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CNN Live Today

Gifts For the Holidays

Aired November 28, 2003 - 11:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The holiday shopping sprint got under way today. Bargain hunters lined up well before the sun came up to get early-bird deals. And retailers are predicting, sales will jump 5 percent this year, they're hoping, at least.
Now, if you're stumped for a gift idea, the perfect gift, please don't despair. Robyn is here to come to our rescue. Gift-giving expert Robyn Spizman is the author of the book "The Giftionary: The Ultimate Guide to Giving." And she's joining us here in Atlanta with some tips. And she's brought in some ideas for you if you run out of ideas.

I get overwhelmed. It's nice to know some of the best ideas out there, especially toys, right?

ROBYN SPIZMAN, AUTHOR, "THE GIFTIONARY": Absolutely.

We went to ToysRUs.com, because you can shop online if you don't want to brave the malls. Here we have Hokey Pokey Elmo. And this is Elmo.

CALLAWAY: Is he the it toy?

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: He always is. Every year, he's doing something different. One year, he's Tickle Me Elmo. This year, he's doing the hokeypokey. But he encourages kids to learn the directions, right and left. And he tells you he's tired. So he does -- he says, bye-bye. So he's a lots of fun, $24.99. Check him out.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: I see him everywhere.

SPIZMAN: Yes.

Now, another toy that's really hot for the tween scene is the passion with a fashion, the Bratz dolls. This is Yasmin.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: She's beautiful.

SPIZMAN: She's beautiful. She's a collector's edition for $99. But the dolls also start around $15 and go up. And this year, they have their formal funk wear. And if you take a look at this, she even comes with a limousine, which is around $70.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: A limousine.

SPIZMAN: The limousine has water bottles and perfume on board for your local diva.

CALLAWAY: Well, we understand, now, this is the collector's edition. She's $99. But the regular dolls that fit in the limousine are...

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: They're around $15. And they go up to $45 for the formal funk wear, because they come equipped for an evening out with all the dazzling accessories.

CALLAWAY: And what idea did you say -- what age group?

SPIZMAN: And this is really around, I'd about 9 years old to 12 years old. But even the 7- and 8-year-olds, they are all over this. They love it.

CALLAWAY: Yes, they do.

SPIZMAN: So check out the Bratz dolls. Really, ages about 6 and up are going for her

Of course, Barbie Swan Lake, can't miss her. She's always collectible each year, looking dazzling. And, also, there's a toy called Video Now for ages 6 and up.

CALLAWAY: I've heard about this.

SPIZMAN: This is a DVD player that's on the go kids and comes with little cartridges.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: But they're really like C.D.s. It's a miniature C.D. So you just -- you play it. And it just turns on and it's just a lot of fun. Here we go. And then it just turns on.

And kids love this in the car. And it comes with like C.D.s that are, for example, "SpongeBob," a variety of cartoons. And you see the full-length segment. And then it just shuts off. And, of course, it shuts itself if, after five minutes, it doesn't play. And that's $49.99, very hot toy right now.

And we are seeing a lot of toys also that allow kids the opportunity to interact. So it's not just one it toy this year. There's so many great choices. So people don't have to feel stressed, like they have to be the hero for the holiday.

CALLAWAY: And DVDs are always a good idea. What about gift cards?

SPIZMAN: Yes. Gift cards are very hot, very popular.

And we have a few to show you. For example, BankOfAmerica.com has a gift card. You log and you impersonalize it by embossing the individual's name on it. And they send you your card with a message underneath, like, you go girl or shop 'til you drop or world's best kid. And so that prepaid gift card can be used at

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: Visa.

SPIZMAN: Yes, Bank of America Visa. And it can be used at over 30 million locations. So a gift is the gift of choice.

CALLAWAY: Is there an expiration on this?

SPIZMAN: You just have to check. All the rules are listed. They do have rules that apply to them. There is a small service charge. So these are great questions. Check them out.

