Whether or not your holidays bring you something in a little blue box, I’d like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Miss Techyness coming to you LIVE from OHIO, MIDWEST USA via Techyness.com

On Saturday evening, I was doing what I usually do – check up on blog feeds, twitter, and the like. And given that it’s nearly Christmas, of course all of the feeds were dominated with… SALE! FREE SHIPPING! BUY ME! LOVE ME! ETC!

However, I found something different admist the noise of consumerism — a post from the Bloggess with a movie reference to when the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes. She described of a giveaway she held for $30 giftcards for those in need who posted a comment describing their situation.

Soon, the need was far greater than the amount of gift cards available to give – and people were writing stories that could break even the coldest of hearts – stories of families who were going to wrap empty boxes, layoffs, or who could not put food on the table or buy any gifts for their children this Christmas.

So I (collectively along with hundreds of other bloggers and fans of social media) posted that I would give a giftcard in the comments, and a few hours later I received my Secret Santa — someone who I’ve never met, but who is in need of some Christmas cheer. [The end result was over 900 gift cards sent to those in need!]

The emails from my Secret Santa nearly broke my heart – it was the story of a daughter who was posting on behalf of her mother, who has been very ill and unemployed, and lives hours away from where she receives treatment.

It’s a story we all hear far too often – high medical bills, poor local medical care, unemployment, and just a need for some hope .

So,  what better way to get people involved than via blogging and social media? This is, in essence, what it’s all about. Being able to coordinate real-time and connect people together to make something happen – not because we have to or our boss told us to – but because we WANT to.

After sending across an Amazon Gift Card, I received an email from my Secret Santa which was so real and relatable that I couldn’t help but cry. A big thank you to the Bloggess for setting this up and reminding all of us what Christmas is really all about.

I actually told my mother about your gift a little while ago.  She didn’t believe me at first, thinking I was giving her something of mine, and covering up.  lol  I convinced her that it was true, and she cried.  So, thank you for that.  : )  Of course, her immediate reaction was to spend it on a gift for me, but she finally conceded to use it for herself.  I filled her in on the whole the Blogess situation, and we had a lengthy discussion about what Christmas is really about.  Thanks for being a part of this.  Amazing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all you readers of the Techyness.

[Note: the giveaway from the Bloggess has been closed as of 12/20/11 - but keep in mind there are always chances to make a difference in someone's holiday season... there's still time!]

//graphic via theBloggess.com

So you want to buy a gadget, or something techy for that special someone in your life? How about taking a romantic twist on a gift?

For the past few years, I have taken on a new role… gift consultant. Sure, you might ask, how are you qualified? Maybe it’s because I watch a lot of movies, have a strong imagination, or just because I’m a hopeless romantic.

First, I’ll take you through a few Valentine’s Day gift scenarios I have passed along to close friends. I hope you’ll find some inspiration… but please leave a comment with your suggestions on cute and romantic gifts you have done for someone on Valentine’s Day.

Gift Scenario 1: Girlfriend likes to cook. Boyfriend would like to continue this hobby.

Outcome: Boyfriend purchased an apron from Williams-Sonoma ($19) in girlfriend’s favorite color along with some cooking supplies. Sounds normal right? Take it up the extra notch by writing a note and having it embroidered on the bottom of the apron. LOVE.

Online Tools: I would recommend having the apron embroidered locally. But if you want something embroidered that is “standard” you can order it from any online embroidery website.

Gift Scenario 2: Girlfriend wants a dog and something from Tiffany.  Boyfriend does not want to buy her a dog.

Outcome: Boyfriend purchases the same dog that girlfriend wants, but a stuffed animal dog, and puts the Tiffany necklace around it’s neck. Then puts it in a box with holes in it. done.

Online Tools: Stuffed Animal World has many varieties of stuffed animals (you could guess) but the dogs from Douglas Cuddle Toy (weird name) are great.

