Good Buys/Good Books Tuesday:
If you’re like me, you’re just starting to put together your holiday shopping list. The holidays wouldn’t be the same if you were prepared, heck no. You thrive on the adrenalin rush that only last-minute shopping can provide. You live for that sudden shock of panic that hits when you realize that everyone you know has everything they could possibly want and you have nothing to give.
Here are some perfect ideas for those hard-to-shop for “special” people on your list.
1) The Snuggie. 
How can you go wrong? It’s the new sensation, one of the most talked-about new gift items of the season! But do consider what I have heard from a few friends: Snuggies are cat pee magnets. Be warned. This could be why they now make Snuggies for dogs. 
2) Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Yesterday’s big gift item updated for today– by making the chia plants grow from Obama’s head! It’s the Chia in Chief! Perfect for politicos, plant lovers, and that aunt who believes lipstick can double as cheek blusher in a pinch.
3) Maybe you know 
someone with a mixed breed dog, or a fan of the Maury Show. Who’s your puppy daddy? Now you can use DNA testing to find out!
4) Crazy uncle? Adolescent with his own bathroom or adolescent-minded adult friend? How about a 
giant nose shampoo dispenser you can install right in your shower? Ah-choo? No, it’s shampoo! Aha.
5) My favorite? For the jewelry lover, or hard-to-buy-for best frenemy? Freeze-dried squirrel paw earrings. That’s right. And she said you were nuts… bwahaha. You know I really love you if I get you a pair of these.
I hope I helped make your shopping easier. Where do you find all these special things? You’ll have to Google online, like I did. And leave some time for shipping, or good luck at the mall on Dec. 24– maybe I’ll see you there.
Now for the humbling part of my post. I learned that JANE SLAYRE is already a bestseller at Tower Books! The number seven bestseller on the Fairytales, Folklore, and Mythology Bestsellers list. I was all excited– until I looked at the list and realized I was only six slots behind the surefire hit Number One Bestseller: FERRADIDDLEDUMDAY, an Appalachian Retelling of Rumplestiltskin (I kid you not! LOL!). And the strange part is– I really want that book now. It sounds like a classic in the making.
Do you have any great gift ideas? What was your best gift ever? Some of you know mine: the “brasstic” (plastic “brass”) monkey, from my grandma. How can you top that?
In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day. 
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
My best gift ever was my first horse. That was ALL my Christmas when I was 13.
Gift suggestions? there’s some great CD’s out there for Christmas, but my favorite is Straight No Chaser. Can’t go wrong giving that as a present.
A horse is a pretty special gift. I’m still loving the Straight No Chaser, too, Leslie. Oh– and that new show, Sing Off. We’re digging that, and the Bubs! I want the Beelzebubs to win.
Sherri, this is really freaky about the Straight No Chaser group. I work with one of the member’s father. Tyler Trepp took one of the two spots vacated by two of the original members who decided to step down to be with their family more. I kept thinking that the last name “Trepp” was so common and so I finally asked my colleague if they were related and he says, “you bet! that’s my son!”
Talk about a WOW moment.
Wow, yeah! He must be so proud! Very cool.
Congrats on the Lucky Seven, Sherri!! That’s great news. My fav present was this bird candle that my Dad kept giving me. It was an egg-shaped bird, orange and blue with these loonnnngg wire legs. I wish I had a picture of it, but I don’t think I ever took one. We kept trying to get rid of the thing, but it kept showing up again….
No one else interested in Ferradiddledumday? Seriously?
Woot, Colin Firth nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in A Single Man! Could he be Oscar-worthy?
I think Ferradiddledumday could be a Blaze Title. And I’ve heard great things about Firth’s performance (it was either Newsweek or Time), but I bet he ends up losing out to Clooney, who of course is going to win because he’s playing himself.
))
I love Colin Firth but am not familiar with this movie. Is it out?
I think it opens Friday. It has made the awards rounds with lots of praise for Colin’s performance (as a man contemplating suicide following the sudden death of his partner).
Congratulations on your book, Sherri!
P.S. So happy to see the monkey gift again!! You know how much I love that little guy.
LOL, VB. It has been awhile. I figured the monkey needed to make a holiday appearance. Plus, I’m thinking of Grandma today– her birthday is Thursday (86!)
Sherri, congratulations! That’s so great!
Did you know the brass monkey makes an appearance in my next book? I needed something a family could rally around, really get behind, and the faux brass monkey/coconut was the way to go.
Snuggies for dogs, huh? Like fur isn’t quite enough, you need a snuggie on top of that?
Wow, I’m thrilled for the monkey! That’s so cool.
LOL. Reaching for the brass monkey…. I think it’s great.
Considering our cat already sleeps on our dog’s bed (when he isn’t paying attention) I shudder to think what would happen to the doggy snuggle. (And just a side note: cat IS a snuggle when drapped across my lap).
Congrats on the book! That is way exciting. And I believe I already gave you my entry for must-have gifts this year. That special clock companion for brass monkey.
Yes, but it’s real brass. I’m not sure I can handle it. I’m used to plastic brass.
OMG, I already got mail asking where to buy the squirrel earrings! I edited the link into the post- just click on squirrel earrings. These babies are hot sellers. Who knew?
LOL! Perhaps this is a white elephant gift.
Or perhaps they need white elephant earrings?
Those might be a little heavy. Can you imagine those little squirrel claws dangling against your neck? Ew!