Chinese checkers probably do not come from the Far East, despite their name. On the other hand, Chinese checkers are a variant of the game Halma, a game created in England at the end of the 19th century by the American George Howard Monks, who invented a game called Halma, a name derived from the ancient Greek meaning "jump" but also an ancient pentathlon event.

This first version of the game is played on the grids of a 16x16 square board. The version we know today was adapted under the name Stern-Halma (Halma: star) and patented in 1892 by the German company Ravensburger. This version of the game is played on a star-shaped game board. However, it can be seen that there is a rather similar version on a star-shaped board in Asia...

When the game was first marketed in the United States by the company J.Pressman & Co. under the name "Hop Ching", the expression "Chinese Checkers" was used for the first time. However, this game in its initial square form is still called "Halma" in many countries... Gift idea for playing with the family, a very nice wooden board game gift. Original gift idea for a birthday, or for the end of the year celebrations.   

May 4 seems to many people to be a day that is completely identical to May 3 or 5, with no special features and no known holidays or anniversaries. Nevertheless, May 4th is the day of the Star Wars holiday and is often the occasion for the introduction of new characters that are added and take their place in the Star Wars saga. This holiday is the source of events that are reinforced by festivals and fan-generated concentrations. Some theme parks such as Disney, which bought the Star Wars licence and Lucasfilms in 2013, and other companies, which do not always have direct links with Star Wars, take the opportunity to communicate, celebrate and reinforce May 4th as Star Wars Day. It is an opportunity for Disney to introduce new characters. However, there are many objects that are part of the Star Wars world that do not always receive as much publicity when they are released, such as the Star Wars mug, which nevertheless deserves praise. For it is undoubtedly one of the most used and frequently seen everyday objects that immediately refers to the Star Wars universe. However, you can also keep this mug in your Star Wars collection without ever using it in your daily life. This Star Wars mug is the essential gift for fans (young and old) of the saga that can be offered as a birthday gift or as a cute gift for Mother's Day or as a special gift for Dad.

The puzzles, an original wooden game gift, are from Greece. The first puzzle game dates back to the third century. This gift idea for teenagers, young people, mothers or men is an unusual gift that can be played alone or in groups. But what is a puzzle? It's a game that starts from a situation that is usually random and disordered and ends in a well-defined order, following predetermined rules. There are different types of puzzles, geometric games (i.e. mathematical games), logogram games, numerical games, card games, so the best-known puzzle is undoubtedly success, etc... But the best-known puzzles are the Puzzle and the Rubik's Cube... The first puzzles were called "Stomachion", a square game divided into 14 parts, which had to be put together in a predetermined order and could be combined in many different shapes. Puzzles were very popular at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Professor Hoffmann published a book with the title: "Puzzles old and new." It described 40 puzzles with all the secret mechanical details. This puzzle book has become a reference for this exciting type of game. Wood is undoubtedly the most suitable material for puzzles, despite the fact that it is easy to work with, such as plastic.

Dominoes can be played almost anywhere, whether they are made of wood or plastic. In the past, dominoes were made of bone or even ivory. So there are many different kinds of dominoes with countless variations, some of which are very amusing.

A domino is made up of simple blocks that can be combined and assembled in many ways from very simple to very complex. It is a game that requires and demands a lot of skill and strategy. There are Chinese, English and European dominoes....

Archaeologists have reportedly found dominoes in ancient Egypt and among the Arabs, but the origin of the domino is attributed to China around the 12th century. Dominoes first appeared in Europe in Italy in the 18th century and from that time onwards they spread throughout Europe.

Dominoes became the most played game in living rooms, pubs and families, becoming one of the most popular games. Dominoes are played by 2 or 4 people with 28 blocks. Each block is divided in two on the top side and has numbers (but not always), sometimes the same, but often different, but always unique.

The principle of the game is to take turns following a pattern with your blocks, block by block, trying to match the identical face of your block to the identical face of the competitor's block. When a player cannot place a domino, he picks a piece and passes his turn.

The winner is the one who has placed all his dominoes.

This giant domino is a classic game gift, an original gift idea for a birthday or an unusual gift for the holidays.

How many celebrations, birthdays and other sad events we would miss without candles. Candles were invented a long time ago. Back in the days of candles and oil lamps, before the 19th century.

