Holiday Gift Guide SL 2017, Kara's Recommendations

Kara's 2017 Second Life Gift Guide Recommendations

I have been doing an annual SL gift idea guide for years now and I am doing a last minute one here now because there is so much great stuff and ideas in SL to share with friends and loved ones. It can be hard to think of ideas sometimes especially for the person who has everything but here are a few of my favs.  I guess at this point this can be considered a last minute Christmas gift giving guide. LOL.  Anyway many of the first items are well known ideas but scroll further down for some more original or unique ideas.  (I will prob add to this list too)

1. GAMES! A few of my favs include:
 Truthball: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/27820
 Chatterbox: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/27820
 Greedy: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/2356
 Cards Against Humanity (this one is free!): https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/BTI-Cards-Against-Humanity-Full-Perm-Game-Table/10334597?page=1
Soundquiz: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Sound-Quiz-Gothic-theme-table-V2-boxed/13516624
Backgammon: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/products/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bcategory_id%5D=&search%5Bmaturity_level%5D=GMA&search%5Bkeywords%5D=backgammon
Speed Bump for groups of 4 or more by Brainz Torment inworld: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Finse/86/249/48/?img=Brainz+Torment+Inc+STORE&title=Brainz+Torment+Inc+STORE

2. Clothes and accessories. This can be a great idea especially for women or for ladies to buy for their men who don't like to shop.  Some of my fav brands are
Blueberry: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/113388
Just Because: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/22086
Addams: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/167972
Deadwool for men: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/22975
Jewelry Earthstones: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/17990

3. A homemade gift.  You can never go wrong with this idea.  Some ideas are pictures, possibly framed or in photo books (various types and prices on marketplace or inworld), or an intelli factory system for making books or photo calendars-the system is a little expensive but you can mass produce your own products to give to many and can be used for other things such as promoting your business or sim or group etc.  You can also buy templates for clothes on marketplace and texture them special for friends.  If anyone wants a free copy of a book I made in SL for gifts a few years ago just ask me and I'll send you one.
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/48260

4. Specially planned fun time or date.  This can really be a great gift if planned right.  Some people you can even schedule a dinner or cruise or special event that needs to be schedule in at a specific time while others like me aren't a huge fan of locking myself into a set time/date due to being busy RL so you can figure out something that's right for each individual depending on their likes and how they enjoy their SL time. Some of my fav fun times include inworld game places that include carnivals, bowling, game rooms, duck races, car and motorcycle track driving, dancing (tons of formal or casual places to go in SL or just buy a nice dance for home), skating, surfing, a game (such as a real SL football, wrestling, or other game), movies at a inworld theater or together at home with a good TV, private time in the Jacuzzi with candles, foods and maybe a date Truthball or Chatterbox game followed by the animations in the Jacuzzi, some calming beach vacation, plan some sim explores as there are many romantic, nature, artistic and amazing sims, hang out at live music shows or dj shows dancing and chatting with friends, putt putt or golf, visit some art galleries, tribute concerts, role play sims,  and sometimes I personally also enjoy just hitting up a good animation store like Abranimations which has some great funny, fun toys, dances and animations to play on.  You might find something you'd like to buy too.  Sometimes its fun just to share Youtube videos back and forth or FB memes or make a couples pose photo to share of Flickr or Facebook or challenge each other to make a certain costume then take pics. There are also some amazing dance shows in SL, theater, magic shows, comedy, book clubs, etc.  You could also introduce a friend to learning to make or do something new over at Builder's Brewery.  Most of the shows and events can be found in SL events or by googling whatever you look for then add Second Life at the end.  It also can be fun to visit a Madpea experience (some are hunts and others are more game-like or challenges with some amazing explore experiences)  together, which depending on their current event can take hours or days or some can be completed in fairly short time.

For movie night I highly recommend XControl TV.. I really can't say enough great things about this TV, it can be small for home or huge for a large group of friends, drive in, backyard, etc..just have to try it.. amazing: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/XCONTROL-TV-PROMOVIES-TV-SERIES-GAMES-LIVESTREAM-AND-MORE/6611035?page=1

For sim explores and various other fun things use the search button or scroll on my blog or click on one of my recent images and go to my Flickr for some sim explore pictures, or visit the SL Destination guide which is categorized well and shows new places too: http://secondlife.com/destinations And if you didn't already realize it or are new SL has a HUGE Facebook and Flickr presence where you can always get great info. on current events, new sims and products with photos, details, links all while communicating with or making new SL friends.

