The Gift Ideas Blog

Looking for a fun floor cover that will also please the youngest members of your family? Consider FLOR, which makes modular carpet tiles for homes

Because FLOR makes modular carpet tiles, you can mix-and-match design and color carpet tiles to fit your tastes and surface area. It’s also great because of the many themes available for purchase. FLOR has recently entered into an agreement with Disney to create themed carpet tiles that feature popular such as those from the Disney-Pixar film “Cars,” the Disney Princesses, and the classic Winnie the Pooh characters.

The Gift Ideas Blog recently had a chance to review a set of “Cars”-themed FLOR carpet tiles, and we were particularly impressed by the vintage design and its durable nature. An advantage to using FLOR tiles is that if one tile gets dirty, all you have to do is lift up the stained tile and wash it. No need for inconvenient carpet washers and wet carpet.

With FLOR tiles, you can do a checkerboard pattern as pictured above, or you can line up the tiles in a row along a window or bedside. The choice is up to you. There’s also a variety of textures and colors that you can select from.

Finally, the rug tiles are partly made from recycled materials, and old tiles can be recycled. Check out FLOR today, and have some fun with your carpet!

Do you have a friend who’s a businessperson or is always glued to his or her laptop for work or home? Then perhaps a good gift idea this holiday season is Lapworks’ Laptop Desk Futura. Lapworks sells various ergonomic desks and stands for laptops that can ensure comfort and safety for frequent uses of these electronics. But the Laptop Desk Futura is being featured especially for its style and convenience.

The Futura, which is retailing for $29.95, has five incline positions, so you can set it for proper ergonomic laptop use. The laptop stand also has vents, so the surface under the laptop doesn’t get too hot (this is especially good for men because high heat on the lap from laptops has been said to reduce fertility). It has special rubber holds that keep the laptop steady, and best of all, the stand folds down flat so you can just slip it next to your laptop in your carrying case when you’re not using it.

Thin, lightweight, and good for your posture and ergonomics, this gift is perfect for businesspeople and others who frequently work on laptops. Check it out!

Brian over at Asylum.com referred us to one of their recent posts about extravagantly overpriced retro toys. A Mr. T talking doll is going for $60, while a Mork and Mindy lunchbox is going for $220! It may be a lot, but if your gift recipient loves classic TV or ’70s cult figures, it just might be the perfect gift. It also reminds us to hold on to those old belongings and gifts, because you never know how much they might be worth in 20 or 30 years!

Check it out!

Finding great Christmas gifts and Christmas gift ideas for men in your life may be difficult, but DadShop.com.au has a huge selection of gifts for men.

One of the most popular men’s gifts this Christmas on the site and in Australia is the T-Shirt which features an in-built bottle opener. That’s right, no more sitting around the barbecue waiting for someone to arrive with a bottle opener as your beer gets warm. Perfect for dads and frat boys alike.

Whatever your man likes, DadShop.com.au has a great range of Christmas gift ideas which are all shipped within 8 business hours of receiving your online order. Check it out!

Labor Day weekend is coming up, and it’s time to celebrate the favorite workers in your life. Or yourself!

It’s a popular end-of-summer holiday, so it’s everyone’s last chance to get out, get some sun, and get some relaxation. Many people have barbecues on Labor Day weekend, so a great gift idea would be to give something that’s related to barbecuing. Perhaps a brand new grill for the backyard? Or a cookbook with recipes to have the perfect BBQ? Martha Stewart or Paula Deen have great home and backyard entertaining tips. Also, maybe a trio of gourmet barbecuing sauces? The possibilities are endless.

Also, because Labor Day is a celebration of America’s workers, you might consider giving a gift that will help your friend/relative/etc. with his or her job. For example, maybe a fun desk toy or stress-relieving bean bag. Or perhaps an ergonomically correct wrist pad or mousepad or chair. Little cubicle accessories are great, too, perhaps catering to your gift recipient’s favorite things, such as TV shows, movies, celebrities, sports, etc. Perhaps your teenage niece working as an office assistant would like a Zac Efron cubicle poster. Or your sports-loving friend would like a daily sports quotes calendar, etc.

