GRAB BAG

SPATULA

Cookie spatula

$6.99, Oxo

WHAT HAPPENS: This spatula will gently and easily release the most delicate cookies from a piping hot cookie sheet.

WHAT WORKS: This spatula handle is short and slightly curved so you feel as if you have more control when removing cookies, especially when they’re placed close together. The edges are so thin and flexible that the spatula will slide under almost any food.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: If you currently use hard and thicker spatulas, you’ll have to get used to the more delicate and flexible version that might come off as flimsy —- but it’s not.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The spatula is about 9 inches long and features a comfortable nonslip black grip. The super thin paddle is bonded with silicone that is heat resistant up to 600 degrees. It’s microwave safe.

TO BUY IT: Currently available through www.oxo.com, and in January, it will be available in some department stores.

FLASHLIGHT

Daylite LED, $24.99, Duracell

WHAT HAPPENS: This slim flashlight may look like a lightweight, but it gives off a serious beam of bright white light where you need it.

WHAT WORKS: It’s good-looking with its black housing accented with a band of copper. It’s easy to handle and small enough to keep in a glove box or a kitchen drawer. But what really works is the ultra bright white beam of light that illuminates the darkest corners without any dark spots.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: You can dial the lens so that the light goes from spot to flood mode, but it offers little difference between the two.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The flashlight runs on two AA batteries that are included. It’s about 7 inches long and just over 1 inch wide at the lens. It features three watts and 80 lumens of power.

TO BUY IT: Available at most Wal-Mart and Ace Hardware stores

SHAVING KIT

Gifted Grooming, $60, Anthony Logistics for Men

WHAT HAPPENS: With this handsome shaving gear, you’re giving him the gift of grooming essentials he can use at home or on the road.

WHAT WORKS: We like the good-looking, durable gray nylon kit that features black see-through front and back panels so you know if you’re missing anything. Plus, it’s soft-sided so you can make it fit easily in cramped luggage. The products come in airline-approved travel sizes. But it’s the products that shine. We like that they’re formulated for all skin types and fragrance-free. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this product goes to prostate cancer research.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: If you fall in love with these items, you’ll have to buy larger sizes because these come in travel sizes that top out at 2.5 ounces.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The zippered kit is filled with seven must-have grooming tools, including shave cream and balm, glycerin hand and body lotion, sea salt body scrub, and glycolic facial cleanser.

TO BUY IT: Available at some Nordstrom stores and through www.nordstrom.com

CAMCORDER

Flip Mino, $179.99, Pure Digital Technologies

WHAT HAPPENS: This small, super-skinny camcorder weighs a mere 3.3 ounces, so it not only fits in your pocket with room to spare, but you can easily personalize it, transforming it into a mini piece of art.

WHAT WORKS: You won’t hesitate taking the Mino with you anywhere because it’s unobtrusive and there’s no learning curve when it comes to shooting videos. The software installs quickly and easily. Simply turn it on, shoot some videos, and in just a couple of minutes, you can watch your movie on your television or computer. It’s perfect for those who think camcorders are complicated. You can upload your videos directly to YouTube, MySpace and AOL video.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: The USB arm flips out from the top of the camera, allowing you to plug it into a USB port on your PC or Mac. However, depending on where your port is located, it could be a tight or awkward fit.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The Mino measures just under 4 inches tall, barely 2 inches wide and slightly more than 1/2-inch thick. While it’s available in a black or white body, what sets this camcorder apart is that, if you like, you can have a photo of your pet or your wedding or just about any design you can imagine on the face of the camera. It records 60 minutes of VGA-quality video and features a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery. It comes with a soft drawstring pouch, strap handle and television cable.

TO BUY IT: You can order and design your camera at no extra cost through www.theflip.com.

DOG TREATS

Booscotti, $3.50 Rachael Ray Nutrish

WHAT HAPPENS: You can give your pooch a healthy treat while helping out less-fortunate animals since a portion of the proceeds from the sales of Nutrish will be donated to selected shelters and organizations.

WHAT WORKS: These crunchy bite-size treats don’t contain a lot of ingredients; in fact, they’re pretty basic, so your pet is getting a snack that’s not unhealthy. The dogs I fed these to liked them well enough, but I liked that they don’t smell weird like a lot of dog treats out there.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: These are like bite-size dog biscuits, so if your dog prefers soft, meaty treats, Booscotti might not make the grade. I realize that a dog’s nose is much more sensitive than a human’s, but we couldn’t tell the difference between the bacon- and peanut butter-flavored Booscotti. But, in all fairness, while these didn’t make me want to say “yum-o,” the dogs seemed pleased enough.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The little biscuits come in peanut butter and bacon flavors. The peanut butter Booscotti contain brown rice, oatmeal, ground peanuts, chicken meal, poultry fat and dried cane molasses. The bacon-flavored treats have the same ingredients except that the peanuts are replaced by bacon. They come in resealable 10-ounce pouches.

TO BUY IT: Available at most Wal-Mart stores

All prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail price.