JoeShopping Blog

Saving More this Christmas Without Going Insane

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Guest Post

Well it’s that time of year again and ’tis the season to be jolly; however, this isn’t always the case when you end up going over budget and starting the New Year in debt. The holiday season can be an expensive time and can put quite a strain on your wallet, but it doesn’t always have to be, if you plan ahead and make sensible choices for your spending.

We are all guilty of over spending, especially when it comes to our children, but in reality how many gifts do they really need? Check out the tips below to find some easy ways to make this holiday season kinder to your bank account, and help you prioritize what’s really important this Christmas.

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10 Gift Ideas for Guys That Won’t Be Returned

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Guest Post

With the festive season approaching it is time to buy gifts for the man in your life once again, whether they be your boyfriend, husband, son, father, brother, or Great Uncle Brutus that you only see once a year.

Despite the stores being stacked from floor to ceiling with gift ideas, separating the things you would actually want to give to a male relative from the various pieces of dross on offer can be difficult.

Thankfully, we’ve compiled this list of the top 10 things to buy for men this year, to take the stress out of your shopping experience.

1. Gift Sets

We’ve thrown all gift sets into one here rather than list them all separately. Try and go for something with a fragrance or an alcoholic drink in it, though, no-one wants a can of deodorant and a shower gel!

2. Experience Days

These have grown in popularity in recent years, whether it is a hot air balloon ride, skydiving, or driving a racing car around the local motor circuit, there is something for every man’s tastes.

3. Magazine Subscriptions

How many men read magazines but won’t subscribe due to the one off cost? Save them the hassle and buy it as a gift instead!

4. Slippers

Definitely one for your Great Uncle Brutus – slippers, and for that matter socks or a dressing gown, are great ideas as token gifts for relatives you rarely see.

5. Accessories

If you are looking to spoil the man in your life, then why not indulge him with a luxury accessory as a present? This may be a great pair of sunglasses or an expensive watch, or perhaps a piece of jewellery.

6. Boys Toys

Men are never too old for things such as remote controlled cars, and always prove to be a quirky and fun gift idea.

7. Audio & Visual

Buy him his favourite CD for his journey to work, or the newest X-Box game to play when he gets home and wants to put his feet up. Audio visual gifts are always well appreciated – consider iTunes vouchers if your man has moved on from CD’s.

8. Stylish Clothing

Whether his wardrobe needs a revamp or there are certain styles that you know he looks great in, stylish clothing is always appreciated and is great as a gift buy.

9. Gadgets

If you shunned the boys toys idea then why not buy him a great tech gadget instead – perhaps the new phone he wants or an iPad, for example?

10. A Holiday

If you have a big budget and don’t know what to buy, why not take your man along to the travel agents a few days before Christmas and whisk him off to somewhere much warmer and sunnier? You could do a lot worse!

Guest Author Bio: Stylepilot is an online start-up designed specifically for men to navigate fashion online and also provides mens fashion tips.

Image courtesy of Kittisak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

10 Amazing Father’s Day Gifts That Will Leave Dad Drooling

Posted on June 5, 2012 by JoeShopping

You could always count on Dad to be there for you when you needed someone to bait your hook, squish a spider, or put air in your tires. And this year on June 17th, we take a time out to thank him for everything he’s done. Give Dad a pat on the back with our list of 10 unique gift picks. Whether he’s a geek, gadget lover or sports guru, there’s a gift idea for whichever kind of Dad you have on your Father’s Day shopping list.

On-Ice Mixed Drink and Beer Dispenser
$44.95
If your Dad has ever wanted ice cold beer on tap (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?) this gift is sure to be his cup of tea. Say goodbye to sweaty beer cans and watered down drinks, this drink dispenser keeps liquids ice cold with its unique interior chilling chamber. It’s capable of holding up to 80oz of his favorite beverage.

DC Comics The Number Ones Portfolio Set
$129.99
Although Dad may be your number one superhero, you won’t find him in this limited-edition comic collection. The ultimate gift if he’s a comic book geek, this portfolio contains the cover art from all of the #1 issues from DC Comics.

