Gifts generally take on two forms – they can be fun and frivolous or functional and boring. But this year why not combine the two and give a gift that’s useful, but with a kick. Here are a few things we’ve come across that are ideal for the home, but appeal to more than just your sense of functionality.
The Talking First Aid Kit
Filled with individually labeled color-coded injury packs, the Talking First Aid Kit contains all the supplies necessary with easy to follow instructions for managing each injury. While this may seem standard, this first aid kit sets itself apart by including an audio module that when activated, delivers spoken step-by-step instructions that will pause and repeat when necessary. This kit provides rapid and accurate first aid assistance, and while practical, is an exceptional gift for people you care about. www.intelligentfirstaid.com
Bonjour – Primo Latte Milk Frother
Decorative and effective, this device’s spring disc easily turns milk into creamy froth in seconds. Perfect for the coffee lover on your list or for serving lattes, cappuccinos or mochas at your holiday party, this handheld gadget includes a matte wire stand that keeps the frother handy while colorfully fitting in on one’s kitchen countertop. Forget Starbucks and make the perfect coffee drink at home! www.csnstores.com
Smellkiller Classic Air Cleanser
Just in time for all your holiday parties, the Frieling-Smellkiller Classic Air Cleanser eliminates bad odors safely, effectively and naturally. Immersed in water in a black rubber bowl, the Smellkiller disk pulls odors out of the air and neutralizes them. The classic disk can also be picked up and used to remove odors from one’s hands by using it like a bar of soap. Decorative and portable, this air cleanser uses no chemicals, sprays or electric currents. Safe to use near children and pets, this air cleanser neutralizes odors leaving one’s home smelling clean and fresh when welcoming guests to celebrate the holiday festivities. www.csnstores.com
Wellness Shower
Caring for one’s skin and hair involves more than using just the right products.
By installing the Wellness Shower, the user’s skin and hair will be pampered as the contaminants are taken out and minerals are put in. Great for the people on your list who are obsessed with their hair, health and going green, The Wellness Shower comes in a one of a kind, re-usable bamboo box that doesn’t even need wrapping! www.wellnesshower.com
Holiday Housewares From Hana’s Kitchen
Sold exclusively at Big Sugar Bakeshop, Hana’s Kitchen line is for the cooking lover with a little edge. Fun and funky, these kitchen accessories are adorned with skulls and roses and are popular with world-renowned chefs Gordon Ramsey and Hans Rockenwagner. Created by nine year old Hana Odson who wanted to create her own designs after watching Project Runway, these offbeat towels, aprons, oven mitts and potholders are sure to make an impact on the cooks on your list who like things a little offbeat. www.bigsugarbakeshop.com
Nature Bright Light Therapy Lamp
Proven to relieve symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression, sleep disorders, jet lag and other disorders, this LED light is perfect for the holiday season as it banishes the winter blues. The Deluxe Light Therapy Lamp emits a wavelength and intensity of light that improves health and well being and also works to reset your internal cycles, by adjusting your body clock with it’s Light Therapy program. Using a dawn and dusk simulator, this proven technology eases the user into waking and sleep states. The subtle light therapy also helps to keep users feeling good and adjusted to whatever time zone they may be in. www.naturebright.com
World’s Tallest Roses
These striking 5 ft roses are sure to make the recipient’s home a more pleasant place to be. Organic in nature, each stem features a large head, which opens to 3-4 inches in diameter. These one of a kind roses are sold exclusively by Organic Bouquet and are prefect to decorate your home for the holidays or to give to a special person on your gift list. www.organicbouquet.com
Out of the Ordinary Wreaths
Make your wreath stand out from the pack by giving an edible or otherwise unusual wreath. From a Chili Pepper and Bay Leaf Wreath to a Six Herb Wreath to an Oregano Wreath, this gift is sure to make an impression. Or if you want to make a bold statement with an otherwise traditional decoration, a Pine Peace Wreath will do the trick. Whatever your taste, these handcrafted wreaths by local farmers and artisans from the Pacific Northwest are sure to enhance the holiday mood. www.organicbouquet.com
Pisellino Cotton Swab Holder
Functional with a splash of creativity, these Cotton Swab Holders are part of the Alessi creations that cross national boundaries, cultures and ideals. By mixing child and adult imagination with true versatility and functionality, the Pisellino Cotton Swab Holders feature a bubbly little creature peering out of a swab bucket. Available in three color options, these handy product holders are sure to spruce up the giftee’s bathroom all while providing a necessary function. www.csnstores.com
Cherry Atomic Wall Clock
Perfect for the perpetually late person on your list, the Atomic Clock is radio-controlled so it never has to be adjusted. The only thing required is the selecting of a time zone and the clock will adjust itself to the standard national time for the area. As this La Crosse Technology clock is calibrated daily and is tuned to the atomic time standard, it also defaults to Fahrenheit, inches and mph. www.csnstores.com
Komfort Pets Carrier
Pet owners are crazy about their pets and love gifts for their furry little friends. So why not get them something that is perfect no mater what the season. The world’s first climate-controlled pet carrier keeps pets cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. The temperature control system is designed to complement the natural methods by which a pet regulates it’s own body temperature by using both conduction and convection simultaneously. Ideal for cars, SUVS, boats or in the home, the Komfort Pet Carrier is affordable, fashionable and most importantly provides a comfortable heated or cooled place for your beloved pet to relax in. www.komfortpets.com
Read more about Komfort Pets Carrier here.
