Welcome to the 2020 Tools & Toys Christmas Catalog!
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2020 has been…a year for sure. The kind where some days felt like they’ve stretched on for weeks, y’know?
But you don’t need us to tell you about any of that. You’re here for our holiday gift recommendations, and we won’t be deterred by some crazy, upside-down year to get them to you. Let this be an oasis from the outside world, if only a while.
In our usual fashion, we’ve combed through the past year’s items and hand-selected the neatest, most gift-worthy of them for your holiday shopping and personal wishlist needs. This is one of our favorite traditions and something we truly look forward to putting together each holiday season.
We understand this is an extensive catalog to browse all at once, so we’ve grouped the items into categories and have a handy 🏆 Table of Contents 🏆 that lets you click around to any section you like and back again.
Moreover, we are continuing our tradition of highlighting two of our favorite non-profits. Here at Tools & Toys we have always given away 11 percent of our gross income to charity, and during the months of November and December, we’ll be donating 11% of our gross specifically to these two non-profits: Operation Christmas Child and St. Jude.
As we say every year, thank you so much, dear reader, for your attention and your patronage. Tools & Toys continues to be predominately supported by readers like you who purchase something on Amazon through one of our links. You — yes you! — make our work possible, and we only hope that in return you’ve found some truly awesome stuff to have in your life.
If the gift ideas we’ve curated below don’t fit your needs or wants, ping us on Twitter and we will try to help.
Thank you, and happy holidays!
— The Tools & Toys Staff
Table of Contents
Apple
- This year’s base-model iPad
- Compact yet sleek USB-C dock for charging AirPods
- 3-in-1 wireless charger for your everyday Apple devices
- Auto-clamping iPhone car mount + wireless charger
- Bluetooth game controller for iPad, Apple TV, etc
- Game controller (plus gaming service) for iPhone
- Stable, adjustable stand for iPads and MacBooks
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The 2020 iPad (8th gen). ($329–$559, depending on model)
The 2020 Apple iPad (8th Generation) »
Whether you’ve never owned an iPad or you have an old one you’ve been itching to upgrade from, this year’s base-model iPad is a highly capable device — especially when paired with a Logitech Slim Folio keyboard case — that will suffice for just about anyone*.
* Save, perhaps, for creative professionals at the tops of their respective industries — but they’re already going to be springing for an iPad Pro anyway.
Satechi USB-C wireless charging dock for Apple AirPods. ($30)
Satechi USB-C Wireless Charging Dock for Airpods »
Compatible with Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro (in their respective wireless charging cases), Satechi’s compact yet sleek USB-C wireless dock powers your AirPods with ease when connected to a powered Type-C device.
Belkin 3-in-1 wireless charger. ($120 in black or white)
Belkin “Boost Charge” 3-in-1 Wireless Charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods »
Need to charge more than just an AirPods? Belkin’s 3-in-1 wireless charging station is a nifty way to wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, all at the same time.
Andobil auto-clamping iPhone car mount + wireless charger. ($50)
Andobil Auto-Clamping iPhone Car Mount & Wireless Charger »
Back in caveman times, docking one’s iPhone in the car was a real hassle that involved using…your hands? Please.
No, we’d rather live in today’s civilized age with the Andobil auto-clamping iPhone mount, which automatically closes around your phone with a secure grip and starts wirelessly charging it once you set it in there.
SteelSeries Nimbus+ game controller. ($50)
SteelSeries Nimbus+ Game Controller for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV »
Now with clickable joysticks, more battery life, and other awesome new features, the Nimbus+ has left its predecessor in the dust, putting it more on par with its PS4 and Xbox cousins.
[[img-right, caption id=”backbone”]] —
The Backbone One iPhone game controller. ($99)
The “Backbone One” Controller + Gaming Service for iPhone »
Similar to the Razer Kishi, the Backbone One controller transforms your iPhone into a next-level gaming device — except it looks and feels even nicer, with a svelte profile that feels more akin to playing on a Switch.
Plus, it’s backed by a companion app that acts as a full-featured live gaming service!
