The 2017 Millennial Gift List
While I’m sure you have appreciated my recent posts about the very clever things you can create for your loved ones, not everyone has the time, the patience or, face it, the ability to paint china plates, create beautiful note cards or make one-of-a-kind bathroom art. So, in the interest of being inclusive and in not showing any preference for clever-minded readers over the dull and talentless, I have thoughtfully curated a list of gifts that are appropriate for the Millennials in your life - all things you can purchase online or in a store. I must give credit to my daughter/blog coach, Lawler, because some of these items were plucked directly from her Christmas list, which is both diverse and extensive. Also, since I know Lawler will read this post, let me state that the appearance of items on my Millennial Gift Recommendation List does not imply that any of them have been or will be purchased. Selection of gifts for you and your brother is, as always, completely in Santa’s hands.
Breaking news: 12/11/17 2:00pm
This post isn't 5 hours old and already I am updating it with breaking news provided by Vic, a loyal reader who clearly has his finger on the pulse of technology and his thumb on his Apple TV Remote. As of 12/6/17, Apple has finally lived up to its promise to allow streaming of Amazon Prime content via Apple TV. I haven't personally tried it yet, but here is a post that tells you how to do it. While my annoyance with Apple has lessened, I'm not changing the content of this post because the thread is too deep and I'm still miffed about the headphone jack switch. And besides, you still can't buy Apple TV on Amazon, so it appears they might have kissed but haven't really made up yet. Read on...
STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER
I have had Roku-envy ever since I gave a Roku to my sister Janelle for Christmas about 3 years ago. To be honest, I was going to buy her an Apple TV and opted for the Roku instead because it was cheaper, but now that I have used hers, I can report that there is no difference in the two other than that, with the Roku, you can view Amazon Prime movies. With Apple TV you cannot, on account of an ancient fight between Jeff Bezos and the late Steve Jobs which I find really immature and annoying. In retaliation for Apple's refusal to host Amazon Prime content, Amazon doesn’t sell the Apple TV, but they do sell Roku, in spite of the fact that they have their own competing Fire TV Stick. Like my Momma, all I really want for Christmas is for everyone to get along, so I really wish Apple would just grow up and let us watch Amazon Prime using our Apple TVs. And if they did that, I would withdraw my post that featured the Apple logo under a red prohibited symbol, because not being able to watch Amazon Prime on my Apple TV is what made me think of that in the first place. Here's a good article that compares the Roku, Fire and Google Chromecast streaming media sticks. Amazon doesn't sell Chromecast but I don't know who started that fight or why.
Roku Streaming Stick - $39.99
Fire TV Stick - $34.99
Chromecast - $35.00
COLLAPSIBLE BIKE HELMET
Millennials all across America risk their lives every day riding bikes from metropolitan bicycle-sharing systems without the benefit of a helmet. There seems to be a popular myth that, if you are riding a bike in your work clothes with fancy shoes on, no helmet is needed. This practice makes unprotected sex look like a smart choice by contrast and, fortunately, Lawler has figured that out. (I’m talking about the bike part, but suddenly am struck by the brilliant idea that condoms might well be a clever stocking stuffer for the millennial.) Below are links to a couple of the collapsible helmets sold on Amazon, but I do wish they would start marketing the Hövding Airbag For Cyclists in the United States because I think it is hot stuff and if you haven't seen the videos yet you should. It's a fairly new Swedish company so I don't think they are actively fighting with Amazon yet.
Plixi Foldable Bicycle Helmet
Morpher Flat Folding Bike Helmet
Overade Plixi Foldable Bicycle Helmet - $100.42
Morpher Flat Folding Bike Helmet - $149.00
DIGITAL ASSISTANT
Alexa the interloper, hideing behind a papaya in our kitchen.
