With Black Friday less than a week away and everyone rushing around to track down deals and the best-selling gear, it’s the stocking stuffer gifts that end up being an afterthought. Why do you think stores stock tiny impulse buys right near the register?

So instead of stuffing their stocking with batteries and and useless knick knacks, why not plan ahead this year with our complete guide to stocking stuffers?

To me, it’s one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Sure, I maybe a little too old to believe in Santa, but that doesn’t stop my family from hanging my stocking up each year.

Stocking stuffer gifts should be a combination of fun and practical. Nobody likes to shop for socks, that’ why everybody likes to receive them! Say what you will, but I would probably be sock-less today if I didn’t get a pack of them each Christmas.

So if you’re not sure what to surprise them with this year, check out our helpful guide below and start stuffing those stockings!

Photo Courtesy of: Real Moms Reviews

The Gift: Tracks headphones by SOL REPUBLIC (available now for around $100)

The Scoop: I look for few things in a pair of headphones: great sound, super comfort, appreciable value and if those three are met, then it never hurts to score some style points. The Tracks headphones by SOL REPUBLIC stack up huge in all these areas.

Exceptional sound is by far the most important thing in a pair of headphones. Tracks excellent sound comes from two “Sound Engines” which drives thumpy bass yet doesn’t overpower. Tracks really are in their element with beat-driven music.

Tracks owe some of the great sound to the snug yet comfy fit. The fit acts as passive noise reduction (nearly noise-canceling) so outside sound does not get in the way. The other notable comfort feature is the Sound Engines themselves. They are extremely soft and cushiony and feel great even after extended periods of continued use.

Value is where Tracks really stand out. The headphone market is loaded with “high end” headphones and brands that are more popular for the celebrities who endorse them than how they perform. No knock on other brands, but SOL REPUBLIC with Tracks has made stand out headphones that are much more accessible than rivals to whom they’ll most likely be compared. At around $100 Tracks represent great value.

Tracks’ style is the cherry on top. First, Tracks just look great with their fresh clean look. Next, the headband holding the Sound Engines are interchangeable, so you can accessorize Tracks with three color options. Bonus points for a well thought out cord length and a cord that has three button controls which make Tracks ideal for pairing with your mobile device(s).

And even more bonus points for SOL REPUBLIC’s community highlighted by the brand ambassadors called “Saviors of Sound”. The Saviors of Sound are music inspired taste-makers who literally provide the Soundtrack Of Life.

Bottom line: Tracks set the bar high with a exceptional pair of headphones at a super price.

A Great Gift For: An top-flight choice for teens and up who are looking for a go-to pair of headphones. Great for students, commuters, and those who devour content at home and on the road.

* Sol Republic provided Gifts.com with a pair of Tracks headphones for review.

Over the next few weeks you’ll, no doubt, experience “Gift Block”.

Gift Block is that frustrating and paralyzing feeling of not knowing what to get someone for a gift or even where to start looking. So….got Gift Block?

Relax.

All you have to do to get on the right track to coming up with a great gift is remember just four letters:

H.E.R.O.

Click HERE and you’ll be well on your way to leaving Gift Block behind and becoming a H.E.R.O. who came up with a great and memorable gift.

It’s official, we’re in full holiday mode. Every store has their decorations up, Christmas songs are already on the radio, and Black Friday deals are already showing up in my inbox. But there’s no need to stress. There’s plenty to look forward to: stuffing, for one, holiday parties, and of course, the comforting knowledge that a whole team of gift guru’s are here to help you with your holiday needs.

Speaking of Guru’s, our very own Dana H, shared some of her tips on how to avoid giving the same old boring gifts this holiday. After all, how many ties does one person need? We also shared our easy step-by-step guide on how to find the perfect gift for any occasion. Which has found a home on my refrigerator so I can constantly refer to it. In the meantime, we’ll be sharing all of our favorite holiday tips and gifts through the coming weeks.

And for those who need more personal gifting assistance, feel free to email us at GiftAnswers@Gifts.com. Happy Weekend everyone!

