And the runners up from Favorite Things are …

Last week, I published the list of my 10 favorite gift ideas.  The process of selection was

extremely difficult, and I distinctly remember a point in the afternoon on Friday when I

questioned my sanity for undertaking the task.  It felt like choosing between children … how

can you really pick a favorite without upsetting the others?  I don’t mean to call my readers

children, I am just searching for an appropriate metaphor to convey my angst.  There was so

much creativity and verve and great ideas that it made the task very hard.  Maybe it is

because I am so codependent, I don’t know.

Here is an idea for next year … I will compile the list of submissions and let YOU READERS

vote!  How is that for taking myself off the hook!

Whining aside, here is the complete list of submissions, broken down in general category of gifts.  There

are some really great ideas here, so please do check them out!  (And if I inadvertently left

you off and you submitted to the contest, let me know and I will add you!)  You can say whatever you want about me, but you can’t deny I have a tremendously diverse and creative group of readers!

Food

   

• Shop Candy Cartel – Customized candy bouquets!  Instead of flowers, the bouquets are

  made out of gourmet chocolates and hard candies.  Submitted by Kris Francisco.
     

• Gift Baskets and Beyond – Unique baskets for any occasion. includes gourmet foods, like

  crackers, cheeses, cookies, candies, coffees, teas and much more. In addition to the

  gourmet foods, I carry many gift items, everything from picture frames, to tea pots, to

  candles to plush toys, and much more.  Submitted by Rosemarie Cardilla.
     

• "Energetic 71-year old Jan’s Toffee" – there was not a website with this one, just a

  delightful note from Jan which said: "I am an energetic 71 year old that makes this

  absolutely delicious almond toffee.  So many people have said that I should sell it and

  perhaps this is my chance.  I am going to send you a heart as I know then you will also

  realize how super it is.  I have granddaughters that think it would be so much fun to have

  their grandma start a business like this and I do also."  I got the toffee heart Jan sent and it

  was delicious!  To order, email Jan Wigen.

Handcrafts and Art

   

• Voici les violettes –  a line of practical, washable handmade items, made with linen and

  quality cottons,  that can be personalized with hand-embroidered monograms and simple

  designs.  Clients can even choose their fabric online!  Submitted by Christina.
     

• Village Flutes – Beautiful, handcrafted Native American flutes. These are woodwind

  instruments patterned after those that have been crafted by the indigenous  peoples of North

  America for at least the last couple centuries.  Submitted by Jon Norris.
     

• Visiopoetics:  Original oil paintings of poems, flowers, political figures and more are sure

  to bring additional vibrancy to the everyday lives of your loved one.  Submitted by Katelyn

  Sack.

• Craftsbury Kids – It’s all the coolest toys and small business crafters. Really neat stuff!

  Submitted by Cecelia Leibovitz.
     

• Paper Pastiche -Paper Pastiche can help you celebrate a special occasion with unique

  albums, journals, and cards. Each handmade, one-of-a-kind product is made from layers of

  fine papers or fabrics in different textures with the added dimension of recycled jewelry and

  metal scraps found in recycling centers, thrift shops, and flea markets.  Submitted by

  Maryann Cello.
     

• Gathering from Sun to Sun – Craft patterns are the original shareware – collectible,

  re-useable, affordable fun… In a quality colorfully illustrated 8-page folded leaflet (including

  complete cross-stitch instructions) ‘Gathering from Sun to Sun’ gives a basket of symmetry

  & sunshine to teachers, crafters, folk art fans, cooks, gardening aficionados, or just anyone

  in the mood to join the young & avant-garde.  Submitted by Pointefrance.

• Rain Drop Necklace – A

  handmade piece of jewelry which was designed for RAINN (they help victims of rape and
  incest) – 1/3 of the proceeds are donated to them. Submitted by Helen Makri.

• Votive Tapas Sets – Votive Tapas sets, inspired by the delightful Mediterranean repast, are

  the perfect way to sample all five fragrances but are also ready for gift giving in a pretty white

  box with a clear top and white elastic bow. Votives in tall, elegant frosted glasses are

  nestled in fine white shred. Each Votive burns for 15 hours.  Contains one of each scent:

  Cinnamon Sandalwood, Grapefruit Ylang Ylang, Vanilla Lavender, Lemongrass Fennel,

  Coconut Bay Rum.  Submitted by Rachel Lane.

• Homeportraits  – HomePortraits watercolor painting or pencil

  drawings are created just for you or as a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special.

  HomePortraits are created using photographs either recent or vintage, digital or paper. If fall

  or spring photos are taken, colors can be changed and greenery and flowers can be added. 

  Submitted by Robin Duty.

Independent Resellers

• Burnlounge – For $29.95, you can give someone

  their very own music store!  That’s right – a store online where they can legally sell music –

  over 2 million titles, and then help support the bands they love.  When they sell, they get

  BurnReward credits towards music and merchandise – or they can upgrade and begin to

  make money from the store.  Submitted by Andy Greider.

