As we count down to Christmas, you probably still have one or two little stocking stuffers to pick up. For the germ-conscious adults on your list, check out this practical present: MyClyns germ protection spray. And one lucky Contest Corner will win a MyClyns pen of their own, so read on!

MyClyns is the next generation of hand sanitizer – a unique pen that you can spritz not only on your hands, but on your face as well. The packaging states that it contains a 510(k) medical device solution cleared by the FDA as a wound cleaner; in addition, they state that independent laboratory tests have shown that the solution in MyClyns demonstrates a 99.99% reduction in more than 60 potentially dangerous pathogens. I gave this a whirl last night, and sprayed it directly in my face – and personally, I wouldn’t spritz it in my face again unless I had a really good reason to; it just feels unpleasant to me. However, this could be very useful for other instances when you need to clean up – for example, if a big dog slobbers all over my legs, I’ll try to wipe it with hand sanitizer or soap, but it’s all a bit awkward. Having a spray like this is the perfect solution for those situations!

Its portable size would make it handy to tote around, and I would definitely use it to sanitize my hands and also if I got a little cut or scrape while out and about; my only concern would be that it might leak in my bag.

If someone on your list works in a industry where they’re exposed to a lot of germs (Hospitals, schools, etc.), or if they just use a lot of hand sanitizer, MyClyns is a unique stocking stuffer idea that will be used throughout the year – click here to find a location near you and pick it up as a last-minute gift. You can also keep up to date on the latest from MyClyns by fanning them on Facebook.

Win It!

One lucky Contest Corner reader will win the new MyClyns! This giveaway ends January 5th. Here’s how to enter:

1. For your first entry, check out MyGermSpray.com. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me something that you learned!

This step is required to qualify for the drawing. Be sure to leave an email address with your comment, so that I may notify you in the event that you are the lucky winner!

Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:

2. Write a post on your blog linking to this giveaway and MyGermSpray.com. Then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person.
4. Subscribe to my blog updates by entering your email into the “Subscribe” box in the sidebar. Then come back and leave me the email you subscribed with!
5. Become a follower of my blog by clicking the “Follow” button in my sidebar! Then come back here and let me know in a separate comment!
6. Grab the Holiday Gift Guide badge and put it on your website’s sidebar or links page – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:

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7. Post my regular button on your website’s sidebar or links page – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
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Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on January 5th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winner will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Winner has 48 hours to respond to my notification email, or a new winner will be chosen in their place. Giveaway is open to US residents.

I may have this listed under “Gifts For Kids”, but I’ll be the first one to tell you that I’m a big SpongeBob fan myself. In fact, I even have a Santa SpongeBob ornament hanging on my Christmas tree! I’ve been watching it since it first came on the air, and I’ve always loved its quirky sense of humor – it’s one of those cartoons that people of all ages genuinely enjoy. My current cable package doesn’t include Nickelodeon (sniffle), so it’s been a while since I’ve caught any new episodes of SpongeBob. Now that the show is in its sixth season, I wondered if the little yellow sea sponge might have “Jumped the shark” by now. But I am very happy to report that this is most definitely not the case!

SpongeBob SquarePants is still funny, endearing, and a highly entertaining watch – and if I say that, I’m sure your kids will not be disappointed, either. This 2-disc set features 24 episodes along with bonus special features. Season 6 has all the same offbeat humor and charm that we’ve come to know and love. One of my favorite episodes was “House Fancy”, where Squidward tries to keep up with the Jonses and ends up with his house ransacked by a well-meaning SpongeBob’s unhelpful attempts to “re-decorate”. Although Squidward endures his usual indignities, I noticed that he actually had a few happy endings in this season – awww!

Not only will this make a fabulous gift for any SpongeBob-loving child, it would also make a good present for the immature-at-heart like myself. SpongeBob Squarepants: Season 6, Volume 1 is available on Amazon for $22.99.

Episodes Include:

Disc 1:

Spongicus
Suction Cup Symphony
House Fancy
Krabby Road
Penny Foolish
Nautical Novice
Not Normal
Gone
SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One
A Life in a Day
Sun Bleached
Giant Squidward
No Nose Knows
Patty Caper

Disc 2:

Plankton’s Regular
To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants
Squid’s Visit
The Splinter
Slide Whistle Stooges
Boating Buddies
The Krabby Kronicle
The Slumber Party
Grooming Gary
Truth or Square

Special Features:

The SpongeBob History Song
7 Shorts

It’s time to don my Santa hat again and pick two more lucky winners!


