Blog Posts by Kaboodle.com

Big gift!
It's definitely the thought that counts when it comes to holiday gift giving. However, even the smallest amount of consideration will suggest that the following 10 very unique gifts will not be appreciated by anyone on your list this year.


The iPhone Virtual Reality Viewer
The iPhone Virtual Reality Viewer
It's been 30 years since we first starting talking about the concept of "virtual reality," and, while it's been the subject of countless movies and TV shows, we're not partaking in virtual reality on a daily basis. So, it's highly unlikely anyone would really want to receive what amounts to a pair of binoculars you clip to your iPhone to watch 3-D videos.


Bacon Candy
Bacon Candy
Sure bacon is ultra-trendy, but the fact is bacon candy (or any of the other myriad bacon-flavored food items) isn't going to taste good. The recipient of this gift would pop one in his mouth, spit it out, and never look at the tin again. A better gift: A subscription to the Bacon of the Month club.

SEE MORE: Find the Perfect Holiday Gift


Drive

Last-minute Christmas Shopping
We're fast approaching the cutoff for online holiday shopping with free or inexpensive shipping. In fact, many stores' Web sites already indicate they will no longer guarantee standard delivery packages will arrive by Christmas Eve. But, if you want to avoid the zoo that is the mall the week before Christmas and still snag a killer present in time the holidays, shop online at one of our favorite stores for gift giving. Listed below, each of them offers overnight shipping services through December 22nd.

SEE MORE: Find the Perfect Holiday Gift


Fred Flare
FredFlare.com
Fred Flare is our go-to for supercute, playful stocking stuffers for kids, teens, and whimsical adults. They also have a wide selection of affordable fashions and home décor accessories. You can place an order through 1 PM EST on December 22nd and still have your package arrive (via overnight shipping) by Christmas Eve.


Kate Spade
KateSpade.com
We love Kate Spade's quirky and whimsical clothes and accessories. And, best of all, its Web site has a

two tones makes one great look
As you have probably noticed, "ombre," or color shading from dark to light, has been stylish for hair and nails this fall and winter. And now lips are getting the glamorous gradation look, too. Luckily, the two-toned look (seen in Miu Miu's last runway show) is actually easy to achieve on your own. You need two opaque shades in the same color family, one darker than the other. The more different the shades are, the more dramatic your lips will be. (Psssst, you can also use your favorite lipstick and a concealer!) Just apply the darker shade all over your lips, then use a brush to pat the lighter shade (can be cream or powder) in the middle of your pucker, avoiding the edges. Blend lightly to ensure the colors diffuse together, pop on some clear gloss to set everything, and voila-lips look glamorously kaleidoscopic!

Would you wear ombre lips?

More from Kaboodle:
Cute and Cozy Winter Accessories
Useful and Hilarious USB Gadgets
The Coolest Coffee Mugs and Tea Cups

Jessica Alba and Kate Bosworth rock the donut bun
Just last fall, top knots became the rage in the high-fashion scene. But another hairstyle is already stealing the spotlight: the donut bun. Unlike traditional buns, which are created when you wrap hair around the ponytail, this perfectly coiled look is best achieved with the help of inexpensive foam pieces, which are shaped like-you guessed it-a donut.

Here's how it works:

• Pull hair back into a ponytail and secure it with a rubber band.
• Pull the pony through foam donut hole until it comfortably sits on the head. You can secure it with bobby pins if it feels loose.
• Separate hair into 4 equal sections, and spread them across the donut, until it's completely covered. Wrap and tuck the ends under the foam and pin them down.
• Spray with hairspray to tame flyaways and set your style.

For Blondes: Bombshell Blonde Collection Small Donut ($4.99)

Foam

For Brunettes: Style Works Chignon Medium Brown Donut ($6.19)

Donut for brunettes

For Dark Hair: Soft n' Style

Create your own fireworks this NYE

Sure, the idea of ringing in the New Year at Times Square or another cosmopolitan hub sounds exciting and exhilarating, but do you really want to do the countdown and yell "Happy New Year!" while crowded by a bunch of drunk strangers? We didn't think so. Instead, we've come up with some fun, unique, and affordable ways to celebrate New Year's Eve. And we promise: you won't miss big city celebrations too much!

Bring Vegas to You
While Vegas may not be in the cards for New Year's Eve, you can bring the best parts of sin city to you! Set up a couple poker tables in your living room: all you need are a couple green tablecloths and cards. Put out all your best bar accessories and stemware (including those hardly used martini glasses) and set up a mini-bar in the corner. Invite your most fun friends and remind them as they arrive: what happens in your living room, stays in your living room!

Drop the Ball
Even if you can't be in New York City, you can still watch the

It's that special time of year-when school teachers, grannies, and "ugly Christmas sweater party" guests break out the blingiest, silliest, most over-the-top sweaters they can find. But, while holidays sweaters aren't the most fashionable things to wear, there's something fantastic about the commitment to spreading holiday cheer! To celebrate this sartorial boldness, check out seven of this year's best wonderfully ugly holiday sweaters.


Lovely in Leather
Christmas Leather Jacket
If you're not content to rock a traditional knit sweater, opt for this leather and knit Christmas jacket ($209 from Amazon). Santa, snowmen, and chubby penguins are scattered across the leather portion (which extends to the back of the garment). It's perfect for biker grannies everywhere!


Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Sweater
Don't think Christmas has the market cornered when it comes to ugly sweaters. You can now celebrate Hanukkah while rocking the hottest menorah- and dreidel-covered sweater around! $65 from Tipsy Elves.

SEE MORE: Find the Perfect

'Tis the season for larger-than-life lawn ornaments, kooky figurines, and curious displays of faith. Check out the following five holiday decorations-which are some of the strangest we've seen!


Seductive Snowman
Seductive Snowman
We can't help but think of Matt LeBlanc's Friends character Joey Tribbiani saying, "How you doin'?", every time we look at this 12-foot-tall lounging snowman lawn ornament. $200 from Hammacher-Schlemmer.

SEE MORE: Perfect Presents for Parents!


Elvis Presley Sleigh
Elvis Presley TCB Christmas Sleigh
Elvis fans rejoice! Thanks to the Bradford Exchange you can have a very TCB (that's Elvis-speak for "Taking Care of Business") Christmas. Santa's carrying a sleigh full of EP-related goods (gold records, a pink Cadillac, all of Graceland) and Elvis is painted on the side wearing his trademark white jumpsuit. The lanterns even light up. TCB indeed! $150


Boba Fett Figurine
Boba Fett Figurine
Who better to spread a little Christmas cheer than intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett ($50 from ThinkGeek) from the Star Wars movies? You've

Every parent can relate to buying uninspired toys that rarely get used or even noticed past the initial unwrapping because we just don't know how else to fill the spot under the tree or next to the menorah. But the following nine arts and crafts gifts offer endless opportunities for creativity, making them presents that keep on giving long after the holiday decorations have been tucked away for another year.

Crayon Maker

Melts old crayons into new ones

Broken crayons become coveted objects for any kid who has this nifty contraption that melts and molds old crayons into new ones. Just combine crayons in the maker's allotted areas, watch them melt beneath the protective shield, pour your blended colors into crayon molds, let them dry, and they're brand new custom colors. The best part: The entire process takes about 10 minutes. $24.97 at ConsumerCrafts.com

Solar Print Kit

Paper plus sun equals art

Science and art lovers will get a kick out of this solar photography kit, which includes everything you need