The Light Flurries Instant Snowflakes Machine (Things You Never Knew Existed, $79.98) is guaranteed to make your Christmas a White Christmas. Alright, so it won’t actually make it snow, but it will create the illusion of snow, and that’s all that really matters. Using a patented rotating ball light system, the device mimics the look of thousands of snowflakes. You can control the speed and intensity of the snowflakes, so you can decide if you want a light sprinkle of snowflakes or a flurry frenzy. You can create snowflakes both indoors and outdoors, but seriously, who ever heard of it snowing indoors? That would just be weird (even weirder than snowflake light projections).

Gift givability factor: High. A lot us haven’t even seen a snowfall yet this year (yes, I’m even talking about northerners), so the odds are pretty good that you won’t be having a “White Christmas.” With this handy device, anyone can create a faux winter wonderland without the hassle of actual snow. I’m sure folks in Minnesota would trade their mountains of snow for this guy any day of the week.

4 out of 5 stars.

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Think about how many people have photo albums – basically everyone you know, right? The reason people love photo albums so much is because they’re a way to visually recall memories. What if you added another memory layer to the mix, such as audio? The Talking Photo Album (Vat19, $29.95) does just that by allowing you to record 10 seconds of audio for each of the 24 photos in the album. With a playback button on every page, you can personalize the moment captured in your own voice. Because the album is meant for long-term use, the audio is eternally rerecordable. If your batteries happen to die, not a big deal – the audio recordings are saved with flash memory so they won’t be erased until you decide.

Gift givability factor: Mega high. This gift is great for pretty much anyone because you can personalize it with photos and audio, which can later be changed by the recipient. It’s an incredibly easy way to look like you put a lot of thought into a gift that takes hardly any time to put together. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

5 out of 5 stars.

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If you’re going to be checking your watch every five minutes anyways, you might as well be looking at the Happy Hour Watch with Bottle Opener (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $69.95). A fully functional analog watch, the surprisingly awesome thing about this gadget is the bottle opener built into the band. That’s right, I said it’s built right in, as in instrumental to the watch’s design. When it’s not holding the adjustable black band in place, this bottle opener is helping you open a few brews from the comfort of your own wrist. The issue of not being able to find a bottle opener is not likely to present itself at your next party. Neither is being too lazy to get up off the couch but also wanting some hoptastic liquid refreshment. This watch solves it all.

Gift givability factor: High. In fact, I’m expecting to receive one for Christmas this year. If I don’t, I think I might swear off beer in protest. Please don’t make me do that.

4 out of 5 stars.

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Most of us know we should cover up in the winter, but we don’t because we’d rather be, for lack of a better word, cool. I mean, how are you supposed to listen to your tunes when you’ve got to maneuver your beanie over your earbuds or good ole fashioned headphones? It’s practically impossible to get comfortable that way! The Midland SubZero Headphones (Firebox UK, £34.99) allow you to listen to music and keep your ears from getting frostbitten at the same time. These high tech earmuffs have it all, with earphones built flush inside the lining and a remote on the cable that allows you to pause/play, skip tracks, and take calls. That’s right, not only can you listen to music but you can also hook this baby up to your smartphone so you don’t lost touch with the outside world, even if you’re trekking through the tundra. Cotton fur lined and fully adjustable, these headphones will keep you as fashionable as they do warm.

Gift givability factor: High. Who likes being cold? No one. Who’s cold in the wintertime? Everyone. I would file this one under “Duh.”

5 out of 5 stars.

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The worst thing about driving in the snow (and ice) is lack of control. What happens if you lose control of your car and you end up on the side of the road, unable to move because your car can’t get traction? You’re stuck, plain and simple. The Sure Track Tire Grip Treads (Things You Never Knew Existed, $12.98) can help make that scenario a lot less scary and put the control back in your hands. A lot of people I know who live in colder parts of the country are apt to keep kitty litter or rock salt in their cars in case they get stuck in the snow. The problem with this is, besides the fact that it doesn’t always work, you have to remember to refill your stash. With these treads, you can reuse them over and over, your stash never depleting (it’ll also save you lots of money because you only have to buy it once). The treads work by gripping the snow or ice to provide a dry surface for your tires to grip, so all you have to do when you’re in a jam is roll the treads out.

Gift givability factor: High. Almost everyone lives in an area that gets snow or ice during the year, and no one wants to get stuck on the side of the road. It’s also a great idea for new or inexperienced drivers.

4 out of 5 stars.

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