Yesterday morning I got an email from a sweet reader and she informed me that she was standing in the toy department of her small town Walmart surrounded by Zhu Zhu Pets. She asked if I wanted her to buy one for me and I replied, “Well, if you’re sure it’s not any trouble then YES PLEASE! I’LL TAKE TWO!”. So she headed to the checkout line with Mr. Squiggles and Chunk only to be stopped by a Walmart employee who informed her that the Zhu Zhu Pets were just part of a display and not available for purchase until Black Friday.
Shame on you, Walmart. It’s like you’re begging for a riot over $8.00 hamsters.
So I’m still on the hunt for the elusive Zhu Zhu, but it will not beat me.
To add to my frustration, I read an article online about a firm called Panjiva, run by fancy scientists from MIT that analyze the general insanity of the American population by measuring trends in imported goods, that has projected the hot holiday gifts will be Snuggies and Zhu Zhu Pets.
I don’t know what kind of computer program those MIT geniuses are using, but they haven’t told me anything I couldn’t have deduced from my eight trips to local Walmarts over the past week. Also, I believe their data regarding the Snuggie may be flawed considering that I saw an entire Snuggie display on the end of an aisle at HEB and they’d been marked down to $14.97.
All I know is that if there ever comes a day that some sort of anthropologists are digging through the rubble that used to be our society, they will find evidence of the Snuggie and the Zhu Zhu Pet and will all agree that our culture must have been very sad and misguided in our quest for backward robes and battery-powered pets.
And on that note, I thought it might be fun to compile a list of a few things I’ve found that would make great Christmas gifts for you or the ones you love. You will see that neither Pipsqueek nor Num Nums made this list.
(Also, these are just things I like. I wasn’t paid or given any merchandise to put them on this list. Just wanted you to know.)
My friend Debi and her husband Jack own a lavender farm in the Texas Hill country and, y’all, they grow their own lavender. Like from scratch or seed or whatever. And then they use it to make the most awesome lotion in the world. I keep a bottle by my kitchen sink, a bottle by my bathroom sink and a tube of it in my purse. Addicted much?
Best of all, they are currently offering the gift set with free shipping.
Unless you don’t reside on this planet, you’ve probably heard about this cookbook, but what you may not know is that Amazon is currently selling it for $10.75. TEN DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS. What is this, 1974?
Why are you still here? Go order the cookbook for everyone on your list. If you’re lucky they’ll make you some homemade cinnamon rolls as a way to say thank you.
I can’t tell you how much I hate to put socks on the list. It seems so boring, like the kind of thing you’d get someone who is in their pajamas by 7:30 p.m. every night and considers BravoTV to be the greatest invention of the 21st century.
Oh wait.
That’s me.
Truth be told, P bought me some of these socks about eight years ago and I have now worn a hole in the bottom of them because I wear them so much. They keep my feet toasty warm on these chilly South Texas winter nights when the temps dip into the mid-40′s. In other words, they pretty much perform a miracle because my feet are usually so cold that I’m either suffering from circulatory issues or I’m already dead.
I just think this is a super cute bag. Love the ruffles.
Who doesn’t love a new calendar to start off the year? I mean, besides people who don’t love a new calendar to start off the year?
This one is great because, not only are the designs beautiful and simple, but it’s separated into individual pages so you can put up each month one at a time. Isn’t that clever?
However, if you’re a fan of the entire twelve months being neatly bound, I’ve always been a big fan of Kris-10′s Creations Calendar.
6. Canon Powershot Digital Camera
P bought me one of these for Christmas about four years ago and it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It’s small enough to carry in my purse and it takes video and still pictures.
My Pa-Pa never would have dreamed there’d be a day when you could shoot moving pictures with something this small instead of a camera bigger than your head with a spotlight that could blind anyone in a three-mile radius.
Just looking at how cute this apron is makes me feel like a better cook.
It also makes me have a desire to wear my hair in a bouffant and put on some pearls while I vacuum.
8. Flannel plaid pj pants
Flannel pj pants complete me and the plaid is so right now.
I’ve been on the hunt for a bulletin board for Caroline’s room and when I saw this one, I immediately knew that I’d found the look I’d been searching for. It would be perfect in a kitchen, office or bedroom and you could even get it monogrammed in the center because who doesn’t love a good monogram? Other than people in the witness protection program?
P has been sitting next to me while I make this list and he suggested that I include The Sarge duck call.
First, let me tell you that if you haven’t experienced The Duck Commanders, then you are missing out on one of life’s greatest joys. I am generally not a fan of hunting shows, but they reeled me in. It seriously makes me laugh out loud.
