Christmas is next week, and you have shopping to do. I’ve got some suggestions.
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Christmastime, like all time, is fleeting, but only brighter and full of merry. Seriously, it goes fast. That said, if you are anything like me, meaning tall and handsome, you are probably starting to fill the crunch of the holiday shopping experience. YOU NEED STUFF.
That’s why I’m here, people. Throughout the year I’ve come across some very awesome products, and I have dwindled that list down to the few I am sharing here. These are the best of the best, and I can’t recommend them enough:
Roku 3 Streaming Media Player
First of all, the remote control has a headphone jack. A headphone jack! In the remote! You can also use your iOS or Android device as a remote (with free app), and technically those have headphone jacks, too, but that doesn’t seem nearly as impressive.
Did I mention the Roku 3 remote also has motion control for games like Angry Birds Space?
Okay, enough about the remote.
With Roku 3 you can access the everything: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, HBO GO, Redbox Instant by Verizon (that’s a thing?) and over a thousand other channels—or as Roku claims, enough to watch a new movies every day for 82 years. You may want to double up.
All you need is high-speed wi-fi, a HDMI cable, and a high-definition TV (not included), them boom, you can get rid of cable or satellite and control your viewing at a fraction of the price.
Awesome, right?
A2B makes some incredible electric bikes, any one of which will change your life. And that’s going light on the hyperbole. Take for instance the Alva+ (as in Thomas Alva Edison), it has a throttle that allows you to ride without pedaling when need be and pedal assist (not all of the bikes do) to give you some oomph when you do. It’s wonderful in the city, and fantastic on hills.
The Alva+, depending on the rider, conditions, and power setting, has a battery range up to 40 miles on one charge and a maximum power assistance speed of 24mph. It has a 500W motor, an optional 17ah battery (standard is 13.2ah), hydraulic brakes, and suspension that feels like you’re riding on a cloud, which is nice. It takes just under four hours to charge the battery and the bike weighs 66lb.
A2B bikes are a great way to stay in shape on your daily commute while making a big dent in your carbon footprint.
Did I mention it is stylish as hell?
Disney Infinity might be the greatest video game we have ever owned. It is so awesome that when we found out the Wii version didn’t offer the full experience (due to memory limitations and an inability to download the free toy box offerings) we arranged for the boys to get an XBOX 360 for Christmas (thanks, Dad!). DISNEY INFINITY MUST BE PLAYED.
What is it? Imagine a virtual world where you can harness the magic of Disney via every character they have, and apply your own imagination to create an endless universe in which they all play together. It’s infinite. Hence, the name.
Your kids will want to play it for hours, and thanks to the high level of interaction and thought required you just might be inclined to let them.
Just in time for the holidays, the lightweight, wearable Looxcie 3 video camera allows those lucky people on your gift list to capture and share their magical moments instantly through photo OR video—they can even stream video directly to the Facebook and YouTubes that all the kids are talking about!
There are a variety of mounts for the Looxcie 3 that allow the wearer to do it all, from epic adventures to the kids’ soccer match. You can pair the Looxcie 3 with a free companion app to stream video instantly to friends and family over the mobile platform.
This is really happening. It’s the holy grail of peanut butter and chocolate: two rights make a better.
Yes, everybody’s favorite building brick has teamed with everyone’s favorite building game, and OH MY GOD IT’S REALLY HAPPENING!
This is the perfect gift for all the kids on your lists. Also, nerds. And me.
Great Books by Dads
Sure, there are lots of great books written by parents, but these books were authored by members of the dad blogging community, and they are incredible.
Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects by Mike Adamick and The Guide to Baby Sleep Positions by Charlie Capen and Andy Herald are two of the most entertaining reads on the market today. The parents in your life will love them!
Buy everyone else nice bottles of liquor or gift cards, you can’t go wrong with either.
Happy shopping and merry holidays!
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Top Image: Flickr/JD Hancock