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The best things can come in small packages. As we get closer to the holiday season, we’d like to remind you that you can’t just pre-order that one big gift and think you’re done with the shopping. The stocking stuffers are just as important, but luckily we’re here to help with ten sure-to-please recommendations.
Texting Gloves
Don’t let frigid weather keep you from sending that tweet! Brands like Isotoner, Agloves and Echo are just a handful of the manufacturers smart enough to alter their tips for touchscreen-ability. Now you can text eye-rolling emojis to your buds as you schlep your out-of-town cousins to the Rockefeller Center tree.
Polar Bear Ice Tray
It isn’t just adorable, it’s functional!
Studies have shown that nine out of ten ice tray fills lead to annoying spills all over the kitchen floor. That’s not the case with this molded tray in the shape of a polar bear. Once the water has frozen (you’re on your own to make that work) the “claws” dislodge to keep your drinks chilled in a surprisingly cuddly fashion.
Gag USB Flash Drive
For times when your Cloud is about to burst, you’ll need to transfer files the old fashioned way. And if you are going to grab a physical drive, why not make it fun? Most intellectual properties with their silicon have branded drives, so get the character your loved one loves most. We recommend the Darth Vader that, when you pull the helmet off, reveals the aged blue Anakin beneath.
CLR Power Plumber Pressurized Drain Opener
Okay, this isn’t festive or romantic AT ALL, but it may just save a marriage.
We have witnessed firsthand how the most disgusting sink, shower and toilet clogs can be destroyed in literally seconds with one blast from this chemical-free gizmo. Using the power of compressed air, blocked drains run as fast as the German Autobahn after facing this mighty product.
KoboGlo eReader
Break away from the two-party system of the Kindle (Amazon) and the Nook (Barnes & Noble.) The Toronto-based Kobo is compatible with Apple and Android and, being an outlier, has some quality deals on ebooks. The “Glo” reader is similarly best-of-both-worlds, employing both e-ink (we spend enough time looking at monitors, pleasure reading should be a break) and a “comfort light” system that directs illumination inward.
Jambox by Jawbone
Gone are the days when you had to attach your smartphone to a docking station to stream internet radio. Can you believe we lived like such barbarians!? Now you can rock out to your favorite tunes without loosening your clutch on that iSecurityBlanket.
Jawbone’s iconically-designed high quality speakers connect via bluetooth, have a surprising richness given their size and make any shelf or countertop look like its being visited by the final scenes of “2001: A Spacey Odyssey.”
Shark Tea Infuser
Don’t let political extremists keep you from a nice tea party. Tea has been the contemplative drink of choice for thousands of years. Free yourself of the confining bag and start buying loose. It will give you an excuse to get a fun infuser, like this shark fin designed by Pablo Mattedoa. It works particularly well with red rose hip teas.
ChapStick
ChapStick? Really? What, are you suggesting we bore people this holiday season?!?
No. ChapStick is an every day miracle that walks among us. There’s nothing worse – and few things more oddly specific – than chapped lips. The funny thing about ChapStick is that this cheapo product actually works, and works really well. And you never think to buy it until you really, really need it. This season, come prepared.
2014 Zagat Guide
Sure, the one from 2011 you’ve already got is still basically viable, but maybe – just maybe – the service at that one Hell’s Kitchen Thai place improved enough that it’s worth checking out again. This slim red volume is an essential item for anyone in the New York area. Its list of dining adventures make for great aspirational reading when you realize you’ve got nothing to cook in the house.
A Fistful of Scratch-off game tickets from the New York Lottery
Much like your third wish to the genie should be “more wishes,” no stocking is complete without some lottery tickets.
This season the dreammakers at NY Lottery are offering “Wreathes of Cash” for $3, “Holiday Wishes” for $5, “Unwrap the Cash” for $10 and “Winter Wishes” for just a buck. Fact: the original ending of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” was “Hey, you never know.”