I have been having so much fun looking for science and discovery gifts for children. There are so many things available now that I wish I had as a kid. I don’t care if they are called science and discovery kits, projects or whatever. These are cool toys and experiments I want to do. I think that Christmas morning is going to be a lot of fun, messy but still a lot of fun. Here is a list I have made of Christmas 2007 Science and discovery gift ideas for children.
1) Science Games: These games are designed to be fun, keep kids playing as they learn all about science.
Dinosaurs Card Game. Plays like fish but with dinosaurs. The cards have great illustrations and information on the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. This makes a great stocking stuffer. Card game is $5.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Young Scientists Club Sci-ology game. This game for 3 to 6 players uses memory, thinking and strategy skills and teaches about 12 fields of science. Game is $13.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Learning Resources Planet Quest Game. This is a fun board game for 2 to 4 players that teaches about space and our solar system. Game is $21.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Learning Resources Caught in the Web - An Insect Game. This is a board game for 2 to 4 players that teaches about insects. To win, be the first to get your insect back home without getting caught in the web! Game pieces are shaped like a dragonfly, butterfly, grasshopper and bee. Game is $19.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
2) Fun Science kits: These kits are designed around one fun area of science.
Cosmic Rocket Kit. It includes a booklet of fun rocket science with detailed launching instructions and a rocket that soars up to 50 feet. It is $12.95 at www.physlink.com.
Scientific Explorer Magic Science For Wizards Only. Kids learn the science behind magic, like making a crystal ball in a test tube, and mix glowing bubbling potions, make your fingers smoke, cast color-changing spells. This kit is $18.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Color Lab Crystals. Kids can create a rainbow of brilliant crystals by mixing primary colors, invent their own favourite colors and grow a crystal kaleidoscope. Kits are $12.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Magic Garden. This kit comes with mountain, trees and flowers made of paper and a plastic base. Once kids have assembled the paper garden, they pour the magic garden solution on the paper. Within hours, the flowers bloom, the trees bud and snow appears on the mountain. This kit is $5.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Young Scientists Club Mysteries of Rainbows. Take a wild ride with Ms. Frizzle and her students into the mysteries of rainbows with the amazing experiments in this colorful science kit. Kids wear rainbow glasses, design a rainbow spinner, blow rainbow bubbles, make rainbow milk, bend white light, mix colored paddles, bounce light waves off ceilings, recreate Newton's prism experiment, and more. This kit is $18.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Sci-Fi Slime. Kids learn the science behind hydrophilic polymers while mixing up gobs and gobs of slime. This kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Erupting Sparkling Fizzing Fun. Kids can make a colorful glitter wand, make erupting lava, catch a shimmering wave in a tube, and more. Kit is $11.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Glow In The Dark Fun Lab. Kids can make Glow Stick and Bubbling Wand, and cool after-dark experiments with all kinds of neat glow-in-the-dark stuff. This kit is $11.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com
3) Science kits: These are general kits that have quite a few experiments.
Educational Insights Science of Special Effects. Exploring the science behind thrilling effects that you see in movies, magic shows, circuses, optical illusions, and everyday life. The step-by-step illustrated guide shows kids how to do the tricks, covering subjects like electricity, magnetism, chemistry, physics, light, then explains the science behind them. The kit is $38.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science. This kit has a little bit of everything, erupt a color changing volcano, mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own, Play with sand that never gets wet and mix safe chemicals and watch colors change. This kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Tree of Knowledge Super Chem. - science and kitchen chemistry. There is a 100 activities in this kit. Kids can make a volcano, create giant soap bubbles, shell and egg without touching it, discover cool facts about plants, make a gas cannon, grow crystals, make perfume, make fun shaped soap and monster dough, make yogurt and cheese, make a propelled motor boat and learn how to make secret writing. This kit is $28.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com
Thames & Kosmos Stepping Into Science - Little Labs. This kit gives kids 25 fun and easy experiments in 5 key science areas including air, water, chemistry, physics, and nature. They can building a soap-driven boat and writing secret messages. Float a paper clip, watch a balloon inflate itself, learn how static electricity attracts, discover how a magnifying glass enlarges. Blow super bubbles, test displacement, experiment with evaporation, see how colors mix; learn how sundials tell time and so much more. This kit is $32.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
4) Edible Science Kits: What kid does not love to be able to eat their experiments. These kits are all about experiments that can be consumed.
Scientific Explorer Soda Pop Science. Kids can make sodas fizz and foam, make super sour drinks, experiment with exotic flavors and colors, and invent your own top-secret soda formula. Kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Kids love bubble gum. I have found two kits that teaches kids how to make their own bubble gum.
Bubble Gum Kit. The kit is $12.95 at www.stevespanglerscience.com.
Scientific Explorer Bubble Gum Fun This kit is $12.95 www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Scientific Explorer Ice Cream Science. Kid do science experiments to investigate why rock salt is used in making ice cream, how the size of ice crystals makes ice cream gritty or smooth, and how air adds fluff to the mixture. Kids learn about solids, liquids, and gases. Kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com
5) Clock kits: This seems to be popular science kit these days. Probably because they are so easy to make.
Elenco Cola Clock Kit. Make a clock that runs on pop. Teaches how batteries work, clocks work and how liquids conduct electricity. This kit $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Tree of Knowledge Lemon Clock. Make your own digital clock using nature's electricity This kit includes over 18 experiments including LEDs, chemical reactions, electro-chemistry, electro-magnetism, acid/base substances, and invisible inks. This kit is $10.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Tree of Knowledge Water Clock. The clock you build with this science kit will run on water, ketchup, toothpaste, lemons, even cola. This kit is $11.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
6) Just for fun: These are just great gifts that have something to do with science.
Giant Plush Microbes is a plush microbe 1,000,000 times bigger then the real thing. They are actually cute. The only time someone will thank you for giving him or her a cold. These are funny, and unusual. You can pick from a huge selection of icky things to give her, including a brain cell, mad cow disease or the plague - Black Death. They are $7.99 at www.thinkgeek.com
The Tornado in a Jar - My kids love this one. Kids shake the bottle clockwise and watch the tornado form. This is $5.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Temperature Sensitive Liquid Crystal Sheets. 12" x 12" liquid crystal Mylar sheets (0.008" thick) can be cut to size with scissors. 3 to 5 micron sized crystals dispersed within a polymer matrix exhibit total color spectrum with temperature change. Kids have fun changing the colors with their hands and ice. This kit is $22.50 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Hand Boilers. Pretty fascinating science toy and an excellent demonstration of energy transfer. Kids hold the large bulb end in the palm of their hand and within minutes, their body heat will cause the liquid to rise. Once out of their hands, it takes a few minutes for the liquid to cool down and return to the large bulb. They are $4.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Grow A Peanut Bush. Makes a great stocking stuffer. This has every thing a kid needs to sprout a peanut plant. It is $2.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
I Dig Dinosaurs. Kids use kid-sized paleo-tools to dig up replica bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex, snap the pieces together, and then paint the completed skeleton for display. Includes field guide, paints and safety goggles. Kit is $24.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas 2007 Science and discovery gift ideas for adults
When looking for a science and discovery gift for an adult it can be very difficult to know what to get. Most of the kits available are for kids and teens. Usually the person you are buying for already has some ideas or experience in the area of science they like. You don’t want to be giving them something just because it fits in that area, you want to make sure it is something they will enjoy. I have created a list of Christmas 2007 science and discovery gift ideas for adults.
If someone works in the science field they probably already have what they need or want in that area. If you are looking for a gift for them it is best to ask them what they want. They are going to want something very specific or something in a different field then they work in. Then there are those of us who don’t make their living in a science field, but enjoy areas of science. I know that I would love to learn more about what CSI’s do. My husband is very interested in space exploration and fuel cell technology. You don’t have to even like or understand science to be drawn to areas that revolve around science. I was looking around for Christmas gifts for people who enjoy science and found that there are a lot of very cool gift ideas out there. I found so many of the science kits that I want to try are actually made for kids. I am OK with that, they are designed to captures peoples interest and teach at the same time. I am just glad I have kids so I can buy the kits for them and I get to play with them too. Here are what I think are some of the best science and discovery gift ideas for adults available.
Clothing can be fun and scientific at the same time. I have put t-shirts here, though I did find hoodies, tank tops, jackets and hats available.
The Periodic Table T-Shirt. The 7-color Periodic Table black t-shirt is made from 100% cotton and glows-in-the-dark. This shirt is $16.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Generic humanoid carbon unit T-shirt. It is a Black 100% heavyweight, pre-shrunk, cotton t-shirt with slate blue ink. The Icons for Generic Humanoid Carbon Unit as well as the phrase itself sits neatly centered on the shirt. This shirt is $16.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Heavy Metal T-shirt. It is a 100% cotton heavyweight black tee with white and red depictions of 11 heavy metals from copper to bismuth doodled in the style of a 16-year-old metalhead. This is a great T-shirt. It is $16.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Caffeine Molecule and Capsaicin Molecule T-shirts. The caffeine molecule is printed in lime green on a navy shirt. The capsaicin molecule is printed in bright red on a maroon shirt. Both can be found for $14.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/. I have put both of these on my Christmas wish list, as I love both coffee and spicy hot peppers.
Chocolate molecule ladies t-shirt. The Theobromine molecule is printed in magenta on a dark chocolate colored shirt and it is $17.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
"Actually, I AM a Rocket Scientist" T-Shirt is $19.95 at http://www.findgift.com/.
Just for fun science gifts:
Ball of Whacks Created by Roger von Oech. The Ball of Whacks consists of 30 magnetic design blocks that can be rearranged into many shapes. The Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page illustrated creativity guidebook that provides you with tips, stories, exercises, and insights into the creative process. Each individual piece of the Ball of Whacks is a "golden ratio" rhombic pyramid. Held in place by 180 rare earth magnets, these design blocks fit together to form a perfect 30-sided rhombic triacontahedron, geometry's most beautiful shape. This is $25.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Pet Tornado. This is a small desk toy approximately 5 inches tall, 1.5 inches in diameter. Shake the Pet Tornado clockwise and watch the mini tornado funnel form. It makes a nice stocking stuffer. It is $4.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Mini Plasma Ball. This is a great stocking stuffer. The plasma light responds to your touch and to the music in the room. Place your hand on its smooth glass surface. The unchained lightning is drawn to your touch. It gathers harmlessly about your palm and fingers, creating beutiful swirling formations that follow your ever move. It reacts to music and your voice. Tune it to respond to sound and it actually reacts to music with rhythmical flashes of lightning. You can even talk to it and see the patterns of your voice reflected in its striking pulsations. This is $12.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Einstein Tongue Mug. It is a ceramic mug with a picture of Einstein sticking his tongue out. It is $9.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Newtons Cradle. This can be addictive. You get one or two balls swinging and one or two balls on the other side swing out and then back in starting it all over again. Newton's cradle or balance balls is one of the oldest, most interesting physics toys that demonstrate the laws of conservation of energy and momentum. This is $9.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Ammonite Fossil. This is an actual fossil. Ammonites are one of the most widely known fossils, possessing a ribbed spiral-form shell. They belong to a group of predators known as cephalopods, which includes living relatives such as the octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. These creatures lived in the seas between 240 - 65 million years ago, when they became extinct along with the dinosaurs. This is $12.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Kits:
Robots. With shows and movies like Lost is space, Star Wars, Star Trek the next generation with Data, Robotech, Transformers, and Gobots who as a kid did not wish they could have a robot? Now we can make our own. There are a lot of robot kits available right now; I tried to find ones that are designed for adults.
