Great Gift Ideas for Children - Hot and Popular Christmas Toy for 2008

In this article, we will provide you with some popular Christmas toy ideas that will help you hunt for 2008 hot Christmas toys.

Every year, the markets are flooded with different kinds of toys for Christmas. So, it becomes of prime importance to keep yourself updated, so as to make sure that whatever you are buying is in line with the trend. There were times, when kids were satisfied with any toy they got, but, today, they want the latest thing. They have become choosy about the toys also with which they are going to play. In the present times, it has become the most difficult task to convince kids into using something.



Now, pls Check out the following popular and hot Christmas toys for 2008.

1. Star Wars Toys

Star Wars is an epic science fantasy saga that has been revealed to the audience in the form of six movies. It was initially created by George Lucas and made a debut in 1977, with the last film being made in 2005. The animation movie 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' came out in 2008. There will hardly be a child who is not a Star Wars fan and would not like to receive Star Wars toys as Christmas gift, be it the video games, action figures or other toys.

2. Doll with a Musical Potty

If your child is still an infant, who does not understand anything about video games or Playstation, then a doll with a musical potty is just the toy that you can gift him for Christmas. The crying, potty-going doll made its debut in 1991 and its latest version comes with a flashing, musical potty. The first doll to boast of 'human functions', it is expected to be one of the hottest-selling toys for Christmas 2008.

3. High School Musical Toys

'High School Musical' is the name of a very popular American television series that was released, for the first time, in 2006. Its sequel - 'High School Musical 2' came out in 2007, while 2008 saw the 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' hitting the screen. Today, High School Musical toys rank amongst the most popular toys for Christmas. Right from the dolls based on 'High School Musical' to the video game series, you will find everything in the market.

4. Sesame Street Toys

'Sesame Street' is the name of an American educational children's television series that premiered in 1969. The longest running children's program on American television, it has been shown in 120 countries till date. No wonder, the toys based on 'Sesame Street' characters retain one of the position amongst the top 10 Christmas toys for 2008. Amongst them, the most popular is Elmo Live, an all-singing, all-dancing version of the red puppet.

5. Ben 10 Toys
 
Ben 10 has wooed the kids of today. The hero of an American animated television series, by the name of 'Ben 10', he made his debut on Cartoon Network in December 2005 and still has children going ga-ga all over him. Omnitrix, a watch-like alien device that transforms Ben into the alien of his choice, is the most popular Ben 10 toy amongst children. Apart from that, there are Ben 10 action figures, games and cards.

 
6. Cupcake Maker Toys
 
This Christmas, introduce your child to the joy of baking. How? By giving him/her a Cupcake Maker as Christmas toy. It will serve as an educational toy, making your children learn about the basics of cooking, such as measuring and mixing. At the same time, the Cupcake Maker will let them have lots of fun, just as a toy should be, by letting them decorate their cupcakes with various types of accessories, giving their personal touch to each.

7. Nintendo DS Gaming Consoles

Another one of the popular gaming consoles by Nintendo, DS is a dual-screen handheld console. Built along a clamshell design, the console has two LCD screens on the inside. While the upper one is used as viewing screen, the lower one acts as a touch-screen. It was released in 2006, as a slimmer, brighter, and more lightweight version of the Nintendo DS. Its latest version - Nintendo DSi has been released in Japan and will be available in other countries by mid-2009.

8. Doll Toys

If the recipient of Christmas toys is your daughter, then rest assured that dolls never ever go out of fashion. Whether it is Cinderella Barbie Doll, Baby Annabell Doll or Bedtime Lullaby Fifi Doll, dolls will always be amongst the best toys for your baby every year and that includes 2008 as well. Just make sure that you buy the latest model of the doll or the one that you Little Princess has been eyeing for a long time.

9. Bakugan Battle Brawlers Toys

'Bakugan Battle Brawlers' is a Japanese anime series that debuted on TV Tokyo in April 2007, on Teletoon in July 2007 and on Cartoon Network in February 2008. It revolves around a gang of children, called Battle Brawlers, who have the power to wield creatures known as Bakugan. Go ahead, buy a Bakugan game for your kid and see him beaming with happiness on Christmas.

10. Roary the Racing Car Toys

Children and cars have a long-term association and it was further strengthened by the debut of 'Roary the Racing Car', an animated children's television show. Set around a motor racing circuit, called Silver Hatch, the series showcases the adventures of Roary, a red, single-seater racing car, and his race car friends. From Roary the Racing Car Sliver Hatch Turbo Race Set to Roary the Racing Car 10 inch Bike with Sounds, the options before you are many.


