Reviewer:

Price: Around $20

Description: The difference between men and boys are the size of their toys…. Now’s the chance to surprise your fella with a toy he may think he outgrew back in high school. Truth be known, these helicopters put a much excitement into adult’s eyes as they do any child. Available in red, yellow or blue, the Syma S107 performs superbly indoors, and can stop in mid-air on a dime. The remote control allows the helicopter to move backwards or forwards, left or right, up or down, and two selectable frequencies allow for the maneuvering of two helicopters from one remote control unit.  Its aluminum frame makes it very lightweight, and tough so it handles scores of crashes.

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one: As these copters are marketed primarily towards to 14 years and up crowd, chances are your guy won’t have one. But like a lot of toys for the “slightly older” crowd, many grownups get as much—or more—fun from the gizmo than “little Jimmy.”

What kind of man would like this: Any fella who likes video/PlayStation games, or is technically/mechanically inclined. Or, any guy who’s dying to rediscover his inner child.

What else would he need: The old unwelcome “**batteries not included” mantra applies here: Six AA batteries required for the remote control. However, the copter itself is recharged through a USB cable that plugs straight into the back of a computer, or keyboard.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of: Only if you forget to remove pricy trinkets/antiques from sideboards or windowsills in the area where the copter will be flown (especially crucial when you fella’s first itching to get the thing out of the box and up in the air). 

How can I personalize this for him: Apart from choosing a color copter that coordinates with his favorite Hawaiian shirt, promise him a nice desert if he can maneuver the copter around the room without landing it on top of the cat. 

Any other information I should know about: Copter recharging takes 20 to 30 minutes, with every 5-6 minutes of flight.

We here at DoD wish our wrapping job was as good as this!

When we first started Diamonds or Dogs it was with the intent of eliminating gift “horror stories”.  You know what we’re talking about, the stories you hear about your friend who got a gift certificate for an x-rated photography session from her boyfriend or the other friend who gets cologne from his mom on every single birthday.  We heard from dads who were tired of getting ties on every father’s day and mom’s who were tired of the same box of chocolates on their birthday.  Our mission was to eliminate these stories!

What we didn’t think about were the success stories, the stories about the good gifts that really made someone’s day.  So today we wanted to share three of those with you.  We got these recently via email and the authors were gracious enough to allow us to post them here.

Hey DoD, I just wanted to say thank you for your site and the great reviews.  I bought my girlfriend the apron you folks recommended and it was great.  She teased me a little about the fact that I finally managed to find a way to make her wear something sexy for me, and she was right!  Still, it’s now one of her favorite aprons.

David

The Apron in question is right here – Sexy Apron Review and while we at DoD do not recommend buying this as “lingerie”, we do congratulate David and his girlfriend on what sounds like an enjoyable evening in the kitchen.

Thank you for your review of the punching bag posted on December 15th.  My sister and I bought it for our dad as a father’s day present and he loved it.  He’s even managed to convince me to buy boxing gloves and work out with him when I visit him.  One suggestion is to include information on setup.  That bag itself is one piece but the stand required about an hour of work to put together.  Luckily, dad enjoyed that part too so it’s not a big deal.  Thanks again.

Christina

The punching bag in question is right here – Everlast 80lb bag, and thanks for your suggestion Christina, we’ll add notes on assembly on future gift reviews.

Love the fact that you guys reviewed Settlers.  Just got it as a present from my mom and it’s the first time in 27 years she’s gotten me a gift I’m going to use.  I’m just hoping your reviews work the other way too because I’d never think to give her a tool kit.

The Settlers Game review is here – Settlers of Catan – and the tool kit review is here – Tool Kit.  Good luck to our anonymous gift giver and and to his mom too.  (and mom, we’re sure you gave him some awesome gifts over the past 27 years!)

If you have a cool gift story (or a horrible one) that you’re willing to share, send it to us at editor@diamondsordogs.com.

Happy gifting!