If the idea of having someone not only listen in on your conversations, but also record them bothers you, a digital assistant is not for you, but if you can get past that, it’s cool to be able to say, “Alexa, add avocados to the grocery list,” or “Alexa, play the soundtrack from Hamilton.” My son Taylor gave me an Amazon Echo for my birthday last July and, ever since, Alexa has been listening in on our kitchen conversations and reporting everything we say back to Jeff Bezos so that he will know what we want to buy before we do. Amazon, Google and Apple all have digital assistants and links to the Amazon and Google versions appear below. If you're looking for the Siri version do a web search, but don't bother looking for it on Amazon because they don't sell it (see above referenced brouhaha). Even if you don’t wind up buying a digital assistant, you really should watch this Saturday Night Live skit about old people using the Amazon Echo because it is hysterical. (Sara, this is the one I told you should watch, so click the link and watch it now.)
Amazon Echo - $79.99
Google Home Mini - $29
Headphone/Power Adapter Splitter for new iPhones
Speaking of how pissed off I am at Apple these days, if you have an iPhone generation 7 or later, you already know you cannot charge your phone and use headphones at the same time because of the fact that Apple eliminated the headphone port and combined both functions into the lightning charge port. That kind of shit is all well and good if you are Tim Cook, who has probably never had to wait in an airport for 8 hours, forced to forego listening to Big Little Lies on Audible because his phone needs charging. Fortunately, there are a number of rational-thinking companies out there making splitters that allow you to both listen and charge. Here’s just one example:
Dual Lightning Adapter Splitter for iPhone - $8.99
SMART LIGHT BULBS
These new smart light bulbs are perfect for apartment dwellers who want to be able to adjust the brightness of their lights in the absence of hard-wired rheostats. Lawler recently moved into an old apartment in New York City that doesn't have a sink in the bathroom, so it's probably not too surprising that it doesn't have rheostats for the lights. One of these smart light bulbs would allow her to lower the kitchen lights before she steps out of the shower, which is located next to the stove. If you remember "The Clapper," it's a high-tech version of that, operated with your smart phone.
Smart Light Bulbs – $69.99
EMERGENCY SOLAR HAND CRANK SMART PHONE CHARGER/POWER BANK
While I’m sure there are Millennials out there who enjoy camping, I suspect their idea of roughing it is a little different from the experience I had at Girl Scout Camp back in 1968. If you wouldn’t dream of sending your little darling to hike the Appalachian Trail without a navigator and the ability to watch movies under the stars every evening, this hand crank smart phone charger is just the thing.
PERSONAL JOURNAL
It is my experience that most MilIennials eat up retro analog devices with the silverspoons with which they were raised, so it's never a bad idea to surprise anyone under 35 with a hard-bound book, a NYC Flashmap or, my personal favorite, the Moleskine Journal. Moleskines are particularly popular with the Millennial set because, while they are no better than their spiral-bound equivalents, they are much more expensive and thus have a cachet that young people both admire and desire. They are available with lines, which are great for young people who like to practice the lost art of writing long-hand.
Moleskine Journal - $17.38
BOMBAS SOCKS
Bombas is like Tom's shoes, only with socks. For every pair you buy, they donate a pair to a homeless shelter. Millennials are gonzo for socially responsible marketing and who doesn't need socks, so I saw this as a win-win opportunity when I bought Bombas socks for all of the Millennials in my family last Christmas. I kept some for myself and can attest to the fact that they are good socks. If you haven't seen the video that explains why Dave, a co-founder of Bombas, got a tattoo, view it here. It's a good story.
Bombas Socks - $12 - $15
BAMBOO UNDERWEAR AND OTHER SUSTAINABLES
Remember a couple of weeks ago I told you about my mantra, "If I'm thinking of it, it has already been done?" So I started thinking about what sort of eco-friendly, sustainable, artisanal things these young people would probably like. I got the notion of bamboo underwear, then searched for it and, don't ya know, it does exist? Go to boodywear.com. Try it yourself. Think of something eco-friendly and sustainable that you think Millennials would get into and search for it. Organic compostable tampons for a stocking stuffer? Go to tampontribe.com. Biodegradable plates, cups and utensils made from corn? greenpaperproducts.com. Socially responsible toilet paper? No kidding: whogivesacrap.org donates 50% of their profits to building toilets in underdeveloped countries. You have to admit, that's got Millennial written all over it.
If you have any good gift ideas for young people, please be good enough to share them in the comments below.