Gift Scenario 3: Girlfriend wants a digital camera. Boyfriend buys digital camera. Gift consultant (me) recommends making it a little more romantic.

Outcome: Camera is purchased. Boyfriend takes camera out of the box and charges it without disrupting the packaging. Boyfriend takes photos of clues that lead to each other and finally ends at something romantic (roses, dinner, etc.). Another suggestion is to have photos of boyfriend holding up cards saying “I love you” on the camera, so when she turns the camera on, they are there!

Of course, the inspiration for this was Love Actually, with the cards…

please share your ideas in the comments! What gifts have you passed along to someone you <3? What are your valentine’s day plans?

A little bit of Christmas cheer – Merry Christmas Eve from the Techyness!!!

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a iPhone was stirring, not even a mouse.
The kindles and gadgets were wrapped under the tree with care.
In hopes that @The_REAL_SANTA would soon would be there.

We all know that he has done social media strategy right,
Because of the pressure on him this fateful night.
So the teams worked hard all year,
Watching the networks, even those peer to peer.

So, the twitterati were nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of replies, re-tweets, and DM’s in their heads.
While monitoring the social web there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew in a dash,
Tore open the shutters and took out my iPhone- but oh no flash!
Not even the camera could capture the new-fallen snow
As I tried to twitpic the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering smartphone lens should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, powered by eight tiny reindeer.
As I whipped out my flip cam, and was turning around,
Down the chimney @The_REAL_SANTA came with a bound.

He was outfitted with gadgets, from his head to his foot,
Although the touchscreens were covered with ashes and soot.
He spoke not a word, but updated his status and went back to work,
Uploaded a photo to flickr, downloaded an app, and looked at me with a smirk.

He sprang to his sleigh, and replied to me on twitter,
And away they all flew, those little reindeer critters
As I opened the app on my phone before he drove out of sight,
He sent me a message: “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

- @amedmunds

But if you want to track Santa, follow his journey on Twitter, Facebook, or on his web site for up to date information on his whereabouts via the NORAD center in Colorado Springs. According to Mashable, the account is being maintained by “Bitz the Twittering Elf.” We all knew elves could twitter.

I do love you, blogs & tea.

Finding something for your mom (ok, well, any woman) can be a struggle. We’ve all been there.

I have a reputation @ the wig company as a “gift consultant” for colleagues with girlfriends (let’s just say that

I live vicariously through these gifts)… so I want to help pass along some of my ideas for Mother’s day to all of you who read the Techyness.

As mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been on a real Etsy kick lately… so here are a few ideas for all you Moms out there (because what’s better that something handmade, local, and helps out real people!?!).

On the techy side, what about a great USB flash drive? Even the non-techy moms will be a fan of the LaCie Key-Shaped USB drives. Simple, flawless design.

BUT. Never give a woman JUST a gadget or a technological device. Add a fun twist- if you’re buying your mom a digital camera, preload the sd card with some photos to flip through, or a pre-recorded video of you telling her you love her :) This was the same advice I gave to a fellow IMLP- lets just say it worked out well with his girlfriend!

Not sure what to buy Mom!?!

What about technology lessons? I usually help my mom out with blackberry 101 and 101.1 lessons whenever I’m back in Ohio. (Last time I gave a live demo of Kayak, she’s a huge fan now.) Or what about installing Skype on her computer and buying her a cute headset (alongwith some skype credits!?) Your mom would like to SEE you sometime, you know.

Want to show your madre you <3 her?  I’ve included some non-techy ideas…

I’m loving these posters that are silk screened by hand, especially this one. Or what about a photo locket (moms love a mix of classy/corny) – like this fleur-de-lis vintage locket, a mixed media locket, a tree locket for the nature types, and a classic long chained oversize locket.

