As you’ll soon see, this year’s Christmas catalog is much larger than our 2015 and 2014 editions.
Here’s the thing: We release a new guide almost every week with awesome stuff we think you should know about. Over the past year, our guides have covered everything from various types of gear to books, podcasts, music albums, YouTube channels, apps, accessories, and more. With such a repository of recommendations already in our archive, we wondered how we could make this year’s holiday gift guide stand out from the rest.
The answer came to us: we could take the list of recommendations from the whole year and compile the best ones in various categories.
Knowing that such a large catalog could be difficult to navigate all at once, we have created a table of contents for the category list. click on any of those sections and you’ll find that each one has thumbnail tables of contents for individual items. this way you can quickly find something on the page based on what interests you, without having to scroll through all the content each time.
We hope that in this list you can find some items that would be useful to you or your loved ones this holiday season.
In addition, we continue the tradition of highlighting three of our favorite nonprofits. here in tools & toys we have always donated 11 percent of our gross receipts to charity. and during the months of november and december, we will donate 11% of our gross income specifically to these three non-profits: app camp for girls, operation christmas child, and st. judas.
As we have said in previous years, thank you very much, dear reader, for your attention and patronage. tools and toys is now over five years old (man, time really flies) and continues to receive overwhelming support from readers like you who buy something on amazon through one of our links.
If the items we’ve selected below don’t fit your needs or wants, please ping us via twitter and we’ll try to help.
also, click on this link before making your purchases on amazon, as it is a way to support our work.
thank you and happy holidays!
— the tools & toy staff
index
books & novels
toys, games, & children
food, drink & kitchen
trips and outdoor trips
home, office & decoration
wallets & outfit
gadgets and accessories accessories
write
tools & trinkets
charities
books / novels
- the everyday stoic
- dark atlas
- the origin of (almost) everything
- the elements of eloquence
- uprooted
- a new way of dining
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ryan holiday’s stoic diary »
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living is the new book by Ryan Holiday, author of The Obstacle Is The Way And The Ego Is The Enemy, featuring entirely new translations of the Stoics. (such as Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca), as well as hundreds of new stories, anecdotes, and exercises to help readers live better lives. is a guide to modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy.
of the description:
every day of the year you’ll find one of his concise and powerful quotes, as well as historical anecdotes, provocative commentary, and a helpful glossary of Greek terms.
By following these teachings for a year (and, indeed, for years to come), you will find the serenity, self-knowledge, and resilience you need to live well.
dark atlas by joshua foer, dylan thuras and ella morton »
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the World, written by atlasobscura.com founders joshua foer and dylan thuras, along with the site’s associate editor ella morton, celebrates more than 600 of the curiosities and strangest wonders of the world:
here are natural wonders: dazzling glowworm caves in new zealand or a baobob tree in south africa that’s so big it has a pub inside where 15 people can drink comfortably. architectural marvels, including the m.c. escher type stepped wells in india. Mind-blowing events, like the Jumping Babies Festival in Spain, where men dressed as devils literally jump over rows of writhing children. not to mention the great stalacpipe organ in virginia, turkmenistan’s 45-year-old fire hole called the gates of hell, coffins hanging off a cliff in the philippines, wacky bone museums in italy, or a weather forecast invention powered by leeches, still on display in devon, england.
people like neil gaiman and guillermo del toro have given this book their respective stamps of approval, so yes: an obvious giveaway, this one.
the origin of (almost) everything by graham lawton and jennifer daniel again scientific »
Just published by the folks at new scientist (with the help of illustrator jennifer daniel), the origin of (almost) everything is for anyone who’s ever wondered where things in our world really come from (and the wider universe):
did you know, for example, that if you got too close to a black hole, it would suck you in like a noodle (this is called spaghettification), why your keyboard is designed in qwerty (not to make it easier to type on) or why animals never developed wheels? new scientist does.
and now they and award-winning illustrator jennifer daniel want to take you on a colorful, seamless journey from the beginning of our universe (through the history of stars, galaxies, meteors, the moon, and dark energy) to our planet (through oceans, weather and oil) and life (through dinosaurs, emotions and sex), civilization (from cities, alcohol and cooking), knowledge ( from alphabets to alchemy) and technology (computers and rocket science).
stephen hawking wrote the foreword to this one, so you know that if your recipient is a science nerd, even in the slightest, they’re in luck.
the elements of eloquence by mark forsyth »
mark forsyth’s book, the elements of eloquence: the secrets of the perfect turn of phrase, sometimes seen with the subtitle, …how to turn the perfect english sentence, is an ode to the importance of style linguistic. The gist is that what we say doesn’t always matter as much as how we say it, and Forsyth teaches the tricks to make anyone’s words sing. If you have a loved one who says they would like to be a more memorable writer or speaker, get them this book.
here is the excerpt that caught the book’s attention:
[…] adjectives in English absolutely have to be in this order: opinion-size-age-shape-color-origin-material-substantive purpose. So you can have a lovely little Antique Rectangular Green French Silver Carving Knife. but if you mess with that word order in the slightest, you’ll sound like a maniac. it’s strange that all English speakers use that list, but hardly any of us could write it. and since size comes before color, the great green dragons cannot exist.here’s another:
You can spend all day trying to think of some universal truth to put on paper, and some poets try. shakespeare knew that it is much easier to join some words that begin with the same letter. It does not matter what it is about. it may be the exact depth in the sea to which a guy’s corpse has sunk; It is hardly a matter of universal interest, but if you say, “Five fathoms full of lies from your father,” you will be considered the greatest poet who ever lived. express exactly the same thought in any other way, e.g. “Your father’s body is 30,000 feet below sea level,” and you’re just a Coast Guardsman with bad news.
torn by naomi novik »
sometimes a full fantasy novel is just what a person needs. Nebula Award Winner Uprooted by Naomi Novik is what we recommend this holiday season.
