Recently in Gifts Category

With Thanksgiving less than a week away, everyone is preparing for the launch of the Holiday Season. Whether it be dusting off the roasting pan, looking for the turkey baster, planning your table settings, or getting a head start on gifts, there is work to be done. Luckily, Macy's is having a sale on everything you need for the perfect holiday.

Shop Macy's this weekend and get 5.0% Cash Back (increased for our November Holiday Double Cash Back month) and save 20-50% off plus everyday values with free shipping on orders of $99 or more with code READY at checkout. Save on bed & bath items, holiday decor, kitchen, luggage, entertaining, clothing, and accessories for the whole family. I clicked over to the Macy's homepage to shop for much needed home entertaining items (my guests need napkins other than paper towels) and was enamored by their spectacular holiday gift guide. With helpful categories like gifts under $25 and gifts for him, it is easy to find the right gift at the right price while you pick up some necessary holiday items this weekend at Macy's.

While clicking through the categories, I found this special edition MAC Do The Trick Brush Set for $49.50 with 5.0% Cash Back. MAC makes the best brushes on the planet and every year during the holidays they release a special value, limited edition gift set. Since a beauty obsession runs in the family, I will pick up this set for my mom's stocking and earn some cash back for myself!

Want more cash back? Want more deals? Don't miss Ebates Black Friday extravaganza!

I'll be frank, when it comes to buying gifts, I'm all about saving money. Makes sense since I have nearly a dozen people to shop for. Helping ease my financial woes is Kohls. Not only are they part of Ebates November Double Cash Back, but they feature a Holiday Gift Shop dedicated to gifts neatly categorized from over $100 to under $25. The following are just a few of my favorite picks arranged, of course, by price point.

Gifts Under $100
What do parents need or want that they can't buy themselves? The answer is nothing, so instead of buying things they'll use, go to plan b and buy them things they like. My dad loves the New England Patriots (and anything fleece) and my mom likes (read: is addicted to) cookbooks. The answer? One New England Patriots Fleece Jacket and one Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook. Both come out to $100, and both are just what they would want. 



Gifts Under $50
What could be better for the college student (like my brothers) sick of popcorn chicken than a George Foreman Grill? This one is just $33.99 and it's a fast and safe way for my siblings to cook something that isn't fried and doesn't require a microwave.



Gifts Under $25
A teenagers love for pajama bottoms never ceases to amaze me. What is it that makes wearing pajama bottoms with reindeer or teddy bears cool? Answering this is like finding the meaning of life, so rather than scratch my head I found these Plush Pajama Pants for just $12.99. At such an affordable price I can buy my little sister a few pairs and supply her with nearly a week's worth of clothing.

Get double cash back on your gifts with November Double Cash Back!

When it comes to shopping for Holiday gifts, I often do the majority of my shopping for gifts at Sephora. This year, with their participation in our November Double Cash Back month, I have even more incentive to do my holiday shopping there. Offering 8.0% Cash Back and a ton of free gift and shipping coupons, Sephora through Ebates is the place to be this year. With best-selling gifts from last year, like this Scent Sampler (with more varieties) back for another season and new gift collections in skincare, makeup, and fragrance from virtually every beauty brand Sephora carries, there is literally something for everyone at Sephora with increased cash back.
Even better than having a gift for every recipient on your list, Sephora has made the process a cinch with a new and improved gift guide: shop by personality (The Luxe Girl, The Natural Beauty, Men's, and more), gift type (stocking stuffer, corporate gifts, gift card) and price (with ranges from $25 and under to $50 and over). One of the irresistible new additions to the gift set arsenal is this My First Makeup Kit Deluxe Sampler, an $89 value and just $32. While this is a great kit for someone new to makeup, it is also suitable for virtually anyone looking for the perfect travel-size beauty kit to keep you looking gorgeous.

Get 8.0% Cash Back at Sephora on gifts, gadgets, and more! Want more cash back? Shop all twenty of our November Double Stores.

You Better Watch Out...You Better Not Cry... and if even if you do pout, it won't stop the holidays approaching faster than a speeding sleigh. In some places temperatures are still topping 80 degrees, but other parts of the country have already experienced falling snow and cold snaps below 20 degrees leaving no doubt that summer is over and it's time to start making that list and checking it twice. 

If you drag your feet like I do, the holiday planning process starts some time around December 15th. Unfortunately that usually means a poor selection of gifts, crowds, and a mad dash to mail the holiday cards.

Sleigh bells ring - are you listening? Here's a great website, CurrentCatalog.com, that's a procrastinator's salvation. Whether you celebrate Christmas Hanukkah, Kwanza or something in between, their unbeatable selection of holiday greeting cards - personalized for free - will save you time, money, and last-minute trouble:

FREE Shipping on any order of $40+ from CurrentCatalog.com: Halloween, Kids Crafts, Holiday Gift Wrap & more. Offer expires 10/31/09.

Are you tired of giving the men ties, women slippers, and the kids gift cards? Again Current Catalog comes to the rescue with unique gifts at affordable prices. One of our family and friends favorites this year is the new Personalized Canvas Prints. You can even use your own photo for a truly personal touch.




And if it's something small and memorable you're after, the Santa and Elf Treat Pants will be hanging around for many holidays to come:

CurrentCatalog.com will also help wrap up your shopping early with seasonal gift paper, tags, decorated boxes, bells, bags and bows.

So kick back, relax and let Current Catalog be your one-stop shopping source for happy holidays without the hassle! Plus, put a little back in your stocking with 3.0% Cash Back through Ebates!

We've all seen a movie in which the lead woman sends herself flowers or candy to make it look like she's being pursued. The goal is to make herself seem unavailable (because all men love a chase), and thus more attractive to her love interest. While this may work in the romantic comedy genre, in real life it's just weird. This isn't to say I don't love buying myself flowers, because I do. I just don't attach cards that read "can't stop thinking of you".

With that being said, when I do buy myself flowers for no other reason than wanting flowers, I shop at 1-800-Flowers. Between money saving 1-800-Flowers coupons, and other great deals, I'm able to spoil myself on a single gal's budget. Which, coincidentally, happens to be single as well. I don't despair though, because with bouquets like this 50 Blooms of Spray Roses selling for $19.99, the affordable options are endless. Like all purchases at 1-800-Flowers, you'll get 5% Cash Back from Ebates, and find other great deals.

So you see, there are discrete, acceptable ways to shower yourself with love. And if the cute guy who lives downstairs happens to notice, well then that's acceptable too.   

Save more with Ebates coupons!

They say that chivalry is dead. Personally speaking, I admit that it has, in fact, been a while since I received a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. And while I could blame that on the economy, there is truly no excuse for not sending flowers when you have cash back and ProFlowers coupons. So instead of letting another flower-less day go by, I have decided to seize the day (and some deals) and take advantage of all the ProFlowers coupons Ebates has to offer and get myself some flowers.

Shop ProFlowers and find deals like a Proflower coupon for flowers starting at just $19.99 with a free vase. No code is required and you can choose from a wide variety of beautiful flowers that don't cost a lot, but don't look cheap either. In addition to money saving Proflowers coupons, get 10% Cash Back when you shop though Ebates. So bring back chivalry or send some love to yourself for less.