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While most holidays involve a gathering a friends and family, no other holiday celebrates the art of entertaining and home cooking more than Thanksgiving. From the small intimate gatherings, to the large scale family reunions, this holiday is all about showing our thanks to the bounty of the season and the people who take the time to whip up a 5 star meal.  What I love about Thanksgiving even more than the meal itself, is the preparation and kitchen full of chatter even before the table is set.

I’ll actually be attending multiple Thanksgiving gatherings this year, and hosting one of my own, so I know how much work the host and hostess do to prepare for the big day. Whether you’re staying home with friends, or traveling to visit loved ones, here are a few thoughtful gifts to bring with you along with your appetite!

Brooklyn Slate Cheeseboard – $30 -  Perfect for serving appetizers or cheese, this rustic slate board is non-porous so it’s easy to clean, and each one is hand-cut and unique.

Recipe Rock – $8.95 – Both practical and affordable, this handy gadget will serve any home chef well with displaying recipes and keeping them spill-free.

Owl Measuring Cups – $19 – This cute bakeware set is sure to cheer up any kitchen and comes in a variety of colors.

Pop-up Turkey Timer – $14.95 – Keep the kitchen stress-free with this hilarious timer that pops out its legs when the bird is done.

Mario Batali Selection Wine Sampler – $32.99 – Ditch the big bottle of booze for this international wine sampler hand-picked by celebrity chef extraordinaire Mario Batali.

Mulling Spice & Apple Cider – $27.50 – Speaking of wine, Fall is the best time for mulled wine, add these spices to any red wine for a great holiday punch.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, there’s a lot to look forward to. Good food, family and friends, and most importantly, the new Muppets movie. That’s right, our felted friends are back, and fuzzier than ever, and I for one haven’t been this excited about a movie release since probably the last Muppet movie.

It has got all the makings of a great family film: the magic of Jim Henson’s studio, funny man Jason Segal of “How I Met Your Mother Fame” and Miss Piggy! Leading up to the film’s release, the media and retailers have also been swept up in the Muppet Madness.

OPI Nails released a special Muppets collection, InStyle Magazine featured the original “It” girl, Missy Piggy in a huge fashion spread and interview in their latest issue, and the “Green Album” was released featuring classic Muppets songs recorded by today’s hottest artists. Yep, it’s clear the Muppets are having their moment.

So until November 23 rolls around, check out some of our favorite Muppet-inspired gifts and check out the trailer below.

The countdown continues everyone, you have two more days to cast your votes on the best gifts of 2011!  You can vote 10 times a day, every day so make sure your favorites win by casting your votes often. In the meantime, here are some more of our judges’ picks to give you some inspiration.  Winners will be announced on Monday, November 28!

Best Hostess Gift Pick

Brie Dyas – Huffington Post’s Stylelist Home

Owl Mugs

“Simply adorable. It really does perk up your morning to see an owl cup.”

Hottest Toy Pick

Taryn Mohrman – Parents Magazine

Let’s Rock Elmo

“Toddlers will have blast being in their own rock band with Let’s Rock Elmo!”

Best Romantic Gift Pick 

Kristine Solomon – The Nest

Sending All My Love to You Custom Pillow

“I love the idea of a gift that’s personal and sentimental. It’s so romantic.”

Best Edible Gift Pick

Dawn Sandomero – Party Bluprints

Godiva Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake

“Yes, Yes, Yes to chocolate. Bring this to the holiday party and steal the show!”

Best Secret Santa Gift

Karen VanErt – Buy Seasons

Butt Station Tape Dispenser – Pen & Memo Holder

Thanks again to all of our judges at Stylelist Home, the Nest, RetailMeNot, Parents, Party Bluprints, Evite, Pronto.com, and Buyseasons. Without their input and their amazing fans and followers the Giftees wouldn’t be the huge success that it has been so far. Happy Gifting!

Ok, folks, you have 3 more days to cast your votes on the best gifts of 2011! You can vote ten times a day, every day so make sure your favorites win by casting your votes often. Speaking of favorites, here are some of our judges’ picks to give you some inspiration.