It’s about a troubled young girl named Agnieszka, who lives in a small town on the edge of a sinister forest called the Forest. the townspeople trust a local wizard known as the dragon to keep them safe from the horrors of the forest. however, he is not a good fellow, and his price for the city’s protection is that every ten years, they must send a young woman to live in her tower and serve him until the next maiden is chosen. /p>
as you can guess, agnieszka is the chosen one in this story. and she turns out that she has a latent magical ability of her own.
a new way of dining by amanda hesser and merrill stubbs of food52 »
A New Way to Dine: A Cookbook of Recipes and Strategies for the Week Ahead is a new cookbook from Food52 founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs. Designed around seasonal and weekly grocery shopping, this book is an indispensable guide to advanced meal prep—that is, cooking a few staples over the weekend and using them on plates for the week ahead (primarily dinners, with some lunches and desserts included). to a good extent).
If you know a friend or loved one who has been struggling to find the balance between a busy life and eating well, a new way to dine will help you master planning meals ahead of time so you can stop stressing about cook every night. and just enjoy the food.
food / drink / cuisine
- cutting board
- stand mixer
- himalayan salt block for grilling
- tea towels
- 3-in-1 trivet set
- 3-in-1 hamburger press
- kids bento box
- 6.5″ vegetable knife
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larch wood chopping board »
Larch wood cutting boards fit very well with our philosophy of buying quality items that last. In a way, they’re like a well-maintained piece of cast iron: if you take care of them (learn more here), they can last a lifetime or longer. this is a gift sure to be passed down to the grandchildren one day.
here is a video of the manufacturing process:
tables are available in various shapes and sizes:
- small ($160)
- medium ($220)
- large ($270)
- end curve ($140)
- 14″ square ($210)
- carver board with juice pit ($320)
kitchenaid artisan stand mixer »
if there is a stand mixer that anyone should have in their kitchen, it is the kitchenaid crafts. you can produce amazing doughs for cakes, cookies, icings, egg whites, cream, and even bread or pizza dough from time to time.
available in a wide variety of colors, the tilt-head hand mixer comes with a few accessories:
- nylon-coated flat beater (which can be replaced with a metal one if you are worried about the nylon coming off)
- nylon-coated dough hook – wire beater
- spill guard (which can be easily removed during operation)
the front feed center on top of the unit allows the artisan to expand what they can do through accessories like the pasta roller/cutter ($142) for spaghetti and fettuccine, or the meat grinder ($37 ), which turns out to be useful for grating cheese.
himalayan salt block companion charcoal for grilling »
grilling food on a block of himalayan salt like this is a clever idea few people seem to know about.
place the block on a grill over charcoal or over low heat, let it heat slowly and evenly for 30-45 minutes, to the point where droplets of water instantly sizzle on it, a temperature it will hold for a while, then cook in it any food to which you would like to impart a delicate but complex savory flavor. steak, chicken, pork tenderloin, fish, shrimp, vegetables and others are perfect candidates for this method. Once the food is cooked, use the included porcelain-coated steel rack to transfer the salt block (food and all) to the table and serve guests right from the cooking surface.
however, it doesn’t just have to be used for grilling. mark bitterman of portland, or specialty store the meadow has lots of tips for cooking and serving on a salt block:
serve moist food, like mozzarella and apple slices, and the food will take on a delicate saltiness that will enhance it perfectly.
it also talks about freezing the block for other uses:
- Freeze a plate of Himalayan salt for two hours. top with cream or sherbet.
- Even more fun, freeze a plate of Himalayan salt for two hours. then, over medium heat, heat lightly whipped sweet heavy cream, egg, honey, and aged bitters, and refrigerate. remove the slab of salt from the freezer, pour the mixture over it, lifting slowly with a spatula, for a salt-tinged ice cream you won’t soon forget.
It just so happens that mark wrote an entire cookbook on how to cook with salt blocks, which you could include with the block itself as a bonus gift.
classic kitchen towels fecido »
The classic fecido tea/tea towels are very thick and absorbent. kid made a mess? Did the dinner pot overflow? these bad boys soak up everything and then some. They almost don’t even feel like something you’d use in a kitchen, but more like a cotton blanket. they also look great and don’t leave lint on dishes.
Towels come in a variety of colors (as shown above) and in packs of two. we ourselves are red supporters.
oxo good grips trivet set 3 in 1 »
The Oxo Good Grips 3-in-1 Trivet Set is, well, a set of trivets that protect a table (or other surface) while serving food on hot cookware.
