Product Name: Chat Coasters
Image: Meninos
Image: Meninos

Product Name: Cubebot Puzzle
Image: Flickr, Sebastian Sälzle

Friends, the moments are ticking away and it won’t be long at all before your tranquil living rooms turn into wrapping paper-strewn war zones. What’s that? You haven’t done your shopping yet?

Well, we’ve decided to take a quick break from our more thematic gift guides and give you the straight dope on the gadgets and gifts that just make our lives a little better. Read on for a glimpse of what really tickles our fancies, warms our cockles, and drains our bank accounts.

John Biggs:

Time-it T-Block Full Black Watch

$190
Nerdy watches are my kind of thing and the Time-it T-Block is the nerdiest. At less than $200 it’s a great looking watch with a nice retro-Information Society feel. The watch shows the time by lighting up a series of bright red LEDs and the case and band make one fluid whole. If you’re dressing like Neo at all this year, this is probably the watch for you. It also comes with a blue and yellow band, but I think black is best.

Udoo Raspberry Pi/Arduino Mashup

$99
Shopping for a tinkerer? The Udoo Raspberry Pi/Arduino board is just right. It runs its own version of Linux and can directly control a set of dedicated digital and analog I/O ports. It’s a great experimental platform and allows you to add some very cool real-world interactivity to your Raspberry Pi projects. It’s not quite for the faint of heart but it’s amazing fun when you get it started up and you start blinking LEDs with reckless abandon.

The Trebuchette

$39.95
Go to war against your cubicle mates with the Trebuchette, a working, desk-based trebuchet designed to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their electric pencil sharpeners. The DIY kit is made of wood and comes with all the pieces you need to lay siege to Pam-alot.

Matt Burns:

Parrot A.R.Drone 2.0

$299
At worst, the Parrot A.R.Drone 2.0 is a fantastic toy. At best, it’s a device that will show the masses the appeal of drones. The Parrot A.R.Drone is a fully-capable drone, able to reach incredible heights and speeds and it’s controlled by just a smartphone. There is a learning curve and it’s definitely an outdoor toy. Still, after 30 minutes of wobbling around the yard, you’ll have the drone soaring like as if controlled by Skynet. It’s a fantastic gift for you or your kin.

IOGEAR GearPower
$20-$50
There are countless mobile battery solutions on the market. But I have yet to find one as bulletproof and affordable as the IOGEAR GearPower. It’s dead simple: two USB outputs, recharges by microUSB and sports just one button that kicks on the power and displays the remaining battery capacity.
Best of all, this battery is often dirt cheap on Amazon and comes in various sizes. The 11,000 mAh flavor can sometimes be had for as low as $28.99 on Amazon while the 7,000 and 2,400 variations are also priced relatively low. It’s a boring gift, sure, but a gift that will surely be used by anyone addicted to their smartphone.

FitBit Force

$129
I’ve tried nearly every smart device on the market, but the FitBit Force is the only one I still use. It’s the perfect size. The battery lasts over a week and it functions beautifully as a simple watch. My expanding waistline is testament to the fact that simply wearing a health tracker will not cause you to lose weight. However, since the Force is much more than a connected pedometer, it’s managed to work its way into my life as something I wear 24/7.

Darrell Etherington:

Kindle Paperwhite

$119
Amazon makes a mighty fine e-reader, and that hasn’t changed even as it started pouring more resources into its Android-based tablets. These kids with their Alanis Morissette and their TurboGrafx 16s might be okay with reading books on backlit LCD displays, but I’ll stick with e-paper like God intended, thank you very much. The latest generation is a refinement on last year’s model, but it does manage to truly refine things in every way that matters.

Anker USB 3.0 7+2 Port Hub

$44.99
USB hubs are possibly the least sexy gift you can get someone, but also the most useful. This one by Anker has been a stalwart, with two dedicated charging ports that offer both 2.1A and 1.5A 5V charging to power up your iPad and your iPhone or Android device at maximum speed. Little lights indicate what ports are currently in use so you can tell if you have defective or undetected equipment, and the design is actually not offensive or garish, which is rare in these things.

Philips Hue

$199.95
Call me a weirdo but I really like these lights, and will slowly blanket my entire house with them as budget allows and as Philips continues to introduce new models that are compatible with all my various sockets. Heck, I’d use one in my oven if it was rated for that. If I have a complaint, it’s that the app maybe isn’t as good as it could be, but Philips just updated its software for iOS 7 and it no longer requires you to turn your phone into landscape orientation to change the color/tone of your bulbs.

Chris Velazco:

Nintendo 3DS XL

$199
I know, I know: mobile gaming is the new frontier and there’s no shortage of gadgets out there that can turn your smartphone into something approaching a real gaming console. Call me an anorak, but until we start seeing seriously top-tier franchises earnestly migrate over to mobile I’m more than happy to tote around a separate device meant solely for catching Pokémon or navigating the wilds of Hyrule.