Cybug - A Living Robot. This one is programmed to act like a living organism, with behaviors and instincts built into its circuitry - so there's no need for programming or a microprocessor. It's instructional, a challenge to build, and fun to modify and customize. This kit is $49.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Bioloid Humanoid Robotics Kit. The Bioloid can be configured as the default human form, or assembled into any one of dozens of different robotic creatures. 18 servos, a full motion editor and visual programming environment allow a teen to make the Bioloid interact with it's surroundings while performing complex movements that put other toy robots to shame. The Bioloid comes with several example programs to make it walk, avoid obstacles and interact with sound. The sensor module in the head of the robot features an IrDA receiver (for communicating with other robots via infrared), three proximity sensors (left, right and front) that can measure distance and luminosity, a microphone for sound detection and a piezo-electric speaker that can be used to play musical scales or generate simple beeping sounds. Robot can be programmed custom movements and behavior logic. This kit is $899.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Ultimate Robot Kit All you need to make 5 amazing robots. Ultimate Robot Kit comes with everything you need to build four robots: from plastic gears to a power pod, from cardboard frames to instruction cards with detailed photographs. Once you’ve mastered the BounceBot, CreepycrawlyBot, KnotBot and Gobblebot, use the extra pieces and create a fifth robot of your own design. This kit is $29.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Cars with alternative fuel kits. As gas prices go up I know we are all interested in finding out more about different energy sources. Besides cars are still just to make and play with (I mean experiment with) no matter what our ages.
Intelligent Fuel Cell Car. The Car Kit Manual features experiments and background information to help your teen explore the history and future of emerging fuel cell technology. The Intelligent Fuel Cell Car is powered by the PEM Reversible Fuel Cell, which safely converts the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. The clear plastic "intelligent" car backs up and turns 90 degrees when it hits a barrier. This kit is $79.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Elenco Photon Solar Racer Kit. This is such a cool kit. It is a toy race car that runs on solar power. Teens get to build it and learn about solar energy and how to convert it to useful applications, or at least fun ones. No soldering, no batteries needed for the science kit. Comes with high-energy solar panel. The solar car comes in clear plastic. The car can be painted any color scheme that you desire (paint is not supplied). The body of Photon is even made from recycled pop bottles. This kit is $31.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
OWI Robots Amphibious Solar Vehicle kit. It is a toy vehicle that works on land and on water and uses solar power. As a teen builds this vehicle they will be learning what materials solar batteries are made from and the characteristics of solar batteries, advantages, and disadvantages of solar power and robotics. This is a non-soldering robot building kit recommended for beginners. No batteries required, it's solar powered and the solar cell is included. Screwdriver and pliers are required for assembly. This kit is $38.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Make your own Hologram Kit.
Design a Hologram Kit. I have been watching as holograms have gone from a sci-fi idea to a reality. This kit lets you make up to 202”X 3” beautiful static holograms. Each film plate is a self-developing. The kit goes together quickly and easily, and exposure time for each film plate is about 10 minutes. Each hologram will need to be put back in the rig to be viewed. You also get complete manufacturer technical support. This kit is $139.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontroller Kit - Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontrollers -- small, self-contained computers -- are the "brains" inside dozens of the devices and appliances in your home. Microwaves, washing machines, telephones, and stereos all have microcontrollers inside them. A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-microchip, and includes a processor, memory for storing data, timers, and ports for connecting to other components. As our everyday devices become increasingly "smart" with embedded technology, microcontrollers are becoming more and more important.
This kit introduces you to microcontrollers, sensors, and programming through 100 experiments. Build devices that use sensors to monitor and record data, and use the data to control motors, buzzers, lights, and a digital display. Write programs to control the devices you build. For example, you can build a light meter using a light dependent resistor and record the light levels in a room over a 12-hour period. Or measure and record the temperature outside with a temperature sensor, then graph the results. The number of possible experiments is infinite. This is $139.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Kits designed for kids look so interesting and fun. It does say 8 and up so they are designed for beginners, no matter what their age.
Make your own bubble gum kit. Learn how bubble gum is made, and what it is made of and try the gum experiments. This can be a lot of fun. I found two kits that are great and both are $12.95.
Bubble Gum Kit. The kit is at http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/.
Scientific Explorer Bubble Gum Fun. This kit is at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Scientific Explorer Ice Cream Science. Make ice cream using science and a T-shirt. This is a fun and tasty gift. This kit is $17.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Creative Cosmetics - The Science of Skin Care. This is all about learning what is in skin care products and what they actually do. Learn about basic dermatology and the chemistry of oils, gels and lotions. Then make some skin care products as experiments. Also learn how skin care products are applied as well as the hygiene and safety necessary for proper skin care. The kit includes seventeen different cosmetics base substances to make personalized makeup, lip gloss, body lotion, face cream and shower gel. This kit is $54.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/ and $54.99 at http://www.target.com/.
Perfume Science Experiment Kit - Thames and Kosmos. This is a great gift that lets people design and develop their own personal perfume, learning the biology, chemistry and techniques to make fragrances. This kit can is $59.95 at www.physlink.com/estore and $54.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Scientific Explorer French Spa Body Lotion – Learn about what is in French body lotions, and use chemistry to create their own designs. This kit is $17.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Science Books and DVD’s:
MythBusters: Don't Try This at Home! Book. MythBusters is a great show, and even though they do not do their experiments in the traditional laboratory setting or methods it is still about science. If the book is anything like the show it will be a hit. Each chapter tackles a different myth, urban legend, or wives tale and gives an experiment you can do that's related to the topic. There's also BrainBusters true and false quiz for each chapter cool facts about stuff. This book is $12.99 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Crime Scene. Learn how evidence from a crime scene is magnified, run through machines, separated into parts, and examined with x-rays and lasers as computer experts, forensic botanists, artists, microbiologists, dentists, forensic anthropologists, and chemists work to catch crooks, killers, counterfeiters, and computer hackers. Then hone your own reasoning skills to solve crimes from police case files. I am a CSI fan and think that this book would be great for any one who is a fan of the shows. This is for any CSI wanabe, like me. This book is $15.84 at http://www.sargentwelch.ca/.
The Great Robot Race NOVA DVD. Twenty-three bizarre looking vehicles line up at the starting gate of the DARPA Grand Challenge with one thing in common: there’s nobody behind the wheel. Sponsored by the Pentagon’s research agency, this race for robotic, driverless vehicles has a $2 million prize. Its ultimate goal is to gather new ideas for the future of unmanned warfare. These vehicles are armed with cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, laser-guided vision, GPS navigation, and 3-D mapping systems. Can the world’s most advanced robots overcome a grueling, 130-mile stretch of Nevada's scorching desert terrain? NOVA follows the competing engineering teams as they deal with the glitches, system crashes, and tight deadlines that threaten to derail them at every turn. NOVA’s cameras capture the race’s technical challenges, hilarious pitfalls, and a final twist as a surprise contender comes up from behind to steal the race.
This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Lightning NOVA DVD. Join the scientists as they tempt nature by creating the world's tallest lightning rod, a wire leading thousands of feet into storm clouds, which triggers awe-inspiring thunderbolts a few hundred feet from the observers and creates a chunk of "petrified" lightning. This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Space: It is hard not to be fascinated with what is out there. Some people like to look at the stars, or want to know all about the planets, and others dream of traveling to space and other planets. We grew up with shows like Lost in space, Star Wars, Star Trek, and many movies and books about space and what is out there. Things that were only ideas in books, movies and TV shows are a reality today. Space stations are being built in our lifetime.
Star Pocket Accurate pocket size star finder helps to identify 70 constellations and 42 main stars. This kit includes the Star Pocket viewer with built-in red light, 2 starmaps, one for each hemisphere, 4 latitude attachments, a built-in compass, a protective sleeve and an instruction booklet. This is a gift for a beginner astronomer. This kit is $29.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Telescope Digital Photo Adapter Attach your digital camera to most telescopes and spotting scopes and take digital photos. This is $19.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Physics:
The Elegant Universe NOVA 2 DVD Set
It's the holy grail of physics, the search for ultimate law and order in the universe. And in the last few years, excitement has grown among scientists as they've pursued a revolutionary new approach to unifying nature's forces. It's called string theory and, to the uninitiated, it's totally mind-boggling. But physicist Brian Greene has a rare gift for conveying physics in vivid everyday images, a gift that has turned his recent book The Elegant Universe into a mighty bestseller, and now Greene brings his talent and vitality to this documentary. This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Games: Most of us still enjoy playing games and these games are designed to get us thinking.
IQ Challenge Game Build up your Brain Power. This is a game for one or more players. This pack has over a 100 of the best, brilliantly befuddling, brain bamboozling, lateral thinking puzzles in the world. Every lateral thinking puzzle is rated for difficulty, the rating determines your score if you solve it. Answer before the time runs out and you may get to answer a bonus lateral-thinking puzzle question. This game is $14.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Cool Gadget:
13W Briefcase Solar Generator This is a 13-Watts portable solar generator. Works great as a portable power supply when traveling, boating, camping, etc. It produces 13 Watts of power at max 17.5 Volts. Comes with three detachable connectors: alligator battery clamps, male cigarette lighter plug and female cigarette lighter plug. Use it with any device that comes with a car cigarette lighter plug, such as: portable coolers, heaters, computer power supply, laptop and phone chargers, GPS devices, etc. This is $149.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Portable Scale. 225g x 0.1g Postal Hanging Digital Scale is perfect for Chemistry students and teachers. $12.95 http://www.physlink.com/.
Microscope accessory:
Konus 1.3MB USB Microscope Eyepiece. This computer video set enables you to view microscope or telescope images on your Windows compatible PC. It fits in the eyepiece holder of any standard microscope or refractor and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes (other telescopes require adapter which is available separately.) You can view image in real-time and capture static images in high-quality resolution (1.3 mega pixel) and color. This is $279.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
The person you are shopping for is seriously into science you may not want to give them a kit. Instead have them go to a web site like ScienceLab, http://www.sciencelab.com/. It is a source for laboratory equipment, specialty chemicals and science educational products. They have a wide range of products in chemicals and reagents, pH meters, laboratory scales, refractometers, microscopes, laboratory glassware and many other scientific supplies. This way they can make up a wish list of what they actually want or need.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
If someone works in the science field they probably already have what they need or want in that area. If you are looking for a gift for them it is best to ask them what they want. They are going to want something very specific or something in a different field then they work in. Then there are those of us who don’t make their living in a science field, but enjoy areas of science. I know that I would love to learn more about what CSI’s do. My husband is very interested in space exploration and fuel cell technology. You don’t have to even like or understand science to be drawn to areas that revolve around science. I was looking around for Christmas gifts for people who enjoy science and found that there are a lot of very cool gift ideas out there. I found so many of the science kits that I want to try are actually made for kids. I am OK with that, they are designed to captures peoples interest and teach at the same time. I am just glad I have kids so I can buy the kits for them and I get to play with them too. Here are what I think are some of the best science and discovery gift ideas for adults available.
