Mind your gifts 2015

From strange forks to surprising DIYs, here are some gifts I picked, brought to you by this wondrous, and sometimes, hilarious twin endeavor called science and technology.  

1. F for effort.This is a hilarious book filled with what could have been the most perfect science test answers if the sole criteria were comedy. These were real test answers of kids. My favorite is: “Q: When a child swallows a cleaning product, why is milk often given? A: To make them happy before they die. :)”  

2. DIY smartphone projector. Not only is this made of recyclable materials, it is also foldable so you could bring it anywhere. Best of all, if it breaks, just build another one at hardly any cost. This is perfect for date nights on a budget.

3. USB typewriter. This is for those who have what I call “tech-nostalgia” or having a pining for old gadgets but who are not willing to sacrifice the speed and power that gadgets have now.

4. Planet lollipops Hubble lollipops. This “celestial” candy selection is for those who want to have their universe and eat it too.

5. “We have chemistry” terrariums.  If you and your significant other have not experienced any of those perfect movie scenes where you embrace and kiss in the middle of a lush park or forest, this is for you, or rather the miniaturized you.

6. Muscle Skin suit. If you are having a hard time convincing yourself and others that you have muscles due to some weight challenges especially after the holidays, this would be an unequivocal reminder.

7. Polar bear and penguin ice cubes. Many lifeforms are headed towards extinction because of climate change habitat destruction. If the environmental mess we have is not reminder enough for you, get these ice cube trays so that every time you have a cold drink with ice from these, you will remember that indeed, very soon, many life forms will be waving to us saying “now you see us, now you don’t”.

8. Underwater airplane. If unusual depths are your thing and you have $1.5 million dollars to spare, get this two-seater and zoom across the the wonders below the ocean’s surface. Just make sure you do not ram into the actual wonders below and ruin it for everyone else.

9. Hydrophobic nano shirt. I think this is the best twist to any teleserye scene involving an antagonist splashing a glass of water on the protagonist to humiliate her.

10. Aromafork flavor enhancer. If the holiday feasts are not exciting enough for you, bring your own fork from this set so that your gastronomic highs will even be higher.

11. Personalized waveform ring. I must say this is so geeky, even for me who picked all these items. You can have the sound wave of your own voice or someone else’s or of your favorite music, etched on these rings. You could even merge them and mark the transition with a stone. You would have a lot to explain when asked what is that on your ring but it is probably what you want.

12. World view experience. For 4-6 hours (including ascent time) and $75,000 per passenger, you will be removed from the mess in humanity’s terrain and be lifted 32 kilometers above where you can see the curvature of the earth and the star-studded universe. If I had enough money, I would pay for certain politicians and warlords here and abroad to be given this view so they could really see what they are all fighting for. But if this experience would not be enough to transform them for the better, I would get them on to another vessel to orbit the Earth – indefinitely. Why not send them off to wander into the vastness of space? I thought I will save my money to launch their supporters to follow suit.

Then we will all live happily ever after.

Mind your gifts, everyone. Happy holiday shopping. – Rappler.com