There's no better way to celebrate the holiday than to review new creative products.

I mean, why re-invent the wheel when you can observe (and hopefully improve upon) other people's insights and use of technology? Whether you are looking for gadgets for your business customers or for your own pleasure, today's business podcast will introduce you to some of the newest toys.

Dolls that talk, understand you and make faces...Chucky has nothing on Amazing Amanda!

The Wired Magazine reviewer of this unbelievable toy said it was almost frightening, how realistic she was. She can tell when she's sitting on the toilet, when her "Mommy" talks, what plastic food you put in her hand, and what clothes she is wearing. She also tells you whether or not she likes the clothes or the food. Now THAT'S realism!

Find the perfect Christmas present you can give yourself (in exchange for those presents you end up returning).

You never know what you may discover. Personally, I'm thrilled to receive a new IngenuiTEA from Adagio Teas. It's my second IngenuiTEA, only this one is not the 16 oz one I use at the office. The one my son got me is the 4-cup size that I can enjoy at home.

You pour your filtered water into the microwavable pot and boil the water. Take it out and put in your tea, herbs or dried fruit, you let it steep, and then it uses a nylon strainer to pour out perfectly clear tea. I pour it into my glass tea pot and sit it upon my tea light warmer...sheer heaven! (smile)

So however you define happiness, I hope your holidays are filled with it!

All the best from Penny Haynes and Digital Business Books.

Ideas are the well-spring from which everything else pours forth...

And that includes money! <smile> Especially when you go to http://www.USPTO.gov and enter the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge by December 31, 2005. You can win $25,000 and a spot on the History Channel! Not bad at all...

Today we will discuss patents, their costs, and how you can come up with great ideas by reviewing existing ones!

I didn't realize the wealth of information you can find when you just search through the US Patent records. Most patents are based on other patents anyways, so if you can improve upon someone else's idea, go for it! Plus, you are patenting an idea - even if you don't know how to actually manufacture it or make it happen!

I share one of my big ideas (but withhold my present patent pursuit), in hopes of getting your brain "whirring" with ideas.

I'd love for one of my listeners to actually win that competition! Now's the time to sort through all of those ideas and figure out which ones are the best. However, you have to have submitted your idea to the patent office in order to enter the contest, and that means forking over a cool thousand dollars. You've got to be serious about it.

Lastly, get your FREE HOLIDAY MUSIC CD (only $.99 shipping) from Digital Business Books and Encouraging Audiobooks!

Just go to Digital Business Books (DigBizBooks.com) to get yours today! I just want to thank you for listening to Brain Storm!

Penny Haynes, eMediaTouch and 1st Podcast Publishing