Winners will be announced on Monday, November 28th!

Best Time Capsule Gift Pick
Dana Holmes – Gifts.com
Adele – 21 LP

“Whether I was at a boutique, a bodega or the beach, the sounds of Adele permeated the airwaves this year. It doesn’t get more 2011 than that!”

Best Fitness Gift Pick
Dan Tower – Gifts.com
Nike+ GPS Watch

“A runner’s new best friend. The Nike+ GPS enabled watch tracks, maps and measures all your runs. Get to see all that hard work on the Nike+ site! Love this one.”

Best Wacky Gift Pick
Jamie Molever – Evite
Life-Size Chuck Norris Wall Decal

“Chuck Norris can count backwards from infinity.”

Best Gift for Modern Teen Pick
Marie Masters – Pronto.com
3 Month BustedTees Shirt of the Month Club
“I’m a huge Busted Tees fan. They cover a range of pop culture references so whether your giftee is in to Arrested Development or Shakespeare (or both!) they’ll be covered.”

Best Gift Under $25 Pick
Trae Bodge – RetailMeNot
CitySlips Foldable Ballet Flats With Carrying Case

“I think that foldable travel flats are a great gift for your favorite heel-loving gal. Heels are fabulous, but her feet need a break every once and a while!”

Being the “Queen of Green”, Amity loves to share her eco-friendly tips and finds on her site Green Gifts Guide. Along with sharing her eagle-eyed finds, her site is a great resource for entertaining and being generous to people and the planet too.

Amity is a regular contributor to Green Child Magazine and was voted one of the 2011 Top 25 Eco-Friendly Moms at CircleofMoms.com. When she’s not blogging, you can find her hanging out with her husband and two sons, volunteering at the local Humane Society.

Since eco-weddings are such a big trend these days, we asked Amity to share with us a series on Green Weddings.

How To Host An Eco-Friendly Bridal Shower 

Much of what makes it a green bridal shower also makes it a stylish occasion. After all, how elegant is a big black garbage bag full of styrofoam plates and wadded up wrapping paper? Less waste not only looks better, it saves you money… which is probably handy if you’ve got a bridesmaid dress and shoes to buy!

Create an Eco-Friendly Atmosphere for your Bridal Shower

There are ways to set a beautiful, celebratory tone for your sustainable bridal shower without coming off as crunchy.

Skip disposable decor

• Instead of streamers, balloons, and confetti that will just be thrown away when the party is over, use decoration items that are re-purposed and can be reused once the party is over. Things like pretty fabrics, strings of homegrown flowers, or kitchen towels strung simply with clothespins, that double as gifts.

Table linens and dishes

• Paper tablecloths and disposable dishes can not only come across as tacky, they’re also wasteful and resource consuming. Instead, use cloth linens, real serving dishes and utensils, and washable dishes and glasses.

Display rather than wrap gifts

• Encourage guests to bring unwrapped gifts and display them (grouped by function, etc.) on the gift table. You’ll be saving resources, the bride’s manicure, and your guests’ time and money by not wasting a bunch of wrapping paper.

A Healthy Bridal Shower Menu

• Good food helps people feel comfortable and gets the conversation going. If you serve local or organic options, be sure to TELL everyone. You might even help drum up some business for your local farmer’s market. Serve organic, local, or Fair Trade. Make a fruits and veggies tray; create your menu based on what’s in season.

Stay tuned for more tips and picks from Amity.

Whether they’re an every day baker or are intimidated by the precision required to create the perfect pie crust, this little gadget from Breville will have them whistling while they work. It doesn’t get easier than baking cute, perfect little individual pies in 8 just minutes.

The non-stick surface and included pastry cutter make it super easy to make perfect pies. Just lay your pie crust dough over the openings, add your favorite filling, lay another layer of crust on top, cut out the excess dough, close the lid and bake.

This is a fun gift for the person who: A) loves pie,  B) loves to bake,  C) likes easy things that make them look good.