Awesome Gifts

This flashlight is styled to resemble the kind seen around campsites in the mid-20th century. But instead of a dim incandescent bulb and D-cell or C-cell batteries, this model has a modern LED light source and is powered by a rechargeable 18650 battery. It’s made from aluminum and steel with a real glass lens. Barebones also makes a vintage-style lantern.

This fun DIY kit from Robotime’s ROKR line lets you build a hypnotic wood and plastic marble run. It includes a motorized elevator to bring balls to the top of the track, and lots of twists, turns, ramps, and a high-speed spiral. Bundle it with the Night City marble track for a even larger display.

This cool retro LEGO kit is based on the design of a 1970s portable AM/FM radio. The 906-piece kit has working power and tuning dials, a movable antenna, and a carrying handle. It includes a Sound Brick with fun vintage radio sounds, and you can place your smartphone behind its speaker grille to listen to your own tunes. Drops 6.1.2024.

Stanley partnered with streetwear designer and musician Hiroshi Fujiwara’s FRGMT to create this limited edition of their slim, stainless steel flask. It features a pebbled green finish and a wide mouth for easy filling. Its screw-on cap has a leakproof seal and is attached to a tether, so you can’t lose it. Holds appx. 8 oz. of liquid.

This beautiful lighter from Zippo’s Japanese product line features a deeply-embossed titanium coating that looks like rippling waves. It comes in a black or blue finish with Zippo’s famously reliable lighter mechanism inside. They also make versions with swirl and abstract geometric patterns.

Originally released in 1964, the Prince lighter is an elegant example of mid-century modern design. Topdrawer has brought back this classic Japanese-made lighter for new generations to enjoy. The lighter features a low-profile body with a push-to-light flint striker. It’s available in several colors as well as black leather and marbled finishes.

Tools: A Visual Exploration of Implements and Devices in the Workshop is a wondrous guidebook filled with stories and explanations of 118 different kinds of tools. Author Theodore Gray and photographer Nick Mann teamed up to create the 256-page hardcover edition, which includes a pull-out Periodic Table of Tools poster.

Robosen stunned Transformers fans with the self-transforming Optimus Prime. Now, they’ve given the leader of the Decepticons the same treatment. The Flagship Megatron independently converts from robot to tank form and back, along with many other actions. As if that wasn’t awesome enough, it’s voiced by the original voice actor Frank Welker.

Expand your home bartending skills with this boxed set from Maneful. Inside, you’ll find ingredient lists for a well-stocked bar, along with 52 cocktail recipes. Each card provides mixing details, simple visual instructions, serving glass recommendations, and a flavor profile. There’s also space for taking notes.

Swag Brewery’s fragrant soaps are derived from real spirits, but we promise you won’t smell like you spilled booze on yourself. They’re actually quite pleasant, with a peppery and oaky Kentucky bourbon scent, a sweet and jammy Merlot scent, and a spicy and grassy IPA scent to choose from. The price shown is for a 3-bar gift set.

This unique LEGO Art set uses more than 3000 pieces to create an eye-catching piece of wall art inspired by our galactic home, The Milky Way. Rather than using flat studs like some LEGO Art kits, this one has dimensionality, thanks to its clever use of bricks like flowers, hearts, grilles, slopes, and more. The finished artwork measures 26″ W x 16″ H x 2″ D.

This old-fashioned stainless steel ice cream scoop carves out perfect cylinders instead of spheres, resulting in larger, taller scoops, and a unique presentation for frozen desserts. Just press into ice cream, and pull the trigger above your cone or bowl.

Take your cooking to the next level with Saucy, a cookbook filled with 50 yummy sauce recipes. Written by Ashley Boyd and Maren Caruso, the book is organized by flavor profile, including sweet, spicy, savory, herbaceous, and more. Each recipe is accompanied by appetizing color photography and ideas about dishes to pair them with.

Can’t get through the day without an espresso drink? The Nano portable espresso machine is small enough to carry in your backpack and makes hot drinks from Nespresso coffee capsules or ground coffee. It can brew up to 200 cups per charge when using hot water or 5 cups per charge with cold water. It’s also available as a gift set with a sturdy carrying case.

We’ve been watching Fallout, so a post-apocalyptic wasteland is top of mind. Should such a catastrophe come to pass, the latest Worst-Case Scenario book has got you covered. Whether it’s robots, nukes, aliens, or a pandemic that ends the world as we know it, you’ll find useful pointers from experts to help you not only survive but help rebuild civilization.

This retro wallet from Fydelity features an exterior made from the shell of a cassette tape. Its body is made from synthetic leather with a zippered main compartment for cards, cash, coins, and more. Available in a variety of colors – our fave is the shiny rainbow-chrome finish.

Want to flip someone the bird? These funny hard candies from Sticky sugar-coat your true feelings. Each handcrafted piece of rolled candy offers a delicious apple-blackberry flavor while a tiny hand in its center extends its middle finger. Their shop is packed with all kinds of tasty treats.

Once Kids makes biodegradable construction toy bricks that are compatible with LEGO pieces. The natural variant of Eco-bricks are made from sustainable wood and are easy to decorate and clean. The colored pieces, on the other hand, are dyed using non-toxic water-based paint. There are also bricks made from bamboo that come with felt stickers.

This mini fidget slider was inspired by the Nintendo Game Boy. It’s small enough to carry in a coin pocket and offers a satisfying three-level sliding action thanks to clicky neodymium magnets. Its outer layers are machined from titanium, while its center layer is made from black anodized aluminum. Choose from natural, gold, or purple bead-blasted finishes.

Gear Tags are Matador’s weatherproof version of luggage tags. Their straps are made from Hypalon rubber, making them waterproof, dustproof, tear-resistant, and impact-resistant. Their writing surface works with most pens, though Matador recommends using a permanent fine-tip marker like a Sharpie. Each pack comes with two Gear Tags.

What’ll ya have, Mack? Let Chronicle’s Cocktail Dice call the shots. Roll the three dice for your answer: one die is for liquors, one’s for mixers, and one’s for garnishes. With 216 possible combos, the fun is in the surprise. The 32-page booklet further helps customize your drink with what you have on hand.

These stemless 8-oz. martini glasses from Snowfox are made from double-walled stainless steel to keep your drink cold and your hand comfortable. They’re lightweight, shatterproof, and available in a variety of colors. They’re sold in sets of two and also come in a set of four with a matching cocktail shaker. Great for frozen drinks and desserts too!

With booze co-starring in the hit Apple TV+ show Palm Royale along with the wonderful Kristen Wiig, Cocktail Courier’s Tanqueray Martini Kit is a perfect viewing party in a box. Includes everything you’d need to mix up 8-16 Martini Royales and Damn Dirty Martinis, and even comes with a 2-month Apple TV+ subscription.