The Ultimate Guys Gift Guide 2010

The Ultimate Guys Gift Guide 2010

We have to start off by saying the holidays for some started super early and adding a little delay to my posting has really held this up… Sorry if you’re shopping done (dont worry you can return it and get some of these! – LOL I kid I’m sure they’ll love it – maybe)…

Xbox360 w/ kinect [Link with 250gb harddrive: http://amzn.to/b4iKwh or 4gb harddrive: http://amzn.to/cCn4Jt ]

Who didnt love growing up with games but now there is no controller -great for dads and the kids and might become the family game night

Nikon D5000 DSLR [Link: http://amzn.to/c30dHD ]

Having that fast moving kid isnt going to cut it with that small point and shot always setup up into the wonderful world of DSLR!

Kodak Playsport [Link: http://amzn.to/a19i3Q ]

This camera can do it all! its got the benefits over others that it has exchangable batteries & memory cards. Plus it can go up to 10 feet under water. Just remember to pickup that SD memory card so they can record right away with it! Also a good note is if you know they’ll keep it open it up precharge the battery and put in a memory card so they can film the kids opening their gifts too.

Canon PowerShot D10  (Bonus can go under water) [Link: http://amzn.to/8XnD3v ]
Ok sooo you really dont want that wonderful DSLR this is a great pocket camera plus you can take it swimming to capture images of those little feet learning how to swim! or the fish on your next snorkeling trip

Apple iPad 64gb [Link wifi: http://amzn.to/cgNopz or Link wifi+3g: http://amzn.to/dxnvzS ]
Its Apple, its an oversize iPhone but its seriously awesome! Just remember you toddler will want this just as bad as dad! The other thing to note is that there are no upgrades, so whatever size you buy you’re stuck with so I recommend go large those HD videos take up space!

Vacation together [Link: http://travelybyjen.com ]
Nothing says i love you then planning a getaway! Book a getaway for you and your partner and arrange for some child care or take the whole family.

Denali 115-Piece Home Repair Tool Kit [Link: http://amzn.to/cHCNUQ ]
Having a handy man around the house without tools is like a cop without a gun. This certainly is a starter set but it’ll make do for any apartment or home with a light handy man around the house.

Golden Eye for Wii [Link: http://amzn.to/cEs0gp ]
By far one of the most popular games when I was growing up was golden eye this new release for Wii is awesome and will totally melt you video game playing dad into a little boy when he starts to play this again.

Spa
Yes men need a backrub and some pretty time too.

BeerTender from Heineken and Krups B90 Home Beer-Tap System [Link: http://amzn.to/aIdsaL ]
Who doesnt love beer – this personal kegerator goes great next to the instant coffee maker and you can buy refills at most any supermarkets.

Bacon of the month [Link: thepignextdoor.com ]
See above because with Beer goes Bacon

Books for dad to read to kids [Link: barefootbooks.com or scholastic.com ]
Reading for themselves is good but reading to the kids is priceless.

All-Clad BBQ Tool Set in Carrying Case [Link: http://amzn.to/au1HDY ]
Most city dads dont have a BBQ but any where else its one of the staple food groups to grill! When I wasnt in the city I grilled year round – even in the snow. its truly part of the man laws! So having the tools to grill with is key, buying quality gear that lasts years will save in the long run!

Super Dad T-Shirt [Link: http://amzn.to/aoKOC9 ]
Do you have a proud dada on your hands, have them rock a shirt that lets everyone know they’re a super dad.

Mont Blanc Starwalker Black Resin Ballpoint Pen [Link: http://amzn.to/csLXFr ]
High end pens might be useless for some dads but those executives whose signatures matter are worth it. Nothing says done deal like a pen from the kids that cost more then some people make in a week! No really impressions are always a first in business and sometimes a bic wont cut it!

Callaway Golf Solaire 14-Piece Complete Club Set [Link: http://amzn.to/allXnN ]
Some guys already play and some guys are dying to learn. This is a great set as it isn’t a true starter set but its not a professional set either.  Picking this up with some lessons from the pro shop at a resort will give you 4-5 hours of alone time at the spa.

Quagmire Colorfusion golf shirts [Link: http://store.quagmiregolf.com ]
Not your average golf wear! for sure… for those that remember hypercolor in the 80’s its back but this time made for the golfer. If he’s playing golf in tshirts this is the perfect gift – it still says I’m too cool for those plaid pants but has some funk to it.

