Sometimes even the best of parties need a little nudge to get things going. It can be hard to mix different groups of friends who don’t know each other so what you really need is a good icebreaker. Something tells me that the usual set of silly games you played in summer camp aren’t going to cut it now. As an adult, you need to be a little more creative, perhaps something like…
…the Dinner Party Napkins (Perpetual Kid, $7.99). Sure, the idea of games on paper napkins might seem a little juvenile, but hear me out. Yes, it is. You didn’t think I was gonna admit that, now did you? It doesn’t matter that it’s a little dumb, what matters is that you and your guests will have a blast filling out lists of your favorite things or taking quizzes to see what your handwriting says about you. The games are quick and easy so there’s not a lot of setup or instructions to each one.
You know, Thanksgiving is next week and you could sure use an effortless activity to enjoy while you digest. I think you just found it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
- -Dimensions: 6.5″ x 6.5″
- -Set of 16 dinner size napkins
- -Multiple games
{November 02, 2011}
BANG!
Picture this: you’re snuggled up in bed, deep under the covers, and you’re just about to go to sleep when you realize you forgot to turn off the light. Not a big deal, right? Of course you’re more than able to get up and flick the switch, but wouldn’t it be so much better to just stay in bed where it’s warm? While lights do not turn themselves off and The Clapper is long outdated, there is a better solution that leaving cuddletown.
As a much more exciting and lazier method, why not turn your lights out with the BANG! (Generate Design, $379.00)? This lighting set features a classically shaped lamp with a gun-shaped remote control, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Simply point the gun remote at the lamp and watch as the lamp lights up. To turn off the lamp it’s the same deal, with a twist – the lampshade suddenly knocks to the side as if actually shot and the light is extinguished. Shoot the lamp again to turn the light on and the lampshade slowly rises into upright position again.
It’s probably not a good idea to actually shoot your lamp with a real gun to turn it off. Sure, it’ll work the first time, but then you’ll be hard-pressed to turn it back on without serious resuscitation.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18.5″ x 11.8″
-Remote range: 50′
-Desk lamp with gun shaped remote control
-Fire “gun” to turn light on and off
-Lampshade knock to side in “off” mode
-Lampshade rises up in “on” mode
-On/off switch located on power cord
-Light bulb sold separately
Who has time to hang a picture these days? Furthermore, who wants to go through the effort of finding a stud, straightening the frame, and then just having to spackle over the hole in the wall before you move? I’ll bet you didn’t know it was so hard to hang a picture.
Why put yourself through all that when you can tape your photos to the wall instead? No, I don’t mean the super lame scotch tape way, I’m referring to the Frame It! Picture Frame Tape Kit (Perpetual Kid, $12.99). This fancy looking roll of tape allows you to create any size picture frame you need and stick it to almost any surface. No holes in the wall and minimal effort required? Sign me up! The kit even comes with four golden steel picture hangers so if you don’t want to put the tape directly on your artwork or you simply yearn for tiny holes in your walls, you’re covered.
The one thing I don’t understand is how you make such perfect corners with the tape, like in the photo to the left. I’m pretty sure I’m not talented enough in the ways of tape formation to make that happen.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2″ x 1296″
-Includes roll of tape and 4 golden steel picture hangers
-Instantly frame anything
I love Halloween. In fact, it’s my favorite holiday. Some people are all about Christmas, but I think the novelty of the man with the bag wears off after you hit puberty whereas Halloween only gets better with age. When you’re young, you dress up to trick or treat and get candy; when you’re older, you dress up to drink adult beverages and win costume contests. Also, when you’re older you can afford to buy any candy you want so you don’t have to pick through all the cheapo stuff like circus peanuts to get to the real chocolatey treasures.
To maximize your Halloween’s success potential, it’s most important to have a totally boss costume. Second, you should decorate with such gusto that it looks as though Party City threw up all over your house. You can go scary or simply festive, but the 8-Bit LED Jack O’ Lantern (ThinkGeek, $9.99) works well with both motifs. A perfect pumpkin decoration, this one will last throughout the years because it’s made of durable EVA foam and is powered by AAA batteries. It’s lightweight and since there’s no cord, it can be hung just about anywhere. The LED lights flicker to mimic the look of an actual carved pumpkin, albeit carved much more precisely than you or I could probably manage. Basically, it’s the Christmas wreath of Halloween decor.
Remember, store bought costumes are the pits. Make it yourself!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ x 9.25″ x 1.125″
-Flickering LED lights
-Mimics carved pumpkin
-Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included)
-Made of durable EVA foam
Do you get bored at work? I know I do. If you work behind a desk, it’s pretty much the same thing day after day after day. It’s the kind of thing that makes monotony look exciting. The good news is that when things are so predictable, it takes very little to liven things up.
Get ready to put the “fun” in “functional” with the USB Desktop Aquarium (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $29.95)! Everybody needs a little organization now and then, but why pick a boring pencil cup when you can get something with a touch more pizazz? This desk aquarium is powered by your computer’s USB port and includes both a safe haven for your fish and a handy organizer. The organizer side has a place for desk items like pens and your phone as well as an LCD calendar that even has a programmable alarm clock. The aquarium side features multicolor interior LED lights, nature sounds, and an adjustable overhead light.
Getting organized was never so much fun! Just don’t drop your phone in the aquarium because I hear that’s bad.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Fully functional fish aquarium
-Alarm clock with snooze feature and countdown timer
-LCD calendar with time/date and week/temp
-USB power connector
-Multifunction penholder
-Multicolor interior LED lights
-Nature sounds
-Adjustable overhead light
-Under gravel filtration system
-Low voltage pump
