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Win Up to $1,000 Cash Back for Black Friday in July!

It’s almost time for Black Friday in July and to celebrate, we’re giving THREE lucky winners a Cash Back prize! Shop for a chance to win the value of your purchase—up to $1,000! Limit one entry per day, plus bonus entries for purchasing from a store you’ve never ordered from before.

How to Enter the Win Your Purchase Giveaway:

  1.   If you’re not already an Ebates member, join more than 8 million other savvy shoppers who earn up to 40 percent Cash Back on almost everything they buy. Here’s how Ebates works. It’s free to join, and you’ll receive a $10 Welcome Bonus* at Ebates.com.
  2.   After you enter the email associated with your Ebates account, enter the order number of your purchase. It can be found in the “Cash Back Balance” section of your Ebates account. Limit one entry per day.
  3.   You can earn additional entries by shopping at a merchant you’ve never made a purchase with before. Simply enter the name of the new merchant in the text field.

The sweepstakes ends on July 17th, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. PST. The winners will be picked randomly through Gleam, and they will be posted on Facebook and on this blog. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, as the winner will have 24 hours to accept the prize before we will choose another winner.

Ebates Win Your Purchase Giveaway

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5 Non-Lame Valentine’s Day Gifts He’ll Actually Use

When it comes to Valentine’s Day gift guides for guys, I’ve seen it all. Usually, they start with something golf-related, have a bunch of tacky gag gifts shoved in the middle and end with a wildly expensive present that no human woman would ever purchase for herself, let alone her boyfriend or husband. I’m here to fix that. These Valentine’s Day ideas are useful. They’re classy. They are, in essence, the best Valentine’s gifts for guys. And a couple of them are even designed with you in mind. To top it off, you’ll also be helping yourself by earning Cash Back at Ebates while shopping for all the best products.


Help Him Manage His Time — Literally

Some may advise against buying your guy a watch for Valentine’s Day. Watches tend to be personal investments, and a quality timepiece can run you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. But you don’t have to drop a fortune to give him something he’ll value. The Timex Weekender is a bona fide classic, and the brand has really stepped up its game in recent years to compete with the likes of Shinola. Give him all the style and flash of a $1,000 watch with a sub-$100 price tag. You’ll save even more after you get Cash Back from Ebates.

Timex Weekender Slip-Thru Tan Leather Strap Chronograph Watch
from JCPenney

Let Him Slice and Dice His Way to Kitchen Glory

Guys like knives. That’s a fact. And this V-Day gift works on two angles. First, upon opening his gift, he’ll likely want to chop, dice and slice every vegetable in the house. Second, said vegetable chopping will result in him staring at his handiwork feeling guilty about wasting the results, and he’ll most likely make you an awesome meal. It’s a win-win! There’s no better knife to take him from everyday Joe to kitchen ninja than a Shun Classic chef’s knife. I’ve had mine for years, it’s still as sharp as the day I bought it (with proper care, of course) and it’s just as much fun gliding through onion number 1,000 as it was on day one.

Shun Classic Chef’s Knives
from Sur la Table


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Gift Him a Tool He Never Knew He Needed

There’s a good chance he already has a drill set and a toolbox full of the staples, but if I was a betting man (I’m not, but roll with it), I’d guess he doesn’t own a Dremel rotary tool. The Dremel 3000 is the chameleon of power tools. It can slice, grind, chop, polish and cut metal, wood, plastic and more. And Dremel makes a boatload of attachments, so it can be used in hundreds of ways. This thing is a monster, and it saved me time and money more times than I can count when remodeling our home. It’s something he may never buy for himself, but he’ll thank you every time he busts it out of that gray-and-blue case.

Dremel 3000 Rotary Tool Kit
from Walmart

Reconnect Him With His Old Friend: the Grill

Most guys will look for any excuse to break out the grill, but snow, ice and a gnarly windchill tend to put a damper on flame-filled festivities — unless there’s something to make it all worthwhile. Cue Omaha Steaks and the Amazing Griller’s Banquet. It’s a straight-up feast that will coax him out of hibernation to put match to flame and make him forget for a few hours that he’s tending to his prized grill in sub-zero conditions.