They can fit together into a super trivet, or they can be used separately, either for different dishes or placed side by side to accommodate a particularly large dish. They’re made of durable silicone that’s heat-resistant to 600°F, and under each ring are raised non-slip feet to keep dishes from shifting, while keeping the hot surface even farther away from the table.
Another clever use for them is to place a mixing bowl in the center of one of the circles to prevent the bowl from rocking while preparing the dough, etc.
cuisinart 3-in-1 burger press »
The Cuisinart 3-in-1 Burger Press is handy for making burgers of all kinds. It can be shaped into regular patties up to ¾ lb, or used to make stuffed patties with any toppings you like. the smaller insert is perfect for making sliders. The press is nonstick and dishwasher safe, plus it’s small enough to easily take to tailgate parties and more.
children’s bentgo bento box »
This bentgo kids bento box is a leak-proof lunch box with five different sized compartments to pack a healthy lunch or snacks for a child, and it’s great. compartments are the size of an entree, some fruits and vegetables, a dressing, and a small dessert.
the kids bentgo comes in blue, green and purple.
You can also purchase the stand-alone blue tray, green tray, and/or purple tray ($6 each) so a child can mix and match any colors they want.
mac japanese series vegetable knife 6.5 inch »
While a good chef’s knife is the most essential kitchen tool, there are other knives worth keeping for more specialized tasks.
Mac Knife’s 6.5″ Japanese Made Vegetable Cleaver is ideal for anything that involves fruits and vegetables. it is of the double-beveled, straight edge nakiri variety, not to be confused with the single-beveled usuba blade or the much larger Chinese blade. this means that it is lighter, easier to handle and offers a higher level of cutting delicacy than its usuba and chinese counterparts.
here are some examples of things he excels at:
- create clean, paper-thin slices of tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, etc.
- julienne onions, carrots, etc.
- chop and chop vegetables basics.
- peel the peppers using the roll technique.
If you need more than our recommendation, this vegetable knife is rated the best by the US Test Kitchen:
home / office / decoration
- victorian style map of mars
- star wars + winnie the pooh print
- constellations map
- headphone stand + station loading
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“here be robots”: a Victorian-style map of Mars »
This amazing hand-drawn Victorian-style map of Mars by designer Eleanor Lutz combines the romance of ancient maps with modern data about the geographic features of Mars and the human rover landings there.
In a blog post on his website about whales, he provides some details about the design:
To add something extra, I included the history of each place name on the map. Martian craters are named after famous scientists (for large craters) or small towns on earth (for small craters). Since the basemap is hand drawn, I also added an overlay of actual topographical images from NASA. this way, even if some of my lines are a bit off, you can still see what the actual ground below looks like.
it should be noted that this is not a complete map of mars, but a section of it. here is a comparable area of earth to give you an idea of what the map of mars covers.
The map can be purchased from Redbubble in a variety of formats, including a photographic print ($7-$36 depending on size), a hardcover journal ($20), an iPhone case/skin ($25), and more.
“a bolder adventure” printed by james hance »
Illustrator James Hance has a whole series of artworks called Wookie the Chew that blend the worlds of Star Wars and Winnie the Pooh. It sounds weird, but it’s actually pretty good.
Our favorite print from that series (and trust us, it’s hard to pick just one) is the one called the boldest adventure. something about it just speaks to us, maybe it’s han solo’s jolly walk (a la christopher robin), or the at-at walker as eeyore. Whichever the case, this 14″ x 11″ print is perfect for a child’s room or as a gift for anyone who loves both Winnie and Star Wars.
constellation map by best made co. »
the map of the constellations of best made co. it’s a stellar gift (heh) to give the stargazer in her family this holiday season. Plotting the stars of the northern and southern hemispheres, the map measures 3′ x 2¼’ and includes diagrams of…
- the axis of the earth
- phases of the moon
- solstices and equinoxes
- eclipses (relating to the positions of the sun, moon and Earth)
- Illustrations of the most notable satellites over the years (including Hubble, Voyager 1, Mars Global Surveyor, and more)
here’s a great photo of him in the field by best made founder peter buchanan-smith:
headphone charging support twelve sur “fermata” »
The folks at 12 south recently announced the fermata, a sleek stand designed to hold and display a pair of premium headphones, and double as a wall charging station.
Made from aluminum with a soft contoured leather pad over its supportive saddle, the Fermata has an integrated USB charging cable with a reversible Micro USB connector to keep a pair of wireless earphones charged at all times. when not in use, the connector hides in the back of the stand post.
Hidden under the base is an additional usb port which is useful, for example, for keeping a lightning cable plugged in to charge an iphone and/or ipad when needed. the fermata also works great for gaming headsets.
note: don’t be afraid of the “available from these sellers” link on amazon product pages; the only seller listed for either version is the south twelve himself. however, if you’re still unsure, you can always order directly from their site.
gadgets / accessories
- dock for iphone + apple watch
- 4 port usb wall charger
- portable car jump starter
- pocket keyboard for iphone
- podcasting microphone
- mobile photo printer
- home wifi system
- iphone support
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studio clean material base for iphone and apple watch »
the material dock is an iphone and apple watch dock from our friends tom and dan at studio proud. This video explains everything very well:
the base comes in two versions: iphone only ($45) and iphone + apple watch ($70). both are made from beautiful solid walnut wood, with back panels made from molded cork, a beautiful contrast to the glass and aluminum of the devices that fit there. Those cork panels, along with the lightning sockets on each base, are minutely adjustable, so the material can accommodate virtually any iphone + case combination.
