OK, so we couldn’t find a picture of the product without the screaming kid. Nevertheless, we’ve always said if you buy a kid a carboard box, he or she would be plenty happy and have hours of imagination fun. It’s still the best gift ever - if you can convince the kid that a box is a gift.

If not, here’s a step above. A cardboard box with a little built-in imagination. The company, Carboard Creations, out of the UK, makes this plane, a teepee, a fort and some other great ready-to-fold, very sturdy cardboard toys. They’re quite a bit more than the $2 job from the storage place down the street, but they look like much more fun.

$50
Carboard Airplane from Spoon Sisters

Even if you’re lucky enough to be doing well in these economic times, the idea of paying out hundreds of bucks on video games and Nintendo systems is daunting, if only because you hate succumbing to the current idea of fun when you know the real deal was so much –well, funner.

And what was more fun than this?

From $16.99

Operation by Hasbro

How many times have you thought “If only there were a way to bundle brain teasers, exercise and puzzles into one sleek, portable package – what an outstanding gift that would make!” Wait not, want not –

Nintendo DS has gone grown-up with a new hand-held system in a Metallic Silver color and games like Brain Age, Language Coach and Crosswords DS, designed to keep you mentally sharp; My Weight Loss Coach and Quick Yoga Training for peak performance; and Mystery Case Files, for when you just feel like goofing off.

Perfect for that best friend or for treating yourself!

Gaming system: $129.99 MSRP; Games: $29.99 MSRP

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