As the season of goodwill comes around, your thoughts are probably turning to what gifts you would like to find under the tree on Christmas morning. Perhaps just as crucially, there is the question of how to drop those not so subtle hints to your friends and family about the goodies you really would love to receive, especially if you are into the latest gadgets.
Laptops, tablets and smartphones – in pink of course
If you just must have a pink tablet, smartphone or laptop, there are devices available from companies such as Samsung, Asus, Dell and Sony. If your favourite model just can’t be found in pink – those boring people at Apple seem to be colour averse – or you are happy with your present tablet or smartphone, you could always settle for a fancy cover. There are literally hundreds to choose from.
On a slightly different note, the number of ebook readers continues to multiply. A recent survey confirmed that women read more than men, so why not put in a request for a Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Elonex, Bookeen or BlackBerry device. Prices range from around £70 to over £200.
Fitness aids
If keeping fit is your thing, there are lots of gadgets to monitor or keep you entertained whilst burning the calories off.
How about a wireless speaker system that syncs with your MP3 player or iPod? Do away with those annoying wires and opt for a speaker that fits onto your bike helmet. The battery life is five hours and background noise is not cancelled out, which is a great safety feature.
Staying with bikes, there are GPS devices that not only tell you where you are, but also how far you are from the top of that never ending hill as well as measure the distance travelled and time your progress. In addition, you can upload custom routes and see how far you must travel. Accessories include a calorie burn rate indicator and heart rate monitor.
Check out wireless headphones that not only play your latest downloads, but also measure your heart rate. What’s more, a voice coach will let you know if you are taking it too easy or keeping up with the programme. A link to your phone’s GPS tracks your run.
Household gadgets
Giving household gadgets as Christmas presents can sometimes seem a little naff, not to mention sexist, so if you are really hankering after a gift in this category, it may be that you end up buying it for yourself. Of course, you could always be ultra specific about telling a loved one that you actually would love a bread-maker or deep-fat fryer.
What better accompaniment could there be to a tasty pizza than a cup or two of your favourite coffee, tea or drinking chocolate? With a Tassimo Coffee Machine installed in your kitchen, you and your friends and family can enjoy a wide selection of popular brands from the convenience of your home. The machines are compact, easy to clean and will not look out of place in any style of kitchen.
Fed up with stodgy supermarket or takeaway pizzas trying to pass themselves off as the genuine Italian article? If so, check out the latest rotating stone baked pizza maker. By evenly distributing the heat over the entire area, you are guaranteed an evenly cooked, crispy base with good healthy fresh toppings. This device features a 12” diameter cooking stone and grill base with twin cooking elements. As an added bonus, the pizza maker can also be used to cook great quiches and pies.
Why settle for the usual run of the mill presents this Christmas? There are lots of innovative and useful gadgets out there, so be sure to let your loved ones know that a woolly jumper or bright pink bobble hat simply won’t cut it this year.