10 last-minute pop culture gifts & stocking stuffers
If you’ve been luxuriating in the unseasonably warm weather over the past couple of weeks, you just might think it’s May and not December.
And if that’s the case, this might shock you right down to your sunshine-filled soul: there are only seven days until Christmas.
That sick feeling that just washed over you is not sun stroke. It’s the realization that you are wholly unprepared for the next week's gift-giving bonanza.
So with Christmas fast approaching, it’s time to get serious and do some major catching up.
We collected 10 last-minute pop culture- and Delaware-inspired stocking stuffers and gifts that will leave your loved ones none the wiser about your recent slacking.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
From techie-friendly gadgets and toys to libations made in The First State, here are a few suggestions that will instantly transform you into a Super Santa.
“Star Wars” BB-8 Droid (Sphero, $149.00): The app-controlled, rolling BB-8 toy is smaller than the one featured in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," but it's just as neat. The break-out piece of "Star Wars" merchandise is on the top of Christmas lists for kids and adults alike who want a cute little droid of their own. BB-8, voiced in the film by "Saturday Night Live" alum and "Trainwreck" star Bill Hader, is not only fun to control, but just watching it roll around is oddly fascinating. Must be the Force.
“Hotline Bling” ugly Christmas sweatshirt (Freshbrewedtees.com, $49.99): Drake won 2015 with his "Hotline Bling" music video, which has spawned an endless stream of memes, including this week's latest featuring clips of President Obama singing the song. The highlight of the video, of course, are Drake's ridiculous, yet addictive dance moves. This ugly sweatshirt is one of many sweaters and sweatshirts that are being sold that poke fun at Drizzy's ultimately endearing video. It's hard not to smile when you see it.
Drinking Jacket 2.0 (TheDrinkingJacket.com, $84.99): Zane Lamprey, the comedian and TV personality behind the drinking show "Three Sheets," is behind this jacket, specifically made for drinkers. There's a bottle opener built into the zipper, a flask pocket and even foldable drinking mittens with "slip-resistant drink grips." And it somehow doesn't look dopey. In a state bubbling with new breweries and distilleries, this jacket just might be made for Delawareans in search of a buzz.
Self Balancing Hoverboard (Hover X, $360-$370): The coolest and most popular gadget of 2015 just might have been the introduction of the hoverboard, which is a skateboard, scooter and Segway all in one. While super-fun to use, the batteries have been linked to a few fires, causing some airlines to recently ban them from their planes. With that in mind, Amazon stopped selling some brands this week, but Hover X hoverboards are still for sale on their site.
30-ounce Rambler Tumbler (YETI, $39.99): This line of tumblers and coolers are not found in many stores (Cabela's is a rare brick-and-mortar seller), but the search is worth it. Advertised as a tumbler that "keeps drinks as cold as science allows," YETIs are top-notch. Over the summer, we tested one filled with ice water while covering the Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in Harrington, leaving it in a closed car with the sun beating down. By the end of the day, the ice was still intact and the drink stayed cold throughout the night. The extra cost for this Cadillac of cups compared to other steel tumblers is well worth it.
“Montage of Heck: The Home Recordings” Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal Music, $120): The gripping Kurt Cobain documentary directed by Brett Morgen is available in this package made for the biggest Kurt fan you know. It seems to include everything a Nirvana nut could want in a "super deluxe box set:" 48 minutes of bonus interviews; a 31-track deluxe soundtrack on CD and cassette including spoken word, demos and full songs; a 160-page hardbound book; a movie poster; postcards and even a puzzle so you can take Kurt apart and put him back together again.
“Game of Thrones” Iron Throne Stocking Holder (HBO, $49.99): While we wait for April to arrive to find out the fate of Jon Snow in the sixth season of "Game of Thrones," it's a good time to give the Tyrion Lannister in your life a GoT -inspired gift. This mini Iron Throne sits on your mantle and has a hook underneath for a stocking -- a stocking hopefully not filled with coal. After all, this gift is for your Tyrion, not a King Joffrey.
Apple TV (Apple, $149): The new Apple TV, which went on sale in October, sure has a lot more digital media player competition than it did when it first debuted in 2007. Still, Apple nerds and fans of sleek design and fine functionality love their Apple TVs. This newest version includes a better processor, smooth interface and a new Siri voice search. Another bonus: the remote control now has thumb-sized touchpad that will leave you dazzled.
Firefly Music Festival four-day pass (Firefly Music Festival, $279-$699): It took five years, but Firefly got its lineup out before the holidays for its 2016 edition. General admission four-day passes and VIP passes are already on sale through the festival's website at "early bird" prices that jump on Jan.1. If you have a Firefly fanatic in your life without passes, a gift that will make their summer is only one click away.
Dogfish Head spirits (Dogfish Head Distilling Co., $32.99-$38.99): After years of only being able to drink Dogfish Head spirits in limited locations like its Rehoboth Beach brewpub, Dogfish began bottling their scratch-made booze and selling it in Delaware liquor stores last month. (It won't get to other states until the new year, so this is a First State Christmas exclusive.) You can now bring Analog Vodka, Compelling Gin and Whole Leaf Gin home with you, while other concoctions like Brown Honey Rum and Peanut Butter Vodka remain brewpub-only selections...for now.
Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at [email protected] or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).