Who said kids are the only ones that want toys for Christmas? We'd be more than happy to find a Boattail Racer ($350) under the tree. Inspired early 20th century streamlined racers, this unique toy features wooden bodywork made from 13 ply Baltic birch, 77.5 millimeter carnelian-core industrial grade wheels, stainless steel axles and fasteners, and a custom archive box that's way classier than anything you'll find at Toys 'R Us.
Who says you need snow to go sledding? Now you can sled down the hillside anytime with the Year 'Round Sled ($90). This traditionally-shaped polyethylene sled features two removable plastic ice molds that, after being filled and frozen, attach to the bottom and allow for wintertime hijinx even in the heat of summer. In the winter, simply remove the molds and sled the traditional way: on snow, while freezing. Be warned: there's a weight limit of 200 lbs., so our larger readers might want to steer clear, or else purchase one for each cheek.
Is your Marshmallow Mforcer or Executive Elite Marshmallow Blaster simply not getting the job done? Step up to the Chewbacca-approved Marshmallow Crossbow ($36). This double-barreled office weapon holds up to 50 mini-marshmallows at a time, letting you perform rapid-fire assaults on your co-workers from up to 30 feet away. Stay Puft-branded bandolier not included.
Bring a bit of England to your home bar or game room with Pub In A Box ($30). This handy collection of traditional English pub games includes playing cards, dominos, standard dice, poker dice, a cribbage board, a dual-sided Nine Mens Morris and Draughts board, blue and red game markers, and both small and large sets of white and black game pieces. Drunken football hooligans fortunately not included. [Thanks, Eric]
Unleash pure office supply hell with the Rubber Band Gatling Gun ($500). Far from a child's toy, this 15-20 lb. shooter is made from powder coated solid billet aluminum, and holds up to 100 standard office rubber bands that come flying out as fast as you can crank it. Perfect for ambushing co-workers who take the rest of the week off due to an "illness" yet amazingly appear on Xbox Live every evening in the Halo Reach matchmaking lobby.
Forget Power Wheels — get your motoring-obsessed offspring a blast from the past with one of these Half-Scale Cars ($TBA). Available as authentic reproductions of the Porsche 356, Mercedes Benz 300SL, the Jaguar E-Type, the wartime Willys Jeep, the Bugatti T35, and an assortment scooters, these gas- or electric-powered titans of the tike world are a blast for kids — and adults can cram into them to, but you didn't hear that from us. [via]
We normally think of Nerf toys as being mainly for little kids, but at three feet long, the Nerf N-Stike Longstrike CS-6 Blaster ($32) certainly seems like more of a perpetual kid-style toy. Its length and barrel extension allows it to fire up to 35 feet — perfect for long-range copy room warfare — while a flip up sight helps you aim and its quick reload clip of six darts gives you plenty of ammo for the fight.
Trashie's Take Back Bag is the easiest way to get rid of clothing and other textiles you do not need anymore. Simply buy a bag (or a bundle of them) fill it up, mail it back, and Trashie will ensure those items never make it to landfills, rerouting them to third-party retailers Trashie individually vets for compatibility. That means your old T-shirt, depending on its condition, could end up going to someone in need or being broken down to create carpet padding or pet bed filling, among other things. You earn exactly $30 in TrashieCash for each bag you send back, which you can redeem for deals — direct cash equivalent or a certain percentage off — to buy yourself new things from your favorite brands.
Presented by Trashie.
Designed in-house and crafted in their family-owned and -operated leather tannery and factories, Moral Code's selection of handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories is built to last. They're also built ethically as certified by Social Accountability International (SAI) for production and employment practices. During their Cyber Monday, select timeless styles are up to 50% off, making them easy on your conscious and your wallet.
Presented by Moral Code.
Fell your own Goliath with the Old Time Sling Shot ($21). This piece of classic weaponry is made from the hearty "Y" branches of the Buckthorn bush, with natural latex tubing and a leather projectile pouch added using sinew, and a light coat of mineral oil applied to enhance and protect the wood. Time to start looking for some oversized seeds. [Thanks, Michael]
Yes, we could go on about its shiny plastic body, the feel of the trigger, or its shots per second, but none of that matters. What matter is the Marshmallow Mforcer ($40) is a pump-action semi-automatic pistol that shoots mini marshmallows, storing up to 15 at a time for full-on co-worker assaults. Don't eat the ammo, tubby.
