Nibby’s favorite things list might not be as exclusive as Oprah’s but I think you will enjoy reviewing them. All the items listed, I own or have used and recommend. Maybe this list will give you some gift giving ideas for this Christmas 2011 gift giving season. I sure would enjoy and appreciate your comments.
Apple’s iPad -I have owned both a first-generation iPad and presently use a iPad2. This blog was actually created using a iPad2 and its Bluetooth keyboard. The iPad2 is the ultimate push media device. This one device can take the place of so many other devices its almost silly not to own one. I no longer need to carry a camera, music player, video camera or a TV set. This device does it all. This is truly a marvelous invention. See an interesting review on the Moxiemoshow.com comparing the iPad to other tablet computers.
Food Steamer –an underutilized and often forgotten gadget for the kitchen. Cook healthy meals fast without stove or microwave. A great way to warm leftover food too. If you have leftover rolls or biscuits- the steamer will make them fresh again. I’m finding myself using the microwave less and less.
Roku Media Streaming Player –dish the cable TV and get this device. I find it better than Apple TV. One box that allows you to view on your main house TV NetFlix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Twitter, Facebook and many other services. Their channel store has something for everyone. If you want to stream your iTunes library the Apple TV might be your choice since Roku does not do this well. Don’t waste your money buying another DVD or Blu-ray player. This small device does it all without discs. Besides DVD’s and Blu-ray are going to be where 8-Tracks and VHS players are today and really quick.
Amazon Prime Membership -if you enjoy shopping with Amazon.com as much as I do you need to buy this $79 per annum membership. This gives you free two-day shipping on many Amazon items (if an item is not Amazon Prime eligible I usually do not buy it). The membership also gives you streaming of movies and TV Shows. If you own a Kindle device you get access to thousands of Kindle Books free.
Mobile Hotspot -ever been somewhere and needed internet access? This device is great for traveling. You can pay for the service as you go. You can even get refill cards from Wal-Mart for as low as $20. If you are with others you can share this internet connection with five other users. I have used the device in the car with kids and iPad’s and even used it on a boat vacation one summer on Kentucky Lake. It is not a substitute for your home or work internet connection but does get the job done. I also have is as a disaster-recovery tool we can use at GoVaughn.com Insurance, in case we are without the internet.
Smartwool Socks -OK this is the ultimate gift. Everyone can appreciate socks. The first time I saw and wore these socks I thought they would be hot and uncomfortable. I was wrong. I have been wearing them for over three years and have completely removed all socks from my collection that are not Smartwool’s. They are great year-round and they have styles for women. Simon’s shoes in downtown Henderson KY have them.
Cusinart Brew and Grind – coolness of this gadget is yet decided. I purchased this just a few weeks ago and already returned it once. The base warming element clicks loudly while it is keeping the brewed coffee warm, and it is annoying while you are reading the iPad in the mornings. However, I do like the ability to add whole beans to the top and the pot grinds and brews all at the same time. As you can imagine there are more parts to clean on this newfangled coffee pot than just the filter basket.
Starbucks Christmas Blend is my favorite blend of coffee that Starbucks produces and only available during the Christmas Season. The VIA version of the Christmas Blend is good as well. Buy them direct from a Starbucks store and my favorite store is Starbucks #8345 Green River Rd, Evansville Indiana.
AVEDA Rosemary Mint Hand and Body Wash -best smelling nondrying body wash and hand soap I have ever found. This is perfect anytime of the year but especially nice around the holidays with the scent of Rosemary and Mint. There are no alcohol or petroleum products in the wash – it is all natural. There is a AVEDA store in Evansville IN – Solaris AVEDA -they are a full service salon offering spa like services. I have used their services in the past but really like their products the best. Next Saturday -December 3, 2011 they are having a 15% off AVEDA product sale. If you go over there try the AVEDA comforting tea -steep yourself with a naturally sweet tea with no caffeine, sugar or added flavors a must-have for a winter evening and a great gift idea for tea lovers.
Yankee Flipper Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder a must for any bird lover who has problems with pesky squirrels eating the birds’ food. I blogged about this fun gadget a few years ago. If you want a laugh be sure to watch the video on that blog. A very well made product. I have owned one since 2009 and is still holding up quite well even with many Audubon Park Squirrel’s trying to break into the feeding compartment.
OXO Good Grips Kitchen Tool Set – our kitchens are full of mismatched kitchen tools but none I have found to be as functional as these. From the can opener to the carrot peeler they all function well and last a long time and just have a smooth feeling in your hands. This is a nice gift to a new homeowner or one who has a bunch of mismatched nonfunctioning kitchen tools. If you need a way to give an old drawer a new look this OXO Good Grips Kitchen Tool Set will do it. You can see all the OXO Tools available.
What are some of your favorite gift giving ideas?
Have you used some of these products? What did you think of them?
Nibby, did you do your blog direct in the wordpress back end or use an app on your iPad? Great list of items.
Pat, I actually wrote the blog in the iPad’s Apple Pages app then using iCloud services I converted to word on my desktop for final editing the copied and pasted into WordPress. Sounds complicated but worked quite well.
I’m doing something similar. I use an App called Writings. It syncs with my Dropbox in a .txt format. Then I edit in MarEdit, a great blogging tool and that syncs it with whichever site I want it to go to.
I haven’t found a more efficient way either. I wish someone would do a good blogging App for the iPad. Thanks for sharing.
Have you found the service on that mobile wifi to be pretty good in this area?
Yes, Dan I have found it to work well. It is not for every day use but works well when you have a temporary outage or need internet in a place where there is not internet. I like the idea that I can use it on demand and no pay for it every single month. You can’t bet the deal. Get a recharge card from Walmart for $20.
Nibby — When you use Roku … 1) Does this device connect to your home wi-fi network? 2) Do you pay for the various services (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)? 3) What type of controller (remote control?) does it have? Thanks for fielding all the questions. I am curious about this device.
Roku will connect to your home wi-fi or the Roku 2XS model has a direct plug in connection to your home network.
Yes, you have to pay for a HuluPlus and or Netflix account. Nice thing is that not only can you use those on the Roku device you can use them on other mobile devices and other roku devices in and out of your house.
Roku comes with its own controller and just last week the introduced a iPhone app that works as a remote to a Roku device.
I recommend. I think this type of device is going to be the future of television.
Merry Christmas Charles and thank you for your comment/question.
Let me know what you think.
Nibby — Thanks! How does it handle other content that you don’t pay for (such as YouTube and website videos etc.)?
Unfortunately Roku does not have a YouTube app but other services like Vimeo and UStream are very nice. I think roku and Google are competing with this product. Probably Google is going to loose since ROKU seems to be more popular than Google TV ever was.