The Traveller

Our travel gifts will surely make traveling easier.

Go Toob Travel Bottles
Airline approved! Don’t get stopped at the security gate for over-sized travel bottles. Store your shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotions, hand-sanitizer, toothpaste, and many other toiletry fluids, and your check-in will be a breeze. Go Toob– “The Original Patented Soft Bottle” — is ultra compact at 1.25 oz, 100% BPA and PC free, easily squeezable, cleanable, and lock-tight. The bottles are color coded, and a window in the collar identifies the contents. Simply rotate the window to mark the bottle as soap, lotion, shampoo, and more. Tighten the cap to the lock setting, and you’re good to go. Slips easily into purses, pockets, and carry-ons. Go Toob’s are also FDA approved for food storage and able to store condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and cooking oils. Buy this 3 pack for $19.95.

Dual Converter and Universal Plug-in Kit

Traveling abroad is easy with the Dual Converter and Universal Plug-in Kit from Lewis & Clark. This handy gadget allows you use of your gadgets and small appliances in over 175 countries–travel in most parts of Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa.

The dual converter reduces 220 volt appliances to 110 volts, and can be used with heating appliances up to 2,000 watts or electrical appliances up to 50 watts. It automatically senses the appliance type and selects the appropriate setting. Auto reset fuse.

The plug-ins include 4 of the most common plug configurations in the world, including: Australia/New Zealand, Europe/Asia, and Japan and the Americas. Simply plug the appropriate adapter into the wall, and plug in the appliance or gadget you wish to use. Not recommended for computers.

• Includes: Dual Converter, 4 plug-ins, soft travel case

Digital Travel Luggage Scale
On average, an airline will charge you up to $100 for overweight luggage, even if you only exceed the weight limit by 1 pound! Use the Digital Travel Luggage Scale to save on costly baggage charges by checking the weight of your luggage beforehand. The Digital Travel Luggage Scale will measure weight up to 88 pounds. It also features a bright, blue back-lit display, auto power off, and a quick release strap that easily adjusts to any size handle. Measures only 5.51″ x .98″ x 1.18″ for easy storage, and weighs a mere .24 lbs. Buy the Digital Travel Luggage Scale for $17.95.

The Cook

From the traditional to the eclectic, UsefulThings has kitchen gadgets for every type of chef.

Herb Savor
Prolong the life of your herbs for up to 3 weeks. Prepara’s Original Herb Savor is laboratory tested and proven to do just that, so you can cook with the freshest ingredients every time. The stainless steel herb basket keeps herbs neatly bunched together, while the easy refillable water well keeps the stems submerged in the perfect amount of water. The Herb Savor can also be used for asparagus. The attractive design fits inside a typical refrigerator door, is 100% BPA free, and top-rack dishwasher safe. Chosen as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2010, the Herb Savor comes with a 5 year warranty. Buy the Herb Savor for $29.95.

Aerobie Aeropress Coffee & Espresso Maker w/ Tote Bag

Brew the richest, smoothest, freshest coffee in 30 seconds! The unique design of the Aerobie Aeropress uses an ideal water temperature, gentle air pressure, total immersion, and a micro-filter to brew the perfect cup of coffee. First, the water and grounds mingle for 10 seconds. Then, the gentle air pressure pushes the mixture through the micro-filter for 20 seconds. The lower temperature and short brew time produces not only a rich, smooth flavor, but lower acid content so it’s friendlier on the stomach. The Aerobie Aeropress makes 1-4 cups of coffee or espresso. Made in the USA, and includes a handy tote bag. Buy the Aerobie Aeropress for $29.95.

Kitchen Timers
Every cook needs a kitchen timer, and UsefulThings carries a wide selection of styles. Choose from:

The Student

Our gifts for the student are practical and affordable.

Staple Free Stapler

Save your professor from sweater snags, finger pricks, and important document rips. Try the eco-friendly Staple Free Stapler instead! This stapler works by cutting a neat bond in the corner of your paper stack. The bond is a combination of a punch, a fold, and a tuck, which proves effective. It works best for stacks of two to five sheets of paper, five being the maximum. The Staple Free Stapler is maintenance free, uses no staples, and only measures 2×2x1.8 inches for easy storage in back packs. Available in Sleek Black or Cool Clear. Buy the Staple Free Stapler for $9.95.