Amazing Griller’s Banquet
from Omaha Steaks



Keep Him Looking His Best

Collar stays (used to keep a shirt collar straight and crisp) are a man’s equivalent to hair ties, in that they always seem to go missing. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important. If he already uses them, he’ll appreciate this handsome collection from Ties.com. Since they’re fancy metal (there’s even a rose gold one, which is so hot right now), he’ll be forced to at least try not to lose them. If he doesn’t use collar stays, it’ll be a revelation. He can say goodbye to wonky-looking collars, and his sad, deformed dress shirts will be given new life.

4-Pack 2.5-Inch Assorted Collar Stays
from Ties.com

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7 Après-Ski Sweaters Your Chic Winter Closet Needs

A crackling fire, a cup of cocoa and a picture-perfect snowy slope — the après-ski life is equal parts cozy and chic. Snuggle up after a few good runs on the bunny hill (or the black diamond trail, if you dare) in one of these super-soft, crazy-comfy and fabulously fashion-forward sweater styles. We’ve rounded up our top pick in each cuddle-worthy category from cardigan to cashmere to turtleneck. You’ll look fabulous and feel toasty at the lodge in these women’s winter sweaters.


The Turtleneck Sweater

Two styles in one gorgeous blush-pink sweater, this chunky-knit turtleneck features a button so you can unfasten the neck and instantly transform it into a crewneck. Après-ski wear doesn’t get more versatile!

Tory Burch Detachable Turtleneck

from Bloomingdale’s

The Classic Crew-Neck Sweater

Nothing says “snow day” like a classic fair isle sweater. This playful patterned pullover is a perfect addition to your ski-trip sweater collection.

J.Crew Fair Isle Pullover
from J.Crew



The Hoodie Sweater

More polished than a sweatshirt, this soft-wool hoodie sweater drapes beautifully and can easily be dressed up or down. From the airport to the ski lodge and back again, you’ll want to live in this casual-meets-luxe look.

Ann Taylor Hoodie Sweater

from Ann Taylor

The Cashmere Sweater

A cashmere sweater is a closet staple — and this simple and classic V-neck style feels as delicious as it looks.

Neiman Marcus V-Neck Sweater
from Neiman Marcus


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The Cardigan Sweater

You can practically feel yourself snuggling up in this zip-up cardigan sweater. The merino wool and intricate cable knit give us all the warm and fuzzies — literally.

Marc Jacobs Cable-Knit Cardigan
from Saks Fifth Avenue

The Chenille Sweater

Chenille is having a major fashion moment, and this stylish ruffled sweater will keep you looking like a trendy ski bunny.

Melrose and Market Ruffled Sweater
from Nordstrom Rack



The Cape Sweater

You can walk the stylish, snow-filled streets of Aspen with confidence in this super-chic cape sweater — just add long leather gloves. Women’s ski fashion can be ultra-relaxed and über-sleek.

Forever 21 Cape Sweater

from Forever 21

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Bring on the Bling: 6 Gorgeous Dresses for New Year’s Eve

If there’s any night to really go over the top, it’s New Year’s Eve. We’re talking sequins and sparkles; glitter and glamour; shimmer and shine. Gold, silver and anything-but-basic black make up the majority of the holiday dresses we selected for dancing your way into a seriously glam night out, but we’ve thrown in a few unexpected picks too — just to shake things up. So pop the champagne, bring on the bling and let’s get this celebration started!


Jovani Short-Sleeve Cocktail Dress

The effortlessly sexy sheath silhouette of this dress and its large iridescent embellishments add up to one showstopping number.