Secondly, you probably don’t need The Sarge duck call unless you plan on hunting ducks or giving it to your child and seeing how long it takes before they drive you insane with all the quacking.
That’s all I have for today.
Y’all have a great Friday.
Sorry you have having trouble finding the hamster thingys. I am fortunate that Emma doesn’t seem to be obsessed with toys that every other child wants.
A lavender farm? How cool is that? I have difficulty growing lavender where I live.
I LOVE plaid pjs! I have the digital Canon Rebel, but my sister has the Powershot and loves it.
Crack me up about The Duck Commanders. My husband discovered the show is avaliable to watch with the “On Demand” feature with our cable. Now the Sunday morning staple is sure to be an every day thing at our house.
P.S. I’ve never commented before, but I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now. Thanks for making me smile in the mornings.
LOVE the list!!!!!
And so the Zhu Zhu quest continues, haha!!!
Melanie,
I live in West Monroe, LA, aka home of the Duck Commanders, and Jase Robertson’s wife Missy is one of my best friends from high school. Maybe I could get P hooked up with some autograghed stuff for Christmas. Let me know.
Love that bag! I’m on the hunt for a fun but functional new bag. Also, I have a vintage style apron on my list as well ;o) I too feel like it will make me a better baker.
I read your Fashion Friday every Friday… it’s the way I spend my morning while sipping my coffee. Thank you!
Yesterday after reading your post about the Zhu Zhu pets I called my Mom and asked if this is what I have to look forward to…stressing out about fake rodents. She laughed and asked if I remembered beanie babies, furbies, and tomagatchis.
Of course I remember them, my poor mother went crazy and would call every walmart, target and kmart in our city twice a day looking for what I wanted every year. She then informed me she paid an outrageous amount of money for a furbie.
I will never forget how excited I was to get a furbie though. Caroline won’t forget the Zhu Zhu pet. I am on the lookout for ya’ll on my daily trips to Target.
Love the Canon powershot. We have three!! I know, a little excessive, but we love them!!!
you make me laugh AGAIN:)
seriously funny stuff..and um walmart…thats just mean…
i would’ve fought them on that one!
I have PW’s cookbook and it is wonderful! I am even cooking from it for our Thanksgiving meal…and leaving the turkey out! It looks yummy too.
Thanks for the post and all the links, gotta go check them out now!
Oh my yes, The Duck Commanders. I think my dad has every VHS and now DVD they’ve ever made. And they are quite amusing to watch. I’m with you, it’s the only hunting show that ever reeled me in. And THE duck commander is from my alma mater!
Just a thought (probably a bit too late,) but if something is on display early like that, it is for sale. The same thing happened to me over Littlest Pet Shops 2 Christmases ago, and I simply put up a minor stink and they let me get one and took the rest down from display!
Okay, for real? It’s a WEEK till Black Friday. Who puts out Black Friday display items a week early and then says you can’t buy them. That’s so dumb. SO dumb. Like you didn’t know that already. I am nothing if not a master of the obvious.
At no time have I ever wished we had the Outdoor Channel… until today. We might need to upgrade our package.
thanks for all the good ideas for Christmas! i’ll have to actually start shopping now.
loved the calendar, but my fave is the Linnea Calendars…have you seen them? beautiful!
Love the PW cookbook tip, however since I am attending her Bookpeople signing in Austin next month, I must buy the cookbook THERE. Ripoff, I know. But I called to double check and sure enough, they won’t let you get it signed by her if it’s not purchased at their store. I have toyed with the idea of bringing my 5 month old baby, but I don’t want to strain her uterus ( ; So I Think I’ll make it a girls night & I can’t wait to meet her!
Thanks Melanie! I just bought the lavendar lotion and a sachet as part of my mom’s Christmas present. And the Etsy bulletin boards – so cute. I forwarded to my friend who’s been looking all over for cute boards. Good luck with the Zhu Zhu thing. Glad my kids are still too young for this stuff…
Okay, I just clicked on over to the Duck Commanders website. (Right after looking at the retro apron and oooh-ing and aaah-ing….) And I just about fell off my chair laughing! I will definitely have to check this show out-and pray that one day, very soon, those men find wives. Because if there was ever someone who needed a wife…
My Husband worships the duck commander. He has a beard and long hair to prove it. It’s a sickness. If you like calendars, you should check out http://www.carycollinsdesigns.com I LOVE her calendars and notepads!!
Ask P. what I should buy a deer hunter.
My daddy is in the woods all the time now after retirement.
Thirty-five bucks for a duck call?!?! Jumpin’ Jehosophat… Not that I know what they usually cost, but it seems like a bundle for a little piece of plastic that goes “quack.” Get more info from P for me, please–my husband is going to need some gifts this year and I’m slightly stumped.
