The Must Have Gadgets This Year
Gifts are a delight no matter what the size! The gift ideas here are handy for any occasion. Put them in a gift basket, use them as a hostess gift, or just think of Christmas. The colorful wrap, the beautiful bows, lights twinkling on the tree above them, it makes me smile just thinking of it. Most of these gift ideas will fit in one Christmas stocking.
At our house Christmas stockings are always saved for last. Somehow, shopping for stocking presents can the most fun, though often the most challenging.
We used to keep the price at one dollar. Then it edged up to five and ten dollars, Now, while we may try, that doesn’t always work. Finding the perfect items that are small enough to fit yet something that will be loved can take a great deal of consideration. Yet some of the presents I’ve received in my stocking have been constantly used favorites.
All of these ideas will be appreciated as as a gift any time of year. Some are just so cool you can’t resist them. Most are inexpensive. All will be well used for years to come.
Best Jar Opener – Still in My #1 spot!
I love this little gadget and use it for every jar I open. From the fat, cold Clausen Pickle jars to the tall skinny caper jars, this jar opener works. Two sided which gives even more options for the many sizes out there.
Simply place it on the jar in the section that fits it best, and give it a turn. If your hands get sore at all when you try to open a jar–try this out. If you can’t open a jar, this is essential! It’s especially good for anyone with arthritis or weakened hand muscles.
I use this so often that I bought several for friends and family. No more sore hands from trying to force lids. This has made it easy every time! Mine has been working great for nearly four years now too, so it’s a durable product.
It’s simple and it works!
The Vegetable Spiralizer
Possibly the 2nd most useful and fun gadget to go on the list this year is the vegetable “Spiralizer.” It’s become a star since its invention and I can see why. I reviewed it earlier. You can read that review here.
What is terrific about this gadget is the more I use it the more uses I find for it. I’ve used it for potatoes, a new and baked twist to hash browns. I’ve done cucumber, carrots, yellow squash, sweet potatoes. And of course zucchini. Zucchini especially adapts beautifullywhen you ‘spiralize’ one into noodles.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I used it for the noodles in a new dish called Cajun Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles. Here’s the recipe with photos.
It only takes a couple of minutes to cook the noodles, however you are fixing them. For this dish after 2 minutes they were ready. Not at all soggy, they tasted just like linguini. I was so pleased with the taste that it is on the menu again for this weekend.
It’s fun and easy to use, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and takes little room to store. It is a fantastic way to sneak veggies into your children’s meals if that is a need. I think everyone in our family has one by now. Friends too!
The Avocado Slicer
Before this invention, it seems like every avocado I halved ended up with bruised and squished areas as I tried to remove the seed. I love this little gadget. Again, it is very small so it takes up little space in a drawer.
It will remove the seed, remove the outer skin, and provide you with lovely even slices for sandwich, quesadilla, or salad. It makes it so much easier to handle!
Moving Out of the kitchen
OXO Cord Catcher
This gadget may look a little silly and small but it surely serves a big purpose. If you own a phone or tablet you need to charge it often. You undoubtedly spend time on the floor, either plugging in your cord or trying to find it.
Get a couple of these and you won’t have that problem any more. It’s non skid bottom keeps it from sliding. Set it on your end table, your night stand, or your desk and the cord will be right there when you need it. And you know you will!
Remarkably efficient for such a small package.
Traveling? Get The Digital Luggage Scale
Invaluable for the traveler is a digital luggage scale. To me it is essential for air travel. The first time your suitcase weighs in at over 50 pounds you will know why. Today many, if not most, airlines charge for luggage. It isn’t unreasonable up to that 50 pound number, but 51 pounds can add another $75.00 or more to you travel expense. It seems like a no brainer to have one of these handy little scales. It is small enough to fit in your suitcase so you can weigh your return trip as well.
It makes it so much easier to check as much as you can, so you needn’t haul it all around during plane changes. May as well pack as much into that suitcase as you can, all the way to 50 pounds.
Click here to see more details about the scale in my review.
The Newly Famous Selfie Stick
On vacation this summer I saw dozens of them! I’m not fond of taking selfies, but can see how people would enjoy being in their own scenic photos. It gives you the chance to be in the picture instead of the one outside of it, holding the camera.
Most extend to just over 30 inches, with gradual adjustments to closer. A good one will also come with the blue tooth clicker too, that enables you to take the photo while standing apart from it. Click here for my review of one of the most popular models. It seems to be something every family or traveler will enjoy.
Lastly, In The Do-It-Yourself Section
The Magnetic Wristband
Another personal favorite for any home project is the magnetic wrist band. This little invention will save hours climbing up and down your ladder as you search and rescue dropped screws and nails.
Perhaps I should speak for myself, but every time I do a project it requires several of those trips, often for the very same screw. So the velcro band that will keep them handy for you is so worthwhile. Even if you still drop one, you’ll have extras. Save the retrieval for the end of the project.
Click here to read my review of this favorite new gift idea.
Magnetic Screwdriver
The last but still handy tool follows along the same lines. That would be the magnetic screwdriver. For many projects you need a drill of some kind. Note that there are magnetic bits available for those as well.
Often for little indoor projects, like cleaning the vacuum or taking apart a small appliance, you want to do it manually. Small appliances tend to use equally small screws and short fastenings. They can be very difficult to hold in your fingers and still put in place.
Hence…the magnetic screwdriver. With a magnetized tip, it will hold the tiny thing in place while you line it up, then refasten it. Saves a lot of time and frustration. Its another little gadget that everyone can use.
There are so many others I bet you can think of. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments. Sometimes the simplest idea can be such a time and frustration saver. Keep them in mind for your next gift giving event.
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