Get Free Shipping and more with coupons from WBShop.com!

The Deep Frying Portable Grill
$249.95
Whether Dad is master of the grill or just has a really good appetite, he’s going to love this. This grill can not only cook up to 8 burgers at a time, but it also includes a griddle, a deep fryer, a warming plate, and a cutting board. Plus, it’s portable, making it perfect for tailgating, too.

Save on your purchase with coupons from HammacherSchlemmer.com!

Griffin SmartTalk Solar
$69.99
Dad has never needed to stop and ask for directions, so why start now? With the SmartTalk Solar, Dad can continue to navigate the open roads without skipping a beat thanks to this solar-charged speakerphone, which is compatible with most mobile phones. And should he ever need to call and ask for directions or use his phone’s built-in GPS system (not that he would), he can do so without taking his hands off the wheel.

Build-a-Jerky
$10-$35
Fact: Men love meat. Whether Dad prefers it sweet, spicy, or smoky, at SlantShackJerky.com he can have it any way he wants. With their “Build-a-Jerky”, he can choose any meat, marinade, rub, or glaze he wants from their list to create his very own personalized jerky.

Darth Vader Galaxy’s #1 Father Figure
$13.90
If you only had a nickel for every time Dad did his Darth Vader “I am your father” impression. While this gift may very well egg him on, he still deserves to know you think he’s the best. At the very least, it may help stave off his “Pull my finger” prank.

Get Free Shipping and more with coupons from Amazon.com!

ESPN Films 30 for 30: Collector’s Edition
$54.99
If Dad has a love for the game, gifting him this Blu-ray DVD set would be a slam dunk. This 6- disc documentary set is a poignant presentation of historical events surrounding the players, teams, owners, and more from the world of sports. Also available on DVD.

Get Free Shipping and more with coupons from Amazon.com!

Personalized M&M Candy Dispenser
$61.99
Want to tell Dad he’s the sweetest? Treat him to this candy dispenser from M&M’s. Measuring 9″ high, the machine can be filled with the three included 7oz bags of personalized M&M’s. The chocolate can be customized with your choice of color combinations, images, clip-art, or with a special message. It’ll melt his heart!

Bosch Deluxe Power Box Jobsite Radio
$219.99
If your father is a Mr. Fix-It, chances are he already has most of the tools he needs. So what to get the DIY Dad? How about this premium job-site stereo from Bosch? Not only can he tune into AM/FM radio, but it can also connect to SIRIUS satellite radio, MP3 players, and CD players. 4-way speakers, a weather-resistant design, and a built-tough exterior roll cage makes it perfect to take in the garage, on the job-site, or anywhere else Dad’s rolling up his sleeves.

Bespoke Box of Awesome Gift
$45
Leave the guesswork out of finding the perfect gift for Pops and instead purchase him a membership to BeSpoke Post’s “Box of Awesome.” Each month, they put together a themed box filled with some amazing hand-picked products suitable for the gentlemen in your life, like cured meats, cocktail accessories, and fancy shmancy shaving products. You can choose from a 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month membership, and free shipping is included!

What’s your favorite thing about your Dad? Let us know in the comments below!

10 Creative Gift Ideas for Your Kids’ Awesome Teachers

Posted on June 4, 2012 by JoeShopping

Teachers work hard all year, and with the final semester coming to an end, now’s a great time to show them how much you appreciate everything they’ve done. We did our homework and came up with a list of 10 A+ gift ideas that’ll instantly make you teacher’s pet. Our list is priced between $5-$20, so your wallet will love them almost as much as your teacher will.

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12 Magnificent Mother’s Day Gifts Your Mom Won’t Be Returning This Year

Posted on May 9, 2012 by JoeShopping

If you haven’t bought a Mother’s Day gift by now, you’re probably finding yourself scrambling to find a last-minute present. Before you settle for what’s left in the flower department at the grocery store or resort to the old handmade card and macaroni necklace idea (let’s face it, you’re too old to get away with that anyway), check out our list below. You’ll find a dozen Mother’s Day gift ideas that’ll cement your spot as Mom’s favorite kid. From personalized roses to scented slippers, these gifts are as special and unique as she is.