• 12 Days of Christmas by Arbonne – a daily gift of cosmetics or another

  treat for the special woman in your life.  Submitted by Leslie Howard.

• Free financial needs analysis from Primerica Financial Services – It is a tool we use to

  determine how a family is doing financially: how much debt they’ve got and how to free them

  of it; how much (term) life insurance they need, and how on target they are in terms of

  retirement and college plans. (no URL, but if you live in the Miami area and are interested,

  email viviancrodriguez@gmail.com Submitted by Vivian Rodriguez.

Services

• In Perfect Order Organizing Services  – A blend of life coaching

  and home and life management tools. These tools are amazing for

  helping people who are ready to get into the ring with the morass of life choices that they

  have on their plate.  Can include coaching or a team of personal organizers who whip you

  into shape for the new year!  Submitted by Jessica Duquette.

• The Technology Diet  – The Technology Diet helps small

  businesses who are sick of technology being a pain in the assets.  The 8-week

  teleconsulting program is limited to groups of 10 so that each participant gets the individual

  attention they need to really kick-start breakthough growth in their businesses. Submitted by

  Lena West.

• The Sexy Gift Club – a service of gift products that spice up your romantic life.  Also

  www.makeyoublush.com (this has some rated R or more content, but was started by an

  ernest cubicle dweller who says "sadly, i still have to work.  but i know that when i go home

  i’ll be surrounded by products that make people feel good.  that helps me stand the pain.) Submitted by Miller Canning.

• Permanent Eyebrows –  They are tattooed and are permanent and they give bald-browed

  women the freedom to swim, exercise, and simply touch their forehead without the fear of

  wiping them off. Guys love giving this as a gift because one stop and their shopping is done. 

  In addition this gift gives to the man as well.  He longer has to wait while his lady draws

  those brows on!  Not only that, the woman, every single time she gets ready she will be so

  thankful that she received those brows, and who knows where that will lead…..Submitted by

  Sharon Rood. (no URL as of publishing time – will update)

• Drum Building Workshops –  drums and drum

  building workshops, where people come to Vermont for a week and build a drum and take

  dance, drumming and yoga classes.  Submitted by Talor Stewart.

• A lightening round of laser coaching with Sylvia Warren – The 50-minute laser coaching

  session (via telephone) helps your special someone zero in on a major challenge s/he does

  not want to struggle with in 2007. Together, we find opportunity and options hidden by the

  challenge. This enables your special someone to see and know for sure what next steps

  they are inspired to take. (Pam’s bias:  Sylvia was my coach for awhile and is an amazingly

  wise and inspiring person.  I adore her, and think you might too)  Submitted by Sylvia Warren.

Software

   

• Direct Access is a  productivity tool for Windows. Type words to launch applications and

  insert boiler plate text. It’s a great gift because it offers people the most important asset:

  time.  Submitted by Andrea Nagar.
     

• Art Affair – Artist Edition is a software application for artists. It helps them handle the

  business side of being an artist. Most artists are not especially proficient at things like

  inventory management, costing, pricing, invoicing or all the other things involved in actually

  making a living doing what they love. We hope to help them with these tasks and make their

  lives a little easier in the process.  Submitted by Deborah Miller.
     

• JibberJobber – a career management toolset that allows you to keep track of

  relationships that you develop throughout your career and has a strong emphasis on job

  search.  Considering the average person changes jobs every 3 – 5 years, JibberJobber is a

  great long-term career management tool, and highly complementary to someone that is

  becoming an entreprenuer because of the strong relationship emphasis.  Submitted by

  Jason Alba.

• Bingo Card Creator  – Software which creates bingo cards on a PC/Mac from a word list

  (you can input your own or use one of the included ones).  I originally developed it for

  teachers but as it turns out roughly half of my customers use it for other purposes, including

  corporate events, playing bingo at an old folk’s home, or Friday night bingo with the kids. 

  Submitted by Patrick McKenzie.

Miscellaneous Cool Products

• Love’s Gift – Dowloadable ebook for healing the

  pain caused by death, divorce or separation.  Submitted by Caroline.

• Kettlebell Beginner Lifting Kit  –
  A kettlebell looks like a bowling ball with a handle on it. It’s a (very) old way of working out

  that is slowly but surely coming back to prominence very, very quickly. The press around it

  has been amazing. KBC is responsible for implementing kettlebell training in Equinox,

  Crunch, New York Sports Clubs, Spectrum, and many, many other gyms around the

  country.  (Pam’s note:  a good step in the eradication of blogfat)  Submitted by David

  Ganulin.

• Kustom Kanine – Tired of giving Fido the same old dog biscuits or

  squeaky toys for the Holidays? Why not give him something that will get him plenty of

  attention from friends and family? Custom dog clothing is a great gift for the dog that has

  everything or just for a pet that needs to express herself. Coats and hoodies provide cozy

  warmth during winter months and tees reduce shedding. Submitted by Katie & Marley.

