Unless you live on the remote Serengeti Plain (or point your remote to a lot of educational TV shows like ones on the National Geographic Wild channel), you probably don’t know about the dire situation facing today’s big cats.

From lions in Kenya to snow leopards in the Himalayas, our big cat population is dwindling at an alarming rate. Most big cats fall victim to the loss of their habitat, or meet an untimely demise as their lifestyle simply inconveniences humans who happen to own large rifles which shoot from very, very, very far away.

If you’re looking to help our planet’s big cat population, here’s your chance. CafePress has teamed up with the National Geographic Society to help promote their “Big Cats Initiative” program. From now through December 31 when you purchase Big Cats Initiative-themed gear through the National Geographic Society shop, CafePress will donate $1 to the program* (this is on top of National Geographic’s contribution).

We offer a lot of great products from T-shirts and water bottles to home decor, including photo prints from famous National Geographic photographers. It’s a great way to get some puuuurrrfectly cool holiday gifts – while also bringing awareness to the situation (and relief to lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars and other mighty felines who are feeling it).

Also be sure to point your TV remote control to the National Geographic Wild channel this week (where it’s Big Cat Week). Check their schedule for a list of all show on big cats. Just be sure to eat before you watch them, so your stomach doesn’t growl and scare everyone in the room.

*For each item sold through the CafePress shop www.cafepress.com/bigcats during December 2, 2010 through December 31, 2010, CafePress will donate $1 to the Big Cats Initiative. Additionally, National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of Cause an Uproar, Big Cats Initiative, and Big Cat Week merchandise will go to the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. This program is dedicated to halting the decline of big cats through on-the-ground conservation projects. Cause An Uproar to save big cats today. Find out more at causeanuproar.org

Recently, CafePress was featured in the Wall Street Journal in a story about custom gifts and our custom yoga mats. And we’re very excited to share it with you!

And, for your viewing pleasure, here is a very cool video about the story. We hope you enjoy!

There are a lot of t-shirts out there. In every shape, form, color and style, it can be hard to find not only a great fitting and comfortable t-shirt, but also one that shows off your personality, who you are, and what you enjoy in life.

“I created these cute Skinnygirl Staff tees to give to all the girls on my team. The fit is soft and snug, so they’ll feel chic whether they’re wearing the shirts to a Skinnygirl work event or just to the gym. To design your own tees on CafePress, simply upload a logo (like I did), a photo or choose another graphic design, and add in whatever text you want. Then sport your creation!”

A penguin tote bag like this one is cute, easy to design and super helpful when going out to the grocery store, or when you need to carry a few extra things with you during the day. And it’s made of 100% canvas, so you can stop using pesky plastic bags that are also bad for the environment.

Cute animal designs, such as the turtle peace sign tank top and matching organic baby bodysuit are perfect for mommy and baby to match on a sunny day at the park, or when your little one is feeling a little fussy, this long-sleeve crab baby bodysuit lets them be themselves!

And with the holidays so close, a t-shirt, sweatshirt or other apparel is a great gift for even the most difficult people to shop for. Get started, and let us know what you think!

Technology may be quickly de-personalizing us (who actually talks face-to-face with anyone anymore), but CafePress is swinging the pendulum back. Realizing that technology is becoming an increasingly more critical aspect of our lives (but that we still need that “I” feeling of self-expression and personalization), CafePress is expanding into the gadget gifting world.

We now sell iPhone Cases (including $9 iPhone Cases, if you’re looking for a steal of a deal). Plus we also sell iPad Cases now. And if you’re on the road and need to find your way to an Apple store, remember that we let you customized your own TomTom GPS devices to get there in short order.

In fact, where ever technology takes you, CafePress will be there with the personalized electronic products you need. But don’t forget to have a conversation with your family now and again (remember them?).

Don’t forget to check out the 25 daily deals we’re offering – one for every day.

A hockey glove-covered high-five to CafePress resident Giftologist Bethenny Frankel (and partner Ethan Burgess) for advancing in the most recent episode of ABC TV’s Skating With The Stars competition. The duo scored an impressive 33 points, and didn’t fall once or cut themselves with sharp skates or anything. Yea. Stay on your feet. During voting hours, you can vote for Bethenny by phoning 1-855-SKATE06 (subject to change, so double check before calling) and if you’re a skater yourself, peruse some of the ice skating gear on CafePress.

As you probably know, Bethenny has been busy lately. As well as competitive skating and being a celebrity (which is full-time job in itself), the former Real Housewives of New York City star has come onboard at CafePress as our holiday gifting consultant. You can find Bethenny Frankel’s gifting picks & tips here at CafePress — with loads of ideas on what to find and make for the holidays. This week, Bethenny features home accents (and cute animals too):

“I can’t wait to surprise my husband with this beautiful photo canvas of our beloved pooch, Cookie. I uploaded this glamour shot and CafePress transformed it into a high-quality, ready-to-hang piece of art. This is such an easy, special gift and a priceless way to commemorate family trips, special occasions and important milestones for my friends and family.”

Another gift idea is Skating With The Stars gear at the ABC store (hosted by CafePress). You can’t go wrong with cool (literally) gifts like these.

For everyone of you with a busy life, we’re sure your plate is full (no pun intended since on Turkey Day, we’re sure your plate was.). After all that turkey, stuffing and good ol’ fixings, we have some great deals that will keep your wallet stuffed and happy too. Find your favorite unique gift, from thermoses to exercise mats, iPhone cases to canvas tote bags, and customize in any way you like. Now that sounds delicious.