Cube Clock

Never be late for class again. This real, working clock styled after the greatest puzzle toy of the 1980s–the Rubik’s Cube– will add style and function to your dorm room. It’s four functions include: clock, alarm, calendar, and temperature. Rotate the top row of the cube to select which function you want to set. The calendar function displays date, day of the week, and year; the temperature reads both Fahrenheit and Celsius; and the clock can be set to 12 or 24 hours. Measures 3″ x 3″ x 3″ and features digital LCD display. Buy the Cube Clock for $21.95.

Eco Reusable Coffee Cup

Every student needs a cup of joe to chug on their way to class in the morning. The original “I’m Not a Paper Cup” is the eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper or styrofoam coffee cups. It features a durable double-walled layer of thermal porcelain and a silicone top, both of which are dishwasher and microwave safe. The cup is 100% non-toxic and reusable. Holds up to 10 ounces. Buy the Eco Reusable Coffee Cup for $13.95.

The Outdoorsman

Keep your outdoorsman or woman safe on their next outing with our unique selection of outdoorsy gifts.

Survival Straps
Wear your Survival Strap wherever you go, and you’ll be prepared in an emergency. Use your Survival Strap to:

• Get down a cliff
• Make a splint, sling, or tourniquet
• Tow a snowmobile
• Make a shelter
• Tie up a mean dog
• As an emergency belt or shoelace

Made from ultra strong, military spec 550 paracord, Survival Straps are truly meant to be used in emergency situations. When you find yourself in a jam, unravel your bracelet and deploy the paracord. The large Survival Straps are 1″ wide and built with approximately 1.75′ of cord per inch of wrist size. Therefore, a size 7.5 will give you about 14 feet of paracord when unraveled. The small Survival Straps are .5″ wide and great for women and children. The large sizes will withstand 550 pounds of weight, while the small sizes have a breaking strength of 200 pounds.

Survival Straps are Made in America and a proud supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. They also come with a Lifetime Guarantee! If you use your Survival Strap in an emergency situation, email the replacement form that comes with the owner’s manual to the company, along with your story, and they will replace your Survival Strap for free.

Vapur Anti-Bottle – Flexible Water Bottle

Reusable, foldable, washable, freezable, attachable, identifiable, and completely BPA free. What more could you ask for in a water bottle? Oh, yeah– they are also made in the USA. Vapur’s Anti-Bottle Water Bottles are constructed with three layers of durable FDA approved plastic that is stain resistant and odor and taste free. When in use, the Anti-Bottle is designed to stand. When empty, roll, fold, or flatten the bottle for easy storage. The bottles can even be filled with water and frozen for use as an ice pack. Attach your bottle to your belt loop or backpack with a convenient carabiner, and personalize it by writing your name in the white space provided on the back of the water bottle. Choose from Cyan Blue, Green, or Smoke. Buy a Vapur Water Bottle for $10.49.

LightCap: Solar Powered Lantern & Water Bottle
SolLight’s LightCap 300 is a solar powered lantern, water bottle, and waterproof container all in one. The FastSolar technology is super efficient–expose the lid to sunlight, and the internal battery will charge, storing up to 8 hours of light time. When you’re ready to use, a recessed 3-way switch turns on 4 super bright white LED lights, and 1 red LED light. A daylight sensor prevents accidental battery drain. The one liter water bottle is 100% BPA free, has a 50% wider mouth, and a narrow-waist for easy gripping. The bottle is completely water tight, for use as a container for your wallet, cell phone, and other valuables. The LightCap 300 measures 4″ x 8.5″ and weights 9.7 oz. Buy a Lightcap 300 for $39.95.

The Party Animal

After a hard day, kick back and enjoy a cocktail. Our bar gifts will ensure you relax, or party hardy, in style.

Cocktail Shakers

No bar is complete without a cocktail shaker, and UsefulThings has you covered in that department. Choose from our sleek and stylish Bullet Cocktail Shaker, our 5 Piece Deluxe Cocktail Shaker Set, a Classic Cocktail Shaker, which is available in 3 sizes, or learn how to make a Mojito, Kamikaze, and more with our Recipe Cocktail Shaker.

Ice Ball Molds

Pack these Japanese style Ice Ball molds with water, juice, lemons, limes, berries, herbs, or any combination you can dream up, and instantly add fun and functionality to your drinks. The 2 inch round balls seal tight, so they won’t spill on your trip to the freezer. Plus, the larger ice size ensures your drinks will stay colder longer. Simply open the molds, fill, and freeze. When you’re ready to use, unhinge the mold, and add the ice ball to your drink. The molds are BPA free, color coded, and come in a set of 4 which can snap together. Buy a 4 pack of Ice Ball Molds for $12.95.

