After a new baby is born, do proud papas still run around handing out cigars? Personalized chocolate bars or bubblegum cigars?

I haven’t seen one in awhile but when we had our baby, we still wanted to continue the tradition of giving out something to celebrate and announce the birth of our little one. A few weeks before our due date, I was excited to find exactly what I was looking for at StorkMagnets.com: personalized magnets to announce our baby’s birth.

We loved these hip, chic magnets: more than just a paper announcement, it was something our friends and family can actually keep! The website, www.StorkMagnets.com, is really easy-to-use, they have a great variety of templates to choose from, and they’re super helpful when you have questions or even your own design dilemmas.

You know how it is when they’re obsessed with a character…when they can’t get enough of Spider Man, Dora the Explorer, Curious George, Shrek, Caillou…

When they’re into it, they can’t get enough.

Thankfully, we found a Web site that loves these popular characters as much as they do: KimmyShop.com.

They have everything: Transformers, Curious George, even Sesame Street and more.

Selection includes kids room decor, movies and videos, even stickers for scrapbooking, bags and backpacks and party supplies.

A few of our favorite finds from KimmyShop:

• Set of two Cookie Monster and Elmo squirt bottles for only $4.99
• Glow-in-the-dark Superman T-shirt - on sale for just $14.99
• Caillou hockey wall poster

But wait: it gets even better. KimmyShop.com offers FREE SHIPPING on $99+ orders!

This is one of those big gifts — it cost much more than a new sweater, but if they’re the lucky recipient, their life will never be the same again.

Have they always admired the riding lawn mowers? Just wait until they hear about the Robomow — specifically, the Robomow RL-1000 - High End Robotic Mower.

It’s exactly what it sounds like: a lawn-mowing robot. It’s not quite like the Jetsons, but it does do exactly as it promises, to mow up to a 1 acre lot (21,500 square feet) AND collect the clippings itself AND includes six cutting heights AND a rechargable battery pack AND free shipping!

It sounds too good to be true, but trust us: you’re not dreaming.

Looking for a great gift for a surfer (or someone with surfing aspirations)?

Whether they’re a surfer, beach bum or someone who loves the surfin’ lifestyle, there are some great gifts for surfers of all levels.

Here’s a unique surfer-style sign and sure conversation-starter, asking for a little more than just shoe removal in their home.

If you’re looking for an apparel gift for her (or maybe a little something for yourself), we couldn’t help but fall in love with the Volcom Shotgun Sweater as well as the classic-styled Billabong Blair Trench Coat.

I confess: I’m not a surfer, but I would love to wake up some morning with a full set of surfing skills (and the coordination to pull it all off!)

If you’re shopping for someone who aspires to hang ten, we love the Indo Board Balance Trainer from Swell.com. The set includes the wooden board, the roller, and an instructional video.

Our favorite for the kids is this set stick-on surf boards for their wall. For under $40, these stickers can help turn a borning bedroom into a young surfer’s dream room.

It happens to all of us.

Sometimes a great gift can be overshadowed by a poor delivery. Or a ho-hum gift can be catapulted to ‘excellent’ by a well-thought delivery.

We’re not talking about the post office delivering your gift one day late - we’re talking about the great gift that comes in a plastic bag…from the store it was purchased…with the receipt still in the bag. Or a box of chocolates that was melted and gooey from sitting in the hot car all afternoon.

The good news is that even a simple gift can become a fabulous gift just by a thoughtful or unique delivery. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Surprise someone by slipping their favorite candy bar, wrapped in a red ribbon, in their purse or briefcase
• Remember wrapping gift baskets in cellophane and shrink-wrapping the plastic with a hair dryer? Replace the plastic (and forget about the hair dryer) and wrap/gather everything in a unique piece of fabric. This also works well with gifts for cooks or kitchen gifts, which can be wrapped in a unique or elegant table linen and tied with a ribbon.
• Is there a concert, comic or musician they’ve been wanting to see? Surprise them with tickets, pinned inside their day-planner with a note.
• Giving a gift card? Don’t just put the gift card in a greeting card — disguise the package by taping the gift card to a bag of their favorite chocolates, placing the gift card in a box of cereal, or wrapping the gift card in a box (contained within another wrapped box, contained in another wrapped box, etc.)