Find more ways to save with coupons and cash back at Ebates!

It's mid-summer, romance should hopefully be in the air, and nothing says "let me romance you up" quite like flowers. I've been reading on various blogs about women discussing the wildly romantic gestures made by their menfolk who have showered them in flowers. Being both frugal and single, if I'm going to woo any young lady, I sure as heck had better be getting something back in return. Money wise - get your mind out of the gutter!

To assure that I can say I have secure finances, I can use FTD coupons to purchase those blooming beauties that I want to give to a blooming beauty. Most FTD coupons seem to be for 15% off, which when paired with 12% Cash Back from Ebates puts enough cash into my pocket to pay for the first round of cocktails on a first date.

So buy something special to be romantic or just spruce up your tabletop, and make sure you shop at FTD and use FTD coupons to save even more.

Find more great gifts in our Gifts and Floral Category.

Image © Tom Grill/Corbis

Devoted SATC fans such as myself will recall the episode when Carrie's brand new Manolo's are stolen during a baby shower. When the host scoffs at the cost of replacement, Carrie follows suit and registers at Manolo Blahnik. After all, if thousands of women are entitled to gifts in celebration of weddings, baby showers, etc. Why shouldn't she register in celebration of herself? It's with this mantra that I've decided to splurge and buy myself the ring I've always dreamed of. While normally this kind of venture would be too costly, with the help of HSN coupons and 3% Cash Back, celebrating myself just became manageable.

As stated before, I have a panache for costume jewelry and this Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring combines luxurious gems with funky design. Priced $600 less than appraised value, this ring is just one of the many deals to be found at HSN. With plenty of HSN coupons, spoiling yourself never cost so little. So go ahead, celebrate you!

Save more with Ebates coupons! 

Whether you've got a small business, or just like to buy in bulk, Sams Club has always been a great place to get lots of stuff at ridiculously low prices. But for so, so long, you could never find Sams Club coupons or get any sort of break on necessities like gallon jars of mayonnaise, 500-count snack packs, and actual boxes of candy. But no more! With 1% Cash Back at Sams Club, you can save on every purchase, regardless of size!

Even though you still have to be a card-carrying member of Sam's elite Club, the amazing values and deals on practically everything and anything just can't be beat. Plus, with shipping to your local Sam's Club, you can save big bucks on shipping all those massive things!

While we're currently low on Sams Club coupons, there's no reason to worry! You'll always get cash back on the best sales and deals at Ebates.

Guess what! Father's Day is coming up! Guess what else! Here at Ebates we have double cash back at Dell Home Systems in honor of Father's Day!

Now you all know entirely too well that Dell has a vast array of laptops, desktops, monitors, mice, printers, faxes, and all that other computer-related jazz. The question is: do you realize that Dell also sells digital cameras? How about unlocked cell phones? Video game consoles? They got 'em. Giant TVs, Blu-Ray players, and home theater systems? Oh, you better believe they've got those.

So, you know there is double cash back right now, but did you realize we also have Dell Home coupons? Oh yeah, Ebates is always looking out for you, with great deals, killer sales, and all sorts of other ways to help save you money. So browse around a bit, take advantage of the discounts, and find something for Dad, or just yourself!

Or check out any of our other Electronics merchants for other great sales and products.

If you folks didn't grow up with a tinkerer, you don't know what you're missing. By age ten I was proficient with a soldering gun; I could drop a new capacitor into a PCB board with ease. Nothing couldn't be fixed without some super glue, maybe some duct tape, and the right tools. Where most people saw broken appliances or ready-to-be-scrapped cars, my dad saw a wealth of spare parts just waiting to be utilized.

So it is in honor of my dad and his tinkering ways that I volunteered myself to write about the great specials at Radio Shack, who, during our Father's Day Promotion, have gone from 2 to 4% Cash Back. If your father (or any member of your family, really) isn't the tinkering type, don't be dissuaded; there are all sorts of great deals on everything from cell phones to stereo equipment. Plus, with Radio Shack coupons, you can pile on the savings even higher, which would make good ol' Dad proud.

Check out all the other great deals in our Father's Day Promotion!

If asked to describe HSN, I would probably ramble on about how much I adore Destination Style by Pat Field, or how my obsession with jewelry by Jay King borders on psychotic, but the truth is when it comes to shopping for men on this site, I draw a blank. Sure I know HSN carries today's hottest products, but even I, the shopping obsessed, had no idea how many amazing items there are for men. With Father's Day a mere week away, my time to buy is running out. As part of Ebates Father's Day extravaganza, I'll earn double cash back or 6% at HSN.

From Todd English cookware to TomTom navigation systems, HSN offers something for every dad. For those on a budget, and who isn't these days, you'll love saving even more with HSN coupons like 15% savings for new customers, and $15 off orders over $75. No matter what type of dad you're shopping for, head over to HSN for coupons, deals, and other special offers!

Shop Ebates for Father's Day deals and increased cash back!

With only eleven days separating you from Father's Day, it's not uncommon for panic to set in. Before poor buying decisions are made, remember that you've got Home Depot and Ebates. From now until Father's Day, you'll earn 5% Cash Back at Home Depot, while saving on countless items with Home Depot coupons. So stop worrying about what to get dad. With Home Depot and Ebates, you'll find the perfect gift at the perfect price.

Home Depot makes it easy to shop for every dad, whether he's a sports enthusiast, a culinary king, or Mr. do-it-yourself. Check out the gift center and shop by price or by personality. Receive up to a 30% discount on select items in the savings center, as well as online rebates. Not only will you find the ideas necessary for acquiring the perfect gift, but you'll also enjoy free shipping on orders over $149. With so many ways to save, you'll never have to shop anywhere else!

Shop Ebates Father's Day Merchants and earn even more cash back!

Celebrate Father's Day with a personalized gift from Snapfish By HP, a leading digital and film photo hosting site where you can print and share your photos then create personalized gifts, albums, and frames. Shop Snapfish and get a staggering 15% Cash Back from Ebates (its like 15% off your entire order!) and special deals and Snapfish coupons for additional savings.

Head over to Snapfish now and enjoy fifty free prints and free shipping on orders of $30 or more with coupon code SHIP30 at checkout. So make Father's Day special this year and upload some of your favorite family photos, get plenty of prints and find a great gift for Dad like a personalized coffee mug, photo album, cards, posters and much more. Get the right gift at the right price in a quick and efficient manner from Snapfish, through Ebates and get double digit cash back!


Shop all of our Father's Day Merchants with increased cash back and coupons galore! Or, Shop all online stores.

I am not yet a father, but I will tell you this much right now, dear Ebates users: when I become one, I only want my children to give me gifts that I can barbecue and eat. For my money, the best place to get said edibles is Omaha Steaks. Throughout the course of our Father's Day Promotion, Omaha has upped their cash back, so now through the 21st, you can enjoy 6% Cash Back at Omaha Steaks -- now that's a tasty little morsel of cash back goodness!

