If you are headed to a Hanukkah Party in the next eight days — don’t be a smuck. Seriously, take a gift — just as you would for any other holiday celebration you are invited to attend in December.
This year of 2020 may be the most important year to show people that you care about them — the COVID-mentality is killing us all — and you may make all the difference to someone.
Flowers and candy are always appropriate to take to your host or hostess — but, since I’m unusual, I like to take something different. Here are a few more last-minute gift ideas for any of your holiday celebrations with friends, family — or colleagues.
CLEAR2O — PERSONAL WATER FILTER – for your hiking buddy.
CLEAR2O — PERSONAL WATER FILTER
With COVID on my mind, I’m making sure I’m more prepared for disasters — I got this water bottle for my hiking buddy — and yes, I’m taking it to a party! It looks pretty cool, too. CLEAR2O® Personal Water Filter Dual Filtration transforms open water sources by removing bacteria and parasites, preventing waterborne disease.
Easy to use and drink directly from streams and lakes, or fill up a container and enjoy clean water on the go. Be prepared during most natural disasters with CLEAR2O®
DeCare Foot Massager, Kneading Shiatsu Therapy Massage — for my buddy’s wife.
I’m taking this foot massager to the same party, same household. The wife is running around madly, taking care of three kids who are SO active. I think she’ll get a kick out of this foot massager. I got one of these massagers for myself from Amazon — try to get this particular one — but if they are out, or you have a party tonight, I heard Walgreens has some good ones.
This is such a great gift — it even fits large feet. The timer can be set at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 minutes. It’s really quiet, so I’m trying to think about how I could keep one under my desk. Soothes tired feet and reinvigorate energy. The massager also heats up, which is relaxing and relieves pain and improves blood flow — including in your legs. I really like that you can pull out the removable cover and wash it. Washes and dries quickly.
VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder
3. VEVOK CHEF Manual Coffee Grinder
When saying this grinder is for your techie — this grinder IS for your techie. They can’t believe it! Wrap up some exotic beans with this gift and everyone there will get a fresh cup. The grinder is one that you can stick in your suitcase for travel (when we can really travel, after COVID this will be even MORE awesome.
It has a long-life stainless steel burr, which is faster and more effective than your regular coffee mill. You can grind from coarse to fine — even as fine as espresso. It only takes about 45 seconds for a cup — and you know the taste is better with fresh ground beans.
ATUMTEK dual monitor arm stand with full 360* rotation
4. Dual Monitor Arm Stand with Full 360° Rotation for 15”-32” Screens
Customizable support dual monitors can be easily adjusted to provide additional comfort and support for the user. This is true ergonomic help for all of us. I’m working on getting these for all of my team members — especially those who are getting their home offices in shape for the long-haul. These also have universal accessibility.
You can spread these monitors out to 32 inches (that’s big), swivel the monitor around to show the screen to a colleague — or, ya know — quickly swivel the screen to show your wife something on your screen from your office — when she’s sitting in her office across the hall.
SimpleSENCE Home Leak Detection
5. SimpleSENCE Home Leak Detection
This is a leak and freeze sensor for in-home use and it’s WiFI connected. It a multi-sensor system that instantly detects and alerts you on your phone if a leak starts. If you’ve ever had a leak while you’ve been out-or-town, you know what a disaster that is.
Now, you’ll be alerted, and you can hurry and call a neighbor or repair person. No more ruined wood floor because you’ve been out-of-town for two weeks during a leak. This little sensor is a way to really feel safe — especially when you’re away from home.
3 in 1 UV Sterilizer and Dryer
6. Coraluv US 3 in 1 UV Sterilizer and Dryer
NOT JUST FOR BOTTLES — read on — truly transformative. Serializes and dries baby, household, and all kinds of day to day items without the need for water and heat. Kills 99.9% of germs in as little as 10 minutes.
This sterilizer and dryer has smart UV-C technology making it possible to sterilize plush toys, mobile phones, stuff around the office people keep touching — eyeglasses, kitchenware, and much more.
abode iota Smart Home Security System
7. abode iota – Smart Home Security System
The abode iota smart home security system has great video streaming capabilities. The iota is a built-in HD camera with a motion sensor, 93db siren, and two-way voice. I like that these are easy to install, and you can put them anywhere — and they are less noticeable than your other cameras.
The WiFi connectivity allows you to take advantage of its features by putting it in a spot that makes the most sense for you. You’ll want the starter kit, and then you can build on more features in your system from there.
CR-X Series Creative Reference Multimedia
8. Mackie CR-X Series Creative Reference Multimedia Monitors
You’ll have to hop on the site to get all the specs on these beauties. They have a sleek brushed metal grille and outlined design. These monitors stand out in your home office — and especially “showy” in your downtown office. They have premium woofers and tweeters, have high-headroom amps that deliver what you want: a clear, punchy sound. You can control the volume and side of the desk you want more volume delivered to.
You can use these for professional-grade optimized sonic performances — use pro tools for first-rate professional recording (recording software and plugin package included). You won’t believe the sound quality. So, making music, create content, or just relax to your tunes. Okay — I bought these for a friend but kept these for myself — but I WILL get another set for that friend.
Kyvol Cybovoc E31
9. Kyvol Cybovac E31
I have the Kyvol Cybovac E30 and decided to see if the Kyvol Cybovac E31 update was worth the extra cash — and it is. The best is the auto emptying dustbin — especially for those with the honey-do-lists. The vac picks up dirt, pet hair, and all the dust — but it digs deeper inside carpets with a really strong suction (3000Pa). I like that it’s pretty techie and fun to show off. Has remote cleaning and voice control. You can even run the vac with your Alexa or Google Assistant.
The Kyvol E32 has an external water tank for mopping — and thankfully, it’s quiet — about like a microwave sound.
This is a little expensive for a party gift (for me), but you should get one of these for your own home — and maybe one for the mother-in-law.
Conclusion
I’ve found that if you really want to be less stressed for the holidays — you should have a few items already purchased around your house at varying degrees of expense. You WILL forget someone important — not because you want to, but because we are all extra-stressed right now.
If you didn’t prepare early — or you decided to keep something great for yourself — most of these items can be delivered by the next day from Amazon.
Give a nice, thoughtful gift this year — especially so something will be great in the year 2020.
Brad is the editor overseeing contributed content at ReadWrite.com. He previously worked as an editor at PayPal and Crunchbase. You can reach him at brad at readwrite.com.
