Here it is: RoxAndRoll's favorite things of 2009! So what, you ask?! I point you to my family, who will tell you that I fixate on giving people good gifts. I don't believe in buying people junk, especially as I am still in the process of decluttering my house from the junk people gave us when we married thirteen years ago plus the nine years (and counting) of childrearing. The list below is stuff I'd give to family members, teachers, friends; there are no "luxury" gifts here, nor is there a spectacular dollar-store find. The best stuff in life is not stuff at all -- but if you are going to buy stuff for someone else, here are some gifts that will be appreciated. I've written out tales to go with my top 5 pics, then I follow with a handful of honorable mentions with briefer descriptions. Enjoy!
1. My very favorite thing of 2009: The Activeion Pro
What -- a cleaning tool? For Christmas? Yes, I'm serious! Read on:
Back in May, the PR firm handling the Activeion Pro account held this fantastic event at The Tech in San Jose during which Bill Nye the Science Guy demonstrated the Activeion, explained the science behind it, and showed the crowd, kids included, some other fun science tricks. In fact, this event promised to be so fantastic that I cancelled a trip to Vegas with my husband to be among the crowd; Bill Nye is my four year-old son Dash's personal hero, and I couldn't miss this chance for him to meet the guy IRL. Whatever the Activeion Pro was didn't matter back then -- this was Bill Nye the Science Guy! IRL! AWESOME!
Well, as it turns out, the Activeion Pro they gave me is equally awesome, and I don't say that lightly. This cleaning system is amazing, the science behind it incredible. It uses tap water alone -- ONLY water -- and converts it to a cleaner and sanitizer using ionizing technology (basically electrically charging the water). Before you get all freaked out by that, yes, it's safe -- and it cleans and sanitizes as well as Clorox. I don't use other cleaners anymore. Gone are my Windex, Clorox spray, Fantastik, you name it... the only other cleaners I use are Method products for dusting and for the toilets/tubs, though I think the Activeion handles my tile pretty darned well. It makes my stainless steel shine, my windows sparkle, and my counters sanitized. When my parents' dog had surgery and his wound bled on their white couch and carpet, the Activeion even cleaned that. It's a freakin' miracle cleaning system. Fewer chemicals, safe for my kids and pets... it's the best swag I ever received!
And did I mention that it's made in Minnesota, right here in the U.S.A.?
The downside? The Activeion Pro retails for $299. However, they have a new model (the ionater HOM) that sells for $169. I'm sure I spent that much, probably more, in a year on cleaning products. Will your spouse find the gift of a cleaning product offensive? Possibly... but your mom will love it.
Disclaimer: Yes, I received a free Activeion Pro. I was not asked to blog about it and am receiving no compensation for recommending this product. It's just my own opinion, after using it for six months, that it's awesome. You need one of these, you really do.
2. My favorite kitchen gadget of 2009: The Breadman TR875 2-Pound Breadmaker, Stainless Steel
I am allergic to wheat. I do not have to live gluten-free, but I mostly do -- mostly because restaurants bizarrely respect "gluten-free" over "wheat could kill me." In any event, of all the things that I have never found suitable replacements for (pie crust? ha!), bread topped the list. I can eat spelt, but, as my husband eats delicious loaf after delicious loaf of Mayfield's sourdough, sometimes, I just want a white bread that I can smother with butter and enjoy with tea -- one that doesn't have the texture of sand and the flavor of sheetrock. Sometimes I want gluten-free pizza dough that doesn't cost a small fortune. Sometimes I don't have the patience to knead and wait and punch down and knead again. Who knew what a miracle a bread machine was?!
This Breadman breadmaker does everything for you. You just dump in the ingredients, and it mixes, rises, kneads, bakes, etc. My favorite thing to make in it is Pamela's gluten-free bread. Also, this bread machine comes with a recipe book that includes gluten-free recipes; and, with a gluten-free setting, baking often-testy gluten-free recipes is foolproof!
At just under $100, this breadmaker is a great value, in my opinion. I bought my own, and, over two months, it probably paid for itself compared to the overpriced, bad GF bread I used to buy. For whom is this a great gift? Any GF person you know, or anyone who loves the smell of fresh bread baking in his/her house -- it's a real treat.
