Fashion for Fido (Image courtesy of Tree Parlor)

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association’s most recent National Pet Owners Survey, there are about 77.5 million owned dogs in the US. Thirty-nine percent of US households own at least one dog, with nearly one out of four owning two dogs. So chances are you’ve got dog lovers in your life. If you’ve ever wondered how to find unique, wearable gifts for dogs, we’ve got some suggestions.

Paw Paws Collars

Most pet owners want their dogs to reflect them, and that includes the style of collar  their pooch wears. If a plain color won’t do, check out the collars at Paw Paws where they’ve got everything from the Camo Collection for outdoor enthusiasts or the Christmas Collection to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.

Tree Parlor Clothing

You take your dog for a walk, but you end up holding the, um, pooh. It’s not fair, right? Well, give the gift of the Upcycle Saddle Wags from Tree Parlor. It’s a dog outfit made from recycled t-shirts. Pockets are incorporated into the design so the pooch can be the one to carry his own doo-doo.

The Rover Necktie

For sophisticated dogs, check out The Rover Necktie or The Rover Pointed Collar available from Etsy shop RoverDog. At just $15, it’s a fun and unique gift your pet-loving friend will adore.

Custom Tu-Tu

If male doggies get neckties and collars, then females get a custom tu-tu from SugarBearsPamperedPets.com. They come in any size and color– plus they’re completely customizable. With a gift like this everyone will know they’re dealing with a pampered pooch.

Collar Charms

For dogs who prefer not to play dress up, give a clever collar charm from ScootersFriends.com. They come etched with sayings like “Pup Cake” and “Happy Dog.” They’ll attach easily to just about any dog collar. Think of it as bling for Buster!

Give a Group Gift. photo courtesy of adactio

Weddings, births, new jobs– there are lots of occasions where group gift giving makes sense. This increases your buying power and saves time. But group gift giving can be a little tough to organize. Here are some tips to make the process go smoothly.

1. Open the Invitation: Send out an email to people who may be interested in joining together to purchase a gift. Suggest a possible price point for everyone to pitch in.

2. Use an Online Resource: There are several websites designed to help with group gift giving. This means you don’t have to live in the same town or even the same state to organize a group gift. Two sites to check out are FromEveryone.com and eDivvy.com. FromEveryone.com doesn’t have set gift card amounts, the amount is determined by how much the group aggregates. An Organizer is welcome to suggest an amount, but it’s not necessary. There’s a minimum contribution of $5 and a total gift minimum of $50. Also, each individual contribution is confidential, no one sees how much Suzy gave vs. how much Jane gave, just a running total. The site charges a 10% service fee ($.50 for a $5.00 contribution) but there are no shipping, processing, taxes or any other fees. With eDivvy.com, you can shop for a gift on the site and send invitations to people you want to participate. A great feature of this site is that if you collect too much money, everyone will receive a refund check from eDivvy.com.

3. Collect Money Online: PayPal is a great way to collect money for a group gift. Simply log on to your PayPal account and send out an email to each person including the amount owed. They’ll receive instructions on how to pay you through PayPal. You may want to also factor for expenses like shipping, wrapping and a card.

4. Set Some Rules: You may want to decide ahead of time if you want to set rules. For instance, if not everyone can give  the full amount required, will they be allowed to still participate in the group effort? Laying out these rules in the beginning will limit difficult situations in the future.

With these tips, group gift giving should go smoothly. If you are the organizer, keep in mind that collecting money from some people may prove to be difficult, but in the end you’ll be able to get a great gift for someone special in your life.

Pasta Bowl Apron. photo courtesy of She's SO Creative

Today I’d like to introduce you to She’s SO Creative - renowned creators of outrageously clever cards and more witty stuff. I met them at the San Francisco International Gift Fair, last week, and I thought their product was worth mentioning. I hope you do, too!

