Buying gifts for your “green” friends is difficult. You can screw up with “regular” presents because, let’s admit it, most aren’t environmentally friendly at all.
A full guide of green gifts is a huge project (and there’s probably one there already), but I can offer a starting point: presents go with greeting cards, so why not buy a special kind. Grow-A-Note Greeting Cards are unique: inside they have easy-to-grow wildflower seeds. Each card is blank, but has instructions on how to grow the flowers, and since paper is biodegradable it won’t make an impact on the environment. You can even plant the whole card and the paper will just decompose as the flowers go.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $6.49 on Amazon.com
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Via TreeHugger
Toys are cute, funny and aimed at children, right?
Wrong. The Avenging Unicorn Play Set is definitely a toy, but I wouldn’t suggest giving it to any child.
This unicorn has had it with its peaceful mythical animal image and is out on a rampage. A businessman, a New Age woman and a mime will all suffer the wrath of the (not so) fluffy unicorn and its 4 different horns. Oh yes, it comes with interchangeable horns for a complete implaling experience: classic spiral, chrome, glow and pearlescent.
Ahh… What can you ask more in life?
…Well, I’d like a fourth figure modeled after a certain neighbour of mine, but you can’t have ‘em all.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.99 on Stupid.com.
Via BoingBoing
Tired? Stressed out? Headache? Why, get a head massage from an alien device!
The Head Spa Medi-Point Massager isn’t really alien, but it sure looks like something from outer space, doesn’t it? It’s actually an acupressure device that’s supposed to stimulate blood circulation and help to relieve stress, which sounds like a good idea. But then the recommended usage is a big no-no, I say. At work? While commuting? Yes, if you want to get a lot of stares and be named the office weirdo. Although fellow commuters and work colleagues would probably appreciate the entertainment.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.95 on GadgetUniverse.com.
Via Gear Diary
One sheep… Two sheep… Three sheep… Sometimes counting sheep really works; the brain probably gets bored with all the fluffy white animals and decides to shut down.
…unless you suffer from insomnia, that is. In which case, like the Insomnia t-shirt very clearly shows, you’re going be be counting a whole lotta sheep… just bouncing around there happily not giving a damn that you want to sleep, now!
Will a funny t-shirt make you feel better? Maybe. At least when you’re not cranky for not getting any sleep.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on Threadless.com.
I think this is going to come as a shock for a couple of people, but… Xbox 360 Achievements aren’t really that important and don’t make you special. Long time spent trying to unlock them might also lead to undocumented bugs in a special type of game called “real life”, especially when interacting with the NPCs from the female species.
Sometimes you might feel you’re on the right way. You’re getting so close to your goal… and then you see it. The Achievement Locked Underwear. It’s going to be a more difficult task than you thought, and Real Life has different rules that even change as you play. Damn sneaky programmers and their sadistic little jokes…
How much under $29.99?
Some: $13.95 on SplitReason.com.
Via TCritic
Unfortunately for people who couldn’t care less about Apple and their products, the iPhone 3G is the most talked about gadget… and has been in the past months. I’m sorry, but the bandwagon is too good not to jump on. And, even though I don’t plan to buy one, I do admit that it’s one beautiful and smart phone. Which anyone would want to keep in one piece. Unless they’re nuts or very rich.
The See Thru Hard Shell Case and Stand does two things: protects the phone and serves as a stand. The protection part is obvious: hard plastic between the fragile touchscreen and shiny back and the elements (keys, pavement a.s.o.). The stand is even cooler: one side of the case simply detaches and reattaches to form the base. Very practical is you want to watch videos.
Nothing out of the ordinary here really, but if you don’t want bells and whistles, this looks like a very good option.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.95 on SpeckProducts.com.
Via Gizmodo
There’s no way for a Star Wars fan to resist this. Real lightsabers sadly haven’t been invented yet, but the Lightsaber LED Torch is the next best thing.
Why is this cooler than other Star Wars lightsaber toys? Well, I’m a practical person, so I very much appreciate the fact that it’s not just a toy, but also a working LED torch. For the Luke-wannabes the other features are probably cooler: it’s shaped like a lightsaber handle and it even makes the power-up noise we all know when it’s turned on or off.
Go ahead. You know you want to slash around with it making “whoosh whoosh” noises.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19.50 on Gadgets.co.uk.
Via Gizmodo
This is officially the weirdest product I’ve even written about. I’ve seen useless and bizarre things before, but most were just ugly, not… this.
Getting to the point: Nose Up Straight-Bridge Makers. As far as I can guess, this device squeezes your nose in the hope of making it straighter. Or something. The Engrish on the package is delicious: “In order to make your little nose clearer, more beautiful and full of happiness, this product is necessary for your nose!”. And, of course, it’s “anti-germ and stink-proof”.
Um, yeah, I’ll take 10. I want my nose to be happy.
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $2.63 on DealExtreme.com.
Via GearDiary
I don’t understand how people can live in the 21st century and still believe evolution is some kind of myth, that Earth is a couple of thousands of years old and maybe flat…
Teach the Controversy say that this pro-evolution anti-wacko atitude is wrong and have a whole range of t-shirts “supporting” the most well-known silly theories. The irony is absolutely delicious.
My favorite (slightly better than the devil burying fossils) is the Turtle Cosmology t-shirt. The “turtles all the way down” is a famous anecdote about the flat Earth and how the universe works, and hey, of course it should be taught in schools, otherwise it’s discrimination!
Given that the elephants don’t feature in the anecdote, but they do in the Discworld novels, I’m going to dub this a Discworld t-shirt and I want it now. The fact that it also makes fun of flat-earthers is an added bonus which makes it even more awesome.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.99 on Controversy.WearScience.com.
I’m not sold on the fake pets concepts yet (ever?), but the Pleo and similar robotic animals are at least intriguing in a way. But the Youdoo Dog is just weird.
You-do-what? It’s a make-your-own dog kit. Inside there’s a plushie dog with no face, a t-shirt, a collar and a transfer sheet. To give the dog a face, the owner has to print a photo onto the transfer sheet and then iron it on the canvas.
Doesn’t that strike anyone as creepy? It’s difficult to find a photo that fits perfectly, so the result is very likely to be a deformed-loooking puppy. Um, so cute. The t-shirt part sounds fun though, as you can print some cool models on the transfer paper to decorate it.
How much under $29.99?
Some: ~$19.50 on PrezzyBox.co.uk.
Via Coolest Gadgets
