Fisher-Price: Learning DJ
For the young one: Music can make it easier and more fun to learn -- especially when your teacher is a rockin' DJ who sings and dances along. Kids will have a blast as they rock, bee-bop and boogie down to 16 songs and four games, all while learning numbers, letters, colors, shapes and different types of musical instruments. Learn More
Find it at: All major toy stores and online retailers
For ages: 2 years and up
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Smart Cycle
Smart Cycle plugs right into your TV, ready to take kids on learning adventures like no other. As they pedal, favorite character friends guide them through learning discoveries, games and even exciting races. Other activities don't require pedaling at all. Includes Learning Adventure game cartridge with 3 ways to play. Learn More
Find it at: All major toy stores and online retailers
For ages: 2 years and up
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Hannah Montana Guitar Video Game
Tween girls can now become a "Pop Princess" just like Hanna Montana, with Jakks Pacific's new G2 Game Generation: Hannah Montana Guitar Video Game! This Plug It In and Play guitar video game combines the hottest trend in gaming with girls' favorite surreptitious songstress. Learn More
Find it at : All major toy stores and online retailers
For ages: 3-10 years
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The Radio Flyer
For the kids: In its 92nd year, there is still nothing cooler to get kids from 9 months to 5 years old. The company has expanded its product line and improved safety. But in the end, this classic helps activity and imagination. You can go to the park with everything in tow or later the kids can help in the garden. Learn More
For ages: 9 months to 5 years old
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Building Blocks
For the kids: Keep little hands busy having fun, while they learn (but don’t tell them that). This childhood standard teaches everything from shapes to spatial relations. All while building you pretty buildings mommy!
Find it here or at other children's stores.
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The Razor
For the kids: Whether they are just learning to master things with wheels or ready to roll up hills and do tricks, this hip, stylish staple means fun. For beginners be sure to get one with bigger wheels. You can even decorate them. Just remember the helmet! Learn More.
Find it at: Most toys stores, large retailers and some bike shops.
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Nintendo Wii
This gaming system is pronounced “we” for a reason. It’s a blast to get the family together and take each other on in games that require movement as well as mental skills. The folks at Nintendo have even made it more family-friendly, dropping the price about $100 from last Christmas. “Wii Sports” comes as a starter game, but you should also check out the new “Wii Resort”, even more physical challenges lie within.
Find it here.
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New Super Mario Bros. Wii
This New Super Mario Bros. is a throwback to the style of the original Super Mario Bros. and allows four players to play the game together.
Players can navigate the side-scrolling worlds alone as before or invite up to three others to join them at the same time on the same level at any point in the game for competitive and cooperative multiplayer fun. With the multiplayer mode, the newest installment of the most popular video game franchise is designed to bring yet another type of family entertainment into living rooms and engage groups of friends in fast-paced Super Mario Bros. fun Learn More
Find it at: Online and at all videogame retailers
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New Apple iMac
Bigger and faster. Apple's new 27-inch iMac will charm with its screen size alone. Behind its expansive display, Apple has packed one of the fastest all-in-ones available, and added a few useful extras to sweeten the deal. Learn More
Find it at: All Apples Stores, most electronics retailers, online
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Apple iPhone 3GS
The iPhone 3GS is more than just a phone. It combines three devices in one: a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device. All that and more makes it the best phone you’ll ever use. While not as huge an upgrade as the the 3G over the previous generation first generation iPhone, the latest Apple handset is still a sweet upgrade: it's faster, has loads of new features and extended battery life,
Find it at: Apple Stores, Best Buys, AT&T stores and online
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Up!
