Present Professor » under $20

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.

There Will Be Blood

carli — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:51:54 +0000

Do it yourself blood-typing test kit.

Just add blood.

Yes, really.

$8.99 at Think Geek.

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.

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

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.

Gift List: Sock It To Me, Monkey

carli — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:42:39 +0000

1. Sock Monkey 2009 Wall Calendar ($13.71, Amazon)

2. Sock Monkey Slippers ($14.99, Target)

3. Gift Box of 10 Sock Monkey Cards ($25 at Etsy)
Choose from the SockMonkeyCards store’s numerous designs. (If the gift box isn’t available, contact the seller–they will likely relist it for you.)

4. Sock Monkey Dreams: Daily Life at the Red Heel Monkey Shelter ($10.17, Amazon)
Humorous account of the life and times of various sock monkey characters

5. Original Sock Monkey Toy ($14.99 at ThinkGeek)

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

Gift List: Gifts For My Gen-X Sister, Jenn

carli — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:22:42 +0000

1. Dirty Dancing Wall Calendar ($11.19, Amazon)
Nobody buts Baby in the corner. Maybe over your desk, or in the kitchen nook. But not in the corner.

2. Facts of Life: Complete First and Second Seasons ($19.99, Best Buy)
Did you know? Kim Fields, the actress who played Tootie, wore roller skates the entire first season to give her height–she was much shorter than all of the other girls. Did you care? No? Well, then, this box set–which comes in a collectible lunch box exclusive to Best Buy, a store too lazy to put an actual picture of said lunch box on their Web site–is not for you. But it may be for your sister, girlfriend, wife, neighbor (if your neighbor happens to be Mindy Cohn), etc.

3. Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick ($17.13, Amazon)
Poor kid. Thrown out of Romeo and Juliet. . . hit in the nose with a football. . . made false promises to book Davy Jones for the prom. . . and that was just in front of the screen.

4. The Cure: 4:13 Dream ($11.49, Amazon)
OK, in all honesty, my sister probably hasn’t even heard of The Cure. The point is, everything old is still old, but releasing new CDs. (Kids, back in the day, we called them “albums.”) Other resurrected acts: AC/DC, Manheim Steamroller, John Mellencamp, and Metallica.

5. Puzzle Cube Alarm Clock ($19.99, Think Geek)
They have to call it “puzzle cube” instead of “Rubik’s cube” because of copyright issues. Kind of like when you buy generic cough syrup, and it’s just called “Tussin.”

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

Ask Present Professor: The Mini-Gift

carli — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:08:43 +0000

Dear Present Professor,
We have a tradition in our family that we give to charity as a “main” gift, then we exchange small gifts for fun on Christmas Day. In the past we’ve done ornaments, socks, magazines… we’re looking for a new idea this year. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Casey

First, Casey, Kudos to you and your family for your generosity!

This year, why not let out your inner children for some play time? Classic toys are inexpensive and take you back to a simpler time. Besides, is there an adult equivalence to the sheer awesome, stress-relieving smooshiness of a handful of Play-Doh? To the sense of accomplishment in creating the perfect Etch-A-Sketch work of art? Remember how much fun it was to stick arms and legs and lips and eyes in a Mr. Potato Head and watch a brown glob of plastic come to life? How about a coloring book and a fresh new box of Crayola crayons? Or building your very own mini-LEGO castle? Or taking some Hot Wheels for a spin?

Well, you get the idea. Toys are fun no matter what your age, and there’s great joy to be had in playing with the classics. Just remember, it’s best to share.

Gift List: Great Gifts To Build With

carli — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:31:39 +0000

1. Magnext 100 Count MagnaCase 360 ($14.99, Amazon)

2. LEGO Pink Brick Box ($14.99, Amazon)

3. Fantasy Blocks From Haba ($36.99, Oompa)

4. Tinkertoy Classic Jumbo Set ($19.99, Amazon)

5. Eames House of Cards ($25-$35, MomaStore.org)

6. LEGO Creator Mini Jet ($4.99, ToysRUs)

Be sure to check out the rest of our Gift Lists.

Gift List: Books for Tweens

carli — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:30 +0000

1. Middle School is Worse Through Meatloaf: A Story Told Through Stuff ($10.18)
Through instant messages, letters from Mom, bank statements, to-do lists, report cards, and more, we learn the story of 7th grade Ginny as she navigates life’s ups and downs. Ginny struggles with some serious family issues, but the book is an overall delightful read.

2. Cool Stuff Exploded ($16.49)
More deconstructed than actually blown up, Cool Stuff features fabulous pictures and clearly-written text that help demonstrate how several high-tech items work. Included among the many gadgets and gears: a Seahawk helicopter, racecar, piano, and a wind turbine. Chapter introductions shed light on the items’ significance to our world.

3. In Your Face 3D: The Best 3-D Book Ever ($13.57)
Spectacular photos from seemingly every sport under the sun (football, rock-climbing, BMX, etc.) in stunning 3-D. The included glasses can also be used on Sports Illustrated For Kids’ Web site.

4. Paper Fashions Fancy ($14.93)
For the aspiring Project Runway champ, your budding fashion designer can use the stencils included with the book to design their winter collection–then bring their art to life with the decorated paper, beads, and sequins. There are even tiny little hangers for preserving each masterpiece. (Not included: Tiny little Next Top Model.)

5. Monsterology: The Complete Book of Monstrous Beasts ($13.59)
Following in the footsteps of previous “ologies” (Pirateology, Dragonology), Monsterology takes readers deep into the fantasy world of griffons, sea serpents, unicorns, and more. Written as a journal of the fictional Dr. Ernest Drake, the book is filled with sketches, maps, observations, and the ology-trademark secret treasure-filled flaps. Readers will find gems, “unicorn mane,” and even textured patches of “monster skin.”

Check out our complete list of Gift Lists here.