The base stays on a nightstand or table thanks to two micro suction cups on the bottom of the base. adheres without leaving any residue and stays put when pushed down into place.
Only caveat: You or the gift recipient will need to provide the lightning cable and/or apple watch charging pad.
- We really wanted to include the latest version of studio clean’s glif tripod mount in this guide, but unfortunately it’s not expected to ship until early 2017. it’s going to be great.
anker powerport 4 — 4-port 40w usb wall charger »
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Anker 40W 5-Port USB Charger. it’s made several appearances in our various gear guides, and those of us on the team who travel a lot certainly use it a ton.
turns out anker makes something even more portable: the powerport 4, a 40w 4-port usb wall charger with a foldable plug. Instead of connecting to an outlet via a cable like the 5-port charger, the Power Port 4 plugs directly into the outlet. in fact, it looks a lot like a larger version of apple’s 12w usb power adapter that ships with ipads, with the addition of anker’s “poweriq” feature that intelligently routes power to each port based on the unique charging protocol of the receiving device.
a nice added feature is its soft led status light, which indicates when it’s plugged in and finished charging.
dbpower portable car jump starter + device charger »
Has your car battery ever died at the most inopportune moment, when no one was around to help you get started? yes, we have been there too. This portable jump starter from dbpower is what you would like to have on hand in such situations.
stores up to 12,000 mah of energy and delivers a maximum current of 400 amps, ensuring you can jump a 3L petrol (or 2.5L diesel) vehicle up to 15 times on a single charge, But it’s small enough to fit in a glove box, which is actually a convenient place to store it, as the device also has two USB outputs (5V/2.1A each) for charging iPhones and iPads on the go. An ultra-bright LED light built into the end is also handy for reading at night or when you have a roadside emergency.
zagg pocket keyboard »
when it comes to typing with an ipad, you’ll have to get the belkin qode off our cold, dead fingers. still, it’s admittedly not the best solution for anyone who does a lot of typing on an iphone, especially on the go.
zagg pocket keyboard is the best solution for iphone writers. This tiny folding keyboard offers more than 85% of the space of a typical keyboard, but can be reduced to a slim rectangle shape for easy storage in a bag or jacket pocket. it folds this way with a horizontal hinge between the a and z key rows, instead of having an awkward taco shell-style vertical hinge.
When closed, built-in magnets keep the pocket folded up and off so you don’t waste energy. when in use, a small shelf built into the side of the stand folds out to hold your device.
there are two versions of the zagg pocket available on amazon:
- universal ($50): compatible with apple and android devices.
- apple only ($38): designed only for iphone and ipad.
audio-technica atr2100-usb microphone »
Know someone thinking of starting a podcast? one thing they will surely need is a good microphone. Audio Technica’s ATR2100-USB microphone, which, for audio nerds, is of the USB/XLR dynamic cardioid variety, is one of the best all-in-one solutions out there.
the atr2100 is excellent at removing room echo and background noise, except you have to talk very closely. each microphone comes with its own desktop tripod and there is a built-in headphone jack so the user can monitor their audio in real time without hearing distracting delays.
note: You don’t necessarily need to use a pop filter with the atr2100, but this $3 foam windshield is a cheap and easy way to further reduce unwanted noise (not to mention protect the microphone from the unfortunate reality of the speaker’s saliva).
polaroid zip mobile printer »
Have you ever taken an amazing photo on your iPhone somewhere and thought, “man, it would be nice if I could print this right here”? maybe you want to give a copy of the photo to a fellow traveler as a keepsake, or send one to your parents as a postcard, or share photos of the night’s party with all your guests before they come home, or as you suggest casey liss, have a band sign a photo you took during the concert just a few minutes before.
Whatever the case, the Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer is a great solution. Measuring less than 3″ x 5″ x 1″, this small device uses Zink (inkless) photo paper (a pack of 10 comes with the printer) to produce high-quality, borderless, full-color photos. print (at 2″ x 3″ size) wirelessly from an iphone or ipad.
This specialty paper is smudge-proof and fade-resistant, even from exposure to heat, light, and humidity, so your photos should last a long time. The back of each sheet can be peeled off to reveal an adhesive side, so you can stick the photo anywhere. a full charge of the printer’s internal 500mah battery (which takes 1.5 hours) lasts about 25 prints, enough for most occasions.
eero home wifi system »
There are those who are lucky enough to have a perfect wi-fi connection in their home, no matter what room they are in. the rest of us? well, let’s just say we apparently pissed off a wifi god in a past life.
eero’s home Wi-Fi system solves this problem perfectly. if you’ve ever tried to fix “dead zones” and other connectivity issues with a confusing array of routers and extenders and still got nowhere, you’ll love this setup, or your loved ones, if you’re buying this for they. (which still helps you at the end, when you’re visiting his place on the way 😉).