Now, extra cash back isn't the only thing you get when you shop through Ebates, you will also be able to take advantage of Omaha Steaks Coupons for added savings on some tasty treats and savory meats. Take a look for yourself, and give Dad the gift that keeps on eating: a thick, juicy steak.

Looking for the perfect gift for my active Dad, I found myself on the Cabela's website, and I knew that it would be just the right place to find it. Cabela's carries a complete inventory of outdoor equipment for hunting, archery, shooting gear, fishing, camping, boating and much more.  With 3% Cash Back from Ebates and Cabela's coupons for additional savings, I was sure that the perfect gift would also come at the perfect price.

Shop Cabela's during the Ebates Father's Day Promotion and find deals and Cabela's coupons galore. Currently, Cabela's is having their Spring Sale, where over ten thousand overstock, special buys, and clearance items are up to 70% off. With ten thousand items to choose from, surely you can find something just right for your Dad and maybe even yourself too!

Shop all the Father's Day Merchants and get increased cash back and coupons too!

I will expose my naivete here for a moment and tell you, Ebates Blog reader, that until New Merchant Week, I had never heard of Lenox.com. Lured by the promise of 8% Cash Back from Ebates during New Merchant Week and Lenox.com coupons, I took a trip to the site and was amazed by the section of tableware and gifts at great prices. They have crystal, table linens, flatware, and much more.

Not really being the type to buy things for the home on a regular basis, I was more inclined to browse the gift section. With weddings, graduations, and baby showers on my calendar, I got great gifts and saved money with cash back from Ebates! My best friend is pregnant and due in July, and instead of a "Made in San Francisco" onesie for the tot, I found this baby feeding set that will be much more celebratory. Plus, it's on sale for $29, marked down from $58. If I spend $75 or more, I can qualify for free shipping too, so I will pick up a few more gifts and get more cash back and save on shipping!

Since I will be dusting off my mortar board next Saturday, I've had a few people ask me what I want for a graduation gift this year. Thanks to my being gainfully employed and a picky individual when it comes to my possessions, I don't want anything other than some gift cards.

What most people forget, however, is that here at Ebates, there are a handful of merchants who offer cash back on gift cards, so you are really earning money on money. It's not common, and if you don't see the store you're searching for in the list on the Ebates Gift Card Page, then chances are that merchant does not offer Cash Back on gift cards. Still, we do have a number of merchants who are willing to do it, so it's a great chance to give someone a gift that won't get exchanged and will earn you some cash back!

Mother's day is just days away and I will shamefully admit that I have not yet procured a gift to celebrate the most important woman in my life. Because I have waited longer than I should have to get her an appropriate gift, I thought I would have to send an IOU or the dreaded "I will give you a gift when I see you." Quickly I learned that all hope for a gift was not lost when I got on to Ebates and checked out deals from 1-800 Flowers and Teleflora, both offering increased cash back for our Mother's Day Promotion.


In addition to increased cash back, they both have exclusive deals and coupons to make getting the perfect flowers at the perfect price the easiest decision I have made all day.

Teleflora is offering $5 off all Bouquets with coupon code AFPX5D at checkout and 15% Cash Back. Or if you prefer to shop at 1-800 Flowers, you will find 30 gifts under $30 and same day delivery. Also use 1-800-Flowers coupon code MOM to take $15 off two or more bouquets and get 15% Cash Back.

Find more last minute Mother's Day gifts and coupons here.

Try as I may, when it comes to Mother's Day I am always buying gifts at the last minute. This used to cause panic and the inevitable lecture from Dad, but thanks to great deals on same-day delivery, Mom never has to know my tendency to procrastinate. If you find yourself on the last minute boat, don't worry. As part of the Ebates Mother's Day cash back bonanza, not only will you enjoy same day delivery, but you'll also receive increased Cash Back of 15% at Teleflora.

At Teleflora, there's something for every mom whether she's classic, stylish, or down to earth. Choose from bouquets of roses and lilies, or go for something exotic and surprise mom with orchids and alstroemeria. No matter what you choose, be sure to use Teleflora coupon AFPX15 to save an extra 15% off your entire order. Want same-day delivery? Easy! Just order before 2pm Monday through Friday, or noon on Saturday and rest assured Mom's gift will be on time and beautiful!

Check out our Mother's Day merchants and save!

Here at Ebates we know your mom deserves the best, so we've teamed up with Kohls to present you increased cash back, the best deals, and enough Kohls coupons to save you the most cash. For a limited time, you'll receive 3% Cash Back at Kohls. Think of it as good karma for showing mom you care.

With over 700 gift ideas, there's something for every mom. Choose from home goods like the KitchenAid Artisan mixer now $75 off. Or shop for the mom-to-be and save on strollers, diaper bags, and more. Is your mom always ahead of the trends? If yes, then wow her with gifts like Burberry Brit perfume or a Dana Buchman convertible clutch. For the grandma extraordinaire, surprise her with keepsakes that will keep her smiling all day. No matter what you choose, you'll find great Mother's Day deals for less at Kohls.

Shop our Mother's Day Merchants and enjoy increased cash back!

Easter is April 12 this year and my friend over at the Wild Planet Toy Store kindly agreed to give fellow Ebates shoppers a special discount on toy purchases.

It's simple - just go to the Wild Planet Toy Store, pick out a bunch of stuff that you wish had been around when you were a kid, then after checkout, enter EBATES in the Coupon Code field on the payment screen.

Click "Redeem It" and you'll receive 3% off the price of your purchase. This 3% discount is offered in addition to the 3% cash back you'll get in your Ebates big fat check.

Extra bonus: the discounts count toward the purchase of bundles, including those that are already discounted up to 15%. The only thing you can't use the additional discount for is the purchase of gift certificates (but you probably knew that already).

For those with toy buying needs beyond Easter, my buddy said he'd extend the discount and honor the code for all purchases made between now and (including) April 30, 2009. So you can stock up on birthday presents too!

What I like best about the Wild Planet Toy Store is that they carry the complete line of Wild Planet toys, so you can get everything at one place, which increases your savings on shipping.  (In case you're wondering, I don't work for the Toy Store, I work for the company that makes the toys - a  totally separate group of people.)

Hey there dear readers, I have had a few comments and e-mails here and there about some purchases not tracking correctly due to gift card purchases. This is a common issue with Ebates users, so I figured I'd take a little time this evening to clear up exactly what is going on. 

See, many of our merchants consider gift cards to be an exception to any type of discount. I can speak personally from my years of experience in retail when I say that many retail establishments don't even offer employee discounts on gift cards, since there is no type of markup or profit on the sale of them. Therefore, it is somewhat rare to find merchants who are willing to offer cash back or discounts on gift certificates.

But don't give up hope, gentle readers! You can still give yourself a little gift of cash back when you buy gift certificates for your friends, you just need to make sure they are in the list of pre-approved merchants who offer cash back savings on gift cards. So show someone you really care while earning a little cash back on the sly!

Ladies, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: men have it much easier than women when it comes to Valentine's Day gifts. A dozen roses, some chocolates, a teddy bear, some jewelry, or all of the above, and we're pretty much set. For you ladies, finding something for your fellas can be a lot more daunting, and that's where Ebates comes in. You have two male bloggers working here who not only are wonderfully talented at expressing themselves textually, they also love to get presents!