Clothing can be fun and scientific at the same time. I have put t-shirts here, though I did find hoodies, tank tops, jackets and hats available.
The Periodic Table T-Shirt. The 7-color Periodic Table black t-shirt is made from 100% cotton and glows-in-the-dark. This shirt is $16.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Generic humanoid carbon unit T-shirt. It is a Black 100% heavyweight, pre-shrunk, cotton t-shirt with slate blue ink. The Icons for Generic Humanoid Carbon Unit as well as the phrase itself sits neatly centered on the shirt. This shirt is $16.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Heavy Metal T-shirt. It is a 100% cotton heavyweight black tee with white and red depictions of 11 heavy metals from copper to bismuth doodled in the style of a 16-year-old metalhead. This is a great T-shirt. It is $16.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Caffeine Molecule and Capsaicin Molecule T-shirts. The caffeine molecule is printed in lime green on a navy shirt. The capsaicin molecule is printed in bright red on a maroon shirt. Both can be found for $14.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/. I have put both of these on my Christmas wish list, as I love both coffee and spicy hot peppers.
Chocolate molecule ladies t-shirt. The Theobromine molecule is printed in magenta on a dark chocolate colored shirt and it is $17.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
"Actually, I AM a Rocket Scientist" T-Shirt is $19.95 at http://www.findgift.com/.
Just for fun science gifts:
Ball of Whacks Created by Roger von Oech. The Ball of Whacks consists of 30 magnetic design blocks that can be rearranged into many shapes. The Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page illustrated creativity guidebook that provides you with tips, stories, exercises, and insights into the creative process. Each individual piece of the Ball of Whacks is a "golden ratio" rhombic pyramid. Held in place by 180 rare earth magnets, these design blocks fit together to form a perfect 30-sided rhombic triacontahedron, geometry's most beautiful shape. This is $25.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Pet Tornado. This is a small desk toy approximately 5 inches tall, 1.5 inches in diameter. Shake the Pet Tornado clockwise and watch the mini tornado funnel form. It makes a nice stocking stuffer. It is $4.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Mini Plasma Ball. This is a great stocking stuffer. The plasma light responds to your touch and to the music in the room. Place your hand on its smooth glass surface. The unchained lightning is drawn to your touch. It gathers harmlessly about your palm and fingers, creating beutiful swirling formations that follow your ever move. It reacts to music and your voice. Tune it to respond to sound and it actually reacts to music with rhythmical flashes of lightning. You can even talk to it and see the patterns of your voice reflected in its striking pulsations. This is $12.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Einstein Tongue Mug. It is a ceramic mug with a picture of Einstein sticking his tongue out. It is $9.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Newtons Cradle. This can be addictive. You get one or two balls swinging and one or two balls on the other side swing out and then back in starting it all over again. Newton's cradle or balance balls is one of the oldest, most interesting physics toys that demonstrate the laws of conservation of energy and momentum. This is $9.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Ammonite Fossil. This is an actual fossil. Ammonites are one of the most widely known fossils, possessing a ribbed spiral-form shell. They belong to a group of predators known as cephalopods, which includes living relatives such as the octopus, squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. These creatures lived in the seas between 240 - 65 million years ago, when they became extinct along with the dinosaurs. This is $12.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Kits:
Robots. With shows and movies like Lost is space, Star Wars, Star Trek the next generation with Data, Robotech, Transformers, and Gobots who as a kid did not wish they could have a robot? Now we can make our own. There are a lot of robot kits available right now; I tried to find ones that are designed for adults.
Cybug - A Living Robot. This one is programmed to act like a living organism, with behaviors and instincts built into its circuitry - so there's no need for programming or a microprocessor. It's instructional, a challenge to build, and fun to modify and customize. This kit is $49.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Bioloid Humanoid Robotics Kit. The Bioloid can be configured as the default human form, or assembled into any one of dozens of different robotic creatures. 18 servos, a full motion editor and visual programming environment allow a teen to make the Bioloid interact with it's surroundings while performing complex movements that put other toy robots to shame. The Bioloid comes with several example programs to make it walk, avoid obstacles and interact with sound. The sensor module in the head of the robot features an IrDA receiver (for communicating with other robots via infrared), three proximity sensors (left, right and front) that can measure distance and luminosity, a microphone for sound detection and a piezo-electric speaker that can be used to play musical scales or generate simple beeping sounds. Robot can be programmed custom movements and behavior logic. This kit is $899.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Ultimate Robot Kit All you need to make 5 amazing robots. Ultimate Robot Kit comes with everything you need to build four robots: from plastic gears to a power pod, from cardboard frames to instruction cards with detailed photographs. Once you’ve mastered the BounceBot, CreepycrawlyBot, KnotBot and Gobblebot, use the extra pieces and create a fifth robot of your own design. This kit is $29.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Cars with alternative fuel kits. As gas prices go up I know we are all interested in finding out more about different energy sources. Besides cars are still just to make and play with (I mean experiment with) no matter what our ages.
Intelligent Fuel Cell Car. The Car Kit Manual features experiments and background information to help your teen explore the history and future of emerging fuel cell technology. The Intelligent Fuel Cell Car is powered by the PEM Reversible Fuel Cell, which safely converts the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. The clear plastic "intelligent" car backs up and turns 90 degrees when it hits a barrier. This kit is $79.95 at http://scientificsonline.com/.
Elenco Photon Solar Racer Kit. This is such a cool kit. It is a toy race car that runs on solar power. Teens get to build it and learn about solar energy and how to convert it to useful applications, or at least fun ones. No soldering, no batteries needed for the science kit. Comes with high-energy solar panel. The solar car comes in clear plastic. The car can be painted any color scheme that you desire (paint is not supplied). The body of Photon is even made from recycled pop bottles. This kit is $31.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
OWI Robots Amphibious Solar Vehicle kit. It is a toy vehicle that works on land and on water and uses solar power. As a teen builds this vehicle they will be learning what materials solar batteries are made from and the characteristics of solar batteries, advantages, and disadvantages of solar power and robotics. This is a non-soldering robot building kit recommended for beginners. No batteries required, it's solar powered and the solar cell is included. Screwdriver and pliers are required for assembly. This kit is $38.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Make your own Hologram Kit.
Design a Hologram Kit. I have been watching as holograms have gone from a sci-fi idea to a reality. This kit lets you make up to 202”X 3” beautiful static holograms. Each film plate is a self-developing. The kit goes together quickly and easily, and exposure time for each film plate is about 10 minutes. Each hologram will need to be put back in the rig to be viewed. You also get complete manufacturer technical support. This kit is $139.99 at http://www.thinkgeek.com/.
Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontroller Kit - Computer Systems Engineering Kit
Microcontrollers -- small, self-contained computers -- are the "brains" inside dozens of the devices and appliances in your home. Microwaves, washing machines, telephones, and stereos all have microcontrollers inside them. A microcontroller is a computer-on-a-microchip, and includes a processor, memory for storing data, timers, and ports for connecting to other components. As our everyday devices become increasingly "smart" with embedded technology, microcontrollers are becoming more and more important.
This kit introduces you to microcontrollers, sensors, and programming through 100 experiments. Build devices that use sensors to monitor and record data, and use the data to control motors, buzzers, lights, and a digital display. Write programs to control the devices you build. For example, you can build a light meter using a light dependent resistor and record the light levels in a room over a 12-hour period. Or measure and record the temperature outside with a temperature sensor, then graph the results. The number of possible experiments is infinite. This is $139.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Kits designed for kids look so interesting and fun. It does say 8 and up so they are designed for beginners, no matter what their age.
Make your own bubble gum kit. Learn how bubble gum is made, and what it is made of and try the gum experiments. This can be a lot of fun. I found two kits that are great and both are $12.95.
Bubble Gum Kit. The kit is at http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/.
Scientific Explorer Bubble Gum Fun. This kit is at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Scientific Explorer Ice Cream Science. Make ice cream using science and a T-shirt. This is a fun and tasty gift. This kit is $17.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Creative Cosmetics - The Science of Skin Care. This is all about learning what is in skin care products and what they actually do. Learn about basic dermatology and the chemistry of oils, gels and lotions. Then make some skin care products as experiments. Also learn how skin care products are applied as well as the hygiene and safety necessary for proper skin care. The kit includes seventeen different cosmetics base substances to make personalized makeup, lip gloss, body lotion, face cream and shower gel. This kit is $54.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/ and $54.99 at http://www.target.com/.
Perfume Science Experiment Kit - Thames and Kosmos. This is a great gift that lets people design and develop their own personal perfume, learning the biology, chemistry and techniques to make fragrances. This kit can is $59.95 at www.physlink.com/estore and $54.95 at http://www.discoverthis.com/.
Scientific Explorer French Spa Body Lotion – Learn about what is in French body lotions, and use chemistry to create their own designs. This kit is $17.95 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Science Books and DVD’s:
MythBusters: Don't Try This at Home! Book. MythBusters is a great show, and even though they do not do their experiments in the traditional laboratory setting or methods it is still about science. If the book is anything like the show it will be a hit. Each chapter tackles a different myth, urban legend, or wives tale and gives an experiment you can do that's related to the topic. There's also BrainBusters true and false quiz for each chapter cool facts about stuff. This book is $12.99 at http://www.sciencestoreforthestars.com/.
Crime Scene. Learn how evidence from a crime scene is magnified, run through machines, separated into parts, and examined with x-rays and lasers as computer experts, forensic botanists, artists, microbiologists, dentists, forensic anthropologists, and chemists work to catch crooks, killers, counterfeiters, and computer hackers. Then hone your own reasoning skills to solve crimes from police case files. I am a CSI fan and think that this book would be great for any one who is a fan of the shows. This is for any CSI wanabe, like me. This book is $15.84 at http://www.sargentwelch.ca/.
The Great Robot Race NOVA DVD. Twenty-three bizarre looking vehicles line up at the starting gate of the DARPA Grand Challenge with one thing in common: there’s nobody behind the wheel. Sponsored by the Pentagon’s research agency, this race for robotic, driverless vehicles has a $2 million prize. Its ultimate goal is to gather new ideas for the future of unmanned warfare. These vehicles are armed with cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, laser-guided vision, GPS navigation, and 3-D mapping systems. Can the world’s most advanced robots overcome a grueling, 130-mile stretch of Nevada's scorching desert terrain? NOVA follows the competing engineering teams as they deal with the glitches, system crashes, and tight deadlines that threaten to derail them at every turn. NOVA’s cameras capture the race’s technical challenges, hilarious pitfalls, and a final twist as a surprise contender comes up from behind to steal the race.