Of course, you can always give the generic (or themed) gift basket that is apropos for Labor Day. Maybe one featuring coffee and snacks, for consumption at the work desk. Several Web sites sell gift baskets themed to Labor Day. Keep on the lookout for great deals.

However you choose to celebrate the day off for Labor Day, make it special and memorable with a fun themed gift!

Many people have a lot more free time during the summer, and so they go out and travel.

This is an excellent opportunity to give a spontaneous, just-for-fun gift to show someone you love them or care.

To give a vacation gift, think about what a person needs on vacation.

Do they need luggage? Travelers going to faraway places usually need something in which to carry their clothes and to bring back their souvenirs, so a nice luggage set could be in order for your gift recipient.

Look for a sturdy set that has a variety of features. Is it made out of strong material? Is the suitcase firm? Does it have wheels to carry around easily when it’s full and heavy? Does it have an extended handle to make dragging easy? Does it have an expandable section? That could come in handy because many people frequently overpack, so that unexpected extra space comes in handy.

Also, for toiletries, you can get them a nice small toiletries bag. Made of leather or other materials, they are small enough to carry around conveniently, but large enough to store all the things you need, from toothbrushes to floss to hair gel.

For those doing the traditional “Backpacking through Europe” (or other fun destinations that require hiking or traveling by foot over long distances), a backpack might be a nice gift. There are many different kinds available, and some brands are sturdier and longer-lasting than others. Some even offer a lifetime guarantee, with the option of mailing in the old backpack for repairs or a replacement. Such a gift can make a traveler’s life much easier.

As you can see, there are many gifts that you can give to someone going on vacation or traveling far distances. Brainstorm some great ideas and come up with the perfect gift for that globetrotter in your life.

Father’s Day is coming up on June 17, and you’re probably looking out for that gift that says “I love you” to dad. Here are some Father’s Day gift ideas:

- What are your father’s hobbies? If he likes sports, get him something at a sporting goods store or perhaps a sports memorabilia store. If he enjoys a good game of golf, maybe get him a new set of clubs or a book about golf. Speaking of books…

- Does your father read? Perhaps a gift card to a local bookstore or a national retailer would be in order. Who is his favorite author? A good gift would be to buy him a book by that author.

- Is your father a businessman? Perhaps getting him something he could use at work could be in order. He might appreciate a stationery gift. Or a new briefcase.

- Perhaps you could get your dad a nice tie. Think about the dress shirts he wears, and buy him a tie that would match (in pattern and colors) those shirts. Belts, wallets, cufflinks, and other accessories are also popular gifts for men.

- Men are also quite fond of gadgets and gizmos. Look online for great deals on laptops, digital cameras, DVD players, iPods, home entertainment systems, and other electronics gifts.

Father’s Day is a great chance to give a gift to Dad. Make sure you remember to find a present on Father’s Day on June 17!

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day comes this soccer Jersey with Ireland emblazoned on it. What better way to show your Irish pride than this shirt? Your gift recipient will love this excellent item of clothing. Find it at All Posters.

Clothing stores seem to enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day as a retail event. These handsome shamrock boxers from American Eagle Outfitters could be a fun gift for a male relative or friend. They are made of 100 percent cotton with a button fly and elastic waistband. The shamrock pattern on this fine gift is sure to bring good luck to the recipient for years to come.

This nicely designed black bag is simple and clean, a perfect gift for men. Made of nylon, this messenger bag has a sliding strap and shoulder pad. This black case can be used to carry things big and small.

Compartments on the outside can be closed with zippers, and the messenger bag also has a drawstring bag for small items, as well as compartments for mp3 players, cell phones, or PDAs.

The nylon commuter bag is selling for $48.95 at Gap.