I'm going to give a couple of recommendations of what I'd like to get if I had a valentine to get gifts from this year. Then again, perhaps these choice are why I don't have a Valentine... because I'm outlining the finer parts of food and drink gifts.

If there is one thing that almost all the gents I know clamor for, it is beer. However, on a special day like Valentine's Day, you don't just want to bring home a six pack of whatever you could find at the store to be consumed from a bottle or can. This Valentine's Day go the extra mile. Nothing says "I love you" like a custom-etched beer boot from Bier Boot Haus. (except maybe the fact that you'll earn 4% cash back on that boot) I know I'd want to hang on to the cutie who'd buy me something that would unite my two great loves - her and beer. But what good is a giant glass boot if you don't have something good to drink from it? No good at all; and that's why you should also visit Mr. Beer, where the amateur home brewer can craft his own personal ales. If you play your cards right and heed my advice, you could have a custom beer named after you by this time next month. Plus, you get a whopping 10% cash back just to make tasty beer. I love it!

Chocolates, jewelry, wine... the gift list for February 14th goes on and on. It's no wonder that men (and women) can get frazzled when trying to do something nice for the special someone in their life. Commercials bombard with overpriced truffles, diamond necklaces, and skimpy lingerie, but is this really what Valentine's Day is about? The origin of lovers' day comes from Saint Valentine. After being rejected by his mistress, Saint Valentine sacrificed his heart and sent it to her in a dramatic show of undying love. Luckily for you, modern times call for less bloodshed, with a heart-shaped card replacing the body's strongest muscle.

The point of this day is to show loved ones the true feelings that everyday can hide. While dinner at a nice restaurant is one way to celebrate, cooking a meal together can be much more intimate. Sur La Table (4% cash back) offers classes encompassing a world of flavors, including a Valentine themed "Date Night" class. For the cost of a fancy meal for two, both you and your partner can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with preparing your own unique meal taught by world class chefs.

Somewhere between the need for a last-minute gift for the hostess and a desire to spread holiday cheer exists the need for a faux nutcracker fashioned after a soldier. While it has been a while since I have seen a nut cracked by a solider figurine, there does still seem to be a need for the Christmas icon in homes across the globe on Christmas Day. With the help of the Bill, I found a Nutcracker figurine on sale for only $8 (originally $19.99) with 4% cash back at Kohl's. I was pleased to know that one could still buy a classic nutcracker (and for a great deal, I must add). And while this one does not actually crack nuts, it certainly fulfills the role of spreading holiday cheer and being a great last-minute gift for someone on your list who has everything, or for the person has been kind enough to open their doors to you during the holidays. And at the very least, he will be a great conversation starter, especially when you arrive at your Holiday destination with the Nutcracker under your arm.


Shop on!

While it used to be considered rather insensitive to give money for the holidays, retailers have taken the taboo out of not knowing what to get someone and turned it into something desirable. Thanks to the rise of the gift card, anyone can purchase them for any person, from any store, and for any reason. Beyond the holiday season, gift cards are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, you name it. Being that it's Christmas Eve and the frantic search for the perfect gift is over, now is the time to relax and enjoy the presents coming. In celebration of the receiving of gifts, here is a list of my most wanted Gift Cards, and the things I would buy with them.

1. Number one on my list would be a gift card to beauty heaven, also know as Sephora. Although my attempts at make-up application have sometimes been frightening, I still enjoy the task of picking out the perfect shades of eye shadow, finding the best blush, and the greatest task of all, matching my skin tone to a new foundation. In a perfect world, I would receive a gift card in the amount of $500, but I'll happily settle for $75.

2. My second choice for must have Gift Cards is none else but Shopbop.com. Those of you who have been faithfully reading my blog (bless you) will know all about my obsessive tendencies to hunt through this site on a daily basis. Top on my list of items from this mega cool website is the Filomena Bag by Malababa. Also known as the chicest of briefcases, this bag will be complimenting my outfits for decades to come.

3. The next give-it-to-me Gift Card is none other than electronics central; Best Buy. Before I go and state my case, let me preface by saying that when it comes to electronics, I don't see what the big deal is. Blue-Ray, HD, blah blah blah. A TV is a TV, and if you want to be "in the movie", then I suggest an acting coach and a ticket to LA. It's because of this attitude that I rarely step inside a mega-chain store such as this, but for the few times that I have needed an electro-improvement, Best Buy offers the biggest selection and the best prices. Topping my list is a Zune 120gb MP3 Player. Alas after five years, the iPod Mini is dying a very slow death, and needs some serious upgrading such as more music space and the ability to watch videos.

The holidays are not solely about Christmas and no one knows this better than myself. Sunday night was the start of Chanukah, a celebration of family, life, and history. Most everyone has heard of The Festival Of Lights, (especially if you're an Adam Sandler fan) however most don't know the history and meaning behind this eight day celebration. What I'm sure everyone does know is the jealousy felt as a child when your Jewish friends would get presents for eight days while you only had one day of gifts. Let me clear the air and say that it wasn't eight days of jaw dropping gifts. More like two or three really great gifts, with the remainder of gifts being socks and underwear. My mother alone would supply me with enough underwear to clothe an army, and that's before my aunt and grandparents had a chance to give me anything.

The reason for the eight nights has a long, long, history. During the Maccabean Revolution of 200 B.C. the Holy Temple (center of Jerusalem) was destroyed. All that remained is what is now known as the Wailing, or Western, Wall. The temple was home to The Eternal Flame, a sign of God's eternal presence. It was thought that the oil needed to fuel this flame would last only one day, yet it lasted for eight. Cue Mel Brooks yelling "It was a miracle!" and you'll understand the significance. Each day of celebration commemorates each day the oil lasted. My Hebrew school teacher would be so proud of me.
 
Now that you've got the history down, let's get on to the good stuff...gifts, family, and of course, the food. Here's a list of my favorite Chanukah items. Being that this list was made by myself and not my mother, there will be no mention of socks, underwear, or calendars. Even if I did need socks and underwear, they never make an exciting gift. Sorry Mom.

The first item on my list addresses the most important part of this holiday - Latkes! Potato pancakes fried to oblivion and drowned in sour cream. I don't think I need to mention how utterly fattening this is, and unless you're an Atkins follower, now is not the time to diet. Getting the mixture just right takes a bit of know-how, so if you're new to the world of Jewish cooking, fret not. Jewish Cooking For Dummies is the ultimate guide to cooking falafel, Hamantashin, and other delicious Jewish foods. Be warned: side affects may cause un-zippering of pants, and a renewed membership to Jenny Craig. Both Jewish and Italian households have a tradition where the grandmothers who have slaved in the kitchen for hours, walk around making sure everyone else has eaten. Commonly heard phrases are "You look too thin" and "When are you getting married?"