Jovani Short-Sleeve Cocktail Dress​
from Neiman Marcus

Cinched-Waist Metallic Jumpsuit

If your evening plans are slightly more casual (perhaps a date-night dinner out), this metallic-printed jumpsuit is polished, pretty and perfectly apropos.

Cinched-Waist Metallic Jumpsuit
from Old Navy



J.Crew Collection Tie-Shoulder Sequin Dress

Jaws will drop when you walk into the party wearing this slinky disco-ball-inspired number.

J.Crew Collection Tie-Shoulder Sequin Dress
from J.Crew

Forever 21 Sequined Mermaid Maxi Dress

Va va voom! This mermaid dress is a spectacular style to help you ring in the New Year right.

Forever 21 Sequined Mermaid Maxi Dress
from Forever 21



Vince Camuto Sequined Chevron Sheath Dress

The chevron pattern is having a major moment in fashion, and sequins are, of course, classic — so this combo is both timeless and trendy.

Vince Camuto Sequined Chevron Sheath Dress
from Macy’s

Lulus Sparks Fly Black Star-Print Maxi Dress

The stars will align on Dec. 31, and your dress will shine bright. This gorgeous maxi shows ample leg and décolletage, and it’s a great option for anyone celebrating under the stars.

Lulus Sparks Fly Black Star-Print Maxi Dress
from Lulus

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How to Keep Kids Busy During Their Long Winter Break

Although you cherish every second you have with your precious children, you may need to have some fun kids’ winter-break activities in your box of tricks to keep them out of your hair while you relax or get some work done. These ideas will add a little wonder to your kids’ wintery days.


Pack a Winter Picnic

Although picnics often are reserved for summertime, it may be even more fun to make a hot lunch and get bundled up for an adventure in the winter wonderland. An insulated thermos makes sure your food stays warm.

Thermos Food Container
from Bed Bath & Beyond

Choose a Baking Project

Find a good reason to make cookies: for a neighbor, a sidewalk sale or an upcoming dinner party. Let the kids research a recipe and bake with independence (but safety supervision), and chalk up any less-than-tasty mistakes to the scientific process. You could even ask them to present their findings and make a plan to fix their blunder with the next batch. The gift of a chef’s kit will give them the authority in the kitchen that they love.

Curious Chef 11-Piece Boys’ Chef Kit
from Bed Bath & Beyond


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Send Them on a Wintertime Scavenger Hunt

Some winter-break ideas for kids just sound like work on your part, but sending your kids on a scavenger hunt will keep them occupied and won’t require you to clean up any messes. Make a list of activities for them to complete: take a picture in a still-scene reenactment of a favorite movie, shoot some video of their best dance moves or retrieve the “three blind mice” that are hiding around the house.

Felted Wool Santa Mouse Ornaments
from Cost Plus World Market

Spray-Painting in the Snow

When sledding and snowmen have lost their thrill, give your kids another reason to go outside for some fun activities. Spray bottles with a little watercolor paint or food-safe dye mixed with water could inspire their next great art project on the world’s most naturally white canvas. As long as there are a few rules, you shouldn’t have to clean up after them.

12-ounce Spray Bottle
from The Container Store



Karaoke Party

Have your kids create a playlist and let them become rock stars in the best karaoke party of the season. You might need this to happen behind a closed door.

Tzumi Pop Solo Microphone
from Walmart

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Eating Right While Eating Well During the Holidays

Keeping a healthy diet is hard enough without all the extra temptation around the holidays, but you don’t need to give up on healthy eating just because you know you’ll be surrounded by cookies at every turn. Accept failures, but also make a plan to choose your food wisely. Give yourself some allowances while following a few simple suggestions to stay motivated. Eating right and eating well don’t have to be at odds.


Juice Up with Java

You may have heard about the recent studies on the health benefits of coffee. I’m not talking about sugary coffee-flavored drinks, but real brewed coffee. In addition to the obvious energy boost, there is a slew of studies showing links between coffee drinking and lowered risk of chronic diseases, such as liver cancer. For your holiday-themed balanced diet, coffee will dull your hunger pangs for long enough to get your thinking straight. A little stevia and full-fat cream can help satisfy your craving too.

AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
from Crate & Barrel

Try Something New

Holiday parties and get-togethers often require you to bring a dish to share. Even if there are some foods you’re staying away from, you can bring an item you’ll enjoy without worry. Pull out a special, new recipe you’ve been wanting to try. That extra effort will give you something to look forward to.

Neoflam Mystic Valley Ceramic Stovetop Casserole
from Bed Bath & Beyond

Allow for Indulgences

Eating and gatherings go hand in hand, and I find it awkward to continue my diet plans when it comes to social situations. Don’t plan for strict eating, and enjoy the time. Feeling guilty leads to a downward spiral of, “I’ll just start over in January.” You can be your own worst enemy! When I’m following my normal routines at work and home, I focus on staying on track and eating healthy, and I adjust my expectations when I’m having fun with friends.

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Dessert (Plate) First

A full plate has been scientifically proven to give you the feeling of satisfaction, so pick up a dessert plate from the stack and fill it with your main course. Dessert plates are usually smaller, so this will help keep your portions reasonable even if you go back for seconds.

Gold Sparkle Christmas Paper Dessert Plates
from Michael’s

Powerful Snacking

Willpower isn’t a finite commodity. You’re bound to deplete your conviction to eat right if you’re keeping yourself hungry at the wrong times. Expect to be hungry! I bring healthy food to the office to snack on at meetings to give me a little extra willpower. I try to go for high-protein and satisfying snacks: jerky, boiled eggs and salt, slices of gouda with a few cashews or almond butter and celery. That helps me keep my eyes off the plate of donuts on the table.

Multicolored 1-Cup Portion Control Containers with Ice Packs
from Fit & Fresh

Be a Choosy Eater

When there’s a food table with all the trimmings, do yourself a favor and take a spin around the block. Take a look at all the offerings, eyeing the good stuff, and choose your favorites. You don’t have to eat everything, and you can skip it for now if it’s something you know you’ll have the chance to eat again. If you’re going to veer off the path for a bit, you’ll want it to be for something special.

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Get Fit in 2018 With These Five Fabulous Finds

Who doesn’t love a fresh start? You have renewed focus on your goals in 2018, and you need that little something to boost your enthusiasm. Whether you’re a lifter or a yogi, here’s some fitness gear to get you excited for your workout.


Weightlifting

Getting enough protein when you’re trying to build muscle can sometimes be a problem, especially right after your workout. If you’ve had enough whey to last you a year, try Flavored Liquid Egg Whites as your post-workout supplement. It’s a quick grab-and-go, too, as you rush to work from the gym.

Flavored Liquid Egg Whites
from MuscleEgg

Barre

A fashionable and functional gym bag is nearly impossible to find, so this bag is worth the splurge. The extra inside pockets are perfect for your water bottle, freshen-up kit and other exercise stuff. Its professional look makes it a great transitional piece from the studio to your dinner date.

Birdie Gym Bag
from Paragon Sports


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CrossFit

We admit we’re coffee addicts — but we’re special coffee addicts. Bullet Coffee is the CrossFitter’s answer to the Mocha Frappuccino. It’s black coffee blended with grass-fed butter and MCT oil, which are fats that are easily turned into energy. The combo is an excellent mental and physical boost, and you’re going to need it after a week of workouts.  

Bullet Coffee
from Onnit

Yoga

Although yoga provides a natural glow, you’ll need to freshen up before moving on to your busy day. Add this refreshing kit to your bag of gym gear to clean up and tone your skin.  It also has some muscle-recovery gel to keep you relaxed even after the most intense hot-yoga session.

