I actually like winter (or at the very least having seasons), so I’m a bit miffed that the only real snow we’ve gotten thus far this season was on Halloween. Sure, single-digit temperatures aren’t all that awesome but when you pair it with snow it doesn’t seem nearly as bad. Snow or not, one thing that definitely sucks about increasingly cold temperatures is having to get in your car to go to work in the morning. I hardly ever remember to warm up my car so I end up shivering all the way to work and on occasion have been known to only clear off just a tiny patch of frost on the driver’s side of the windshield. Neither of these things is advisable.
You really should warm up your car before driving it in the winter but if you’re really in a hurry then maybe the Visor Mount Heater And Defroster (Things You Never Knew Existed, $22.98) can help you out a little. While it won’t warm up your engine (yes, that’s important), it will increase visibility as well as defrost your cold appendages. The apparatus mounts to your visor and is powered by your car’s cigarette lighter, allowing it to instantly emit warm air into your vehicle. You’ll still need to turn your defrosters on, but it’ll give you a jump start on warming up.
You might not even need this thing since the world seems to be overheating at an alarming rate. Seriously, pretty soon summer is just gonna be another word for inferno.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 6″ x 4″ x 2″
-Portable heater and defroster
-Plugs into 12V outlet
-Visor mounted
-Blows hot air
-Defrosts and defogs
I hate to go to a friend’s house empty-handed. Even if they insist that I don’t need to bring anything to a dinner party or backyard bbq, I feel strange showing up without some sort of contribution. Now, I like to cook, but if you are without that skill set in your arsenal then you probably stick with my favorite backup: booze.
It doesn’t matter how good your intentions are, if you bring warm booze to a party that’s just unforgivable. Save yourself the public floggings and embarrassment by not just chilling your beverage of choice, but making sure it stays cold. The Wine Bottle Cool Wrap (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $6.95) is like a koozie for a wine bottle. Because the wrap attaches via velcro straps it fits just about all wine bottles and it comes in a variety of fun colors. All you have to do is pop it in the freezer for a bit and it’s ready to keep your vino nice and cold.
Pair this wrap with a bottle of your favorite vintage and you not only have a delectable drink, but also the perfect hostess gift. For those of you who don’t know what a hostess gift is, it probably doesn’t matter because no one’s inviting you anywhere anyways.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7″ x 13.5″
-Wine bottle koozie
-Freeze koozie to keep wine chilled
-Fits most bottle sizes
-Attaches via velcro straps
-Available in blue, red, pink, green, and clear
I vant to suck your bloooood! Or keep your drink cold, whichever works out better for you. The problem with a lot of novelty ice cube trays is that, while a fun idea, you would never use them in a million years. I mean, do I really need cat-shaped ice cubes? No. Do I want them? No. But flash a tray full of frozen fangs my way and I’m interested.
Obviously a Halloween favorite, the Cold Blooded Ice Cube Tray (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $8.95) works for many occasions. Have you noticed how vampires are all the rage these days? Why not tap into that and have a vampire party? And in case you were thinking that idea only appeals to kids, you need to check out True Blood. This ice tray makes five frozen fangs at a time, so if you’re going the party route I would suggest buying more than one to make it easier on yourself (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts even offers a discount on multiple ice tray purchases).
Not into theme parties? How about scaring the pants off your roommate the next time he fixes himself a drink, only to find a set of fangs floating in it?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Makes 5 sets of fangs
Are you bummed that the holiday season has come to a close? Good news, you can still enjoy the winter season and all the lovely frozen precipitation it brings. What? You say there’s no snow left because global warming has essentially turned our planet into a microwave? Hmm, that could be a problem.
Unlike most cold weather companions, the Year ‘Round Sled (Hammacher Schlemmer, $89.95) knows no bounds. Sure, you could use it like a normal sled, blissfully gliding down a snow-covered hill with ease while your friends frown in disappointment due to their inferior sledding devices. But what if I told you that you could have the same experience, only in the summer? Wouldn’t that just blow your mind? Grab a mop because that’s exactly what I’m saying. Using removable ice mold technology, you simply fill the molds with water, freeze, and then reattach. As the ice melts, it creates a slick surface on the bottom of the sled that interacts with outdoor elements like dirt to create a friction-free ride.
Snow? Where we’re going, we don’t need snow. We do need ice though.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 38″ x 20.5″ 6″
-Weight: 10.5 lbs
-Year ’round sledding
-Removable ice molds provide half hour of sledding
-Best when used on short grass
-For riders up to 200 lbs
-Made of durable high density polyethylene
Has it started snowing near you yet? I’ve been lucky enough to avoid the snow so far this year (save for a few flurries here and there – they don’t count), but some people have already gotten hit with Mother Nature’s Christmas gift. There are some people out there who love the snow, who can’t wait for the winter season to start so they can snowboard, make snow angels, or go sledding. Then there’s the rest of the world who can’t stand the cold, not even when it comes with snowball fights, snowmen, and snow days. Regardless of how you feel about frosty precipitation, I think we can all agree that no one is looking forward to driving when a snowstorm hits.
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.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ x 34″
-Instantly provides dry surface
-Grips snow or ice
-Long lasting
-Set of 2
-Made of nonabsorbent paratex