My second favorite thing about Chanukah is the chance to see family. My family happens to be the kind that shouts your name out as you enter a household, and it sounds something like "Allison!, Allison's here!" "Hey look who it is!" It's such a red carpet welcome, that it will easily give anyone a superiority complex, and I firmly believe I can blame them for my big head. Considering that I am not able to see them often, this Kosher Hanukkah Cornucopia basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets makes the perfect Wish I Could Be There gift. It features dried fruits, smoked salmon, chocolate, dip, and much much more. It's enough to please the pickiest eater, and the 5% cash back is pleasing to my wallet.

So there you have it, Chanukah a la Allie. Perhaps some of you thought I would talk about the new jeans I'm eyeing, or the chic sweater I've been dying to get, but during these eight crazy nights, all that matters to me is the love of my family, the memories made and to be had, and of course the food. Happy Chanukah to all and whatever you get, as my mother says, "Use it in good health".

For those you you out there who have not yet finished your Holiday shopping, this year your procrastination has paid off. You will not be forced to endure the dismal fate of crowded malls with bitter shoppers, long lines, and influenza-ridden surfaces. Instead, this year you will be able to shop (quite literally last minute) for great deals on great gifts from the comfort of your own home and have items shipped right to your door (or the door of the gift recipient) without paying an insane amount of money for express shipping. For a list of shipping deadlines of your favorite stores, look no further than Ebates. Where, we have taken the time to compile a comprehensive list of the shipping deadlines of our top merchants.

If you are looking for a somewhat generic gift that is by no means lackluster, these cute Kate Spade "zzee' slippers from Nordstrom fit the bill. For just $49.90, with 6% cash back, these slippers are just as cozy as they are festive, and will be perfect for anyone on your list regardless of taste or how well you know them. They are also a thoughtful and useful gift that hopefully the recipient will not want to return, however, if they do, they can painlessly take them back to any Nordstrom retail location or send back by mail. The shipping deadline for standard shipping at Nordstrom is December 19th (tomorrow), however with express shipping you can order these up until the 22nd and still have them arrive in time for Christmas.


If you really like to 'live on the edge' and are planning on procrastinating longer than the 22nd, shop at Banana Republic (Gap or Old Navy too), where you can earn 3% cash back and have express shipping with guaranteed Christmas delivery until the 23rd. Try this Brooch Bangle that is now just $19.99 with 3% cash back. It is a great buy for under $20 because it looks high-end and it will arrive in time, so no one will know you waited until the Eve of Christmas Eve to complete your shopping.

Shop on!

With so many sales going on all over the Internets, how can you, dear reader, be expected to keep up with all of the madness? I spend the entire day looking for deals, and sometimes I can't even keep up with it all! But that's not to say I won't do my best to find the craziest holiday deals out there. Even though I'm completely inundated with all of the special sales and promotional deals to keep you spending throughout the weekend, Buy.com in particular has a few fantastic gift ideas (bundled with fantastically low prices) that should fit the bill for some of your trickiest giftees. Take a peek at four of my personal favorite tech gifts, and be sure to check back next week for more great last-minute gift ideas!

Gift #1: Samsung S860Z Digital Camera
For?: Your favorite emerging, or exceedingly clumsy, photographer.

Do you have a son, daughter, or especially clumsy friend that should never really have any portable electronic device costing more than $50? Then this particular Samsung Camera was MADE for you. Featuring 8.1MP of generous picture-taking power, 9x total zoom (3x optical and 3x digital), and a small form factor, the Samsung S860Z is an outright steal at $50. It takes clear, 640x480 video that's perfect for recording YouTube videos, home movies, and capturing even the most random and inane happenings on digital "film." Of course, you'll need a SD card to go along with it, but for only $50, this Samsung is a no-brainer for anyone asking for a simple digital camera. It's small, it's sturdy, and takes clearer pictures than some cameras twice it's price. What's more can you want than that? Search for it at Buy.com and save!


Gift #2: Western Digital My Passport 2.5" 320GB External Hard Drive
For?: The adorable, tech-starved special someone in your life

While I'm not quite sure where external hard drives fit into the traditional gift-giving continuum (It's neither blue, nor new...), I can safely say that this is the best deal on a portable hard drive I have seen yet. If you need a little something that really says "I know you have a whole lot of (essential) crap that you like to take with you everywhere," nothing is better than this 320GB Western Digital 2.5" external hard drive at it's bottom-barrel price of $79. It's so small it will fit in your pocket, and so spacious that it will hold over fifty seasons of your favorite TV shows, 70,000+ songs, and close to three hundred movies in it's 2.5" chassis. Wow! Recently, I purchased a near-identical drive at a special "deal" site for $85, thinking it would never get much better than that. Now, Buy.com comes along and offers up a superior model for $5 less. Amazing! Search for it at Buy.com and save!


Gift #3: Westinghouse Digital Photo Frame
For?: The person who literally has everything.

Hello, friend! Are you tired of the hum-drumming of life? Have you given, and possibly received, practically everything under the sun for the last few holiday seasons? There's a slim chance you (or your giftee) may have one of these little unique desktoppers, but if not, the Westinghouse 10" Digital Photo Frame is the perfectly thoughtful gift that screams "I have no clue what to get you, but chances are there are some people you'd like to look at on your desktop." In case you haven't seen one before, a digital photo frame is like a little high-definition computer monitor for your pictures. You simply load up a folder of your favorite images, pop it into the digital frame, and choose to display one image, multiple images, or view a slideshow of your favorites with just a few button clicks. Thats it! No more annoying opening or closing frames or cropping images!

While it may seem slightly random at first, a digital photo frame is an easy gift to make "personal" by adding sentimental pictures, music, and movies before wrapping it. Best of all, this Westinghouse 10" digital frame will be sure to turn heads with its crystal-clear, high resolution display and stunning ebony finish. Show that you care, and save $30 while doing it with Buy.com's rebate that makes this pricy frame an affordable $83 with free shipping. Search for it at Buy.com and save!

Gift #4: Maximo iMetal HS2 Stereo Earset
For?: The musically minded iPhone or Blackberry owner.

A product so nice, I'll blog it twice! The Maximo iMetal HS2 Earset is a godsend for thrifty iPhone (and Blackberry!) owners, as it's one of the few earsets out there that actually packs some thump for the buck. Sure, you could go ahead and drop $100 on a set of slightly nicer headphones, but, man! That's an extra $70! As an owner of multiple headphones, I can honestly say that this earset (or "canalbuds", as they are sometimes called) are a great deal for their price - which has just been knocked down 48% to only $36! These are ideal for iPhone-rs who like to listen to music and chat on the go, as the little "play" button is invaluable for switching/pausing songs, and managing phone calls without ever taking your phone out of your pocket. Additionally, the unique design of the canalbuds (which take a day or two to get used to) effectively cancel out almost all background noise, including obnoxiously loud bus chatter and subway traffic. For only $40, they're practically an impulse buy for anyone who needs a headphone upgrade.

In the end, these few holiday picks were just a handful of things I highlighted from the sales over at Buy.com. Poke around the website and see what you can find! Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to the holidays, so leave some comments and let me know what sweet deals you can find!