Lamicall adjustable stand. ($60)
Lamicall Adjustable Laptop/iPad Stand »
A solidly constructed, very stable, and fully adjustable ergonomic aluminum stand that happens to work just as well for the iPad + Magic Keyboard as it does MacBooks.
🎧 Audio
- Budget Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancellation and shockingly good sound
- Ultra-portable synthesizers with studio-quality sound for making music on the go
- Telework headset with ANC, crystal clear mic audio, and a sweet mute feature
- Small, water-resistant Bluetooth speaker with a guitar amp-like aesthetic
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Boltune’s budget Bluetooth headphones with ANC. ($29)
Boltune Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones »
Boltune’s noise-cancelling over-ear wireless headphones are something of a surprise to us. Headphones like this under $100 aren’t usually worth anyone’s time, but at just $29, these somehow deliver excellent sound quality, above-average active noise cancellation, and premium comfort you’d expect from much higher-end cans.
“Pocket Operator” portable mini-synths. ($59 to $89 each, depending on model)
Teenage Engineering “Pocket Operator” Portable Mini-Synthesizers »
The “Pocket Operator” family of mini synthesizers by Teenage Engineering are a bunch of small, ultra-portable gizmos you can use to create studio-quality music on the go.
Each one offers a unique set of sounds and capabilities — ranging from drums to basslines to keys to chiptune sounds to vocal sampling — and they can either be used separately or connected together to create your own little pocket band.
See the full list of them in our original post.
Jabra Evolve 75 telework headset. ($233)
Jabra Evolve 75 UC Wireless Stereo Headset »
At this point a lot of us are making more video calls every week than we ever made before all of… {gestures widely at everything}. If that sounds like you or someone you know, you might as well have a good headset that doesn’t grate on you after a while.
Jabra’s Evolve 75 headset offers an active noise-cancellation setting to block out distracting noises in your house (kids, pets, and what-have-you), plus a noise-cancelling microphone so your colleagues don’t hear that stuff either.
In fact, the clarity on this microphone is second to none, and it has a super sweet feature: When you want to mute yourself, just flip up the mic/boom arm. 😮
Marshall’s “Emberton” Bluetooth speaker. ($130)
Marshall “Emberton” Portable Bluetooth Speaker »
On top of sounding awesome for its size, Marshall’s small-yet-mighty “Emberton” portable Bluetooth speaker is one of the coolest-looking options you’re bound to find.
It’s also a highly robust and durable speaker that can put up with a lot of abuse. It’s even IPX7 water-resistant, so you can bring it to the pool party without worry (once those are safe again, anyway).
📚 Books & Novels
- Beowulf: A New Translation
- Forgotten Fairy Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls
- The 99% Invisible City
- The British Are Coming
- Worlds Within Worlds
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Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley. ($11 paperback)
Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley »
Breathing new life into an old classic —the latest entry in the ongoing trend of feminist retellings of ancient tales — Maria Headley’s modern interpretation of this ancient epic poem is, against all odds, easily one of the most fun and entertaining reads of 2020.
Usborne’s Forgotten Fairy Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls. ($20 hardcover)
Usborne’s Forgotten Fairy Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls »
We’ve all read those stereotypical fairy tales where the princess is rescued by a knight or some such. These stories are unfortunately so commonplace that many of us lose sight of the fact that girls and women very rarely get to be the ones doing the rescuing or fighting the Big Bad.
Not so with Usborne’s Forgotten Fairy Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls. Collecting eight largely forgotten yet empowering fairy tales from around the world, these beautifully illustrated stories feature smart and adventurous heroines who don’t sit idly by while events play out around them — they’re the ones getting things done.
The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt. ($22 hardcover)
The 99% Invisible City by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt »
Roman Mars’ popular podcast 99% Invisible is all about the fascinating ideas and work that go into the urban design and architecture all around us, that we rarely take the time to notice — which, at the end of the day, is sort of the idea.
If that type of thing speaks to you, you’ll want to get your hands on his and Kurt Kohlstedt’s coffee table book, The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design. This 384-page tome is a beautifully designed guidebook to all of those often-unsung yet essential elements of our cities, with marvelous line drawings throughout by London-based artist Patrick Vale.
