Dream Christmas Gifts

Bookmark/Search this post with:
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Propeller
  • Reddit
  • Magnoliacom
  • Newsvine
  • Furl
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Technorati
  • Icerocket
 
 
Less than a week until Christmas (or Festivus if you’re so inclined)! If you’re anything like us, this is the time where you’ll be gradually feeling the looming dread that you haven’t yet bought anything and are seriously considering fleeing to Monaco in order to avoid the last minute gift buyin’ scrabble. But fear not! Here be a few of Merge’s favourite gadgets, accessories and novelties from the year to get your brain a-working on just how to get out of this mess!
 
(Time to cover our bony arses: All prices estimates only, based on current exchange rates. Merge is not affiliated with and does not endorse any of the vendors linked. Buy at your own risk.)
 
 
 
Billykirk bike frame bag
 
Although the Billykirk bike frame bag is sold out right now, it might just be worth the wait until after the season to snap one up. Just big enough to fit a book or sandwich and with flaps that hook onto your bike frame, I can’t imagine anything cooler looking. Wait – I just imagined what Godzilla and Mothra’s love child might look like. …No, the bike frame bag is still cooler.
 
  
 
 
Paper water bottle
 
Add this to our list of Christmas wishes that will never come true (getting drunk with Billy Murray, dressed as Santa Claus, of course topping said list): these fantastic paper water bottles. From the New York branch of design team brandimage, these bottles were engineered in response to the large amounts of waste create by plastic bottles. They look awesome, they hold water, they’re a genius design.
 
  
 
 
Tokyoflash watches
 
Featured in our second ish, Tokyoflash watches are the end point for fashion around your wrist. The latest from these brave timepiece pioneers is the Waku, which comes in (real) fur and faux crocodile-skin finishes and features the customary ‘what-the-hell?’ attitude towards time display.
 
 
 
 
USB fridge 
 
For the lazy man or woman who can’t be bothered relocating themselves the metre-and-half to the fridge for their sugary fix, we give you: the USB fridge. You can look at this two ways: as the most disgusting sign of Western decadence ever; or (as we’re inclined) as the most awesome gadget to ever plug into your computer.
 
 
 
 
Vers 1.5R iPod dock
 
Forgive us while we sit here and drool on the keyboard for a few moments. Alright, that’s better. The Vers 1.5R is the suavest looking iPod dock in all time and space, and is made out of real wood. You get the choice of walnut, cherry and (best of all) bamboo, and apparently pumping beats from within a wood prison gives great acoustics to the music.
 
 
 
 
 
Hitchcock Barbie
 
The only Barbie doll to officially have been classified “terribly awesome” by at least two official men, this collectors’ edition figurine is a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Not only does old Barbie have a beehive hairdo (score), but she’s also in a lime green felt suit (score!) and is also having her face eaten by crows (score!!). Everybody kicks a goal.
 
 
 
 
Ovation iDea mp3 guitar
 
Now none of those epic jam sessions need be condemned to hazy memory, with the Ovation iDea, an acoustic/electric guitar with a built-in mp3 recorder. So next time you’ve finally gotten through the entire ‘Stairway to Heaven’ intro you’ll be able to annoy friends and well-wishers by replaying the moment to infinity.
 
 
Too Late watches
 
Just when you thought all watches were a nuisance comes Too Late, an Italian designed time keeper that has us charmed like a 1920s hobo who’s scrubbed himself up and learnt to be a gentleman. With a really basic design and inherent collectability (they look best stacked 3 or 4 high), they’re the bees knees. Or, in Italian, the ginocchia dell'ape*. * translation wildly inaccurate.
 
  
  
Active Trax Audio Player
 
For the man or woman with nothing except an iPod, the Active Trax Audio Player is a dream come true. It’s a portable speaker for your mp3 player that can charge either by AC adapter, solar polar – or even hand-powered crank! Plus a built in radio, it’s a great idea for camping or possibly mountaineering (we do not endorse or can necessary spell mountaineering).
 
  
 
Freitag bags
 
Although much time has passed since first we did meet, we’re still head over cankles in love with Freitag’s range of recycled bags and accessories. Stitched from old truck tarpaulins and using seat belts and a variety of other cheeky recycled materials, the bags are the best looking thing you can sling over your shoulder. Plus they’re all individually made, so they’re all unique.
 
 
Pixel couch
 
And just to end it all on something impractically out of our price range, here be the finest place on Earth to rest your weary buttocks: the pixel couch by Cristian Zuzunaga. We’re not sure whether it exists yet or not, but watch Moroso (the manufacturer) and begin saving your five cent pieces from now.
 
  
 
A Merry Festivus from all of us here at Merge, and we hope you don't knock your head too hard on the metal pole during the feats of strength.