Here at Ebates we are getting geared up for Christmas, and I can speak at least for the male half of the blog team when I say that one of the things we get most excited about this time of year (in addition to all the great sales and promotions) is toys. Personally speaking, nothing says "happy holidays" like fun and goofy toys. Even as I grow well past the commonly accepted toy giving and receiving age, I still love to give and get toys at the holidays. True, the toys I give and get are a little less conventional these days (can you say "Avenging Narwhal Playset"?), but there are also some cool toys for the kids or kids-at-heart who might be on your list this year.

It's for that very reason that I am bringing Wild Planet Toys to your attention. While you might just skim on by it as "just another toy store," a little examination shows that it is much more than that. They have a vast array of creative gift ideas for the clever and curious, and a number of toys that will be just as coveted by the adults in your family as by the children.

Among their great toys is the game Hyper Dash, which was recently the #1 selling toy on a site which I will not mention except to say that it has a connection to a certain area of rainforest in South America. It may say that the game is intended for ages six and up, but trust me when I say that "and up" knows no limits. It can be played as a table-top game, or with great distances, and between you and me, after a couple of cocktails, this game gets very challenging.

Another must-have toy this year is a pair of Night Goggles. There are all types in all price ranges at the moment, but few are in the sub-$20 range. This pair sold by Wild Planet is currently on sale for $19.95, and have received rave reviews from a number of users. I hope that these are strictly used by kids, and not for more taboo voyeuristic pursuits, but hey, I can't tell you how to use your present!

Finally, one for the girls is the always-popular Water Babies. Just how popular are these cuddly little babies? They are the second best selling doll ever behind a lovely young blonde named Barbie. So if you want to nurture some maternal  instinct in your little girl with a doll that doesn't look like she just stepped off the runway, this is a perfect gift. They even come in a wide ethnic range as well as a variety of ages for the babies themselves.

Also, just as a note of social conscience, I am also a huge proponent of toy donation programs. So if you are out there clicking around and shopping, please take your time to shop at any toy site, Ebates merchant or not, and pick up a toy or two to donate to those who are less fortunate, because I can't think of anything sadder than a child with nothing to open on Christmas.

If I have learned anything in my quest to become an expert in the newly developing science of  shoponomics, I have learned that a version of a luxurious item will soon be available en masse. Call it the shopping law of supply and demand. It will happen. Take cashmere for example; cashmere was once an ultra-luxurious fabric reserved for the items hanging in sections of stores I only shopped at in my fantasies. Now it seems like every store has some kind of cashmere for sale: a scarf, coat, throw blanket, even socks and undergarments, all available at a very reasonable price. You don't really need to cloud your shopping judgment and think of how or why the price has dropped so significantly, you just follow the rules of shoponomics and buy. This year, you can pass on the the luxury of cashmere to anyone on your list, regardless of your budget.


I found this to be especially true when browsing the cashmere selection at Bluefly. I discovered this Portolano Cashmere Hat reduced to only $36 with 3% cash back. With a retail value of $75, this hat is a great deal and available in an array of colors sure to suit anyone's wardrobe or tastes. For less than a candle or a coffee table book, you can give someone (even a peripheral person on your list) a cashmere cap to keep them warm and stylish.





I discovered this simple and gorgeous Italian made cashmere scarf on sale at JCrew. Once $125, it has been reduced to only $75 with 2% cash back. Even though you cannot put a price tag on a wardrobe staple that will last forever, you can recognize that while this may not be the cheapest cashmere scarf out there, it is certainly the best quality for the price.  In shopanomics, that is called an investment piece.

This beauty will be the perfect item to wrap around your neck on even the coldest of days. What's more is that it is available in a selection of both vivid and neutral colors, either of which will bring joy to a very happy recipient, even if it is yourself.  If the color selection and beautiful construction were not incentive enough to get that item in your shopping cart, take this into account: if you spend $100+ you automatically earn 20% off your entire order. So stock up, and move quickly; colors are selling out fast.


Shop On!

Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's the fact that one of the best gifts I received many years ago was a pocket watch, but I always have always had a soft spot for the pocket watch. I am always saddened that the classic look and style of the pocket watch has all but fallen by the wayside. Granted, the pocket watch's cousin the wristwatch is also going the way of VHS tapes and the Discman due to cell phones and their built-in timepieces; but there is something inherently timeless about a pocket watch. I know I faithfully carried one for probably about seven or eight years until I finally caved and started using cell phone as my dedicated timepiece. So it is in that spirit of uniqueness and individuality that I am suggesting it to you wonderful folks as an alternative to just another gift card or money.

I realize that this is a generally masculine present, but at least it is a unique one. So which one should you get? I recommend this Coleman Silvertone Pocket Watch from Target. It's got the great timeless look of a pocket watch, it's refined enough to take anywhere, but it's not covered in ornamentation or imitation antiquing. Plus, the fact that it's manufactured by Coleman, who has long been a trusted name in outdoor recreation products, means you know it should be able to stand up to almost whatever you can throw at it. Plus, this pocket watch has the push-button cover which not only protects the watch face when it is in your pocket, it also sells the entire look of the pocket watch; in my opinion, a pocket watch without a cover is like having peanut butter with no jam.

So act quickly and place your order before the eighteenth if you want to gaurantee delivery before Christmas. Plus, this item (along with a ton of other select menswear) is eligible for free shipping when you spend fifty dollars or more, plus no matter how much you spend, you'll get 4% cash back from Ebates. So show off your creative side with this great gift, and avoid those gift cards. Your recipients will thank you.

Of the many charming qualities I possess (wink wink), gift giving is not one of them. Frankly, I am just not an adept gift giver. Good shopper, yes. Good Samaritan, sometimes. Good at finding the perfect gift for someone, no. This personality defect only becomes a major problem once a year, so I have learned to live with it as I gently glaze over Christmas Gift time quietly and stealthy, with nice (just not perfect) gifts for everyone on my list. This year, I have decided to overcome the "bad gift giver" flaw and make the attempt at the elusive Perfect Gift.

Frankly, the odds are in my favor, and with my Ebates arsenal of over 1,000+ merchants, I really have no excuse. I have done a good job so far. I have my gifts and stocking stuffers picked out. Except for that one person on my list: the one who has everything and therefore is impossible to buy for. This person shall remain nameless, because this person does read my blog and I don't want to spoil the excitement of what might possibly be the best gift for the person who has everything.

Much to my excitement, I stumbled upon this Green Dimes Eliminate Home Junk Mail Gift Card, for just $19.99 with 7% cash back at Drugstore.com. This amazing gem promises to eliminate 90% of your home junk mail and plants up to five trees in your name! So not only do you give the gift of saying goodbye to annoying catalogs for stores where the previous resident shopped, but also the unwanted credit card offers that threaten the safety of your identity. This is a gift of joy and peace of mind - make someone you love the King of their mailbox once again and do something good for the earth in the meantime.


If the Green Dimes gift card does not seem like it will bring tears of joy to the recipient, the Sephora Brand Monopoly surely will. Sephora has teamed up with Monopoly to create a beauty-full edition of the classic game where you - Go To Jail for bad hair days, Advance To Go for winning a shopping spree, and pay for your products with Beauty Bucks. The special edition game sells $23.50 with 8% cash back, plus this items ships for free with code SHOPNOW (hurry, ends tonight). This is a great gift that will bring a sincere smile to the face of every man woman and child who has dreamed of taking over the world vis-à-vis their beauty product empire.