Sweat, Refresh, Go Healthy, Portable Workout Essentials
from Sephora



Basketball

Stance isn’t just the best socks manufacturer;  it also has a whole line of fashionable, supportive, comfortable, well-made briefs just for you. You can sport your favorite team or player, or even proudly display your obsession with “Star Wars.” Stance takes its special fabric technology seriously, and the briefs are made to stretch and breathe for all your moves on the court.

Stance Boxer Briefs
from PacSun

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10 Festive Finds to Spruce Up Your Holiday Table

’Tis the season to be cooking and cleaning and serving and entertaining. The holidays are here, and that means lots of guests soon will be sitting around your table, chatting and laughing and eating and enjoying good food, great wine and even better company. Deck the halls and deck out your dining room with lots of fabulous holiday decorations, Christmas centerpieces and other merry tabletop must-haves. We rounded up a few festive pieces for your perusing pleasure. Happy hosting!

Snowman Mugs

Serve coffee and cocoa in these charming snowman mugs — and don’t forget to leave some cookies and milk for Santa too!

Snowman Mugs

from Sur la Table



Holiday Bulb Tree

Not everyone is Martha Stewart. DIY holiday centerpieces may sound like a good idea, but they’re usually not easy to recreate. Luckily for you, this cheery decoration will liven up your table and brighten spirits.

Holiday Bulb Tree

from Sur la Table

Maker’s Table Runner

This beautiful felt table liner can be dressed up or down, and it makes the perfect base for fancy (or casual!) flatware.

Maker’s Table Runner

from JoAnn Fabrics



Holiday Village Place Mats

This cotton Kate Spade holiday village place mat is cute and totally endearing. Kids and grown-ups alike will love them.

Holiday Village Place Mats
from Bloomingdale’s
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Christmas Appetizer Plates

Featuring jolly and iconic seasonal scenes, these appetizer plates are perfectly playful for all your casual Christmas get-togethers.

Christmas Appetizer Plates

from Pier 1 Imports



Santa Platter

Santa deserves a prominent place at — or, rather, on — the holiday table. This sculpted platter is a wonderful way to serve light bites and sides.

Santa Platter

from Staples

Buffalo-Check Stocking Utensil Holder

Put out your personalized seating cards and place utensils in these adorable buffalo-check mini stockings. How cute is that?

Buffalo-Check Stocking Utensil Holder
from Bed Bath & Beyond



Holiday Wine Labels

These wine-bottle labels are kitschy and silly and totally fun for family gatherings and casual holiday affairs. Cheers!

Holiday Wine Labels

from Michael’s

Berries and Pine Napkin Rings

These beautiful napkin rings bring winter nature to your table and add a festive flair to your everyday linens.

Berries and Pine Napkin Rings

from Sur la Table

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The Most Popular Toys Through the Decades

Every holiday season, there’s one must-have toy. Customers have been known to wait in line for hours, pay massive amounts of money and even physically fight in toy-store aisles during Black Friday sales just to get their hands on the year’s hottest toy.

Read on to discover the most popular toys of the past three decades — and what the next toy craze will be.

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

 

Cabbage Patch Kids (1983)

Created in 1978 by Xavier Roberts, these “adoptable” soft-sculpture dolls were all the rage in the 1980s. Due to a clever marketing campaign, the dolls were a virtual overnight success, raking in $600 million in sales by 1985. The dolls flew off the shelves during the holidays, forcing customers to wait in line for hours to purchase one. The success of the Cabbage Patch Kids grew and grew until they became the best-selling introduction of a doll in history.

Transformers (1984)

Originally produced in 1984 by Japanese toy company Takara and the American toy company Hasbro, these shape-shifting robots quickly became a sensation. The toys became so popular  that they spawned an animated series, an animated film in 1986 and the extremely popular live-action movie franchise in the 2000s.

Teddy Ruxpin (1985 and ’86)

This animatronic talking teddy bear was initially produced by the toy manufacturer Worlds of Wonder and introduced to the market in 1985. The storytelling teddy’s slogan boasted of being “the world’s first animated, talking toy.”

