At The Grommet, we truly believe that every purchase is an act of citizenship. That's why we launch undiscovered products and help them succeed. Our Grommets aren't just things. Grommets are products with a purpose invented by people with stories. Browse our Citizens Gallery to learn about these ideas or post your own. Buy differently.
Rosie the Boxer says Happy Holidays!
We're not sure about you, but the last few weeks have been a whirlwind! The office has been full of shipping, meetings and deadlines to get things done before the break. We expect this week to fly by even faster! Below are a few pics of the holiday cheer we've had around the office, including our colleague, Melinda's beautiful dog Rosie!
Happy Holidays! What Grommets are on your wish list this year?
Today we're featuring a gingerbread house kit by Candy Cottage and we have a sugar rush just thinking about all of the endless gingerbread house ideas we can create. The cool think about this kit is that it doesn't include stale pre-baked gingerbread or require you to bake it from scratch. Nope -- the fun is in the decorating and that's what these kits let you focus on.
These are reusable houses that are easy to assemble and ready to decorate -- all year long. Left over Halloween candy? Check out these spooky gingerbread house ideas:
Now you can create gingerbread houses all year (isn't that fun?). Check out other holiday ideas:
And of course, you're kit will be put to good use around Christmas.
Are you inspired to come up with other gingerbread house ideas? Tell us, what type of candy house would you create?
**Contest is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. The random winner chosen was Jacqueline, congrats!
Leave a comment telling us and we will select one person to WIN their own Candy Cottage!
General contest rules: To enter, you must be a U.S. resident and at least 18 years of age. You must leave a comment on this post. No purchase necessary. Winner will be randomly selected and notified via email. Employees, contractors, and the families of employees and contractors of Daily Grommet, Inc. are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest will end October 5, 2012 at 9 am PST.
This is Patrick.
Patrick like to hang around during the holidays.
Patrick is an "Elf on the Shelf," and he belongs to Wendy (from our Discovery Team). Sometimes though, he stows away in her bag as she heads out the door to Daily Grommet HQ (he's mischievous adventurous like that). And he seems to be popping up all over the place.
Patrick hanging out with Kate and Jen. He's giving them some ideas about new Grommets he'd like to see.
He likes to hang out with the Discovery team and hear about what cool, new Grommets we have coming up.
He also like to try new things, like working the camera (backwards?).
Patrick decides to help out on filming day.
Don't get me wrong, no one's complaining. It is holiday season after all -- the more elves who want to hang around and help, the better!
Do you have an elf in your family? Where's the oddest place he's turned up?
With Thanksgiving right around the corner and the count-down to Christmas underway, we're feeling like this year has flown by. Decorating, planning holiday menus, shopping -- doesn't it seem like there is so much to do? We were sure feeling that way, so we decided to gather a few holiday pros to help us gather ideas (and our wits!) to prepare and enjoy this holiday season. Hope you can join us (the more the merrier of course).
Join expert entertaining, design, and food bloggers as we share tips and ideas to make this holiday season more fun, more creative, and of course, stress-free. We'll be gathering on Twitter for a Twitter Party and giving away some great prizes.
When: Monday, November 21 at 7-8pm EST (4-5pm PST)
Hashtag: #HolidayHelp
Co-Hosts:
Prizes: We'll be giving away four $25 Daily Grommet gift cards live at the party, plus announcing a HUGE giveaway as well - just in time to help out with your holiday shopping.
Hope to tweet ya' there!
We're a mere seven days away from Christmas day (!) and we've rounded up some great Grommets that can bail you out in a pinch. Here are our last minute gift ideas:
Take Back Your Mailbox 41 pounds (a nonprofit organization) is named for the 41 pounds of junk mail the average adult gets each year. The company was founded by the three DeVries brothers (on the right) who turned their own frustration with junk mail into a service that stops up to 95% of unwanted deliveries. Sure, it’s something anyone could do — but, honestly, who has the time? For $41, 41pounds.org will protect your mailbox from unwanted junk for five years, plus donate $15 to the charity of your choice. Total charitable contribution: $100,000 and counting. ($41) Learn more about 41pounds.org and learn how to stop junk mail here.