* Original address of this gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

Top 10 Stupid Christmas Gifts, you never to send out

What’s a good gift idea for that she or he who really does have everything? Then how about an underwear repair kit or maybe a "Yes, We Can" of Barack Obama bottle opener?

The Stupid.com website in New York US, which unveiled its second annual list of the top 10 "stupidest" Christmas gifts for 2008 on Tuesday, and it claims that finding a truly stupid gift is an art form.

"2008 might have been a bad year for the economy, but it was a great year for stupidity," said Gary Apple, founder of Stupid.com. "Weird products seemed to come out of the woodwork this year. There were too much stupid articles that it’s difficult to choose from!"

Here is the list of 2008 top 10 stupid Christmas gift awarded by stupid.com (New York-based)

Top 1. Screaming Chicken





This rubber chicken doesn't squeak or squawk. It only screams. It maybe is the most annoying toy in the world.

Top 2. Christmas Tree Ornament for "Wealth Redistribution"

This tree ornament announces that the ornament that used to be there has been taken away and given to someone who needs it more. The Redistribution Christmas Ornament is talking people that you're making a fortune whether you want to or not.

Top 3. Mini Guitar Hero



This miniature version is originated from the megahit game ”Guitar Hero” in the USA, and it is barely 6-inches long, but it can still rock out various rocking music, and these songs mainly come from specials of Queen, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, and The Police Band.
Top 4. Potty Putter



Why waste time on the toilet, you may make use of it to exercise the fairway? Potty Putter contains everything you need for an exciting round of golf without leaving your seat, which including a putting green around the toilet, mini putter, flag stick and two golf balls.

Top 5. Mustard Flavor Gum Balls

These little green gum balls offer an intense explosion of mustard. It's strange that the candy is actually delicious.

Top 6. An Underwear Repair Kit for Men

In this hard time of economy, don not to throw away your old underwear but repair it yourself with this Underwear Repair Kit. This repair kit is portable, inexpensive, and in which anything you need won’t absent, and it can help you to get your undershorts back into presentable shape.

Top 7. Obama "Yes We Can" Bottle Opener

Each election will spawns some interesting things, but this time it bought the stupidest one. But to those Obama fans, the "Yes, We Can" bottle opener themed with Obama’s campaign slogan ”Yes, We Can” is certainly a treasure.

Top 8. "How To Tie A Tie" Tie

Still annoying with how to tie your tie? This fashion tie has a simple guide for how to tie that printed on the front. Just follow the six steps step-by-step and you'll look as dashing as George Clooney in seconds.
Top 9. 2009 Dog Poop Calendar


In this calendar each month page features a spectacular landscape or a breathtaking tableau, but somewhere in every shot there's a pile of dog poop. Distasteful? You bet it is, but the contrast between the beautiful picture and dog poop is remarkable.

Top 10. Alarm Clock with a Pole Dancer

At the alarm time set previous on the clock, dance music plays and disco lights flash. At the same time, a buxom dancer with blond hair gyrates around a pole under the spinning ballroom.

* Last year listed on the stupid Christmas gifts rank includes Hillary Clinton Cracker, Mother Teresa fresh spray, and portable party cupula with a suction kit attached to your forehead.

** Original address of this gift post: China Gift and Fine Arts & Crafts in China

Top 5 Best Sales Christmas Toys

Shopping for toys during Christmas is one of the most popular items shopped for. Consequently, shopping for toys can also be the most expensive task on your Christmas shopping list. As you know, there are many different Christmas sales on toys. Many stores are providing deals and special discounts that help you save some money.

Top 1. Elmo Live
Is it live or is it Elmo Live? For the first time ever, in this truly life-like creation, Elmo really appears to be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like a muppet. His mannerisms are right on target and his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands, and even crosses his legs while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo’s foot, tummy, back or nose. Measures 12″ tall.

Top 2. Ultra-Realistic FurReal Pup

This ultra-realistic FurReal pup is the perfect first pet for any little girl or boy. Biscuit responds to you and obeys six different commands: sit, lie down, sit up, beg and speak. He’ll also give you a paw when you ask if he wants a treat. Biscuit’s soft, cuddly fur and puppy-dog eyes will instantly win you over. Sitting pup measures 21″ tall.
Top 3. Hasbro Dance Cam
Catch your moves on the tube! With this Playskool Dance Cam from Hasbro, children can be the star of their own show and see themselves dancing on the TV screen along with cute, animated characters. Friends can join in on the fun, too.