Ties [Link: Nordstrom http://bit.ly/9AKil6 ]
Really its not original but its sure needed! (along with socks and underwear – we’re guys we’ll wear them with holes in them :P)

Photo Calendar [Link:  Snapfish by HP http://bit.ly/8WWyLH ]
Remember the times that were, and the times that will be with a great photo calendar that can go on the wall of an office or at home

Family Photography Session with Suzanne Cohen [Link: http://suzannecohenphotography.com ]
Someone will always be behind the camera and miss out on those amazing family shoots, book a session for the family and capture amazing moments in time because these kids dont stay small long.

The Dapper Dad’s watch Skagen Men’s 331XLSL1 [Link: http://amzn.to/9fHI8Z ] or Skagen Men’s 809XLTTM [Link: http://amzn.to/9S1hVJ ]
While you can get an omega or rolex sometimes you want a watch thats screams style but doesnt cost an arm and a leg.  I consider this a great family time watch as who knows the pitfalls that might happen while tending to the kids.

Donate in their honor [Link: JDRF http://bit.ly/9Cb3K1 ]
Sometimes its better to keep giving then it is to receive, while its the thought that counts putting that together with charity is double nice points!

Lionel Trains are ChoooChoooChoooing into the Holidays – Review & Giveaway

Lionel Trains are ChoooChoooChoooing into the Holidays – Review & Giveaway

Lionel Trains have been a long standing favorite of mine for the holidays… I grew up going over to a family friend’s house to see their amazing train collection. I mean amazing it took up over 800 square feet of their basement, it was amazing! fast forward to these days when I have a toddler and no desire for him to smash anything collectible or of value.  Lionel does a lot of amazing things for the holidays, they’ve gone around and created popup shops in a few select locations.

  • New York, NY – 1095 Avenue of the Americas at 41st St, New York, NY
  • Westchester, NY ( Westchester Mall) – 125 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY
  • Cherry Hill, NJ (Cherry Hill Mall) – 2000 Rt. 38, Cherry Hill, NJ
  • Minneapolis, MN (Mall of America) – 60 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis, MN
  • Dallas, TX (Trains at North Park) – North Central Expressway at Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX

To sell awesome trains, collectible pieces, tracks, and — wait for it — they’re newest items like the Lionel Little Lines… To me this is the perfect my first train set for any toddler it offers you controls for forwards and backwards. It adds some really nice imagination play items to the mix likes a switch, a crane, and some bridges.

If you’re not lucky enough to live in a local popup shop area check this one out  if you use coupon code DADAROCKS (all caps) its good for 10% off sitewide from 11/24-12/6 at lionelstore.com

Lionel’s wide varieties of train sets are great for both the little kids and the little kids at heart.

For ages 2.5 and up there is the Lionel Little Lines ($59.99). This starter train set comes with a snap together track and a simple remote controller for forward and reverse movement making it easy for little hands to operate. Authentic train sounds and details make it a classic Lionel product.

One of Lionel’s many licensed train sets is the Thomas and Friends ($199.99) train set and it is the perfect gift. This exciting TV character themed train set comes with forward, neutral and reverse controls, interchangeable faces for the train, over 10 different track section pieces and an electronic whistle.

The Polar Express movie was a favorite of kids of all ages and now Lionel brings the train to life with The Polar Express Deluxe Playset ($89.99).  A four-car train with amazing Polar Express details traveling across a snow covered track making a journey that replicates the one from the movie and book.  With curves and ramps and chuffing train sounds, this complete playset is sure to delight the entire family.

There is a kid inside all of us and for the grown ups in the family there is the Pennsylvania Flyer ($229.99), Lionel’s signature train. This starter set features forward, reverse and neutral controls, realistic air whistle, operational headlights, puffing smoke unit, traction tires and classic oval track.






TWO Winners will get Lionel Little Lines Train Playset

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 7th 2010.

You must comment telling us which train is your favorite (hint: visit lionelstore.com for train names)? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:

#lionel @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/f0GHip and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I win a #lionel train set from  @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/f0GHip

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan


You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend

You will have 12 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Lionel is providing the trains for the prizes.

Quagmire ColorFusion (like hypercolor in the 80’s) Shirts for Kids available starting today – Giveaway

Quagmire ColorFusion (like hypercolor in the 80’s) Shirts for Kids available starting today – Giveaway

Quagmire ColorFusion shirts for kids available starting today at http://shop.quagmiregolf.com/ now if you grew up in the 80’s, you remember HyperColor bottom line this is really the cooler younger cousin. It’s got all the same principles but its uniquely cool for those that want something a little more formal (like a collar).