What you get is three nodes that work together almost magically to create a mesh network with rock-solid, fast overall coverage. it’s incredibly easy to set up, and once the nodes are in place, the eero app for iphone will automatically detect the new network and give you a few options to jump through quickly (name the network, select the room each node is in , etc.). it will even guide you through the optimal placement of each node.
that’s it! you go to the races. Enjoy that sweet, sweet Wi-Fi anywhere in your home.
elago m2 support for iphone »
elago has a knack for making accessories for small but nifty devices, like the r1 intelli case for the apple tv remote. In this gift guide we’d like to highlight your m2 mount, which is simply a solid aluminum mount designed for iphone and other smartphones.
your phone can be placed in the base in portrait or landscape mode, with or without a case (at least in most cases) and stay plugged in either way. it’s perfect for real-time calls, watching videos, checking incoming notifications, etc.
as this amazon reviewer points out, there are only two (potential) flaws in the support:
- the anti-slip pads on the bottom are useless and don’t prevent the mount from sliding when you press down on the iphone screen
- the back of the iphone rubs against the bare metal of the mount, causing that could scratch the phone
If you’re concerned about these issues, both problems are easily fixed with a $3 set of self-adhesive protectors: four on the bottom and another four on the plate that the phone rests on. This will prevent the mount from slipping or scratching the back of your phone. if you are buying the m2 as a gift for someone else, take the bumpers as a combined gift.
tools / trinkets
- Screw Extractor Set
- Titanium Pocket Drill Bit
- One-Handed Multi-Tool
- Wrench Organizer
- ball-point allen keys
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product stop damaged screw remover & extractor set »
Just about anyone who has used a power drill has removed (or damaged) a screw at one time or another. it’s so easy to do with one of those things. If you find yourself in such a bind during a home improvement project or even while assembling a kid’s electronic toy, this four-piece screw extractor set from product stop will save your life.
Each of the four different sized bits in the set has two sides: one end is for “drilling” into the screw head first, and the other, the threaded side, is rotated back to grab it. the hole just made and easily remove the screw. here’s an explanatory video that is technically for a competitor’s screw extractor set, but the principles are the same.
The bits are made from 60hrc double-tempered tool steel, which is strong enough to handle most screws you’ll encounter outside of industrial or commercial projects. however, if you find anything more difficult than that, be careful as you could break the screw extractor bit.
titanium pocket bit with great idea design »
The Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Bit is a smart and discreet way to carry a screwdriver with you at all times. the grade 5 titanium bit threads through the center with a grade 2 titanium ring, which can fit onto (or replace) an existing key ring.
Each bit has a #2 phillips head on one end and a 6mm flat head on the other, and you can choose between a round or hex body when purchasing. as long as you have the keys with you, why not? — has a handy tool for troubleshooting, opening packages/boxes or paint cans and removing the cap from the bottle occasionally.
here is a short demo video:
note: these bits do not work with magnetic screwdrivers.
leatherman oht multi-tool »
With most “one-handed” multi-tools, you have a choice of one-handed opening pliers or one-handed opening blades. With the Leatherman Oht, both functions are combined into one rugged unit, along with 14 other tools. here is the full list:
- Spring Action Needle Nose Pliers
- Spring Action Regular Pliers
- 154cm Spring Action Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
- 154 cm spring action pliers replaceable wire cutters
- 420hc knife
- 420hc serrated knife
- saw
- wire cutter strap
- #8-32 cleaning rod/brush adapter
- can opener
- bottle opener
- oxygen tank wrench
- phillips screwdriver
- large screwdriver
- medium screwdriver
- small screwdriver
all tools lock into place when opened and the handles are visually printed so you can quickly identify where each tool is. Whether you buy the black or coyote brown version, each leatherman oht comes with your choice of a black or brown molle sheath.
- If this tool isn’t quite your style (or the gift recipient’s), check out Leatherman’s “style cs” and “style ps” clip-on multi-tools.
keyboard bar key organizer »
the keyboard bar is a modular key organizer that doubles as a multi-tool for your keys, with the added benefit of stopping all that annoying jingling noise. you can accommodate up to 12 keys with the provided screw sets (which you can change to your liking), or you can purchase a set of their extension screws to increase that number to 14, 24, or even 28 keys.
the keyboard bar comes in a variety of materials and designs, and therefore in a variety of prices (between $45 and $95, depending on which one you choose).
Note: If you have odd braces that you’re not sure will fit, check their FAQ page for sizing details.
bondhus ball head allen key set »
Ever tried to work on your bike, assemble furniture or work on machinery with typical hex keys and got frustrated by the location of certain screws? Or do you confuse the keys a lot?
bondhus ball end hex keys solve both problems. Each set is color coded, making it easy to find the wrench you need for a job. And each wrench has a ball end that inserts into the screws at a 25° angle, allowing you to not only work from a wider variety of angles, but also with more natural hand and wrist movement. bondhus invented ball head wrenches in 1964, so you could say they dominate the machining process.
all keys are made from bondhus proprietary ‘protanium’ steel alloy, which basically means they are very durable and are not likely to break in their lifetime. They also have a finish that prevents rust. they only have two real downsides, really:
- the colored finish tends to wear off in places where the keys repeatedly make contact with the screws. however, the rest of the finish along their lengths generally remains intact.