This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Lightning NOVA DVD. Join the scientists as they tempt nature by creating the world's tallest lightning rod, a wire leading thousands of feet into storm clouds, which triggers awe-inspiring thunderbolts a few hundred feet from the observers and creates a chunk of "petrified" lightning. This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Space: It is hard not to be fascinated with what is out there. Some people like to look at the stars, or want to know all about the planets, and others dream of traveling to space and other planets. We grew up with shows like Lost in space, Star Wars, Star Trek, and many movies and books about space and what is out there. Things that were only ideas in books, movies and TV shows are a reality today. Space stations are being built in our lifetime.
Star Pocket Accurate pocket size star finder helps to identify 70 constellations and 42 main stars. This kit includes the Star Pocket viewer with built-in red light, 2 starmaps, one for each hemisphere, 4 latitude attachments, a built-in compass, a protective sleeve and an instruction booklet. This is a gift for a beginner astronomer. This kit is $29.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Telescope Digital Photo Adapter Attach your digital camera to most telescopes and spotting scopes and take digital photos. This is $19.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Physics:
The Elegant Universe NOVA 2 DVD Set
It's the holy grail of physics, the search for ultimate law and order in the universe. And in the last few years, excitement has grown among scientists as they've pursued a revolutionary new approach to unifying nature's forces. It's called string theory and, to the uninitiated, it's totally mind-boggling. But physicist Brian Greene has a rare gift for conveying physics in vivid everyday images, a gift that has turned his recent book The Elegant Universe into a mighty bestseller, and now Greene brings his talent and vitality to this documentary. This DVD is $18.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Games: Most of us still enjoy playing games and these games are designed to get us thinking.
IQ Challenge Game Build up your Brain Power. This is a game for one or more players. This pack has over a 100 of the best, brilliantly befuddling, brain bamboozling, lateral thinking puzzles in the world. Every lateral thinking puzzle is rated for difficulty, the rating determines your score if you solve it. Answer before the time runs out and you may get to answer a bonus lateral-thinking puzzle question. This game is $14.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Cool Gadget:
13W Briefcase Solar Generator This is a 13-Watts portable solar generator. Works great as a portable power supply when traveling, boating, camping, etc. It produces 13 Watts of power at max 17.5 Volts. Comes with three detachable connectors: alligator battery clamps, male cigarette lighter plug and female cigarette lighter plug. Use it with any device that comes with a car cigarette lighter plug, such as: portable coolers, heaters, computer power supply, laptop and phone chargers, GPS devices, etc. This is $149.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
Portable Scale. 225g x 0.1g Postal Hanging Digital Scale is perfect for Chemistry students and teachers. $12.95 http://www.physlink.com/.
Microscope accessory:
Konus 1.3MB USB Microscope Eyepiece. This computer video set enables you to view microscope or telescope images on your Windows compatible PC. It fits in the eyepiece holder of any standard microscope or refractor and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes (other telescopes require adapter which is available separately.) You can view image in real-time and capture static images in high-quality resolution (1.3 mega pixel) and color. This is $279.95 at http://www.physlink.com/.
The person you are shopping for is seriously into science you may not want to give them a kit. Instead have them go to a web site like ScienceLab, http://www.sciencelab.com/. It is a source for laboratory equipment, specialty chemicals and science educational products. They have a wide range of products in chemicals and reagents, pH meters, laboratory scales, refractometers, microscopes, laboratory glassware and many other scientific supplies. This way they can make up a wish list of what they actually want or need.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
http://www.medievalmagic.ca/
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas 2007 Gift ideas to motivate the plus-size woman to exercise
As a plus size woman I can tell you the only person who can motivate a plus-size woman to exercise is the plus size woman. If you are thinking about getting a gift to motivate a plus-size woman to exercise you better make sure it is her idea to exercise. Otherwise you are wasting your money and going to be in the doghouse with her. Now if a plus-size woman is all for exercising but just needs a little extra motivation there are some great gifts available. Here is a list created by a plus-size woman of the best Christmas 2007 gift ideas to motivate the plus-size woman to exercise.
1) The best gift you could ever give a plus-size, or any, woman is to become their workout partner. This means to do the same work out as she does when she does, even it you are at a higher fitness level. It is much easer to be motivated to do a work out if you have a scheduled time to do the work out and a partner who expects you to do it with them. Be supportive and participate. Find ways to unexpectedly reward her when she consistently does her work out. It can be a card to say you are impressed by her dedication or a manicure to say that she has been working so hard she deserves some pampering. You do this every once in a while just to help her keep motivated. This is not a one-shot gift deal here. This requires some dedication on your part to.
2) Pay for an exercise or workout class. It will be much easer for her to stay motivated when she is doing something that is fun. It also helps that it is at a scheduled time and people expect her to show up. There are some great “exercise” classes that do not seem to be exercise. There is bellydancing, Latin dancing, yoga, Tai Chi, aqua aerobics, and more. Take a look at what is in your local area. The YWCA will often have a nice selection of fun and low impact exercise classes.
3) Membership to a gym, like Curves, that is designed for women or is women only. I know that not every town or city has a gym that caters to women. If you don’t have one in your area a membership to a regular gym will do. Here is the link to Curves, http://www.curves.com. Please include with the membership babysitting, and transportation if either of these two could hold a woman back from going to exercise.
4) Provide childcare and transportation or space to workout if any of these things hold her back from working out.
5) Home exercise programs. This could be a personal trainer that comes to her home. It can be the exercise kits with equipment (like weights) and an instructional video of what ever is in today. Here are some popular DVD’s;
Bellydance Slimdown is $17.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Urban Belly Dance Workout DVD is $9.15 at www.cduniverse.com.
Daily Quickies: 10 Minute Workouts is $14.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Shiva Rea's Yoga Trance Dance Begin/Inter DVD is $19.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone: 3-Pack is $18.45 at www.cduniverse.com.
6) Personal fitness program on her computer. “Yourself! Fitness” software gives unlimited access to a virtual personal trainer, meal planning and nutritional guidance, and dynamic workouts to keep you motivated. "Yourself! Fitness" combines a customizable video with a (virtual) personal trainer. Varied workouts, scenery and music keep you motivated. www.yourselffitness.com has a PlayStation2 version for$34.99, PC version for $29.99 and an Xbox version for $34.99.
7) Home exercise equipment. This is going to depend on your budget and the space available. There are a lot of places to buy equipment and a huge variety of equipment options. Find something that she likes and get the equipment she needs.
8) Some workout clothing, including shoes. Try to find comfortable, fashionable clothing that she will enjoy wearing.
There are a few gifts you must stay away from no matter how good your intentions are. Do not by a scale, clothing that is to small, or a full-length mirror. These are not going to help, but will make her feel bad about herself or angry with you. Exercise books just end up on a shelf more often then not. You want to make sure that what gift you give her is easy to use, and comfortable for her.
1) The best gift you could ever give a plus-size, or any, woman is to become their workout partner. This means to do the same work out as she does when she does, even it you are at a higher fitness level. It is much easer to be motivated to do a work out if you have a scheduled time to do the work out and a partner who expects you to do it with them. Be supportive and participate. Find ways to unexpectedly reward her when she consistently does her work out. It can be a card to say you are impressed by her dedication or a manicure to say that she has been working so hard she deserves some pampering. You do this every once in a while just to help her keep motivated. This is not a one-shot gift deal here. This requires some dedication on your part to.
2) Pay for an exercise or workout class. It will be much easer for her to stay motivated when she is doing something that is fun. It also helps that it is at a scheduled time and people expect her to show up. There are some great “exercise” classes that do not seem to be exercise. There is bellydancing, Latin dancing, yoga, Tai Chi, aqua aerobics, and more. Take a look at what is in your local area. The YWCA will often have a nice selection of fun and low impact exercise classes.
3) Membership to a gym, like Curves, that is designed for women or is women only. I know that not every town or city has a gym that caters to women. If you don’t have one in your area a membership to a regular gym will do. Here is the link to Curves, http://www.curves.com. Please include with the membership babysitting, and transportation if either of these two could hold a woman back from going to exercise.
4) Provide childcare and transportation or space to workout if any of these things hold her back from working out.
5) Home exercise programs. This could be a personal trainer that comes to her home. It can be the exercise kits with equipment (like weights) and an instructional video of what ever is in today. Here are some popular DVD’s;
Bellydance Slimdown is $17.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Urban Belly Dance Workout DVD is $9.15 at www.cduniverse.com.
Daily Quickies: 10 Minute Workouts is $14.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Shiva Rea's Yoga Trance Dance Begin/Inter DVD is $19.95 at www.collagevideo.com.
Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone: 3-Pack is $18.45 at www.cduniverse.com.
6) Personal fitness program on her computer. “Yourself! Fitness” software gives unlimited access to a virtual personal trainer, meal planning and nutritional guidance, and dynamic workouts to keep you motivated. "Yourself! Fitness" combines a customizable video with a (virtual) personal trainer. Varied workouts, scenery and music keep you motivated. www.yourselffitness.com has a PlayStation2 version for$34.99, PC version for $29.99 and an Xbox version for $34.99.
7) Home exercise equipment. This is going to depend on your budget and the space available. There are a lot of places to buy equipment and a huge variety of equipment options. Find something that she likes and get the equipment she needs.
8) Some workout clothing, including shoes. Try to find comfortable, fashionable clothing that she will enjoy wearing.
There are a few gifts you must stay away from no matter how good your intentions are. Do not by a scale, clothing that is to small, or a full-length mirror. These are not going to help, but will make her feel bad about herself or angry with you. Exercise books just end up on a shelf more often then not. You want to make sure that what gift you give her is easy to use, and comfortable for her.
Christmas 2007 Digital camera recommendations for teen girls
Digital cameras are very popular Christmas gifts right now as the price has come down and the variety has increased. What Camera you buy will depend on your budget and what the digital camera is for. If the teen girl is very interested in the art of photography you are more likely to be looking at high-end cameras with lots of features then if she is just interested in being able to take pictures of her friends. If some one is serous about photography they have very specific requirements for their camera and that person is the best person to pick the camera. I have made a list of great first time or casual use cameras I would recommend for teen girls. Please note that I looked at Sears and Wal-Mart to give you a good idea of what is available. You will be able to find similar digital cameras under any name brand.
Here is my Christmas 2007 list of Digital camera recommendations for teen girls:
Sears website:
Mini Digital Camera on a key chain. It has 16 MB SDRM memory, image quality shift and auto shoot modes. Is available in blue, green or clear and comes with a USB cable and carrying pouch. It does require 1 AAA battery. Current website price $19.99
Innovage Mini Digital Camera with key chain. It takes pictures and can also be used as a Web cam and video camera. It has 243 digital picture capacity and 16 MB internal memory. Current website price $14.99
Digital Camera with 8MG Memory. It has 300K-pixel resolution, and a 5mm lens and an LCD screen. It can hold 26 pictures. It has auto exposure with a 10-second self-timer. It has USB output, and a stand is included. It does require 2 AAA batteries. Current website price: $39.99
Sakar 6.1MP Digital Camera. Has edit On Demand technology crop, add frames, message captions, voice recordings and dates to your photos without a computer.