Simple to set up and provides hours of active, silly fun. Features three modes of play — dance along with animated characters, learn a cool move or freestyle with your tunes. Comes loaded with 20 favorite preschool songs.

Top 4. Bakugan Battlepack Teal and Red Set

This Bakugan Battle Pack from Spinmaster has small spheres that magnetically morph into powerful Bakugan warriors when they roll onto the real metal gate cards. Use strategy to place your metal gate cards effectively as each cards affects the battle differently. Then master you precision shooting skills to roll your Bakugan into battle and win.
Top 5. Hyper Dash Unit (Electronic Game)
It's the Hyper Dash Unit(electronic game) that's as fast as you are. Test your speed and agility in a race against time using five targets and an electronic handheld unit. To start, set up your targets on the table, around the room, around the house or throughout the yard. Then, follow the announcer’s commands as you zip around your racecourse to tag your targets with the handheld unit. The fastest time wins. Features four game modes that challenge your speed, skill, memory, coordination and teamwork. Includes ergonomically designed Hyper Dash unit and five labelled targets.

Any of the above top 5 best selling Christmas toys 2008 will make an awesome gift for your loved ones. And there just isn’t a better feeling all year than when we see our childrens' faces light up, and see their shrieks of joy and delight when they open up their gifts, is there? For me it has always been the best time of the year.

Best sale Christmas toys is a popular online search every year before Christmas, and Christmas 2008 is no exception. The reason being of course that these lists help busy moms and dads select toys that are guaranteed to fill their children with great joy when they open their gifts at Christmas.

Creative Christmas Gift Ideas for Her & Him

Tired of endless mall walking in search of a perfect Christmas gift that is nowhere to be found? Hate giving gift cards or gift certificates and cash just because it seems impossible to come up with anything better?



This holiday season, find unique ways to let the people in your life know that you care. Get creative, get personal and get fun; get a gift that will bring joy to her or him you love this Christmas.

Projects to Do and Make

Instead of toys that quickly lose their appeal, projects to make and do entertain during the process of creation and then become all the more special because they were made by the recipient. A craft set for making beaded jewelry, a T-shirt or canvas bag and special fabric crayons and pens for decorating, or a small set of wood working tools and pieces of cut wood can provide hours of entertainment. These gifts also often teach useful skills and encourage artistic abilities. Some kits can be purchased with the supplies and tools included. For a more personalized gift or to monitor the quality of the tools included a gift giver might choose the supplies and tools and pick a useful bag or box that could serve as storage later.

Homemade Items that Everyone Needs

Sometimes a gift item of a usable, consumable product with a personalized touch can be both affordable and appreciated. Children’s artwork can be scanned and made into calendars or greeting cards. Lip balm, bath salts, or bath oil can be made with items from the grocery and craft store. For kids simple recipes abound for play dough, homemade bath crayons, and homemade sidewalk chalk.

Since everyone needs to eat, ready-to-make meal mixes such as soup in a jar or muffin and bread mix can be great gifts as well. The gift of something useful need not be boring. It can be a playful twist on the usual or something a bit more extravagant than expected. But the element of usefulness ensures the gift will be appreciated rather than stored away.

Gift Tickets to Local Attractions, Museums or Performances

Gifts of tickets to local attractions, museums, or performances can encourage the appreciation of the arts. Families might appreciate an annual pass to a zoo or Children’s Museum near their home. Some performing arts centers offer packets of tickets to various events. Concerts or even movie theater tickets can be great gifts especially as families cut back on the entertainment budget and such attractions become a rare treat.

Instead of focusing on things to purchase, gifts that focus on activities can bring smiles and avoid both the shopping pitfalls and the return lines.Gifts that interest and give fun to the recipient need not be expensive or even purchased. With some planning and creative ideas, thought, smart gift givers can get through Christmas with some money left in their pocket.

Unique Mongolia Leather Painting IV --- How to Choose a Fine Quality Leather Painting?

There's never an arts and crafts like leather painting could bring the visitor such a remarkable view impact! And there’s no any other art form like leather painting could bring you elegance and dignity so easy, which could also be treasured up by you for ever. People will stunned with its beauty when people throw their first eye on it and could not help to exclaiming out ”What beautiful the leather painting is!". However, there’s something important you should know about, that is, how to choose a leather painting of fine quality?






A leather painting of high quality has following characteristics:
　　
1st. Picture

The picture on the leather face is good and whole, and there’s no scratch marks on the painting, namely no scars on the painting face.

