Back to School Gift Guide

WallCandy Chalkboard

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:43:44 GMT

These four panels stick easily and can be taken down with no damage to the wall. Kids can even hang them on their bedroom doors (convenient for making "keep out!" or "no girls allowed!" signs, with changing graphics, of course).

Chuck Taylor High Canvas Kicks

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:29:11 GMT

Customize a pair of high-top Converse for your favorite munchkin. Pick the body color, pick the tongue print, even pick a funky heel stripe. And for that special little speed demon, don't forget to include a racing stripe.

Lingo 12-Language Talking Translator

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:37:30 GMT

Anyone can be a polyglot (look it up) with this nifty little device. Especially useful for world travelers, the 12-Language Talking Translator not only translates, it teaches users the correct pronunciation of words. (The recipient can actually say "goodbye" in Hebrew (lehitra'ot) without sounding like a total American.) There's also an English dictionary, a phonebook, calculator, calender, metric and currency converters, International clothing/shoe size converter and world time clock.

Marc Jacobs Pencil Sharpener

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:19:18 GMT

Marc Jacobs not only makes people look sharp, he makes writing utensils physically sharp. This MJ-monogrammed pencil sharpener comes in one of six cute animal shapes (giraffe, kitten, elephant, pig, dog, and fish) and will add a touch of fun and style to any child's (or child-at-heart's) pencil case.

Juicy Couture “Choose Green” Tote

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:42:14 GMT

When Juicy Couture, a company that has placed a stranglehold on the hearts (and wallets) of celebrities and mortals alike, asked us to accept velour tracksuits as the height of hip, we did. Now they are asking us to "Choose Green." Well, we shall gladly do that, too. Especially since they make it so easy with this cute organic canvas tote, ornamented with a heart-shaped recycling sign and lined with the Juicy logo. Perfect for the eco-friendliest of fashionistas.

Voltaic Solar Panel Backpack

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:48:30 GMT

It’s a backpack with solar panels on the outside, and places to plug in your electronic devices on the inside. What could be more current than this perfect balance of hippie and techie? On one hand, it’s the greenest way to schlep all the stuff the giftee can’t live without; on the other hand, it’s completely enabling his or her slavery to technology. On a less high-brow note though, think of what a hero the recipient will be when he or she encounters a hot young thing in need of a charge. Rooowwwrrr!

USB Owl

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:19:49 GMT

Who needs another piece of tech to plug into the computer? Who? Who? Anyone bored to tears from hours and hours spent staring at a monitor will appreciate the quiet company of USB Owl from cheeky Japanese toy company, Cube Collection. Plug the bird into the port and watch the time fly by as the owl’s noggin swivels and eyes light up. See, it doesn’t take a wise old owl to see the intelligence in feathering the work nest with some fun.

Victoria's Secret Pink Collegiate Collection

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:03:33 GMT

This is just the look that teen girl you're buying for is after. Comfy but cool, it turns out it is possible to look fashionable in sweats (something teens have been trying to convince us of for years and something we all tried to tell ourselves in college). The ever popular look-like-you're-not-even-trying fashion statement has been picked up by the ultimate girly-girl line, Victoria's Secret Pink, where she can also pick her favorite college emblem to be emblazoned on said sweats.

Paul Frank Cruiser Bike by Paul Frank

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:10:45 GMT

Pee Wee Herman ain’t the only one who loves a tricked-out bike. For the young girl yearning to pedal free the Julius Girls Cruiser by Paul Frank comes with a pin striped fenders and “I love my bike” bell. Because when someone is sportin’ a ride this sweet — everybody should know about it.

Krink Sleeve

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:53:08 GMT

This gift is a godsend for your laptop enthusiast who wishes desperately to be cool but can so far only manage to decorate his or her computer case with reprints of famous art or screen grabs from Star Wars. Your friend is probably unaware of this, but KR is a pretty cool artist whose videos on YouTube show him decorating various tech products with this same dripping ink style. So really, you’re giving the gift of street cred. A totally foreign yet still very welcome concept to most tech people.