Shop on and Give!

Ah, the first weekend of December. The cool, crisp wintry air, the fallen leaves, and the first real glimpse of the holiday season. It was exactly one week ago that we had the huge, crazy rush of Black Friday (along with its equally busy sibling, Cyber Monday), and it seems to me this weekend is going to be one of two things:

1. A continuation of last weekend's madness, as all the rational people who weren't crazy enough to get up at 4 a.m. for sales head out to the malls and shopping centers.
2. The final relatively mellow weekend before last-minute shoppers trample over one another for the last Elmo Live to be had before Christmas.

Either way, the beauty of Ebates is that you don't have to wade through the lines and play the guessing game of what's going to sell out first. With our (literally) virtual bevy of stores and items, you can always find a great sale almost any day of the week. This weekend, J & R is having a superb sale on all things electronics. Whether you're looking for a new, portable hard drive to take all your movies and music on the go, or picking up a travel mouse and a Wusthof 8418 8 Piece Knife Block Set, J & R surprisingly has it all on sale!

Poking around the five pages of deals, a few things jump out to me as a great deal. Firstly, the Buffalo Technology 300GB 2.5" hard drive. Just a few weeks back, I picked up a similar 320GB drive from another website for over $85, and I haven't seen anything come close since. This is simply a great deal on such a small, spacious drive, and is a perfect companion for anyone on the go. With it you can take all your movies and music with you, making updating your iPod, watch movies, and show off family pictures on the go easier than ever before. It's small enough to fit in any purse or briefcase, and at just $69.99, is a great deal considering the instant rebate, no tax, and free shipping.

Equally impressive is the Olympus Stylus 12-megapixel digital camera, on sale for $149 (down from $349.99).  Many photographers have said that 12-megapixels is right about where there's almost no discernible difference between physical film and a digital pictures, meaning your pictures will come out just as good (if not better) than your old point-and-shoot ever did. Better yet, the Stylus 1200 includes Olympus's TruePic III Image Processor, found in many of their expensive top-of-the-line SLR cameras for a fraction of the price. It's a great holiday bargain for anyone looking for an upgrade/replacement for their camera, so give it a peek!

Whatever you're looking for, there's a ton of good stuff on sale over at J&R this weekend. Most importantly, with under 20 days left until Christmas, everything you order on sale should be able to make it to your house before the 25th with their Free Shipping! So act now, before prices go up and shipping gets more pricey as the shopping days dwindle down! Oh, and don't forget that with Ebates you'll get 3% cash back on all those great sale items!

With Christmas just about three weeks away, many of us are making our lists and checking them twice - to budget out gifts for people on our lists. Regardless of the economy, it is still Christmas, and when you are spending your hard-earned dollars on the people you love, it is important to make sure, this year more than ever, that you are getting someone a thoughtful gift at a great value. A tried and true gift that fits this very criteria are books. Whether they are artistic coffee table books, hardcover classics, or the newest bestsellers, most everyone is pleased or at the very least grateful to open up a book from under the tree.


A great books for the Fashionista this year is "Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual: Everyone From Beginner To Pro" available at Barnes & Noble for 30% off the list price at just $22.40 with 8% cash back. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $25, so pick op something else while you are at it and the entire order will be at your doorstep in three business days or less. This fabulous book covers everything from skincare essentials to every aspect of makeup execution from Bobbi herself  who has twenty five years of experience behind her. This book is essentially an all-encompassing how to guide detailing how to get many coveted makeup looks with easy-to-follow instructions. Plus, the book even has a section all about makeup artists and their insider secrets which can help to turn every woman into a gorgeous, flawless pro. The book itself is also pretty flawless: glossy pages (easy to wipe down if you have some makeup spillage) and a fun cover that will make any coffee table more intriguing. Check out the Bobbi Brown website in our Health and Beauty Category to shop for some goods with 4% cash back.




If someone on your list is less inspired by makeup and more by fashion than Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's new book "Influence" is the gift for them. This book is filled with beautiful photographs and anecdotes about all the things that influence the Olsen twins and their noteworthy fashion and cultural influence. This book is wildly entertaining and sells for an affordable $24.50, saving you 20% off the list price with 8% cash back also from Barnes and Noble.


For the more refined woman, I recommend Nina Garcia's (former editor of Elle Magazine, now for Marie Claire and host of Project Runway), "Little Black Book of Style" for just $15.96. This book is intended to guide one through the discovery of their fashion voice and personal style, to always look their best with ease. She details what to wear and when, and throughout the book she promotes the importance of 'eternal style being internal style'. Garcia is both credible and easy to follow, and this book makes a fun gift for the developed fashionista or the struggling one young and old.

Shop on!

In the lunch room at work this afternoon, we somehow got on the topic of dental hygiene. You'll be very happy to know that it turns out most Ebates employees (at least those who were dining in the lunch room today) are all avid brushers, flossers, and a few are even mouthwash enthusiasts. I, like my co-workers, can't get enough of that freshly-brushed feeling that most people only enjoy but once or twice a day.

Still, no matter how meticulously you care for your teeth, most people ignore the other major component of dental hygiene: the toothbrush. While we may buy wonderful and futuristic electronic toothbrushes or just get the newest latest traditional brush with hand-selected bristles or magical alignment, most people I know treat their toothbrush in the same manner: pick up, apply toothpaste, brush, rinse, replace in holder or cup, repeat.  It's a time-honored process that most everyone grew up with. I am no exception. However, after doing a little research, I discovered that there could still be thousands of germs and bacteria all over my brush every time I put it back in its designated spot, and that's just gross.

The solution? The VIOlight Zapi. This silly looking little egg-shaped marvel contains a special UV light that helps sanitize your brush after every use. It really seems about as simple as can be possible: set it inside the housing and press a button, and the Zapi takes care of the rest. And by "the rest" I mean massacring germs and bacteria. So if you want a clean, fresh, and, most importantly, healty mouth, this is the product for you. Right now they're in stock and on sale at drugstore.com for $29.99, with 7% cash back. They're available in four colors, so you can find the one that best matches your personality (or just your bathroom) and it even comes with a matching toothbrush. But fear not, you don't need to use their supplied brush; the Zapi sanitizer it compatible with most every "traditional style" toothbrush or electric toothbrush head. From what I can gather "tradtional" just means that it's long, narrow and has bristles that you clean your teeth with. 

If you have any questions about the Zapi, you can check out the user's manual in .pdf format here. 

In my ceaseless quest to find the interesting or at least ambiguously named merchants here on Ebates, I stumble across a number that really tickle my fancy. This week's site, RaidenTech.com is one of those sites. 

So what is it about this site that amuses and amazes me at the same time? Simple: they have quite possibly the largest collection of remote control items I've seen assembled in one place. With the holidays right around the corner, this could be a godsend to some of us looking for some sort of tech-type gift on a budget. What's even better is that they don't limit themselves to just RC, either; they have a wide range of accessories for consumer electronics including the Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation Portable, even the Apple iPhone.  Probably the best way to put it is that they have a little bit of everything for the geek or gadget lover in your life... from spy cameras to tabletop foosball tables.