For live music I recommend checking out Whispering Sands Live Promotions Web site (or get on their daily mailer schedule list) http://wslpromo.net/

For Madpea: http://www.madpeagames.com/

5. If you want to buy an actual gift here are some fun quality ideas
-For musicians, event planners, artists who have shows, etc singer/musician, Gab, made this super cool brand new release Virtual Performer Hud, that handles most the things a performer or event presenter will need to manage all in one hud, check it out here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Virtual-Performer-HUD/13581730
-For photographers there is the well known LumiPro lighting system found here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/LUMIPro/2585413

6. If you are on a budget and don't know what to make or do or don't like the ideas above.. you can always make the rounds for the free holiday freebies as there are ton of really great ones out right now and store group gifts.  Here is a link to a great blog SL Freebies: https://www.scoop.it/t/second-life-freebies-und-mehr  There are also a lot of wonderful hunts right now too.  Check out Hunt SL: https://huntsl.com/
Gacha's are also inexpensive yet fun items that can be re-gifted and even boxed up nicely for gifts, and here is a recent blog post about some shopping: http://karasecondlife.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-shopping-in-second-life.html
I also especially enjoy the Jian gacha type things that include pets and animals that are super cute. http://jiansl.blogspot.com/
For residents who have premium membership don't forget to pick up your free gifts from Linden Labs. The winter gift is super cute so gift yourself from SL: http://secondlife.com/destinations/premium/gifts

Then there are always the fun things to do for someone you live with or have rez rights with which I will outline my favs here. (this might spoil my fun for future ppl I get close to like this but then again.. that prob wont happen again LOL so I'll go ahead and share)  here you go.. enjoy:

Here is a list of fun things to do for a friend or loved one in SL. Most require that you have their land build rights to leave items as a surprise for them to find, but some you can just send to their inventory or plan/do with them. These ideas are great for special events such as Valentine’s day, birthdays, rez days, congratulation times, holidays, etc. Some of the items you can make yourself with a photo editing program (I use Picmonkey free online and download the images into SL for 10L) or purchase on Marketplace. Most can be accomplished very inexpensively.
1. Leave giant semi-transparent hearts filling a room. Purchase off market place inexpensive and color pink/red/make them somewhat transparent and phantom so the person doesn’t get lost or is unable to see when they rez in and they are able to walk through them.
2. Leave sticky notes purchased on Marketplace or home made in a photo editing program.
3. Leave a love note or friend letter and pen on their table.
4. Leave toilet paper rolls and tp the room (with or with/out hearts & I heart you on the paper)
5. Leave a cutout person image (of yourself?) possibly holding some sign saying I love you, I miss you, Thank you, get well, etc.
6. Leave a card
7. Fun pranks : Fill the house with water and float some floaties and a toy duck on the water
8. Drip paint down the walls and floor and leave a paint can/brush maybe paint hearts /initials etc graffiti with hearts, your initials or names etc. (purchase off Marketplace or make in a photo editing program or use mine)
9. pranks:   Leave an exploding something like TNT or exploding barrels or furniture or one of those activation teddy bears that do stuff when clicked or turn all the pictures upside down, or furniture, or leave some incriminating (porn) magazines laying around or blow up doll.
10. Hearts, balloons, flowers
11. Leave writing in the sand or snow.. via stones or sandwriter (Marketplace)
12. For guys it might be easy to buy clothes, jewelry, make a card
13. Think of something they like in rl and get it in SL such as a specific model of vehicle or bike they might have in RL
14. Make and leave a photo album or a photochange scene picture of images you’ve taken of the two of you over time
15. Leave some of their fav brand wine or foods or drinks, (can make these with alpha cutouts if needed)
16. Plan a picnic
17. Plan dates: duck races (search my blog for info/video), putt putt, greedy/games, then formal dancing, maybe a cool explore sim and take pictures, home to hot tub or movie, truth ball, go to a carnival, ride bumper cars, bowl, skydive, go to a drive in, skating rink, live music show, visit the Titanic where there is dancing, scenery, and a great front of the ship pose for pics, dance or other entertainment show etc.
18 Ask others what their ideal date in SL is
19. Ask others what their fav gift in SL was
20. Send a teasing amusing personal note after they have logged off so they get it when logging in
21. Carve the names/initials in a tree trunk (Marketplace product) or make in photo edit program
22. Make a dance or other fun video together or take posed/prepped pictures-post to Flickr/FB/YouTube or give them in a frame
23. Go shopping together if both like to
24. Make a tattoo with their name or both your names
25. Make a special YouTube song list just for the two of you.

