BuzzSugar

Buzz Gift Guide: Attention All Procrastinators!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:30:52 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Many of us eventually become last-minute shoppers, so it's good to have some quick gift options ready to go. I already dug up some of my favorite entertainment-related gift cards, and today I've got some more thoughts on what to do when you're in a time bind.

I love making mix CDs: They're simple, personal, and often expose people to new music. If it's too late to burn a CD, you can create and purchase a custom playlist for your friends and virtually hand it to them via iTunes. Or you can leave the tunes up to them and just email them iTunes gift cards.

A magazine subscription is a great, easy idea as well. You can purchase the subscription online (Amazon is good for these) and then find a hardcopy in the store to wrap up. Movie lovers will be thrilled to receive some Fandango bucks, and it's always quick to give the gift of Netflix.

Finally, tickets to local events, concerts or museums make easy and thoughtful gifts. Giving someone a night out on the town or a Sunday at a special exhibit is something everyone can appreciate.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: The Gift Cards That Keep Giving

BuzzSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:30:37 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I had fun thinking up some quirky gifts for a white elephant party, so today's ideas are a little more practical.

Yes, gift cards can seem impersonal, but they can also be thoughtful symbols of appreciation for people in my life who reside slightly on the periphery, like the nice folks at my gym or the lovely sandwich shop lady who's been feeding my BLT addiction all year.

And gift cards are looking cooler these days. For example, with this Best Buy gift card you're not only giving someone a little cash toward purchasing music, DVDs and gadgets, but the card itself functions as a speaker for MP3 players. How cute is that?

Borders lets you create a more personalized gift card by allowing you to add your own photo and select from different backgrounds to make it unique. I doubt my sandwich lady really wants a gift card with my face on it, but you get the gist.

Over at BookSwim.com (a Netflix-like program for books), when you purchase a gift card to get someone else in on the fun, you also earn credit for yourself. That's like a double whammy gift! Barnes and Noble and Apple also have good gift card options.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: The White Elephants of the Entertainment World

BuzzSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:30:48 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday was all about the box sets, and today I'm covering the wonderfully schmaltzy world of white elephant gifts. Just so we're all on the same page, the estimable UrbanDictionary defines this category of gifts as "presents never actually useful in real life."

Take this Edward Cullen doll inspired by Twilight. It's totally awesome (or, you know, "awesome") and I want it for my desk, which is probably the best you can hope for in a white elephant gift. And while we're on weird dolls, this Rodney Dangerfield doll will surely produce that satisfying look of bewilderment on the recipient's face at your next white elephant exchange. It cracks me up that the product description proudly boasts that it does 11 whole minutes of stand-up.

Also in the world of weird entertainment-related gifts is the Ugly Betty poncho.

Gifts that fall into more a quirky and cute category here include this adorable little Wall-E plush doll that makes sounds, and this design-your-own-speakers kit.

Edward Cullen Doll (Pricing info TBD)	DIY Eco Speakers ($18.00)
Ugly Betty Poncho ($39.95)	8'' Mini WALL-E Plush with Sound ($12.95)	Rodney Dangerfield animated doll ($59.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz's Gift Guide: Box Set Bonanza!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:30:21 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I came up with some ideas for your coworkers, and today, I'm focusing on some splurge gifts for someone special: DVD box sets. These sets, whether a whole TV series or a collection of films, are pricier than the average gift, so they're definitely meant for that superfan who you know will cherish these DVDs forever.

I know many a Sopranos fan that would covet this giant box set that includes the complete series of the HBO show plus tons of special features - including creator David Chase and the cast talking about one of the alternate endings.

Fans of Freaks and Geeks will forever love anyone who gifts them this special "Yearbook Edition" box set. Also, the acclaimed series The Wire is available in its entirety now just in time for the holidays.

Finally, I personally would kill for this collection of films directed by Pedro Almodovar with eight movies including Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, All About My Mother, Talk to Her, The Flower of My Secret, and Bad Education.

