and the gift is ready.

 
Cookbooks:
Julia Child. “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” $21.45 (Not available for delivery before Christmas).)
Julia Child. “Mastering French Cooking”

 
Jacques Pepin Kitchen: “Cooking with Claudine”. (Available from other sellers, but other Pepin’s books are in stock). Nice and easy to follow recipes. French Cuisine.
Jacques Pepin. “Cooking with Claudine”

 
Barefoot Contessa cookbooks:
Barefoot Contessa

 
For Men:
Cashmere Sweater $59.99.
Read the reviews. Order a size larger, it runs small. Black and charcoal gray are usually the most favored colors. Men’s V Neck Cashmere Sweater

 
Lee Jeans Men’s Comfort Braided Belt $17.99
Men’s Lee Jeans Comfort Stretch Braided Belt

 
Lee Men’s Reversible Belt with Silver Buckle – $15.99 Men’s Lee Reversible Silver Buckle Belt

 
Check hobby items for fishing, hunting, hiking, golf, etc.

 
Table or Electronic Games is a good choice good for many families.
Consider ordering tickets to the sporting events, musicals and theater performances.

 
For Children: Books and Educational Games, Toys.

 
For Home:
Flannel Sheets Set (if you know the size):
Flannel Sheets Set

 
Think about a www.netflix.com membership for a specified amount of time.

 
To see more gift choices check my previous post here: Unique Gifts/ 

 
Good Luck!

 
Shop at Amazon.com

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