+ FYI, we have a whole roundup of great coffee table books from earlier this year if you need more ideas.
The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson. ($36 hardcover)
The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson »
Covering the earlier portion of the American Revolution, Rick Atkinson’s award-winning 2019 book The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 — volume one of what will be a trilogy — is an engrossing and impeccably researched examination of the brutal military conflict between the underdog Continental Army and the formidable might of the British Empire.
Perfect for nerds of history and scholars of warfare.
+ Along these same lines, Andrew Roberts’ Napoleon: A Life and Julian T. Jackson’s De Gaulle are also worthy of mention.
Worlds Within Worlds coloring book by Kerby Rosanes. ($12 paperback)
Worlds Within Worlds Coloring Book by Kerby Rosanes »
It just wouldn’t be a Christmas Catalog without at least one coloring book for grown-ups.
Like his fantastic Morphia series we’ve recommended so often around here, Kerby Rosane’s Worlds Within Worlds is filled with epic and wildly imaginative doodles of strange realities, enchanting habitats, and surreal imagery.
Through your own coloring choices (see before-and-after examples here), you’ll get to bring life to viking ships sailing through the eyes of a skull, a steampunk city rising from the pages of an open book, a giant tortoise carrying a haunted house on its shell, and much more whimsical goodness.
☕️ Coffee & Tea
- Budget espresso machine that can achieve a lot (with the right modifications)
- Highly recommended entry-level espresso grinder
- Excellent espresso hand grinder at a “budget” price
- Tamp station worthy of the highest-end home espresso bar
- The best coffee drinking vessel
- Colorful ceramics with a cartoonishly ‘gooey’ look
- Classic stovetop coffee maker
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The De’Longhi Dedica EC685 espresso machine. (around $290–$293)
De’Longhi Dedica EC685 Espresso Machine »
This year we did a bit of a deep dive into espresso gear, starting with our guide to getting the most out of the $290 De’Longhi Dedica machine.
It’s not the dreamiest option around — machines fitting that description are usually north of $1,000 and waaay beyond — but with a little tinkering, the right equipment, and a bit of technique and practice, this modest machine can pull tasty shots like you wouldn’t believe.
If your gift recipient isn’t likely to spend that kind of time fiddling with their setup but still wants a nice espresso maker, you might look into the Gaggia Classic Pro ($449) or Rancilio Silvia ($735) machines, which are the two most often recommended for entry-level enthusiasts.
Baratza Sette 270 grinder. ($399)
Baratza Sette 270 Espresso Grinder »
The harsh reality of making espresso is that, by its very nature, it’s an expensive hobby to get into — that is, if you’re trying to replicate or even exceed the level of espresso you get at a fancy-pants coffee shop. You have to shift your idea of what “budget” or “entry level” means in this context.
If you’re going to do this espresso thing right, you must have a quality grinder that allows for ultra-fine adjustments, and the Baratza Sette 270 is consistently among the most recommended “entry level” grinders for this purpose.
We’ve written more details about it here.
1Zpresso JX-Pro manual espresso grinder. ($159)
1Zpresso JX-Pro Espresso Hand Grinder »
Opting for a manual hand grinder instead of electric is one place where it’s possible to save a bit of money in the espresso world. The JX-Pro by 1Zpresso is a wonderful option, with a speed and smoothness that puts even some electric models to shame.
Inside the solid aluminum body is a 48mm (!) stainless steel conical burr with a super fine click-adjustment dial where each individual click shifts the grind by, and I’m not kidding, 12.5 microns. And, you get 200 of those clicks total, so you really have a lot of options for dialing in the sweet spot for any given roast.
Once it’s dialed, this thing can (pun incoming…) crank through a full 30 grams of beans in a minute or less. It’s an absolute beast, and the grinds that come out of it are impressively uniform.
The Bloc Party tamp station by St. Anthony Industries. ($348)
“The Bloc Party” Espresso Tamp Station »
St. Anthony Industries’ “Bloc Party” tamp station would make a worthy addition to any “end-game” upgraded espresso setup.
The kit includes three peripherals:
- A stainless steel reservoir/knock box built into an American hardwood block.
