Gotta get a gift for your nephew's graduation or find something for the new couple who just moved in next door? Plenty of new gift-giving products for every occasion hit the marketplace at these shows.
Trendy card-inspired gifts continue to make the grade in 2005. Mud Pie, Inc. introduced a playful chip-and-dip set with a playing card theme. The colorful joker serves as the star of a chip tray featuring a card spread and a dip dish.
Abbiamo Tutto showed its hand with a poker-inspired collection called Monaco. It includes a round cheeseboard/trivet, a bartender's treat jar, a 5-piece snack set, a square snack bowl, and a square ribbed-edge plate that will keep players snacking through the next hand. Made in Italy, the suggested retail price ranges from $30 to $126. For information, call 866-714-9161.
For those card nights and cocktail parties comes Talisman Designs' new disposable party picks in a ready-to-use-tray. These picks are pretty enough to reuse but inexpensive enough to throw away. The product is also ingeniously packaged so that the picks stick out from the sides of a round circular trivet that can serve as a serving bowl's platform. Thirty pull-out disposable picks are in each pack (suggested retail of $9.95) and there are six colorful designs to choose from. Call 877-546-7995 for more information.
Serve up those cocktails without spilling a sip with Tie One On's new Teeter Tray. The new acrylic tray holds six glasses and swivels to prevent spillage. You really have to see this one in action to understand the flow — simply explained, each set of two glasses sits in a swinging arm that allows the tray to be turned 360 degrees without spilling a drop. Call it a ferris wheel for drinkware if you will. Check it out by calling 858-513-9169 or sending e-mail to vickya@tieoneonebarware.com.
Pet lovers weren't left behind. Plenty of gifts will thrill Spot or Fluffy, including Santa Barbara Ceramic Design's new Doggie Diner and Kitty Cafe. New from Ronda Ahrens, the collection of petware includes ceramic food and water dishes, treat jars, and vinyl placemats. For more information, call 800-933-2529.
The Barkhouse Bar is the perfect snack between mealtimes. This all-natural cookie bar for dogs comes in three flavors that they crave — Liver Blueberry, Peamutt-Butter Parmesan, and Pumpkin Oats. Each bar is baked fresh using high-quality, all-natural human-grade ingredients and no salt, sugar, or preservatives. Wrapped in a colorful, bright, eye-catching package, these doggie snacks resemble a candy bar. For more information, e-mail joshg@thebarkhouseco.com.
The treats from Taxi's Dog Bakery may seem destined for human consumption, but creators promise they're created for your four-legged friends. This bakery creates 100-percent all-natural boxed gifts that Fido's owner will drool over. Call 888-377-8294 for details.
Although they may start out on all fours, this next target group will graduate to be your best customers. Get the little ones started with products the likes of O.R.E's new baby collection 'sugar booger.' This sweet pastel-colored tableware collection features a line-drawn smiling baby and targets style-conscious parents and gift-givers alike. The collection includes everything from ceramic dish sets to travel items and picture frames. Call 800-367-2675 for more information.
For wine lovers, there was Vacu Vin's Rapid Ice Guy Buffet Cafe De Flore, a handy chillable sleeve that retails at $12.00 and arrives with 12 units per case. This reusable ice jacket simply slips over the can or bottle to keep drinks super cold. For more information, e-mail info@vacuvinusa.com. Also from Screwpull is a new 3-in-1 Tool, combining corkscrew, foil cutter, and bottle opener in a range of fun gift-giving colors from Frosty Orange to Frosty Blue. The new tool is easy to use with an ergonomic "Up & Over" handle that clips to the body of the unit when not in use. A nice feature is the five-year warranty, adding to the piece's value. Call 843-958-0980 for more information.