- While the long arms of these wrenches offer great leverage and reach, they can cause problems if you have to turn the long ends in particularly tight spaces. .
wrenches come in a 9-piece metric set for $15, a 13-piece “inch” set for $24, or if you want a little of both worlds, they offer this double-pack mix for $30.
toys/games/kids
- spaceship building blocks
- marble/board balance set
- wood + aluminum four style set
- tablet for children
- telescope
- interconnected wooden ball
- children’s stories
- a book of sight words
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cosmos magnetic spaceship building blocks »
Following a successful kickstarter campaign nearly a year ago, the folks at nuzi design are about to start shipping their cool cosmos building block sets, which are modeled on aerospace shapes and connect to each other magnetically in a wide range of shapes. variety of shapes.
here are all the outfits, from least to most expensive:
- planet ($29) ← this is the only one not marked “shipping in early November” as of this writing.
- lander ($33)
- satellite ($35)
- rocket ($39)
- shuttle ($39)
- pioneer 1 ($39)
- pioneer 2 ($39) )
Collect two or more sets and you can mix and match pieces between them to create completely new things. kids will love these things.
rock me archimedes marble balance game »
rock me archimedes is a marble/board game that engages us on several levels:
- level smart: is an easy game to pick up, but has enough strategic complexity to keep things interesting. the goal: get four marbles from the center to your end zone before your opponent and without the board touching the table during your turn.
- geek level: the game was inspired by the greek mathematician of the same name, who was the first to explain the principle of the lever.
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parent level: is great for all ages. as laura graceweldon from geekmom said:
It says it’s for ages eight and up, but we’ve found that much younger kids (with supervision) enjoy using the game for open-ended play. Three-year-old Millie recently spent nearly an hour lining up black and white marbles on the game board in different configurations without knocking it over.
see the game in action here:
game “four up” by restore hardware »
if you’ve ever played hasbro’s classic connect four game, the reimagined version of the restore hardware (called “four up”) is essentially the same but much more elegant. Instead of using colorful plastic components, the board here is made from wood with a vintage natural finish, while the pieces are made from aluminum in silver and matte black. you have really done a beautiful job with this.
amazon kindle fire — kids edition »
The Amazon Kindle Fire Kids Edition is a great value if you know a child who has been waiting for a tablet. for $100, this is what you get:
- 7″ kindle fire (16 gb) without sponsored lock screens: normally $65. The tablet comes with a “kid mode” built in, but is fully functional like a regular Kindle Fire when you switch profiles.
- Kidproof Case: Normally $25.
- 2-year worry-free warranty: usually a $18 kindle fire add-on. if your child breaks the tablet, you can return it and amazon will replace it for free, no questions asked.
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1 year unlimited free time from amazon: this is the best part. For one year, the tablet gets free, unlimited access to more than 13,000 kids’ books, movies, TV shows, educational apps and games from companies like Disney, Nickelodeon, PBS and more. after that, it’s only $5/month (or $3/month with amazon prime).
(update: after reader liam asked us if the leisure content subscription is available internationally, I did some research and found that it only seems to be available in the US, so keep that in mind while shopping. —chris)
celestron first range telescope »
Anyone new to astronomy (especially kids) should have a good starter telescope that won’t break the bank before deciding whether or not this is their hobby. we recommend the celestron 76mm firstscope telescope.
it has a nice wide field of view, decent enough optics to see jupiter and saturn in the right conditions, though you probably won’t be able to make out the bands of the former or the rings of the latter without upgrading any of the included ones. eyepieces and/or adding a 2x barlow extension, plus it’s super lightweight and portable.
In addition, the rotating Dobsonian-style tabletop stand allows you to easily adjust the angle of view, and the optical tube is marked with the names of many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists.
playable ball art »
Whether you are a child or an office worker who often has idle hands, for example, during conference calls and so on, you will like to play with the art ball. is a set of 20 colorful, interconnected wooden balls that can be easily twisted and turned into various shapes, like this:
They are made of high quality beech wood and painted with non-toxic water-based paint. when not being played with, they add a nice colorful touch to any desktop or gaming area.
children’s books “ordinary people change the world” by brad meltzer »
brad meltzer’s charming and entertaining series of children’s books, ordinary people change the world (illustrated by christopher eliopoulos) is a fantastic way to introduce children to history. each book tells the story of a specific hero in American history, with a twist: they are cast as children telling their stories in the first person.
The series tackles some surprisingly deep themes: slavery, segregation, racial and gender equality, bullying, perseverance in the face of adversity, daring to be different, following one’s dreams, and more, but all in ways kids can easily understand. and, since the historical figures are shown as children, the child readers can really connect with them in a way that they might not otherwise. they will realize that anyone can become a hero.
here are the 10 books in the series so far (newest to oldest):
- I’m jane goodall
- I’m george washington
- I’m martin luther king, jr.