- A handle-free tamp made by hand from solid stainless steel and capped by one of five hardwood inlays or matte stainless steel.
- A similarly constructed distribution tool with a high-polish wedge-shaped bottom surface (adjustable between 5mm–14mm depth) for evenly distributing espresso grounds in your portafilter before actually tamping.
Fellow’s “Carter” travel mug. ($30 for 12 oz, $35 for 16 oz)
Fellow “Carter” Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug »
Stepping away from espresso, we come to an excellent coffee drinking vessel. The Fellow “Carter” mug goes beyond vacuum-insulated temperature retention by also focusing on pleasant hand-feel and coffee aromatics — much like drinking from your favorite mug at home, but on the go.
The matte textured exterior feels great in the hand, and the aromatic wide mouth makes drinking coffee the multi-sensory experience it was meant to be. But they didn’t stop there — it’s also coated with ceramic on the inside to eliminate metallic notes, ensuring your coffee tastes as good on the road as it does at home.
The stainless steel drinking lip is even tapered for maximum comfort, as opposed to other travel mugs with almost sharp sipping edges. And at 69mm (~2.72″) in diameter, it’s just the right size to fit a pour-over dripper.
Brian Giniewski’s “Drippy Pots” ceramic mugs. ($28–$42, depending on cup size/type)
“Drippy Pots” Ceramics by Brian Giniewski »
Brian Giniewski is an Instagram-famous ceramic artist known for his line of colorful and whimsical “drippy” cups/mugs/etc that look like they’re covered in cartoonish icing.
All of the glazes he uses are made in-house with his own recipes that he’s been perfecting for years. The colors have a bright, clean look with a smooth “gooeyness” that contrasts nicely with the exposed clay underneath. You can’t go wrong gifting someone one of these to someone; they’d be crazy not to love it.
(He tends to restock in small batches, so you have to check back often to nab anything.)
The classic moka pot stovetop coffee maker. ($35)
Bialetti “Moka Express” Stovetop Coffee Maker »
We don’t feel like we see moka pots around very often anymore, which is a real shame because if you know what you’re doing, they can make some darn good coffee — in your kitchen, while you’re camping…the list goes on.
There’s a reason this stovetop invention’s been around since the 1930s. Give one as a gift and keep the tradition alive!
🧑🍳 Food, Drink & Kitchen
— Equipment: —
- Time-tested hand-crank pasta machine
- Air fryer that can cook a whole chicken in about an hour
- Affordable enameled cast iron Dutch oven that works just as well as more expensive ones
- Iconic, beautiful glass jars for food storage, fermentation, pickling, and more
— Cookbooks: —
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Marcato Atlas 150 pasta machine. ($53)
Marcato Atlas 150 Hand-Crank Pasta Machine »
Rustic, old-world cooking techniques had a big showing this year, since everyone was stuck at home, desperately needing something to do.
This time-tested manual pasta machine is a real pleasure to use and has helped generations of home cooks quickly and consistently produce rustic pasta that would make Nonna proud.
It’s not dubbed the “Ferrari of the pasta machine world” for nothing.
The NuWave Brio air fryer. ($90)
NuWave “Brio” 6-Quart Air Fryer »
If you’ve never tried the gloriousness that is an air fryer, you’ve really been missing out. NuWave’s 6-quart “Brio” is a very highly rated model we recommend.
Like all air fryers, the Brio doesn’t actually fry foods at all, it simply circulates hot air at high speeds to not only cook foods perfectly evenly but also sear their outsides to a crispiness that tastes fried, without requiring a bunch of unhealthy oil.
Just about any frozen food comes out of this thing better than any oven-cooked version you’ve ever tried. It’s perfect for cranking out batches of amazing homemade fries (just a tablespoon of olive oil and some salt does wonders), quickly roasting veggies, cooking all kinds of meats (burgers, bacon, pork chops, chicken wings, and many more)…the sky’s the limit.
Heck, you can roast an entire chicken in this thing in an hour or less! And the results are way better than any pre-cooked rotisserie chicken you’ll ever buy at the store.
