So now that we’ve talked and talked about what cutesy things you can get your sugarlips for Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be only fair to suggest an item for those not looking forward to the card company holiday. Now, I’m not saying that these unattached people are bitter and full of hate…but, deep down, that’s probably the case. They don’t want hearts and flowers adorning every surface of their home and workplace. Whether these people simply want the holiday to pass by unnoticed or are truly out for blood due to a relationship betrayal, I think we can all agree that a box of chocolates is not an appropriate Valentine’s Day gift for your single friends.
If your possible gift recipient is on the warpath this Valentine’s Day, then the Ex Skewer Set (Perpetual Kid, $59.99) is the perfect gift for him/her. Not only is the set perfect for entertaining at parties, but it has a nice voodoo doll quality to it as well. The set includes a small dipping bowl inset in a larger bowl. The top of the small bowl is a figure pierced with 12 stainless steel skewers, allowing the dip to be covered when not in use. Come on, what better way to vent your frustrations than with a harmless figure with skewers sticking out of its body? Perfect for those “Valentine’s Day Sucks” parties, your guests can spear the figure over and over for hours of enjoyment. Oh, and I guess they could occasionally use the skewers to stab cheese cubes, olives, or any other small dippable appetizer.
Mmm, nothing like spending an afternoon sticking skewers into a makeshift voodoo doll. That pretty much describes my weekend.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 9″
-Includes 12 stainless steel skewers
-Ex figure is detachable to reveal dip bowl
-Available in white only
-Made of ABS plastic
-Hand wash
‘Tis the season for festive parties, raucous celebrations, and other sorts of joyous occasions! And what happens at gatherings such as these? Sure, everyone is just a little bit different, but there is a basic formula: eat, drink, and be merry. When you’re at a party, or better yet hosting one, you don’t want to get bogged down in the annoying, but necessary party maintenance. For me, the one thing I hate to have to clean up is dishes. It’s nice to have some people over, relax, and have a good time, but it sucks to have a sink full of dirty plates at the end of the night. Now, you could go all plasticware instead, but I always feel so guilty about it. I mean, how wasteful is that to use plastic utensils and plates? And you know everyone will use way more than they need to because if it’s disposable, it gets disposed. If it’s a real plate, they use one for the entire night. If it’s plastic, well then you’d better believe they’ll use at least five apiece. Just because they can.
By using the Sugarcane Disposables (Drinkstuff), you can take the pressure off of having to choose between some leisure time for yourself and saving the environment. Not only are these disposable plates and bowls made of 100% sugar cane fibre, but they’re also completely biodegradable and compostable. That’s right, you can use them up and throw them away because they won’t be sitting in a landfill for all eternity. And they’re actually superior to traditional disposables because you can microwave and freeze them without having to worry about destroying them, or poisoning yourself. Another fun little fact about these things? They won’t absorb oil or leak. So even if they’re made to break down. they’re not going to start in the middle of your party. They’re real classy that way.
Now, I’m not advocating using this faux china exclusively because that’s not exactly the most environmentally friendly choice. But you have to admit, it would be nice to pull these out every once in awhile. Just think, not only will your party be rocking, but everyone will be talking about how you managed to go green even around the holidays. Now, that’s a real gift.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Prices:
Small plate (7″): £7.59
Large plate (10″): £18.69
Divided plate (10″): £6.99
Bowl (16oz): £11.29
-Quantity:
Small plate: pack of 125
Large plate: pack of 125
Divided plate: pack of 50
Bowl: pack of 125
-Biodegradable and compostable
-Will not absorb oil or leak
-Microwavable and freezable
-Made from 100% sugar cane fibre
-Materials obtained from sustainable sources
-Not available for delivery in the United States or Canada
Do you have any pets? I have a couple of cats, and I have to say, they’re pretty low maintenance. I mean, I have nothing against dogs, but it’s not like you can leave town at a moment’s notice when you have a dog. Nope, you have to find someone to watch your dog or take them to a kennel. And do you know how much it costs to board a dog? Probably more than your vacation. Cats are easy. All you have to do is set them up with some food and water, and they’re pretty much good for a week. But you know what pet trumps cats? Fish. Fish are ridiculously to maintain. Just give them a little bit of fish food every now and again, and they’re set. Do you have to walk a fish? Nope. Play fetch? Not likely. Clean up their crap? Absolutely not.
And since your new fish friends are don’t ask for much, maybe you want to hook them up with a killer sweet pad like the Fish Bowl Bookends (Wrapables, $34.95). I mean, it’s gotta suck that your fish don’t have any privacy, what with living in a see-through house, so you might as well get them some living quarters they can brag about. Alright, so I know most fish don’t get out much (and when they do, it’s usually not good), but this way they can make fishy faces at their friends at the other end of the shelf. And hey, maybe you’re not a fish person – that’s ok. You don’t have to use these fish bowls as…fish bowls. You can just get all interior decorator and figure something else out. Maybe you want to make a diorama of sorts or just fill the bowls with candy. Whatevs.
