Toys
A PS4 Controller
12th March, 2023
This gift suggestion is for the casual gamer, not a console owner. Someone who likes to play a game occasionally on their laptop, phone, or iPad.
You can use a PS4 controller with a PlayStation, of course, but it’s also a bog standard Bluetooth device. They’re robustly built and have decent battery life. They charge via micro USB, so you probably have a suitable cable already. They’re officially supported in the Apple ecosystem - so you can game on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV. They’re often on sale. They have all the buttons necessary for emulated SNES/Megadrive games. They work great with Steam, and Steam Link is surprisingly viable. They don’t take up a lot of space. All of these aspects make them a good gift.
A Jigsaw Jigsaw
7th December, 2021
I’m not convinced that jigsaws are good gifts. A jigsaw seems like something that’s better when borrowed, rather than owned. I can’t imagine they have a lot of repeat value.
And this won’t click with everyone: a jigsaw fan friend of mine says she hates ones with repetitive patterns, gradients, or solid colours. She uses jigsaws as a way to spend time immersed in artwork, studying the details rather than just looking at the whole. “You’d have to pay me to do this one,” she said.
A Microscope
16th November, 2021
I have a vivid memory of a microscope I received as a child; thanks to eBay I can show you the exact model. It was excellent: the microscope had an optional stand, for use with slides, but was a solid self-contained item. You could safely slip it in your pocket and take it outside. The microscope’s light was pivotable, so you could directly illuminate your subject or bounce it through the stand for backlighting. Seeing the world at 100x was really cool.
A UV Torch
30th October, 2021
If you’ve never played the “What’s UV-reactive in your wallet?” game, you’re missing out. Banknotes are a good place to start, sure - but ID cards, credit cards, and other things often light up too. Canadian passports are a full-on light show. Walk around the house in the dark, and discover what fluoresces. All for less than $5 including shipping (but not batteries).
Throw in a UV marker too. A permanent marker is good for adults, but there are cheaper versions for kids out there. (DealExtreme will sell you a 7-pack for $11; Amazon sells them for a little more.) For adults, this is now a security-conscious gift: you can postcode your expensive items. For kids, it’s a spy kit: invisible notes. Give the kid a magazine as well, and you’ve got a fun afternoon of “Guess how I defaced this celebrity”.