Radio Is New Again Enter the name of one of your favorite songs or artists, and Pandora quickly scans its database of analyzed music — new and old, well known and completely obscure— to find songs with interesting similarities. Pandora dishes out the tunes, and you sit back and enjoy a customized listening experience. Create as many “stations” as you want and refine them by hitting thumbs up or down on a song. (Free) Learn more about Pandora and how to create your own radio station online here.
Plant A Tree. Good news: Yes, you can do something about global warming! And it’s surprisingly simple. Just plant a tree. Besides providing beautiful foliage and cooling shade, trees help trap ozone layer-depleting CO2 emissions, minimizing the effects of climate change. Planting is a cinch with Mokugift. You don’t have to dig deep into your pockets or even lift a shovel. And it’s as easy as sending an e-card. ($1 per tree) Learn about mokugift.com and how to plant a tree for charity.
Let Them Eat Crab Cake It’s a pretty well-kept secret that most crabmeat in this country comes from Asia, EXCEPT the true blue lump crabmeat from the Chesapeake Bay where Angelina Tadduni once owned a popular Italian restaurant with her husband for many years. Though the couple passed on, and the restaurant is no longer, Angelina’s famous mouthwatering lump crab cakes can be yours for the asking. ($59.70 and up) (Order by December 21st) Buy Angelina's crab cakes here.
Quick and Easy Memory Makers Animoto.com is a cool website that lets you create your own photo videos set to the music of your choosing. Imagine pictures of the kids set to your family’s favorite hits, or snapshots of good friends over the years with memorable tunes playing in the background. Just upload your photos and music, insert text, and arrange it all the way you want it. In a matter of minutes you can have something that looks TV-worthy. (Free and up) Learn how to make your own video slideshow with Animoto.com here.
Simply Splendid. All of Jeni’s treats are delivered deeply frozen, so they’re easy to ship (in packs of six or nine flavors) just in time for a decadent holiday dinner or to your favorite food-lover for an unforgettable gift. One bite and your gift recipient will be hooked. ($70.00) Buy Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams gourmet ice cream here.
Frog Wild Finding a pet that’s exciting for kids but low maintenance for parents is a tough challenge. But we’ve found a really fun solution. The EcoAquarium from Wild Creations is an all-in-one aquatic environment that will thrill kids and adults alike. The kit comes with two frogs — excitable, jumpy creatures that are great fun to watch. The “living gravel” that comes with the kit acts as a natural filtration system, so no additional chemicals, aeration or filters are required. The frogs need to be fed twice each week (which kids love doing) and the food comes with your system. As for tank maintenance, the water only needs to be changed once every five or six months. Easy! ($3.99 to $30.00) Buy Wild Creations' pet frog eco-aquarium here.
Small Loans, Big Impact. In times like this, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in need. Kiva connects lenders with hard-working entrepreneurs from impoverished countries. Browse profiles on the site, choose who you want to lend to, learn the story of the entrepreneur and about the business he or she is creating, and then decide how much to lend. Donations can be as little as $25 and the loan cycle is typically six months to a year when the loan is then repaid. Learn more about Kiva's loans that change lives here.
Called A Better Back, it’s a lumbar support pillow that can be worn like a backpack if you’re on the go, or strapped onto a chair if you’re working at a desk. You can use it everyday as a gentle reminder not to slouch. The pillow comes with two thermal packs, one for the microwave and one for the freezer. So when pain flares up, you can alternate between hot and cold therapy – a proven method to relieve all types of soreness and muscle tension. ($69.00) Buy A Better Back's back support pillow here.
Passage to Adventure Some might be seeking clarity, others might be seeking g-force. No matter the mission, Cloud 9 Living has an experience to match. Co-founder Adam Michaels and the team at Cloud 9 Living have done the legwork to find 1,700 activities across the U.S. that make for unforgettable gifts. You can send a friend bungee jumping or to ninja school, or have them ride shotgun in a race car. If you’re looking for something less physically challenging, you could choose a food tour, private DJ lessons or pottery classes. Or maybe you know someone who longs to star in a movie, play poker with pro Jamie Gold, or pull off a perfect crime? Cloud 9 Living offers so many experiences that the hardest part might be deciding which one to choose. ($50 and up) Learn about Cloud9 Living's experience gifts here.
