We all want to be that person that wins the "best-gift-ever" award, whether on Christmas morning, for Hannukah or even a special birthday, but finding just the right gift can be challenging. We'd like to help, so we've compiled our second annual Holiday Gift Guide with presents that are practical, clever, or just plain fun.
Click on any image below for more information or to purchase.
Since 1950, the proportion of adults living alone in the U.S. has tripled. In fact, 28% of households in Virginia are single occupancy. If you've ever worried about how a loved one who lives alone would handle choking when no one is around to assist them, this device provides you and them peace of mind.
The LifeVac is a non-powered, non-invasive airway clearance device. It has a one-way valve that does not allow any air to enter a choking victim on the downward motion with a suction power to remove any blockage. The device comes fully equipped with an adult mask, a pediatric mask, and a practice mask. The duration of the suction is minimal, which makes LifeVac safe and effective.
$ 80.00
If you've ever had a grease fire in your kitchen, you may have experienced the added anxiety that comes from not knowing if your fire extinguisher is charged or if you'll know how to use it. A fire blanket takes the guesswork out of handling a small fire and smothers the flames. It is compact, easily deployed, and very effective, using no chemicals. Every home should have at least one in the kitchen, by a fireplace or space heater.
$22.99 for two
This solar-powered charger with flashlight is perfect for any intrepid explorer or anyone you may know without a generator! This writer has used one several times during power outages and makes sure there is one in the car as well as at home. You just place the device in a sunny window or on a sunny deck and let it store up energy. Then, when it is needed, it works like a charm. This is a great tool to have for those storms that can sometimes knock out power for a week.
$22.00
A personal alarm isn't just for when you are out and about. It is an excellent device to have at home as well. If you fall, get trapped somewhere, or need medical help and can't get to a phone, this device can alert someone that there is a crisis. It is a good device to carry in the garden as you do yard work or walk in even the safest neighborhoods in town and need assistance.
$30.00
Ice storms seem to be more common in parts of Virginia than snowstorms, yet both can be slippery disasters. Give a friend or loved one added safety as they venture out to clear off the car or get the mail with these easily slipped-on spikes. They are lightweight and practical, and significantly lessen the risk of falling.
$30.00
Some folks, especially some younger ones, don't want to wear a medical ID bracelet because they just aren't cool or pretty. However, if someone who knows about a medical issue isn't nearby, not having one can be the difference between life and death. Thanks to Lauren's Hope, though, you can give a fashionable, elegant, or cool bracelet that doesn't "advertise" an issue and can fit any occasion.
$30
With engraving
From the category of "you can never be too careful," the Pump Pal mitt lets you fill up your gas tank without having to touch the often dirty and germy handle.
$21.00
Sometimes a regular screwdriver won't work (think torque or balancing a light and tool), and a drill is too much. So here's a rechargeable, electric screwdriver, with a built-in light and lots of bits, that is compact enough to fit in a pocket. It has enough juice to tackle most quick projects with multiple torque options. Perfect for that DIYer on your list.
$30
In the category of "what will they think of next?" is a lighter that uses plasma technology to light candles, grills, fireplaces, and birthday candles. The device emits a "zee zee" sound that indicates the electronic impulse is working when engaged. Great for windy conditions as there is no flame to put out, and great for the environment as no chemicals are used or landfills needed! The device is only 8" long, and the bendable neck makes lighting grills easy.
$10.00
Porch thieves beware. Ring is on duty. If you have someone on your gift list who hasn't jumped on the video doorbell wagon yet, maybe this is the year to help them up their security game. A Ring doorbell will thwart would-be thieves, assist a homeowner with delivery notifications, and offer an easier way to screen visitors.
For added security, the wired version is harder to hack by would-be thieves who may use jammers to block Wi-Fi signals, but the simplicity of the battery-operated unit is perfect for nearly every home.
$250.00
Some pests like mosquitoes and fruit flies are hard to get with an ordinary fly swatter, so this handy rechargeable bug zapper is a terrific gadget to have at hand. It comes with a hidden LED light that attracts bugs when sitting in its stand so they can fly into the charged mesh and bother you no more, and you can easily pick it up like a racket and zap any flying pest with a satisfying "crack."
$34.00
Spiders, crickets, moths – no one wants these in the home, but squishing them is too yucky. Here's an easy and humane solution. This bug vacuum has enough power to suck up an unwanted pest without having to get too close. You can then take it outside and fling it to freedom.
$26.00
We wrote a post a month or so ago about thwarting would-be car thieves from gaining access to your locked car through hacking your car key. The Ticonn car key and credit card signal blocker is a great gift for everyone concerned about clever hackers who want to steal what's in their car, their car itself, or their credit card information.
$7.95
Chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death, and lack of sleep increases stress. Physical safety isn't just alarms and pepper sprays; it is health and well-being. For some, white noise isn't enough to block out the sounds that can disrupt sleep. They may need what is called pink (higher frequency spectrum) or brown (lower frequency spectrum) noise. This Sonorest device has a wide range of soft noise that anyone can customize to help them fall and stay asleep.
$28.00
Dodow
This science-backed device helps you fall asleep more quickly and more deeply through the use of light and timed breathing. It uses soft light projected onto the ceiling in your bedroom to help you modify and steady your breathing, shutting down those irritating thoughts that keep you awake and calming your mind and body so you can fall into a deep, recuperative sleep. As we all age, sleep becomes more elusive for many. The Dodow offers a chemical-free, natural solution.
$59.00
If you know someone on a fitness improvement journey, this is the gift for them. By measuring body composition, anyone can get a more accurate overall picture of their health, compared to other calculations such as BMI or body fat percentage, which don't account for factors like lean muscle mass. Muscle, fat, and bone mass may change day to day for various reasons. Body composition has been acknowledged as a more suitable metric to assess many health outcomes in adults and children. Because our body composition is constantly changing, it's important to use the same measurement method that this device provides over time.
$100.00
We've all got that friend or family member. You know, the one that just has to find out what that crash was in the attic during a storm, or the one who knows he can fix that pipe in the crawl space. Or even the one who insists on walking the dog at night but doesn't want to hold onto a flashlight too. This easy, pull-on, comfortable hat has a rechargeable headlight that keeps hands free while providing greater visibility – not just ahead to see, but also to be seen.
$14.00
Some days simply require a long soak in a bubble bath with a glass of wine. Glass and tile, though, are an emergency room visit waiting to happen when combined with gravity. This clever suction cup wine glass holder makes enjoying your de-stress time all the more relaxing as it prevents accidental tips or crashes.
$38.00
As a Virginia company, we celebrate all things Virginia! This handmade state-shaped spoon rest is a great gift for friends or relatives who've moved out of state or someone who loves the Commonwealth as much as we do.
$28.00
Just for fun and suitable for all ages. Send a box of candy sorted by the decade in which they were most popular and remind friends and loved ones of what were likely simpler times. It's a tasty and fun gift.
$28.00
plus shipping