The shirts are high quality golf polo shirts, now of course this is going to become a big thing in 2011/2012 every kid you know once they start seeing these in action will want one. It’ll follow the same course as hypercolor did, so remember that you’re parents were rockstars and hooked you up early or that you were the last one to get a hypercolor shirt and you’re now sitting on a doctors couch telling them this story.  I was middle of the road type kid – never got anything really 1st but was never last… know my kid and how I want to raise my kid he’ll be the first one to have everything. Really its not a status thing its more of a trend setting thing. If you’ve ever met my wife she picks out clothes 6-12 months before the brand becomes a superstar… so she’s got an eye! As do I, but my eye focuses on the cool things kids will want.

They come in a few colors right now Green to Yellow, Orange to Yellow, Blue to White, and Purple to Pink. These will be like the original cabbage patch kids super hard to find once the buzz gets going get on the bus early!

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. December 7rd, 2010.

You must comment telling us which color combination you’d want to wear? please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dadarocks

You get 1 extra entry for following @QuagmireGolf on twitter – twitter.com/QuagmireGolf

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information: @QuagmireGolf #colorfusion @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/fyFBHX  and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example: I want to win a @QuagmireGolf #colorfusion shirt Thanks to @dadarocks – http://bit.ly/fyFBHX

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – facebook.com/dadarocks you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a Fan on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quagmire-Golf/103543983013849 you must comment that you’re a fan (and leave a little note on the wall)

You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a friend on Google Connect (right side below facebook box) – you must also comment that you’ve become a friend

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner!

Disclaimer: Thanks to Quagmire Golf for the prize for this raffle.

The fight to have your child sit in the stroller ugg maybe they should just stand! Wheeled board review

The fight to have your child sit in the stroller ugg maybe they should just stand! Wheeled board review

Everyone once in a while Marc doesn’t want to sit in his stroller, that’s what we said before he turned two… now we’re seeing that more and more that he just doesn’t want to sit. In comes the Bugaboo Wheeled Board [Link] (or skateboard/wheelies as I usually call them) are usually designed to take a normal single stroller and make it work for two, one being a baby and a toddler who stands.  It just hit me if Marc doesnt want to sit, because no problem you can stand and just catch the ride while we’re pushing the stroller.

This works great… While Marc’s still a little young to do this all the time, he’s is  sometime good enough I get to test my toys with him. He’s just too cranky to even stand and really then it becomes daddy’s job to hold him.  We have a Bugaboo Cameleon, its like a driving a Rolls-Royce verse a honda around the streets of NYC. There is no question its an amazing walking/city stroller.  If you have 2 children where one child is in that 2+ years old, you’ll be able to really keep your stroller and use a wheeler board.  Otherwise you be looking to the wide world of double strollers but coming soon if the rumors are right (and I think they are) will be the first double stroller from Bugaboo being called the Donkey.

We learned early on there are better strollers to travel with but none in terms of the comfort for the little walk around the city.  The Wheeled board is made of the same quality you’d expect from bugaboo. You can use this with the bassinet or with the chair and because the handle bars switch side in effect changing which way the wheeled board is facing.

I’ve really enjoyed this product and totally wish they had these when I was a kid… would have saved me alot of steps growing up but really it work on balance and listening skill for the child. The pricetag isn’t cheap but in many ways is much cheaper then buying a new stroller and in this case you’re getting what you pay for…

Plum District is moving into town

Plum District is moving into town

You may never heard of PlumDistrict.com until this very moment – this startup from California is moving and expanding like wild fire, yup I know sorry for the terrible pun.  This week they’re kicking of New York City with a “Week of Treats.”  Each day this week will be featuring some of our parents’ favorite treats from neighborhoods around the city, and just to give you a sneak peek.

The Week of Treats features deals like:
  • $5 for $15 of cupcakes and baked goods from Buttercup Bakeshop (on the Eastside and Westside!).  This includes our all-time favorites like their banana pudding and red velvet cupcakes
  • $8 for a $15 VIPeeled Card from Simply Peeled – which you may have heard of is all the rage among moms, dads, and kids because of their fresh fruit concept (see: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/dining/18peeled.html)
  • And $7 for $15 of waffles from the famous belgian waffle truck, Waffles & Dinges

They are giving their first 100 a $5 credit on their first purchase of a Plum Deal on PlumDistrict.com. Just enter FIRSTPLUM – I have a feeling thats going to go quick so I’ve arranged a little private coupon code for you DaDaRocks readers. Just enter dadarocks and the first 10 of you to do so will receive $5 off.