It also has a 1.5" color TFT screen, 4x digital zoom, and auto flash. It supports SD removable storage and is web cam enabled. It does require 2 AA batteries. Current website price: $79.88
Kodak® Digital Camera C613 has 6 mega pixels, 3X optical zoom, a 2 2/5" LCD screen and digital image stabilization. Is compatible with SDHC memory but that must be bought separately. Current website price: $129.99
Wal-Mart has:
Digital Concepts 3-in-1 Camera Start-up Kit: It comes with Photo Tags CD software a carrying case the user manual and USB connector cable as well as Digital Photography tips for Dummies handbook. Camera has resolution of 0.3 Mega pixels, and has a frame movie mode. It has 64 MB (SDRAM) storage. You can have the flash on or off and there is a Self-timer delay of 10 seconds. Requires 2 AAA batteries. Current price $18.84
VistaQuest 1.3MP Digital Key chain Camera comes in pink and blue. This camera takes both still photos and video. The ability to add a SD memory card lets you take more images or longer video clips. The auto power off feature saves battery power. It has 1.3 mega pixels, a black and white LCD, built-in 8MB SD RAM with SD card slot. Software is included ArcSoft PhotoImpression & VideoImpression. You will need to use USB to connect to PC. Requires 1 AAA battery. Current price $19.96
VistaQuest 3 MP Digital Key chain Camera, Black. It has 3 mega pixels, black and white LCD screen and 16 MB memory with SD memory card slot. This camera will take pictures and movie clips. Requires 1 AAA battery. Current price $34.84
VistaQuest 5 MP VQ-5115 Digital Camera. It has 3.2 mega pixel resolution, 8x digital, 1.5-inch color LCD, a 32 MB internal memory and Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot. This camera will take pictures and movie clips. Requires 2 AAA batteries. Current Price $58.84
Polaroid 5 MP a550 Digital Camera, Black. It has 5.0 mega pixels, 2.0" TFT LCD screen, 4x digital zoom, 16MB built-in storage, SD compatible for expanded memory. This camera can take AVI video clips as well as pictures. It also has Off/auto/red-eye reduction/fill flash, auto white balance settings, and a 10-second self-timer. More importantly it is PC & Mac compatible. It comes with a protective skin, wrist strap, USB cable, the ArcSoft software on a CD-ROM as well as the required 3 AAA batteries. Current price $69.87. * This is my top pick for price and performance.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Here is my Christmas 2007 list of Digital camera recommendations for teen girls:
Sears website:
Mini Digital Camera on a key chain. It has 16 MB SDRM memory, image quality shift and auto shoot modes. Is available in blue, green or clear and comes with a USB cable and carrying pouch. It does require 1 AAA battery. Current website price $19.99
Innovage Mini Digital Camera with key chain. It takes pictures and can also be used as a Web cam and video camera. It has 243 digital picture capacity and 16 MB internal memory. Current website price $14.99
Digital Camera with 8MG Memory. It has 300K-pixel resolution, and a 5mm lens and an LCD screen. It can hold 26 pictures. It has auto exposure with a 10-second self-timer. It has USB output, and a stand is included. It does require 2 AAA batteries. Current website price: $39.99
Sakar 6.1MP Digital Camera. Has edit On Demand technology crop, add frames, message captions, voice recordings and dates to your photos without a computer.
It also has a 1.5" color TFT screen, 4x digital zoom, and auto flash. It supports SD removable storage and is web cam enabled. It does require 2 AA batteries. Current website price: $79.88
Kodak® Digital Camera C613 has 6 mega pixels, 3X optical zoom, a 2 2/5" LCD screen and digital image stabilization. Is compatible with SDHC memory but that must be bought separately. Current website price: $129.99
Wal-Mart has:
Digital Concepts 3-in-1 Camera Start-up Kit: It comes with Photo Tags CD software a carrying case the user manual and USB connector cable as well as Digital Photography tips for Dummies handbook. Camera has resolution of 0.3 Mega pixels, and has a frame movie mode. It has 64 MB (SDRAM) storage. You can have the flash on or off and there is a Self-timer delay of 10 seconds. Requires 2 AAA batteries. Current price $18.84
VistaQuest 1.3MP Digital Key chain Camera comes in pink and blue. This camera takes both still photos and video. The ability to add a SD memory card lets you take more images or longer video clips. The auto power off feature saves battery power. It has 1.3 mega pixels, a black and white LCD, built-in 8MB SD RAM with SD card slot. Software is included ArcSoft PhotoImpression & VideoImpression. You will need to use USB to connect to PC. Requires 1 AAA battery. Current price $19.96
VistaQuest 3 MP Digital Key chain Camera, Black. It has 3 mega pixels, black and white LCD screen and 16 MB memory with SD memory card slot. This camera will take pictures and movie clips. Requires 1 AAA battery. Current price $34.84
VistaQuest 5 MP VQ-5115 Digital Camera. It has 3.2 mega pixel resolution, 8x digital, 1.5-inch color LCD, a 32 MB internal memory and Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot. This camera will take pictures and movie clips. Requires 2 AAA batteries. Current Price $58.84
Polaroid 5 MP a550 Digital Camera, Black. It has 5.0 mega pixels, 2.0" TFT LCD screen, 4x digital zoom, 16MB built-in storage, SD compatible for expanded memory. This camera can take AVI video clips as well as pictures. It also has Off/auto/red-eye reduction/fill flash, auto white balance settings, and a 10-second self-timer. More importantly it is PC & Mac compatible. It comes with a protective skin, wrist strap, USB cable, the ArcSoft software on a CD-ROM as well as the required 3 AAA batteries. Current price $69.87. * This is my top pick for price and performance.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas 2007 Chemistry gift ideas for teens
If you have a teenager who likes science and chemistry it may not always be easy to know what to get them. Giving them the typical chemistry set may not seem like much of a Christmas gift. That is until you find what is actually available these days. There is a huge selection of “Wow, that is cool” gifts available for teens interested in chemistry. A few teens not interested in chemistry would even like some of the new chemistry theme gifts available. I have created a list of Christmas 2007 chemistry gift ideas for teens. Just remember you can have fun with these gifts too.
1) Clothing is always popular with teens, and now you can give them a gift that is clothing and chemistry. I am listing some t-shirts I found though there are quite a few other clothing options out there.
Caffeine Molecule and Capsaicin Molecule T-shirts are great for both male and female teens. The caffeine molecule is printed in lime green on a navy shirt. The capsaicin molecule is printed in bright red on a maroon shirt. Both can be found at www.thinkgeek.com for $14.99.
Chocolate molecule ladies t-shirt. The Theobromine molecule is printed in magenta on a dark chocolate colored shirt and it is $17.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
"Actually, I AM a Rocket Scientist" T-Shirt $19.95 www.findgift.com.
Heavy Metal t-shirt that has what looks like band logos but are actually the symbols of heavy metal. It is $16.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
The Periodic Table T-Shirt. The 7-color Periodic Table glows in the dark and is printed on a 100% cotton black t-shirt. It is $16.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
2) Making cool stuff is what chemistry is all about. I found some chemistry kits that are all about fun and learning. These kits are designed to capture a teenager’s interest even if they are not already into science.
Glowing Gel Experiment Kit. This kit is to make strange and goofy substances that flow, stretch, break and bounce, and eco-foam fizzle or slimy ooze. Even stuff that glows on its own. They learn about the chemistry of gels, polymers, states of matter and phosphorescence. This is $14.95 at www.physlink.com.
Cool Blue Light Experiment Kit. Make a cool blue light appear in the dark or make a dirty penny glow and more experiments. Teenagers learn about chemiluminescence, how fireflies light up and the real quantum leap with this neat chemistry kit. Kit is $12.95 at www.physlink.com.
3) Edible Chemistry. Chemistry experiments a teenager can eat and drink when they are done. They actually learn about the chemistry of and what is in what they are eating.
Fizz Wizard Reaction Kit. Make color changing foaming jelly things and learn about the chemistry behind the reactions. Make fizzing drinks and then make them change colors. Pull tasty gels from a solution. Kit is $12.95 at www.physlink.com.
Thames & Kosmos Candy Factory Chemistry set. With this set Teens make candy and learn about the chemistry of crystals and why things taste good or bad. They experiment with the art of making candy, from creating the tasty ingredients to shaping the candies with the included molds and shape cutters, and using the candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork and various other tools to form and coat your candies. You can get this kit for $42.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Bubble gum kits are popular and there are a lot of them out there. Here are three kits that teach and are fun.
Bubble Gum Kit at www.stevespanglerscience.com for $12.95.
Scientific Explorer Bubble Gum Fun at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com for $12.95.
Scientific Explorer Ultimate Gum Kit – kids create their own gum and gum flavours. $27.95 www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
4) Chemistry of cosmology is popular, and not just as a gift for teen girls. You don’t have to use it to be interested in creating it. Making stuff is always fun and some of the best chemists work in the cosmetic and perfume fields.
Creative Cosmetics - The Science of Skin Care. This is all about learning what is in skin care products and what they actually do. A teenager will learn about basic dermatology and the chemistry of oils, gels and lotions. Then they get to make some skin care products as experiments. They also learn how skin care products are applied as well as the hygiene and safety necessary for proper skin care. The kit includes seventeen different cosmetics base substances to make personalized makeup, lip gloss, body lotion, face cream and shower gel. This kit is $54.95 at www.discoverthis.com and $54.99 at www.target.com.
Perfume Science Experiment Kit - Thames and Kosmos. This is a great gift that lets a teen design and develop their own personal perfume, learning the biology, chemistry and techniques to make fragrances. This kit can is $59.95 at www.physlink.com/estore and $54.95 at www.discoverthis.com.
Scientific Explorer French Spa Body Lotion – Teens learn about what is in French body lotions, and use chemistry to create their own designs. This kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
5) Just about Chemistry.
Chem C3000 Chemistry Set $189.95 www.discoverthis.com Ages 12 and up.
CHEM C3000 is an excellent way to prepare for high-school level, and even college level, chemistry.
225g x 0.1g Postal Hanging Digital Scale is perfect for Chemistry students and teachers. $12.95 www.physlink.com. This is a great portable scale.
Periodic Table Placemat, a science-mat that shows all 112 elements. It is $2.95 at www.physlink.com.
Periodic Table Refrigerator Magnets. Each element is a magnet. It is $9.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
6) If your teen is seriously into chemistry you may not want to give them a kit. Instead have them go to a web site like ScienceLab, www.sciencelab.com. It is a source for laboratory equipment, specialty chemicals and science educational products. They have a wide range of products in chemicals and reagents, pH meters, laboratory scales, refractometers, microscopes, laboratory glassware and many other scientific supplies. This way they can make up a wish list of what they actually want or need.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
1) Clothing is always popular with teens, and now you can give them a gift that is clothing and chemistry. I am listing some t-shirts I found though there are quite a few other clothing options out there.