3. My favorite gift for a cause: Magical Bridge wine
Some friends of mine in Palo Alto are working hard to make the Magical Bridge playground a reality. This will be Palo Alto's only playground designed with the needs of those with physical and/or cognitive challenges in mind. Think about it: most playgrounds are rife with sand and mulch, steps and bars that a child with physical handicaps can't necessarily access -- and a parent in a wheelchair can't reach if their child is in danger. This park takes into account all of these unique needs. Every kid needs a place to play, and there are so many parks in Palo Alto that aren't accessible to every kid; I'm really, really proud of my friends who are bringing this special park for everyone to life.
Priced from $20-30/bottle, this wine makes a great holiday gift that keeps on giving. While enjoying the wine, the recipient can read about the Magical Bridge playground on its label. Shhh, don't tell, but I'm gifting this wine to most of my kids' teachers and coaches. Last year, we gave them Feed 100 bags from Whole Foods, another gift with a message -- but I like this gift of wine better because it benefits local kids who need an accessible park.
4. My favorite "green" buy of 2009: To-Go Ware's 3-Tier Action Pack #2
Oh, how I'm dying to get away from plastic. Everyone knows that used and reused disposable plastic containers, especially when you heat things in them, is bad for you. But I pack my kids' lunches in plastic, still, because it's so convenient. I used the healthiest plastic containers that I can find (like Laptop Lunches), but I wanted something different for me. I carry lunch to Dash's preschool, and I wanted a container that could a.) hold both of our lunches, b.) not stain and stink to high heaven even after being washed, c.) not leach dangerous chemicals into our food, and d.) look cool.
At Green Fest this year, I found this To-Go Ware tiffin box set, a three-tier tiffin box with an extra tiny container inside for something like salad dressing plus a carrier and bamboo utensils. I have been oogling these on the Reusable Bags website for quite some time but hesitated; at around $50 for the set, it seemed a pricier lunchbox than using the containers I have in a reusable bag. I scored a deal at Green Fest and got it for $45 -- and I just love it. I can fit everything for both Dash and me in it, and food tastes great straight out of it. The downside is that you can't microwave the containers, so we just pack cold stuff -- not the end of the world. It's a fun way to save money by brown-bagging -- err, tiffin-boxing -- it. For whom would I buy this? Teachers, especially the ones sitting on your school's "green team," would love it; or anyone promising a new year's diet, which always starts with stopping the eating-out thing.
5. My favorite gourmet gift: Bluebottle Coffee
If you haven't had Bluebottle coffee, you haven't lived. I kid you not. This small roaster in Oakland, CA (third most dangerous city in America! yippee!) makes THE best coffee on the fast of God's green earth. Even Philz (my second favorite) is a far cry from Bluebottle. Their Hayes Valley Espresso is so good that my brother -- the biggest coffee snob ever (and I won't even offend him by saying that) -- mail-orders it from DC to make in his super-fancy ($$$$!) coffee system.
I drink this nectar of the gods regularly at Fraiche yogurt, but you can order it online by the pound or in multi-month gift subscriptions. For whom would I buy this? Clearly, my brother, or any other coffee afficionado; or, again, teachers -- just leave out the mug, as teachers really don't need any more of those! Other ideas: coaches, the helpful receptionist at your doctor's office, anyone who'll give you the swine flu vaccine, your neighbor... the possibilities are endless!
The RoxAndRoll 2009 Gift Guide Honorable Mentions:
Around the Table: Kitchen and Gourmet Specialties with a great assortment of holiday gift baskets - This was my favorite store in Pennington, New Jersey, and I can vouch for the owner, Chris Toto, an awesome chef and great person. These are great gifts for that East Coast relative for whom you don't know what to buy.
xsbaggage&co: This Etsy shop has gorgeous purses with awesome, numerous pockets handmade in Pennsylvania. I've carried one of their bags for over a year, and it has no signs of wear and tear -- at $40, they're a steal! They're a great gift for someone transitioning out of a diaper bag because of those glorious pockets.
Livestrong fitness gear: I don't know a man -- or woman -- who doesn't love Livestrong stuff. Proceeds from the purchase of this gear go toward the Lance Armstrong Foundation in support of cancer research. It's especially great stuff for the cyclist in your life.
Rabbit wine opener: I can't open a bottle of wine to save my life except with this amazing Rabbit opener that my husband received as swag about five years ago. It both opens and recorks a bottle effortlessly. Your 90 year-old arthritic granny could open wine with this gadget. They are available in a variety of sets and price ranges, starting at around $35 at WalMart to nearly $100 for tabletop models.
What gift would you add to this "Stuff For Adults" list? I'd love to hear your ideas! Happy Holidays!
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