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The 10 Greatest Gifts for the 80s Fans

Posted on December 9, 2010 by JoeShopping

Remember when leg warmers were cool, when every John Cusack movie was a masterpiece, and when cartoons were on every Saturday morning? Yeah, we’re talking about the “Bubble Gum” decade, also known as the ’80s. And whether you’re a fan of all things ’80s pop culture, or know someone who is insanely obsessed, we’ve put together a totally tubular list of the 10 Greatest Gifts for ’80s Fans.

The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back ($84.99 MSRP)
J.W. Rinzer’s massive, comprehensive book explores the making of the second Star Wars movie with interviews new and old, behind-the-scenes secrets and never-before-seen photographs.

Scene It: ’80s Deluxe Edition ($29.99 MSRP)
Test your knowledge of the ’80s with this “tubular” version of the hit game. The DVD includes trivia and puzzles based on popular characters, music, news and events of that decade,which players must solve to advance around the board.

Transformers: War for Cybertron Videogame ($49.99 MSRP)
This summer’s hit Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game is still a big seller, and it’s easy to see why. The game explores the origins of the Transformers with plenty of nods to the original ’80s cartoon, and players can choose to fight for the Autobots or the Decepticons.

DC vs Masters of the Universe Two-Packs ($29.99 MSRP)
Did you know that Superman once fought He-Man? It’s true, in a special comic book. Mattel commemorates the clash between these two titans with a special action figure two-pack of fantastic updated figures of both Superman and He-Man. But don’t forget about the villains; a Lex Luthor vs Skeletor set is also available!

Ghostbusters Proton Pack Backpack ($39.99 MSRP)
It won’t help you trap any ghosts, but this comfy backpack is accurate enough to the Ghostbusters’ proton packs from the movie that most spooks, spectres or ghosts will want to stay away. The “particle thrower” has a tiny pouch of its own, too!

The A-Team: The Complete Series Gift Set ($149.98 MSRP)
If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team. And if you want to watch the original A-Team in action, complete with Mr. T as B.A. Baracus, you definitely need this complete series DVD set, in a limited-edition package designed to look like the team’s iconic van!

’80s Belt Buckles ($20-24 MSRP)
80stees.com has a wide variety of ’80s-inspired ways to help hold your pants up, including belt buckles shaped like Pac-Man, the Thundercats logo, Atari, Transformers, classic Nintendo designs, DC superheroes and more. Display your affection for the neon decade with a buckle of your favorite pop culture icon!

My Other Ride Is a Lightcycle Shirt/Hoodie
The new Tron: Legacy movie coming out December 17 is getting all the buzz, but ’80s fans will appreciate this apparel from Threadless.com and its nod to the outfits from the original Tron. It even glows in the dark!

Super Mario All-Stars: Limited Edition ($29.99 MSRP)
The original Super Mario Bros. game is 25 years old, and Nintendo celebrates the mushroom-collecting plumber and his quest to save Princess Toadstool with this amazing collection of all three original Super Mario Bros. games, which also includes The Lost Levels. It even has a special soundtrack and collectible booklet! The game will be released on December 12.

Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Set ($79.99 MSRP)
This special collector’s edition of the classic movie trilogy contains countless extras, including outtakes, deleted scenes, a massive 6-part documentary, and even footage of the first actor cast as Marty McFly, Eric Stoltz! You won’t believe how different the movie feels when you watch the scenes that Stoltz filmed.

The 10 Greatest Gifts for Geeky Moms in 2010

Posted on December 8, 2010 by JoeShopping

Recently, a first grader named Katie was bullied for carrying a Star Wars thermos to school. After her mom told her story on a blog, the Internet rallied around Katie, creating a “Support Star Wars and Geek Pride for Katie” day on December 10. The Facebook event page currently has over 19,000 people attending.