If you’re looking for a photo to put in the locket, you can order photos via snapfish, or my personal favorite, mpix. These sites also offer fun photo gifts that ship fast- like photo albums, inexpensive photobooks from snapfish, or try vistaprint for endless possibilities (ships fast too!)…

Happy Mother’s Day – and comment with what you’re buying your mom this year :)

Peep Case Mods - LEDs, 5mp eye, cooling fan...

Sure, Easter is a religious holiday. But it’s also all about the candy.

Easter candy has become as much of a tradition as celebrating Easter — and JustBorn’s Peeps are an integral part of this candy/holiday word association game.

(You Say); Easter Candy

(I Say): PEEPS!

Therefore, in honor of this celebratory candy that has been the cause of many a headache/sugar buzz (usually me eating most of the box) or of some post-easter weight gain… I have to dedicate this post to my friends, Peeps, as well as all you easter candy out there feeling a little impacted by the recession.

PEEPS – I know your ego was built up with renditions of Lord of the Peeps (Fellowship of the Peep) – so, I’m sorry that sites like Peep Research have dedicated their causes to experimental procedures, pushing you to the extreme limits of hot and cold(nitrogen) - low pressure environments (a vacuum) – solubility testing – and more, therefore coming to the following conclusions (or these..):

• Peeps are poorly equipped as fighter pilots.
• Peeps should exercise caution when ascending after deep-sea diving excursions, as sudden decreases in pressure may exceed the structural integrity of visceral parenchyma.
• These findings explain the lack of evidence that Peeps are currently living on Mars, Mercury, the moon, and other bodies in our solar system which lack an atmosphere.

Peeps: 1

Geeky Candy Hearts: 1

Celebrate Vday with a Dunk Mug... hehe

As time gets closer and closer to Valentine’s day, I’ve been noticing an increase in articles on “Top [insert number here] Valentine’s Day Gadgets for Her and Him,” and others similar.

Therefore, I have a few feelings on these lists, froma techyness point of view.

#1. Yahoo’s 10 Valentine’s Day Gadgets for Her and Him: I have a few thoughts on this one. OK, so any article that starts off with ” Two well-established facts: 1. Girls love to take pictures.  2. Girls love cute, tiny things.” makes me a little skeptical on the research done by the journalist here.

2 things, buddy. 1. I am a girl. 2. I like gadgets… so don’t advise crappy ones, ok? Sure, buying a GPS for your girl is a nice Valentine’s day present (my suggestion would be to program it ahead of time with where you are planning to meet her and leave a note telling her to turn on the device and press a preset button, because that’s really cute), but really, why are you suggesting a $200 Roomba, a robotic vacuum cleaner!??!! Not good.

Create a digital MixTape using a MixTape shaped flash drive :)

#2. Dvice’s Top 10 Gadget Gifts for Your Valentine: These guys are a little bit more on the money, with pointing out a Slingbox (awesome), Umbrella built for two (innovative),  a plasma tv, and even the blackberry-shaped “marziphone.” Not bad, guys.

#3. Chip Chick’s Top 12 Geekiest Gadget Gifts: This list has been the most creative thus far. Take the ping “dunk mug,” that has a dedicated area to keep your cookies. Or how about the usb flash drive shaped like a mix tape… this could be cute if you put mp3 files on it and actually give it as a digital mix tape (that would be totally cute!), which is of course, from ThinkGeek (a personal favorite).

#4. ThinkGeek, Flowers=Lame, Get Something Better for Valentine’s Day. With some uber-geeky stuff, it’ll at least make you smile. But the I <3 Geeks Handbook might come in handy for some.

In the end, I would admit that most of these are indeed much better options than what’s currently #1 on Amazon.com’s list…. the “Oxford Biscuit Jar,” only $99.99. I think I only want one if there are diamonds in it.

Or, if you really enjoyed the Tamagotchi’s from years back, and you’re lacking a date this year… there’s always the virtual boyfriend/girlfriend. With a really low total cost of ownership of ~$25 (not including future battery replacements), it’s probably cheaper than the last person you ended up dating.