CALLAWAY: And kids would like to go use their own private little charge card. That would be a lot fun.

SPIZMAN: Yes, they do.

And then, of course, I wrapped one up with a Grand Band. Now no more unsightly rubber bands. This is a personalized product. So we have a whole stand over there in stainless at LillianVernon.com for $19.99. But they will engrave your favorite special person's name on it or even, I love you, whatever you say. And then there are sterling ones available at the TheGrandBand.com. So, it just shows you, no more unsightly rubber bands.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: We're running out of time here, but you like giving food gifts, don't you?

SPIZMAN: OK. All right.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: We have also cakes of all descriptions, gourmet cakes. Check them out. They weigh about 5 pounds. And then, of course, Harry and David, they do it so beautifully with presentations.

CALLAWAY: Look at that box.

SPIZMAN: And gift boxes galore. You'll see that they have the stackable gift box. They have fruit, something for everyone.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: ... pet gift. SPIZMAN: Yes, a pet gift.

CALLAWAY: A little dog bowl.

SPIZMAN: It's a dog bowl.

(LAUGHTER)

SPIZMAN: And we also have

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: ... if you want to give a work of art. And Blockbuster Music, still for $5, you could grab a Blockbuster gift card.

CALLAWAY: All right.

SPIZMAN: The iPod slim camera is the size of a credit card.

CALLAWAY: That's a camera?

SPIZMAN: Yes, it is, available at FrontGate.com. So there's really something for everyone this holiday season, including a red envelopes, got you a personalized cashmere scarf. So add your personal touch to these gifts.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: Something for everyone.

CALLAWAY: She has so many great ideas, Robyn Spizman. And we like your book, "The Giftionary."

SPIZMAN: Thank you so much.

CALLAWAY: Hope people out there who are having trouble finding out what they want to give for a Christmas gift

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: Robyn to the rescue.

(LAUGHTER)

CALLAWAY: Robyn to the rescue.

SPIZMAN: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 28, 2003 - 11:45   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The holiday shopping sprint got under way today. Bargain hunters lined up well before the sun came up to get early-bird deals. And retailers are predicting, sales will jump 5 percent this year, they're hoping, at least.
Now, if you're stumped for a gift idea, the perfect gift, please don't despair. Robyn is here to come to our rescue. Gift-giving expert Robyn Spizman is the author of the book "The Giftionary: The Ultimate Guide to Giving." And she's joining us here in Atlanta with some tips. And she's brought in some ideas for you if you run out of ideas.

I get overwhelmed. It's nice to know some of the best ideas out there, especially toys, right?

ROBYN SPIZMAN, AUTHOR, "THE GIFTIONARY": Absolutely.

We went to ToysRUs.com, because you can shop online if you don't want to brave the malls. Here we have Hokey Pokey Elmo. And this is Elmo.

CALLAWAY: Is he the it toy?

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: He always is. Every year, he's doing something different. One year, he's Tickle Me Elmo. This year, he's doing the hokeypokey. But he encourages kids to learn the directions, right and left. And he tells you he's tired. So he does -- he says, bye-bye. So he's a lots of fun, $24.99. Check him out.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: I see him everywhere.

SPIZMAN: Yes.

Now, another toy that's really hot for the tween scene is the passion with a fashion, the Bratz dolls. This is Yasmin.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: She's beautiful.

SPIZMAN: She's beautiful. She's a collector's edition for $99. But the dolls also start around $15 and go up. And this year, they have their formal funk wear. And if you take a look at this, she even comes with a limousine, which is around $70.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: A limousine.

SPIZMAN: The limousine has water bottles and perfume on board for your local diva.

CALLAWAY: Well, we understand, now, this is the collector's edition. She's $99. But the regular dolls that fit in the limousine are...

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: They're around $15. And they go up to $45 for the formal funk wear, because they come equipped for an evening out with all the dazzling accessories.

CALLAWAY: And what idea did you say -- what age group?

