You can give someone the gift of a Netflix subscription--complete with printed gift card.
(Credit: Netflix)Uh, oh! Just a few more shopping days until the ho-ho-holiday. Are you scrambling for a last-minute gift for your trusty mail carrier, the kids' schoolteacher, a co-worker, or someone else on your list?
Good news: All you need is a printer. These five stores let you print your own gift certificates for fast, easy, and downright special in-person giving:
- Amazon.com On any Amazon page, click the Gift Cards link, then choose Print a gift card. The minimum amount is $5, but you're not limited to increments: Your certificate can be in the amount of, say, $12.09 if you want.
- Gifts.com The recipient of a Gifts.com certificate can redeem it at one or more of a hundred-plus stores and restaurants, such as Barnes & Noble, Pottery Barn, and Starbucks.
- iTunes Obviously you can grab an iTunes gift card in just about any store on the planet, but did you know you can print your own? Just fire up iTunes, click Buy iTunes Gifts, and then choose Printable Gift Certificates. Amounts range from $10-50.
- Netflix Netflix gift subscriptions start at $8.99 per month, and you can choose just about any duration you want: one month, three months, a year, etc. And that gift includes not just DVDs by mail, but also unlimited streaming to a PC or "Netflix-ready" device like an Xbox.
- Restaurant.com Once again, Restaurant.com is offering $25 gift certificates for just $2 (with coupon code SANTA). Not familiar with the site? Get the details from one of my earlier posts. Even better, send a free $10 gift certificate to anyone and everyone on your list!
By the way, most of these gift certificates can also be e-mailed--perfect for last-minute gifts that can't be delivered in person. You know, for faraway relatives or, I dunno, beloved bloggers. (Usually all I get in my in-box is a lump of e-coal, sniff, sniff.)
Not only are the gifts covered in today's episode perfect to meet the mediocre expectations of a white elephant party, but this episode itself is in essence our very own white elephant gift to you! Interpret that as you will, and have a wonderful holiday, everyone!
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EPISODE 166
Gifts to bring to a white elephant Christmas
Snuggie for your neck (Thanks, Greg and Sam)
Snuggie for your dog (Thanks, Eric!)
... Read more
There are lots of really good gifts to give and to get this year. We're giving one away in this top 5! But there are also a lot of really bad mistakes you could make. So don't make them. Watch the Top 5, heed the warnings, then come back to this blog and post a comment for a chance to win a Sony Reader touch edition, courtesy of Sony Electronics. It's easy.
So, how do you win this CNET Top 5 giveaway of the Sony Reader touch edition? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully.
Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, no need to register again.
Leave a comment below. We asked a trivia question in this episode of the Top 5, but you can leave whatever comment you want.
Leave only one comment. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
Winner will be chosen randomly. Winner will be chosen on or about December 21, 2009. The winner will receive one (1) Sony Reader touch edition. Approximate retail value of prize is $299.95.
If you are chosen, you will be notified via the CNET internal-messaging system. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
Entries can be submitted until Friday, December 18, at 5:59:59 p.m. ET.
And here's the disclaimer (sorry for the caps, but rules are rules):
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 5:59:59 p.m. ET on Friday December 18, 2009. See Official Rules for details.
Win two $250 Crutchfield gift cards and go on a shopping spree at Crutchfield.com!
In case you don't know what Crutchfield is, it offers a fantastic selection of consumer electronics products (particularly home-theater gear) and is known for its excellent customer service and support.
As for Shopper.com, it powers CNET's price-comparison engine and it's a great site for finding the best prices on products. (See all of Shopper's deals, coupon codes, and rebates).
Normally, a Crutchfield $500 gift card would cost you $500 (duh), but you have the chance to get it gratis.
So, how do you try to win the Crutchfield gift card? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully; there will be a test.
- Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, there's no need to register again.
- Leave a comment below. You can leave whatever comment you want. If it's funny or insightful it won't help you win, but we're trying to have fun here, so anything entertaining is appreciated.
- Leave only one comment. You may enter this specific giveaway only once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
- The winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive (2) $250 Crutchfield gift cards (or a single gift card with a total value of $500). Retail value is $500.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified via e-mail. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries can be submitted until Friday, December 11, at 6:59:59 a.m. ET.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 6:59:59 AM ET on December 11, 2009. See official rules for details.
Good luck.
Come back tomorrow for our next holiday giveaway. Tomorrow's prize will be a Netgear WNDR3700 wireless router.
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
Monster Turbine earphones
Q: Can you help me to choose an earphone? I have $150. For the sound, I like an earphone that has great bass and clear sound. Which one is the best between Dr. Dre Tour, Shure SE210 and Bose earphone? -- Yudanto, via e-mail
A: Personally, I would not go for any of those, though for the Dr. Dre Tours, it's more a matter of fit (the earpieces are very long). As for the Shure SE210s, those are not the best model for thumping bass. And the Bose In-Ear 'phones have had lukewarm reviews overall from users and editors alike.