• The Billable Hour Clocks and Watches – Our

  Billable Hour watches and clocks have dials divided into six-minute increments—the same

  way lawyers (and many other professionals) bill their time.  Many professionals feel like they

  are slaves to the billable hour.  But how can something that you wear on you wrist or place

  on your desk ever take control of your life? A Billable Hour timepiece pokes fun at the mad

  scramble to meet billing quotas, and reminds you to use humor to reduce the weight you

  afford the billable hour in your professional life.  Submitted by Lisa Solomon.

• Olympic Hot Tub  – Taking time to relax and take care is one of the

  most powerful things any business owner can do to find inspiration to achieve all that is

  possible.  In fact, Cunningham says many of her loyal and delighted clients call their hot

  tubs their "think tanks" because it is while soaking that they get their best business ideas

  and the good thinking to see them through. Submitted by Alice Cunningham.

• Affirmawraps –  a line of personal affirmation blankets in fleece that

  celebrate big ideas such as abundance, love, joy, serenity, courage, strength, and

  motherhood. There are even Affirmawraps to celebrate new babies and even the four-legged

  friends in our lives. Submitted by Kristen Marie Schurlein.

• Media-Savvy-To-Go tips booklets – two tips booklets

  that offer 147 proven, powerful ways to build business and profit from free publicity, along

  with lots of useful and free links to additional resources to help them publish their articles,

  post their news via free press release distribution services, launch a winning ezine, and so

  much more. Submitted by Nancy Juetten

• Snoloha  – clothing inspired by a state of mind: "Whether you are

  half-way around the world visiting a foreign land, or sitting in your cubicle wishing you were

  somewhere else, Snoloha is that place where you feel relaxed, inspired, or energized.  In

  fact, the official Snoloha definition is “a lifestyle shared by those who live, play, travel,

  vacation, and simply enjoy life somewhere between the islands and the arctic.”  Submitted by Rod Call.

• Sophie’s Touch – Merchandise  created as a reflection of Sophie, a beloved goldendoodle

  who passed on too soon. Products include  fleece blankets, dog beds with duvets,  rope

  toys, her collar bandanas etc.  We wanted to share our love and Sophie’s spirit with others &

  to help us get over our grief of losing her.  So, we decided to make more of the things Sophie

  loved and see if other pet owners would enjoy them as much as Sophie did. No URL for

  ordering yet, but if you are interested, send an email to sophiestouch@centurytel.net, 

  Submitted by Trena Page, Deloree Burd and Rodie Burd.

• Nice thought-provoking comment for Pam – "My first thought for a gift was something like "A

  Holiday Season That Doesn’t Start Until December". Close in the running were "A Holiday

  Season Where People Don’t Fight About Whether It’s A Holiday Or Christmas" and

  "Freedom From Crass Materialism, If Only For A Day" and even "A Spirit Of Giving That

  Lasts After New Years".  But then I realized that I am not an entrepreneur, because the

  things I think are of value this season I find I cannot give away, let alone sell. Submitted by

  Stephen Downes.

• Mugshots  – custom cartoons of people’s pets onto bisque

  mugs, pet dishes, and treat canisters, or whatever else a customer requests. Then the

  bisque gets glazed and fired in a kiln. The finished result is really rockin. Submitted by Terri

  Quintal-Walton

• Money, Meaning & Beyond  – This book is a fun

  and ‘sideways’ look at business and how the simplest things in life can be the key to

  business success. (ie: how does your sex life affect your business bottom line? ooo la la 😉

  it applies to biz owners at any stage who are looking to breakthrough to the next level of

  their business.  Submitted by Tina Forsyth.

• Magnolia Branch  – Just under ten

  dollars, the Magnolia Flower Branch is an imitation flower made of wood.  They are a

  wonderful gift, because the luscious foliage and position-able bloom petals allow it to fill the

  space, above the vase it is placed in. They also carry many earthborn & handmade products

  like vases.  Submitted by Vincent Wilcox.

—

The story behind this post:  I have been trying to finish this  since Sunday.  It takes a long

time to get the information cutting and pasting from individual email submissions, editing the

description, then creating the hyperlinks.  I had been working on it for about 2 1/2 hours last

night (saving every 2 minutes) when all of a sudden I was kicked out of Typepad.  When I

logged back in, 2/3rds of the post was gone.  It was 1:30am, I was cranky and I almost

cried.  Oh well – I am sure there is a lesson somewhere in there, I just wanted to let you

know why it took so dang long to finish this post.  I swear, I had plans to publish it earlier! 

I really don’t know how my heroine Kathy Sierra has time to write long, brilliant posts with

tons of links and cool custom graphics and still find the time to work and put food on the

table.  You amaze me Kathy!