Some gifts are predictable — think socks or that box of chocolates, where a high proportion of them are the hard caramels. Other gifts are weird, wacky, and off the wall. But there are a lot of weird gadgets and gear out there that will also make someone — or maybe you — a great gift this holiday season.
Here I bring you a selection of the weird gadgets and gear that I’ve come across this year that I’ve found to be surprisingly useful. I mean, I never knew that battery-heated jackets were a thing before this year!
Warms on demand!
I used to think that I was too tough for a heated jacket. I was wrong.
This is perfect not only for people who have to be out and about in the cold for work, but also for those who have a dog that needs walking no matter the weather, or who just enjoy nature no matter what the weather.
No more split nails!
How come we can put people on the moon, but keyrings still were a massive pain to use? Not any more! A simple squeeze and these keyrings open up, allowing you to sort out your messy, out-of-date bundles of keys.
Sharp, yet safe!
Scalpel blades are cheap, disposable, and super sharp, but unless you have a decent handle, they can be super dangerous and lead to unexpected trips to the ER. I love this craft knife because the oversized handle works great for my paws, and it offers ample grip, even when sweaty or wet.
Let there be light!
I was initially skeptical about these outdoor solar lights, but I’ve had a few that have lasted a couple of years and are still going strong.
For this price you’re getting two lamps with a battery, solar panel, PIR motion detection, and 120 LEDs, all packaged in a weather-resistant IP65 shell… that’s a really good deal.
Beautiful pieces for your desk
2020 has been the year for things to fidget with on your desk, and these moon coins make the perfect desk toy. Absolutely stunning reproduction of the lunar landscape, condensed down onto 1-inch and 1.5-inch coins. Truly blown away by the quality of mine!
And prices start from $7!
This has saved me thousands of dollars in repairs
This connector is a standard USB-C type connector that is attached to a dongle using a magnet. The magnet is strong enough to keep the connector together but will allow the connector to separate if the cable is given a tug that is strong enough to take the laptop on a journey groundwards.
I’ve tested it several times — a couple of times by accident — and found it to be effective.
It just works.
The connector is rated for 100W (20V/5A) power transfer, which is what I use it for, but it is also good for data and can support a throughput of 10Gbps, and can support 4K@30Hz video output.
Stop ruining good scissors
I’ve got a few of these on my desk. I use them for cutting things that would ruin good scissors. Robust, last for ages, and can cut quite thick wire or sheet metal.
Keep your coffee warm for longer
Everyone needs a good mug. Here are the highlights of Yeti’s Rambler:
18/8 stainless steel made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, so they’re puncture- and rust-resistantDishwasher safe because no one needs more work to doThick gauge steel makes for stronger, more durable drinkware to resist dents and dingsDouble-wall vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot until the last sipNo sweat design say adios to damp or frostbit fingers
$24 at Amazon
Who couldn’t do with a worry stone at their desk?
I have a couple of these on my desk. They’re not only super nice to play with, but also look good and get people’s attention.
This unique worry coin is upcycled from a discarded bowling ball. They have shaped them with one concave side for maximum satisfaction when holding between forefinger and thumb. Each Bowling Ball Worry Coin will have unique colors and patterns.
Open packages without opening an artery
This tool is Pperfect for scrapbooking, news articles, coupons, art projects, and plastic packages.
Finger friendly designFeatures a high-tech ceramic blade that’s almost as hard as diamonds; lasts longer than steel and never rustsNon-Slip Rubberized Finish with Built-in Magnet and Key-Ring HoleCutting tool that’s quick, easy, and safe1% of Slice sales are donated to fund Autism research at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital – Stanford University
$8 at Amazon
What does that check engine light mean?
You can use this to read and clear your Check Engine Light and all other vehicle systems. Here are the features:
Get your unlimited free vehicle-specific Repair Reports, generated from our database of millions of fixes verified by Professional Automotive TechniciansAs easy to use as a code reader with all the capabilities of an expensive handheld scan tool, plus the benefits of your smartphone or tablet (free app updates, portability, saving data, interactive graphing of live data)Officially licensed and certified for Apple and Android devicesThe BlueDriver App and BlueDriver Sensor work exclusively with each other to ensure qualityBlueDriver is the Professional OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool trusted by mechanics and developed by Professional Engineers in North America
$99 at Amazon
Need more gift ideas?
Check out our ZDNet Recommends directory or Holiday Gifts hub for some more inspiration.
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