Enameled cast iron Dutch oven by Lodge. ($70)
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven »
Lodge’s enameled cast iron Dutch oven works just as well as those fancy French ovens at a fraction of the price. You’d have to be running a high-output professional kitchen to tell the difference.
Like any Dutch oven, the 6-quart Lodge model is a true workhorse that will serve you well for braising, baking, broiling, roasting, sautéing, simmering, and frying up all kinds of meals. The large size and heavy construction makes it ideal for soups, stews, sauces, and pastas, as well as oven-made casseroles and even baking bread.
You could find uses for it every day for the rest of your life.
Le Parfait “Super” glass jars. (prices vary)
Le Parfait “Super” Glass Jars and Terrines »
Le Parfait’s iconic, beautiful glass jars have been made in France since the 1930s. With their wide mouths and signature orange rubber hermetic seals, they’re just as useful today for long-term food preservation, canning, pickling, fermentation, and storage of bulk dry goods.
In addition to being useful in your own home, these jars are perfect vessels for gifting your homemade delicacies to friends and loved ones.
+ More info and links in our original post. (Prices mentioned there have probably changed by now.)
The Xi’an Famous Foods cookbook by Jason Wang. ($32 hardcover)
Xi’an Famous Foods by Jason Wang »
The long-awaited Xi’an Famous Foods cookbook — published by the iconic NYC restaurant of the same name — was officially released in October for your home cooking enjoyment.
Whether you’re already a devoted fan of this noodle shop empire or you simply wanna learn how to reproduce amazing Western Chinese food in your own kitchen, this is one cookbook they’ll have to pry out of your cold, dead hands, because you’re going to be totally addicted to the tingly, spicy flavors you’ll be creating.
Moreover, with a careful hand and a healthy dose of repeated practice, you’ll be hand-ripping insanely delicious and chewy noodles just like the ones you see on the cover. Good luck keeping your friends and family away once they discover your “secret”!
Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman. ($22 hardcover)
Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman »
Alison Roman’s Nothing Fancy was written for the kind of people who’ve always wanted to throw get-together meals with friends but feel intimidated by the prospect.
She’s done a great job coming up with recipes that are easy to make but make your guests feel like you did something trendy and fancy, which…we’re all for it, let’s be honest. That DIY martini bar alone might be worth the price of admission.
You know that Dutch oven we mentioned earlier? It would be perfect for making her spicy pork meatballs in brothy tomatoes and toasted fennel:
Wowza 🤩
Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking by Emily Kim (aka “Maangchi”). ($26 hardcover)
Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking by Emily Kim »
Emily “Maangchi” Kim’s second major cookbook, Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking was selected by Amazon as one of the best bookbooks of 2019. It contains improved versions of the top 10 most popular recipes from her YouTube channel, along with a plenty of new recipes and a bunch of traditional Korean dishes she’s been cooking for her own family for decades.
There are huge sections on…
- Korean side dishes
- Meat dishes and BBQ
- Fish
- Vegan and vegetarian cuisine
- Soups, hot pots, and stews
- Snacks and party food
- Seoul street food
- …and as any fan of her YouTube channel would expect, there’s an entire chapter on kimchi.
Every page has full-color, step-by-step photos of everything from ingredients to techniques to close-ups of finished recipes, so you won’t miss a thing as you follow along.
Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish. ($21 hardcover)
Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish »
Want to introduce someone to essential baking skills without dropping an entire encyclopedia on the subject on their lap? Get them Ken Forkish’s Flour Water Salt Yeast. It’s not a mere book of recipes; it teaches the flexibility required to bake magnificent breads and pizzas, starting from a conceptual level. Even experienced bakers will take something away from this book.
And let’s not forget all that pure bread porn contained within. It’s almost worth the price of admission alone. (Be sure to also check out Ken’s YouTube channel for helpful videos he made to accompany the book!)
💡 Gadgets & Accessories
- Digital photo frame you can share photos to from anywhere in the world
- Photo frame that secretly doubles as a wireless phone charger
- Mini ink-free printer you can send stuff to from your phone
- USB control pad with programmable keys that you can assign all kinds of functions to
- Rechargeable hand warmer that doubles as a battery bank for your other devices
- Portable power station that comes in handy for any number of scenarios
- Easy-to-install home alarm kit
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Aura “Mason” smart photo frame. ($199)
Aura “Mason” Smart Digital Picture Frame »
Staying connected with loved ones is so much more difficult these days, especially for those of us not traveling home to see our families for the holidays.
