When a holiday list is stacked with impossible-to-buy-for family and friends, gift cards and impulse purchases win out at the till, but don't tend to inspire the warm and fuzzies (no one needs a radio shower, ever). There's no need to be the bearer of boring presents with these 5 products that will make you the vanguard of the Secret Santa exchange.
Each product is rated on its Geek Factor (1 being the lowest, 10 the highest) that considers each item's technical capability, practical application and aesthetic bells and whistles.
Polaroid Cube: Everything is old is new again – including Polaroid. Capitalizing on "modern nostalgia" (novel look, progressive output) is the Polaroid Cube, which is a pint-size video recorder and camera all in one. Measuring under 2 inches, the Cube is built for durability, mobility and spontaneity – it can be pulled out at a moment's notice and requires no batteries (thanks to a USB charger) or film. And the look of it is so retro-adorable, expect it to be the life of the New Year's Eve party. (Snap Happy Tip: Mounts and memory cards sold separately; for shipping to Canada try Photojojo, where it retails for US$99.99.)
Geek Factor: 5
Selfie Stick: Have a selfie-obsessed teen on your holiday shopping list? This selfie stick takes auto-photography to the next level, and offers respite from the typical shots taken in the bathroom mirror and reverse camera lens photos that never come out quite right. Relatively inexpensive online – you can pick one up for under $30, but they are selling fast – this would make for a great (if awkwardly wrapped) stocking stuffer. Also an interesting Secret Santa gift for the backpacker who'd like to get that iconic "I'm holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa" photo on a solo trip to Europe.
Geek Factor: 3
Muse Sensory Headband: Brain fitness is one of the hottest trends in health and wellness, and Muse is on the cutting edge of cerebral workouts. Billing itself as a treadmill for the mind, Muse measures brain signals and, when paired with a smartphone, uses guided 3-20 minute exercises to train the brain to increase focus by helping the user recognize distractions and recover from wandering thoughts more quickly. The ultimate goal isn't to look like a character from Star Trek (that's just a perk), but rather to decrease stress and enhance attention span and emotional stability. Just like physical workouts, repetition is key to better results. Ashton Kutcher was an early fan of Muse (and an investor), but this product was born in Canada. $299 at www.choosemuse.com
Geek Factor: 9
Cogito POP Smartwatch: Smartwatches seem to be getting bigger and flashier (we're looking at you, Apple), which makes the analog face on the Cogito POP Smartwatch a bit of a novelty. The single colour design is youthful and contemporary, and it has just enough bells and whistles to make it useful (LED icons for phone calls, email, texts and social media notifications) and allows for one-touch access to music and the essential "Oh no I've lost my phone" Hail Mary button. Bonus points for veering from the typical black and grey with pink and white options. $99 at Best Buy.
Geek Factor: 7
Beats By Dr. Dre Wireless Headphones: The wireless over-ear headphones by Beats by Dr. Dre are as stylish as they are functional (and pricey – these bad boys will set you back close to $400). With intuitive noise-cancelling technology (external sounds are balanced with music, and without music headphones can be used for sweet silence), Beats connect to a device up to 30 feet away, boast a 12-hour battery life, and come with a USB charger and hard carrying case. With a disciplined and compact look (not a screw in sight), they stand out from the crowd with a curvy design and chic colour options such as champagne and metallic sky. $399.94 at apple.com
Geek Factor: Negligible (but the cool factor is through the roof)