Koosh Ball (1987)

This delightful ball made of rubber strings was created by Scott Stillinger, who named his product after the sound it made when it hit the ground. The toy was marketed by Mattel and was a smashing success.

Nintendo Entertainment System (1988)

This 8-bit video-game console was an astounding success when it first hit the market in 1988, with 7 million systems sold the year it was released — especially during the holiday season. The market for NES cartridges that year was larger than the market for the entirety of all computer software.

Game Boy (1989)

The handheld Nintendo game console quickly sold an incredible 1.1 million units, outselling all of its video-game counterparts and becoming one of the best-selling electronic game devices of all time.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures (based on the characters from the film of the same title) were wildly popular during the holiday season of 1990, selling more than 30 million units by Christmas.

Super Nintendo (1991)

Nintendo was on a roll in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and its new release, Super Nintendo, was no exception. It quickly became the best-selling video-game console of the 16-bit era.

Barney (1992)

Created by the toy-manufacturing company Dankin, the plush purple dinosaur based on the popular TV character came about because parents demanded it after seeing their kids cuddling video cassette boxes of the series.

Talkboy (1993)

This portable audio cassette player and recorder was conceived and used as a prop for the 1992 film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” After the success of the film, young fans demanded a real-life version of the Talkboy. Released by Hasbro, the Talkboy became so popular during the holiday season that the company was forced to pull the product’s ads due to short supply.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1994)

These action figures were based on the characters of the extremely popular television series of the same title. The toys flew off the shelves during the 1994 holiday season.

Beanie Babies (1995)

These stuffed animals were created by Ty Warner, who would arbitrarily take certain Beanie Babies off the market, making them hard-to-find collectibles that customers would pay hundreds of dollars for. The demand for the toys became so intense that some customers had physical altercations in store aisles over the stuffed dolls.

Tickle Me Elmo (1996)

Based on the Elmo character from “Sesame Street,” this giggling doll was manufactured by Tyco and introduced to the market in 1996. Elmo was an unexpected success, and the entire stock of 1 million dolls sold out by the end of the year. Since the toy was in such short supply, scalpers capitalized on the demand and sold it for hundreds of dollars while physical altercations between customers repeatedly broke out over the doll.

Tamagotchi (1997)

At the height of this handheld virtual pet’s popularity, 15 Tamagotchis were sold every minute in the U.S. and Canada, and more than 40 million units were sold worldwide.

Furby (1998)

Originally priced at $35, these electronic, robotic toys were in such demand during the Christmas season that their resale value skyrocketed to as much as $300. An astounding 27 million Furbies were sold in 1998.

Pokémon (1999)

This popular franchise based on the Game Boy game was a smashing success during the holiday season of 1999. The craze involved various kinds of merchandise, particularly trading cards, and also sparked a popular animated TV series. Pokémon is still a powerhouse today. In 2017, the company reported that more than $900 billion of Pokémon-related products have been sold.

Razor Scooter (2000)

Originally manufactured by Sharper Image, this popular scooter ushered in the new millennium with a bona fide holiday frenzy. The Razor was so popular that it led to the creation of a new extreme sport: freestyle scootering.

Bratz (2001)

These teen fashion dolls with the distinct look of big heads and skinny bodies were so successful in 2001 that they surpassed Barbie as the No. 1-selling toy geared toward girls. Despite the success, many parents were concerned that the dolls were too provocatively dressed and that they promoted an unhealthy body image.

Beyblades (2002)

This line of spinning-top toys was developed and manufactured by Takara Tomy in 2002. It dominated the market and was one of the most popular toy lines in the world from 2000 to 2005.

Yu-Gi-Oh! (2003)

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game has been wildly popular in Japan since 1998, and 3.5 billion cards trading cards were sold prior to the Yugi Starter Deck’s 2002 release in North America. The game caught on in the U.S., and it landed on many top toy lists for 2003. In 2009, Guinness World Records named it a top selling trading card game, with over 22 billion cards sold worldwide.

