Christmas Gift Ideas For Family And Friends Part 1
Posted on November 25, 2007 by Jamie Slaughter, with 11196 views
With Christmas now only 1 month away, many will be desperately searching for potential gift ideas for family and friends. With so many ideas out there, we will be bringing to you our favorites with the option to buy the product and pass on as a present.
So without further ado here is our first list of possible gift ideas, all with the option to buy.
Gift Idea 1 Utili-Key 6-in-1 Tool
The lightest, most compact multiple tool ever developed! If you feel lost without your trusty knife at your side, this tiny multi-tool can give you some great company. Easily closes to attach to any key ring, making it very easy to carry. Several screwdrivers and two different cutting surfaces give this little tool a lot of usefulness. Very lightweight and blends in with your other keys on your keyring.
The Utili-Key has these features.
* Self-locking to any key ring
* Snaps at 90 degrees or fully extended for choice of functions
* Semi-serrated knife blade
* Micro Flat or Phillips screwdriver
* Eyeglass screwdriver
* Bottle opener
* Lifetime warranty
* Size: 2 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/8"
* Weight: .5 oz.
* 420 stainless steel
Gift Idea 2 Annoy-A-Tron
The ThinkGeek Annoy-a-tron would be useless against an army of Snowbots, but it's very effective at disturbing that guy in the sales department or your "friend" down the hall. With its thin design and embedded magnet for easy hiding, the Annoy-a-tron can be placed in a variety of locations. Select one of the three sound choices (2 kHz, 12 kHz, or alternating) and push the switch to the on position. Place it in a proper hiding spot and let the "fun" begin.
The Annoy-a-tron generates a short (but very annoying, hence the name) beep every few minutes. Your unsuspecting target will have a hard time 'timing' the location of the sound because the beeps will vary in intervals ranging from 2 to 8 minutes. The 2kHz sound is generically annoying enough, but if you really really want to aggravate somebody, select the 12 kHz sound. Trust us. The higher frequency and slight 'electronic noise' built into that soundbyte will make a full-grown Admin wonder where his packets are.
* 3 simple steps. Turn on.*
* Hide it.
* Muahahaha...
Assuming you have done your part in selecting a suitable hiding location for the Annoy-a-tron, it will do its part to drive your co-workers slowly mad with its short and seemingly random beeps. And when someone does locate the Annoy-a-tron, they're really not going to know what it is - which is almost as much fun as watching them search for it. Muahaha.
The Annoy-a-tron takes one CR2032 battery (included) and measures approximately: 2.5" x 1.25" x .3". It will run for 3 to 4 weeks on a single battery.
Gift Idea 3 Powerball Neon Blue
Okay, for you people out there who are fans of the Powerball Gyroscope (and we know you are out there) here is a new toy for you - the Powerball in glowing Blue. All the fun and joy of the original, but with an oh-so-super-cool blue glowing LED built inside. The blue LED light starts to glow once the Powerball begins rotating and will glow ever brighter as the rpms are increased. Looks like something from a Tron movie and is especially fascinating in a darkened room. Trust us, you will be mesmerized by this little gem.
The Powerball is started out at about 2,500 rpm and is slowly worked up to speeds over 13,000 rpm. It's a lot of fun to see just how fast the Powerball can rotate. There is a digital display built into the Powerball that can display the realtime rotor rpm as well as store the highest achieved rpm - a high score which will remain in the memory until you achieve a higher score or clear the memory. Use it around the office to see who can achieve and maintain the highest rpm speed. You will never get tired with your repeated attempts to continuously get higher and higher rpm speeds. It's a lot of fun and dangerously addictive.
In addition to being a fun and intriguing gadget, the Powerball also is a great way to directly experience the Gyroscopic Effect (you know - angular momentum, linear momentum, centripetal force, precession and all those neat physics properties). It's a compact little display of Newtonian physics at it's best.
The Powerball Gyroscope has these features:
* Perfectly balanced and capable of rotations up to an incredible 15,000 rpm
* Built-in blue LED light - glows brighter as gyro rotates faster
* A fun and practical demonstration of physics properties (centripetal force, etc.)
* High-quality materials and construction
* Great strengthening tool
* Can provide gentle rehab for carpal tunnel, RSI, arthritis, tendonitis
* Unique digital counter that displays rpm and/or highest speed
* Does not require batteries
Gift Idea 4 Sun and Moon Jars
Captured inside the Sun and Moon Jars are a highly efficient solar cell, a rechargeable battery and low energy LED lamps. When the jar is placed in direct sunlight the solar cell creates an electrical current that charges the battery over a few hours. This energy is then used at night to power the three LED lamps inside the jar.
The light is diffused by the frosted jar and give the appearance of sunlight emitting from the sun or a cool moon glow (warm colored LED lights are used to give a more natural and warm light). You may have noticed that there is no switch on the Sun Jar - in fact there are no visible controls at all - but there is a clever light sensor inside that automatically activates the LEDs when it gets dark or the lights are turned out! (There is an override switch inside the lid to turn off the light at night and conserve battery life.)