For the family: This is literally a hit with all ages 8-80! This Disney/Pixar partnership was an instant classic when it hit theatres earlier this year. The story follows two unlikely heroes on the journey of a life time as 78-year-old Carl sets out to follow through on a promise to his wife and 8-year-old Russell accidentally gets stuck on his porch. From the tears brought by the first scenes to the sweet satisfaction of the last, this is a great edition to the family collection. Learn More
Find it at: Any store that sells DVDs
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Samsung TL-225 Camera
Get out from behind the camera and get in the shot with this dual LCD camera from Samsung. Its dual LCD technology is perfect for self-shots, helping you to document your days at the beach, your trip to the cabin -- anywhere you go! Perfect framing is quick and easy, even if the lens is trained on you. Plus, your subjects will see what the picture looks like before it is even taken! In addition, the camera's rear LCD touch screen offers simple-to-use navigation of the camera's features and easy access to your photo library. Throw in a 4.6x optical zoom and Schneider lens optics technology, and you've got a camera that redefines how you'll look at your pictures. Learn More
Find it at: At any most physical and on-line retailers
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Nikon D3000 10MP Digital SLR Camera
For the ladies: Every mom wants brilliant photos to tell her family’s story. This digital SLR take breathtaking images that even makes pros happy. While it a bit pricey, it’s the latest offering from the most popular and well-regarded line of digitals on the market. You can consider this a good investment with technology that will outlast most smaller cameras. Learn More
Find it at: Amazon.com and most electronics retailers
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Kodak Digital Picture Frames
For the ladies: All those pictures you have taken need a proper home. We all promise ourselves that they are going in lovely well-appointed albums someday. Reality? They sit on your computer waiting for the light of day. Digital photo frames are the answer. The amount of memory on each varies, but you can put anywhere from 50 to 300 on display at once, with the frame rotating them so everyone shares the limelight. Learn More
Find it at: Amazon.com and most electronics retailers
For ages: 12 and up
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Beatles Rock Band
For the family: The Beatles: Rock Band gives fans what they've been waiting for: a chance to experience the Beatles' legendary story from the inside. You won't just watch and listen as the Beatles make rock history, create landmark records and conquer the worldfor the first time, you'll be part of the band. The Beatles software is compatible with all Rock Band and most Guitar Hero and other instrument controllers, as well as third party microphones including SingStar and Lips. Learn More
Find it at: Online and at most stores that sell videogames
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Assassins Creed 2
For the boys: Delve deeper into the secret society of assassins with the sequel to the blockbuster action-adventure game. Assassin's Creed 2 is an epic story of family, vengeance and conspiracy set in the pristine, yet brutal, backdrop of a Renaissance Italy. This game retains the core gameplay experience that made the first opus a resounding success and features new experiences that will surprise and challenge players. Learn More
Find it at: Online and at most videogame retailers
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person tactical shooter and the sixth entry in the popular Call of Duty series. True to its name and following the lead of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it places players in modern combat settings, as opposed to the WWII environments of the earlier Call of Duty games. This modern approach brings with it new weapons, action and options. The game has "shattered" the previous record for opening-day sales by an entertainment property, earning $310 million in North America and the U.K. alone. Learn more
Find it at: Online and at all videogame retailers
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Plant House
For the ladies: As winter begins to give way to spring (this happens even in Iowa, I promise) and it’s time to plant. This great portable, pop-up greenhouse allows her to get a jump on starter plants and once the seedlings are planted, the house can be put away for the season. The design even allows for optimum air circulation, very important for the health of your plants. Learn More
Find it at: Amazon.com
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Motorola DROID
The Motorola DROID from Verizon Wireless has the most advanced Google browser and Android 2.0 software with a blazing-fast processor and 3G speed for faster search. It has the world's thinnest QWERTY slider at 13.7mm. It can help you navigate turn-by-turn. It has a 5MP camera with a flash, plus loads of great camera features and a DVD-quality recorder to capture all the richer, bigger, wider experiences you're going to have. It's the phone with the "Hi" IQ. Learn More
Find it at: Verizon Wireless and at all cell phone retailers
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Diamond Earrings
You know the song, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”? It was written by a very smart man Jule Styn. Smart because, while we don’t necessarily need rocks that will sink the Titanic, we do love to sparkle and shine.
Find at: Any local jewelery store. It's best to buy at a store for guaranteed customer service.
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Unconditional Love
For the ladies: Okay, I know, we just said diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but they can’t really cuddle. That’s where the Animal Rescue League of Iowa comes in. There are hundreds of wanna-be cuddlers waiting for forever homes each day. The bonus is they have gift certificates, because ladies can be as finicky as cats when it comes to picking a new love.
Visit the Animal Rescue League today.