SPIZMAN: And this is really around, I'd about 9 years old to 12 years old. But even the 7- and 8-year-olds, they are all over this. They love it.

CALLAWAY: Yes, they do.

SPIZMAN: So check out the Bratz dolls. Really, ages about 6 and up are going for her

Of course, Barbie Swan Lake, can't miss her. She's always collectible each year, looking dazzling. And, also, there's a toy called Video Now for ages 6 and up.

CALLAWAY: I've heard about this.

SPIZMAN: This is a DVD player that's on the go kids and comes with little cartridges.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: But they're really like C.D.s. It's a miniature C.D. So you just -- you play it. And it just turns on and it's just a lot of fun. Here we go. And then it just turns on.

And kids love this in the car. And it comes with like C.D.s that are, for example, "SpongeBob," a variety of cartoons. And you see the full-length segment. And then it just shuts off. And, of course, it shuts itself if, after five minutes, it doesn't play. And that's $49.99, very hot toy right now.

And we are seeing a lot of toys also that allow kids the opportunity to interact. So it's not just one it toy this year. There's so many great choices. So people don't have to feel stressed, like they have to be the hero for the holiday.

CALLAWAY: And DVDs are always a good idea. What about gift cards?

SPIZMAN: Yes. Gift cards are very hot, very popular.

And we have a few to show you. For example, BankOfAmerica.com has a gift card. You log and you impersonalize it by embossing the individual's name on it. And they send you your card with a message underneath, like, you go girl or shop 'til you drop or world's best kid. And so that prepaid gift card can be used at

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: Visa.

SPIZMAN: Yes, Bank of America Visa. And it can be used at over 30 million locations. So a gift is the gift of choice.

CALLAWAY: Is there an expiration on this?

SPIZMAN: You just have to check. All the rules are listed. They do have rules that apply to them. There is a small service charge. So these are great questions. Check them out.

CALLAWAY: And kids would like to go use their own private little charge card. That would be a lot fun.

SPIZMAN: Yes, they do.

And then, of course, I wrapped one up with a Grand Band. Now no more unsightly rubber bands. This is a personalized product. So we have a whole stand over there in stainless at LillianVernon.com for $19.99. But they will engrave your favorite special person's name on it or even, I love you, whatever you say. And then there are sterling ones available at the TheGrandBand.com. So, it just shows you, no more unsightly rubber bands.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: We're running out of time here, but you like giving food gifts, don't you?

SPIZMAN: OK. All right.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: We have also cakes of all descriptions, gourmet cakes. Check them out. They weigh about 5 pounds. And then, of course, Harry and David, they do it so beautifully with presentations.

CALLAWAY: Look at that box.

SPIZMAN: And gift boxes galore. You'll see that they have the stackable gift box. They have fruit, something for everyone.

(CROSSTALK)

CALLAWAY: ... pet gift. SPIZMAN: Yes, a pet gift.

CALLAWAY: A little dog bowl.

SPIZMAN: It's a dog bowl.

(LAUGHTER)

SPIZMAN: And we also have

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: ... if you want to give a work of art. And Blockbuster Music, still for $5, you could grab a Blockbuster gift card.

CALLAWAY: All right.

SPIZMAN: The iPod slim camera is the size of a credit card.

CALLAWAY: That's a camera?

SPIZMAN: Yes, it is, available at FrontGate.com. So there's really something for everyone this holiday season, including a red envelopes, got you a personalized cashmere scarf. So add your personal touch to these gifts.

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: Something for everyone.

CALLAWAY: She has so many great ideas, Robyn Spizman. And we like your book, "The Giftionary."

SPIZMAN: Thank you so much.

CALLAWAY: Hope people out there who are having trouble finding out what they want to give for a Christmas gift

(CROSSTALK)

SPIZMAN: Robyn to the rescue.

(LAUGHTER)

CALLAWAY: Robyn to the rescue.

SPIZMAN: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com