Mason jars are not only beautiful but by their very nature they are water tight - so the Sun Jar can happily be left outside in any weather conditions. A perfect garden light or night light for a child's bedroom. The Sun Jar needs DIRECT sunshine to work! Leave the Sun Jar outside or in a sunny window in direct sunlight for several hours to charge, (electric light indoors is not bright enough!). The Sun and Moon Jars use a standard AA rechargeable battery, which is replaceable.
Gift Idea 5 Color Bubble
From Mathmos (the company that created the original Lava lamp back in 1967) comes the Color Bubble. This is a very intriguing light that illuminates in a wonderful shade of blue. The Bubble is made with high-quality materials. The outer housing is made of semi-soft kind of rubber. It also features a built-in rechargeable battery with AC plug adaptor (120V) and can be used indoor or outdoors. The battery will last 3-6 hours on a full charge.
Other features of the Bubble:
* Built-in rechargeable battery with A/C power adapter (120V)
* Uses long-life LEDs to produce light
* Made with high-quality materials - very durable
* Splash-proof seal means that it can be used indoors or outdoors
* 3-6 hour battery life for a full charge
Dimensions: 3.25" dia. (8 cm dia.), weighs 1 lbs (466 g)
Gift Idea 6 Laser Pod
The Laserpod is one of the most innovative lighting products to hit the scene since peace, love, and understanding were the only things to strive for. These days there are more interesting things to strive for. For example every self-respecting geek realizes life would be empty without interacting with the latest and greatest gadgets, gizmos and doodads. Enter the Laserpod, it's a veritable cornucopia of techno-appeal. This desktop sized device splits three electronic lasers and three high-intensity blue and ultraviolet LEDs, then throws them into a hand-cut faceted crystal to create some of the most unique and memorable mood lighting you'll ever witness.
By default the Laserpod will cast it's mesmerizing and organic lighting display up to your ceiling and around your room. This is our favorite Laserpod mode. The changing patterns , colors and textures that are projected are simultaneously alien and soothing. Not alien in the Space-Marine eating variety, alien in the otherwordly moonscape variety. You can also use the included diffusers to subdue the projected effects and create a more intimate setting contained within the Laserpod itself.
You can even interact with Laserpod by placing on top anything optical. Glass, crystal or clear plastics will produce the most profoundly beautiful effects that will continually evolve in time. For the best Laserpod experience, the device should be activated in complete darkness when the subtler, more meditative and organic beams will be seen - these are quite extraordinary and are unique to Laserpod.
The Laserpod is a patented invention of the innovative UK light artist Chris Levine, whose varied and ground breaking work in light has ranged from light sculptures for the band Massive Attack and some of the leading edge fashion designers, to an historic hologram portrait of the Queen of England. His work is about the experience of seeing and the living power of light, an ethos that is distilled into Laserpod. Sound too wish washy for you? Believe us, the Laserpod belongs in Science Fiction decor.
* Each Laserpod comes complete with: 1 x Aluminium Laserpod Projector Lamp Unit
* 1 x Electroplated Tall Domed Diffuser
* 1 x Electroplated Small Domed Diffuser
* 1 x Crystal (set into base unit)
* 1 x Ridged Glass Refractor Lens
* 1 x DC Adaptor
* 1 X Battery Compartment (3AA Batteries not included)
* 1 x Laserpod Book of Light
* 1 x Warnings + Instructions Leaflet
Laserpod is portable and can function for upto 8 hours on three Alkaline AA batteries or will run directly from the included AC Adaptor. The base unit (without diffusers) is about 5 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter.
Gift Idea 7 Thinking Putty
The Ultimate Stress Reduction office toy is here. Of course you remember playing with putty as a kid. Welp, this aint your kids putty. Adult sized, and as feature-rich as your favorite Operating System, the Smart Mass putty from ThinkGeek makes living life fun all over again. Like to fidget while sitting in front of the monitor? Enjoy being the envy of all those who surround you? Trying to make an impression on that new coder down the hall? Smart Mass putty will help...
But ThinkGeek, What Will My Smart Mass Really Do ??
* It Bounces!
* It Stretches, Contorts & Squishes !
* It lifts comics! (as any self-respecting putty would)
* It Shears & Tears ! (learn how!)
* It Even Shatters !!! (learn why!)
* It Drips From Ceilings (learn how!)
But ThinkGeek, Can I Achieve World Domination With My Smart Mass?
* Yes. Of course. All ThinkGeek products may be used to help you achieve World Domination.
Our Smart Mass putty is just too much fun. Find out for yourselves how magically enticing and addictive playing with putty really is. As you find more and more ways to get creative with your putty, you'll, well, find more ways to get creative with everything! It's simply that stimulating!
Your choice of either:
* Sunburst (new!) - A Hypercolor! Heat sensitive putty. Jumpstart your day with some sunshine! Vibrant orange shifts into an awakening yellow with the touch of your hands or warmth from your coffee mug. Starts out Orange.