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Motorola MOTONAV TN20 3.5" Portable GPS Navigator w/ Text-to-Speech
Going places has never been so easy. MOTONAV TN20 is a reliable, easy-to-use portable GPS navigation system that relieves the stress of driving in unfamiliar places with spoken street names and turn by turn directions.MOTONAV TN20 provides easy-to-follow, clearly spoken street names and directions along with accurate maps and routing on screen. With over one million pre-loaded points of interest, TN20 will help drivers find virtually any local business, restaurant or gas station along the way. With maps of the entire continental U.S., drivers can use the device no matter where their travels take them. Learn More
Find it here: Online and at most electronics
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Sony PRS-300 E-Reader Pocket Edition
Carry up to 350 of your favorite books at a time with this Sony E-Book Reader. With its elegant, lightweight design and 5 inch paper-like display this E-Book Reader is easy to use and bring with you. Allowing you to access a wide number of online bookstores as well as an eBook Library for PC and Mac, you will never run out of anything to read. Learn More
Find it at: Any major toy store and online retailer
For ages: 10 and up
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Her Favorite Charity
Women love it when people pay attention to what matters most to them. By giving to her charity you give credence to her opinions and validity to her decision making. Besides, who can resist someone who puts actual thought into the gift they give?
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Great Music
Whether you give her downloads, CDs or old-school vinyl, music is a chance for personal expression. A woman’s favorite tunes, lyrics and artists become the soundtrack of her life. And knowing her favorites is a great way to make points!
Find it at most discount retailers, vinyl is available at stores here in Des Moines or you can shop online with Amazon.
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Flip Video Camera
For the family: Soccer games and recitals have never been so easy to save forever. New mini flip cams are just a bit bigger than a deck of playing cards and have a built-in USB port. Once you capture the moment you can head home and put it on your computer. Or some newer TVs take direct feeds from the cameras. This is one of my favorites because you can order it customized with a personal design or picture on the casing. Learn More
Find it at: Online and at most electronics retailers
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Tool Kit
While it doesn’t have to be pink, being a little girly never hurt anyone. This tool set is part of a hot trend that acknowledges that more women own their own homes and when something gets broken, it has to be fixed. This is a great starter set, don’t worry, she knows where to shop for more.
Find it at: Target or any hardware store.
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A Good Read
When a woman actually has time to sit down and be alone, reading a good book can help her escape or learn something new. Whether you pick up the latest best seller or buy her a copy of your favorite book, you are making it clear — taking a little time for her is a good thing.
Find at most retailers and online at Barnes & Noble.
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Pure Warmth
When you can’t be there to keep her warm or when she is finally getting much needed alone time, having a great blanket to cuddle with makes the experience even better. This faux-fur throw is an inexpensive version of pure affection. (And men, it’s NOT a Snuggie.)
Find at at: A number of bedding retailers and this one at Target.
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Yoga
Between kids, work and trying to be a super-woman, life is stressful. Yoga offers her a chance to unwind and get in shape, while nourishing her soul. If you have a woman in need of stress-relief or already loves yoga, a new mat is always welcome — the thicker the better. Plus, there are plenty of great gyms and yoga studios in town so you can grab her a gift certificate for classes.
Find it at: Amazon.com or a number of sports and discount retailers.
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Romantic Movies
For the ladies: To be honest, not every woman tears up during a romantic film. But for those who do, this is a great chance to give her an evening of romance, even when you have to work late. Plus, who can resist a singing Gerard Butler or Ewan McGregor?
Find it: At many discount retailers and Amazon.com.
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A Weekend Away
She spends every moment doing for others. When ‘time off’ comes, she’s baking cookies for the school bazaar. Women are bad at getting away and taking care of ourselves. We’re always sure we can’t be away for long. Often that is true and that’s why a weekend away right here in Iowa is a great compromise. The state has an amazing array of hidden treasures, spas, comfortable inns and adventures waiting to happen. It's a sure way to rejuvenate her energy and your romance.
See the Travel Iowa site for ideas.
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Des Moines on a Dime
Buying Local. Big Savings. That’s the motto of Des Moines on a Dime. This online half-price store offers gift certificates to local businesses for their great food, goods and services. Whether you are shopping for family, friends or a Secret Santa at work — you get twice as much by shopping Des Moines on a Dime without having to leave the house.
Shop DMOD.
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Anything You Make
Okay, so you are not the craftiest person in the world, but maybe the economy has left you in a pinch this holiday. Better Homes and Gardens has an entire section of its website dedicated to those needs. Easy, inexpensive projects that will make her smile or even tear up. Because is there anything better than getting a gift that took time and love from the people you care about most?
Visit Better Homes and Gardens Crafts
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