Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Gift Ideas

With not much more than a week until Christmas, you're probably getting down to those last few gifts on your list. And those last few are always the toughest; they're the ones for the people who either already have everything or who don't want anything. So here are a few ideas for interesting and unusual presents that will tickle the fancy of even the toughest gift recipient, in order by price from lowest to highest. 

Pancakes and Maple Syrup Jelly Beans ($2.99 from Off the Wagon Shop)

For a tasty treat that's unusual without being off-the-wall weird, how about a little pack of pancakes and maple syrup-flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans?

Shark Bath Bomb ($5.99 from Bath Bombs Baby)

Cue the Jaws theme when you drop this cute bath bomb in the tub, because it will quickly show evidence of a recent attack as it dissolves and the shark releases "blood" from its, erm, jaws. 

Giant Inflatable Unicorn ($7.95 from WalMart)

Giant. Inflatable. Unicorn. Do I really need to say anything else about this one?

Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle ($19 from Uncommon Goods)

For the jigsaw puzzle or whodunnit fanatic who likes a little twist, first solve the 500-piece jigsaw puzzle - using a story rather than a picture of the puzzle - then use the clues to solve the mystery! 

Lester's Fixins Soda ($22.99 from Soda Emporium)

This variety pack of eight 12-oz bottles of gourmet soda includes flavors like peanut butter & jelly, bacon maple, ranch dressing, buffalo wing, sweet corn, and more. 

Dinosaur Head Lunch Box ($28.25 from Amazon)

A dinosaur lunchbox is cool, but not as cool as a dinosaur HEAD lunchbox. The carrying strap doubles as a muzzle so no-one in the cafeteria gets accidentally chomped. And the jaws open super-wide for easy access (and easy chomping). 

Pizza Socks Box ($29.99 from Amazon)

The four pairs of pizza-themed socks (Hawaiian, Italian, Pepperoni, and Mushroom) are fun enough on their own, but they come arranged like a pizza in a fabulous pizza box and are protected by their own little "pizza table." Adorable!

Hostess Cakes Flavored K-Cups ($30.87 from WalMart)

Taste the nostalgia in these cappuccino and hot cocoa k-cups flavored like your favorite childhood Hostess treats: Twinkies, Snoballs, Cupcakes, and Ding Dongs. 

Jellyfish Lamp ($39.89 from Amazon)

Everybody has had a lava lamp at one time or another, but not very many can claim to have had a jellyfish lamp! Watch the soothing movement of the jellies' realistic tendrils as they move up and down in the color-changing lighted chamber. 

Portable UV Toothbrush Disinfecting Case ($39.99 from Bril)

The ultimate gift you didn't know you needed, this tiny case uses UV-C light to disinfect your toothbrush, killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria that can live there. 

Wild Game Jerky ($48 from Amazon)

This pack of 24 individually wrapped jerky sticks includes exotic meats like wild boar, duck, alligator, kangaroo, ostrich, and more. Low in fat and calories and high in protein!

Repurposed Cotton Sari Robe ($50 from Uncommon Goods)

Colorful, practical, and ecologically-minded, this comfy robe recycles strips of beautiful cotton print saris to make a one-of-a-kind patchwork pattern that is unique to each robe. 

And don't forget to complete the weirdness by wrapping your gift in bacon-scented wrapping paper ($19.99 from Manly Man Co.) for the perfect finishing touch!

Cool Christmas Presents

I know, I know, Halloween has barely gone by and Thanksgiving is still weeks away, but Christmas shopping season is already in full swing! If you can get your Christmas shopping done early, you get to relax and really enjoy those last few weeks before Christmas proper. If you need some inspiration to get started, here are some of the coolest gifts around, in every price category from under 10 bucks to over $100. Hopefully you can find at least one suggestion for everyone on your list!

Under $10
These gifts work well as stocking stuffers, but it's also a good idea to have a handful of small gifts on hand for hostess gifts, co-worker gift exchanges, and thank-yous for the hairdresser/mailman/babysitter/whoever.