Girl!! Thank you!! I NEVER know what to get my sister or my sister-in-law, and now they will be the proud owner of the Pioneer Woman cookbook and a homemade apron (by me!). Whew. I was so excited I just emailed my mom and told her the good news. Now she won’t have to bail me out at the last minute.
HOORAY for the shout out to the duck men!!! I grew up w/ them and know them well. I LOVED the show and LOVED getting to show my friends what we grew up with…now they understand a little better when I slip and say something from the back woods!!!!! They sent a basket of goods over for an auction for the non-profit that I work for and it sold for more than $100 (short, hat, call, spices and rubs!). Oh, I am PRAYING that they come out with the shows on DVD!
Hey check out these aprons that I make!! I only have a few up on my etsy shop because most of what I do is custom order, but they are cute (if I do say so myself). I can add a top piece to the flouncy skirt to make it a little more practical.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/courtneybock
Not to be too self-promotional, but I am offering 20% off special orders until December 1 for Christmas gifts, and I can meet special requests for fabrics! And children’s sizes, since I have a feeling Caroline would need one, too…
I love that purse! I just bought one exactly like it in purple! Great minds and all!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I love plaid flannel pajama pants. So much so that a friend and I came up with a new word for them: plannel. Our parents are exceedingly proud of what we can do with our college educations.
You know, you could always get a LIVE hamster if the robot one doesn’t pan out. You’ll be the COOLEST parent on the block. (Also the most stressed, but hey, it’s a picture-perfect Christmas morning.)
Tell me you’ve heard Brad Paisley’s “Welcome to the Future,” by the way. It fits perfectly with your phone tangent.
Mostly, I’m a lurker but had to let you know that you just saved my life–Christmas wise that is! I’ve already ordered those awesome socks in 3 colors for my stepmom that I can never buy for!! The powershot camera is on my daughter’s list and the folks in my office get calendars every year. You hit it on the head with this list!! Thanks!
Shame on Walmart! Why put it out if you can’t even buy it now! I about fell out of my chair when you told the price of the cookbook! I just bought mine and thought I got ripped off! Then I realized it was on 75 cents difference and not like 3+ dollars! Whew!
Hi!! I have been following your blog for a few weeks now and am so glad I stumbled upon you from one of the other blogs I stalk…I mean follow!
I share your Zhu Zhu pain and let me tell you that it is a riot waiting to happen and Walmart loves it!
I was told about a secret sale Walmart was having a few Sundays ago and Zhu Zhu’s were included. It was supposed to start at 8am and I was there at 7:30 to be ready for the whistle to be blown. Only to find out that actually they started letting crazy moms such as myself buy them at midnight. But get this…they were NOT in the toy aisle…they were hidden on the cigarette aisle and when you got in line you had to tell the cashier a secret code to get her to whip them out. CRAZY, but girl I got Chunk and Mrs. Squiggles, Giggles, Wiggles…whatever his name is…AND THE MADNESS BEGINS!!
Hi!! I have been following your blog for a few weeks now and am so glad I stumbled upon you from one of the other blogs I stalk…I mean follow!
I share your Zhu Zhu pain and let me tell you that it is a riot waiting to happen and Walmart loves it!
I was told about a secret sale Walmart was having a few Sundays ago and Zhu Zhu’s were included. It was supposed to start at 8am and I was there at 7:30 to be ready for the whistle to be blown. Only to find out that actually they started letting crazy moms such as myself buy them at midnight. But get this…they were NOT in the toy aisle…they were hidden on the cigarette aisle and when you got in line you had to tell the cashier a secret code to get her to whip them out. CRAZY, but girl I got Chunk and Mrs. Squiggles, Giggles, Wiggles…whatever his name is…AND THE MADNESS BEGINS!!
Ahhh, yes, the Duck Commander. While being forced into watching all things hunting, somehow the Duck Commander isn’t as bad as the rest. They are hilarious.
And Walmart having stuff out you can’t buy? Ludicrous.
Seriosuly- they’re selling Snuggies everywhere… I’ve seen them at the grocery store, the drug store, and even the jiffy store… I mean come on– are there really that many people who have gag gift Christmas parties to buy for?!?!?!
I’m going to WalMart today and will check ours and see if we have any of the much sought after ZhuZhu pets…
I just left Willie R. a Facebook post that you had a shout out to them along with the aprons, cookbooks, socks, and lavendar!!
Go to
http://www.outdoorchannel.com/GMARegister.aspx
to vote for the Duck Commander show to win an award from the Outdoor channel!!!! Go Vote!!
Friend,
May I introduce myself as an alien…for I’ve never heard of the Pioneer’s Women Cookbook. And WHY OH WHY as a newlywed has NO ONE told me about it!!???
