Gadget gift ideas for mom
Forget flowers and beauty products, get mom these fun, labor-saving devices
By Kelly Boquard / SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Updated: 05/05/08 10:12 AM
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- A gift for mom: Charlie and Haley Olszewski give their mom, Amy, a digital picture frame.
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Being a mom is a full-time job, and a very trying one at times. From juggling work, the kids, the cleaning and the cooking, there’s little time for any quality rest and relaxation. For most mothers, anything that can make their lives easier is something they can appreciate. This Mother’s Day, go beyond the gift certificates and flowers, and take a few extra steps to help make their everyday lives a little more stress-free.
Many gadgets out there today are aimed at tackling more traditional time-consuming jobs by doing them more quickly and efficiently. Things that used to take hours can now be accomplished in half the time.
Here are few techy things that moms can really appreciate this upcoming Mother’s Day:
Digital Picture Frame: Cluttering up the fridge and tabletops doesn’t make for a very neat atmosphere, yet all mothers love pictures. You can save space and store loads of pictures with a digital frame. Plus, many of the frames come with a remote control making it easy to scroll through all your pics or pick out which one you want to display. These frames can run from $20 to $280, depending on the size and quality you choose. There are also some products with built-in clocks or multiple frames. To pick one up, check out your local Circuit City ( www.circuitcity.com ). Robotic Vacuum: Unless you’re one of those people who vacuums for the “creases in the carpet,” like some mothers I know, omitting the chore of pushing around an oversized appliance would be ideal. The Roomba Vacuum Robot not only clears out closet space, but it also cleans all the floors in the house, leaving you free to move on to your next task, or sit back and relax. This small “robot” is bag-free, it comes with a small removable dust bin with a washable filter. The vacuum’s technology also goes around objects and has touch sensors on it to prevent it from falling down the stairs. The product is very versatile to clean a variety of floors from hardwood floors to heavy carpets.
According to user reviews, it is great for keeping up on dog hair and pet dander, and dust. One user said that she though it was “the greatest invention made for working women.”
This mini-cleaner ranges from $250 to $300 and can be picked up at most local department stores such as Sears, Target and Circuit City.
Massage Seat Topper: A CSN Store/Harris Interactive survey of almost 3,000 moms, dads and children concluded that 37 percent voted for massage chairs or relaxation gear as their choice for a good Mother’s Day gift.
The TheraSpa 10 Motor Massager with heat is a great way for mom to unwind. With two types of adapters, this mini-massager is perfect for the home, car or office. The seat targets five zones — upper back, mid back, lumbar area, and the upper and lower thighs. It is also combined with a heat feature to alleviate achy or tight muscles in the lower back, a remote control, and offers three speed settings. A plush cushion surface not only makes the experience more comfortable, but it allows it to conform to the body of the user.
This seat topper costs around $100 and can be bought at local Brookstone stores or by visiting their Web page, www.brookstone.com . Drop Down Television: It seems like the one place you can usually find mom is in the kitchen, which isn’t always the most exciting place in the house. With the Audiovoc 7- inch LCD Drop Down TV, she can listen to her favorite radio station or CD, or she can watch her favorite soap operas, late-night dramas or pop in a DVD.
There is also a remote control and an under-the-cabinet mounting feature to save counter- top space and add a little bit of modern flare. This particular model is $216 and available at Target ( www.target.com ). Other models fit for the kitchen are also available. One reviewer, Linda, commented, “I searched all over for a TV for under my kitchen cabinet, every TV I saw had poor reviews. I decided to go with the cheapest one I could find, this way if it didn’t turn out, it wouldn’t be such a loss. I love this TV. It also has a radio and a DVD player which works great and loud, if you want it to. It was also easy to install.”
Kitchen Appliances: Moms already have enough on their plate; why not make preparing a good meal for the family a little easier. We’ve all seen the infomercials for them, but what most people don’t know is that a lot of these products are of pretty good quality.
The Magic Bullet blender does most kitchen jobs in under a minute. It chops, whips, blends and mixes. Complete with a recipe book, this machine can be used for various functions. It makes dips, smoothies and more, and cuts your time spent slicing up all those vegetables and ingredients in half. The Magic Bullet is $59.99 and available at Target ( www.target.com ). Last year, my mother won a quesadilla maker. We all thought it would end up in the basement and not return until the next garage sale. But I have to give this little gadget some credit; it makes a great snack or appetizer in about five minutes.
The Santa-Fe Quesadilla Maker is only $29.99 and can be picked up at Lowes ( www.lowes.com ). Hey, you could even use your Magic Bullet to whip up all the ingredients. Usually when I open a bottle of wine, I break the cork or make my father do it because I’m not strong enough. I find this to be a problem for most women. The Oenophilia Oeno- Pull Deluxe Corkscrew and Storage Pouch, $24.99 from Target, removes the cork in two easy motions, saving you from the strain of trying to loosen it up. It’s also very sleek looking to fit in nicely with your kitchen or wine cabinet.
Another great product for around the kitchen is a Panini Press and Sandwich Maker. This mini-grill is perfect for lunch or dinner on the go. It allows users to get creative and cook up some spectacular combinations in a flash. The appliance can run anywhere from $50 to $200 and is available at Williams-Sonoma, Target, Lowes and most department stores.
Spare your mother the flowers that end up in the trash a week later and the beauty products that she already has piling up in the bathroom, and take advantage of these great practical gifts with a modern twist — and, to all the moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day!