 

This adorable MANATEA silicone tea infuser will tickle any lover of tea and marine life. (Also available: an orange seahorse and a clear diving helmet infuser.) He hangs over the edge of your mug with his cheerful manatee smile, and when unused, he rests on his front flippers and waits patiently. He'd be perfect to perch on the edge of a Christmas stocking! $9.74 from Amazon. 

The Misto oil sprayer is handy for cooks and non-cooks alike. Fill with vegetable oil for instant (and inexpensive) non-stick spray; fill with olive oil for easy bruschetta; fill with flavored oils for fancy breads and hors d'oeuvres. $9.99 from Amazon. 

Don't you hate it when you're working in a small space and you can't get the flashlight aimed in the right direction, or you don't have enough hands to hold the flashlight AND your tools? This magnetic hands-free flashlight will solve that problem. With 12 magnets faced every which way, you'll be sure to be able to get the right angle. Stick it to a pipe when you're working under the sink, to the hood or the fender when you're working on the car, or to a lighting fixture when you're changing a bulb. $5.97 from Amazon. 

For the coffee-loving chemist (or general nerd) in your life, how about a mug bearing an image of a caffeine molecule? (Yes, I do have one.) It's not dishwasher safe, but seriously, what nerd do you know that does anything other than rinse out their mug once in a while? $3.99 from Think Geek. 

$10-$25

The next gift category is great for family gift exchanges, that old friend you always see at Christmas, and for those extra small-but-not-too-small gifts you use to "even out" your gift giving among siblings or a group of friends. It's also a nice gift for your kids' teachers or anyone else who regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty for you. 

Surely there's a child (or, let's be honest, an adult) in your life who would love to find this charming balloon dog nightlight under the tree on Christmas morning. Squeeze his durable silicone paw to trigger the soft LED light to glow for 30 minutes at a time. Available in blue or green. $25 from Uncommon Goods. 

Any camper, hiker, athlete, or traveler on your list will love this compact collapsible water bottle. Collapsing down to just 1" thick and 4-1/4" diameter, it can easily be tucked away in a pocket or the bottom of a bag or backpack, and pulled out when needed. It expands to 6" high and has a 21-oz. capacity. $19.99 from Uncommon Goods. 

Designed for schoolkids, this placemat lunch bag is handy for adults who bring their lunch to work, hikers and campers who eat on the trail, and anyone who occasionally needs a clean spot to eat something they brought with them. Made from insulating neoprene, the bag is machine washable and large enough for several sandwich-sized Tupperware, and unzips to form a generously-sized placemat. Available in an array of colors. $24.95 from The Grommet. 

Have you ever been on a trip and suddenly realized you forgot your phone charger? Or your earbuds? Or your power converter? With the Ready2Go tech organizer, you can be sure that all your electronic accoutrements are in place before you leave. Available in two sizes, the organizers include slots for earbuds, power cords, adapters, mice, memory cards and sticks, thumb drives, batteries, and whatever other tech gadgets you want to bring along. $12 and $17 from The Grommet. 

$25-$50

This is the bulk of gift-giving territory in my house. Gifts for siblings, spouses, thank-yous for your amazing assistant at work, and any kind of Yankee Swap or gift exchange with a $50 limit. 

The absent-minded technophile on your list (yeah, I have one of these) might enjoy this attractive - and practical - rosewood Bluetooth tracking tag. Attach it to your keychain, your wallet, your kid's backpack, that wandering remote that always ends up between the sofa cushions somewhere, and if you can't find what it's attached to, use the free downloadable app to track it down. And if it's your phone that you're always losing, it also works in reverse by using the alert button on the tag! $40 from Uncommon Goods. 

Be honest: how many electronic gadgets are you trying to recharge at your bedside overnight? And when you travel, don't you hate crawling all over your hotel room finding enough power outlets to recharge it all? With this ChargeHub charging station, you can charge up to seven devices at the same time, using just a single plug - and all at their optimal charging speed. Available in 7 different colors. $49.95 from The Grommet. 