Start decorating that tree and getting ready for those cold weather drinks!

CafePress’s Sunday Sale features some savvy savings. Buy one mug or ornament, get the second mug or ornament for 50% off. Or if you’re in the mood for some t-shirt love: buy two t-shirts, and get the third for 50% off. Hurry, the sale ends tonight at midnight, PST!

Do the Robot

Psyched for Cyber Monday savings? We have some custom swag for more than 50% off. Snag an iPhone, t-shirt or water bottle for only $9. Then do the happy robot dance.

Don’t forget free shipping on all orders of $75 or more (Use code: FSMONDAY)

Want more savings? Keep your eyes peeled for up to 20% savings here and there around the site. Hide and seek, game on!

Thanksgiving is one of the few days each year when I don’t wear a CafePress tee. With the in-laws coming over, and the neighbors coming over, and that one guy named Bill (who no one remembers how he first got invited, but we keep asking him back anyway) coming over, I throw on a CafePress Thanksgiving polo shirt and wow them with my sense of haute fashion. It’s a big day for me, and I aim to impress.

Yes, just one more day until Thanksgiving – my personal favorite holiday of the year. Perhaps the thing I’m most thankful for (other then good health and stuff) is that the Pilgrims ate turkey on that first Thanksgiving instead of opossum or Tasmanian devil or Hawaiian pizza or something that’s just plain wrong.

I start looking forward to my Thanksgiving turkey sometime in early July, and count the days until I can start to pile my plate with all the fixings. This year we’re having 20-something guests, so it’s going to be a little more work than just elbowing my way to the front of the line (who ever made up the stoopid rule that kids eat first?). I have to go brine my bird now and get my seat reserved near the buffet table, but have a good one and enjoy your holidays.

This week, Bethenny talks about great custom drinkware!

Everyone knows that hydrating yourself is very important to leading a healthy life on a daily basis. Drinking 64 fl. oz. of water per day, minimum! That’s about eight glasses of water.

“My friend, Maggie, is always looking for stylish, eco-friendly items, so I thought these customizable SIGG water bottles would be a perfect gift for her. They’re BPA-free, reusable and lightweight enough to carry along to the office or yoga class. I simply picked out my favorite design templates and personalized the text. I can’t wait to make one for myself next!”

Whether you’re outside in the heat of the summer for a picnic or need a good cup of hot chocolate to warm you up on a long ski weekend,  CafePress has a lot of great water bottles, custom mugs and all new Thermoses and food containers. Make you own custom mug to use at work for that morning coffee must-have, or even a cute travel mug while on the way to work. You can make each your own by adding a little flair that shows your hobbies, like ice skating.

These custom thermoses are great too because you can use them hot or cold, depending on your needs, and customize them however you want. There are a few different options – a large carafe, FUNtainers, even can cozies. These make cheerful holiday gifts!

Check out all of Bethenny’s great designs on CafePress!

Sympathies to Classic Rocker (and Grandfather of Grunge) Neil Young, who recently lost a whole lot of memorabilia in a warehouse fire. It appears that Neil’s world-famous one-of-a-kind “LincVolt” hybrid car was charging overnight in the warehouse, and this accidently started the blaze.

For those unfamiliar with the vehicle, in fusion of green and grunge Neil converted his prized 1959 Lincoln Continental into a battery & biodiesel powered beauty. The making of the car was chronicled in a film.

As well as damage to the historic car, Neil lost over $1 million worth of prized possessions. Luckily the fire department got the blaze under control soon, so much of the warehouse’s stored guitars, musical equipment, photos, posters and film canisters were saved.

My, my, hey, hey. It could have been worse. Hopefully Neil will get another clean-burner built and on the road.

It’s not uncommon that folks nowadays don’t know much about their great-grandparents. For Chief Warrant Officer Nathan Tierney, it was not until after his wife’s grandfather died that he learned of Grandpa Van Allen’s experiences and accomplishments as a soldier. It seems too often veterans keep stories to themselves or worse – take them to the grave. “If you asked any kid about their great-grandparents, chances are they wouldn’t know much about them,” Tierney says.

With this in mind, Tierney set out to create an online channel for veterans to share their tales and experiences with younger generations, so they could learn of the sacrifices made by soldiers while serving in the armed forces. Not long after, The Frontlines was created.

Run by Tierney, with some assistance from his wife, he launched the non-profit site on Veterans Day of this year. He also incorporated a CafePress shop to sell The Frontlines logoed merchandise to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, founded by a group of veterans with an objective to provide tangible support for the wounded and help them on the road to healing, physically and mentally.

Tierney plans to donate 100% of the proceeds from his sales go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“It’s really about getting the word out. We’re not trying to make a political statement, but there should be just reasons for going to war. These stories will allow people to decide for themselves,” explains Tierney.

Even though his website has just launched, Tierney has great ideas to get readers involved, such as hosting a design contest and selling the winning design in his CafePress shop.

Tierney is currently on active duty in the U.S. Army and spends his free time working on his Frontlines website in hopes to have all vets, and their family and friends “honor and empower wounded warriors, raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women.”

It’s always great to know our shopkeepers are out there being creative and standing up for their beliefs. At CafePress, that is something we truly admire – best of luck Mr. Tierney.