The winner of the $50 SlimPerfect gift certificate is…

Comment number 83, Kerrie, who said: “I would get the SlimCapri”. Congratulations!

SlimPerfect has a ton of great clearance deals going on right now, so be sure to check it out!

The winner of the Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Superhighway Tour Giveaway is…

Comment number 12, pippirose, who said: “I’d love to win it…for ME. I LOVE Tom Petty! )” Congratulations!

If you need a last-minute gift for a music fan, you can buy a virtual ticket to the Superhighway website for $24.98.

Rosetta Stone is one of the best-known language programs available. I’ve tried their Irish language software before, and Jai has also used the program in the past. I’ll be doing a review of their online portal soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some of these gift ideas that Rosetta Stone passed on to me – this could be just the thing for that tricky person on your list who “has everything”.

From Rosetta Stone’s press release:

“For Families & Children: Offering 31 different language courses, Rosetta Stone Version 3 recreates any learners instinctive language-learning experience and is ideal for ages 6 and up. The computer-based program is set up similarly to a computer game and is completely interactive, immersive and voice-driven. The Rosetta Stone Audio Companion even gives families the opportunity to practice their language skills while on the road.

For Teens, Techies and Travel-istas (Ages 16 and Up): Launched in July 2009, TOTALe promises to completely change the language learning experience. By leveraging the award-winning Rosetta Stone Version 3 solution and offering online studio classes and interactive games, teens, techies, travel-istas and cooking connoisseurs alike will pick up key phrases quickly and instinctually.”

Rosetta Stone Version 3 and TOTALe are both available to purchase on The Rosetta Stone Website. Right now, they’re offering a holiday sale where you can save up to $125, plus get free US Next Day shipping for delivery by December 24th (TOTALe system not included).

Finding children’s music that parents can enjoy is not always an easy task. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce you to “Funky Kidz”, a compilation featuring 12 of New Orleans’ finest musicians playing hip versions of well-loved children’s music. The outstanding album features artists like George Porter Jr., The Radiators, Ivan Neville, and many more. Executive producer Lauren Busch Singer was disappointed with the children’s CDs that she heard, and was inspired to start this project to make the kind of kid’s tunes that she wanted to listen to.

“Funky Kidz” is an excellent album, with its rich sound and fun-loving approach. Nothing about this record has been “Dumbed down”, and I think parents will love it just as much as their kids do. And it’s good music for a good cause: A portion of the proceeds will go to fostering music education in classrooms in New Orleans and throughout the country.

Click here to listen to an MP3 of “Zip a Dee Doo Dah”. Funky Kidz is available on Amazon for $16.98.

Track Listing:

1. “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” – Bonerama (2006 Comic Relief house band)
2. “Hokey Pokey” – Big Sam’s Funky Nation (toured with Elvis Costello)
3. “Zip A Dee Doo Dah” – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
4. “Yellow Submarine” – Papa Grows Funk
5. “If I Only Had a Brain” – Paul Sanchez, formerly of Cowboy Mouth
6. “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” – George Porter Jr. of The Meters
7. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Theresa Andersson
8. “Froggy Went a Courtin” – The Radiators
9. “This Land is Your Land” – Walter Wolfman Washington
10.“When I See an Elephant Fly” – Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
11. “This Little Light of Mine” – Ingrid Lucia
12. “The Garden Song” – Amanda Shaw

You might be surprised to see Rodney Carrington listed under “Gifts For The Whole Family” – but this outrageous country comedian has shown his softer side with a brand new holiday album, Make It Christmas. “People hear my funny songs and always say that I have a great voice,” Carrington explains. “They ask me why I don’t do some serious music. So, this record ain’t got a funny song on it. It’s a big-band, Frank Sinatra-type Christmas record; something I’ve always wanted to do.” I was certainly surprised to such smooth music from this well-known jokester! I had no idea that he has such a versatile voice – I have to say, I’m impressed that this bawdy comedian can croon so sweetly.

I like the big-band interpretation of the Christmas standards on this album, because it reminds me of the Christmas records that we always listened to when I was growing up. In addition to the traditional standbys, there are also several contemporary tracks on here, including covers of “Grown Up Christmas List”, and “Mary Did You Know”. Carrington also brings us some original tracks, including the lighthearted “The Presents Under The Tree (Better Be For Me)” and “Camouflage and Christmas Lights”, dedicated to troops serving overseas during the holidays. The album does hop genres a bit, from the Rat Pack-styled classic carols to the traditional country arrangements of the newer material – but overall, this is a warm and pleasant album to listen to while trimming the tree and wrapping presents.