Caffeine Molecule and Capsaicin Molecule T-shirts are great for both male and female teens. The caffeine molecule is printed in lime green on a navy shirt. The capsaicin molecule is printed in bright red on a maroon shirt. Both can be found at www.thinkgeek.com for $14.99.
Chocolate molecule ladies t-shirt. The Theobromine molecule is printed in magenta on a dark chocolate colored shirt and it is $17.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
"Actually, I AM a Rocket Scientist" T-Shirt $19.95 www.findgift.com.
Heavy Metal t-shirt that has what looks like band logos but are actually the symbols of heavy metal. It is $16.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
The Periodic Table T-Shirt. The 7-color Periodic Table glows in the dark and is printed on a 100% cotton black t-shirt. It is $16.95 at http://scientificsonline.com.
2) Making cool stuff is what chemistry is all about. I found some chemistry kits that are all about fun and learning. These kits are designed to capture a teenager’s interest even if they are not already into science.
Glowing Gel Experiment Kit. This kit is to make strange and goofy substances that flow, stretch, break and bounce, and eco-foam fizzle or slimy ooze. Even stuff that glows on its own. They learn about the chemistry of gels, polymers, states of matter and phosphorescence. This is $14.95 at www.physlink.com.
Cool Blue Light Experiment Kit. Make a cool blue light appear in the dark or make a dirty penny glow and more experiments. Teenagers learn about chemiluminescence, how fireflies light up and the real quantum leap with this neat chemistry kit. Kit is $12.95 at www.physlink.com.
3) Edible Chemistry. Chemistry experiments a teenager can eat and drink when they are done. They actually learn about the chemistry of and what is in what they are eating.
Fizz Wizard Reaction Kit. Make color changing foaming jelly things and learn about the chemistry behind the reactions. Make fizzing drinks and then make them change colors. Pull tasty gels from a solution. Kit is $12.95 at www.physlink.com.
Thames & Kosmos Candy Factory Chemistry set. With this set Teens make candy and learn about the chemistry of crystals and why things taste good or bad. They experiment with the art of making candy, from creating the tasty ingredients to shaping the candies with the included molds and shape cutters, and using the candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork and various other tools to form and coat your candies. You can get this kit for $42.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
Bubble gum kits are popular and there are a lot of them out there. Here are three kits that teach and are fun.
Bubble Gum Kit at www.stevespanglerscience.com for $12.95.
Scientific Explorer Bubble Gum Fun at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com for $12.95.
Scientific Explorer Ultimate Gum Kit – kids create their own gum and gum flavours. $27.95 www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
4) Chemistry of cosmology is popular, and not just as a gift for teen girls. You don’t have to use it to be interested in creating it. Making stuff is always fun and some of the best chemists work in the cosmetic and perfume fields.
Creative Cosmetics - The Science of Skin Care. This is all about learning what is in skin care products and what they actually do. A teenager will learn about basic dermatology and the chemistry of oils, gels and lotions. Then they get to make some skin care products as experiments. They also learn how skin care products are applied as well as the hygiene and safety necessary for proper skin care. The kit includes seventeen different cosmetics base substances to make personalized makeup, lip gloss, body lotion, face cream and shower gel. This kit is $54.95 at www.discoverthis.com and $54.99 at www.target.com.
Perfume Science Experiment Kit - Thames and Kosmos. This is a great gift that lets a teen design and develop their own personal perfume, learning the biology, chemistry and techniques to make fragrances. This kit can is $59.95 at www.physlink.com/estore and $54.95 at www.discoverthis.com.
Scientific Explorer French Spa Body Lotion – Teens learn about what is in French body lotions, and use chemistry to create their own designs. This kit is $17.95 at www.sciencestoreforthestars.com.
5) Just about Chemistry.
Chem C3000 Chemistry Set $189.95 www.discoverthis.com Ages 12 and up.
CHEM C3000 is an excellent way to prepare for high-school level, and even college level, chemistry.
225g x 0.1g Postal Hanging Digital Scale is perfect for Chemistry students and teachers. $12.95 www.physlink.com. This is a great portable scale.
Periodic Table Placemat, a science-mat that shows all 112 elements. It is $2.95 at www.physlink.com.
Periodic Table Refrigerator Magnets. Each element is a magnet. It is $9.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.
6) If your teen is seriously into chemistry you may not want to give them a kit. Instead have them go to a web site like ScienceLab, www.sciencelab.com. It is a source for laboratory equipment, specialty chemicals and science educational products. They have a wide range of products in chemicals and reagents, pH meters, laboratory scales, refractometers, microscopes, laboratory glassware and many other scientific supplies. This way they can make up a wish list of what they actually want or need.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
2007 Christmas List of Secret Santa Gifts for the person you do not know at all
It is almost time for Secret Santa pick, so here is the 2007 what to buy Secret Santa list.
Every year at work, and with family and friends I end up doing the Secret Santa gift exchange. It makes it easer and less expensive to buy for one person, and it is fun guessing who has your name. I always end up with the name of some one I don’t know that well. Or if we do it by hints, not name, I always get the ones that make no sense. So I struggle every year to find a decent gift in the price range that I hope the person likes. I figure I had better put some work into it as I am hoping the person who got my name or hint is as well. If the hint is good always go with that, but when you have no idea you need to be careful and go with a nice neutral or general gift. So for every one out there who is like me and could use some help, here is a list I have come up with.
The good thing is that most Secret Santa gifts have a price range so I have organized my list that way. However there are just some things you never go with unless you know the person well enough that you know they would like it.
Coffee/tea mug
Coffee/tea gift sets
Cologne or perfume
Alcohol or any thing related to alcohol
Clothing
Joke or gage gifts
Personal care products sets, like hair or nail care sets.
$10-$20 range:
1) Kinetic Motion toy - classic perpetual motion desk toys such as the galaxy – perpetual motion toy
2) Newton's Cradle, also known as balance balls - The same number of balls will swing up on the opposite side and the clicking will go back and forth until it stops
3) Mini Digital Camera with 16MB SDRM memory, image quality shift and auto shoot modes, USB cable, and carry pouch. It requires 1 AAA battery
4) Mini Pool Game or Mini Zen garden.
5) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
6) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
7) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
8) Seasonal “theme” gifts like a Laughing Santa or singing snowman.
9) Candles are always the quick and easy gift. Just keep in mind that every one gives candles and not every likes candles.
$21-$40 range:
1) Keychain Digital Photo Frame. It is compact 1.1” size and has 512 kb flash memory that holds about 40 pictures.
2) Kinetic Motion toy – Such as: Pit & Pendulum, give the swinging arm a light push and watch the pendulum make designs in the sand. Or Stellanova - a magnetic levitating globe with computer controlled levitation.
3) Executive Sandbox - Construction Zone, Day at the Beach, Great Outdoors are all a fun twist on the traditional Zen Garden.
4) Desktop water fountains - larger selection to pick from in this rang.
5) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
6) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
7) Seasonal “theme” gifts like Christmas Tapestry throws.
$41-60 range:
1) MP3 Player
2) Curtis Home theatre system
3) Kinetic Motion toy - Solar Motion Ferris Wheel
4) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
5) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
6) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
7) Seasonal “theme” gifts like a Laughing Santa or singing snowman.
$61-$100 range:
1) Levitron AG Anti-Gravity Globe – This electromagnetic toy uses minimal power to create real levitation. Suspended in mid-air, the Earth globe defies gravity.
2) Portable DVD Player
3) Digital home weather station
4) 2 GB video MP3 player
5) Kinetic Motion toy - Dancing Helix
6) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
7) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
8) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Every year at work, and with family and friends I end up doing the Secret Santa gift exchange. It makes it easer and less expensive to buy for one person, and it is fun guessing who has your name. I always end up with the name of some one I don’t know that well. Or if we do it by hints, not name, I always get the ones that make no sense. So I struggle every year to find a decent gift in the price range that I hope the person likes. I figure I had better put some work into it as I am hoping the person who got my name or hint is as well. If the hint is good always go with that, but when you have no idea you need to be careful and go with a nice neutral or general gift. So for every one out there who is like me and could use some help, here is a list I have come up with.
The good thing is that most Secret Santa gifts have a price range so I have organized my list that way. However there are just some things you never go with unless you know the person well enough that you know they would like it.
Coffee/tea mug
Coffee/tea gift sets
Cologne or perfume
Alcohol or any thing related to alcohol
Clothing
Joke or gage gifts
Personal care products sets, like hair or nail care sets.
$10-$20 range:
1) Kinetic Motion toy - classic perpetual motion desk toys such as the galaxy – perpetual motion toy
2) Newton's Cradle, also known as balance balls - The same number of balls will swing up on the opposite side and the clicking will go back and forth until it stops
3) Mini Digital Camera with 16MB SDRM memory, image quality shift and auto shoot modes, USB cable, and carry pouch. It requires 1 AAA battery
4) Mini Pool Game or Mini Zen garden.
5) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
6) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
7) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
8) Seasonal “theme” gifts like a Laughing Santa or singing snowman.
9) Candles are always the quick and easy gift. Just keep in mind that every one gives candles and not every likes candles.
$21-$40 range:
1) Keychain Digital Photo Frame. It is compact 1.1” size and has 512 kb flash memory that holds about 40 pictures.
2) Kinetic Motion toy – Such as: Pit & Pendulum, give the swinging arm a light push and watch the pendulum make designs in the sand. Or Stellanova - a magnetic levitating globe with computer controlled levitation.
3) Executive Sandbox - Construction Zone, Day at the Beach, Great Outdoors are all a fun twist on the traditional Zen Garden.
4) Desktop water fountains - larger selection to pick from in this rang.
5) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
6) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
7) Seasonal “theme” gifts like Christmas Tapestry throws.
$41-60 range:
1) MP3 Player
2) Curtis Home theatre system
3) Kinetic Motion toy - Solar Motion Ferris Wheel
4) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
5) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
6) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
7) Seasonal “theme” gifts like a Laughing Santa or singing snowman.
$61-$100 range:
1) Levitron AG Anti-Gravity Globe – This electromagnetic toy uses minimal power to create real levitation. Suspended in mid-air, the Earth globe defies gravity.
2) Portable DVD Player
3) Digital home weather station
4) 2 GB video MP3 player
5) Kinetic Motion toy - Dancing Helix
6) Desktop water fountains – large selection to pick from in this range.
7) Gourmet food basket – no nut or alcohol products
8) Gift certificates to for a mall. Ones that can be used in all the stores in the mall, not a specific store.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
How to get your teen girl into the spirit of the holiday season
It is hard to have your teen girl being bah humbug about Christmas. She doesn’t want to participate in any part of the celebrations. You try to find out why she is just not into Christmas this year. It may be a conflict between the religious and the commercial Holliday that Christmas has become. It may be that she is a teenager the “magic” of Christmas is gone. There is no Santa to bring her gifts; she is to old to participate in most of the kids activities and parties. She is struggling to find her place as she moves from childhood to adulthood. She may not even know why she is just not in the holiday spirit. So how do you get your teen girl into the spirit of the holiday season?