By:

Price: $10-15

Description:  “A Visit from the Goon Squad” is a 2010 novel that won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. That’s pretty much the literary equivalent of hitting three home runs, winning an Oscar, and being elected President in the same day. Now, I know when some people hear that a book has gotten critical acclaim they imagine that it must be some stuffy 900 page tome set in feudal China where words like “punctilious” are thrown around freely. Well, you’re dead wrong.

This book follows several characters (such as a record executive and a publicist for a tyrant director) as they begin to realize how their lives were indirectly impacted by a punk rock band they formed in high school. While other books may require you to remember hundreds of different characters only for a giant payoff on page 748, “A Visit from the Goon Squad” is different as each chapter is like it’s own short story, each written from a different point of view, in a different style, and with a satisfying beginning, middle and end. This allows one to put down the book and pick it back up at any time and not feel like they have to rack their brain for important plot points.

There is also a chapter that consists entirely of PowerPoint slides. Honestly, what’s better than that.

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one: While “A Visit from the Goon Squad” has received much acclaim it hasn’t reached “Twilight” or “Harry Potter” status. If you got this for your guy there’s a very good chance he’ll be the only one of his friends who has read it.

What kind of man would like this: A man who is interested in music. A man who likes to read, but feels intimidated by modern-day books. A man who likes to brag to his friends about the newest great thing he’s discovered. A man who has a lamp by his bed and wants a quick story before he goes to sleep.

What else would he need: He will need to know how to read. If he can’t do that then you might have bigger problems than deciding what gift to give him.

How can I personalize this for him: Music is a big part of the story and is felt on every page. Maybe make him a rock and roll playlist or mixtape that he could listen to while reading.

Any other information I should know about: Even after you repeat everything I’ve told you, if your guy is still hesitant about reading a book tell him that “A Visit From the Goon Squad” is being adapted into an HBO TV series that’s sure to be the new watercooler show. If he reads the book beforehand then he’ll be a leg up on every other fan watching the show.

By:

Price: $39.99

Description: Men like beer. Men like to make things. So you don’t have to be a genius to understand why a home brewery kit is the perfect gift for a man. A fermenting keg, reusable bottles, labels, cups, enough beer to make up to four gallons of your very own homebrewed concoction, and everything else you need to have a successful and fun time brewing are included in this kit.

Many other brew kits are over one hundred dollars, but this kit is below $50 and is perfect for beginners. There are step by step instructions and a brewing guide that tell your guy exactly what to do, but also give him enough leeway to experiment. Two different beer flavors can be made from this kit, but how he makes it will affect the taste of each one.

While the first batch he makes may not be very good, he’ll be excited to try again, learn as he goes along, and beef up his creative brewery skills. This is also good protection against potential drunk driving, as your guy will be cemented to the kitchen instead of the barstool. A warning though, he may want you to be his taster.

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one: While many men may have a favorite watering hole to put back a few drinks after a long, rough day at work, very few can say that their favorite beer is already in their refrigerator at home. A beer that they didn’t buy, but made.

What kind of man would like this: Not only a man who likes beer, but a man who is interested in trying new combinations, experimenting and impressing his friends with his knowledge of how many days a batch is supposed to sit in a keg before it goes in the bottles, or how long it should chill in the refrigerator.

What else would he need: Everything he needs to brew is in this kit. However, if he wants to dabble with flavors other than the two provided then he may consider purchasing some malt extract.

How can I personalize this for him: The kit already comes with a brewing guide and instructions, but maybe buy him a more in depth home brewery book if you think he’d be interested in testing out new flavors.  You could also make some customized beer labels with his name on it. He could then put these on his newly made beer bottles in order to truly show the world what a master brewer he really is.

Any other information I should know about: You shouldn’t worry that the brewery kit will take up too much counter space. It is pretty small, about as big as a laptop, and is easy to clean as well.