In honor of Katie, Katie’s mom, and geeky moms everywhere, we present JoeShopping.com’s 10 Greatest Gifts for Geeky Moms in 2010:

Star Trek Enterprise Pizza Cutter ($24.99 MSRP)

This official Star Trek collectible from ThinkGeek is ready to boldly cut pizza that no pizza cutter has cut before! It’s stainless steel, comes in its own gift box, and it’s shaped like the NCC-1701 Enterprise — the one from the original Star Trek TV series.

Star Wars Space Slug Oven Mitt ($19.99 MSRP)

It may not have been able to eat the Millennium Falcon in “The Empire Strikes Back,” but it’ll certainly pull a pizza out of the oven (which you can then cut with the Star Trek pizza cutter!). It’s made of a fire-retardant nomex cotton blend and has a little Falcon icon in the “mouth”! Snatch it at the Star Wars Shop.

Junk Food T-Shirts ($Var. MSRP)

Every nerdy mom needs a shirt with her favorite character on it. Junk Food offers the widest and most stylish selection, with shirts featuring superheroines like Wonder Woman, classic cartoon characters like Rainbow Brite, and characters from almost any show, cartoon or movie you can think of!

Brightfeet Slippers ($19.99 MSRP)

The only thing worse than a cold floor is stubbing your toe in the dark. Take care of both problems by getting your gadget-geek mom these slippers (available at Amazon), which come with lights embedded in the toes so she doesn’t have to turn on the lights. They even come in five designer colors.

Recycled Keyboard Clutch Purse ($37.95 MSRP)

Made from 210 old black keyboards keys, this purse from NeatoShop is as environmentally helpful as it is stylishly nerdy. It’s got a denim interior and a zipper, so all of mom’s gear will stay safe.

Star Wars Slave Leia Perfume ($39.99 MSRP)

Who wouldn’t want to smell like the hottest princess in the galaxy? Available at the Star Wars Shop, this perfume is a “mix of cashmere woods, musk and night-blooming jasmine,” and it smells nothing like Jabba the Hutt, for the record. However, if a better gift for mom would be to make dad smell better, you might try “Shirtless Kirk” cologne!

Cupcake Usagi Shoulder Bags ($7.50-$36 MSRP)

This wonderful Etsy store makes shoulder bags out of classic bedsheets, shirts and other materials adorned with comic book superheroes, Star Wars, ‘80s cartoon and more.

Tru Blood Beverage ($16.00 MSRP)

Any true fan of HBO’s sexy vampire drama “True Blood” will be thrilled to quench their thirst with this replica of the synthetic blood beverage Vampire Bill and his fanged brethren drink on the show. Pick yours up in many stores or online. Don’t worry, it’s more blood orange soda than actual blood… or so they say!

Doctor Who TARDIS Talking Cookie Jar ($26.99 MSRP)

The Doctor’s time-traveling TARDIS is legendary for being bigger on the inside than it is on the outside, making it the perfect place to store cookies. This 6x6x9 jar also makes the TARDIS’ signature noise when opened, so your cookies may be having adventures through time and space! Available from the extremely geek-friendly Entertainment Earth.

Luxury Lane Soap ($5-$10 MSRP)

This wonderful online shop (http://www.luxurylanesoap.com) makes soaps in all kinds of nerdy shapes: UFOs, videogame characters, Lego pieces, and an amazing Han Solo in Carbonite you have to see to believe. They range from $5 to $10 and would make a wonderful stocking stuffer for any geeky mom!

Great Gifts for Foodies

Posted on December 7, 2010 by JoeShopping

Have you got a special someone in your life who loves good food as much as we do? And we don’t just mean that they love eating good food, but cooking it too? Have we got some gift ideas for you!

Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan
This creative pan is receiving mucho press for its inclusion on Oprah’s “favorite things” episode. The pan’s unique design ensures that every single brownie has two yummy, chewy edges. Includes a custom nylon spatula and a recipe insert.

Kitchen Aid Artisan Series Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield
This upscale mixer is a must-have for the serious chef’s kitchen. You can get the mixer in almost any color, from white to bright red, but we’re particularly partial to this fun, retro seafoam green. Includes wire whip, flat beater and dough hook mixer attachments, a two-piece pouring shield to minimize your mess, and a 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl with handle.