So check out RaidenTech.com - fulfill your remote control dreams or pick up some hard-to-find accessories for your favorite gadget, and while you're at it, get 3% cash back from Ebates.com.

Greetings again, good readers. As the holidays come rushing towards us again, I figured I'd start to do a small series for the person who has everything. You know the one I'm talking about: they don't have a lot of space to keep things, but they love buying stuff for themselves. According to my family (though not my friends) I fall into that category. So I figured I could use my firsthand knowledge to help you all to try to give you some ideas for that person who stumps you around this time every year.

My first recommendation is this set of do-it-yourself speakers. They are portable, they are made of eco-friendly cardboard, and they are completely customizable to anyone with some artistic leanings. Available from Urban Outfitters, this set of speakers are small and light enough to take almost anywhere. They come with a set of colored pencils so you can custom design the look of these "speaker boxes", and at just $18.00, even if you only get a handful of uses out of them (despite the fact that they are designed to last), you won't feel like you're throwing your money away. Best of all -- they are so small, that they don't take up a lot of space in a crowded room or apartment. They can even be collapsed down for added portability.

Plus, you get 2% cash back from Ebates, which helps make your own holidays just a little more merry!

Hopefully, you all love a good joke as much as I do. I've never been a big prankster in my day, but I enjoy a laugh at least as much as the next person. I'm also horrible when it comes to peeking at presents. Ever since I was a small child, I would always poke around all the boxes in front of my family's Christmas tree, trying to figure out what was what. It was a running joke in my family because all the gifts with my name on them would always have a liiiitle tear in them somewhere on the package - just enough so I could try to angle the package in just the right direction so I could get a better look at the box. I was obsessed.

While I have learned a bit more restraint in my older age, I still revel in those brief moments of recognition where the wrapping paper falls away and you see the box for exactly what it is. Even more exciting is when whatever is waiting behind that wrapping paper isn't what you expected it to be. This can work in both ways: what you thought was a DVD set can turn out to be something awesome like a new electric toothbrush or a first edition book, or it can be something "less desirable" like a shoe shine kit or a super saver package with like ten pairs of underpants. It is that anticipation and rush of recognition that makes this product so great.

Leave it to the geniuses at The Onion to come up with something like imitation gift boxes. These babies are just basic boxes that you place your actual gift inside of that appear to be boxes for absurd products like the "Visorganizer", a visor-organizer, or the "Sounds of the Rainforest Fire Alarm" so that you are more relaxed the next time you find out that there is a fire in your home. They're great for covering up the fact that you picked out a sub-par gift, or just for throwing off people who obsess over what their present might be, like yours truly. As you can see from the picture, they look completely legit, and the set of four is just $20. It sounds silly, but can you put a price on laughter? Moreover, can you put a price on laughter that comes with 6% cash back through Ebates?

The only thing that could make this better would be if you could actually modify products so that they actually looked like the outside of the boxes. Now that would be a great gag!

There comes a time in every blogger's life when he or she runs low on things to write about. I am somewhat at one of those times. With the addition of the rest of the blog team, I have been more content to sit back and watch their blogs roll out while I do more work in other areas for Ebates. Granted, I write my regularly regimented blogs, but it's becoming more and more scarce that I write a blog simply because I am choosing to write a blog. 

Today, however, I am choosing to write a blog. I will warn you right now - this blog will not feature a product on the cutting edge of fashion, nor is it technically advanced, or even an overwhelming sale price. Today's pick is all about aesthetics and feel. Today's pick is the Moleskine Notebook.

Yes, it's just a straightforward blank notebook. It does have a clever storage pouch on the back cover for loose papers and cards and whatnot, and it does have a nifty elastic band to hold it shut, but other than that, it's just a hardcover notebook.  So why is it worth writing about?  Simple: it's timeless.

Long after my iPod (I'm on my third, mind you) dies, after my iPhone is replaced with some amazing gadget that will make my life even better, even after I turn on my beloved Dell Inspiron laptop, I will be able to use a blank notebook. Even if I only write in it once a month or so, I know it will always be ready to go - there will be no system upgrades, no viruses, no nothing that can go wrong with it.  This is the kind of thing I love to have with me. Moreover, this is the notebook that all the cool kids want to own; it is the brand that Hemingway used to write stories in, it's the brand Picasso sketched in, and it's the brand that all-star blogger Bill Bergstrom uses to capture his ideas and observations before they end up on the internet. There is something about the feel of this notebook and the quality of the paper inside that just makes you want to write. In short, it feels like you're holding a piece of history.

Later this week/end, Cole will be writing about the city-guide notebook he recently purchased from Moleskine as well. I personally prefer the 5"x8" - it lends itself to fitting my large scrawling handwriting, and while it doesn't fit into my pocket quite as well, it fits my style just fine.  Be the envy of your friends and get one for yourself, or give it as a gift to your favorite book nerd - they'll love you forever.

Greetings again, folks. I have an admission to make, if you haven't noticed: I love doing these Wednesday segments. My usual process in finding the sites that make the cut for this segment involves skimming our Stores list, finding names that I can't immediately connect to an obvious product source, being amused by their products, and it eventually ends with me realizing "Hey, this stuff could really be appreciated by the right person." 

This week is no exception. GoGoods has one of the least descriptive names I've seen on the 'net: clearly they sell goods, but that's as much information as I could glean from the name. So I clicked around the site a bit, and I was amused at some of the more... "niche" selections, like the wide supply of CB radio equipment, but I also noticed something else: the site has a wide array of specialty gift categories, and also has a ton of various gift baskets to choose from. So soon it dawned on me "Hey, this place is a great site to find gifts for people."  So whether you prefer home spa items, toys, gift baskets, or CB radio, GoGoods.com has a great selection of products that can make you or your loved ones very happy.

And what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't mention that you will get 5% cash back on all your purchases?!?!

If you or someone you know has a birthday within a two month radius of the Holiday season you know what it's like: the infamous Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas gift, the fruit cake with candles, the forgetting to send happy birthday wishes because everyone is so occupied with holiday festivities. My brother is born on Christmas Day, and while it may seem kind of cool and interesting to the outsider, he really got gypped in the end.

He never had a legitimate birthday party, always had birthday gifts wrapped in snowman paper, and every year some relative forgot to wish him a happy birthday. Furthermore, being told that you're special because you share the same day of birth as Jesus is really no consolation. Instead, make it easy on yourself and fun for the birthday person by picking up a celebratory gift set that is both festive and says "I acknowledge its your birthday." This Dylan's Candy Bar Birthday Collection from Sephora is a great find. Prices range from $16-22 dollars for each piece in the collection of shower gel, sugar scrub, or butter cream (lotion) - all of which come with 4% Cash Back.

It is a thoughtful and inexpensive way to wish someone a happy day that doesn't involve a holiday sentiment, but fits perfectly in a stocking or Reindeer gift bag if you forget! Shop on!