I'm not sure what the availability is like in Indonesia, but my recommendations for you are as follows, in order:
- Monster Turbine
- Klipsch Image S4
- Ultimate Ears Super.fi EB (if you have a little extra to spend or can find a deal)
SanDisk Sansa Clip+
Q: My girlfriend is getting a gift for a relative who likes to read, so I recommended a Sansa Clip and an audiobooks gift card. Before she goes through with it, I wanted to check with the MP3 queen to see your thoughts on the Clip as an audiobook player, and your favorite audiobook purveyor. If you've got a better idea for a gift, I would appreciate it, but keep in mind that her budget is $75 (preferably less). -- bereezy, via e-mail
A: I would go with the Sansa Clip+. You can check out our list of top choices for audiobooks; as you can see, the Clip+ is the best option in her price range. It also leaves plenty of the budget left over for a gift card.
... Read moreAdmittedly, this may not be the most high-tech of gadgets, but a new toy mouse with a funny recording is worth a mention--and so thought The Sun, which broke the story early Monday. It all started with parents fretting over a $5 toy mouse; they claim the novelty toy sold in small shops and market stalls is singing "pedophile" instead of "Jingle Bells."
Parents in the UK are up in arms after claiming that a $5 toy mouse is singing "pedophile, pedophile" instead of "Jingle Bells."
(Credit: Screenshot by Elizabeth Armstrong Moore/CNET)For anyone who wants to hear it for themselves, here is the recording.
Toy distributor Humatt, which got the toys from China, says the man in the recording simply could not pronounce "Jingle Bells" correctly, so it was sped up to try to hide this fact.
"We've slowed the song down and it definitely says Jingle Bells, but we have recalled them now just in case anybody might take offense," a spokesperson says.
Ah, the power of concerned parents. But just as I managed to make it through such potentially hazardous childhood activities as dressing a Barbie doll that was sure to cause anorexia and making mud pies with dirt that was not certified organic, their kids will likely overcome their scary mouse encounters.
Cori sent us treats! <3
(Credit: The 404/Sadacori)Believe it or not, the fourth host on today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast is the Nook, Barnes & Noble's e-book reader with a color touch screen and Wi-Fi. The device is currently sold out and on back order throughout B&N, so it wasn't easy to obtain. We had to walk 500 miles and battle a Nazgul to get it, but the in-studio demo was worth the wait. If you haven't seen a Nook up close, you're in for a treat.
Speaking of treats, the holidays come early for The 404 this year! Today's episode starts off normal enough, with another story about a crazed girlfriend who destroys her boyfriend's precious PS3 and a couple making their own paranormal activity to fund their wedding, but the real story is the package we receive halfway through the live show from dedicated 404 listener Cori (Sadacori in the chat room). We've received care packages before, but this one is definitely the best. Just check out the picture up top! Thanks a million Cori, we really appreciate all the Yuletide pounds! :)
Our ill-deserved holiday break is coming up in two weeks, and we get awfully lonely if we don't hear from you, so won't you leave us a voice mail at 1-866-404-CNET and let us know how your holiday season is going? We'd love to hear your voices, but you can also e-mail us at the404(at)cnet[dot]com or add us on Twitter and Facebook as well!
EPISODE 481
Listen now: Download today's podcastSubscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video
... Read more
We spend most of today's show covering holiday gifts you won't want to stuff in the stocking of someone you care about... and a few that you might.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 164
Necktie for music-loving commuters
Blacksocks — the Sockscription ™
Passive aggressive gifts for tardy geeks
My DNA Fragrance lets you smell like a celebrity
... Read more
For just $9.99 you can stuff a stocking with the cool, practical HiJack Headphone Splitter Keychain.
(Credit: ThinkGeek)What do you get for the iPhone user who has, well, an iPhone? After all, the device itself is the gift that keeps on giving. Am I right?
Anyway, I've rounded up five iPhone-friendly items for the holidays. Whether you're shopping for a Secret Santa gift for a co-worker, a stocking stuffer for your hubby (or missus), or something to round out the latter nights of Hanukkah, one of these should fit the bill.
1) A gift card...that later turns into an iPhone stand! Start with any gift card--Starbucks, iTunes (duh), or whatever--then tell the recipient to bring it back to you after it's used up. Following these simple Instructables instructions, do a little waving-your-magic-wand thing and turn that card into a cute, clever, portable, and virtually indestructible stand. Who knew a gift card could keep on giving?
2) The world's best (?) battery pack Blogger Josh Bancroft calls this Monoprice iPhone Backup Battery Pack the "best $15 you can spend," and I'm inclined to agree. For just $15.23 you get a 2200mAh battery, which is good for roughly two full iPhone charges. Just one problem: It's currently on back order. Well, you can always print a photo from the product page, write "coming soon," and stuff that in the stocking.
... Read more