　　
2nd. Embossment / Relievo

The relievo effect on the leather painting is beyond to as higher as it could reach, you should to check the relievo layers of the painting, and more embossment layers the painting has, the better level the leather painting belongs.

3rd. Tactile Impression

Put your hands on the face of leather painting, and thers is no sharp tactilities on a fine quality leather painting, although it feels unevern but it feel very smooth and no sharp touches.

4th. Colors

If the area of the water color painting is larger than that of the paste painting on the leather picture, that is a rather fine quality leather picture.

If the painting on the leather picture was drawn out by water color all, the leather picture will looked very dull and its brightness will inferior to a paste painting.



　　
Presently most of the people in the world still knew little about leather painting, but as more and more people went to Inner Mongolia, China, and will knew more about leather painting, as well as become love it. The author hope those manufacturers of leather painting could pay more attention to the quality of leather painting and try best to improve it gradually, and do not to export shoddy leather paintings to the market, which could do nothing but be bound to ruin the prosperous prospects of leather painting.

Today, we are gratified much to see Mongolia leather paintings were recognized and loved by more and more people in China also in other countries of the world day by day, and no matter you choose leather painting as one of souvenirs for your tour or keep it as a gift for your relatives and friends, we all apprecitate it greatly!

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers

It can be difficult to find a good and trustworthy dog walker, cat walker or dog sitter. But when a pet owner does find that perfect pet sitter or dog walker, many seek to give a nice holiday gift to their pet helper, though coming up with a good gift idea for a dog walker or pet sitter can be difficult.

Now check out following Christmas gift ideas for pet lovers include gift suggestions for every holiday shopper's budget:

Gift Card to a Local Pet Store

Most pet walkers and dog sitters have a dog, cat or other pet of their own. Find out if the dog walker or dog sitter has a pet at home. If so, one great gift idea that the pet sitter or dog walker is sure to love is a gift card to a local pet store.

A pet store gift card will appeal to virtually all dog sitters, cat sitters or dog walkers, since the gift card can be used to purchase something more practical like food or supplies, or the gift card can be used to purchase a fun pet novelty item, like dog clothing or a cute new pet bed.

A Gift Certificate to a Local Athletic Shoe Store

Dog walkers spend a lot of time on their feet and a great pair of shoes can make all the difference. A gift certificate to a local athletic shoe store will allow the dog sitter to pick out a great new pair of walking shoes that will make those daily dog walks more comfortable and more enjoyable.

A Gift Spa Certificate or A Gift Massage Certificate
Pet walking and pet sitting can be physically demanding, stressful and mentally exhausting at times. So give the cat sitter, dog walker, dog sitter or other pet sitter the gift of relaxation and pampering with a gift certificate to a local spa or masseuse for a massage. Women may enjoy a relaxing facial, while both men and women can enjoy a leg and foot massage or a back massage.

For pet owners who like this gift idea, but who are looking to spend a bit less on a gift for the dog sitter or pet walker, consider a gift from The Body Shop or Bath and Body Works. Most female dog walkers and pet sitters will enjoy a bath and body-themed gift set of bubble bath, bath oils, scented lotion and a candle - all the items that are needed for a relaxing bath after a long day of dog walking or pet sitting.

Handmade Pet Clothing

For pet owners who don't have a lot of money to spend on a gift for a dog walker or pet sitter, consider a handmade (or store-bought, for the less crafty folks) scarf, gloves, hat or sweater, to keep the dog walker warm during those winter dog walks.

There's even crafters who can turn dog or cat hair into yarn, that's then dyed and knitted into a scarf, sweater, etc. So those more eccentric dog owners can save the fur from those daily brushings and one day, there will be enough fur to create a knitted item like a hat, scarf or sweater. It's a unique gift idea that's literally "from the dog!"

Homemade Pet Treats or Baked Pet Foods

Another great inexpensive gift idea for a dog walker or pet sitter is Homemade Pet Treats or Baked Goods, why not? To bake some homemade dog treats or homemade cat treats for the dog sitter or pet walker's own dogs or cats. Homemade pet treats are a thoughtful gift idea that's inexpensive yet charming.

Most pet sitters and dog walkers have a pet or two (or ten) at home, but a few dog walkers and pet sitters work with animals because they don't have pets at home and their work provides them with an opportunity to enjoy the companionship of dogs, cats and other pets. For a dog walker, dog sitter or cat sitter who does not have a cat or dog at home, give the gift of some homemade holiday cookies that can be placed in a colorful tin. This homemade gift is simple and inexpensive, yet thoughtful.