1) Make sure you are in the Christmas Spirit. Don’t let your frustration of her lack of holiday spirit take away yours. It is easer to bring the holiday spirit back for her if you are not both bah humbug about it. Don’t try so much to change her mood as to invite her to join you in your holiday spirit.
2) Bring a Christmas atmosphere into your home with decorations, music and what is on the TV. The malls do it all the time, mainly to get people in the holiday spirit so they will shop. The idea works for them so it should work for you.
Start playing Christmas music. Watch Christmas movies and specials on the DVD. Start cooking, baking or bringing home Christmas treats and have them out on the counter, living room or table for every one to snack on. It works best if it is some thing she associates with Christmas.
Decorate your home, even if she is not interested in helping. You can ask her how she likes the decorations, and see if she thinks anything should be changed. You are not trying to force her to help you or get into the Christmas spirit, but are asking her opinion. That is a powerful thing and can get her involved with the Christmas decorations. Though some times you will get, “Its fine, leave me alone!” Give her an area of the house to decorate all by herself. She gets to decide how it is going to look and where everything goes. It is all hers. It can be her room, but it works best if it is part of the home that every ones sees.
3) Do some Christmas Theme activities, together if possible. Have her make a wish list. She can do this by window shopping on the Internet or actually going to the mall with you. Have an advent calendar, even if she thinks it’s for little kids. Let her pick out the Christmas wrapping paper and help wrap gifts.
Participate in a Christmas event. It could be a party at your place or find a Christmas event like Santa Clause parade, the lighting of the towns Christmas tree, go to a Christmas pageant or show, even one put on by the local school. Go for a Christmas light walk around your neighbourhood and see the wonderful Christmas light displays.
Have a special Christmas tree ornament or Christmas decoration hunt. It could be going together shopping to find something to add to your home, or finding the raw materials, or a craft kit to make it. Make a gingerbread house or train with all your family. Bake cookies together or make rice crispy treats.
4) Make someone happy for Christmas. Spend a day shopping for the toy box donations. Each of you take an amount of money, lets say $20.00 each and see who can find the best Christmas gift or gifts to donate. This is fun and is in the Christmas spirit of giving to others. If there are any parties being held for children, like one being held by the local church, see if she is interested to helping out. Making other people happy goes a long way to get back that Christmas spirit.
5) Have her help with planning Christmas dinner, and possibly help make it. If you are going somewhere else for Christmas dinner then have her help decide what you are going to take with you. It does not matter what she does or makes, just as long as she feels important, that she was included in the decisions and her contributions are valued.
6) Let her have her own little Christmas party, just 3 or 4 friends over. She can decorate, do the invitations and help deciding and preparing the food even if it is just snack food. She can organize the games and activities for the party. See if her friends are interested in doing a secrete Santa gift exchange. Those are always fun and will keep the cost down for those who just cannot afford to buy gifts for all their friends.
Doing fun things with friends and family should bring her Christmas spirit back. If not, then gift wrap her to a chair, with wrapping paper and bows and top it off with a Santa hat. Then make her to watch all the old Christmas movies, like it’s a white Christmas and Scrooge. Force-feed her eggnog and sugar cookies until she cannot eat any more. Then if that does not work, get your family and friends to surround her and sing Christmas carols off key until she begs for mercy and promises to be more in the holiday spirit.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
1) Make sure you are in the Christmas Spirit. Don’t let your frustration of her lack of holiday spirit take away yours. It is easer to bring the holiday spirit back for her if you are not both bah humbug about it. Don’t try so much to change her mood as to invite her to join you in your holiday spirit.
2) Bring a Christmas atmosphere into your home with decorations, music and what is on the TV. The malls do it all the time, mainly to get people in the holiday spirit so they will shop. The idea works for them so it should work for you.
Start playing Christmas music. Watch Christmas movies and specials on the DVD. Start cooking, baking or bringing home Christmas treats and have them out on the counter, living room or table for every one to snack on. It works best if it is some thing she associates with Christmas.
Decorate your home, even if she is not interested in helping. You can ask her how she likes the decorations, and see if she thinks anything should be changed. You are not trying to force her to help you or get into the Christmas spirit, but are asking her opinion. That is a powerful thing and can get her involved with the Christmas decorations. Though some times you will get, “Its fine, leave me alone!” Give her an area of the house to decorate all by herself. She gets to decide how it is going to look and where everything goes. It is all hers. It can be her room, but it works best if it is part of the home that every ones sees.
3) Do some Christmas Theme activities, together if possible. Have her make a wish list. She can do this by window shopping on the Internet or actually going to the mall with you. Have an advent calendar, even if she thinks it’s for little kids. Let her pick out the Christmas wrapping paper and help wrap gifts.
Participate in a Christmas event. It could be a party at your place or find a Christmas event like Santa Clause parade, the lighting of the towns Christmas tree, go to a Christmas pageant or show, even one put on by the local school. Go for a Christmas light walk around your neighbourhood and see the wonderful Christmas light displays.
Have a special Christmas tree ornament or Christmas decoration hunt. It could be going together shopping to find something to add to your home, or finding the raw materials, or a craft kit to make it. Make a gingerbread house or train with all your family. Bake cookies together or make rice crispy treats.
4) Make someone happy for Christmas. Spend a day shopping for the toy box donations. Each of you take an amount of money, lets say $20.00 each and see who can find the best Christmas gift or gifts to donate. This is fun and is in the Christmas spirit of giving to others. If there are any parties being held for children, like one being held by the local church, see if she is interested to helping out. Making other people happy goes a long way to get back that Christmas spirit.
5) Have her help with planning Christmas dinner, and possibly help make it. If you are going somewhere else for Christmas dinner then have her help decide what you are going to take with you. It does not matter what she does or makes, just as long as she feels important, that she was included in the decisions and her contributions are valued.
6) Let her have her own little Christmas party, just 3 or 4 friends over. She can decorate, do the invitations and help deciding and preparing the food even if it is just snack food. She can organize the games and activities for the party. See if her friends are interested in doing a secrete Santa gift exchange. Those are always fun and will keep the cost down for those who just cannot afford to buy gifts for all their friends.
Doing fun things with friends and family should bring her Christmas spirit back. If not, then gift wrap her to a chair, with wrapping paper and bows and top it off with a Santa hat. Then make her to watch all the old Christmas movies, like it’s a white Christmas and Scrooge. Force-feed her eggnog and sugar cookies until she cannot eat any more. Then if that does not work, get your family and friends to surround her and sing Christmas carols off key until she begs for mercy and promises to be more in the holiday spirit.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Romantic birthday gift ideas for her
Where one women would find a room full of flowers, a dinner for two in an expensive restaurant and then a night out dancing, and then ending in a 5 star hotel romantic another would not. She may like a quite night at home with Chinese or pizza take out, a stack of B horror movies, or action flicks, with time just for the two of you to curl up on the couch. Another woman might find getting each other’s name tattooed on your ring fingers to be the be all and end all of romance.
The point is that you need to find out what is important, valuable to your girlfriend or wife. Whatever you do give has to be about her and for her. It needs to show that you know her, hear her and care enough to put the effort into the right thing for her. Not some one else’s idea of romance. Presentation is also very important. You can have a gift you know she will like but make the atmosphere romantic to make the gift romantic.
I one year I received the most incredibly romantic gifts. But I don’t think any one else would have thought them romantic at all. One was a professional grade wok. I love it. I love cooking and had been looking for a good wok. That he took the time to find just what I wanted, and trust me it was not easy, made it more valuable to me then some fancy dinner. It was the thought and work behind the gift that made it romantic for me. The other was a small handcrafted teapot made by a professional artist in China. It was ordered about 6 months in advance. The design on it is a type of flower blossoms, with 4 on each side and lid. There was a flower for each of us, me, my husband and our two children. I collect Chinese teapots so he knew I would like it. But then he took the time to find someone to make one just for me. It has special meaning to me because of that.
Our first year together my then boyfriend, now husband, gave me a pen drawing by a local artist of two wolfs nuzzling. They were to represent us. Wolves are said to only have one mate in life, so it was to show how we were meant to be together and would be loyal and true to each other. We have it up in our living room, with other wolf pictures that we like. Wolves now are a romantic gift for us.
Here are some things that can be seen as romantic, only you know if it is the right thing for the lady in your life. There is no magic formula that works for every one. Time together, attention, and honestly focused on her wants, needs and likes are the key ingredients to a romantic gift for her.
One couple I know had a great idea for romance. It was to go for a long ride on their motorbikes. For the wife, having some thing special done to her bike, such as detailing or a nice paint job or a nice new chrome accessory was a romantic birthday gift. A night out at a country bar dancing with friends, eating bar food and playing pool, a bike ride home was romantic.
There is the traditional jewellery; promise ring and engagement ring are the biggest romantic gifts. It can be any thing that shows you care and that she loves. A charm bracelet with a charm for special moments and memories you have had together is a romantic gift. It lets you look back and remember other romantic and important times. It also shows that you value the memories as well.
Sometimes it is the things you make your self that make the best romantic gifts. A hand written birthday card with ether poetry by you or just saying that you love and appreciate her. A CD with all the songs that she loves or has meaning to both of you. Some times you cannot make things your self, but you can come up with the idea. Having a song made for her, or putting an ad in the paper saying you love her might just be the most romantic thing to her.
Presentation can be every thing. If you have the right mood/atmosphere almost any gift can be romantic. A quite meal together, a single rose, soft music, a card full of love and appreciation can go a long way. The gift could be a necklace or tickets to a theatre show. It was the way it was given that makes it romantic.
Have a day off/pamper day. This could be having the house cleaned from top to bottom (by you or some one else), the kids taken care of and she gets to take a day off. No making dinner, or cleaning up and knowing that it is not just going to be sitting there to be done the next day. It could be that she gets to go off to a spa to be pampered or stay at home with her feet up, just taking the chance to relax. If you do most of the cleaning and such then get someone else to do it so you can spend the day with her instead of the household chores that never end.
A day spent together doing some thing she likes. It could be a drive in the country, going to a carnival, watching movies, a cooking class or going to an event that she likes. It does not matter if it is sports, demolition car races, a gardening convention, or an art show. What matters is that you are doing it together and it is what she likes. The focus is on her and her likes.
A weekend or week away together some place romantic is a very popular gift. It can be in a bed and breakfast in a quite corner or a big resort that is marketed for couples. For married people, a second honeymoon is a nice gift.
I have to admit that my idea of what a romantic birthday gift is has changed. It used to be going out for diner, and a theatre show. These days for my birthday I would love to have the kids at a babysitter for the night, a big steak dinner done on our BBQ, a back massage and a birthday card with a note saying a portable dishwasher will be arriving in the morning.
Gifts for the person who likes every thing Celtic 2007 list
If the person you are buying a gift for loves Celtic you are so lucky because there is no end of Celtic theme gifts available. The real question is what will the person you are buying for like. It is not a case of not having enough to pick from but too many items to chose from. You may also need to have an idea of what a Celtic piece means.