Just in case this all seems just a little excessive, don’t forget: it’s the thought that counts.

Let’s be honest: even if it’s their second (or third+) time down the aisle, this is still their special day.

But picking a great gift does seem to be a bit more of a challenge, especially since they probably already have two toasters, two coffee makers, two blenders and two sets of dishes.

We like the idea of buying two (his and hers) of these digital photo key chains.

If they’re technologically challenged, we recommend staying away from gadget gifts and selecting a gift that’s a mutual interest of theirs. For example, dancing lessons or tickets to a comedy show are always fun, or camping gear if they’re the outdoors type.

If they like to cook, we also love these home-sized fruit trees (olive or lime) — they are great gifts for chefs.

The bottom line is that even though you don’t need to spend a lot of money, it’s important that you give them something that they can actually use. Still not sure to get them? Check out our gift ideas for the couple who have it all for some additional gift ideas or browse our other wedding gift ideas category.

Everyone knows the health benefits of tea, but let’s discuss the other benefits: low calorie, no dreaded evil carbs, it tastes great, and it can pack as much of a caffeine punch as a cup of coffee.

Every now and then, we all must put down our cups ‘o Joe and try some tea. The good news is that it’s easier to try it out with this
Gourmet Tea Sampler Set from Adagio Teas. Only $19, this sampler starter set includes a 16 oz. teapot, four tea samples (choose from black tea, herbal, green or flavored tea combinations) and a “Guide to Tea” booklet.

As an added bonus, shipping is also very reasonable: free shipping on $50+ orders or only $3.75 for ground shipping.

Adagio stands behind their products — on their Web site, it reads: “Want to see what makes our teapot unique? Click the ‘video’ button for a brief demonstration. Still not convinced? Then click on ‘reviews’ to see what our customers have to say. Discover for yourself the startling difference between our gourmet products and the tea sold in your supermarket. If you don’t agree ours is superior, we’ll gladly refund your purchase.”

Great for a get well gift, a birthday gift or even holiday gift, this is a unique and delicious gift idea that’s a little more thoughtful than a yard ‘o beef.

If you haven’t heard of the Ice Road Truckers yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Learn more about these not-your-everyday-truckers as they dash for cash, driving across frozen (lake) highways — the upcoming Ice Road Truckers DVD set makes a great gift for anyone who’s a fan of action-adventure movies or man vs. nature tales.

Available online at the A&E Web site, if you pre-order the season 1 DVD, you’ll get a gree copy of Modern Marvels: Ice Road Truckers ($24.95 value, while supplies last).

When my brother-in-law moved to Florida, it wasn’t the weather, the beach or the view that made me jealous. It was his fruit trees in the back yard: he was effortlessly growing bananas, a pear tree, a lime tree and more. Forget the view, it’s the food that got my attention.

Thankfully, now the rest of us can enjoy fresh key limes from our own home with this Key Lime Patio Tree from Harry & David.

As I quickly went to harryanddavid.com to check out this great find, and found even more great gifts, in case key limes aren’t their food of choice.

This Tuscan Terrace Olive Tree harvests year-round treats (although the tree only ships through Sept. 8) and is easy to grow in lots of bright light.

Available for shipping through Sept. 30, this Gourmet Herb Basket lets great cooks and aspiring chefs enjoy fresh rosemary, thyme and sage in their own kitchen. Even if they’re a terrible cook, this basket makes a unique housewarming gift that’s a clever alternative to sending flowers.

Who knows… with one of these great food gifts, you may even get invited to dinner!

There’s nothing worse than waiting, being kept in suspense (where are you Perez? It’s 11:07 and nothing yet today! What will we do?!?).

Rest assured, 2008 is going to be a big year for GiftFairy - more gifts, more tips, more advice and even some new things you haven’t seen yet. Stay tuned - we think you’re going to like what you see!

Happy New Year!