Ice Shot Glass Mold

Make your next party super cool. Fill the Cool Shooters shot glass mold with juice or water, freeze until solid, then pop out four fully formed frozen shot glasses. Add the drink of your choice and enjoy! The pure food-grade silicone mold makes easy to grip shot glasses that will simply melt away when you’re done. Mold measures 5″x 3″ x 5″ and glasses are approximately 1.75″ x 1.75″ x 2.25″. Buy the Ice Shot Glass Mold for $12.95.

“Make Your Laptop’s Battery Last Over 10 Hours”
via unplggd

Choosing an Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree
Are live trees wasteful? Should you buy a fake tree made in China? These questions and more answered.

“Royal Tannenbaums: How to Pick the Best and Greenest Christmas Tree”
via The Daily Green

Elderberry Helps Boost Immunity
Fight winter colds, the flu, and other ailments with elderberries.

“Cold Season Immunity Booster: Elderberry”
via Stepcase Lifehack

10 Billion Promo Offers 10 Cent Android Apps
Google is currently offering 10 Android apps for $0.10 each for the next 10 days, as part of their 10 Billion app downloads promo.

“Google Drops 10 Android Apps for 10 Cents in 10 Billion Countdown”
via Electronista

Alternatives to PayPal
If you need to send money electronically, and PayPal isn’t your cup of tea, try these alternatives.

“5 Alternatives to PayPal”
via Geek Dad

“5 Questions to Ask Your Landlord Before You Sign a Lease”
via Consumerist

How-to Take Great Pictures this Holiday Season
A few key elements can make the difference between photos to be framed, and photos to be trashed.

“How to Take Fabulous Photos this Holiday Season”
via My Life Scoop

Google Maps v. 6 Brings GPS Inside Buildings
With Google Maps version 6, you can now view floor plans for airports, malls, and other indoor buildings.

“Google Maps 6 Brings GPS to Airports, Malls”
via Electronista

Air Flo Controller Cools Gaming Palms
If the heat of battle makes your palms sweat, try the Air Flo Controller.

“Air Flo Controller Cools Palms”
via Coolest Gadgets

Top HDTVs for 2011
PCWorld Labs tested the best sets for features, design, and image quality.

“The Top 10 HDTVs of 2011″
via PC World

Thankfully, we live in a world where pizza is not only easy-to-find but – if you’re American – now also counts as one of your daily servings of vegetables. God bless the USA, and her love for pizza pies.

Coffee snobs have optimized the process of making the rich, delicious beverage from the time the bean is plucked to the moment it touches your lips, why shouldn’t pizza be the same way? The people at Fred & Friends think it should be. They’ve developed the Pizza Boss: a circular saw pizza cutter that ensures you’ll look like a boss while you’re divvying up the pie for all your friends or just for you – not judging.

The Pizza Boss pizza cutter is made out of tough-as-nails industrial grade plastic, meaning your pizza saw can handle the usage stress of an avid pizza eater. The circular saw Pizza Boss from Fred & Friends has a laser etched stainless steel blade that will cut through even the toughest pizzas like butter. Thin crust? A cinch! 2 toppings? No problem! 20 toppings? You should probably go see a doctor after eating it, but you won’t have any problems slicing it up. When you’re done eating all that pizza, simply remove the shield for easy clean up and sink into that sweet, sweet food coma. Mmmm.

Not hungry for pizza right now? You will be. Check out 10 of our favorite pizza gifs from Senor Gif, Pizza Gifs and Gif Soup after the cut.

Reject bad pizza!

Is your mouth watering, yet?

The only thing better than pizza is free pizza.

Pizza is truly magical.

Pizza: the 8th wonder of the world.

A work in progress.

Invasion of the pizza snatchers

Pizza time is all the time!

Stuffed crust was always the best. Hands down.

What's hotter than the electric slide and easier than the macarena? Hint: this guy is doing it.

“What Not to Buy During the Holidays”
via Kiplinger

Daily Goal Setting Will Help You Be Successful
Reach your goals and dreams faster with daily goal setting.

“How the Act of Daily Goal Setting Makes You Successful”
via Stepcase Lifehack

The Best Apples for Apple Pie
Different apples impart different flavors. So, which apple should you use in your pie?

“What are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?”
via The Kitchn

Geekaphone Helps You Choose the Best Cell Phone for You
Gamer? Photo enthusiast? Geekaphone will help you choose the best cell phone for your particular needs.

Geekaphone