In the old days, lighting was limited to candles, oil lamps and torches. These sources of light were expensive, dangerous to fire and inefficient. People relied on natural light and candles to illuminate their surroundings. In the Middle Ages, candles were a luxury reserved for the rich, while commoners often found themselves in darkness as soon as the sun went down.

For a long time, candles have been used for lighting purposes, consisting of a fatty substance (wax) and a wick to be lit.

Our artisanal gift idea DIY candle kit will make your family evenings cosy and fascinating, and will be at your service whenever you need it...

There's no need to go hunting for ingredients and trying to get everything together to make your own candle. This can quickly become hazardous, laborious and undoubtedly costly. With our DIY candle kit gift for home all you have to do is follow the recipe and you'll be able to strut your stuff in front of a friend or relative with a candle that's sure to please. This DIY candle kit special gift idea, can be used for a long time as a decoration on a piece of furniture in your living room or on a shelf in your hallway, before becoming useful at a birthday party, an end-of-year party, an evening out or simply during a power cut, which can sometimes last a while.

An original and educational gift to decorate the interior of a beautiful flat or house, DIY candle kit funny birthday gifts, unique gadgets gift ideas DIY candle kit to buy on Gifts-custopolis.com.

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, Finn was taken from his parents as a child for the sole purpose of serving the First Order. Finn became a Stormtrooper and was given the number FN-2187. He is nicknamed 8 - 7 by his comrades and is considered one of the best Stormtroopers. However, Finn deserted the First Order with the help of a prisoner, Poe Dameron, a talented pilot. They join the Resistance. Poe asks him his name. He answers that he has only one number.

Poe calls him Finn. Then they meet Rey, a wreck plunderer. They become friends with Chewbacca and Han Solo and fight together.

Finn is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. He is played by John Boyega in the three films of the third trilogy: The Awakening of the Force, The Last Jedi and The Ascension of Skywalker where we discover that Finn is sensitive to the Force.

An important and very sympathetic character to complete your collection of Star Wars characters.

A nice gift for a fan of the saga, young or old. If you too like Finn, order him for display or to play with. A birthday gift for science fiction fans. A gift for a collector of objects and toys from the Star Wars saga, a monument of the cinema, unforgettable and timeless.

A long time ago in a galaxy far,far away the stormtroopers were patrolling. For Star Wars fans we offer this plush imperial soldier. An executioner stormtrooper. You are looking for an original teddy gift idea and you know the Star Wars Saga backwards and forwards. This "Executioner Trooper" teddy is for you ... Because stormtroopers executioners are assigned to dispense final justice. They are responsible for fighting the enemies and traitors of the First Order. We can recognize them among the Stormtroopers because they wear black marks on their white armor. Their serial number is not visible on their helmet to guarantee their anonymity. In the Star Wars saga, the executioner Troopers track down notably our two heroes Fin deserter of the First Order and Rose Tico a resistance technician. This cuddly toy is perfect for children but also for lovers of Star Wars by Georges Lucas. It will be perfect for fun or for exhibiting in all cottages on earth and throughout the galaxy. This particular character from the Star Wars saga can also be driven in your car to entertain your passengers and passers-by. A lovey with the effigy of an executioner stormtrooper: this character from the terrible empire that you can give you or give to children, teens and collectors. May the force be with you

A long time ago in a galaxy far,far away Darth Vader reigned on the dark side of the force. You are looking for an original teddy gift idea and you know the Star Wars Saga by heart. This Darth Vader plush is for you… For Star Wars fans we offer this Darth Vader plush. Do you dare to sleep near lazy? Undoubtedly because this Darth Vader is very nice and each morning with Darth Vader it will be the awakening of the force. But beware, don't switch to the dark side… This cuddly toy is suitable for little ones but also for big fans of the saga of Georges Lucas. It will be perfect for playing or for exhibiting in all rooms on earth and throughout the galaxy.This main character from Star Wars can also be exposed in your car on the back shelf to entertain your passengers and passers-by. With his long black cape and mask, everyone recognizes Darth Vader. The terrible bad person does not leave us indifferent. At all times the bad guys, the bad gangsters have always fascinated, whether real or not. Darth Vader is one of them. We can always say that this evil character from Star Wars will come back on the right side because there is something good in him according to Luke Skywalker, which makes this character more endearing ……. It's your turn… May the force be with you.