Brethe Air Revitalizer
It is often difficult to rid your home of lingering pet, food and regular everyday odors. Instead of repeatedly cleaning your home with chemical disinfectants, HoMedics has created the brethe air revitalizer, which eliminates 99% of odor causing bacteria. Attacking pet, food, smoke and stale house odors, the brethe air revitalizer uses the power of water and botanicals to create a rain forest mist that washes the incoming air and releases it as a new and improved refreshing scent. Environmentally safe, brethe air revitalizer is non-toxic, non-pollutant, non-flammable, biodegradable and alcohol-free. The ingredients used come from 100% natural botanical extracts with the choice of Soothing Vanilla, Refreshing Citrus and Energizing Lime scents. This all-natural odor removal system is safe for use in any room of the house and is not harmful to pets. The brethe air revitalizer can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond, JCPenny, Linens N’ Things, Macy’s, Walgreen’s or at www.homedics.com.
Read more about Brethe Air Revitalizer here.
The Magic Bullet
The world’s best selling blender, The Magic Bullet is great for friends and family who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, but hate the hassle of chopping and cutting. Compact enough so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, the Magic Bullet is still versatile enough to perform multiple functions. It chops, grinds, dices, blends and whips and is perfect for morning smoothies or night time cocktails. In addition, it includes a juice attachment that easily blends fruits and vegetables for tasty, healthy beverages. Performing most functions in 10 seconds or less, the Magic Bullet is as efficient as it is functional. With no buttons to press or manuals to read, using this device enables users to make party dips, desserts and milkshakes just by pressing down on the included Bullet Cup.
www.buythebullet.com
Jiffy Steamer
Jiffy Steamer helps to get wrinkles out of clothes in a simple, efficient and safe manner, eliminating the need of an ironing board for good. With various options to choose from, including a travel series steamer, personal series or professional series, Jiffy Steamer is the largest and oldest manufacturer of steaming equipment and garment steamers. The Specialty Series with easy roll casters, a 3⁄4 gallon water reservoir system, 5 1⁄2 foot hose and a 6 1⁄2 inch metal brush also provides a great cleaning system for your home, making it easy to get out tough stains and dirt, even without the use of chemicals. www.jiffysteamer.com
Read more about Jiffy Steamer in Home & Family.
The VALSLIDE
Valerie Walters – a personal trainer to some of Hollywood’s most elite including Jennifer Garner, Poppy Montgomery and Kerry Washington – created the Valslide as a lower body fitness tool that can be used anytime, anywhere.
Designed with every level of fitness in mind, the Valslide is simply two slides that fit under your feet for a smooth and simple workout with effective results.
While one side of the slide remains rough to keep your body in place, the other side is smooth to enable flowing yet controlled movement. The right muscles are then activated to slim your thighs and lift your butt.
The original Valslide is equipped with 2 slides and a workout program, while the Val Kit for Travel includes a travel bag, a Valband, 2 unique workouts, as well as exercise and nutrition travel tips. www.valslide.com.
The Perfect Push Up
The Perfect Push Up – created by Alden Mills, a Marin fitness expert and former Navy SEAL Platoon 
Commander – is an ideal gift for the traveler wanting to get into shape, or for any person who wants fast results in less time. Durable, compact and lightweight – weighing only two pounds – this workout system is convenient whether you’re on the go or at home. It even promises results after just 10 uses.
