After Christmas and Boxing Day, we still have to get through New Year and, for those with children especially, Kings's Day. This year, VIA Empresa has prepared a list of the 10 most unusual gadgets to give as gifts that will surely make an impression.
1. Keyboard waffle iron
Price: 85 dollars
Could there be a better way to start the week after the holidays than a breakfast of waffles? And what's more, if we want to really get ready for the return to work, this gift is ideal: a waffle iron in the shape of a keyboard. And, it's cordless!
2. Turn signal cycling gloves
Price: 90 dollars
More people are increasingly using bicycles to get around the city, but not everyone remembers to indicate a turn or change of direction in advance. However, with these turn signal gloves with integrated indicators, cars will know exactly which direction we want to take. To activate the LED all you have to do is bring your thumb and forefinger together.
3. Nanoarcade
Price: 60 dollars
This gift is ideal for people over 30 who love video games. Remember the mythical arcade machines of your youth? Well, you can now have your own mini-version at home. The machine, which is about 15 centimetres high, can download all the classic games you might think of – yes, even Pac-Man.
4. Make your gloves touchscreen
Price: 20 dollars
A few years ago gloves that could be used with smartphone touchscreens were all the rage. The problem is that perhaps we prefer that our favourite gloves or those more to our taste should also be able to do this. Well, Touch-Tonic is a type of nail varnish that can be painted on to the fingertips of gloves, making them touchscreen tactile for months.
5. Toymail Wifi Mailman
Price: 50 dollars
This small, fun letterbox allows family members to send voice messages to the younger generation from anywhere in the world. What's more, Toymail Wifi Mailman turns the voice of the person sending the message into that of a cartoon character. Moreover, the kids can answer back.
6. Sel-balancing mini-segway
Price from 400 dollars
Using Segway technology, these self-balancing electronic scooters could be the star gift of the holiday season. However, if you take the plunge and buy one, be careful because they have just been declared illegal on public roads in the UK. Yet, the creators insist they are easy to control.... Mike Tyson may not think the same:
7. InstaWatch
Price: 44 dollars
Instagram is one of the social networks that has become most popular in recent times. Today, almost everyone has an account to post images they want to share. InstaWatch allows users to customise a watch with an image and strap colour, and to have their personalised wristwatch delivered at their home in next to no time.
8. Polaroid printer
Price: 129 dollars
Continuing with the theme of digital imagery, which has become hugely popular thanks to the widespread success of smartphones, the legendary instant camera maker Polaroid presents the ZIP Mobile Printer, a Bluetooth printer compatible with smartphones. It is available in black, cyan, magenta and white, and it uses a special type of paper called ZINC, which does not require ink cartridges.
9. Felix HoldTight for iPhone
Price: 35 dollars
If you do not like carrying a wallet or purse around, and you simply leave home with your ID card, credit card and travel ticket, you will love this case for the iPhone 6. It includes decorative bands that can hold cards or papers. What's more the bands can be configured and come in different colours.
10. Showerhead with wireless speaker
Price: 104 dollars
Do you like singing in the shower? If you can't hear the radio or your mobile clearly enough when in the water, this showerhead with integrated speaker is ideal. It works with Bluetooth technology so that it can connect to your smartphone, and recharging the battery is as easy as detaching the speaker –which is attached to the showerhead with a magnet– and plugging it in.