And in that emotion, I love the apron
OMG! I love the duck commanders! One of the few hunting shows I will watch with my hubby! Aren’t they just the greatest?
Honey child you are so screwed on the Zhu Zhu pets. Both GMA and the Today Show featured them this week as one of the “must have” toys for Christmas. Good luck with that…seriously!
Big Mama,
I just have to say that your paragraph about the anthropologist made cry with hilarity!! I got a very distinct image of the battery operated hamster, the snuggie and the Buxton Bag that comes in “fashion” colors (red and yellow)being all that is left one day to truly capture what was the 2000′s!!! I was laughing so hard, my boss came running from the other room to make sure I was ok!! Thank you so much! If you ever decide to go on Last Comic Standing- use it!! Its solid GOLD!!!
Honey, if you got 30.00 to spend on a calendar, my address is……
Ok, I cannot believe that Duck Commanders made their way on a fashion friday post!?! My sister and brother-in-law are on that show for a few episodes. My bro-in-law works for them, and I have met them all in person. This cracks me up! They will die when I tell them about this. I will have to see if I can get P a cute shirt, and maybe one to match Caroline’s pink shotgun.
gig em!
4. That bag is awesome!! My friend L got a similar one at New York & Company for around $30, fyi.
8. Gotta love the flannel pjs!
10. I am going to consider the duck call for when my kids run out of annoying noises to make
I’m with you on #3. I love me some jammies. And darn it Bravo, why can’t I quit you?
Old Navy has some adorable ruffle bags right now and I think they’re around $25. I bought one last weekend and I’m loving it. Praise the Lord ruffles are in this season and may they never leave again. Amen.
You won’t believe this but I went to my REAL SMALL town WM this morning and went back to the toy dept. to see if I could find you a ZHU ZHU. Nothing! I finally flagged a worker (that was a small miracle) and she said the last time they ordered, they didn’t get them!
My thinking is why didn’t I invent this weird thing called Zhu and retire again with more than a 80′s teacher’s retirement????
You never know what’s hot till it’s hot!
Sorry, I tried!
When the temperature dips to the 40′s? You need socks? HA! You need to visit Wisconsin in January, lady!
Just giving you a hard time…
Thanks so much for your list. These are GREAT suggestions!
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
I love the list! We love the Duck Commanders, too! We live in West Monroe, LA, too, where they are from. They even have a Duck Commander Sunday at their church & the attire is camo once a year. Great people!
I just had to say that was hilarious about the witness protection program and monogram! You are too freakin’ funny:)
Just here to testify that the last time I was in Fredericksburg, I bought some of the Hummingbird Farms lavender bath products and I LOVED them! Great pick.
Great post! I just found your blog and love it! The people who put those ZHU-ZHU’s out are really wrong!!!! That would have gotten someone fired in my husband’s store. ( not really, but almost!) They are NOT to have anything out yet…..but I digress, love the ideas for presents. I also have a Cannon sure shot. Mine is a A540 and I love the thing! Just learned Macro and no flash settings! Only owned it for three years now… LOL Not real techy for sure! Thanks for the post….There will be lots of ZHU ZHU’s come January…..if the kids still want them!
I didn’t know what the Zhu Zhu pets were until I saw them on your blog and googled them. Apparently my young step daughters aren’t too interested because they haven’t mentioned them BUT we bought something extremely similar at a Cracker Barrel gift shop about 3 months ago for both of them. They were battery powered furry hamsters that came already in an exercise ball for less than 10 dollars. They moved all over the floor and I think my dog enjoyed them more than the girls! Ha After about a week, Kalynn even started keeping “pet caterpillars” in her hamster’s ball. The hamsters are probably in the bottom of the toy box now. Maybe I should dig them out and try to sell them on ebay as Zhu Zhu’s haha =)
And my husband just let me know that he is friends with The Duck Commander on Facebook! Ha Who would have thunk it?
You could so make that bulletin board yourself, you know. Get a 1/2 price frame from Hobby Lobby, fabric, cork board, and a staple gun … Done.
I really have no idea how I happened upon your blog, but have really enjoyed reading it! We thoroughly enjoy watch the duck commanders here at my house, mostly for comic relief even though they do remind me a great deal of my own family in some regards
They actually live nearby and my mother-in-law is pretty good friends with willie. She actually made it on the show when they were on her radio show. Anyway just wanted to say keep up the good writing…you did give me some ideas for Christmas-thanks!
-Carey
I am a HUGE fan of Duck Commander. I love Jace! I even bought a pink camo ball cap! I love that they’re Christians and they aren’t afraid to talk about the Lord.