Wouldn't any of your friends who live in the frozen North love a reusable snow melting welcome mat? No, you don't have to plug it in or recharge its batteries. It's impregnated with sodium, magnesium, and calcium chloride, the same ingredients in rock salt. It releases just enough to melt the snow and ice, retaining the rest for the next wintry storm. Effective at melting ice and snow down to -15 degrees. $49.95 from The Grommet. 

This amazing sailing ship kite is sure to delight all ages. Made in Bali from local bamboo and nylon, this 25"x27" really does fly! Kite comes with easy assembly instructions and even a helpful video. $40 from Haptic Lab. 

$50-$75

This price level is the "nice" gifts, reserved for one's spouse, or for giving a nice combined couples or family gift. 

These handsome soapstone and acacia wood bowls are practical as well as beautiful. Chill them in the freezer for a few hours and they'll keep your ice cream chilled to the last delicious spoonful. Bake them in the oven and they'll keep your soup, appetizers, and dips warm for hours. The 6-oz. capacity is just right for a single generous serving. $60 for two, from Uncommon Goods. 

You don't have to be a germaphobe to worry about all the nasty things that get all over your smartphone - you know, the thing you touch to your face and hands all the time? The PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer uses UV light to destroy most lurking bacteria and viruses. The case charges your phone while it's sanitizing, and it even has an acoustic amplifier so you can still hear all your notifications from inside the closed case. At 7" x 3-3/4" x 0.84", it accommodates almost all smartphones (sorry, iPhone 6 Plus users). $59.95 from Uncommon Goods. 

For the artist in your life, how about this 3D sculpting pen? It comes with 10 feet each of red, blue, and green filaments (other colors sold separately), which harden within seconds. USB charging cable can be used with the included AC adapter plug. $69.99 from Brookstone. 

Remember when Lincoln Logs were made of real wood? Well, the Lincoln Logs 100th Anniversary Building Set has 111 real wood logs and even comes in a large metal tin, just like the original. Adults will enjoy reliving their childhood and kids will enjoy creating with this fun vintage toy. $70 from the Smithsonian Museum Store. 

$75-$100

In my family, everyone received one "big gift", plus some additional smaller ones. This is definitely the "big gift" category. These gifts should be useful, memorable, and special. 

Maybe I'm getting a little deaf with age, but I find that my phone is never quite loud enough on speaker. If you know someone with the same problem, maybe they'd like this acoustic phone amplifier as much as I do. Carved from beautifully patterned birch wood, the slot holds most smartphones - with cases! - and naturally amplifies the phone's own speaker. $100 from Uncommon Goods. 

Drones are cool, in anybody's book. This steady cam drone features LED lights, one-button return, multiple speeds, and a 200-foot range, plus it shoots both video and still photos remotely. And it does cool midair tumbling! $99.99 from The Sharper Image. 

Kids aren't the only ones who will love these illuminated building bricks! Roughly the same size as Duplo brand blocks, this set of 102 bricks in 6 colors comes with two rechargeable power bases and has three light modes including steady, flashing, and fading. Bricks shut off automatically after 15 minutes of use. $79.99 from The Sharper Image. 

I wouldn't advise giving this to your neighbor (unless you get one for yourself as well), but anyone on your list who's always working on their lawn will appreciate this garden and lawn sprinkler. It covers up to 1900 square feet, the spray length adjusts from 10 feet to 62 feet, and the oscillation and spray width adjust from 13 to 56 feet, to easily avoid driveways, sidewalks, and porches. Its mechanical timer can be set to shut off after anywhere from 5 minutes to two hours. In addition, its adapter plugs into the hose, rather than screwing in, and best of all, it's tough enough to be dropped repeatedly without damage. $99.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Most of us have a shower radio, but I bet it's not as cool as this Bluetooth shower mirror radio! It pairs with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet, plus it has a built-in AM/FM radio with four presets. Its strong suction cups hold it securely to the shower wall, and it has slots for two razors. The 5-1/2" square shaving mirror is made from fog-free optical quality glass. One six-hour charge of its rechargeable battery (charger included) will provide a month of high-quality audio. $99.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer. 

