Electronic Novelties That Make Great Gifts

Having some trouble finding just the right gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list? Or maybe you just can’t think of that special birthday surprise for the friend who seems to have everything already. Regardless of the situation, everyone could use more ideas for some fantastic all-purpose gifts. Here are a few electronic novelties that are all excellent gift choices for birthdays, holidays or just-because occasions.

Jupiter Jack

A great little gadget that makes a great gift and also has the potential to save a life or two, the Jupiter Jack uses a radio transmitter to convert any cell phone and car stereo into a hands free phone. To use the unit, simply plug the Jupiter Jack into any cell phone’s headphone jack, tune your car radio to an empty radio station you choose with the unit, and enjoy crystal clear conversation while you keep your hands on the wheel. A great gift for busy commuters or frequent travelers, the Jupiter Jack is a less costly alternative to a blue tooth. This unit includes adapters for all cell phone types.

Cubicaller Doorbell

A fantastic small gift for a fellow cubicle dwelling coworker or a disgruntled cubicle-bound friend, the Cubicaller Doorbell adds a bit of levity to the workplace while serving a practical purpose as well. If one of your friends is tired of unannounced visitors dropping into their workspaces unexpectedly, mount the Cubicaller on an outer wall so guests can declare themselves in a courteous (and perhaps a bit humorous) way. The press of a buttons elicits your choice of 12 sounds, including a door chime, bird call, foghorn, or antique car horn. The unit comes complete with two AAA batteries and adhesive squares for mounting.

EZ Crank Solar Radio

Another great electronic gift that could come in handy during an emergency, the EZ Crank Solar Radio is as innovative and novel as it is useful. Able to operate on three separate power sources—conventional alkaline batteries, solar power gathered with the attached solar panel or a hand-powered crank, the EZ Crank Solar Radio will guarantee that you’ll never be cut off, even in those most extreme of circumstances. Perfectly adept for emergencies, the unit also offers a built in 5-LED flashlight and a small compartment perfect for storing matches or other small emergency gear.

Weather Station Key Chain

An ultra handy little gadget for frequent campers or adventurers of all types, the Weather Station Key Chain attaches onto any belt loop or keychain and keeps the user constantly abreast of weather developments. This versatile unit contains a compass, alarm function, temperature reading, forecast, clock, date- day-year indicator and an LED flashlight all in one tiny package. The Weather Station Key Chain comes with a metal carabiner clip and requires 2 button cell batteries.

Touch Screen Video Poker and Black Jack Game

For an electronic novelty gift with a bit more levity, consider offering the Touch Screen Video Poker and Black Jack Game to your favorite card shark on her next birthday. The large, colorful LCD touch screen offers five great poker games plus blackjack with automatic scoring and a unique compact fold away construction. The unit includes an AC adapter or can be taken on the road with three AAA batteries. Like a personal casino without quite as high stakes, the Touch Screen Video Poker and Black Jack Game adds a bit of fun and relaxation to any busy friend’s life.

Electronic USB Travel Mug

If you’ve got a special coffee-chugging commuter in your life, brighten up his trip into the office with this super handy Electronic USB Travel Mug. Powered by any normal usb jack or 12 volt car power port, the mug holds 12 ounces of your favorite beverage and keeps it nice and hot on the go. The mug itself features a handy spill-proof lid, two layers of insulated stainless steel, rubber bottom and an ergonomic rubberized handle so slips will be rare and less than catastrophic if they happen. This handy gadget also fits perfectly into any standard car drink holder so it’ll stay put on long drives.

Wine Master Special Edition

Looking for a special gift for a foodie who appreciates the finer things in life like a nice expensive fine wine? The ever handy and practical Wine Master Special Edition just might fit the bill perfectly. Small enough to fit into a pocket or purse, the Wine Master offers the latest wine ratings from the esteemed Wine Enthusiast Magazine to help make selections right in the store. The tiny unit contains scrolling reviews and ratings for over 10,000 wines and liquors and even comes with a food and wine pairing guide and a wine terminology glossary to help budding wine lovers along the way.

Matt Hawking is a freelance writer who writes about several topics including novelty gifts.