PhotoJojo Smartphone Lens Sampler

$49.99
You can throw as many filters and effects on a photo as you want, it’s no substitute for a bit of shaped glass that sits in front of your lens. There’s no shortage of these little things floating around out in the e-commerce ether but I’m particularly fond of the ones from PhotoJojo — I’d much rather have a magnetic ring sitting around my phone’s lens for the rest of its days than, say, a hefty clip sticking of the end of it.

Digital Calipers

$16.99
Easily the curveball of the group. I originally bought one of these for use with phone reviews until I realized that they just weren’t all that necessary to the process… so I started measuring other things instead. And by other things, I mean everything. Seriously, I think I have a problem.

Product Name: Tuls
Price: $22 (stainless steel); $33 (titanium)
Who would like this?: Minimalists, geeks, dads, craftspeople, smartphone addicts
Tools are heavy; Tuls, on the other hand, are the size of credit cards, and they'll fit in a wallet just the same.
New England-based company Onehundred, which is obsessed with providing everyday products through "simple, thoughtful design," created these flat tools out of titanium and stainless steel. Originally a Kickstarter campaign that cleared its funding goal of $1,500 within two hours (and raised more than 25 times as much), the Tuls project takes care of day-to-day problems requiring basic tools.

Each sturdy, wallet-sized tool is known affectionately by a first name, and has its own range of specific purposes, whether it's to tighten a bolt or open a beer.
Image: Onehundred Here's the breakdown:

• Ollie: Ollie is by far the most inclusive member of the Tuls family. This jack-of-all-trades is ready for anything, complete with standard and metric wrenches, rulers, squares, drill guides, a spoke wrench, protractor, pry bar, hex drive and bottle opener. What more could you need?
• Stan: Stan is the perfect gift for techies and Netflix addicts. It contains two holes to wrap both a power cord and earphones. The best feature, however, is the vertical slot to hold 10mm-thick devices, acting as an on-the-fly smartphone stand to play games, watch videos and charge.
• Lucy: Lucy is a slightly simpler version of Ollie, designed for the garage. It contains metric, standard and spoke wrenches, in addition to a coarse screwdriver, hex drive, tire spoon, pry bar and, of course, the trusty bottle opener.
• Roul: Roul has metric and standard rulers, drill guides, squares, a protractor, plumb bob and pry bar. No bottle opener on this one, though — according to Onehundred, Roul is optimized for the workshop, woodworking, carpentry and crafts. It's great for measuring rod stock, lengths and angles.
• Opie: In the Tuls family, Opie is the simplest member, but it still holds that same minimalistic elegance. This one just serves as a straightforward bottle opener, and with a small keyring, it's suitable for keychains and lanyards.

Images: Onehundred Tuls are about as thick as a U.S. dime, and just as strong, too. They're also under the 7-inch length restriction for tools allowed in airplane carry-ons, making them great travel accessories.
If there's a craftsman, carpenter, techie, minimalist or even just a practical loved one in your life, consider Tuls this holiday season.

Portable 'Lab' Prints Digital Pics With Polaroid Flavor

Desktop Nap Pillow Is Perfect for Catching ZZZs on the Job

Product Name: Ostrich Pillow
Price: $99
Who would like this?: Power nappers, sleep lovers, workaholics, insomniacs ... better question: Who wouldn't like this?
We all have that friend who constantly complains about being tired. Put your money where their mouth is this holiday season by gifting them with this out-of-this-world awesome Ostrich Pillow, a product that will make you look somewhere between nerdy and nerd-chic.
Whether on the go or at the office, this pillow is perfect for instantly converting your desk or the airport cafeteria table into a comfortable place to catch a quick snooze. Far more comfortable than your average neck pillow, you'll feel so at ease with your head in its new case that you'll be opting for more time under the hood.


The thoughtfully designed pillow has four holes: two for your arms, one for breathing from your nose and mouth, and one for your neck. It's available in three colors: sleepy blue, sunset siesta and mellow yellow.
If you're looking for a lighter option, a simpler pillow is available which just wraps around the head and eyes, called Ostrich Pillow Light, which will support your face if you find yourself reclining on a window or wall. If you're shopping for a younger family member, try the Ostrich Pillow Junior, a small version of the original pillow.
The Ostrich Pillow came to exist through the fruit of a successful Kickstarter campaign last year. Its designer, the UK-based studio Kawamura-Ganjavian, raised nearly $200,000 to bring the pillow to market, which was more than double its $70,000 goal.
The bottom line: This gift is great for someone who loves cutting edge, thoughtfully designed products, as well as someone who could care less about the new and shiny and just would just like a gift to improve their life an teensy bit.