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Holiday Shopping Guide:

 

I have some super cool friends who make or do amazing things in SL and so I’m posting a  shopping guide of  10 (well more actually) cool items that would make great gift ideas for others or even yourself for the holidays and where to easily find them.  They are not in any particular order.  Guys take note as I know some of  you struggle with figuring out what to get for or do with your special lady.   I may add to this list as I find things or friends tell me of things they make or know of that I especially like, so check back here too.

 

1. Truthball and Chatterbox.  These can be found inworld or on SL Marketplace here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/93020 and  here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/27820
 I totally love these with friends or when meeting new people.  You get to know a whole lot more about people often in a funny way as they play sort of like a true or dare or would you rather question/answer format with the product asking the questions and participants answering.  They both come in various categories so can be for friends, lovers, a wide range of party styles, etc.  There is pretty much something unique for any social setting and always tons of fun.  One of my fav things to do is sit around in a hot tub playing these.

 

2. Whispering Sands Live Promotions is holding a special raffle this season and for the 250 Linden purchase of one of their cool t-shirts you are entered for a chance to win a show by the WSLP musican of your choice to be held sometime in January.  You can enter as many times as you like and although the t-shirt is yours, if you win, this could be the gift to yourself that keeps on giving.  The drawing will be on the 30th of Dec. at noon.  The shirts are very nice, and fun to wear to their many shows or anywhere really.  They can be seen and purchased in their listening lounge here http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Katalin/244/211/22

To see the many great musicians they represent check out their web site here: http://wslpromo.net/

 

3. You Play Ball Like a Girl designs by EnaRoane is a fun store for female sports fans.   She has a wide range of team gear and sweats, sportswear, and accessories for almost any team.  She also has a line of nice dresses too with one version currently being featured at FAB.  Her marketplace is here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/160710

 

4. You just can’t go wrong clothes shopping for anything for the ladies in the Lenox Co. sim area home to Blueberry, Just Because, Vinyl, Lennox, and Breathe clothing stores that make amazing handcrafted mesh clothes for regular or mesh avatars.  Folks if you can’t figure out what to get your lady/man in this shopping area I’m sure it’s only because there are so many great things to choose from and you can always hand out a gift card someone special will love.  The shopping district is located here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Palau/128/128/23

 

5. Will Burns (Aeonix Aeon) makes the cool Polybius arcade game which can be purchased on marketplace here:  https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Polybius-Arcade-Cabinet-Series-III/3956043 This interesting game makes a great addition to any game room in SL and can also be used as a token to exchange for 15 other well known arcade games.   Not only do they look great (made of mesh) but they are very playable and they have poses for one or two avatars for photos or just more fun playing. A visit to the marketplace is worth a look just for the story/history on this alone.  Check it out.  

 

6. A homemade gift (ok this #6 covers a lot so read on).  You can’t go wrong with a home-made gift from the heart.  In SL many people can buy for themselves what they want but something made especially for someone else or even a group gift made special for the holiday is very nice.

 

  Last year I made a picture/poem book for my friends.  If anyone wants a copy just ask me.  Another year I made home-made calendars. These items can be made with the Intelli systems which you can purchase.  The system to make them might be out of budget if just used for a once a year gift, but you can continue to use these systems to make other books/magazines, calendars  etc. and could be a fun hobby to make unique items created by you.   You can see and purchase this product here:   https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/48260

 

Another  homemade idea is to buy clothing templates online and texture them yourself, just be careful about re-gift/resale rights and instructions.  This way you make one of a kind or unique or personalized items that are special.

 

Plan “special times” (multiple ideas listed here and if you need links just ask me or use my blog search bar):  A special date night or maybe a sim explore package for friends including a new location they can visit unique to their personality or better yet together with you, with possibly a fun play place (skating, sailing, duck races, surfing, game areas, football game, wrestling match, carnivals)  or romantic dance or nature area, possibly a dining experience, some role play sim, an adult experience, a tribute concert, a night out dancing at some new/different club or live music show, some new art gallery tour, or maybe a combo of the above.  For a cheap date some of the animation stores like Abranimations is also fun to just visit with someone special.  They have a lot of fun things to play on and I actually still enjoy doing this and getting silly.