Go Go Gadget Earrings. You can give many gifts in one, with this super-smart earring kit from artist Lisa Monahan. A clever little collection of diverse jewelry options, the Switch Gear kit offers hundreds of unique earring combinations from one travel-sized selection of materials. How fun! ($65.00) Buy Switch Gear's interchangeable earring kit here.
Sometimes the commercialism of the holiday season can seem a tad overwhelming. We've got some Grommets that cater to the social enterprise side of you. Give gifts with meaning:
Spread The Word Michelle Hamman created a T-shirt with the word "ubuntu" printed on the front and a poetic description of its meaning on the back. And that’s how MotherTongues got its start. Her simple, fresh designs reinforce her commitment to mindful living. In addition, for every item sold, MotherTongues donates $1 to the Center for Women in Transition, an organization that helps women and children in need. ($24.99-$44.99) Buy Mother Tongues shirts with international messages of Peace here.
Out Of Africa Nondyebo (pronounced “non-dee-A-bo”) Mashiyi was a quick learner and became very proficient in the production of graphic arts and textiles. With the help of Jane Philippi, who spends several weeks every year in South Africa volunteering, our talented African designer now has a staff and a growing business. Her aprons are made from cotton canvas with acrylic paint and will brighten every corner of your kitchen. (Prices vary) Buy Nondyebo art products here.
Bag That Gives Back With the economy aching, the world weary, and the globe far from green enough, accessories with a conscience are what we need right now. JL Lane handbags fit the bill precisely. This company, started by a mother-daughter duo, is all about bringing the talents and handiwork of women in countries like Vietnam to light. They also donate 20% of their profits to PLAN, an organization that empowers women in the developing world. JL Lane embroidered beaded clutch. ($85.00-$165.00) Buy a JL Lane handbag here.
Pickle Love Root Cellar Preserves is dedicated to bringing back the art of pickling and has established a fund from their profits to help preserve early American homesteads - what a special, and meaningful gift! ($5.99 and up) Buy Root Cellars Preserves here.
Small Loans, Big Impact. In times like this, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in need. Kiva connects lenders with hard-working entrepreneurs from impoverished countries. Browse profiles on the site, choose who you want to lend to, learn the story of the entrepreneur and about the business he or she is creating, and then decide how much to lend. Donations can be as little as $25 and the loan cycle is typically six months to a year when the loan is then repaid. Learn more about Kiva here.
Goat Milk's Beauty Secret Legend has it Cleopatra bathed in goat’s milk. We can understand why, now that we’ve experienced firsthand the nourishing, moisturizing power of goat’s milk and Chivas Skin Care. If you really want to take gift-giving to the next level, you can give the gift of a goat. Chivas Skin Care has partnered with The Nomad Foundation to donate a herd of goats to the Tuareg people of Niger. If you purchase this option, one goat will be donated in the recipient’s name. ($25.00 and up) Buy Chivas Skin Care here.
Cooperative Art Indika Imports has connected with various organizations or artisans around India that focus on eco-awareness and self-sustainability, as well as focusing on keeping traditional skills alive. The results are beautiful craftsmanship depicting the intrinsic link between humankind and the environment. Each appliqué is cut from a single piece of cloth, hand-stitched by three women over the course of three days to completion. ($44.00) Buy Indika Imports products here.
Celebrating Women's Resilience Ugandan entrepreneur Amber Chand was once a refugee. Now she’s made it her mission to sell handmade items by female crafters who reside in countries beset with serious conflict. The proceeds keep these brave women in business and independent. Every gift comes with its own unique story to promote global peace and understanding. You can be an ambassador of goodwill with your first purchase. Why wait? ($25.00 and up) Buy Amber Chand's gifts here.
