Trends for November 26, 2001

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Nov. 26, 2001 | 8:28 a.m.

What a trip

So you pounded the tile floors of the mall all weekend in search of holiday gifts and somehow still came home empty-handed.

We're guessing it's because you didn't come across a new gizmo called Happy's Head Trip.

It looks like an oversized, copper kitchen whisk gone awry. But it provides hours of relaxation pleasure. It's a head massager for the lazy masses.

But according to its makers, the Happy Company of Hayward, Calif., it offers plenty of other tongue-in-cheek uses:

Once they figure it out, though, they'll want to know where they can get one. Happy's Head Trip retails for about $17 and can be had by calling (866) BUY A TRIP.

This Bud's for you

And if you didn't see the Head Trip, then you probably also missed the equally cool talking beer bottle openers.

Made by Seattle-area company Pacific Direct, the openers come adorned with the logos for Miller Lite and Corona Extra beer, as well as "Time For a Beer" and The Three Stooges designs.

The Corona opener, when its business end is placed atop a bottle cap, plays music and features a woman's voice asking "Cerveza, senor?" followed by, "Oh, Corona." Likewise the sound of pouring beer and the phrase "Oh, it's Miller Time!" emits from the Miller opener.

The funniest by far is the homage to the Stooges. Curly orders a beer with his trademark "N'Yuk, N'Yuk, N'Yuk" and "Woo-Woo-Woo" phrases.

The openers cost about $8 and can be ordered by calling (800) 535-0131.

The only thing this goofy gift doesn't do is remind its recipient not to drink and drive that's your responsibility.

Tree smarts

Maybe you're one of those who likes a tree with Thanksgiving dinner. If not, then you're likely anticipating this year's upcoming Christmas tree purchase.

The folks at pruning equipment retailer Orchard's Edge offer a few tips for finding the freshest tree on the lot.

Always check the needles: Bend a few of them to see if they spring back. The tree is probably past its prime if the needles break.

Don't be afraid to bump the tree. Hold it up and stamp its trunk on the ground a few times. Notice how many needles fell off too many, and you'll want to pass.

Check the trunk to see that it's moist and full of sap a sure sign of a fresh tree.

Finally don't forget to measure height, width and trunk diameter potential tannenbaums to make sure it will fit in your home and, more importantly, in the tree stand.