I’ve seen products like the Headphone Beanie (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $16.95) before, offering a musical experience and a roasty toasty noggin. That being said, this one trumps them all. Let’s just begin with the obvious – is the hat comfortable? My average-sized head says yes. As its one size fits all, you might find it slightly less agreeable if you have a Sputnik-size head. The fabric is super soft and it only comes in black, which works well for either trying to look emo or robbing a bank. Another essential facet of this hat is that the headphones do in fact come out for washing. Please, do us all a favor and wash this hat if you’re gonna wear it 24/7 – no one wants to smell old head sweat. The headphone cord runs down the back of the hat so it’s not gonna get in your way and is compatible with any device that uses a 3.5mm audio output. The icing on the cake? Not only is this the best version of this product that I’ve seen/worn, but it’s also the cheapest. Can’t beat that.

Note: if you normally wear earbuds, this is gonna take some getting used to. For starters, you’re gonna have to crank up the volume because unlike those potentially eardrum damaging earbuds, these headphones are placed on the outside of your ears. You know, where they won’t ruin your hearing.

5 out of 5 stars.

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Luckily, the Shuellas (Latest Buy, $49.95) can help all you ladies out there prepare for any such occasion. Designed to wear over shoes or high heels, these boot-shaped items are basically umbrellas for your feet. They easily fold up into an included carrying pouch to fit in your purse until you need them, then all you have to do is slide them on over your current footwear, affix the Velcro straps, and you’re good to go. With slip free soles on the bottom, you won’t have to worry about slipping and sliding in icy conditions. Also, these bad boys feature reinforced PVC soles on the inside to prevent wear, which is especially important for all your high heel wearers out there. Made of 100% waterproof material, you can just throw these on over your professional footwear when you’re hoofing it to the office and take them off once inside, with no damage to your expensive shoes. There’s even a towel included so you can wipe down the shoe protectors after use.

I know, they look a little hokey and the price may seem a bit steep, but I’m actually fully behind this product. I mean, how much does it suck to walk around in wet weather when you’re unprepared? You’re pretty much guaranteeing that you’re going to suffer through the way with wet socks – that’s not a pretty picture.

4 out of 5 stars.

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What I’m interested in is a good old fashioned heated blanket, but with a more technological savvy twist, like the USB Heated Shawl/Lap Blanket (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $28.95). Specifically made for occasions when it would be virtually impossible or completely inappropriate to be holed up underneath a down comforter, this electrically heated blanket connects to your nearest USB power source. With a 4′ long cord, you’re not going to be tethered to your desk but I wouldn’t expect to be running any marathons any time soon either. For the ladies out there, this blanket can also be used as a shawl and has a button sew in to hold it in place. There’s an interior heating pad with a temperature range of 100 F – 113 F so there’s no way that you’re not gonna be cozy as a clam wearing this.

The only bad thing about a heated blanket is that as soon as you take it off, you’re instantly freezing again, Sure, that’s just like any blanket, but it’s a thousand times worse with a heated one. But then again, it’ll be that much warmer once you put it back on. It’s the same concept as getting out of a hot tub, only more easily accessible while at the office.

3 out of 5 stars.

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Now, you could participate in a snowball fight the old fashioned way, but I think the Snofling Snow Ball Throwing Stick (Amazon, $5.95) is a fantastic tool to use to ensure swift victory. See, instead of having to stick your hands in the freezing snow over and over to form a plethora of snow ammunition, all you have to do is push this contraption in the snow until it forms a ball. But the fun doesn’t stop there! You don’t even have to pick up the snowball! You can form it and fling it at your opponent, all without having to freeze your digits off. And you’re bound to hurl that snowball a million times farther than you would with just your scrawny little arm. Oh, and there’s even a built-in horn so you can further taunt your nemesis after railing them in the face.

Some of you out there might think it’s a little unsportsmanlike to get excited about pelting others in the face with snowballs. You might even go so far as to say that using a snowball aid is cheating. To you people I say, PREPOSTEROUS!

4 out of 5 stars.

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I’m all about making sure the gift suits the person receiving it, but sometimes you’ve got to go all out to teach someone a lesson. The Christmas Yule Log DVD (Walter Drake, $14.99) is sure to get your point across this holiday season. Sure, on the surface there’s nothing wrong with a good ole fireplace on TV, but let’s delve a little deeper. What does this gift say about the recipient? That they love fireplaces? That they’re too poor/cheap to afford an actual fireplace? Do they think a fireplace DVD is the perfect cost-effective way to heat their home?may surface during the 80 minute DVD, but chances are you’ll all be too busy listening to the 29 Christmas songs to address them.

Now, I’m not advocating buying someone a present with the hopes that they’ll hate it. That’s not the point at all. What I’m saying is, why waste time worrying about what to get someone who clearly isn’t doing the same? Who knows, you might even get lucky and find someone who absolutely loves video fireplaces. Like a woodstove salesman.

5 out of 5 faux fire stars.

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