Robosapien (2004)

This biomorphic robotic toy was manufactured by WowWee Toys, and it sold a whopping 1.5 million units between April and December 2004.

Xbox 360 (2005)

This video-game console was rushed to shelves by Microsoft to beat out the soon-to-be-released Sony PlayStation 3. The strategy worked, because the Xbox 360 sold a total of 5.5 million units during its first six months on the market.

PlayStation 3 (2006)

This video-game console was incredibly popular in 2006, continuing the trend of wildly successful gaming releases. The system was so popular upon its release that people became violent in their attempts to acquire one.

Nintendo DS (2007)

This dual-screen, touch-screen gaming system from Nintendo swiftly became highly popular. In 2007, the DS broke records to become the fastest-selling handheld game console of all time with 653,000 units sold in one week. To date, worldwide sales on all consoles in the DS family total a whopping 154 million units.

Nintendo Wii (2008)

Nintendo was on a roll in the late 2000s, and the Nintendo Wii was proof of that. The gaming system sold 10 million units by the end of 2008, many of which were purchased during the holiday season.

Zhu Zhu Pets (2009)

Originally known as Go Go Hamsters in the U.K., these plush robotic toys were all the rage during the Christmas season of 2009. Originally sold for $9, the Christmas demand became so high that their value shot up to $60.

iPad (2010)

This tablet is beloved by adults, of course, but it also was a massively popular gift for children during the 2010 Christmas season — so popular that it sold more than 300,000 units on the first day of its release.

LeapPad Explorer (2011)

A tablet computer developed for kids, the LeapPad Explorer flew off the shelves during the 2011 holiday season. After its initial success, it was awarded Toy of the Year honors by the American International Toy Fair in New York City.

Wii U (2012)

This video-game console was another holiday-season home run for Nintendo. It sold like hotcakes, and customers reportedly waited in line for hours to get one.

Big Hugs Elmo (2013)

This plush talking Elmo followed the massive success of Tickle Me Elmo, and was nearly as successful during the 2013 holiday season.

Elsa Doll (2014)

The doll based on the character from the hit animated film “Frozen” was a wild success. It was crowned the new queen of dolls marketed to girls, and retailers were caught off guard by its demand during the holiday season, leaving many in short supply.

BB-8 (2015)

This remote-controlled droid, based on a character from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” was predicted to be the best-selling toy of the 2015 season. Upon its release, the initial supply sold out in one day.

Hatchimals (2016)
This interactive toy starts as an egg and needs your child’s love in order to hatch. After enough care and attention, the egg will be ready to hatch into a furry creature that can be raised from baby to toddler to kid. The toy can learn to repeat what you say, to walk, to dance and to play games.

NES Classic (2016)

Video-game nostalgia reigns supreme with this retro-style Nintendo system loaded with 30 classic games, including “Super Mario Bros.” and “Ninja Gaiden”. The console sold out in just moments.

The New Teddy Ruxpin (2017)

The beloved animatronic bear is making a comeback. It was the most popular toy of 1985 and 1986, but the new version traded in a cassette tape for a free app. Follow along on your smartphone or tablet as Teddy reads a book or sings a song. The fast-selling throwback also upgraded to LED-screen eyes that add expression.

Nintendo Switch (2017)

The Nintendo Switch is the latest gaming system. It can be used as a handheld or tabletop device or with a TV, and it allows flexibility between single- and multiplayer games. After the console’s release in March, stores couldn’t keep them in stock for more than a few hours after each new shipment, and they remain a hot item.

Fingerlings (2017)

These adorable baby monkeys are interactive and collectible pets. When played with, the monkeys come alive, responding to sound, motion and touch. Manufactured by a high-tech robotics and entertainment company, they’re part of the popular trend of robotic pets — and they’re flying off the shelves.

