You can find a variety of Easter egg dyeing kits in stores, but what sets them apart? Holidash tested a variety of commercial egg-decorating kits, evaluating methods to decorate eggs with everything from glitter to Star Wars decals. Their winner? The classic color tablets and wire egg holders of the century-old Paas egg-dyeing kit. [More]
holidays
Old Navy Restricts Drunken Revelry To Ages 13 And Up
By 3.17.10
Michael found this festive “I Rish I Was Drunk” button in an Old Navy store earlier this month. The fine print at the bottom warns, “Not intended for 12 years and under.” Ages thirteen and up? Pass the Guinness, apparently. [More]
Papa John's Heart-Shaped Pizzas Still Heartbreakingly Round
By 2.14.10
To celebrate Valentine’s Day and deliciousness, Shana ordered two heart-shaped pizzas from Papa John’s last night. Had she seen our post on this very same pizza last year, she would have been aware that the heart is a lie and the pizza is only vaguely heart-shaped-ish. But Papa John somehow managed to do even worse this year. [More]
How A $19.99 Flower Arrangement Costs $49.95
By 2.12.10
Craig writes that he found a great deal from Proflowers recently: a dozen roses for $19.99. Good boyfriend and sensible shopper that he is, he ordered them for Valentine’s Day, only to discover that the delivery charges and holiday surcharges made the cost more than double. [More]
Yes, Walmart Already Has The Easter Candy Out
By 12.25.09
The place: Walmart. The date: December 23, 2009. The endcap display at Bob’s local store: Easter candy.
Hug your loved ones close, my dears, for the apocalypse is nigh.
5 Places To Do Last-Second Shopping
By 12.25.09
Merry Christmas! Finished shopping yet? If the answer is no, relax. You’ve still got time. And you’re in good company. Remember, after Scrooge got scared straight, he had to do all of his shopping on Christmas, and managed to pull it off. And according to one recent poll, 4% of consumers don’t plan on finishing their shopping until after Christmas. Compared to them, you’re an early bird. Just follow these tips, and you can avoid showing up empty-handed — or worse, bearing gift cards
Watch Out For Fire Hazardy Knock-Off Christmas Lights
By 12.23.09
CBS’s The Early Show aired a segment last Friday about counterfeit holiday lights and extension cords, mostly from China and mostly available at dollar stores, that can cause fires. The problem is that the manufacturers use shoddy materials, and sometimes even fake UL stickers, to give the impression that they’re following safety guidelines. You find out they’re not when your tree goes up in flames. [More]
Comfort Inn Driver Rescues Abandoned Holiday Inn Customers, Then Takes Them To Wendy's
By 12.23.09
Here’s a nice holiday-themed story of how a kind Comfort Inn driver not only helped out a group of stranded travelers, but even agreed to take them to get food after they checked into their hotel. Maybe he was hoping for some big tips, or maybe he’s got some grudge against the local Holiday Inn. (Or maybe he’s a nice guy.) Whatever his motivation, he probably just earned some repeat business for Comfort Inn. [More]
Terrible Ideas For Secret Santa Gifts
By 12.22.09
I know, you’re on a tight budget this year, and office Secret Santa exchanges are tedious and awkward. But please don’t fill a hot dog bun with cat food and then top it off with ketchup, then wrap that up in gift wrap and call it your gift. Because someone already did that. Someone at a Sunday School. MainStreet.com has a list of 13 of the worst Secret Santa gift ideas if you want to know what else has already been attempted. [More]
Textbooks: The Gift For The Student Who's Got Nothing
By 12.21.09
Consider buying textbooks for college students on your holiday buying list who are tough to shop for, helping them out by defraying an oppressing educational cost, the personal finance blog Poorer Than You advises. [More]
The Opposite Of Christmas Creep: Christmas Retreat
By 12.16.09
Around the 12th of December, Jasper in northern Virginia needed some lights to finish decorating his Christmas tree. He drove to store after store in search of a simple string of indoor lights, but could find none. I suppose that’s what happens when stores start putting Christmas decorations out long before Halloween. [More]
Care4Less Makes Giving Fake Donations Easy
By 12.15.09
There’s no better way to save on presents this holiday season than to pretend to give money in people’s names to fake charities. Care4Less.org simplifies this process by putting together eight, worthy, fictitious causes for you to choose from, like the Make-A-Sandwich Foundation, and Fathers4Mosquitos.
care4less.org (Thanks to jpropaganda!)
Your Kids Are Bumming Out The Mall Santa
By 12.14.09
The Wall Street Journal says that this year, mall Santas are spending their breaks looking bleakly at the wall and salting their mugs of bourbon with bitter tears. Why? Because your kids keep sitting on their laps and acting like characters from a Loretta Lynn song. One Santa used to joke that bad kids would get socks, but no more:
This year, he stopped telling the joke. Too many children were asking for socks. “They’ve probably heard their parents say, ‘Geez, I wish I had some money to get them clothes,'” says Mr. Riemersma, 56 years old.
Gift Idea: A Book About Money
By 12.8.09
Books on managing your money better are an especially apt holiday gift this year. If you need some ideas, Vanguard recommends these 16 books. Mastering your personal finances, the gift that keeps on giving. [More]
Keep These Numbers Handy If You're Cooking A Turkey
By 11.26.09
Are you cooking a turkey, but not accustomed to baking and carving entire animals? You’re not alone, and there are hotlines full of helpful and knowledgeable people ready to help you with any and all poultry crises. Or other food safety issues.
There’s also an app for that–the interactive Turkey Timer iPhone application is on sale for $1.99 today (regular price $2.99). It reminds you when to baste, tells you how long until the turkey is cooked, and even estimates the internal temperature of your bird. (Warning: do not insert iPhone inside turkey.)
1936 Thanksgiving Camel Ad: Smoke After Each Course!
By 11.25.09
This advertisement for Camel cigarettes appeared in the November 23, 1936 edition of LIFE magazine. It earnestly demands that you smoke a Camel after each course of Thanksgiving dinner — “for digestion’s sake.” [More]