5 MOMENTS THAT MARKED THE HISTORY OF CHESS

1. The coronation of the queen: In 1450, chess knew the coronation of the queen. To make the games faster, it was decided to allow the queen to go as far as desired and in all directions.

2 Staunton pieces: Howard Staunton, who was a great chess player, had unique pieces built. These pieces are still used today as a world standard in his name. 

3. The clock: In 1861, the first chess clocks appeared, making the games much faster and more dynamic, and therefore, much more competitive.

4. The first world champion: Wilhelm Steinitz is the first world champion in 1886.

5. the age of silicon: IBM creates a computer capable of beating the world champion of the time, Garry Kasparov, in 1989.

Chess game as a tool for reconstruction

Throughout history, games and sports have helped humanity survive times of crisis by reducing anxiety and improving mental health. In 2020, while restrictions imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 have severely limited most of these activities, chess has shown remarkable resilience, adaptability and convening power in times of pandemic.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, general interest in chess has doubled, with an increase in the number of players gathering to participate in chess events on online platforms.

R2D2 is a small robot from the Star Wars saga, an iconic character for all fans who have followed the adventures of good versus evil for many years. R2D2 is present in the majority of the Star Wars films, in 10 of the 11 films so far (2021). R2D2 is a robot that speaks in electronic language and makes special whistling sounds that are understood by few, but understood by his companion C3PO, another "droid" robot, who forms an inseparable and amusing pair in the intergalactic adventure. The pair that forms R2D2 and C3PO has appeared in practically all the Star Wars episodes. In this saga R2D2 has multiple assets that are often very useful in the war against the dark side: recording and projecting holographic films, projecting electric current and getting into the computers of spaceships thanks to an articulated arm that connects to the computer network. In this way, the friendly droid finds a lot of important information in the fight against the dark side. Several small actors have taken turns to wear the R2D2 "suit". This R2D2 cuddly toy is sure to please as it is an original Star Wars gift for Star Wars fans and a great Star Wars gift idea for young and old.

You're not sure which gift to choose for your teenager. You have no idea and you haven't made a purchase yet? A game of darts is the ideal gift for teens as a birthday or Christmas present. A great gift for children, a fun game of skill that is safe because it is magnetic: the arrows stay stuck to the target thanks to their flat magnet. A timeless game for the whole family. Having a dartboard at home means being able to play at any time of the day, alone with friends or family. Friendly moments to liven up or conclude an evening or a meal. Accessible to everyone regardless of age or level, it's the perfect game to unwind and have fun in good company! It's a game that can be played as a team. It creates social bonds and teaches how to build a team strategy. A game of darts? A 501 double or a 301 double or any other variation, it's up to you! Whatever the type of game, this game will allow all variations of darts play and will always offer the same pleasure to the players. Become a champion thanks to this darts game, a fun and sporty gift.

An alarm clock is a device that produces a sound at a pre-determined time set on an appropriate system by the owner of the alarm clock. 

It may be a device designed for this purpose, generally a clock, or other devices with an alarm function, such as a computer, radio, television, watch or mobile phone.

However, these days there are many different types of alarm clock, from the simplest to the most complex and sophisticated.

Personally, I need three alarm clocks to open one eye, especially in winter.

The first electric alarm clock was created by the American Levi Hutchins in 1787. Thanks to this young apprentice watchmaker who, according to legend, had trouble getting up in the morning. He developed an ingenious alarm clock, but did not market or develop it. Antoine Redier, a French watchmaker and inventor, was the first, in 1847, to register a patent for a mechanical alarm clock with adjustable settings…

At the end of the 19th century, alarm clocks became an essential part of the daily lives of millions of workers and employees. In the United States, the Ansonia brand produced round alarm clocks topped with a bell. In France, Japy in Franche-Comté and Bayard in Haute-Normandie began producing competing models. In the early 1930s, Japy enjoyed great success with its "Silencieux" model (rubber dampens the sound), while Bayard marketed the very popular "Sonnfor", "Tapageur" and Mickey Mouse and then Snow White animated alarm clocks.

You love special gadget gifts and you are looking for a fun Star Wars gift idea for Star Wars fans who will be delighted with the training ball, a unique Star Wars gift that Luke Skywalker used aboard the Millennium Falcon in Episode IV: A New Hope. A Star Wars gift idea for fans of the saga, an original Star Wars birthday gift idea at Gifts-custopolis.com