Over $100

Some gifts are so perfect that they're worth spending more on, even more than the usual "big gift." Maybe your siblings all want to go in to get something extra-nice for your parents, or maybe you want to give your spouse something really special this year. Whatever the reason you're looking for a big ticket gift this year, here are some that are sure to impress. 

Does anyone you know hate trying to type on the tiny keyboard of a tablet or - God forbid - a smartphone? Through the magic of Bluetooth technology, this laser projection keyboard creates a virtual, full-sized, fully functional keyboard (it even "sees" your hand motions to create a virtual mouse) on any flat surface. $150 from Uncommon Goods. 

I bet you know someone who uses one of those folding dollies to bring groceries and other heavy items in from their car. It doesn't work to go up stairs, though, does it? Well, this all-terrain stair climbing folding cart does! Its triple-wheel design can handle all kinds of rough surfaces, as well as stairs. With three different handle positions and a 100-lb. capacity, it's sure to make life easier for someone on your gift list. $129.99 at The Sharper Image. 

There are building blocks that snap together, and then there are these kinetic movement building blocks that snap together but then move with a range of motion of 240 degrees! Kit includes 450 blocks (identical in shape; 150 each in blue, orange, and white), plus straws, dowels, and popsicle sticks. Hours of engineering play for all ages! $129.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Particularly appropriate for a recipient whose home features a water view, this sea serpent garden sculpture will add charm and whimsy to any yard. Measuring roughly 60" in length when installed (mounting stakes are included), this metallic monster's rusty patina and fierce expression is sure to keep the recipient's yard and home safe. $180 from Uncommon Goods.

Let's Get Crazy
Assuming that you just won the lottery or became the sole heir of a billionaire uncle you never knew about, here are the dream gifts you might want to give to some of your loved ones (or maybe your favorite blogger, hmm?).

This 10-seater barbecue dining boat features a built-in 24"-diameter barbecue grill, 10 place settings, 3 beverage holders, and 6 under-seat compartments for food and supplies. The 30-watt trolling motor is powered by 4 rechargeable batteries that will keep you chugging along at 2-1/2 mph for 8 hours. It even has an 11-foot diameter umbrella to keep you out of the sun. $50,000 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

If you have a coffee-drinking friend whose kitchen is large enough to accommodate this genuine Italian Astoria Dual Espresso Machine, you'll always be guaranteed of a deliciously-caffeinated welcome at their home. Hiding behind its rustic Moroccan copper styling lies microprocessors to calculate the exact perfect brew, adjusting the water-to-grind ratio, softening the water if needed, and adjusting the brew strength. An Astoria technician will install the machine and instruct you on its use (although personally, I'd probably hire a dedicated barista). $8,000 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

If your hard-working friends deserve a little pat on the back, go one step further with this high-tech massage chair, featuring embedded surround-sound Bluetooth speakers, LED mood lights, heated back, and 8 automatic programs to give you the best in-chair massage experience possible. $8,999 from The Sharper Image.

And if the massage chair isn't enough and you want to give your friend the gift of just getting away from it all, they can escape into this log cabin tree lodge, built on the base of an actual tree (oak or eucalyptus). The cabin itself is crafted from genuine Douglas fir logs and has a cedar shingle roof. The recipient can enjoy him- or herself by playing on the corkscrew tunnel slide or the swing, or climb the interior ladder to the main floor. Guaranteed to withstand harsh weather and "exuberant play" for years to come. $20,000 from Hammacher Schlemmer.


Now go get shopping!!

Christmas Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything, 2014 Edition

I know it’s a bit early for Christmas shopping for most of us, but you know how you always have that ONE person who’s impossible to buy for so you start looking for Christmas gifts in, like, February in the hopes of finding something cool that they don’t already have? Or maybe YOU’RE the hard-to-buy-for person and everyone in your family is bugging you for some good gift suggestions. Here is my list of ten unusual Christmas gift ideas which I guarantee that neither you nor anyone on your gift list has already.

