EWS Blog: Best Gift Ideas for 2006

It's been way too long since I updated the blog. I promise to write more frequently next year, since I will have graduated college, but first, here's a post for the upcoming holidays ... Being frustrated with what gifts to get who can take all the fun away from the holidays. Below I have a list of some of the hottest gift ideas for 2006 to make things easier for you. There's a lot of cool new toys out there! Happy shopping!

Digital Photo Frame

The coolest gift that you could give to just about anyone on your list! They look like regular photo frames, except that the photo inside changes like a slideshow! You can upload as many photos as you want into the photo frame's internal memory (on some models only) or into a memory card, such as the one used in your digital camera. "How many digital pictures are hidden on your PC? See, share and relive your memories with Philips Photo Frame, the easiest way to display your digital photos in stunning quality - without a PC."

Wireless Outdoor Speaker

This weather-resistant, wireless outdoor speaker lets you enjoy rich omnidirectional sound throughout your house, deck, patio, yard, etc. With a 150-foot broadcast range, this powerful wireless speaker system transmits through walls, floors, and ceilings without the hassle of running wires. Simply attach the transmitter to your stereo system and start enjoying music anywhere. You can also use it with portable MP3 players.

Olympus Stylus 720SW Camera

This 7.1 mexapixel digital camera is both shock/drop proof (from 5 feet) and water proof (to ten feet)! Finally, a camera for an active lifestyle! The Stylus 720SW combines light, durable body construction and shock-absorbing materials throughout the interior with the sealant technology used in Olympus underwater housings. The fully-featured, compact Stylus 720SW offers 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical Olympus zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD, Bright Capture Technology, Digital Image Stabilization Mode, and much more.

Garmin GPS Street Navigator

I have this exact model and it's the coolest toy I have! Works awesome! This is one of the older models so it's more than $100 cheaper than the new ones and has the same features. " With a simple touch screen interface, automatic route calculation to any destination, and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions, the StreetPilot c320 GPS navigator is a powerful companion for your adventures on the road. Plus, Garmin has designed the "c-series" of car navigation units to be as simple and easy-to-use as possible-- no more intimidating features, just straightforward, basic navigation at your fingertips.

Motorola HF800 Bluetooth Speaker

If you're SURE that the person that you're buying for has a bluetooth enabled cell phone, this is a great gift for them! Even if the person already has a headset, this is a lot better because it's louder and better for use in the car. " The Portable Wireless Speaker HF800 by Motorola defies traditional expectations. This revolutionary new product by Motorola takes wireless connectivity to a new level by invisibly and reliably creating a hands-free environment. The HF800's remarkable design is astonishingly advanced, yet intuitive and simple to use."

The George Foreman Grill

I love the Goerge Foreman grill but I hate the mess it makes and it looks disgusting after using it a lot. Here's an upgrade. "Get the grill you trust in cool, chrome look. George Foreman chrome grilleration features a sleek, platinum finish that adds a nice touch to any kitchen and a large 72-square inch grilling surface that lets you cook several things at once. Scratch-resistant, nonstick coating makes clean up easy. Patented grill channels carry grease and fat in floating tray for great, healthy cooking. Cool-touch ergonomic handles."

"Sleep Tracker" Alarm Clock

"Have you noticed how difficult it is to wake up to the alarm clock some mornings, even if you've had a full night's sleep? The reason has to do with your sleep patterns. When you're alarm goes off while you're in the middle of a deep sleep, you'll wake up feeling groggy and irritable. If you get lucky and your alarm clock goes off while you're in the middle of a light sleep, you'll wake up feeling energetic and refreshed. The Sleeptracker Wake Up Monitor will wake you at just the right time. The Sleeptracker Wake Up Monitor is designed to monitor your sleeping patterns continuously in order to wake you up during your brief, almost-awake moments. In this way, you'll be assured of always be woken up at the right time." Is that insane or what?

Bose SoundDock Speakers for iPod

Almost everyone's already got an iPod, so here's a cool accessory for the iPod lover on your list. Just slip your iPod into the docking cradle for the sound quality your favorite songs deserve. The iPod charges as it plays, so you enjoy music without interruption. Its sleek, slender design, in White or Black, fits almost any room's decor. And the included remote lets you control the SoundDock system from across the room.

Yamaha EZ-EG Tutorial Guitar

Know anyone who might want to learn how to play the guitar? The perfect six-string treat for beginners, Yamaha's EZ-EG guitar is part electric guitar, part portable keyboard, and all fun. Twelve lighted frets show hand position for chords, and three convenient play modes include strumming, chord training, and full play(practice for both hands--it shows you chord changes while you strum and play chords).

Scene it? TV DVD Game

You can never go wrong with a cool new game ... " Scene It? Deluxe TV Edition contains 2 game DVDs with extra clips, trivia cards, tokens and puzzlers. Scene It? Deluxe TV Edition spans 50 years of the greatest TV shows from Leave it to Beaver, Charlie's Angels and The Brady Bunch all the way to Alias and Malcolm in the Middle. Watch clips from your favorite shows, then test your skills of observation and TV trivia knowledge as you answer thousands of questions."

Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?

Urban legends and perennial wonders get a witty treatment in this lighthearted guide to largely inconsequential yet intriguing aspects of the human body. This is the sequel to the best-seller Why Do Men Have Nipples. Smart, funny, and informative, the book offers answers to questions you may be too embarrassed to ask, like "Does peeing in the shower cure athlete's foot?" and "Can you breastfeed with fake boobs?"

Lies My Teacher Told Me

"Everything your American History textbook got wrong". Sociology professor Loewen lambastes history textbooks as both too inaccurate and too bland to engage students. Vetting 10 topics they commonly address--from the Pilgrims to the Vietnam War--Loewen bewails a long train of alleged omissions and distortions. To account for the deplorable situation, he offers this quasi-Marxist explanation: "Perhaps we are all dupes, manipulated by elite white male capitalists who orchestrate how history is written as part of their scheme to perpetuate their own power and privilege at the expense of the rest of us."