GrowFrame - the growing photo frame

Okay, this is a pretty neat invention. The GrowFrame is a series of photo frames that all basically snap together with magnets, so you can build endless different size and shape photo frames. To get the full effect, you really need to watch the video. For those with kids, it's a great way to show your child's growth over time, as you just keep adding pictures as they age.

The GrowFrame from GrowShow on Vimeo.

Finance Friday - Free Shipping Kits Delivered

Everyone say thanks to the United States Postal Office. USPS is offering a Free Flat Rate Holiday Shipping Kit that includes four Flat Rate Boxes, a Gift Card Envelope, and Flat Rate shipping tips. Simply go to www.prioritymail.com/myholiday, and they'll send you the kit. The holiday season is stressful enough as it is; now you take going to the post office off that list!

Flat Rate Postage Rates:
Flat Rate Gift Card Envelope, 10" x 17" = $4.90
Small Flat Rate Box, 8 5/8" x 5 3/8" x 1 5/8" = $4.95
Medium Flat Rate Box, 11" x 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" = $10.70
Medium Flat Rate Box, 13 5/8" x 11 7/8" x 3 3/8" = $10.70
Large Flat Rate Box, 12" x 12" x 5 1/2" = $14.50

Squirrel Paperclips - yes, really...

Want to put a smile on your coworker's face? Then hand them your next report with one of these paperclips attached to it. Yep, I donno, people come up with and sell some of the craziest products. Who would have thought we needed a paperclip shaped like a squirrel. Apparently we do! If you are so inclined to buy, you can do so here!

Support Our Soldiers - donate your candy

Do you have extra candy that you didn't hand out last night from Halloween? Well, you can either eat it yourself and gain way too many extra pounds, save it for next year (and get kids sick!) OR you can donate it to our soldiers overseas who didn't get to celebrate Halloween back home this year. If you've got extra candy, check out Operation Gratitude. You just need to make sure you ship it to them before Dec. 3rd. You can check out their site for more details.

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard

17330 Victory Boulevard

Van Nuys, CA 91406

Charlie Othold: 818.437.6201

Little Librarian - encourage your little reader

Does your child love going to the library and reading books? Well, now she can take it to the next level. With the Little Librarian kit, she can become her own librarian in her own library! What a great way to encourage reading, and the skills of organizing, sharing, borrowing, and returning. So, if you've got a budding librarian or reading enthusiast in your midst, you need to check this out (and you don't even have to return it or deal with late fees!).

Beer Garden - grow your own beer

I saw this and have to write about it, as my brother-in-law brews his own beer. This product, brought to you by the folks at ThinkGeek, allows you to grow your own hops/wheat/barley to use in your own beer brewing. So now, not only can people do all the brewing and fermenting, they can even grow the ingredients to put in the brew. This is perfect for my brother-in-law! And hey, I think he has a birthday coming up fairly soon! Do you know any beer brewing enthusiasts? If so, this might be a fun option for them too!

SendaBall - for every occasion

If you're looking for a cool gift idea that's a bit different, look no further. SendaBall will mail a fully-inflated 10" vinyl bouncy ball with your special message inscribed on it. And nope, there is no packaging; it is mailed "as is," so it's a site to see when it comes in the mail. My son actually received one a few months back from his aunt and uncle, and he loves playing with it! So, next time you need to cheer someone up with a fun gift mail them a ball and put a smile on their face when it comes in their mail.

Plastic Jungle - sell / buy discounted gift cards

Still have that gift card laying around from Christmas that you'll probably never use? Or maybe you just want the flexibility to use the money from that gift card anywhere, not just the company on the card? At Plastic Jungle, the folks understand the difficulties of gift cards, so they created a site where you can buy (at a discount!), sell (for cold hard cash!), exchange, or even donate gift cards!! Transactions are guaranteed, and the site is very easy to use. With money as tight as ever, don't let those gift cards go to waste, sell them at Plastic Jungle. Or do just the opposite and save money by buying gift cards to places you already go at discounts of up to 30%!

Stinky Cakes - the perfect gift for a 2nd baby

When your second child comes along, you rarely need a whole lot of the typical "baby stuff." Often, what you really need is LOTS OF DIAPERS. Yet, nobody wants to buy you diapers as a gift - until now! Stinky Cakes has now made it cool to give diapers by layering them with other fun gifts to look like a cake. This is truly a creative twist on a practical gift. Next time you go to a baby shower, think about giving them a practical, yet completely unique, Stinky Cake.

Honeyfund - registry for your honeymoon expenses

Getting married, but already have a home full of housewares? Well, so did founders Josh and Sara Margulis. Rather than get another toaster, they wanted to experience an incredible honeymoon, so they created Honeyfund. It's a wedding registry for your honeymoon expenses. Goodbye blue blender; hello sunset caribbean cruise!

Beggar Bags - helping the homeless just got easy

Ever pass by a homeless person and want to help, but figure they'll just blow cash? Well, now you can give them something more practical - Beggar Bags. Beggar Bags are snack packages for the homeless that contain a nutri-grain or trail mix bar, sun-maid raisins, slim jim, mints or gum, and a purell hand-sanitizing wipe. At just $4.99 for four bags, it's an easy way to truly help someone.