Chef Pepin Panini Maker
A panini maker at home will give even the most cooking-adverse foodie an opportunity to whip up creative sandwiches in a flash. There are a number of models and brands available, but this panini maker from the Chef Jacques Pepin line of kitchen equipment features a super-cool, sleek design and would be right at home in a modern kitchen.

Personalized Peppermill
Make it personal with this wooden peppermill, designed to mimic the shape of a wine bottle. The peppermill is crafted out of solid wood and can be personalized with one of four designs.

Top 10 Toys for 2010

Posted on December 2, 2010 by JoeShopping

JoeShopping.com proudly presents its Top 10 Must-Have Toys List for the 2010 Holiday Season. Consumers won’t be shocked to see many electronics still topping the Gift List charts this year. They may, however, be pleasantly surprised to see how some familiar toys now have an electronic spin.

Justin Bieber Dolls
Can you hear it? Those screams are the shrieks of joy coming from tween girls everywhere who are madly in love with singer Justin Bieber. And starting in December, they’ll be able to grab they’re very own Justin Bieber Dolls featuring 30 second clips of his songs and outfits he wore in his music videos.

Nerf N-Strike Stampede Blaster
Nerf has really made a comeback these last few years with its assortment of dart-shooting guns in various sizes and configurations. The Nerf N-Strike Stampede Blaster packs a powerful punch that will continue the comeback. This ultimate Nerf gun comes with a real sight, a built-in bipod for aiming, a shield to protect against enemy Nerf projectiles, and a clip that holds 18 Nerf darts.

Fisher-Price iXL Fisher Price iXL
Forget toy cell phones, Fisher-Price’s newest handheld learning device teaches reading, phonics, writing and more. With pre-loaded software, the iXL sports six activities in one: digital reader, game player, photo viewer, art studio, notepad and mp3 player. Additional software can be purchased featuring popular characters like Spongebob, Batman, the Disney Princesses, the gang from Toy Story 3 and much more.

Lego Board Games
First you build it, then you play it. From simplistic to slightly complex, kids can put the board together and then dive into playing puzzle or racing games. Minotaurus lets kids build a labyrinth that players try to escape from, while Creationary is an interactive affair where players show off their building skills while others try to guess what they’re creating. There are dozens of games to choose from, including based on Star Wars, Harry Potter and Toy Story.

Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster
It’s a remote-control Bigfoot that stands over 14 inches tall. He walks, flips and belches. “Emotion” buttons include happy, angry, sleep, fun, ball and exercise. This loveable RC even dreams while he sleeps. With over 80 actions and phrases, this BigFoot is big on activity, personality and interactive play.

Mattel Sing-A-Ma-Jigs
They’re adorable, they make cute sounds, and when you bring more than one Sing-a-Ma-Jig together, they harmonize. Harmonized cuteness is certainly tough to beat! Available in an assortment of colors (and songs), every Sing-A-Ma-Jig has three modes of play where they chatter, sing their own song, or sing in harmony with their other Sing-A-Ma-Jig friends.

Kung Zhu Pets
Last year’s big hit from Cepia returns with a more boy-oriented product this time around. The same lovable Zhu Zhu pets are now action toy hamsters, which come in “special forces” and “ninja” styles. Kids can customize them with armor to fight in a battle arena or train with various accessory sets.

Flip Cameras
If they could, teenagers would display their entire social lives online. And with these small cameras with big memory, they can just about do that. Tiny in size as well as in price point, these unbeatable video cameras are as cheap as they are easy to use.

Rock Band 3
The newest version of the perennial music game hit not only adds keyboards to the band but a new special mode that actually teaches players how to play a real guitar (the special controller is sold separately). Available for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and Nintendo DS.

Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360
Nintendo’s Wii may have just met its match. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 attempts to take the reigns as king of motion-controlled games — only it does it without any controllers at all. Based on players’ movements, gamers can kick soccer balls, match up funky dance moves, act like a wild animal or get in shape with an assortment of fitness games. It adds a whole new dimension to video games by turning the player into the controller.