Aside from buying specialized, licensed sets, it can be tough to find interesting LEGO people to populate our ever expanding collection of dorktastic dioramas. LEGO Minifigures ($2/each) is a collection of 16 collectible figures not found in normal sets, sold in "mystery bags" so each purchase is a surprise. Highlights include the Zombie, Caveman, Ninja, Robot, scary Clown, and a disturbingly Debbie-esque Cheerleader.
Just in time for the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back comes this re-imagining of one of the Star Wars saga's most awesome vehicles. The new Hasbro Star Wars AT-AT ($100) is a behemoth toy worthy of the All Terrain Armored Transport name, measuring in at over two feet tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, with room inside for up to 20 action figures, LED lights, authentic movie sounds and phrases, projectile-firing cannons, a deployable speeder bike, a retractable zip-line to recreate Luke's dramatic rise, articulated legs for maximum poseability, an included 3.75-inch AT-AT driver action figure, and tons of other details that make this the AT-AT toy to have.
It only took 75 years or so, but someone finally got around to doing a first-rate redesign of the classic Monopoly board. Monopoly Revolution ($35; Fall 2010) eschews the game's traditional square surface for a modern circular board, while retaining all the fun gameplay of the original. New features include updated "here and now" pricing, an electronic game pod that keeps track of players' money — via electronic banking cards — and also provides sound effects and song clips that correspond with events in the game.
There's no better use for a bucketload of snow than a good old fashioned snowball fight, and the Snofling ($5) is here to make your bright white battles even better. Made from high-impact plastic, this nifty tool creates snowballs without the need for you to bend over and get your hands wet, allows snowballs to be flung farther than with just your arms, and even packs a built-in noise-maker for bragging after tagging an opponent in the face.
We're a bit conflicted when it comes to these gorgeous Amalgam Fine Model Cars ($4,300-$4,700). On one hand, they're meticulously detailed, getting the finer points of some of the world's most desirable cars — including the engine cover, paint, logos, taillights, shifters, and seats — correct down to the last thread. On the other, they also cost as much as a not-so-desirable but ever so more useful real car. If you feel the need for a 1/8 scale model of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Lamborghini Reventon, McLaren F1 LM, or Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, however, you won't find a finer reproduction than these Amalgam models, lovingly handmade in the U.K. [Thanks, Jon]
The venerable Rubik's cube meets iPhone-era technology in the Rubik's TouchCube ($150). This impressive, if slightly pricey, update to the original game uses lighted squares, touch sensors on all six sides, and an accelerometer to provide the classic Rubik's gameplay in a modern way, with built-in speakers adding an extra bit of polish to the fun, frustrating puzzle.
Tap water contamination is one of the biggest issues facing Americans today due to deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate regulation. Over 95% of tap water tested in the US was contaminated with carcinogens and is getting worse, enter Rorra. Their new 2.5 Gallon Countertop System is built using medical-grade stainless steel and features a proprietary Enfinity™ Filter (Electrokinetic Nanofiber Filtration) to target and reduce a wide spectrum of harmful contaminants such as PFAS, Lead, Microplastics and many others. Their filters are engineered and made in the USA and last for 200 gallons per filter (or 90 days of normal use). The system features a convenient indicator system to let you know when the filter needs to be changed or when you need to add more water. Designed to last for decades and is ready to use out of the box — no installation, electricity, plumbing, or handyman needed. Tap into clean water with Rorra today.
Presented by Rorra.
The best way to stop hair loss is to catch ti before it starts. KilgourMD's Prevention Scalp Serum is the first line of defense, fortifying hair follicles and preventing them from shrinking to keep full-looking hair. Prevention Scalp Serum helps block the hormone DHT that triggers hair thinning while helping to protect against environmental and age-related damage.
Presented by KilgourMD.
Inspired by the Eames Walnut Stool and arriving just in time for the holidays, these Herman Miller Tops ($200) are a classy, whimsical gift choice for a loved one or yourself. Each features an intricate original sculptural profile designed by KleinReid in NYC, and looks as good on a desk as it does in a toy chest.
Four years ago, we brought you the Marshmallow Shooter. It served you well. It kept enemies at bay. It won many office battles. But times have gotten worse. And times like these call for something stronger. Times like these call for the Executive Elite Marshmallow Blaster ($55). This pump-action weapon shoots marshmallows up to 40 feet, and stores discreetly in a Bond-esque carrying case.