 

Couples might just enjoy some quiet at home time in the Jacuzzi filled with rose petals, some candles, and a nice movie and some pose balls-heck this is fun with friends too and you can break out the floaties and girls night out products with girl friends.  These itmes can be made even more special if planned right, buying ahead some things like pillow fight systems, facials, pose props and take pictures and post to Facebook or Flickr.   There are plenty of video stores in SL or even TV viewers that offer a wide range of movies/shows, youtube, etc.  I used to play youtube with a friend and we’d go back and forth showing each other funny videos or music videos we especially loved.  I have my current TV set up in a mini skybox theater that I love and can have friends over to watch the many shows it offers from current movies to HBO series. Also these things can easily be found on SL Marketplace in regular and adult versions.   My fav TV/video player "XControl" is inworld or Marketplace here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/XCONTROL-TV-FLATSCREENMOVIES-TV-SERIES-LIVESTREAM-AND-MORE/5309677

 

Sometimes it’s fun to step out of the comfort or usual zone too and try something different. If you do these things together your individual attention and time is also a gift.   Check out the destination guide here: http://secondlife.com/destinations/editor

 

If you can’t think up anything to make or are broke, a home-made holiday card is always welcome and many people like to collect and display them in their homes too.  I used to have one of these.. you could slide your Christmas card images/textures friends gave you into this holiday card holder that was a wall decoration but it's now lost in my inventory and for the life of me I cant find another one. I even asked some builder friends who said they never saw any and dont' make them. OMG.. someone needs to make me one and I'll blog it.  If they hurry there could prob. be a good market for it if its cute.  In the mean time I'll put my cards into a multi picture frame and add some Christmas décor of my own next to it. 

 

7. Gacha gifting… always fun and can be inexpensive.  The Dec. round of Gacha Arcade is now open, here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Country%20Club/163/128/3115 and has a ton of great items that can be transferred.  For more Gacha info. check out my friend Kath’s blog about all things Gacha, "A Few of my Fav Gacha Things" here: https://myfavgachathings.wordpress.com/

 

8. Games! - SLictionary, Greedy, Spades, Cards Against Humanity,  etc. All can be found on marketplace here: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/   These make great gifts and continue to provide hours of enjoyment when playing. 

 

9. And of course gift cards are always nice and now days you can find them in most busy stores.  Marketplace also has a nice gift giving feature too. 

 

10.  Come play with me! 

 

Bonus!  

Another great idea is to buy something for yourself, but now you might not have to.  Just visit Strawberry Signh's wonderful blog and check out her annual gift giveaway contest.  You might be able to win a significant gift card from Catwa just for entering. Check it out here: http://strawberrysingh.com/2015/12/07/strawberrysingh-com-2015-holiday-giveaway/

Also along the lines of gifts for yourself be sure to grab all the many Advent Calendar gifts in many sims... a pretty good list of where to find many of these can be found on the Showtime Magazine site here: http://showtimemagazine.net/?page_id=5474

(Disclaimer: These are my SL recommendations, not those of Linden Labs. I have not been bribed or even requested to blog these products or ideas and most of the designers/builders of these products are not even aware I am recommending them.)

 

 

 

Holiday Free Gifts and Thank You!

Holiday Free Gifts  and Thank You!
Look for and click on the gift box under the steampunk tree just outside Miri's club doors. 

Visit here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Station/184/78/1040

Tis the season and all that!  At this point I want to take a moment to blog a huge thank you to many people but first I want to tell you about some great gifts free for the taking.  Some of the items are also transfer so might make nice gifts to re-gift to others-just in time for the holidays.  Just stop over at The Station to pick them up.  

The free gifts are as follows:
*-Exclusive adorable and fun new light up women's Rudolph dress and matching men's shirt (made by Sonrisa Seminario)
*-Santa Baby sexy female outfit (made by Nix Greymyst) comes with sexy and "naughty" sexy styles
*-2014 Calendar (made by yours truly) suitable for re-gifting as they are transfer/copy
*-A cool underwater full dive suit (made by Enigmatic and Sonrisa)
*-Station Sports jacket and also a fun t-shirt that says "I got serviced at The Station" (made by Sonrisa)
*-A Steampunk Christmas Story  intellibook, perfect for a Christmas gift and is transfer (made by Sonicity Fitzroy)  ( note I play the role of a cat in it-so have a look)

So those are the gifts...... now for the thank yous...