That’s why smart picture frames like the Aura Mason are so important. You can send photos (and Live Photos!) to it from anywhere in the world via the Aura Frames app and they’ll simply show up for your loved ones to admire.
You can even preload the frame with a collection of photos and a personal message before the box is even opened, so it really is the perfect thing for gift-giving.
Twelve South PowerPic picture frame & Qi charger. ($59)
Twelve South “PowerPic” Picture Frame + Wireless Phone Charger »
Speaking of cool picture frames, Twelve South’s PowerPic looks like any regular frame on your mantle or bedside table, but secretly doubles as a wireless charger. Just set your Qi-enabled phone against the photo and it immediately starts getting up to 10 watts of juice.
Phomemo M02S pocket printer. ($90)
Phomemo M02S Mini Pocket Printer »
Phomemo’s ink-free M02S Pocket Printer is a cute little gizmo that lets you wirelessly print all kinds of stuff — photos, drawings, to-do lists, packing lists, memos, sticky labels, and more — all from your phone.
The design of it is modeled after a retro-style envelope, which…c’mon, that’s adorable.
It prints at 300dpi on a variety of paper rolls they sell, but do keep in mind that you can’t print full-color photos or anything.
Elgato Stream Deck. ($160)
Elgato “Stream Deck” Customizable Key Pad Controller »
Whether you’re a game streamer looking to boost your production quality or a regular computer user who wouldn’t mind a novel way to up your productivity levels, Elgato’s Stream Deck has something to offer.
Each of its 15 keys is a tiny color display that can be assigned one of any number of functions/actions/keyboard shortcuts — we give some specific examples in our original post — making them a single press away.
Or, you can set up nested “folders” of action sets, such as a media playback page, a gif repository page, a sound effect page, etc.
OCOOPA hand warmer + battery bank. ($29)
OCOOPA 10,000mAh Rechargeable Hand Warmer »
OCOOPA’s rechargeable hand warmer is almost like holding a mug of hot cocoa between your hands on lazy winter nights. It gets even better though, because it doubles as a 10,000mAh battery bank for your other devices when needed.
Goal Zero’s Yeti 500X power station. ($700)
Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station »
Designed to power a wide range of small gadgets and medium-sized appliances — laptops, drones, camera gear, portable fridges, pellet grills, medical devices (like CPAP), and more — the Yeti 500X is a charger you can count on for all kinds of scenarios, whether you’re…
- Out on the trail
- Chilling at the lake
- Using the backyard as your work-from-home “office”
- Traveling between job sites
- Dealing with a power outage/natural disaster/other emergency
Anker/eufy home alarm kit. ($160)
Anker eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit »
Give the gift of home security with Anker’s eufy alarm system starter kit.
This 5-piece bundle — including a HomeBase, keypad, motion sensor, and two entry sensors — is an easy-to-install security system that can notify you of break-ins and is controllable via phone when you’re away from home.
🎲 Games & Puzzles
- Pizza-themed puzzles you can assemble with your friends and family as a team
- Board game about exploring and discovering US national parks
- Solid black jigsaw puzzle for the ultimate challenge
- Jigsaw puzzle based on an official NASA image of Earth
- Star Wars playing card decks respectively designed for both sides of the Force
- The third installment in an ever-developing co-op board game saga
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Pizza Puzzles by Stellar Factory. ($15 each)
Stellar Factory “Pizza Puzzles” »
Stellar Factory’s trio of “Pizza Puzzles” are deliciously fun and wacky jigsaws you can assemble with your friends and family as a team.
Available in your choice of Veggie Supreme, Meat Lover’s, or Pepperoni, each 550-piece puzzle is designed to look like a life-sized, cartoonishly detailed pizza, with loads of silly details hidden within the toppings, like fingers, aliens, severed thumbs, and bandages.