Click here to listen to a stream of “Camouflage and Christmas Lights”. You can purchase Make It Christmas wherever music is sold and also on Amazon for $10.99.

If you want to get a hip gift for your tween this year, why not pick up a cool new CD for them? Rachel Millman is an up-and-coming pop artist with an engaging voice and a roster of radio-friendly songs. If your tween listens to artists like Jason Mraz, Kelly Clarkson, or Colbie Callait, they might enjoy this.

Millman’s debut EP, If I Believe, features five solid power pop tracks. “Throwin’ Rocks at the Moon”, her first single, is a wistful piece that highlights her impressive vocal skills; an acoustic mix of this song is also included in the EP. “If I Believe” and “Waiting For Someday” are upbeat, fun tracks that will get your toes tapping, while “Hold On To Me” is a piano-driven ballad. If I Believe is an infectious slice of pure pop – I think we’ll be hearing more from this rising star soon. Look for a cut from Millman in the upcoming feature film, “Secret at Arrow Lake”.

Click here to watch a video of “Throwin’ Rocks at the Moon”. If you like what you hear, you can find the EP on CD Baby and iTunes.

I have several winners to announce this morning!

First up, we have a re-draw. I never heard back from the original winner of the Anti Monkey Butt Powder, so I am forced to choose another winner:

The winner of the re-draw is comment number 14, Sheila P, who said: “I think the cartoon monkey is funny with his bright red butt cheeks!” Congrats!

And the winners of the Thai Kitchen Cookbook giveaway are…

Winner #1 is comment number 61, Moni, who said: “I would like to try the Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango. Thanks!” There was no email listed for Moni, so I left a comment on her blog - hopefully she will see it! She just emailed me to claim her prize!

Winner #2 is comment number 80, Jennifer T., who said: “I follow through Google Friend Connect.” Congratulations!

Be sure to check out Real Asian Made Simple for more great recipes!

Every gift in my guide is something that I would personally give as a present – and a great deal of the things listed here are being given to people on my list this year! I’ll have to ban my family and friends from reading my blog until Christmas…

Dolly is one of the items that I’ll be gifting this holiday. This set contains 4 CDs with a whopping 99 tracks, as well as a full-color booklet with never before seen photos. Many of the songs on here are rarities, 7 of which are previously unreleased; and of course, the set also contains her most-loved hits. If there’s a Dolly Parton fan on your list, they need this box set!

Each CD spans a different era in Parton’s career, and you can hear her musical evolution with each one. Disc 1 – my personal favorite – showcases songs from the very beginning, with fun cuts like “Dumb Blonde” and “Nobody But You”. I wasn’t familiar with a lot of this material, and I really enjoyed hearing it. Disc 2 chronicles Parton’s rise to stardom with her first top 10 hits, “Mule Skinner Blues” and “Joshua”. Disc 3 hosts more classics from the 1970s, such as the timeless “I Will Always Love You”. Disc 4 takes us from the 80s through the 90s with a plethora of tracks, such as “9 to 5″, “Single Women” and “Romeo”.

Dolly is available wherever fine music is sold and can also be purchased for $36.49 on Amazon.

Track Listing:

Disc: 1
1. Puppy Love
2. Girl Left Alone
3. Gonna Hurry (As Slow as I Can) [Demo Version, Previously Unreleased]
4. It’s Sure Gonna Hurt – Dolly Parton, Merry Melody Singers, Dolly Parton
5. Love You Gave – Dolly Parton, Merry Melody Singers, Dolly Parton
6. Nobody But You [Previously Unreleased]
7. Busy Signal [Single Version]
8. Don’t Drop Out [Single Version]
9. I’ve Known You All My Life [Previously Unreleased]
10. Put It off Until Tomorrow – Dolly Parton, Bill Phillips
11. Dumb Blonde
12. Something Fishy
13. I Couldn’t Wait Forever
14. I’m Not Worth the Tears
15. Last Thing on My Mind – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
16. False Eyelashes
17. Bridge
18. Just Because I’m a Woman
19. Holding on to Nothin’ – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
20. We’ll Get Ahead Someday – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
21. Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
22. In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)
23. Daddy
24. Evening Shade
25. Gypsy, Joe and Me
26. My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy

Disc: 2
1. Just the Way I Am
2. Down from Dover
3. Everything Is Beautiful (In Its Own Way) [Previously Unreleased]
4. Daddy Come and Get Me
5. Just Someone That I Used to Know – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
6. Tomorrow Is Forever – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
7. Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
8. Comin’ for to Carry Me Home
9. Golden Streets of Glory
10. Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No.
11. Joshua
12. Daddy’s Moonshine Still
13. Last One to Touch Me – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
14. Better Move It on Home – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
15. Coat of Many Colors
16. Traveling Man
17. My Blue Tears
18. Here I Am
19. God’s Coloring Book [Previously Unreleased]
20. Will He Be Waiting
21. Touch Your Woman
22. Together Always – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
23. Lost Forever in Your Kiss – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
24. My Tennessee Mountain Home
25. Eugene Oregon [Previously Unreleased]
26. What Will Baby Be [Previously Unreleased]

Disc: 3
1. Jolene
2. Early Morning Breeze
3. I Will Always Love You
4. Please Don’t Stop Loving Me – Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner
5. Love Is Like a Butterfly
6. Sacred Memories
7. Bargain Store
8. On My Mind Again
9. Kentucky Gambler
10. Seeker [New Edit]
11. We Used To
12. All I Can Do
13. Light of a Clear Blue Morning
14. You Are
15. Applejack
16. It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right
17. Here You Come Again
18. Two Doors Down
19. Me and Little Andy
20. Heartbreaker
21. I Really Got the Feeling
22. Baby I’m Burnin’
23. You’re the Only One
24. Sweet Summer Lovin’
25. Starting Over Again

Disc: 4
1. Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You
2. 9 to 5
3. But You Know I Love You
4. Single Women
5. Heartbreak Express
6. Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
7. Potential New Boyfriend
8. Islands in the Stream – Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers
9. Save the Last Dance for Me
10. Tennessee Homesick Blues
11. God Won’t Get You
12. What a Heartache
13. Don’t Call It Love
14. Think About Love
15. Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That
16. Yellow Roses
17. Time for Me to Fly
18. He’s Alive
19. Rockin’ Years – Dolly Parton, Ricky Van Shelton
20. Eagle When She Flies
21. Silver and Gold
22. Romeo

Many parents are concerned with finding gifts for their children that are both entertaining and educational. If that sounds like you, then check out this children’s album from Jonathan Sprout called American Heroes #3. It’ll get your toes tapping while you learn all about important figures in American history!

About American Heroes #3:

Here’s a little info from the album’s press release:

“Have you ever wondered who invented the Hershey chocolate bar? Or who discovered the polio vaccine? Or who found hundreds of uses for the peanut? Singer-songwriter Jonathan Sprout has, and on American Heroes #3 he commemorates the lives of ten exceptional Americans. American Heroes #3 is the third in a series of recordings for children that highlights the accomplishments of some of America’s best and brightest citizens.

Using musical styles from folk to pop to rock, Jonathan Sprout has created original songs about Milton Hershey (chocolate king/philanthropist), John Muir (conservationist), Elizabeth Blackwell (first U.S. female doctor), Dr. Jonas Salk (polio vaccine), Jane Addams (Nobel Peace Prize), George Washington Carver (agricultural scientist), Wilma Rudolph (Olympic gold medallist), Thomas Jefferson (third president), Pocahontas (peacemaker) and Cesar Chavez (civil rights activist).”

My Take:

I was sent a copy of this CD to review, and after having a listen, I think it would make for a unique gift that would get kids talking about history. If you want to give an educational present that isn’t boring, then you might want to check this out. With its catchy, kid-friendly tunes, American Heroes #3 explores the lives of various historical figures, and I can see how it would serve as a springboard for further learning. History is such a fascinating subject, but dry textbooks often fail to get kids excited about it. Hearing the stories of Pocahontas, Thomas Jefferson, and others re-told in a compelling song might inspire your kids to ask questions and want to know more. And adults will likely learn something new along with their child! The liner notes also include full lyrics and a short biography of all the individuals featured.

Click here to listen to an MP3 of “Chocolate King”, a song about Milton Hershey. American Heroes 3 is available on Amazon for 12.99, but please note that it is not available for immediate shipping.