Pong-a-Long Portable Beer Pong Table

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:31:14 GMT

Who’s the one guy in college that could actually put up a fair fight in a popularity contest against the guy holding the plausible fake ID? The one toting this extremely portable beer-pong table. It extends to 8’, yet folds into a 2’ by 2’ suitcase. It’s John Blutarsky meets John Steed.

Alcatraz Regulation #5 Shoulder Bag

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:44:00 GMT

Do you have friends who complain about giving up bi-monthly facials and $100 haircuts to save money? Give them a good reminder of the difference between luxury and necessity: a messenger bag printed with Alcatraz’s Regulation # 5, which states “You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else that you get is a privilege.”

The Student Cookbook

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:59:47 GMT

If only we had had this cookbook when we were students; pounds and pounds of Ramen Noodles and cereal would have been spared. But, as we can’t change the past, we figure the best thing to do is suggest this as a gift for those who are college-bound. It is full of tasty, budget-conscious, simple and (gasp!) fairly nutritious recipes that are guaranteed to keep recipients from relying on vending machines for sustenance. Plus it’s wipe-clean, which is important should any initial attempts in the kitchen go awry.

To-Do Tattoos

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:32:11 GMT

You can drown disorganized friends in gifts of calendars and day-planners, but the truth is, they’ll probably just keep on scrawling reminders on their hands. So why don’t you just accept your friends for who they are, save some trees, and gift this pack of 12 temporary tattoos in the shape of To-Do lists, which recipients can fill in with the skin-safe gel pen that comes with. These might not make recipients’ lives more organized, but they will certainly make their hands (or whatever body part they tend to write on) look more organized.

Travel Buddy Teapot

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:35:50 GMT

This day and age, we live in a flitting and fleeting society and in order to keep up, we do pretty much everything on the go. GiftGenius helps us cope in several ways. First, they provide us with ideas to help ameliorate the effects of the hustle and bustle and then they send us off to Sanity Rehabilitaion Programs in paradise. So while your loved one is waiting for their two weeks off so we can deliver them to Shangri-La, present them this On-the-Go Teapot -- a truly Zen invention designed to help keep us calm even in moments of sheer helplessness and utter frustration (i.e. The BQE at about 730 in the morning). It's leak-proof and it fits comfortably in your cup holder, which means there's two less things to worry about (and it can be used to brew hot and cold tea alike), which lets us know that we still have some say in our lives.

Hand Sign USB

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:34:27 GMT

If your laptop could run free for a day, what would you imagine it would do? Go out and find a protest, and spend its valuable free time resisting arrest and getting sprayed with tear gas? Or is it the kind of laptop that would head straight to the first concert it could find to listen to some earsplittingly loud rock? Now recipients of these USB keys can decide. These gadgets come in four styles—East, West, Change, and Rock Out—to give laptops distinct personalities.

TooLate Watches

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:26:15 GMT

Made in Italy and a favorite in Europe, these colorful silicone watches are practically indestructible, and the scratchproof, waterproof and shockproof design is perfect for friends who can be a little absent-minded. The digital display can be changed from time to date (again, absent-minded friends will be appreciative) and the chunky wristbands are surprisingly light, weighing in at only 15 grams (or about .5 ounces). The watches come in an array of eye-catching hues, and can be worn alone or layered for a rainbow-like effect. Yellow, green and orange are undeniably summer-y and right on neon-trend. Black, white and gray are more subdued options, and are both understated and posh. Each band comes packaged in a small glass jar, which gives the present an extra special feel.

Good Morning Sir Alarm Clock

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:48:03 GMT

Every morning we hear that annoying buzzing/beeping coming from our alarm clocks, we kinda want to throw it across the room. Instead, we hit “snooze” 5-7 times. But this alarm clock will not inspire those types of reactions in recipients, because it has the recorded voice of Stephen Fry, reprising his role as Jeeves the butler, offering one of several morning pleasantries in a soothing, über-British voice. Wake up messages include “It appears to be morning. Very inconvenient, I agree. I believe it is the rotation of the Earth that is to blame, Sir,” and, our personal favorite, “I am delighted that you have survived another night.”

Gift Genius: EDITOR'S PICKS