Some Unique Holiday Gift Ideas

In the spirit of holiday beneficence I'd like to offer seven of my very best and most top secret gift ideas.  You've tried giving vacuum cleaners, brooms, neckties and car wash gift certificates.  Now you want more.  You want something special; something no one else thought of first, at least in your house.

As long as you are the only one reading this blog, you are safe.

And now, forthwith, the list . . . .

#1 is a book - NOVEMBERS FURY by Michael Schumacher.



As we more into winter and the season of storms it's always good to think back to storms of years past.  This is the story of the Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913, which swallowed a hundred men and a dozen ships on the Great Lakes.  Beautifully written and lavishly illustrated, it belongs in any armchair mariner's bookcase.

#2 is a light - and what a light!



The Streamlight Strion LED HL is the brightest little flashlight I have seen.  It seems like flashlight technology gets better every year.  The lights get smaller, lighter, and brighter with every iteration.  The days of the old five-cell Mag-Lite that doubled as a head cracker are long gone.  You'll need a separate night stick with this little light, baby!

#3 is a tool for learning which wire will bite you and which are safe



How many times have you licked your fingers, and stuck them in a light socket, only to get knocked across the room?  Why did it happen?  Because the electricity was turned on.  Now, you can find live wires and sockets without putting your fingers in harm's way.

The Fluke Volt Stick is just the answer.  Just touch the tip to a wire or socket.  If the tip glows red, there's voltage present.  For even more fun, buy two.  Remove the batteries from the second one, and give it to your opponent!

#4 is a tool to record holiday memories.



Yes, a camera.  And what a camera!  The Fuji XE 1 will outperform a $6,000 Leica in most circumstances, for under $1,000.  It's a very cool retro rangefinder design, updated with the latest technology including 16MP sensor.

#5 is a tool for managing children, livestock, and pets.



The Ozark Leather ten foot braided bullwhip will make quite an impression in a recalcitrant child, or an errant puppy.  Masters of the bullwhip can make strange drunks dance on street corners at midnight.  Imagine what you could do with a little practice !

#6 is an eminently useful article of clothing

Every guy needs one, though many are not aware of their need.  With this vest, you too can be a lumberjack.  Or at least you can look like one for TV.  Johnson Woolen Mills is a family owned clothing mill in far northern Vermont.  Their clothes are rugged and warm, able to shrug off briars, grease, and winter chill.  With one of these vests, a pocketful of shells, and a good pump shotgun, you will be ready for anything.

#7 could even save your life!



How many times have you wished you could tighten a fire hose, shut off your neighbor's gas, or cut open the roof of a small car?  With this tool, you can do all that, and more.   If you keep it in the door pocket of your car, you will truly be prepared.

In addition to the uses above, this fine tool will break car windows in a single blow (just in case you are trapped inside.)  It will cut a seat belt in two quick bites, for those pesky ones that won't let go.  And it's a handy defensive weapon, if your passenger gets out of line.


I hope you enjoy these gift ideas, and get much good use out of them.  If the recipients give you trouble, remind yourself they are easily confused and the best gifts may not be recognized as such at first.

Comments

Anonymous said…
LOVE THESE, John!

Especially the book and the rescue tool. I'd go for the whip, but I'm already in anger management and I don't think that would help my cause ;0)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Rachel Kenyon
Cynthia said…
John, My son is now 22 yrs old. He is diagnosed witth tourette syndrome as primary diagnosis with other comorbid compulsions. I often wonder if this diagnosis is entirely accurate. When i was searching for help with andd for him i think drs just wanted to give him a bunch of medications instead of trying to find what his drive was. I think my son could benefit greatly from you and your insight. I think you may help him greatly. I would love to talk to you further and setting up for you to meet my son would give me great joy. Oh yeah, i saw you on tv. That is how i got your name. I like yoyr gift list also. My fav is the all purpose tool. My name is Cynthia. Contact me via email and hopefully we can go from there. cyndirichards40@yahoo.com Merry christmas and happy new year tp you and all of your family. Sincerely, Cynthia
Katherine said…
John;
Please contact me 423903742
Katherine said…
Cynthia may want to contact Kelly Riveria CDAutism.com or mmsautism.org she, with others have found solution to cure autism

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