Ok, so my only thing about these fish bowls? They’re glass. I mean, maybe there are people out there who aren’t as klutzy as me (I am pretty butterfingers), but isn’t anyone else just a little nervous about this? What if you fill the bowls with aquatic inhabitants and the shelf doesn’t hold? What if you take a book off the shelf and the bowl gets knocked over? What if? What if? What if? That’s just a whole lot of stress on my lazy laid-back existence.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 3.15″
-Capacity: 0.5 gallon (on each side of the bookend)
-Comes as a set of two bookends
-Can be used as fish tanks or decor pieces
-Made of glass
You know when you’re dead tired and you climb into bed, and once you get all comfortable, you realize that you have to go to the bathroom? It happens to the best of us, right? And like any other human being, you probably just lay there and hope the urge will go away so you can sleep. And it does, eventually. But then you inevitably wake up a few hours later, after dreaming about bathrooms, and you think that you should probably get out of bed and go to the bathroom before you pee the bed. So you stumble out of bed, ramming your shin into the box spring in your sleepiness, and you finally make it to the bathroom. But you’re a little hasty and you don’t turn on the light right away. What happens? You miss the bowl. So now it’s 3am and you’ve got a puddle of urine on your floor. Either you clean it up then or you let it sit for another couple of hours. Neither seems advisable.
This could all have been avoided if you had just installed the Johnny Light (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $11.95). This light goes in your toilet bowl and lights it up when the toilet seat is lifted. Sure, it’s a simple idea, but it’s the simple things that are often heralded as genius. Not only does the light automatically come on when you lift the seat, but it also turns off when you put the lid down. With no tools required and batteries included, this light is fantastically easy to install.
Just think of how many messes you’ll avoid with such a contraption! Wait, scratch that, think about the arguments you won’t be having. I mean, how many times have you had to have “the talk” with your wife/girlfriend about your inability to aim correctly? You won’t have to worry about that anymore. I’m not saying that you won’t have to hear about putting the toilet seat down, but maybe in time the glowing green light emanating from the porcelain bowl will remind you. And if not, at least you’ve avoided one argument. What’s that, one out of 698,514?
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Lights toilet bowl at night
-Green light activated when toilet seat is raised
-Light goes off when toilet seat is down
-Installs easily
-No tools needed
-Duracell batteries included
‘Tis the season for outdoor recreation, so how better to celebrate this wonderful weather than with a party? Backyard celebrations are great because they can range from super classy to your average kegger. Whatever your parameters, you’re got to make sure that you have an awesome spread. I mean, if there’s not good food, then why bother even having people over, you know? Ok, so say you go out and get some tasty snacks for your guests to munch on, are you all set then? Nope. You still need to think about the behind-the-scenes details, like cutlery and plates. Cutlery is a snap; just go out and get a giant box of plastic forks, spoons, and knives. But plates? Plates are a whole different story. Parties have rose or fallen based on proper plate selection. Don’t worry, I’ll help you through this difficult time.
Your party just needs the Go Plate (KegWorks, $48.50) to make it the social event of the season. Another crafty innovation for people like me who are always trying to juggle their food and drink (not literally, thank goodness), this reusable plate allows you to carry both with just one hand. See, it’s your average sectional party plate, with one clever design difference: a slot for your drink. The plate fits over most consumer bottles, cans, and even plastic cups, so you can basically balance your plate on any beverage surface. There’s actually a hole running right through the middle of the plate, which doesn’t interfere with can and cup stacking but allows the longneck of a bottle to pass through. Totally boss, right? And before you start getting all bent out of shape about the price, relax. That price is for a set of 42 plates. That’s right, 42 reusable and recyclable plastic plates that can go straight into the dishwasher at the end of the night.
I wish I had these plates at the last party I went to. It was the whole buffet deal and of course, I got a drink to nurse me through the long line for food. Because I only have two hands, I had to constantly shift my plate and drink from my hands to the table as I moved through the line so I could grab some grub. By the time I got to sit down, I had lost my drink. I know, let’s all take a moment to grieve.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10″ diameter
-Includes 42 plates
-Designed for freehanded eating and drinking
-Fits over most consumer bottles, cans, and cups
-16 and 18oz drinks fit snugly and plate stays balanced
-Ideal for cold or warm foods
-Made from RPET
-Hand washable or top rack dishwasher safe
-Recyclable