Washing Away The Opium Trade.In 2002, National Public Radio (NPR) reporter Sarah Chayes started a cooperative called Arghand to make these unique soaps resembling beautiful stones polished by river water. The enterprise encourages farmers to plant crops like apricots, pomegranates, spices and herbs — instead of opium. Arghand means "triumphant” in Persian. That’s how you’ll feel when you bring them to a special holiday event. ($15.00) Buy Arghand products here.
Capelet Crusading. Chicago native Kate Robertson fell in love with Peru when she was there with the Peace Corps - she came to know and appreciate not just the artisans and founded her business, Mayu as a way to bring hand-knit Peruvian products to a larger market. The Mayu hooded shawl is all the rage and shows you cared enough to be creative; plus your purchase is making a difference in the lives of women in Peru. ($139) Buy the Mayu shawl here.
We all have a girlfriend on our list, whether she's the love of our life, our latest crush, or the girl we call when we need to talk. Treat your special girlfriend to one of these fun Grommets! Here are our suggestions for gift ideas for girlfriend:
Chocolate 2.0. TCHO is decidedly different. This San Francisco-based chocolate factory was founded by a Space Shuttle technologist-turned-chocolate maker and a chocolate manufacturing veteran. These are chocolate you'll be dying to give to your favorite girl! ($55.00) Buy TCHO good fair trade chocolate here.
Spread The Word. Michelle Hamman created a T-shirt with the word "ubuntu" printed on the front and a poetic description of its meaning on the back. And that’s how MotherTongues, the small business Michelle created with her husband, got its start. For every item sold, MotherTongues donates $1 to the Center for Women in Transition; truly a gift with meaning. ($24.99-$44.99) Buy Mother Tongues shirts with international messages of Peace here.
Parisian Charm. LilyMe is all about understated charm. Instead of a heavy link bracelet, LilyMe’s jewelry is mounted on a thin satin cord (you choose the color) with unexpectedly cool slipknots. The charms themselves are simple and chic. You can personalize a disc or heart, or choose from funky butterfly, flower, clover and peace designs. The effect is a hip, casual look that still has all the personality of vintage charm jewelry but none of the clunkiness. ($30 and up) Buy LilyMe French silver charm bracelets and jewelry here.
Capelet Crusading. Don't give another plain-old sweater to the Mom in your life this holiday season - the Mayu hooded shawl is all the rage and shows you cared enough to be creative! It’ll work with a fancy dress as well as with jeans and T-shirt, and it’s warm enough to layer like a cardigan or substitute for a jacket, depending on the weather. Ideal for the your favorite girl. ($139) Buy Mayu's knit alpaca shawl wrap with hood here.
BoHo Style Wrap Bracelets. iheartjenna's leather wrap bracelet is one of those discoveries that causes instant obsession. It has everything going for it – lots of layers, natural materials, and a cool, bohemian vibe that’s perfect for now. Handmade leather cord, gemstone and silver toggle wrap bracelets. ($55.00-$68.00) Buy iheartjenna Bohiemian Wrap Bracelet here.
One Size Fits... Not only does it fit, it flatters. And it looks good under clothes (no visible panty lines, no creeping up above the waistband), and it feels good. Hanky Panky underwear isn't felt at all while wearing them, and we think that’s the whole point. ($13.99-$18.00) Buy Hanky Panky's comfortable stretch lace thong here.
Recycled, Wearable Art. Ann Skydell Harmon believes that “recycling can be beautiful.” There are so many levels of meaning to Ann’s “wearable art.” With Ann-Made Jewelry you can show how much you care about the planet and be stylish while doing so. Being green is the new black, after all. ($18.50-$22.50) Buy Ann-Made Art's soda can tab recycled jewelry here.
The Must-Have She Doesn't Have. Luxe Link purse hooks are small, stylish (recycled zinc alloy paired with vintage Asian designs), and either attach to your purse strap or tuck into their own little suede pouch when not in use. When you get to your destination, just rest the round, decorative top on the table, and hook your purse strap on the chain link that hangs off to the side. ($35) Buy Luxe Link purse holders here
A Dash of Vintage, a Pinch of Chic. Kitchen aprons typically conjure up images of Bree Van de Kamp and Sunday roasts, but these funky aprons from Funktion aren’t nearly so prim and proper. They look so good you may not want to take them off when company arrives — and they just might inspire you to do some “al fresco” cooking, if you’re feeling adventurous. ($42.00-$46.00) Buy Funktion Retro Kitchen Aprons here.