Impress Your Muggle Friends With a Magic Wand TV Remote

Product Name: Magic Wand TV Remote
Price: $78.99
Who would like this?: Harry Potter enthusiasts, D&D superfans and other would-be wizards; television junkies; those afraid of buttons.
Remote controls are for Muggles. If you're still convinced that your Hogwarts acceptance letter got lost in the Owl Post, then you need this Magic Wand TV Remote from Kymera, as seen on ThinkGeek. Made of springy willow and containing the heartstring of one particularly saucy dragon, it's the perfect addition to any living room. Instead of having to push tiresome buttons, you can swish and flick your way through hours of your favorite entertainment (we're thinking Bewitched, Hocus Pocus, Lord of the Rings, and of course all eight Harry Potter Movies).
Image: Kymera If you thought fights over who gets to hold the remote control were bad before, this wand remote will have family members dueling over more than just what program to watch.
Users can program the wand to recognize 13 different gestures. Change the channels by swishing side to side, or flick up to increase the volume. Since it's compatible with almost all TVs, DVRs and pretty much anything else controlled by a remote, you can become master of all the electronics of your house, even program from multiple controls. It's the true Elder wand, perfect for you or the Potterhead in your family.
So pull on your Harry Potter Snuggie, make up a pot of Butterbeer, and load up Sorcerer's Stone. It's gonna be a magical night.
And remember: It's Levi-OH-sa, not Levio-SA.
WARNING: Do not use in proximity to Whomping Willows, in front of Muggles, or before the age of 17. May not work properly against "brother" wands (those made with core ingredients from same magical creature.) For optimal conditions, use only with family member the wand "chooses."

All-in-One Leash Makes Dog-Walking a Treat

Product Name: Dog Leash Plus
Price: $26
Who would like this?: Tech-savvy dog owners; professional dog walkers; man's best friend
Picture this: Jenna's standing in her kitchen on a late Saturday afternoon, browsing dinner recipes on her iPad, when her Jack Russell terrier trots into the room. "Hi, Max," she says. He looks up at her and barks once — just like she trained him. He's ready for a long walk.
Instead of scrambling to find the various accoutrements needed — waste bags, tote filled with treats, water bottle, etc. — she grabs the Dog Leash Plus, dubbed the "Swiss Army knife of dog leashes," and heads out the door.

The Dog Leash Plus comes in four colors — black, green, blue and plum — to match any walker's or dog's style. The flashlight requires three AAA batteries (not included), while the clock requires an LR41 cell battery (included). The leash itself is the standard 16 feet, and works with a locking mechanism: Simply push the button to lock, and push up to unlock (see the Vine video above).
The Dog Leash Plus is practical, stylish and convenient. For the upcoming holidays, consider giving it as a gift to techie friends or relatives of any age, who might benefit from some organization in their daily walking routines, or maybe even an increase in time for more exercise.
Keep in mind that the Dog Leash Plus, like most retractable leashes, is intended for small and medium-sized dogs, so your aunt with the German shepherd probably isn't the best recipient for this gift.

Lazy People Turn Cute in Sloth Flipover T-Shirt

Product name: Sloth Flipover Shirt
Price: $18.99
Who would like this?: T-shirt collectors, sloth fanatics, lazy fashionistas, Kristen Bell
Don't try stuffing a sloth in a stocking by the fireplace this year. Instead, choose a gift just as adorable, but that won't crawl up your Christmas tree and poop on your gifts.
The Sloth Flipover T-Shirt combines the charm of the cute creature with the comfort of cotton. (And doesn't require figuring out how to put a big red bow on a wild animal.) The front of the shirt reads "Ask Me Why I'm Lazy" — a perfect conversation starter — and flips up to cover your head in a sloth face. Seriously, if you've never kicked off chitchat by lifting your shirt to reveal the Internet's favorite slow-moving tree mammal, you don't know how to correctly make friends.
The shirt style has gained popularity on Reddit and Imgur, landing on the front page of the social sites after the holiday season when recipients share their gift goodies for upvotes. This shirt is Internet-approved, which means you won't have to worry about looking like an out-of-touch dweeb — don't even think about wrapping up another pair of white tube socks.
Flipover, or flip up, t-shirts will delight the person in your life that likes to send messages with their clothes. You know, the lady or lad with stacks of shirts covered in sassy cats, puns and retina-burning patterns. They may have a slew of cotton tops, but the interactive element adds a playful twist. Why try for a Mr. Suave GQ or Ms. Fancy Pants look when you can make people smile with just a flick of your top?
If you want to add an additional element of unexpected fun, stick some googly eyes on the t-shirt sloth. Instant Muppet.

The tee is available on Crazy Dog T-Shirts for less than 20 bucks. But if sloths don't crank up your cute meter — wait, let's try to convince you otherwise.



Still not convinced? One more.


Ok, so if you still can't find it in your cold heart to love a sloth, the site also sells flipover t-shirts with other, less cuddly characters.
Furry faced, but less prone to climbing trees, consider the Abraham Lincoln version. The playful POTUS tee is perfect for the honest historian with a sense of humor. Add a stovepipe hat and sack of pennies for a complete gift set.
Still not convinced that you need to buy a shirt that flips over your face? Consider a style with a scary twist. The Angry Bear gives your head a fierce hug — and may scare small children and salmon.
Crazy Dog T-Shirts also sells flip tees with a unicorn, T-Rex and Admiral Ackbar.
But, really, how can you resist a sloth?