* Twilight (new!) - A Hypercolor! Heat sensitive putty. Just as an evening sky melts into the dark of night, this putty's deep purple color disappears with a touch to reveal a fluorescent blue complexion.
* Martian Sea - A color shifter that swirls deep clay reds and orange with a yellow to green sheen depending on the light.
* Dark Matter - A swirling mass of matte black. Your very own personal, warpable, black hole. Has magnetic properties: pull out a thin strand of dark matter and hold it near a magnet!
* Solar Blue - A very soothing and energetic, vibrant blue. Intoxicating. Cosmically rapturous...
* Oil Slick - A color shifter, Oil slick will look different in different lighting. From golds and yellow to pinks and emerald greens all swirling intelligently...
* Atomic Bronze - Lustrous comes to mind. Atomic bronze sparkles and commands attention. Your very own precious metal. Looks similar to Martian Sea, but has a much more metallic sheen to it.
* Atmosphere - Another color shifter. Atmosphere will morph into Cerulean highlights and features rich deep purples. A veritable alien, breathing, living atmosphere...
* Alien Ooze (glows!) - Military grade phosphors power this extremely powerful glowing mass. Charges in light or through UV sources. Amazingly bright when glowing. Ghost like when not performing...
Each tin arrives with an adult sized one fifth of a pound of Smart Mass putty. Wow. The putty is non-toxic and doesn't leave any gooey residue! Get tins for everybody in the office and at home lest you may find yours missing...
Note: - Your Smart Mass may seem like it has a mind of its own occasionally. That's because it does. And when not being used, your Smart Mass putty prefers to live in its comfortable tin where it can best plot World Domination Schemes.
Gift Idea 8 20 Questions Game
Play the classic game of 20 questions with this sophisticated pocket guru. How does it work? It's rather simple. Just think of an object (either an Animal, Vegetable, Mineral or Other) and then 20q will ask you a series of questions through it's LED display. You simply answer yes, no, sometimes, or 'unknown' using the appropriate buttons on 20q for each question. Then your 20q will attempt to guess your object after the 20th question. If it guesses correctly, 20q wins! If it misses it will attempt 5 more questions and will then make another guess. If it misses again then you've officially stumped the pocket 20q and it will courageously admit defeat. But 20q is much smarter than you realize...
But, ThinkGeek, how does 20q really work?
Robin Burgener, the inventor of 20q started working on 20Q in 1988, with the game running on a 5/14 inch floppy disk. Now 20q is online and over 10,000 games are played each day - increasing the sophistication of the 20q network on a daily basis. The artificial intelligence behind the game is a neural-network, similar to a human brain. A brain, or neural-network, is built from neurons connected by synaptic connections. A human brain has about one hundred trillion (100,000,000,000,000) synaptic connections. The 20q.net online version currently has about ten million (10,000,000), and the pocket version has about two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000). The game uses the neural-network to choose the next question as well as deciding what to guess.
20q is extremely portable and great at parties. Folks will gather around it and be perplexed at just how well 20q can figure out what's on your mind. Battery and instructions for use included.
Here's an example of 20q guessing our object within 20 questions. We were thinking of a Tank.
20q: I know what you're thinking. Ready?
TG: New Game
Q1: Is it an Animal? Vegetable? Mineral? or Other?
TG: Other
Q2: Is it flat?
TG: No
Q3: Would you use it daily?
TG: No
Q4: Does it have a hard outer shell?
TG: Yes
Q5: Do you use it in your home?
TG: No
Q6: Would you give it as a gift?
TG: No
Q7: Does it move?
TG: Yes
Q8: Is it commonly used?
TG: No
20q: I Know Everything!
Q9: Can it be stolen?
TG: Yes
Q10: Is it used in travel?
TG: Yes
Q11: Can it be used for recreation?
TG: No
Q12: Can you walk on it?
TG: Yes
Q13: Does it bring joy to people?
TG: No
Q14: Does it get wet?
TG: Yes
Q15: Is it straight?
TG: No
20Q: I Can Read Your Mind!
Q16: Can you open it?
TG: Yes
Q17: Does it roll?
TG: Yes
Q18: Does it use electricity?
TG: Yes
Q19: Is it usually colorful?
TG: No
Q20: Is it something you can purchase?
TG: Yes
20Q: I'm Thinking....I guess you are thinking of a...TANK?
TG: Yes
Q20: Haha. I Win!
TG: *pouts*
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5 Comments
That's not just logic. That's ralely sensible.
Submitted by Janaya
:roll: :d I :oops: ove these inventions...i recently bought 5 of my own.
Submitted by butt
I love nokia :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Submitted by ashly tisd
:roll: :lol: :oops: :d 8) :? :p :) im so happy for those talented inventors..tnx.. :)
Submitted by aiyen
:roll: :d 8) :? :oops: :lol: :( ;) :) :roll:
Submitted by Anonymous