See more gift ideas for girlfriends here.
See what unique gift ideas the Daily Grommet team has discovered today.
Teens these days are smart, savvy, and looking for a way to stand apart from the norm. These Grommets are sure to bring a smile to the face of the teen in your life.
Hang Tight. The Slackline is a new-age, bouncy tightrope, constructed of nylon fabric that’s roughly the width and texture of a seatbelt. The sport, which is sometimes called “jiblining,” was invented by rock climbers who would practice their balance by walking parking lot chains or ropes between climbs. Eventually, the climbers settled on webbing as safer and easier to walk. The Gibbon Slackline kit we’re featuring includes webbing and anchors — everything one needs to quickly “get online.” ($79.99) Buy the Gibbon Slackline for tight rope balance and agility fun here.
Why Skate When You Can Shred? Imagine the combined sensation of skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, and you’ll have a good idea of what the Shred Sled is all about. Reaching for the Dramamine? That’s okay, you’ll never get a chance to ride it anyway, since the daredevil teen in your life will probably love it more than you would anyway. ($119.00) Buy Shred Sled's caster board here.
Release Your Inner Boing If you’ve ever tried a basic pogo stick, you know all too well that bouncing off the ground even just an inch or two takes tons of effort. Rubber-band cores give a little more oomph to newer models, but the really big bounce still eludes most jumpers. We big kids — and teens with lofty hops in mind — need a super-powered pogo stick. The Vurtego, which uses a patented air-spring propulsion system, unleashes the big bounce. In the hands of a master jumper, this puppy can soar as high as eight feet in the air. ($295.00) Buy Vurtego high perfomance extreme pogo sticks here.
Big Sound Little Package We’ve found a smashing portable speaker solution in the Altec Lansing Orbit speakers. The teen in your life can have something small and portable (and—bonus!—not too pricey) that sounds great! ($28.95-$39.00) Buy Altec Lansing Orbit portable MP3 speaker here.
Fizz, Sparkle, and Pop. Love the fizz of a carbonated beverage but hate taking the empty ones to be recycled? We were thrilled to find SodaStream from Soda Club Group. With a touch of a button you can turn flat water effervescent. Add any of the company’s 25 flavored regular and diet syrups and you’ve got homemade soda at a fraction of the cost of store brands (and without high fructose corn syrup). It’s a great way to save time and money—and reduce your carbon footprint. This will duly impress the teen in your life. ($99.95-$199.95) Buy Soda Club Sodastream carbonator to make your own soda here.
Spread The Word. Michelle Hamman created a T-shirt with ubuntu printed on the front and a poetic description of its meaning on the back. And that’s how MotherTongues, the small business Michelle created with her husband, got its start. Michelle’s design is simple and fresh, and her material choices (100% organic cotton, made according to fair trade practices) reinforce her commitment to mindful living. In addition, for every item sold, MotherTongues donates $1 to the Center for Women in Transition, an organization that helps women and children overcome obstacles. ($24.99-$44.99) Buy Mother Tongues shirts with international messages of Peace here
Pretty In Pendants. Want to bring out the inner crafter in the girl on your gift list? Annie Howes Make Your Own Pendant Kit is the perfect way for them to use their creativity to design one-of-a-kind glass pendants. all the non-toxic materials and instructions included. And so her kits were born. They come with everything needed to make six pendants, along with the step-by-step instructions, and a small metal container to keep all of the supplies organized. ($15.95) Buy Annie Howes pendant kit here.