- I’m helen keller
- I’m Lucille Ball
- I’m Jackie Robinson
- I’m Albert Einstein
- I’m Rosa Parks
- I’m Amelia Earhart
- i’m abraham lincoln
You can buy the books individually, or for a nice introduction to the series, you can get the first four books (Lincoln, Earhart, Parks, and Einstein) in a single hardcover set for $37.
words of christoph niemann »
words (by artist christoph niemann) compiles over 300 illustrations of words inspired by dr. edward fry sight word list:
This compilation of over 300 words and pictures encourages reading, fuels imaginations, and provides hours of decoding fun. Christoph Niemann has illustrated each word with an image that challenges readers to make connections and puzzle out meaning in a playful way. Also included are homophones, basic punctuation, and a variety of silly and unusual words to outline the eighteen sections of the book.
a great gift for parents of children learning to read, and even for elementary school teachers.
travel / outdoors
- 100% wool blankets
- fire steel/starter
- custom wooden luggage tag
- 64 oz. vacuum insulated growler
- rope lamp + flashlight
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hudson bay “knitted” blankets »
Hudson’s Bay Company has been world-renowned for its 100% wool “knit” blankets since they began manufacturing them in 1779. There are two good reasons for this:
- If cared for properly, these blankets can last for generations. we’ve heard stories of blankets still being used 70 years after their date of purchase, and we’re sure others are even older.
- they keep you warm and dry in almost any temperature/weather. it’s crazy how well they work.
Like those sold in the 18th century, today’s blankets are made in England from mixed wool from sources in England, Wales, New Zealand and India. each type of wool is selected for its qualities that help create a final product that is waterproof, soft, warm and strong. the wool is dyed before being spun and then air-dried and sun-dried to brighten the colors.
Blankets come in various sizes, which is where the “points” system comes into play. Contrary to what some believe, the points are not an indicator of quality or weight, only of size:
- 4 points ($352) — full size.
- 6 points ($425) — queen size.
- 8 points ($520) — king size.
yes, they are very expensive blankets. But when you consider the fact that you (or the gift recipient) may never need to buy another blanket, not to mention the cost savings that will come from not having to turn up the house heat as high each winter, the price it becomes much fairer. .
light my fire swedish firesteel 2.0 »
Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors knows the value of a good fire starter, one that will work in any situation, weather or altitude. The Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel 2.0 is a reliable military-style fire starter that can last up to 12,000 shots.
the 2.0 model improves on the original army firesteel with more ergonomic handles, a flat edge stainless steel firing pin (flat edge is nice because it produces better sparks and no gouging of the firesteel), and an emergency whistle built into the firing pin solve. This bad boy is completely unaffected by extreme heat or cold, and will power up even if he’s dripping with water. it’s a tool you can count on.
- for those who prefer a good lighter to a fire steel: check out the numyth “tohil v2” airtight liquid lighter ($24)
new personalized luggage tag with wooden cartography »
new custom’s “cartography” series luggage tag is an engraved wooden luggage tag that you design and personalize in every aspect. this is how it works:
- use your map tool to select a location or topographical area. (If you’re gifting a tag, choose a location that’s special to both of you.)
- Choose materials for the tag, including wood (walnut/maple/cherry), leather band (natural/tan /medium brown/dark brown/black) and hardware (brass/nickel).
- personalize up to seven lines of text/graphics on the reverse. you can write whatever you want (and in various text styles), such as name, address, twitter handle, email, phone number, quote/haiku, etc.
the result is one of the best luggage tags you’ll ever own.
stanley classic 64 oz. vacuum insulated growler »
As much as we love the zojirushi stainless steel mug and self-sealing tumbler with you for its temperature retention, there are times when a true beast of a container is called for.
that’s where stanley’s classic 64oz. the vacuum insulated growler comes into play. Whether you’re stocking up on local craft beer for a party, bringing hot soup to the family picnic, sharing coffee with friends on a hike, or sipping cold lemonade by the lake in summer, this thermos warms up with gusto. job done keeps cold liquids cold for 16 hours (up to 24 hours in some cases), or hot liquids hot for 12 hours. and the flip-open lid perpendicular to its oversized handle makes pouring a breeze.
luminoodle rope lamp + flashlight »
luminoodle by power practical is a usb powered, waterproof, flexible led string light that can be hung, hung, hooked, glued or wrapped around basically anything, thanks to its combination of custom noodle loops, magnets built-ins (one at each end) and the utility loop at one end.
The included ripstop nylon carry bag is designed to diffuse the rope’s bright light output, so it doubles as a nifty flashlight. It works great for camping, of course, but it’s also handy for car repairs, biking (just wrap the rope around your torso), or wherever a light is needed.
wallets / watches
- italian calfskin wallet
- kangaroo leather wallets
- stainless steel + leather wallet/money clip
- classic watches with nato strap
- apple watch series 2
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diplomatic portfolio of the matera »
the matera’s diplomatic wallet manages to be both casual and sophisticated. It’s handcrafted from Italian calfskin and Argentinian fabric with a geometric print, with six card slots and a larger cash slot inside.
- this wallet pairs nicely with the company’s navy san martin watch. ($125)
kangaroo skin wallets from rose leather crafting »
chris rose, owner of rose leathercraft etsy shop, specializes in handmade kangaroo leather wallets that are surprisingly fair in price.
has several wallet designs to choose from, each of which is cut, sewn and finished by hand. There are no fancy machines anywhere in this process, so while each wallet can take 4-5 weeks to arrive at your door, you can at least cut costs down to materials and labor alone.
kangaroo leather is not only soft, but also incredibly strong, and since chris uses the saddle stitch method, you can trust his wallets to last a long time. We’re a fan of the “whiskey” colored wallet with royal blue stitching ($46 + $7 shipping).