Life would be a lot more boring if dogs were not around. It would also be a lot more inconvenient. Dogs have become so useful to us in such a massive variety of roles that they may be said to be irreplaceable. They are no longer just another tamed animal who we keep for food or fur, they have become integral to our culture and way of life. In a strange way, they are also rather like diamonds: designer products cut to specific shapes, colors and types to fit our own purposes. But why dogs? How did they come to occupy such a prominent place in our civilization when more likely candidates, say the great apes who are our closest relatives, remain distant strangers to us?  How did an animal whose ancestors once prey on us become our inseparable companion, closest ally and best friend, utilized for everything from guiding the blind, being an item on the menu and decorating our laps?

In the beginning

It began when humans started to live in semi-permanent camps and villages. The first records of this change go back several thousand years before the introduction of agriculture usually associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Some groups of people discovered that it made sense to stay in one place for long periods of time, either a season or two or sometimes several years at a time.  But with a new lifestyle came new, unforeseen problems, the biggest being garbage. When you stay in one place for long, garbage builds up. Layers of food remains like bones and unwanted animal parts accumulate and become a dangerous source of disease and vermin.  Since ancient men did not know enough to either burn, bury or cart them away, refuse quickly became a familiar feature around those semi-permanent human encampments. And others noticed.

About 100,000 years ago, early dog ancestors split from wolves. Smaller but possessing the same qualities of intelligence, high endurance and cooperative life styles, those early dogs probably found a niche as both hunters of small prey and scavengers. Among the food they scavenged was that left by early human hunters as they moved on after a kill. Now, suddenly, the dogs discovered that humans were staying in one place far longer than before, providing them with new opportunities. If they hung around these new encampments they could find leftovers that saved them the trouble of searching far and wide and the high energy expenditures of long hunts. Humans too, noticed something. If they allowed the dogs to hang around, the garbage they didn’t know how to deal with steadily disappeared. In this way recognition of mutual advantages led to mutual wary tolerance.

Step by Step

Soon after this first step, humans started to notice that when danger approached the dogs hanging around their camps barked in alarm.  This was so useful that they immediately started to encourage the dogs to stay longer by actively leaving them food. Not only that, they quickly became picky, paying careful attention to those that barked loudest when danger approached, giving them the most food and driving the rest away. Unknowingly, selective breeding had begun.

This is where things get a bit murky.  We don’t know exactly how those early dogs made the transition from a tolerated, useful animal that lived at the edge of human encampments to a companion that lived with them in their dwellings. Their constant presence would allow people to observe them closely and get to know them as individuals. Dogs that might have displayed too much aggression towards people were killed or driven away, the ones that proved friendliest allowed to stay and breed nearby, their pups growing in the presence of humans. Gradually the relationship shifted from one of wary tolerance and appreciation of the other’s usefulness to open affection and mutual protectiveness and concern. It was gradual but it was not slow. Within a relatively short period, dogs’ status changed from a tolerated, familiar presence to a close companion.  As early as 14,000BC humans in some areas were burying dogs in formal burials right next to deceased family members, indicating that the dogs enjoyed a respected status as part of the community.

All pluses and no minuses

For the dogs, the benefits of the new relationship were immense: a steady food supply, protection for their pups from wild predators, access to shelter and warmth from the elements. For humans the benefits were equally high: a more reliable alarm system, a guard for their property and a useful companion, as soon as they learned how to use him, for the hunt and for herding.

For millennia afterwards the relationship continued to evolve and grow tighter. As human civilization grew more complex, specialized life styles emerged. There was the sheep herder, the cattle herding nomad, the farmer, the hunter…all of them learned that they could use dogs to help them achieve more. The use of dogs for specific roles was the beginning of their specialization and designation in terms of their roles, such as hunting and herding dogs.

Modern times

The last step, the establishment of formal breeds with careful breeding programs, painstakingly exquisite standards and meticulously documented genealogies only began very recently. Of the over 400 dog breeds in existence today, the vast majority are less than 500 years old. In fact, most of them are no more than 200 years old and some of the most favorite ones, such as the German Sheppard or the Golden Retriever, are barely a century old, the final products of a design program that stretches back nearly 20,000 years.

So however you choose your dog and wherever you get it, from a shelter, through a breeder or a rescue group, know that you will be helping to perpetuate and further shape a relationship that is arguably the oldest man has with another species and one of the most successful partnerships in the animal kingdom.  A much longer relationship that we’ve had with diamonds.