 

 

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Save, Spend, Splurge: 2017 Holiday Gift Guide Edition

Prioritizing your holiday shopping according to price is a smart way to check off all the names on your list and still have enough left in your budget to book your ticket home to see your family. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet filled with ideas to save (affordable but still amazing gifts), spend (mid-range and worth the money) and splurge (the go-big gifts for those who have been extra good this year) on everyone on your list. Happy shopping!

Gifts for Guys

From your boyfriend to your little brother, these picks will please even the most particular gentlemen on your list.


Save: Spiked! Ice Tray

This easy-on-the-wallet option will raise a few eyebrows. Who knew how cool it would be to elevate cocktail hour with a spiky ice cube in your drink? The pointed ice cubes add a serious statement.

Spiked! Ice Tray
from OpenSky

Spend: Hook & Albert Bifold Wallet

Every dude needs a new wallet, yet they rarely take the time to pick up one for themselves. This gift is practical, yet still sweet. He’ll think of you every time he makes a purchase.

Hook & Albert Bifold Wallet
from Banana Republic



Splurge: Masterbuilt Electric Smoker

Cooking will never be boring again with this stainless-steel smoker. It comes with a radio-frequency remote control and a removable drip pan for fast and easy cleanups, plus it has a viewing window so you can check on your food’s progress.

Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
from Walmart

Gifts for Women

Whether it’s for your wife or your mom, your present is the ultimate expression of your enthusiasm. Here are some ideas to wow any woman on your list.

Save: ban.do “Will You Accept This Rose” Notebook

Write it down, make it happen. A blank notebook is power, inspiration and healing. The beautiful floral design just adds extra incentive to jot it all down.

ban.do “Will You Accept This Rose” Notebook
from Macy’s



Spend: Magic Carpet Aloha Yoga Mat

Yoga is more than a hobby — it’s a lifestyle. Nothing will motivate the woman in your life more than a mat that’s as beautiful as her practice. These artist-designed mats step up the game.

Magic Carpet Aloha Yoga Mat
from BackCountry

Splurge: MCM Stark Backpack

Backpacks have been trending for a while, and this luxe option brings new meaning to the term “statement bag.” It works with both casual and more formal looks.

MCM Stark Backpack
from Farfetch


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Toys They’ll Love

Kids may get excited over seemingly everything, but these playtime gems will please them in a special way.


Save: Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life Studio

Tech and art collide with this cool kit that brings characters to life virtually. Kids are encouraged to download the app, shape a creation and scan it to bring their design to life.

Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life Studio
from Walmart

Spend: Hatchimals Glittering Garden Hatching Egg

This toy offers an amazing experience: watching an animal hatch from an egg. Play with the egg long enough and your touch will bring your new friend into existence. You can listen to its heartbeat and tap on the egg, and it’ll tap back!

Hatchimals Glittering Garden Hatching Egg
from Walmart



Splurge: Barbie Hello Dreamhouse

Barbie moves into a high-tech heaven! The house responds to voice commands and features six fantastic rooms to play out your Barbie adventures.

Barbie Hello Dreamhouse
from Walmart

Electronic Goodies

We’re all looking for solutions to make our lives faster, easier and more fun. Here are some fun gift ideas for the tech-obsessed person on your list.

Save: Electric Push-Button Corkscrew

Holiday entertaining just got so much easier with this simple-to-use push-button corkscrew. It’s sleek and smart-looking, and it uncorks bottles with the press of a button. Bonus: You can use it as a night-light.

Electric Push-Button Corkscrew
from Macy’s



Spend: HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer

Print your photos as fast as you can capture them. This device allows you to print both snapshots and stickers of all your favorite moments. It’s lightweight (about 6 ounces) and simple to use.

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer
from Office Depot

Splurge: Roomba Vacuuming Robot

Vacuuming becomes a wildly entertaining experience with the use of this robotic friend. Watch it whiz around your room and clean up your mess. Download the app to schedule cleaning times and preferences.

Roomba Vacuuming Robot
from Bed Bath & Beyond