10 Useful Present Ideas for Christmas etc.

If you’re still contemplating gift ideas, (or just for yourself!) you might want to consider what will actually enhance your life or household after all the magical Christmas dust has settled. 

 

If you’ve saved up enough points here at Prizes Drop to be able to swap them for an Amazon voucher, you might now be on the hunt for a useful gift, as a nice reward.

 

If you’re not yet earning points (completing simple tasks such as watching ads or doing simple surveys) then sign up today for your personal dashboard, and get going! Besides, there’s always the New Year sales to save up for.

 

As ever, the Prizes Drop blog is here to guide, with the following gift suggestions. Even better, many of them are 'green' presents in some way, since they can help you cut down on expenses, in their specific way.
 

1. Which Amazon Alexa is right for you? 

 

 

Smart-speakers are slowly taking over the world (as are the companies behind them!) But their primary use is still as music streamers, weather and news-readers. This is starting to change, since they’re also great for kids, with so many learning and reference Skills now available, and also for general knowledge, controlling devices around the house, creating your own Skills, as room intercom systems and for making/receiving internet phone calls. 

 

Check out the new Alexa Flex, which can just plug into any socket around the house, and can also act as a useful nightlight, or include other extensions. 

 

And for the car: Amazon Echo Auto. This will need to connect to your smartphone or car’s internet connection to work, but is an interesting, evolving solution which may become integrated into the latest models. It could also make driving a lot safer, with less distracted drivers on the road. 

 

2. Wi-fi plugs

 

 

Link these to the related smartphone app, and then also to your Amazon Alexa or Google Home, and you can easily control and schedule anything plugged into these sockets, even by a voice command. 

 

Great for going on holiday etc, where you also get notifications if anyone turns them on. Also perfect for scheduling your Christmas and New Year decorations to switch off at night. We wouldn’t want to disturb Santa under the Christmas tree, would we?

 

3. An attractive, simple clock

 

 

You can put these anywhere, which you can't - necessarily - say for an Alexa. For people who just need a clear digital clock, touch-activated with temperature or date options, try the kwmobile wooden clock. No need to talk to it, it just gives you the clear time wherever you need it. 

 

4. UniPin Fine-liners

 

 

Replaces those tatty old biros with something more professional in the shape of these black fineliners. Recapture the joy of writing again or sketching again in ink, make new year plans or explore your inner artist. 

 

5. Eco-friendly Cork Wallet

 

 

We’re not yet completely cashless or cardless for some time yet. So it’s time to upgrade your wallet into something lighter and more eco-friendly. Check out the range of cork or vegan wallets that will make you feel better about your money again. They still smell nice too.

 

6. Digital Car Tyre Inflator

 

 

Great for the price and great on the reviews, this Skey model will help keep your tyre pressures at safe, equal, optimum settings, which can increase their lifespan, maintain performance, and save time stopping by that garage. 

 

 

7. Robot Vacuum Cleaner

 

 

These are all the rage, and are evolving rapidly. They connect to your smartphone or smartspeaker and will automatically avoid obstacles and work overnight. Some are noisier than others and some will be more suitable for pet-owners. Do the research and join the trend than will make you think less about ‘getting the hoover out’ especially for standard areas.

 

 

8. Neck etc. Massager

 

 

Yes, very useful! These magic machines will help you relax and confront the challenges of the new year. Easily portable and with different settings to suit. Not just for your neck, and with cosy heat settings too. Relieves tension without the effort of having to ask anyone else or pay them to do it. 

 

9. Air Fryer Oven

 

 

Something for the chef - or budding chef - in your life. Not just for chips, and a healthier option since it uses a lot less oil. Much easier to keep clean too, and with some care it will last even longer, since you’ll be cleaning it less intensively than other gadgets.  

 

 

10. AeroGrow Harvest Indoor Garden

 

 

Of course, you’ll need some herbs or vegetables to go with gift number 9. This is a very interesting option for those living in flats or apartments without access to a garden. It’s also attractive to everyone else too since it’s a contained, cleaner way to grow greens that is close at hand, easier to watch (and to wash, since it uses water), positive for your health and for adding flavour to all sorts of sandwiches and dishes. That's where an Air Fryer cookbook may come in handy too.

 

There you go, that’s our list of ideas for - actually useful - gifts to buy anybody this Christmas, who, after they’ve finished inwardly scoffing at such a utilitarian option, will likely find themselves using their present, and feeling grateful for it, long after all books, games and so on have been cast aside. 

 

Keep on saving up your Prizes Drop points for swapping and spending in the Amazon sales next year, if you can’t afford any of the gift ideas above just yet.