You’re welcome.

Flavors of America Salt Collection ($60, uncommongoods.com)

11 corked test tubes of salt from throughout the United States, including smoked, flavored, and infused varieties, all presented in a base of “reclaimed American cedar.” And once you’ve used up the salt, you can “use the test tubes as a delightful bud vase.”

2015 Bubble Wrap Calendar ($25, uncommongoods.com)

Yes, a “bubble wrap calendar” is exactly what you think it is. If you can restrain yourself to popping a single bubble every day, this is the calendar for you! Plus “the weekends are in bold for quick reference.” There’s a selling point for ya.

Meteorite Moon Rock ($39.99, gifts.com)

This 12 mg specimen of genuine meteorite comes in a lovely gift box with “a [sic] high resolution artwork [which] may vary in design.” Considering that the box itself is roughly 2 inches by 1 inch, and I’m pretty sure the small object inside the white circle shown on top of the “artwork” is the rock itself, you may want to consider throwing in a magnifying glass as well.

Monogrammed Steak Branding Iron ($59.95, gifts.com)

You know what I think every time I toss a steak on the grill? I think, “Gee, I wish I could burn my initials into this piece of meat before I cook it.” With this personalized branding iron, now I can. Plus it comes with a lovely cedar gift box. AND your choice of bandana. (The bandana does not seem to be monogrammed, but you can easily rectify that, now that you have a personalized branding iron.)

Virtual Bartender Scale and App (Brookstone; they don’t seem to be sharing the price online…hmmm)

Love to drink but can’t mix a decent cocktail to save your life? Hook this little scale up to your tablet or smartphone, download the free app, punch in your cocktail of choice (or type in the ingredients you have on hand and let the app make a suggestion) and start pouring. The screen will tell you what to add and even show you a virtual glass indicating when to stop pouring – but it’s okay if you overpour, because it will recalculate the ingredients accordingly. (Just be sure you have some really big glasses on hand.) Cocktail shaker, cable, and cute little stand for your phone all included.

Hidden Message Collar Stays ($45, redenvelope.com)

Love notes are so passé; instead, engrave your 30- and 35-character messages of love (or whatever) on these 12 stainless steel collar stays, presented in a lovely “black bonded leather carrying case lined in red faux suede.” They even suggest a few messages to get you started, like “do or do not. There is no try.” (Apparently nothing says romance like quoting an ancient alien Muppet while misusing capitalization.) But don’t even think about talking dirty, as “orders that use inappropriate language may be cancelled.”

Hammer Time Wall Clock ($39.50, cafepress.com)

If this item requires any kind of explanation at all, then this is not the gift for you. Move along; nothing to see here.

Planet Plates ($42.95, amazon.com)

This set includes eight 10” melamine plates, each depicting a different planet (sorry, Pluto). And they’re dishwasher safe! But don’t put them in the microwave. Mercury would probably be okay but Neptune would definitely melt. (Insert your own Uranus joke here.)

Spidey-Sense Shirt ($40, thinkgeek.com)

This electronic proximity detector lets you live out your wildest superhero fantasies! Well, you can’t fly, or bend iron with your bare hands, or run faster than a speeding bullet, or see through walls, or – okay, never mind that stuff. Clip this (not-so) little device on the back of your collar and you'll develop a Super-Spidey Sense all your own as it vibrates whenever someone comes within five feet of you! Not recommended for use in crowds or elevators. Cheap T-shirt included at no extra cost.

Sunglasses made from old vinyl records ($435, Vinylize.com)

Your kids won’t even understand what’s unusual about these sunglasses, which are manufactured in Budapest from old phonograph records. Sadly, they do not seem to come with any kind of certificate letting you know whether you’re wearing Hootie and the Blowfish, Nickelback, or Lawrence Welk. They do come with a glasses case made from a single 7-inch vinyl record, however, which is presumably identifiable.

So there you have it: an entire list of gifts that you can bet no-one you know already has!! As to whether anyone you know WANTS them, I'll leave that determination up to you. Merry Christmas!