They can be assembled slice by slice (there are 8 per puzzle) before being put together into a full pie. Perfect for cooperative puzzling.
PARKS board game. ($49)
PARKS Board Game »
Designed to be a celebration of our national parks here in the States, Keymaster Games’ PARKS is a board game all about hiking trails, collecting memories, and seeing the iconic wildlife from each of the 45 featured parks.
The artwork throughout the game comes from the Fifty-Nine Parks print/illustration series.
This would make a fine gift for the national parks lover in your life. (That includes you, of course, if the description fits 😉)
Ravensburger solid black “Krypt” puzzle. ($20)
Photo via u/nastyimmigrant (Reddit)
Ravensburger “Krypt” Jigsaw Puzzle in Black »
If you already solved the gold version of this puzzle — you know, the one where you have to rely on puzzle shape alone to solve it? — then get ready to be challenged all over again.
The solid black edition is mostly the same in premise — each of the 736 pieces has a completely unique shape, which certainly ups the difficulty level — except this time the completed puzzle creates more of wonky radial pattern instead of merely a spiral within a rectangular field.
The Earth jigsaw puzzle by Four Point Puzzles. ($25)
“The Earth” Jigsaw Puzzle by Four Point Puzzles »
Like their “Moon” puzzle, Four Point Puzzles’ similarly circular Earth puzzle is based on an official NASA image — see also on Flickr — and depicts our home planet in stunning clarity.
At 3.5 out of 5 difficulty, it’s not overly hard to solve but still take a good while to finish. There’s also a nice amount of diversity in it to keep things interesting as you go, from deserts to grasslands to jungles to cloud patterns to oceans.
10% of the proceeds they make off this puzzle get donated to wildlife and habitat conservation 🌎
Star Wars playing cards by theory11. ($10 per single deck)
theory11 Star Wars Playing Cards »
Whether you’re on the side of the Jedi or you’d rather channel your inner Sith, then {Obi-Wan voice} these are the playing card decks you’re looking for.
These are among the coolest decks we’ve ever seen, featuring two different decks (sold separately) that are respectively based on the Light and Dark Sides of the Force.
Forbidden Sky co-op board game. ($20)
Forbidden Sky Cooperative Board Game »
You’ve escaped Forbidden Island, you’ve survived Forbidden Desert…what’s left to do? Take to the skies, of course!
Forbidden Sky: Height of Danger, the third entry in Matt Leacock’s co-op adventure board game saga, takes you to new and electrifying heights, and I mean that literally — the story takes place on a mysterious platform floating 7,000 feet in the sky within a massive lightning storm.
You and your fellow adventurers are tasked with mapping the terrain and wiring together a real electrical circuit, thereby powering and launching the big rocketship (it really does launch off the board) so you can escape before you get struck by lightning or blown off the platform.
🏠 Home, Office & Decor
- Map prints depicting the night skies of the northern and southern hemispheres
- Weighted blanket for a more peaceful and comforting night’s rest
- Harry Potter “Hogwarts Express” bookend set
- Awesome 3D maps of city road layouts
- Pet grooming vacuum
- Retro-styled flip clock
- Super soft, warm, and fuzzy blanket
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Stellavie’s constellation map prints. (€80–€225 / ~$96–$270 USD, depending on size)
Stellavie Northern & Southern Sky Constellation Map Prints »
Stellavie’s series of gorgeous constellation map silkscreen prints are wonderful, limited-edition pieces of decor for stargazers, respectively depicting the night skies of the northern and southern hemispheres.
Every map features a remarkable number of details for you to pore over, and both sets come in four colorways (view them all in our original post).
Baloo weighted blanket for adults. ($169)
Baloo Cool Cotton Weighted Blanket for Adults »
Ever been at the dentist getting an x-ray, they put that protective heavy vest/apron on you, and you suddenly feel…calmer? My friend, you would probably love sleeping with a weighted blanket like this one.
For some people, the full-body pressure of a weighted blanket can ease anxiety and make for a more peaceful night’s rest.
The particular one we’re linking here has a couple standout features too, including the fact that it’s machine washable and the quilt-like stitching that keeps the weighted filling from pooling or bunching up.