Viva Pedro - The Almodovar Collection ($105.99)	The Sopranos - The Complete Series ($199.49)
The Wire: The Complete Series ($134.99)	Freaks & Geeks: Yearbook Edition ($129.99)	Amazon.com: Deadwood ($104.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: The Coolest Coworker

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:30:34 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I thought up some stocking stuffer ideas and today I'm covering some of my favorite folks: Coworkers!

When I first spotted this "cassette tape" tape dispenser, I was immediately smitten, and I think a music-loving office mate might be, too.

Most things related to The Colbert Report crack me up and this dry erase board that lets people know whether or not they're "on notice" is hilarious (the list is started for you with things like "black hole at center of galaxy"). It's a good one for that coworker who sends you video clips of the show all the time.

Have a fan of The Office in your office? This kit is fun and will allow them to "Dunderize" their cube. And for the work buddies who love to quote Office Space, they can avoid a case of the Mondays with Milton's red stapler.

Finally, I read a great book titled Then We Came to the End back in June for my Buzz Book Club and although the subject matter (layoffs at an advertising agency) probably hits close to home for folks this year, it's not exactly depressing. In fact, I think it provides some comedic relief to a tense and difficult topic. It's a worthwhile recommendation for the bookworms in the office.

A few more ideas below, so scroll on through!

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris ($11.19)	The Tape Dispenser ($25.00)
Swingline Collectors Edition 747 Rio Red Business Stapler ($17.99 )	The Colbert Report: You're On Notice Dry Erase Board ($11.99)
The Office Dunderize Your Cube ($28.00)	Whatever It Takes Mug - David Bowie ($19.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:30:06 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. I've covered a lot of different categories over the past couple of weeks to help you cross off the TV, movie, and music buffs on your list. Today I've got some ideas for smaller-sized gifts to slip into stockings.

iPod shuffles continue to impress me with their affordable price and cute, tiny size. They're a great gift for an active music-loving friend but they're also good for your less-is-more friends who don't need all the bells and whistles (or storage space, for that matter) of a larger, more expensive MP3 player. Plus, they come in really fun colors. And to go with the shuffle, consider these comfy-looking clip-on headphones.

It's possible that some of your geekier friends will get a kick out of these Star Wars-inspired USB flash drives (hands down, my favorite is the C-3PO one). For the know-it-alls in your life (or the wannabes), these trivia cards are fun, especially if you've got another week or so with the fam and need to pass the time. Finally, some cute TV-related ideas: Little Lost Kubrick figures, and the star mugs that Kelly made for the Dunder-Mifflin coworkers who showed up to her America's Got Talent finale party.

Star Wars Series 3 Mimobot 2GB Designer Flashdrive C3PO ($40-50)	Lost Kubrick, Blindboxed Miniature Characters ($10 each)
The Office Andy Star Mug, $12	iPod shuffle ($49)
Philips Ear Clip Headphones ($19.99)	Trivia on the Go Cards Tv Edition ($0.94)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: The Best of 2008 For Guys

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:00:36 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I entertained myself, actually, by sorting through all the great pop culture-related t-shirts I'd love to get for the men in my life, and today I'm tackling a bigger project for the guys: the best in music, books, TV, and movies of 2008.

Now, this is by no means a definitive list of the best entertainment stuff that came this year. These are simply gift ideas that I think the lads will like. For example, I think the best piece of writing to come from a TV show this year has to be the tome by How I Met Your Mother's Barney Stinson: The Bro Code. The product description cracks me up:

Historically a spoken tradition passed from one generation to the next, the official code of conduct for Bros appears here in its published form for the first time ever. By upholding the tenets of this sacred and legendary document, any dude can learn to achieve Bro-dom.

It was also a great year for movies, and I'd be hard-pressed to think of a guy in my life who wouldn't be thankful to receive The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 on DVD. As for TV in '08, I honestly don't know many guys who haven't given the FX comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia a chance yet, and my friends who are uber-fans will be gifted the show's DVDs this year. Finally, in regard to music, I know a lot of dudes who are really into the Bon Iver album released this year (me too!) as well as new music from The Hold Steady.