- Another interesting alternative is the goatskin wallet from minimal squared.
trayvax element portfolio »
Trayvax’s Element Wallet is a money clip that blends old world ruggedness with modern styling by taking a sandblasted stainless steel plate, wrapping it in a 5oz top grain leather sleeve and securing it securely. all coupled with a military spec type. ii paracord. fits 3-12 cards plus some bills, offers a bit of rfid resistance, and can generally take a lot of abuse, only to look better and better over time.
the element wallet is between $80 and $85 at trayvax, depending on the color scheme you choose (note that the black editions not only look more elegant, but have additional resistance to corrosion):
- cannon red
- cannon red (black edition) ← our favorite
- tobacco brown
- tobacco brown (black edition)
- mississippi mud
- mississippi mud (black edition)
daniel wellington “classic collection” watches with nato strap »
Casual yet elegant, these beautiful watches with nato-style straps (all named after British cities) are suitable for all occasions. They are available in rose gold (the clear winner) or silver, and come in 40mm and 36mm sizes.
apple watch series 2 »
The original Apple Watch was a completely unique device. Not only was it a beautiful watch that told the time, it also acted as a companion to your other apple devices. It’s also a great fitness tracker, plus a great way to control music on your iPhone, quickly see your calendar appointments, scan your messages, and more.
apple watch series 2 took the ball and ran with it by adding these features:
- integrated gps (yes!). leave your iphone at home when you go for a run or bike ride, and see a map of your route when you return.
- water resistance to 50 meters and new features that allow you to accurately track swim workouts .
- The speaker, which needs air to work, has to let some water in, but it has a nifty feature where it uses sound vibrations to force it out.
- the brightest screen ever created by apple.
- ultra-fast dual-core processor.
write
- reporter’s notebook
- limited edition pen
- grid notebook/sketchbook
- weatherproof zippered notebook
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the field notes “cover” of the reporter’s notebook »
Remember the tallest “signed” reporter’s notebook from last summer’s fieldnotes? they turned out to be much more popular than they expected, so after much demand, they produced the similar “first page” notebook, which has only a few cosmetic differences. they keep it in production and in stock indefinitely.
field notes rollerball pen “brand’s hall” »
the fieldnotes team is really showing their love for chicago with this one. have teamed up with allegory products to produce a “very special, limited edition, fine ballpoint pen using reclaimed wood from an iconic chicago building that was built after the great fire of 1871.”
Not only are these pens insanely cool, but no two are exactly alike. only 1,500 have been made, so grab one while you can, whether it’s for yourself or a loved one.
notebook “inspiration” of maruman mnemosyne »
Named for the Greek goddess of memory, the Maruman Mnemosyne “inspiration” is a Japanese-made, squared notebook perfect for drawing or writing, whether you’re using a fountain pen or something like the sakura pigma micron.
Inside are 70 micro-perforated, a5 sized, slightly off-white pages, securely bound with a two-ring system. each page has subtle graphic lines that guide the drawings without being obtrusive. it’s a beautiful laptop in every way.
tom bihn’s field diary »
Earlier this year, Tom Bihn reintroduced the previously retired Field Journal to his product line (bold emphasis ours):
Field Journal Notebook Stays As It Was: Originally designed for biologists and geologists working in the wild, the field journal notebook is a useful tool for artists, writers, and anyone who, for aesthetic or practical reasons, want an alternative to electronic devices. essentially, the field journal notebook is a compact, portable, weatherproof, zippered notebook for taking notes, journaling, or drawing.
Instead of just bringing an old product back from the grave, they decided to sweeten the deal by also offering two optional organizational inserts, sporting different features on their fronts:
- pocket ($14): An open pocket at the top that fits nicely for a field note notebook or an iphone 6 plus.
- pen/pencil ($18): Six pen/pencil slots with a small zippered pocket below. perfect for erasers or headphones.
both types of inserts feature a longitudinal zippered pocket on the back for additional storage.
charities
in tools & toys we have always donated 11% of our gross receipts to charity. If you click this link before shopping on amazon, we will donate 11% of our affiliate earnings during the months of November and December specifically to the three charities listed below.
We also encourage you to consider making some charitable donations this year and invite you to donate with us to these three organizations:
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st. jude children’s hospital: st. jude is unlike any other pediatric research and treatment center. discoveries made at st. jude have completely changed the way the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. Furthermore, his hospital has been described as “a hospital without walls” where children in need are treated at no cost to their family.
Operation Christmas Child: samaritan’s purse is a Christian ministry, and each year they work with volunteers and donors across the country to pack and ship shoeboxes full of gifts to children in need around the world . .
Girls App Camp: Girls App Camp is a place where girls can put their creative powers to work, design and build apps, while learning more about the business of software and They are inspired by women. mentors in the field. this is an organization we proudly support as it spreads the message that women play a vital role in the field of technology and offer a significant contribution.
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