I particularly like their aprons which make a great birthday, Christmas or hostess gift:

“Pasta Bowl” Apron is packaged in a Parmesan Cheese Container! It literally features a bunch of pasta (Farfalle, Rigatoni, and Rotini) bowling. ($26.50)

French Chicks Apron. photo courtesy of She's SO Creative

“French Chicks” Apron is packaged in a real Egg Carton! It features beret-wearing yellow chicks hanging out, drinking wine and café lattes at Café Le Egg. ($26.50)

“Salad Dressing” Apron is packaged in a take-out Salad Box! It features a salad literally getting dressed: a carrot in pantyhose, a tomato in bra and panties, and lettuce in evening wear and heels. ($26.50)

They also have fun, matching shopping list/notepads ($6.50) and “Witty Wiper” napkins! ($5.50)

ECO-FRIENDLY: Apron packaging is all recycled. And their notepads and napkins are 100% recycled as well and printed with the greenest inks possible.

The products are available nationally via their website She’s SO Creative. Check them out!

Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything (Photo Courtesy of PHPhoto2010)

We all have them in our lives– the person that has everything. And any time a holiday, birthday or special occasion comes around finding the perfect present becomes more difficult than an expert-level Sudoku puzzle. These days, more people seem to have disposable income. That means if they want something, they buy it for themselves which creates a tough situation for gift-givers. Here are a few tips for finding the right gift for the person who already has everything.

Add to a Collection

Does the person collect antique knives or Chuck Norris memorabilia? Then simply add to their collection. Usually when a person loves something enough to collect it, they’ll appreciate any gift that enhances their collection. The only thing that could be tough about this gift is that it may get expensive depending on what they’re collecting.

Go Charitable

If the person already has everything, make a donation in their name. Better yet, let them pick the charity with a gift card from JustGive.org. You pick the amount and the design of the ecard. Then the recipient chooses which charity to give the donation to, making them an important part of the gift giving process.

Try Food

Just about everyone loves food. And even if a person already has everything, they still need food! Pick out a food gift with a story like the Mortgage Apple Cake at BakeMeaWish.com. Angela Logan originally sold the cakes to help pay her mortgage. Or give the gift that keeps giving with a food-of-the-month club like the one offered by Bangerang Bake Shop. Your loved one will get one delicious cupcake a month for six months.

Give an Experience

No matter how much stuff a person has, they can always use a fresh life experience. So instead of giving them a new shirt or a book, give them an unforgettable experience. Use a website like Cloud9Living.com to select an experience that will fit any budget or location. If the person is less adventurous, choose something like a massage or a round of golf. If they love a good adrenaline rush, give them the chance to bungee jump or try out a trapeze. It’s definitely a gift they’ll remember.

Keep in Touch with Friends by Sharing a Journal. photo courtesy of The Travelling Journal

Just about everyone has a long distance relationship– it could be a romantic one, a family member or a close friend. Job commitments, school obligations and military deployments take us away from the people we love. Maybe your former co-worker moved across town, or maybe your cousin headed to another state. We are a country of movers and we’re not just moving away from our spouses, distance is coming between friendships, too. According to Census statistics, in 2009 12.5% of people moved, with one out of three moving at least to another county, some to another country. Staying connected with those friends is tough, but one way to let them know you care is by sending a gift. Here are some gift ideas that will help you stay connected with loved ones who are far away.

DVD

A DVD may not sound like a very personal gift, but sometimes it’s the simple things like going to a movie together that people miss most with long distance relationships. Pick out a movie you’ll both enjoy and make plans to watch it the same night– even if you are in different states or time zones. Then you can talk about the movie next time you’re on the phone together.

The Traveling Journal

Started by five friends who grew up together in a small Iowa town, TheTravelingJournal.com offers a way to stay connected with friends and loved ones in a more personal way than Facebook or text messages. The idea is simple– pick out a journal, write in it and send it on its way. There are plenty of available accessories to enhance the experience, but soon you and your long distance loved ones will be sharing the intimate details of life on the pages of your Traveling Journal. And don’t worry about over-spending on postage. Every journal is designed to fit in a flat rate box from the USPS. Another positive? It will give the mail carrier something besides bills to deliver to your home.

