The gift the kids will love to ruin

The gift the kids will love to ruin

With the kids heading back to school, the birthday party circuit will be starting up again. If your kid is old enough to read, you may understand my temptation to give other kids books rather than more toys. The problem is that while their parents might love you for...
Stamping out lousy gifts

Stamping out lousy gifts

There are children, and then there are The Children Who Have Everything, and ack, I never know what the heck to get them for birthdays and holidays and weekend visits. Since I don’t have the money to go bigger (no pony for you, kid) I do my best to go...
Here they come to save the birthday!

Here they come to save the birthday!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked aimlessly around the toy store aisles trying to find just the right birthday gift for one of my son’s friends. And just when I think I’ve found the perfect one —  the price tag indicates...
Tickle-Me Phyto

Tickle-Me Phyto

As a child of the eighties, I was privy to the debut of many fads that should never have been, including parachute pants, bolo ties, and those cheesy Chia pets. If only the last one had died out along with the first two. If you want a cool plant to cultivate at home...