If a trip to India isn't in the cards this year, take a virtual trip by way of the Lego Taj Mahal ($300). Featuring an impressive 5,922 pieces, this ultra-detailed recreation is sure to provide hours of entertainment, and at least a little frustration, measuring over 20 inches wide and 16 inches tall, with details such as minarets, domes, arches, and stairs.
Found by our little brother at Playgrounder.
When battles turn into wars, you'll need all the ammunition you can get. The Nerf N-Strike Ammo Box ($30) lets you keep blasting long after your enemies have gone dark. The foot locker-style ammo box comes stocked with 100 darts and can hold up to 300. The ammo works with the Nerf N-Strike Longshot CS-6 and Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6.
Recreate your own disaster, or just do a Lego version of the "I'm king of the world!" scene with the Remote Controlled RMS Titanic ($2,500). This 1:150 scale reproduction features insane details like cedar strips covering the fiberglass hull, white maple planks for the decking, lifeboats, docking deck, and a Marconi aerial, along with two rechargeable batteries offering up to 3 hours of playtime, three 550-watt electric motors, a cruising speed of 5 mph, and more. [Thanks, James]
Most of us don't have the engineering, design, or architectural chops to recreate any of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterworks, but we can anyway, thanks to these new Frank Lloyd Wright Lego Architecture Building Sets ($TBA). Licensed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Collection, these terrific sets — of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Fallingwater — were developed in collaboration with leading architects to be as accurate as possible, and come with booklets that not only tell you how to build you own model masterpiece, but exclusive archival historical material and photographs of each building, as well. [Thanks, Kris]
Probably not exactly the wisest buying decision right now, but if you've ever wanted every original Star Wars action figure, here's your chance. This Complete Vintage Star Wars Action Figure Collection ($2,700-$3,500) includes all 79 figures from A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The figures are all AFA-graded (one lot is AFA 80 and the other, pricier one is AFA 85) and will come with the lost happiness of your Lando-less childhood.
Add some mid Eighties flair to your work area with this Back to the Future Die-Cast DeLorean ($50). The 1:18 scale replica features a real brushed metal body, display base, and tons of intricate details, including a Mr. Fusion, time-travel controls, a teeny-tiny flux capacitor, and a lever on the bottom for folding up the wheels. Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.
Has it really been 20 years already? Relive your neighborhood water brawls with the Super Soaker 50 20th Anniversary Edition ($15). Nearly identical to the neon water blaster that started it all, the updated version holds up to 25 ounces of water, shoots up to 35 feet, and gives you a marvelous yesteryear vibe.
The Nerf brand turns 40 this year, and is apparently having a mid-life crisis. Sporting a "digital camo" paint job, the just-announced Nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS 35 ($35; Fall 09) is the highest dart capacity Nerf blaster yet, featuring a collapsible stock, Tactical Rail System, and a new drum magazine that holds 35 darts. Its "Slam" fire mode unleashes a hypnotic stream of darts just by holding the trigger and pumping.
As much as we love Star Wars Lego kits and toys, they simply can't compare to this Luke Skywalker’s Red Five X-Wing Model ($1,200). Digitally scanned from an original miniature body and made from high-quality die-cast and injection molded resin, this incredibly detailed model features posable machined aluminum "S" foils, accurately detailed and lighted cockpit, engines, and R2-D2, an included eFX stand, and more. Limited to just 1,000 models worldwide, it's one of the coolest Star Wars collectibles we've seen. The Force is strong with this one.
One of the most popular user-submitted products in Uncrate history, the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan ($43) is the Rambo of Nerf guns. This mean-looking, belt-feeding, fully-automatic dart gun can fire at a rate of up to three darts per second, pummeling your target (or your target's cubicle) with a barrage of toy ammunition. A removable, foldable tripod and a precision single-shot mode round out the capabilities. [Thanks, Everyone]
Ever wish you could design your very own Muppet? Well, now you can with the Muppet Whatnot Puppet ($90). Using an online tool, you can pick your Muppet's body color, eyes, nose, hair, and outfit. Custom made, each Whatnot is a hand and rod puppet, just like the real thing, standing 16 inches tall and packed in its own clear drawstring backpack for easy portability. Funny voices, elaborate sets, and banana cream pies not included. [Thanks, Myra]
Straight from Japan comes the Hover Q Tiny R/C Hovercraft ($50). This handheld air-cushioned amphibious vehicle works just like a real hovercraft, scooting around on a cushion of air. The hovercraft charges directly from the remote, giving you 5 minutes of run time in between charges.
