One of the sweetest parts of giving a gift is that excited response, “I love it!” — especially when it’s genuine.
But how’s a holiday shopper to find the perfect gift, one that won’t go into the return or exchange pile? Don’t resign yourself to that tired gift card. I humbly offer my “Buy This, Not That” picks for the women in your life. Next week will be dedicated to the gentlemen.
If your lady loves to curl up on the couch with her TiVo and Surround Sound but curses while trying remember the stereo setting, don’t pick up just any universal remote. Get her the Logitech Harmony 700 advanced universal remote (Amazon, US$90), and she’ll love you more each time she turns on the TV. The best universal remote priced under $100, it recognizes up to six devices, has rechargeable batteries and a sleek ergonomic design.
Push the button labelled “Watch a Movie” and the Harmony 700 turns on your TV, stereo and DVD player, adjusting them all to the right channels and inputs. If something isn’t working correctly, press the “Help” button for a series of easy prompts to solve the problem.
The remote buttons also automatically control the correct device. For example, pressing the remote’s volume button will adjust the stereo, not the TV. Press “channel up” while watching TV, and the remote will change the channel on your DVR. Switch from a movie to TV by pressing one button.
For the woman who resolves every New Year to shave off those “last five pounds,” is there any way to help her meet her goal (short of taking the doughnut out of her hand — and possibly getting bit in the process)? Instead of sessions with a personal trainer, consider the Fitbit Ultra (www.fitbit.com, $100). The small, clip-on exercise monitor tracks daily activities, from steps taken to distance travelled, even the number of stairs climbed. It converts the data into an activity score based on goals you set.
Wear the device to bed to track sleep patterns or use its smartphone app to quickly record what you ate for lunch.
It translates your overall health information into charts and graphs, including calories burned vs. calories consumed. The data upload wirelessly so you can track your progress over time and compare your stats with friends or the Fitbit Online community. Seeing a score is surprisingly motivating. In testing the device last year, I found it encouraged me to take the stairs instead of the elevator — just to see my improved stats at the end of the day.
For the woman who has a bevy of gadgets, don’t just grab a universal charger at the electronics store. Revolve Electronics Inc.’s xeMilo hybrid charger (revolveusa.com, $100) is perfect for anyone needing reliable power for a tablet, smartphone, MP3 player or any of more than 3,000 other gadgets. Charge up to two devices at once using an electrical outlet, car, computer or even the sun. Smaller than the average paperback, the charger likely will fit in your gift recipient’s purse.
Need something beefier? Revolve promises the release of the xeMax any day now. Retailing at about $130, it’s billed as the smallest universal battery charger capable of boosting a laptop. Maintaining power on a car trip with a cranky child may just be the best gift she gets this year.
Andrea Eldridge is CEO of Nerds on Call, which offers on-site computer and home theatre set-up and repair. Based in Redding, Calif., it has locations in five states. Contact Eldridge at callnerds.com/andrea