The Must-Have She Doesn't Have. Luxe Link purse hooks are small, stylish (recycled zinc alloy paired with vintage Asian designs), and either attach to your purse strap or tuck into their own little suede pouch when not in use. When you get to your destination, just rest the round, decorative top on the table, and hook your purse strap on the chain link that hangs off to the side. ($35) Buy Luxe Link purse holders here
Cocoon Your Laptop A laptop is your link to the digital world, so show it some love with a clever case that can protect your portable PC and organize all your electronic accessories. These streamlined laptop and netbook cases from Cocoon have a semi-hard shell and a built-in GRID-IT organizer, which have a weave of rubberized elastic webbing that holds all your stuff — mouse, cell phone, iPod, keys, calculator, you name it. Each laptop and netbook carrier has one of these indispensable organizers built right inside the shock-absorbent, molded case. ($44.99-69.99) Buy Cocoon Innovations GRID-IT! netbook and laptop cases with organizer here.
Wholly Homespun. These colorful, fun and creative gift homespun pieces of jewelry and accessories from The Hole Thing are at the top of Daily Grommet's giving list. Made from recycled wool sweaters — it’s hard to believe something so hip could come from such humble beginnings — you can choose from necklaces with big, bright spheres and squares of felted wool, laced with buttons and strung on a leather cord, as well as pins with a funky, retro vibe. ($12.00 and up) Buy The Hole Things' unique handcrafted felted garland and accessories here.
Protective Covers For Modern Technology Everyone—busy teens included—will appreciate how they shield against harmful drops, shocks, scratches, sneezes, even Cheerio dust. OtterBox is designed for all the spontaneous, chaotic, graceless individuals who have ever broken an electronic device due to their active lifestyle. (Prices Vary) Buy Otterbox mobile cases and protective covers here.
Gorillatorch Let them have light! The Gorillatorch flashlight from Joby combines an LED light source with three strong magnetic feet and flexible legs that you can bend and twist to secure the light to a tree branch, bed post or under the hood of your car.($29.95) Buy the Gorillatorch flexible, magnetic flashlight that leaves hands free here.
Don't Slip In Downward Dog. JadeYoga makes mats using natural rubber, which is a renewable resource tapped from rubber trees. The company’s Jade mats contain no PVC, synthetic rubbers or other ozone-depleting substances. They’re made in the U.S. in compliance with all environmental and labor laws. ($59.95) Buy Jade Harmony's eco-friendly non-slip yoga mats here
Identification To Go. Sometimes outdoor enthusiasts do meet with misadventures. That’s why helmets, elbow pads and life vests are so important, after all. But personal identification gear, such as the Road ID, is just as critical. If there’s an accident, a readily visible ID tag, complete with emergency contact information and medical needs, could make the difference between life and death. ($19.99) Buy Road ID's ID Bracelet and ID tag here.
Nine 2 Five. The Charles Collection founder Charles Heydinger was inspired by the melting clocks seen in the work of surrealist painter Salvador Dali. He chose to highlight three numbers on the clock face — 9, 2, 5 — to play up our conventional workday hours in graphic typeface. You can stretch a 9-inch square clock into different organic shapes, up to 12 inches square, that are held in place with pegs. It’s a clever, fun way to stretch your imagination. ($50) Buy the Charles Collections unique clock design here.
Slouch Potatoes Welcome. Longtime friends Jeff Seibert and Andrew Goetting thought up the idea for the SlouchBack when they were in school, then came together after college to make it a reality. Their invention is a portable microsuede couch that inflates automatically in less than 30 seconds, bringing instant comfort and convenience to the dorm room or extra seating to the family room. ($99.00) Buy Slouch Back inflatable couch back here.
See what unique gift ideas Daily Grommet has discovered today!
Want to break away from the over-commercialized presents for kids and get them something with a bigger "wow" factor? These Grommets are anything but everyday- creative gifts for kids:
Frog Wild Finding a pet that’s exciting for kids but low maintenance for parents is a tough challenge. But we’ve found a really fun solution. The EcoAquarium from Wild Creations is an all-in-one aquatic environment that will thrill kids (without stressing out the adults!). ($3.99 to $30.00) Buy Wild Creations' pet frog eco-aquarium here.