Pre-Paid Phone Cards

Do you spend a lot of time on the phone with your long distance friends? Send them a pre-paid phone card so they can dial you up without worrying about racking up a big bill. Plus you’ll be letting them know that you enjoy hearing their voice.

Custom Stationery

Give your friends and family members a good reason to keep in touch with cute custom note cards from FabulousStationery.com. A pack of 100 Mini Notes will cost you $55 and should last a while. If you really want to make sure they use them, include a book of stamps, too.

Keep Prices To Yourself (Photo courtesy of Sylvar)

Sometimes you find a great gift on sale. And sometimes you spend way more on one parent than you do on the other. Whatever your reason, you don’t always want people to know what you spent on a gift. Here are five ways to keep your gift’s price hidden.

Make Sure the Price Tag is Removed

This may sound obvious, but we’ve all received gifts with price tags still attached. This tacky faux-pas is a quick way to make sure people know exactly how much your gift cost. Even if you’re getting the gift professionally wrapped, ask if  the tag was removed. And if you got the gift on sale, make sure any sticker residue left behind by a sale tag is also wiped clean.

Alert Companies that It’s a Gift

If you’re buying a gift online, make sure there is an option for giving your purchase as a gift. This will remove any mention of price from packing slips and should mean that a receipt is not included in the box. If the company you’re buying from doesn’t have this option there’s a good chance that, along with your gift, your loved one will get your receipt, too.

Buy From Obscure Sources

Your circle of friends may eat at the same restaurants and shop in the same stores. That means if you buy a gift from the places you all visit there’s a strong possibility they’ll know what you paid. Try shopping in stores that are off your beaten path. And when you find great places for purchasing gifts, keep that little secret to yourself.

Don’t Include a Gift Receipt

Gift receipts can be handy if people want to exchange or return your gift. But they can still figure out what you paid. So if you really don’t want to let anyone know what you paid, avoid including a gift receipt.

Avoid Registries

Obviously when people register for cake plates and crib sheets they know how much the items cost. So if you  want to keep your gift contribution on the down-low, don’t buy something off the registry. You’ll keep your expenditures under wraps while still hopefully getting them a great gift.

Keep Your Cool This Summer (Photo Courtesy of Auntie K)

Is anyone else feeling a little toasty? It’s been hot and humid here in South Carolina. These warm temperatures are making me desperate for ways to cool off. If you want to help others beat the heat this summer with some fabulous gifts we’ve got a few that would work wonders at cooling down your loved ones.

Popsicle Maker

There’s nothing quite like an ice cold frozen Popsicle on a hot day. But store bought ones are filled with sugar. Give someone the Norpro Frozen Pop Maker so they can create their own chilly treats. It’s $16.99 at CentralChef.com and comes with ten molds and a stainless steel lid.

Water Balloon Slingshot

Take the water balloon fight to a whole new level with the Water Balloon Slingshot from Target. The set comes with a target, but your recipient probably already has bulls eye in mind. This is a fun gift for anyone to enjoy on a hot day– not just kids.

Personal Mister

It’s amazing what a light mist of water can do to cool you down. Help your friends and family members keep cool at sporting events, on the golf course or while lounging on the patio with the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Misty Mate 8. It’s a personal mister that pressurizes easily by hand and releases a refreshing ultra-fine mist. It’s $39.99 at Sports Authority.

Frosty Freezer Mugs

In the summer heat it doesn’t take long for an ice cold drink to become as warm as hot cocoa. And there’s nothing refreshing about that. Give the gift of a refreshing beverage on a hot day with this set of six Frosty Freezer Mugs. Simply pop them in the freezer and fill with a cold drink when you’re ready. You’ll be able to enjoy your cool beverage without worrying about it getting watered down by melting ice cubes.