“You look finer than a new set of snowtires” doesn’t work as a pick up line either

We’ve all missed the mark sometimes and gotten something not quite right for the women in our life. And while Diamonds or Dogs is a good place to find the gifts they definitely WILL like, we thought we’d also talk about some gifts they definitely WON’T like. Here are some examples of misses that we’ve heard from our readers.  Enjoy, and learn from their mistakes

Video games: I know she said she wants to spend more time with you and I know you spend a lot of time playing FoxyBingo but trust us on this, unless you know she’s a gamer (in which case, she probably already has the games she wants), buying her the latest copy of Diablo 3 and hoping to spend quality time with her while battling the demon hordes is a definite no go.

Weight loss help: If you are thinking of getting a female a Weight Watchers membership, a fitness DVD, or a gym membership, don’t. A woman probably won’t appreciate it as a gift, because it suggests you think she’s fat. Regardless of whether she’s expressed an interest in getting one for herself, avoid just in case you cause offence.

Cash: I know that buying for a woman is extremely difficult. It’s not like there’s a fool proof gift you can buy all and they’ll be happy. Still, you do have to put some thought into it. She won’t be happy if you just give her a card with some cash in it though because it makes you seem thoughtless, uncaring and like you don’t really know her.

New tires (or any other hardware, tools and so on): Handy as it might be, unless she actually looks you in the eye, and says the words; “I would like some new tires fitted on my car for my birthday,” don’t do it. She won’t consider it a gift, she’ll consider it one of your manly duties that you’re trying to pawn off on her instead of a regular gift. And for the women out there who love to take care of their own car, they probably won’t think of this as a gift either because it implies you know better than them.

The same thing over and over: If you have a safe item you always buy her every birthday and Christmas, try and change it a bit this year. There are only so many scarves and gloves a girl can get. Even if she loved it last year, she’ll start disliking your lack of originality right around the third time you give her the same thing. And honestly, don’t you get tired when you get the same tie every Xmas from grandma? Don’t be a grandma!

Previously owned: If it once belonged to an ex girlfriend, I wouldn’t give it to your current girlfriend. Unless it’s a family heirloom you are trusting her with, previously owned items are a big no no. Do we even need to say this? This applies to cars and houses too but it’s especially applicable to personal things like jewelry, clothes, art and so on. If you once gave it to an ex, don’t give it to her. And yes, she WILL find out.

Slimming underwear: Lingerie is always a good shout, unless you’re uncomfortable with the idea of buying her underwear that is. However, draw the line at underwear designed to hold in and slim the figure. You might think you’re being thoughtful, and proving you listen when she moans about her gut. She’ll assume you’ve noticed her gut, and it will depress her.

Nothing at all: I’m sure you’ve asked a woman what she wants for her birthday, and you no doubt have heard the words, “I don’t want anything.” That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook and can get away with not buying her anything at all. She said that because she can’t think of anything off the top of her head or because she expects you to surprise her. Is this fair? Maybe, but no one said life (or love) is fair.

Reviewer:

Price: $23.99

Description: How do your feet feel? Sore? Tired? Cracked? Well there’s a good chance your guy’s feet feel ten times worse. Don’t worry, because I have the perfect solution for both of you…but mostly for him. No batteries need to be charged and no instructions need to be read. The answer is simple: a foot smoother.

This smoother is basically a nail file for your foot. It gets rid of dead skin cells, treating corns and calluses like your very own personal pedicurist. You simply rub the metal coarse grit against your worst spots and sit back as you experience pure pleasure.

Your guy will love this as he can be as rough as the Incredible Hulk with the foot smoother and it will not hurt him one bit. It’s only goal is to get rid of pain, not cause any. Did I mention the lifetime warranty that goes with it? And that it’s under $20?

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one: if you looked at ten random male feet (though I hope you don’t ordinarily do this with your free time) you would see they are rough, dry, and the cause of aches. This product will not only be unique to your man, but it’s small and light enough to be brought to work or enjoyed anywhere.

