Elmo Live and Five Other Top Toys for Christmas 2008

Elmo Live is predicted to be one of the hottest new toys for Christmas 2008. Even though it isn't released until November 1st, you can preorder it now on Amazon at the regular price of $59.99. There are already other sellers lined up to sell it at twice that price. I'm sure if you wait until December to try to find one, you'll be paying $100 or more if you can even find one.

Of course the Nintendo Wii and even the Wii Fit game are still massively hot sellers and are almost never in stock. The best bet to catch either one of those is to talk to the guys at your local Gamestop or other smaller video game store and find out when they get stock in and keep calling them. Sometimes they'll even call you when they get stuff in. Or Amazon can send you a text message when they get them in stock.

The Nintendo DS is easier to find on store shelves right now, but at only $129.99, it has sold out both of the last two years and probably will again this year. With more games like Brain Age 2, My French Coach, and Guitar Hero on Tour, it's been a great gift for grownups too.

The rest of the must-have list is full of life-like animated toys. Amazing Amanda, a very realistic talking baby, doesn't get very good reviews from parents but is on a lot of little girls' Christmas lists. It laughs, cries, plays games, talks, goes potty, gets sick, eats, etc. All the pretend baby goodness that you can stand.

KOTA the Triceratops Dinosaur from Playskool comes out October 13th and is supposed to be THE hot toy for preschoolers this Christmas. Part toy, part ride, it's over three feet tall. It has very realistic sounds and motions. It responds to voice and touch.

The Biscuit My Lovin Pup from Fur Real Friends is the ultimate fake pet. He knows how to sit, speak, shake, lie down and other commands.

Cheat Sheet Shirts for Engineering, Math, and Science

Perfect for my friend's kid that's struggling with his Mechanical Engineering classes. Amazon has these cheat sheet tshirts for engineering, math, and science students. They're covered with formulas and diagrams. I might not actually wear them to a test, but they're the ultimate geek flag. Imagine your nerdy nephew wearing one to a kegger...


Or for the aspiring music major or anyone struggling to remember how to do 420 things, there's this shirt from shirt.woot!. You put the lime in the coconut...

Borat Mankini

If you always wondered where you can buy a Borat mankini, here it is. The ultimate gag gift for your boss, brother-in-law, or Ed Dale. The customer images and reviews should give you an idea of what you're in for. One size fits nobody.

Cyclist Gift Guide

For the cyclist in your life, here are two gift ideas.

The Topeak Road Morph G Pump is such a great step forward in on-bike air pumps that it would make a great gift for any cyclist, whether they're a road bike or a mountain bike rider. It unfolds to work more like a full-sized pump than any other compact pump. It'll get them back on the bike faster.

The Delta Airzound Bike Horn is awesome for anyone that rides in traffic or just wants to scare the piss out of other people. It's a 115 decibel air horn for the bike. A refillable bottle-shaped air reservoir goes into one of the bike's existing bottle cages. No batteries or expensive cartridges required. A quick blast of the horn will get car drivers' attention even through closed windows and over loud car stereos.

Ed Dale Mankini

I thought I'd throw up my own post to get in on the fun at Ed Dale's expense and to see just how high this ranks.

But while I'm here, someone should spring for a Do-It-Yourself Back Hair Shaver for Dan or Ed.

Custom Printed M&M Candies

You can now order custom printed M&M candies. $35 for three bags.

Father's Day Gift Round-up

Father's Day is nearly hear. This Executive Travel Putter, $35, is perfect for any golfer, from the die-hard to the beginner. Great for killing time around the office or even in hotel rooms. The putter breaks down into small sections to fit in the box. Five star review on Amazon.


The Leatherman Charge TTi, $109, is one of the latest multitools. Titanium handles, a real knife blade (in S30V stainless steel, not cheap 440C), and plenty of tools for almost any job.



This Fenix L2D-CE Q5 Premium, $99, is one of the latest LED flashlights. Many times brighter than even the big Maglites, it runs on two AA batteries and easily fits into a glove compartment, pocket, laptop bag, etc.