Present Professor » under $25

A Game. No, It’s Not a Video Game. It’s a Game Game. Yes, They Still Exist. Yes, They’re Still Fun.

carli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:51:44 +0000

The classic Ker Plunk game updated to include those unabashedly adorable aliens from Toy Story. The strategy is simple; the game, addictive: Players take turns removing sticks from the “rocket ship” and try to avoid the kerplunkety action of the little plastic aliens tumbling to the floor. Whomever is responsible for the fewest fallen little green men is the winner.

Toy Story Ker Plunk Game, $18.19 at Amazon.com.

Band in a Bucket, Okay in Berlin

carli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:27:20 +0000

First Act makes some really nice instruments for the pint-sized Picasso. (That sentence would have made sense if Picasso was a musician and not a painter, but it sounded good.) I’m partial to the Band in a Box, which includes a harmonica, egg shakers, a tambourine, a wooden kazoo, and more.

The kazoo even comes with a 34-page instruction book. Perfect for the aspiring professional Kazooer. Kazooist? Oh, who am I kidding? That’s not a real job.

Band in a Bucket Holiday Edition, $19.99 at Toys R Us.

Also shown: First Act Percussion Pack, $29.99 at Toys R Us.

Mo’ Bacon, Mo’ Fun

carli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:55:14 +0000

It started with Mo’s Bacon Bar–part novelty item, part inspired marriage between sweet milk chocolate and salty bacon. It’s not an everyday snack, but it’s got a curious breakfast-esque quality about it. That, and it’s so indulgent, I get a little thrill from the eating it, like I’m breaking some draconian food law.

Vosges chocolate was at the forefront of the ongoing (and wonderful) bacon renaissance, and they continue to innovate. This year, there’s bacon chocolate chip mix ($12), bacon caramel toffee (also $12), a flying chocolate pig ($8), and a $62 gift set. Original Mo’s Bacon Bars, in milk and dark chocolate, are $7.50. Mini bars are available for $2.50. Mix and match 6 bars for $12.50. Stack ‘em, wrap ‘em in a ribbon, and give them to your foodie friend. Sweet.

I-Dog. You Human. But We Can Be Friends, K?

carli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:15:55 +0000

When I was a kid, I wanted a dog. . . like, really badly. My mother saw this and decided to pretend she was allergic to dogs until I was 18. She also bought me a plush dog every birthday, which I guess was supposed to make me feel better but was really just, like, “Here, little Present Professor. Let me pour a little hydrochloric acid into your paper cut.”

Maybe if she’d given me this i-dog Plush Puppy speaker, I wouldn’t have been so upset. It’s cute and cuddly and will play music from an ipod, CD player, or most any music source. The sound isn’t fantastic, but it’s decent enough for a kid’s room.

I bought this for my 7-year-old niece for Chanukah. I hope it’ll be a nice accessory for her new ipod. And if not, I’ll take it. It’ll go well with the dozens of other stuffed dogs I have, floating on a river of tears and resentment.

i-dog Soft Speaker, $14.99 at Target stores and Target.com.

I Savor Little Prayer For You

carli — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:52:43 +0000

Last year, when I was looking for items to feature on Present Professor, I came across an Etsy seller named Lisa who makes fabulous handmade soaps and puts spells on people where they want to keep buying the soap to the point that if someone handed them a bar of Zest or Irish Spring they would probably cry and then continue to cry.

Since then, Savor has been one of my go-to places for gifts. My sister and mother love her unique créme fraîche–whipped soaps that will make you want to disown body wash forever– while I’m partial to the bars. Lisa draws much of her inspiration from food, and with scents such as a chocolate peanut butter cappuccino bar, blueberry boy bait, and tamarind marmalade, you won’t know whether to wash up or chow down. No, that’s silly. You’ll know, because soap and food are two different things and you’re not stupid.

Soaps, body butter, and body mist from $4.25-$12.50 at Savor. Take advantage of flat-rate shipping and stock up for the holidays—Lisa’s soaps are great little gifts for friends, relatives, co-workers, teachers, and people who smell.

Miss Measure

carli — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:46:07 +0000

Measuring cups posing as nesting dolls? It’s just like identical cousins. Wait, it’s nothing like identical cousins. In fact, I’m not really sure identical cousins is possible. No, I’m pretty sure it can’t happen. But you know what can happen? You, making tasty cupcakes, with adorable measuring cups who will hold your flour and sugar and become your anthropomorphic best friends.

Bubby’s Matryoshkas Measuring Cups, $14.99 at ModCloth.com

Eight Days of Light Emitting Diodes

carli — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:37:57 +0000

Recycled LED Motherboard Menorah, $19.99 at Perpetual Kid

Oompa (No Loompa)

carli — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:02:44 +0000

Oompa.com is an online purveyor of fine European toys aimed at children age 6 and under with a policy of “no batteries, no blinking lights, no cartoon-themed toys.”

Oompa has a huge selection of gift items you won’t find at major retailers or even smaller specialty shops. And while these types of toys can cost a pretty penny, there’s an ample selection of great gifts under $25. (I especially like this Soft Puppy Stacking Toy by Rich Frog, $21.99.) The site also offers very reasonable shipping rates: $5 flat-rate shipping, with orders over $65 delivered for free.

A great site for anyone looking to escape the clutches of Hannah Montana and Optimus Prime–who, by the way, I hear are dating.

Woodn’t It Be Nice?

carli — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:16:42 +0000

Is there anything as classic as a set of hand-crafted wood building blocks? No bells, whistles, batteries, LEDs, CFLs, or PAM*s required. Just an imagination and a desire to build things. And then to knock them down and build again.

The set of 24 blocks in walnut, maplele, and cherry comes boxed and ready to give. And as with every purchase made from Little Sapling Toys, a tree will be planted for every purchase made. Your day to water it is Tuesday.

Block set from Little Sapling Toys, $20+ shipping.

*Parental assembly meltdown

Magnetic Personality

carli — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:20:29 +0000

Remember that boyfriend you had who was impossible to shop for? The one who loved LEGOs, and Star Wars, and magnets, and you? And also robbing banks, which is why he’s not your boyfriend anymore? Well, if he was, you could buy him this limited edition metallic chrome Stormtrooper LEGO minifigure magnet ($9.99 at shop.lego.com). Three-pack sets are $14.99 and include characters from Star Wars, SpongeBob, Indiana Jones, and more.

This might just be the thing that gets you kids back together. That, and a favorable parole board hearing.