What kind of man would like this: A man who is on his feet all day? A man who comes home from work/school on a Monday night and can’t even fathom that there are still four more days in the week. A man who wants to relieve his aches, and who desires a few minutes to just sit back and shed his stress with his dead skin.

What else would he need: While it certainly isn’t required for foot smoother enjoyment, some type of foot lotion might be handy.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of: Nope.

How can I personalize this for him: He might be worried that this is a feminine gift so you could introduce the gift to him by asking if he wants a foot massage. When he says yes, tell him to close his eyes.  When he feels the scrubbing, the removal off all his stress and aches, he’ll feel ten years younger, and think you’re an angel brought to Earth to rid him of pain. Then you can tell him to open his eyes, remind him that you’re a mere mortal, and give him his new gift. He probably won’t even let you borrow it after that. It’s that great.

Any other information I should know about: With products like these, one of the main worries is how difficult it is to clean. Luckily, the foot smoother is very simple to clean. The metal holes never get clogged and dunking it in warm water after use cleans it completely. Also, maybe give it to him after his shower, as it works best when the feet are already wet.

Reviewer:

Average Cost: $39.04

Description: While not designed for that Everest trip, this compact bag should take care of most of your camping needs, while taking up little space in your pack (it only weighs 1.5lbs). It’s also a great value at around 40 bucks.

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one:  Anyone who’s gone camping has a sleeping bag, but there’s a good chance they also have complaints about that sleeping bag.

What kind of man would like this: Campers and couch-surfers.

What else would he need: A pillow is always nice, although, when you’re in a jam (and it’s not too cold), the hood of a mummy bag like this can make a nice substitute.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of:  Travel expenses. This also may lead to the purchase of other camping supplies.

How can I personalize this for him: Plan a hiking/camping trip for the two of you to go on. This bag is priced low enough that you can buy one for yourself as well.

Any other information I should know about: As I mentioned before, this bag isn’t meant for use in super-cold conditions, but I imagine if your man is into some serious winter camping he may already have a good sleeping bag for that.

I built my wife a bench in our backyard…

Alon Josefsberg is a freelance author and writer.  He’s written anything from short stories and reviews to articles and technical documents, and he’s a regular contributor to Diamonds or Dogs.

In my previous article I wrote of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who built his wife the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon to make her feel more at home. I would like to continue this theme today but with a slight twist. We often shower our loved ones with gifts to make them feel cherished while they’re with us, but sometimes we honor them with gifts even after they are gone, to express what they meant to us. One of the most spectacular examples of such a gift is the Taj Mahal in India.

The famous tomb was completed in 1653 and its white marble central building, beautiful symmetry and graceful domes and minarets have made it recognized worldwide as a marvel of architecture and a symbol of beauty.  But what many people do not know is that the Taj Mahal is not just a beautiful building, it is a husband’s symbol of devotion to his wife and the love that bound them. Unlike so many other grandiose construction projects, it was not designed to house a parliament, like London’s Westminster Palace or the Capitol Building in Washington. Nor was it designed to commemorate a famous battle victory like Napoleon’s Arch in Paris, or honor a god like the Acropolis in Athens. Instead, the Taj Mahal was built to honor a woman, a wife and a mother.

The devoted couple

The woman was Mumtaz Mahal, (literally translated: “palace Favorite” or Jewel of the Palace”), wife of the Mughal emperor of India, Shah Jehan. Her real name was Arjumand Banu Begum. She got her nickname from her husband, whom she married in 1612, at age 19. The Mughals were a warrior dynasty that traced their ancestry to the Mongols, hence their name. When the Mongol Empire broke up some of their descendants remained as rulers in many of its former lands.

The Mughals’ original state centered on Kabul in modern day Afghanistan. Heavily influenced by neighboring Persia, they adopted Persian customs and language and accepted Islam. Through a succession of warrior kings they conquered India in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, displacing an older Muslim dynasty. At the height of their power their empire extended over almost all of modern day India and Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan.