It's Sew Easy Fashion Playtes is an interactive clothing design website that’s perfect for girls ages 6 to 12 who have a creative flair and love fashion. In a few simple steps, young designers pick garments, select sizes and choose colors. Then comes the really fun part: embellishing the tops, skirts, dresses or jackets they’ve selected. (Free and up!) Learn more about Fashion Playtes studio where tween girls can design their own clothese here.
King Of The Hill The unique lever on the Zipfy Freestyle Sled makes it super maneuverable and stable. And, at just 3.7 pounds, it’s easy to throw this sled over your shoulder for a quick run back to the top of the hill. Your kid will be the coolest sledder on the slope! ($39.99) Buy Zipfy snow speed sled here.
Get Creative, Be Happy. Here's one computer game you won't mind your kids spending time with: Animation-ish. The easy-to-use software lets kids make their own animated movies, greeting cards, websites, and presentations. Our 10-year-old tester was up and running in minutes – allowing mom some time for her own creative pursuits. ($59.95) Learn more about Fablevision "Animation-ish" easy animation software for kids here.
Why Skate When You Can Shred? Imagine the combined sensation of skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, and you’ll have a good idea of what the Shred Sled is all about. Reaching for the Dramamine? That’s okay, you’ll never get a chance to ride it anyway, since the daredevil kid in your life will probably love it more than you would anyway. ($119.00) Buy Shred Sled's caster board here.
Better Than London And France More modest than just underwear, but way more sassy and fun than bike shorts (not to mention less restricting), Francie Pants are giving girls the freedom to both wear dresses and play hard without anyone chanting, “I see London, I see France…”($16.50) Buy Francie Pants cover up shorts for girls here.
Portable Fort & Canopy What kid doesn’t love making a fort with blankets and chairs? And what parent doesn’t cringe a little when the kids grab your best clean sheets to make their fortress? With the Fortamajig, kids can exercise their architectural creativity and keep your special linens out of the game. ($49.95) Buy Fortamajig play for here.
See more gift ideas for kids here.
See what unique gift ideas Daily Grommet had discovered today!
What are you buying for Grandma and Grandpa (or Mimi and Papa ... or Grammy and Pops) this year? The Daily Grommet has all kinds of unique ideas for the young at heart on your list -- perfect for your kids to give their grandparents, and great for great-grandparents too.
The Un-Gizmo. Peek was born when wireless industry entrepreneur Amol Sarva’s pregnant wife, Ursula, wanted an easy way to keep up with email during her long walks, but didn’t want all the bells and whistles of a smartphone. (Really, who needs a cell phone/mp3 player/digital camera/microwave oven?) Sleek and stylish, the Peek is elegantly designed to do just one thing and do it very well: send and receive personal messages. Fun way for everyone to stay connected! ($59.95) Learn more about the Peek handheld mobile email device here.
The Emailman. If the notion of giving your parents or grandparents “computer 101” lessons sends you into a cold sweat, you’ll love the Presto email printer. It’s like a secure one-way mailbox (think color printer/fax hybrid), where your offline friend or relative can get inbound emails, photos, and PDFs without ever setting up an Internet connection. No spam, no junk mail, and no ads. (The emails don’t have all that techno stuff at the top either, they’ll just look like full-color letters to the recipient.) And, you can check on their ink and paper levels from afar. ($49.99). Buy the Presto email printer here.
Be Sun Smart. Coolibar makes clothes for the whole family with a UPF of 50+ (UPF is just like SPF in sunscreen, only it measures the protective power of fabric). They even figured out a way to get zinc oxide in the fabric! Apply the sunscreen, layer on a cover up, swim top, or hat from Coolibar, and you’re ready to go. (Prices vary) Buy Coolibar's UV Sunwear here.
Rail Riders. Keep them cool outside. The RailRiders Equator HT Shirt is a hardworking shirt with built-in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and insect protection. It wicks away sweat and moisture, and has side vents to keep the wearer cool and breezy. Of course, it’s been road-tested by hardcore adventurers, but we think it would be a smart buy for any outdoor-loving grandparent. ($76.00) Buy Rail Riders bug and mosquito repellent clothing here.
