Create a 3D cardboard avatar mini-me for 12 bucks

The same people who brought you Olly the smelly robot have taken the next logical step into creating miniature 3D cardboard avatars. Yep, I said "huh?" when I heard that, too.

But "huh?" isn't a bad thing. Mint Digital's Foldable.Me is an online design tool that lets you customize your blocky little avatar. Next, you pay $11.99 and your little friend shows up in the mail a few days later. The avatar comes flat for you to fold into shape.

Let's think about who would want a little cardboard person. For starters, they don't talk back and they love you unconditionally. You don't have to put them through college when they turn 18. You can make it look like your favorite celebrity or a long-distance friend you miss.

You may want a Foldable.Me avatar that looks just like you. Send it to boring office meetings in your place. Gaze lovingly at it when you don't have a mirror handy. Use it for videoconferencing appointments when you're having a bad hair day.

The design tool is plenty easy to use and there are enough options to cover just about anyone. It's a bit like watching Wii avatars step out from the video game console. For 12 bucks, it's a fun little creation to play with.