I've included several other ideas below so scroll through to check them out!

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3 ($20.99)	The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts ($16.78)
Bro Code By Barney Stinson ($12.98)	The Dark Knight ($23.99)
For Emma, Forever Ago: Bon Iver ($11.49)	Stay Positive: The Hold Steady ($12.99)
Brighter Than Creation's Dark: Drive-By Truckers ($14.99)	Dear Science: TV on the Radio ($11.49)	Hellboy II: The Golden Army ($21.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: Entertainment Tees For Guys

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:30:15 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Last week I dug up fun t-shirts for the ladies so today I'm tackling the men's t-shirt department.

I love the idea of buying entertainment-related tees for guys because it not only shows you care, but that you really are listening when they quote, say, Arrested Development all the time. For those buddies I will be giving this t-shirt inspired by the show (and there are tons of other good ones!). I also know many a fellow who will get the joke on this It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia t-shirt (sing it with me: "Dayman! Fighter of the Nightman!"). And, oh my gosh, I think I'd die of laughter if I could get my dad to wear this Entourage t-shirt.

Fans of The Office might get a kick out of this Vance Refrigeration tee, and for the music-loving dudes in your world check out these t-shirts designed by bands like The Shins (proceeds go to charity!).

"Dayman" - It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia ($24.95)	Huge Mistake White T-Shirt ($24.99)
Vance Refrigeration T-Shirt ($24.00)	The Shins Charity T-Shirt ($25.00)	Entourage Let's Hug It Out b*tch Mens T-Shirt ($19.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: The Simpsons Fan

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:30:30 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Now that Thanksgiving is over it's time to get serious about finding the right gifts, and nothing makes gift-giving easier than knowing TV and movie mega-fans.

It may be because I write about entertainment all the time, or because the show's been on the air longer than some of us can remember, but I feel like I know a lot of Simpsons fans, and they're a fun (and easy) group to find gifts for.

This Homer Simpson talking wall clock plays a sound bite every hour on the hour (there's also a silencing function since hearing Homer's voice every hour can wear thin for even the biggest Simpsons fan). Anyone who loves themselves some pop art inspired by shows like The Simpsons, this Homer "Praise Jebus" poster would make a fun gift.

Then again, it's hard to go wrong with bar stuff in general and in this case, bar glasses like these with classic Homer-isms on them are a great find. Finally, I've played this trivia game before and lost miserably but those who know the show a lot better than I do would probably love pulling out the game and showing off their knowledge.

Homer Simpson Talking Wall Clock ($27.95)	Homer Praise Jebus Poster ($8.95)
Classic Homer Pint Glass 4-Pack ($34.95)	Simpson Ultimate Trivia Board Game ($39.98)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Buzz Gift Guide: A Bounty For Boys

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:30:41 -0800

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. On Monday I dug up some gifts for the little ones in your life and today I'm brainstorming ideas for the teenage dudes in your world who are pop culture sponges.

If I had a teenage brother I'd insist he own a complete set of Indiana Jones DVDs including (but more importantly, not limited to) this year's fourth addition to the franchise. In regard to other franchises, I've noticed that some teenage guys (and by "some" I mean my younger cousins) are always quoting Family Guy and The Simpsons and might have fun with these characters to stick up on their walls.

For the wannabe rock star in your life there's always Guitar Hero World Tour which expands the game from a lone guitar player to a full band that includes drums (it actually looks like a lot of fun!). You may know a young lad who enjoys that Shaun White snowboarding video game, so he might like listening to the pretty cool soundtrack from it, and finally, I'm sure many teens would be stoked to own Iron Man.

Indiana Jones - The Complete Adventure Collection ($59.99)	Stewie Thinks Fathead ($99.99)
Guitar Hero World Tour ($189.99)	Iron Man ($19.99)	Shaun White Snowboarding: The Official Game Soundtrack ($11.99)

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.