Game Tied. Josh Bach has created the perfect souvenirs for your favorite baseball buff. His 100% silk ties feature distinctive baseball graphics, helping your favorite fan root, root, root in a subtle, elegant way. ($45.00) Buy Josh Bach baseball theme neckties here.
Your Guardian Necklace. Created by Sue and Victor Roggio, silversmiths with nearly four decades of experience, the little angel hangs on a contemporary 18” beaded chain — and packs a lot of personality into a small package. The little angel has bare toes, pointy wings and her head is tilted to one side as if she’s pondering the universe. Perfect for Grandma. ($34.00-$44.00) Buy Roggio Silversmith's guardian angel necklace here.
Wear Your Grandchild's Art. Everyone can have a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece based upon their own beloved grandchild’s imagination thanks to KiDoodles. The possibilities are nearly limitless, and Joy can forge up to three separate figures per piece. Simply submit your child’s drawing (any size, any medium, actual paper or a scan); choose from 14k gold or silver; select the product (earrings, pendant, pin, or tie tac); and in just a few weeks you’ll have your custom jewelry delivered in a gift box, ready for giving to Grandma and Grandpa. (Please allow extra time in May or December.) ($55.00 and up) Buy KiDoodles jewelry from kid's art here.
Self-Publishing For The Sippy-Cup Set. Tikatok is a free online community where kids under thirteen can write, illustrate, publish, and print their own books. Young authors create and save works using StorySparks interactive templates. (There’s no extra software to download.) Tikatok lets kids store works-in-progress in a private account and allows them to share stories with the community in a safe, parent-moderated environment. Kids’ identities are even protected with their own nom de plume! A perfect gift for their favorite grandparent. ($25.00 and up) Learn more about Tikatok book publishing website for kids here.
Radical Bowl. Anyone who regularly cleans up after uncoordinated toddlers, careless teens, or hungry husbands will appreciate the insane genius of the CaliBowl. Its sleek, patent-pending design makes it nearly impossible to spill its contents while you’re scooping them out. CaliBowl comes in ceramic or polypropylene, a plastic polymer made from partially recycled materials, and they’re all dishwasher and microwave safe. ($13.00 and up) Buy the CaliBowl no spill salsa bowl here.
Identification To Go. Sometimes outdoor enthusiasts do meet with misadventures. That’s why helmets, elbow pads and life vests are so important, after all. But personal identification gear, such as the Road ID, is just as critical. If there’s an accident, a readily visible ID tag, complete with emergency contact information and medical needs, could make the difference between life and death. ($19.99) Buy Road ID's ID Bracelet and ID tag here.
Make Tracks. This cleverly engineered gear, made from rubber and steel coils, slides on easily over boots, shoes, or sneakers. Yaktrax traction devices are lightweight and spikeless, but the sure footing they provide on ice and snow makes it possible to walk upright and naturally — you’ll wonder how you teetered through winter without them. ($12.99-$26.99) Buy Yaktrax ice cleats for walking on ice and snow here.
Sore No More. Called A Better Back, it’s a lumbar support pillow that can be worn like a backpack if you’re on the go, or strapped onto a chair if you’re sitting down. You can use it everyday as a gentle reminder not to slouch. The pillow comes with two thermal packs, one for the microwave and one for the freezer. So when pain flares up, you can alternate between hot and cold therapy – a proven method to relieve all types of soreness and muscle tension. ($69.00) Buy A Better Back's back support pillow here.
Functional Art From Fallen Trees. Spencer Peterman scours the woods near his studio in Western Massachusetts looking for fallen trees, then he turns his finds into stunning bowls that celebrate the life and death of trees. His spaulted bowls are named for the natural veining, or spaulting, that occurs when wood begins to decompose. Each bowl is a one-of-a-kind creation, and we love that the wood is either found or donated. Spencer never cuts down trees, although if you have a beloved tree that has fallen, he can make it into a bowl for you. A unique and inspired gift for someone special on your list. ($26.00-$285.00) Buy Spencer Peterman's hand carved wooden bowls here.
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