Holiday Gifts 2012! Three Picks For Anyone On Your List

Some people love this time of year for simple reasons: the return of the red cups at Starbucks, the annual resurgence of pumpkin pie as a featured attraction, the sound of crunching leaves underfoot and the first awesome snowfall. Others love the family parties, the overall festivity, the influx of holiday cards in the mail. I like all that stuff.

But what I really dig about this time of year: all the gift guides! Every website and magazine puts their own spin on the feature, and while I don't necessarily purchase 99% of what they're suggesting, I do love looking at it all and seeing what blows other people's hair back.

And so here's my own super-small contribution to this year's crop! Here are three things I've come across recently that I think would make great gifts to anyone on your list. (Including yourself!)

The Whale Kit from Octa

Ever try to watch a movie on your iPad or other tablet and notice that after about a half-hour of holding it propped up in JUST the right angle your fingers and hand get sort of cramped? File this under first-world problems, for sure, but the Octa "Tablet Tail" device is a seriously stylish and effective solution. You first attach one end to your device with a super-suction cup and then rest the "fin" part of the tail on any surface you want--or cradle in your hand or even hang securely off a mirror. Unlike other easel-type stands that are available, this won't tip over willy-nilly. And the modern, funky design takes it from geek to chic. $50.

 
Youtensil

Got a friend, colleague or family member who wants to save the planet? Or are you trying to wean your kids or husband off the daily use of plastic cutlery during on-the-go lunches? This tiny gift is small in price but big in impact, and again, it features truly smart design. In one tiny case (bigger than a lipstick, but smaller than a jumbo pack of gum) you have a combo fork/spoon/knife. (The spoon is normal, and so is the fork--although one edge is serrated, thereby making it a knife, too!) It folds up in a snap, is made of high quality polycarbonate and is easy to toss into every drawer or handbag. (Buy one for yourself and you'll never have to eat yogurt with your finger again!) $4 for one. 

The Square from Clean Bottle

I know, I know...yet another water bottle? Who cares about water bottles?! Well, I think that if you're going to lug something around every day and every where, it might as well be sleek and stylish—and supremely functional. No more of those tricky-to-clean straws or valves; no more gunk at the bottom of the bottle which you can't easily reach. No more lukewarm water when what you want is crisp and cool. The Square from Clean Bottle is to the water bottle what Apple Products are to design geeks. It's the Viking Stove of water bottles. It's got a angular, square design that won't slip out of your hand OR roll away if dropped, unscrews from the bottom and the top for easy cleaning, and the food-grade stainless steel has a special lip on the edge to eliminate any metallic taste that other bottles may impart. $44.50 (starts shipping in Dec)