Although they’ve been around for a while, we still love looking at our mugs changing color when we pour the coffee in. And we couldn’t miss the festive version now…

When it’s filled with the hot liquid of your choice, the Heat Sensitive Xmas Mug reveals a decorated Christmas tree ready to brighten up your morning and give you some extra holiday spirit.

And I don’t need to mention this is the perfect stocking stuffer too, right? Maybe the adults won’t be that impressed, but for a kid a mug that changes color is very close to magic.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.98 on Amazon.com.

Bad day? Feeling down? Or maybe it’s corporate life getting to you? Just lift off your pants and look down!

No, this is nothing naughty, just a pair of Smiley Face Socks to brighten up everyone’s day. Yeah, it’s nothing much, but sometimes just knowing that underneath those serious clothes there’s something funky and happy can make things go by easier.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 on Amazon.com.

As Christmas draws near, companies start their winter campaigns. The general strategy: take an everyday object; add a Santa/elf or make it red & white; cash in.

One of the most unfortunate victims of this treatement is the poor Stetson hat: it got turned into a Pimp-Daddy Santa Cowboy Hat. Why would anyone want to be a pimp-daddy cowboy with white fur on their head? One of the great unanswered questions of life.

But hey, I’d be very impressed if someone managed a full Christmas cowboy costume, boots and all. Why stop at the hat?

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.29 on Amazon.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

Sometimes a game can be used to inflict pain. And I don’t mean hitting someone over the head with the box.

The Money Maze Bank Puzzle is a good example of a game which can be fun or horrible, depending on the situation.

Scenario 1, horrible: Aunt May gives you a hefty money present on Christmas… but it’s inside the bank and you need to figure out how to move the ball inside to unlock the trap door. Frustration ensuses.

Scenario 2, fun: Your little brother likes to occassionally “borrow” money from you without asking. Put the dollars in the sneaky bank and watch as he tries and tries and can’t figure how to get it out… Revenge is sweet. And maybe Aunt May’s idea wasn’t so bad.

If you have friends who like mind games (or friends you don’t like very much)… this is the thing for them.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.59 on Amazon.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Flying in space might seem glamorous, but once you seriously think about it there’s a lot of downsides too. The danger aside, it’s simply a new kind of life – a much less comfortable one.

But even though people who have to eat this probably hate it, there’s bound to be some space enthusiats who will get Astronaut Chicken Space Dinner and claim to like it.

To give it its due, at least it’s not difficult to prepare. Space ramen! Or, to be accurate, space freeze-dried chicken and rice, peas and instant chocolate pudding.

It looks like astronauts still do have things like this for lunch even nowadays… so it might be the closest a regular person can get to their lifestyle.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.95 on Amazon.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

Wannabe musicians often use office supplies to fuel their passion when they’re bored, to the distress of their poor co-workers.

If you see them coming in one morning with a pair of Drum Stick Pencils, run as far as possible. They’re purely designed to cause annoyance.

Think about it: what do pencils have inside? Yes, graphite. And what happens with graphite when continuously bumped againt a desk? Indeed, it breaks into tiny little pieces. Result: they can’t be used as pencils anymore, but since they’re already there might as well do some drumming…

No point whatsoever to these, except as silly novelty gift for a drummer. Not for cubicle work unless you want to be lynched.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $8.95 on Amazon.com.

Via OhGizmo

Buying extra tools when the ones you have are perfectly fine is stupid. It’s marketing execs convincing people they need new things.

And I am a victim. Sure, you can cut paper with a pair of scissors, but why go the complicated way when you can have something fancy like the Precision Wrapping Paper Slitter? Even the name suggests something very professional!

Some people are just good at it. Give them a huge chunk of wrapping paper and a rusty knife and they can make the best looking present. But for others it’s a chore with depressing results. If a special slitter can make life easier, I say bring it on!

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

One of the most fascinating things we saw in chemistry class was the way flames changed color if you threw certain substances on an open fire. It’s not an uncommon occurance – hell, it even happens while cooking – but it’s usually accidental, like when a pot happens to be coated in a funny paint.

For a little bit of impressive DYI fire magic, the Mystical Fire is the thing to use. And you don’t need to be in chemistry class to try it. Wherever there’s a fire burning, one tiny satchel can turn the flames blue, green or red for special atmosphere and lots of fun.

Funky Christmas fireplace, anyone? Or save it for next year’s beach party, but make sure you get enough satchels for a large fire.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: £1.49 on BoysStuff.co.uk.

Via DVICE

Talk about branding… There’s no way to forget this one after you first see it.

It’s MomSpit No-Rinse Cleanser!. Now there’s nothing new about the product, everyone knows what a no-rinse “soap” does, but the name sets it apart from any others in its category.

Whether it’s all good… that remains to be discussed. The idea is funny, but also a bit disgusting, so some of the people who notice it might turn away making retching noises. Being cleaned by mum with her own saliva is only ok if you’re 4.

However, if any publicity is good publicity… this will be a hit.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7 on Amazon.com.

Via BoingBoing

Although I wrote about this spider screen cleaner about a month ago, I couldn’t help posting another entry about all his friends.

The Animal Screen Cleaners bring back our spider and add two more to the family: a caterpillar and a fish.

They do two things at once (or almost): hang from the side of the screen looking all cute, and clean it from all that dust. They all come with soft velvet bellies to gather the dirt without scratching the monitor and are about 2″ long… maybe a bit too small for a 20″+ screen, if you think about it, but it depends on how much effort you’re willing to make.

If you want it clean in two swipes, go for something else, but if you’re looking for something to also fill a decoration spot, this is it.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $6.99 for each on PerpetualKid.com.

Via BoingBoing