Claddaghs symbolize romantic commitment. The Claddagh is a symbol of Love, Friendship and loyalty. The Claddagh Ring belongs to a widespread group of finger rings called Fede or Faith rings which date from Roman times. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolizing faith, trust or plighted troth. Fede rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout Europe.
The Claddagh ring is a particularly distinctive ring; two hands clasp a heart surmounted by a crown. The ring worn on the right hand, crown turned inward tells your heart is yet unoccupied, worn with the crown turned outwards reveals love is being considered. Worn on the left hand the crown turned outward shows all, your heart is truly spoken for.
Runes (Celtic runes) are an alphabetic script used by the peoples of Northern Europe from the first century c.e. until well into the Middle Ages. In addition to their use as a written alphabet, the runes also served as a system of symbols used for magic and divination. From the beginning Runes took on a ritualistic meaning, serving for the casting of lots, for divination, and to evoke higher powers that could influence the lives and fortunes of the people.
Runic symbols have been carved into pieces of hardwood, incised on metal or cut into leather that was then stained with pigment. The most common Runes were smooth flat stones or pebbles with symbols or glyphs painted on one side. The practitioner would keep them in a pouch, shake them and scatter the pebbles on the ground. Those falling with glyphs upward were then interpreted.
Mandalas are ancient magical, symbolic images that represent ideas of the universe and, in so doing, present a physical and visual tool for meditating. Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. The goal of mandalas is to serve as a tool on our spiritual journey as it symbolizes cosmic and psychic order. Celtic symbol mandalas are a tool for coming in contact with our origins, visions, and desires. They are also helpful for touching our divine ancestry.
The meanings of individual mandalas are usually different and unique to each mandala. The meaning of mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle." Even though it may be dominated by squares or triangles, a mandala has a concentric structure. Their intricate compositions are contained within the 'eternal circle’, which is equated with the 'Wheel of Life'.
Celtic Mandalas - with their special content from the art of the ancient Celts - invariably have a dual-dimensional format, relating to the belief that it is possible to travel from the earthly realm into the Otherworld of Celtic legend.
As with all mandalas, Celtic symbol mandalas are useful in facilitating the following:
Steadying the mind
Observing the soul
Communion with Spirit/God
Re-establishing balance (external and internal)
Grounding ourselves
Intuitive channel
Understanding of ancestral origin
Triple Spiral Threefold
Triple Spiral: Represents the drawing of the three powers of maiden, mother and crone. It is a sign of female power and especially power through transition and growth.
Threefold:The centre of this symbol represents the "hub" signifying unity of the three powers.
Double Spiral:A sign of balance and also representative of the equinoxes.
A Celtic cross combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. It is the characteristic symbol of Celtic Christianity, though it may have older, pre-Christian origins.
In Celtic regions of Ireland and Britain many free-standing upright crosses – or high crosses – were erected, beginning at least as early as the 7th Century. Some of these Celtic crosses bear inscriptions in runes.
Ireland, it is a popular myth that the Celtic cross was introduced to the island by Saint Patrick during his time converting the pagan Irish. It is believed that he combined the symbol of Christianity, a cross, with the symbol of the sun, to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the idea of a pagan sun-god.
Now you have an idea of what the Celtic symbol means, now you have to decide on the type of gift. Celtic can be found in every medium out there. www.medievalmagic.ca has a wonderful selection of unique, one-of-a-kind Celtic gift ideas available.
Jewelry/Jewellery - there are a lot of Celtic designs, and more are being made every day. Most of them are marketed toward woman. The only difference between pieces that are for a man or a woman is the size and how delicate it is. Though some woman prefer the thicker stronger pieces and some men appreciate the delicate pieces. It is all preference.
There is a lot of masculine Celtic Jewellery. Men’s jewellery is part of Celtic history. If you have no idea about Celtic history here are some pieces that are a good start when looking for a gift for a man.
Celtic Cross
Thors Hammer
Thors Dog
Celtic Mandalas
Celtic runes
Triple Spiral Threefold
Any strong, thick Celtic Knotwork
If jewellery is not right for the person you are buying for you still have a huge selection available. Books, Music CD’s, Home Accents, Clothing and other accessories are all out there. Just find some thing that the person likes and then find it with a Celtic design or accent.
In books you can find Celtic history, art, designs, stories set in Celtic history, and coffee table books. Home accents, clothing and other accessories can be found with Celtic designs all over the place. However it may be easer to find them in specialty shops online then looking in a mall. This way you can find a lot in one place instead of going from store to store. Again though think of some thing the person would like any way and then look for it with a Celtic design on it. Such as an end table with a Celtic pattern inlay, or wine glasses with a Celtic pattern etched into the glass.
Music is very personal but there are a ton of Celtic musicians out there. There are two that seem to stand out this year. One is Celtic Woman. They even have a Christmas CD as well as DVD’s of live concerts. Here is their web site www.celticwoman.com. The other is Heather Dale. She is a Canadian recording artist with Celtic roots who combines elements from Celtic folk, blues, jazz and world music. She has several CD’s out. Here is her web site http://www.heatherdale.com.
Here are some others that are worth looking into as well: The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Irish Rovers or Gaelic Storm's, Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Soul Music, Celtic Music Web with Will Millar, Miriam Stockley.
Have a lot of fun finding the right thing. I like coffee mugs with Celtic designs, wall hangings, picture frame with Celtic knot work, Calendar with pictures of Celtic artwork, or illuminations. The list is endless if you just know what to look for.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
Claddaghs symbolize romantic commitment. The Claddagh is a symbol of Love, Friendship and loyalty. The Claddagh Ring belongs to a widespread group of finger rings called Fede or Faith rings which date from Roman times. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolizing faith, trust or plighted troth. Fede rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout Europe.
The Claddagh ring is a particularly distinctive ring; two hands clasp a heart surmounted by a crown. The ring worn on the right hand, crown turned inward tells your heart is yet unoccupied, worn with the crown turned outwards reveals love is being considered. Worn on the left hand the crown turned outward shows all, your heart is truly spoken for.
Runes (Celtic runes) are an alphabetic script used by the peoples of Northern Europe from the first century c.e. until well into the Middle Ages. In addition to their use as a written alphabet, the runes also served as a system of symbols used for magic and divination. From the beginning Runes took on a ritualistic meaning, serving for the casting of lots, for divination, and to evoke higher powers that could influence the lives and fortunes of the people.
Runic symbols have been carved into pieces of hardwood, incised on metal or cut into leather that was then stained with pigment. The most common Runes were smooth flat stones or pebbles with symbols or glyphs painted on one side. The practitioner would keep them in a pouch, shake them and scatter the pebbles on the ground. Those falling with glyphs upward were then interpreted.
Mandalas are ancient magical, symbolic images that represent ideas of the universe and, in so doing, present a physical and visual tool for meditating. Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. The goal of mandalas is to serve as a tool on our spiritual journey as it symbolizes cosmic and psychic order. Celtic symbol mandalas are a tool for coming in contact with our origins, visions, and desires. They are also helpful for touching our divine ancestry.
The meanings of individual mandalas are usually different and unique to each mandala. The meaning of mandala comes from Sanskrit meaning "circle." Even though it may be dominated by squares or triangles, a mandala has a concentric structure. Their intricate compositions are contained within the 'eternal circle’, which is equated with the 'Wheel of Life'.
Celtic Mandalas - with their special content from the art of the ancient Celts - invariably have a dual-dimensional format, relating to the belief that it is possible to travel from the earthly realm into the Otherworld of Celtic legend.
As with all mandalas, Celtic symbol mandalas are useful in facilitating the following:
Steadying the mind
Observing the soul
Communion with Spirit/God
Re-establishing balance (external and internal)
Grounding ourselves
Intuitive channel
Understanding of ancestral origin
Triple Spiral Threefold
Triple Spiral: Represents the drawing of the three powers of maiden, mother and crone. It is a sign of female power and especially power through transition and growth.
Threefold:The centre of this symbol represents the "hub" signifying unity of the three powers.
Double Spiral:A sign of balance and also representative of the equinoxes.
A Celtic cross combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. It is the characteristic symbol of Celtic Christianity, though it may have older, pre-Christian origins.
In Celtic regions of Ireland and Britain many free-standing upright crosses – or high crosses – were erected, beginning at least as early as the 7th Century. Some of these Celtic crosses bear inscriptions in runes.
Ireland, it is a popular myth that the Celtic cross was introduced to the island by Saint Patrick during his time converting the pagan Irish. It is believed that he combined the symbol of Christianity, a cross, with the symbol of the sun, to give pagan followers an idea of the importance of the cross by linking it with the idea of a pagan sun-god.
Now you have an idea of what the Celtic symbol means, now you have to decide on the type of gift. Celtic can be found in every medium out there. www.medievalmagic.ca has a wonderful selection of unique, one-of-a-kind Celtic gift ideas available.
Jewelry/Jewellery - there are a lot of Celtic designs, and more are being made every day. Most of them are marketed toward woman. The only difference between pieces that are for a man or a woman is the size and how delicate it is. Though some woman prefer the thicker stronger pieces and some men appreciate the delicate pieces. It is all preference.
There is a lot of masculine Celtic Jewellery. Men’s jewellery is part of Celtic history. If you have no idea about Celtic history here are some pieces that are a good start when looking for a gift for a man.
Celtic Cross
Thors Hammer
Thors Dog
Celtic Mandalas
Celtic runes
Triple Spiral Threefold
Any strong, thick Celtic Knotwork
If jewellery is not right for the person you are buying for you still have a huge selection available. Books, Music CD’s, Home Accents, Clothing and other accessories are all out there. Just find some thing that the person likes and then find it with a Celtic design or accent.
In books you can find Celtic history, art, designs, stories set in Celtic history, and coffee table books. Home accents, clothing and other accessories can be found with Celtic designs all over the place. However it may be easer to find them in specialty shops online then looking in a mall. This way you can find a lot in one place instead of going from store to store. Again though think of some thing the person would like any way and then look for it with a Celtic design on it. Such as an end table with a Celtic pattern inlay, or wine glasses with a Celtic pattern etched into the glass.
Music is very personal but there are a ton of Celtic musicians out there. There are two that seem to stand out this year. One is Celtic Woman. They even have a Christmas CD as well as DVD’s of live concerts. Here is their web site www.celticwoman.com. The other is Heather Dale. She is a Canadian recording artist with Celtic roots who combines elements from Celtic folk, blues, jazz and world music. She has several CD’s out. Here is her web site http://www.heatherdale.com.
Here are some others that are worth looking into as well: The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Irish Rovers or Gaelic Storm's, Brobdingnagian Bards, Celtic Soul Music, Celtic Music Web with Will Millar, Miriam Stockley.
Have a lot of fun finding the right thing. I like coffee mugs with Celtic designs, wall hangings, picture frame with Celtic knot work, Calendar with pictures of Celtic artwork, or illuminations. The list is endless if you just know what to look for.
Written by: Lori-Lee Craig
Medieval Magic
www.medievalmagic.ca
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