Words: Amanda Saxby
SOMETHING TO KEEP YOU DRY
BuyMeOnce has long been an advocate for Davek’s phenomenally engineered umbrellas, and we’re doubly excited about their pint-sized version! This mini umbrella conceals all the strength of a raging fire. It can weather the force of a great typhoon. And it mysteriously fits into a compact 7-inch parcel. Suitable for anyone on your Christmas list – young or old, man or woman – Davek’s mini umbrella comes in a plethora of colours and provides stylish pocket-sized protection on the go.
SOMETHING ESSENTIAL
Quick show of hands: who’s received underwear for Christmas? Probably most of you. And rightly so – a new pack of panties or boxers makes for a fantastically practical gift. Sloggi’s line of EverNew products are the perfect choice. They’re made with high performance premium fabrics and are designed with fit, comfort, smoothness, colour brilliance and shape retention in mind. Plus, Sloggi are so sure you’ll love their garments that they’ve backed the EverNew line with an unconditional, unlimited lifetime guarantee. Fresh drawers for a fresh year.
SOMETHING FOR THE RUNNER
Do you have a jogger or marathon runner on your stocking stuffer list? How often do they complain about near run-ins with cars, bicycles and/or small nocturnal creatures during their evening or early morning training? Enter the Million Mile Light – this petite piece of battery-free innovation operates solely off of your kinetic energy. As you run, the light activates with every step, keeping you safe from oncoming traffic and curious raccoons. It’s truly a lifetime gift in a tiny package – the LED bulb will shine for 200,000 running hours, and it’s protected by a 5-year guarantee.
Something for the Tot
Little one can’t decide between police officer, paramedic, cabbie or racecar driver for their future career? Never fear – with Green Toys’ collection of tiny toy cars, they don’t have to choose and you don’t have to limit their imagination. Each one of these stocking-sized vehicles is crafted from recycled plastic milk containers and built without any tricky mechanical parts, such as metal axles, making them extra eco-friendly. Green Toys also ensures the safety of your little racer by using BPA-, PVC- and Phthalates-free plastic in their toy production. Now they can save the day and the planet in one fell swoop!
Something to Take Hiking
If you know an outdoor-enthusiast, check out this stocking stuffer idea. Whether you’re camping, hiking or simply chowing down take-away, a spork is a brilliant, eco-friendly item to have on hand. In addition to cutting down plastic landfill waste, sporks are a fantastic all-in-one tool for any outdoor activity or event. Light My Fire’s spork is made of titanium, one of the toughest and lightest alloys on the planet, so it can easily be popped into a handbag, backpack or pocket and carried around without any struggle.
SOMETHING TO MAINTAIN YOUR MANICURE
If your S.O. frequently complains about lost or broken emery boards, slip one of these super durable and low maintenance crystal nail files into their stocking. Traditional nail files can leave the nail edge rough or uneven, but the crystal file smooths and seals the nail completely, meaning nothing will catch or split. Classy Lady’s glass nail file is a present you’ll only buy once – the glass won’t wear down, so you’ll never need to replace it. Give the gift of a perfect manicure this year and for many years to come.
Something for the Cake Enthusiast
This mini spatula from GIR makes the perfect gift for a pint-sized budding chef or an accomplished baker who needs a little more leverage into the frosting jar. At only 8-inches in length, this spatula would fit snugly inside a Christmas stocking. Personalize this practical foodie gift by choosing from a wide array of fun, bright hues, and we guarantee that the recipient will have their scraping, smoothing and mixing needs sorted for life.
Something for the Writing Desk
The classic Fisher Bullet Space Pen is the ultimate stocking stuffer for writers, journalists, architects and space junkies – the original Bullet pen was used aboard the first manned Apollo mission in 1968! All Fisher pens are handcrafted in the USA and able to write underwater, over grease, at any angle, upside-down, in extreme temperatures ranging from (-30°F to +250°F), in zero gravity and for three times longer than the average pen. These pens are guaranteed for life against manufacturing defects, and Fisher also offers a repair service for their American clientele.
SOMETHING PRACTICAL
From lighting taper candles on the Christmas table to toasting marshmallows on a warm summer’s eve to igniting that pilot light that just refuses to stay lit, lighters are handy all year long. For another great practical gift, why not slip a Zippo into their stocking this year? Zippos are not only more environmentally-friendly than plastic lighters – they can be refilled and arrive gift-boxed in recycled packaging – they are also exceptionally durable. The Armor Zippo is particularly robust. Its case is nearly twice as thick as a regular Zippo lighter’s case, making it difficult to damage, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Engrave this lighter with a special message to make it an heirloom gift.