Most of you who know me well know I've been hanging out with a great guy Enigmatic Deir who built and owns  The Station sim and so he's letting me do what I want around there which includes curating The Skywalk Art Gallery and also a little PR etc.  He and sim manager Sonrisa are giving me the privilege of announcing the sim gifts above as well as offering thanks to all The Station patrons and those who have been a part of the sim's success in such a relatively short time. 

First an acknowledgment and personal thank you to the sim owner who made this whole sim loaded with fun stuff to see, do, and play with, Enigmatic Deir, and also to Staryiefurio who helped organize and manage the sim and Sonrisa Seminario, sim manager who also makes many things for the sim and helps organize and coordinate on a regular basis. (note gifts above too)  Ok, those were my thank yous, for these are the people who make and share, so that I and others can enjoy.

Now,  a  huge thanks to Miri's Club owner Mirianette and all her staff DJs, hosts and hostesses with special thanks to Nacht, Jax, and Sasha for their ongoing work and support.  Moi  (Me Orfan) has joined forces with Miri to coordinate club events and we are very thankful for her time and efforts in doing so.

Next we are very thankful to all those who have made the Skywalk Gallery a huge success including artists, Bryn Oh, Sina Souza, Burk Bode, Male Vansant, Zach Larsen, Chaos Richard, Josie Anderton, and Sugar Silverstar. 

Thanks also to live musicians at The Station Avram Zapedzk (Av)  who sings live mike at The Attic venue in The Station each Monday evening at 6pm SLT, Josie Anderton, Savannah Coronet, and AMForte Clarity who have also entertained at live events.

Thanks to Brett and Morgan Linden for adding the sim to the destination guide, BOSL magazine for the October feature, and to all those who nominated and voted for The Station in the Avi Choice awards.

Finally a HUGE thank you to all the visitors and bloggers to the sim which ultimately makes it more fun for those of us hanging around.

  Bloggers  or posts we are aware of include :

LL Featured events Skywalk Art Gallery
LL Featured Steampunk : http://secondlife.com/destination/the-station

http://zikiquesti.blogspot.com/2013/10/technochory.html?showComment=1382318632088#c5083282858723868152
Ziki Questi blog post

http://quanlavender.blogspot.com/2013/10/hunting-for-art.html
Quan Lavender blog post

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201890448370053&set=pcb.10201890451170123&type=1&theater
Mimi Juneau  Facebook

http://charliescloseups.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/technochory-by-bryn-oh-and-sina-souza/
Charlie Namiboo
http://apmel.blogspot.com/2013/10/three-hours-of-lawers-talk-is-shorter.html
Apmel Blog

Photohunt pics from week of 10-23-13

https://www.facebook.com/sina.souza
Sina's fb

https://www.facebook.com/groups/slphotohunt/
Photohunt FB

http://frenzy23oxo.wordpress.com/
Frenzy23   DJ Frenzy's blog

http://virtualoutworlding.blogspot.com/2013/11/2013-art-technochory-skywalk-gallery.html
Thinkerer Mellville /Selby/Virtual Outworlding

The Hunt show: http://vimeo.com/78752876
http://happyhuntingtv.wordpress.com/
http://scarletsilhouette.blogspot.com/p/places-to-visit.html?zx=c66b78460412716
http://honourmcmillan.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/steampunk-fun-in-the-second-life-sky/

http://zikiquesti.blogspot.com/2013/12/shadows-in-black-and-white.html?showComment=1386653074942#c667147412001884249
Ziki Questi

http://emmaportilo.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/the-station-gallery-event/#comment-25
Emma Portilo

http://www.slenquirer.com/2013/12/the-station-original-floating-club-on_16.html#more
SLEnquirer

(If I missed anyone who has blogged or contributed I'm so sorry, and if you let me know I'll add your name/blog here, etc.,  I'm relatively new to the E gang but am learning) 
Happy Holidays and we hope to see you around The Station often.  Sincerely, Kara Trapdoor