After the conquerors came the builders and the greatest of these was Shah Jehan, who ruled in the first half of the 17^th century. Shah Jehan crisscrossed India with a series of building projects that included forts, garden pavilions, mosques, tombs and even cities. Today’s Old Delhi was once New Delhi, designed and built by Shah Jehan.

Shah Jehan was not just a builder. He was also a devoted family man and above all others he cherished and adored his wife, Mumtaz, the love of his life.  Shah Jehan had two other wives but those marriages were intended to cement political alliances. He reserved all his affections for Mumtaz and their relationship was deep and intense.  She accompanied him everywhere as his adviser, confidant and best friend.  In fact, many contemporary commentators admired her and called her the perfect royal wife.

A gift to her memory

So when Mumtaz died in 1631 giving birth to their fourteenth child, the emperor was so distraught he determined to build something for her. He wanted a memorial to honor her memory, house her remains and show his love for her for all ages. Building of the Taj Mahal began within a year.

Building a gift

The design of the Taj Mahal is well known. Its greatness lies in its simple symmetrical lines and the shining beauty of its white marble and the surrounding gardens. Building it however, was not so simple. Construction went on for 21 years. Over 20,000 workers and 1000 elephants were employed in bringing the building materials from all over India and creating the complex, which includes the central building, surrounding minarets, a mosque and the gardens. When it was finished, Mumtaz’ Mahal’s marble tomb was placed inside at the precise center, below the dome.

Husband and wife, together again

Ironically, shortly after the completion of the project, Shah Jehan, old and sick, was deposed by his own son, Aurangzeb. Under house arrest, he lasted for another eight years. At his death his son, who may not have respected his father but apparently respected his love for his mother placed his tomb in the Taj Mahal next to his beloved Mumtaz. They are still there today, side by side.

A legacy and inspiration, a gift for us all

Shan Jehan’s dedication to his wife’s memory gave the world a gift. When it was completed, the Taj Mahal was instantly recognized as a classic and has been a landmark ever since. The building that a Muslim emperor of Mongol descent and Persian culture ruling over a Hindu country dedicated himself to building stands today as a testimonial to the love of one man to his wife as well as to the architectural styles of India, Arabia and Persia, a cultural fusion that reached its apogee in the wondrous monument built by Shah Jehan.

Admittedly, not all of us are emperors who can recruit thousands of workers, not to mention elephants, to build a giant, shining tomb for our loved one.  But if we cannot all build a Taj Mahal for our wife, husband or girlfriend, perhaps we can emulate its spirit and make each gift we give our loved ones, in death and in life, the most thoughtful, most meaningful that we can.

Reviewer:

Average Cost: $9.11 ($7.29 Kindle Edition)

Editor’s Note – We’re linking to the Kindle Edition at the bottom of this page.

Description: This 2010 winner of both the Hugo and Nebula awards (Best Novel) offers the view of a dystopian world controlled by calorie companies (think about a company like Monsanto, taken to the Nth degree) and partly populated by engineered “New People”. It also does what all the best science fiction does, highlighting issues of the present through the lens of a possible future.

Editor’s Note – This book was on my reading list even before this review.  It’s supposed to be a modern scifi classic and it’s highly recommended by everyone I talk to.

Is this relatively unique or does every man have one:  Due to those previously mentioned awards, this is a fairly well known book in the science fiction genre. Therefore, many sci-fi fans may have heard of it already, or even read it. I feel it has a broader appeal though, and would also be enjoyed by the non sci-fi fans that probably have not heard of it.

What kind of man would like this: Sci-fi fans, cyberpunks, and, possibly, agribusiness CEOs.

What else would he need: A quiet place to read would help.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of:  Possible donations to non-profit organizations fighting to stop genetically modified foods.

How can I personalize this for him: Load it directly onto his e-book reader. If he’s into sci-fi there’s a good chance he has one right?

Any other information I should know about: There are two short stories written by the same author that go into some aspects of this story more deeply, The Calorie Man and Yellow Card Man. These can be found in Bacigalupi’s short story collection titled Pump Six and Other Stories.