Fun Sprinkler

Who needs a swimming pool when you’ve got a sprinkler? Give some summer fun with the Fisher-Price Froggy Fun Sprinkler. Your friends and family can water the grass while keeping cool and having a blast this summer.

SEEDS OF THE MONTH CLUB

The name of the company offering this Month Club is Mike the Gardener Enterprises, LLC and it’s based out of Burlington, NJ. The subscribers of the  Seeds of the Month Club receive 4 packs of seeds to their home every month.

You can only subscribe online and currently they are running a promotion where if you sign up in the month of June you can try the club out risk free for a month then pay only $1.99 per month thereafter if you decide to stay a member.

Very affordable and a great gift idea for dads who love gardening.

###

SOAP OF THE MONTH CLUB

With the “Soap of the Month Club” membership offered by Magic Senses, your dad will receive 2 bars of their fabulous handcrafted glycerin soap per month, for 12 consecutive months. The soap is shipped out during the first week of every month.

They have a deal for our readers: when you order before June 30th 2010 and mention “I love my dad” in the comment section, he’ll get an additional month for FREE!

Price: $19.50 per month (shipping is included)

###

SOCKSCRIPTIONS

Blacksocks is a web site that delivers socks by sockscription; aimed at busy Dads and those who tend to lose socks. The basic subscription is 3 pair/3 times a year-delivered every 4 months for a total of 9 pair.  The socks are made in Milan-high quality. Total price is $89 and it includes shipping anywhere.

Blacksocks made a special offer to your audience providing a free pair of socks to anyone who orders a subscription before Father’s Day. If you mention “1 Happy Corner” in the referred by section when placing the Father’s Day gift, they will send an extra pair FREE with the first shipment.

I would like to introduce you to “The Next Great American Outdoor Game”:

MY POLE-ISH HORSESHOES (MPH) is a young adult game that provides friends and family with hours of outdoor competition and fun. MPH is the only Polish Horseshoes game that can be played on any outdoor surface andcomes with two poles that never need resetting.

My Pole-ish Horseshoes game set comes with a propriety custom designed base which keeps the game moving at a much faster pace. I’ts for the real players!

No more ski poles, playing with a single pole stuck into the ground, and no more resetting the pole over and over again. You can play My Pole-ish Horseshoes at the beach, in the back yard, tail-gating, on vacation, while camping or on campus.

The game set comes with the following:

•Two high quality non chip lightweight 54” poles
•Unique custom bases that require no resetting after shots – so the action is faster-paced and more exciting
•Competition quality 9” Frisbee™ for powerful, accurate throws
•Six color combinations of games sets to choose from

This is the perfect Father’s Day gift idea! And not only! It is an outdoor game that can provide endless hours of entertainment and competition among friends and family.

The Deal:

My Pole-ish Horseshoes game set: $60 $50

What man doesn’t want a big flat screen TV? But men that are also thoughtful fathers have to worry that a TV that’s resting on a media console could be tipped over by rambunctious children.

What to do? Mount it on the wall, of course. But isn’t a TV mount sort of a boring gift? Not if you buy the Power55 by OmniMount: this remote-controlled TV mount gives Dad the power — and keeps his kids safe from harm. Now that TV is secure on the wall (saving living space too!) and he can tilt, pan and swivel to the perfect viewing angle with the touch of a button. With an MSRP of almost $600, Dad will know how much he’s loved this June.

Interesting fact: the folks at DIY Network’s ManCaves loved it so much, they’ve added one of these to nearly every episode in season 6 (shooting now).

For more information, please visit the Omnimount website.

The Deal:

You can probably find this product in many stores but the best deal we could find was for almost $210 off:

Remote Controlled Motorized Flat Panel Mount: $620.98 $389.22