Featuring unique rotating handles, the Perfect Push Up helps reduce strain on your joints while still giving you maximized strength in your arms, chest, shoulders, backs and abs.
As a complete package, workout cards and a planner are included to help you get in shape in the New Year, while a series of workout DVDs and supplements are also available. www.perfectpushup.com or www.bodyrev.com.
Give Santa Tea & Cookies This Year with Lupicia
With all the milk and cookies everyone leaves Santa why not give him something he’ll truly enjoy, the gift of Lupicia teas. Perfect for gift giving or holiday parties, these premium blends come in a wide variety of festive flavors. With traditional offerings such as cocoa, mint, cinnamon, champagne or chestnut, these teas will warm your heart and home. Add a little spice to your holiday with ginger, blood orange or pomegranate teas.
Give your sweetie Pierrot, a sweet tea derived from flower petals. Warm up those carolers with Carol, a delicious blend of strawberry and vanilla. It’s a fantastic time to celebrate with Fantasy tea, a sumptuous blend of caramel, honey and fruits. Your guests will say “Bravo!” with floral infused Bravissimo tea. Have a White Christmas with white chocolate flavored tea that is sure become a family tradition.
All of these and more are available in special label tins, tea bag holiday assortments and exclusive gift sets. Decorative and fun, these reusable tins will brighten up your kitchen and bring a smile to all who receive the gift of Lupicia Teas.
Pass on the eggnog and hot chocolate, and relax with the spirit of Yule time tea.
www.lupiciausa.com
Read more about Lupicia Teas in our Featured Article here.
The Ideal Gift Collection from Omaha Steaks
The company bringing you mouthwatering premium steaks, red meats and other gourmet foods since 1917 has created the perfect gift for the steak lovers on your list. This year give a delicious assortment of steaks and even dessert with Omaha Steak’s special holiday package. The Ideal Gift Collection includes Filet Mignons, Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Top Sirloins, Omaha Steak Burgers, Stuffed Sole with Scallops and Crabmeat and a Chocolate Lover’s Cake. This amazing gift also comes with a free cutlery set and cutting board. Regularly sold for $133, this set is currently being sold for $59.99 for the holidays. For more information or to place an order, call (800) 228 – 9055 or visit www.omahasteaks.com.
Aviator Laptop Stand
The Aviator Laptop Stand, made by Keynamics LLC, has never come in handy more than now as JetBlue has offered its passengers – for the first time – a chance to use in-flight internet and email service over U.S. territory.
The Aviator – stable and sturdy enough to handle common turbulence – raises the laptop screen 3 inches above the tray table, thereby eliminating the need to strain your neck and back. In addition, you can find a more comfortable typing position as the Aviator angles and extends the keyboard 2.5 inches past the front edge of the tray.
On land, the Aviator can be used as a portable desktop or table stand whether in a coffee shop, a hotel or even at the office.
Weighing only 9 ounces, the Aviator can be stored flat in the side of a briefcase, making it easy and convenient to carry with you anytime. www.keynamics.com
Carved Solutions
Created by a married couple out of Vermont, this personalized candle and soap line is the perfect gift for a large group or for a special someone. Carved Solutions offers individual gifts, corporate gifting parties, party favors, etc. A holiday party is a perfect opportunity to treat your friends to high quality 100% palm wax candles, or vegetable based soaps, complete with personalized messages or illustrations carved into them. www.carvedsolutions.com
Nest Inspired Gift Baskets
Gift baskets are a staple when it comes to the holidays, but if you want to put a little more meaning behind your collection of goodies this year, look to Nest Inspired Gift Baskets. With a variety of collections ranging from the holidays to weddings to simply, "I care about you," Nest Inspired Gift Baskets can help you send a message of encouragement and support to the people closest to you. Founder Lisa Clark Jenks carefully selects each element of the baskets to reflect simplicity, beauty and thoughtfulness ensuring every basket, hat box, ice bucket, wooden bowel and vintage tin is filed with just the right ingredients suitable for each occasion. Jenks’ goal with her baskets is to help support people who are taking bold steps and making new transitions in their lives. Show how much you care this holiday and send a Nest Inspired Gift Basket to the special people in your life. www.nestgiftbaskets.com