Harry Potter Hogwarts Express bookends. ($95 for the set)
Harry Potter “Hogwarts Express” Bookend Set by The Noble Collection »
The Hogwarts Express bookend set, modeled after the Harry Potter train of the same name, presents the magical express as a hand-painted set of two bookends, depicting the engine and carriages respectively entering and exiting a “tunnel” through your books.
The bookends are heavy and well constructed, capable of holding quite a few books with ease. They’d work nicely with your fancy schmancy hardcover collection, or those big illustrated editions they’ve been putting out the past few years.
StreetCarvings 3D city maps. ($95–$125 each)
“StreetCarvings” Laser-Cut City Maps »
StreetCarvings is a Toronto-based business that creates these awesome 3D maps of city road layouts, which look amazing hung on a wall in any home or office, yet are neutral-looking enough not to distract too much.
The amount of detail is quite high though, so if you do find yourself staring at one a long time, you’ll be treated to a feast of precise linework to get lost in.
+ Along similar lines are these fantasy-style maps of real places.
Vacuyahu pet vacuum. ($116)
Vacuyahu 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Vacuum »
Owners of particularly shaggy dogs and floofy cats will appreciate this pet grooming vacuum, which quietly sucks away shed hairs while combing your pet at the same time, giving them a true spa-like experience.
What’s nice about it is that it runs pretty quietly, so unless your pet is more skittish than most when it comes to noises, this vacuum shouldn’t bother them much at all.
Rejea retro flip clock. ($44)
Rejea “WonderZoo” Retro Flip Clock »
Rejea’s retro-styled flip clock is easy to read, looks cool no matter where you put it, and has that nice satisfying *click* when the numbers flip.
The dial on the side makes it real easy to adjust the time, but do keep in mind it only travels in one direction. If you overshoot, you’ll have to flip all the way back through again.
Beautex sherpa fleece blanket. ($31)
Beautex Sherpa Fleece + Flannel Blanket »
For all the fancy gadgets and other big gift ideas we talk about in this guide, sometimes there’s just nothing better than a good, comfy blanket.
This attractive and snuggly double-sided blanket is super soft and warm, with navy blue buffalo-checkered plaid flannel on one side and fluffy white Sherpa fleece on the other.
It’s the perfect size for two people to cozily cuddle up with on the sofa on chilly nights as they binge-watch their favorite shows together.
🕶 Style, Grooming & Everyday Carry
- Soft and lofty layering sweaters for crisp days
- Norwegian-style winter socks
- Memory foam slippers you can go for walks in
- Self-heating shaving razor
- Slim and minimal full-grain leather card holder/wallet
- Limited-edition aqua blue Swiss Army knives
- Intriguing and colorful face masks
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Grayers raglan-sleeved crewneck sweaters. ($165 each)
Grayers “Bradford” Raglan Crew Men’s Sweaters »
Grayers’ “Bradford” line of pullovers are foolproof focal pieces for crisp days and make perfect layering sweaters.
They’re made from a super soft and cozy blend of 63% cotton, 30% polyester, and 7% yak wool, with a loose-knit (#3 gauge) jersey stitch construction for an attractive texture that’s warm yet breathable. The raglan sleeves offer extra freedom of arm movement and additional space in the underarms.
Basically, you’ll never be comfier when reading your favorite book by the fireplace.
Ysense Norwegian-style socks. ($16 for six pairs)
YSense Norwegian-Style Winter Socks »
On a similar note, if you’re going to be sitting by the fireplace trying to achieve maximum levels of comfy, you might as well do it right with some festive Norwegian-style socks.
Not only do these socks sport some tastefully colorful patterns that draw the eye, they’re also comfy and warm without overheating your feet. The material is soft and at just the right thickness without overdoing it — I’d say they’re slightly heavier than dress socks — and they’re neither scratchy nor too restrictive.
It’s worth nothing that although the Amazon listing advertises these as “wool socks”, they’re really made up of 35% wool, 29% cotton, and 36% polyester. They’re still great for wearing on cold days, just don’t go in expecting the finest pure-wool socks for trudging through snow with.
RockDove memory foam slippers. ($17–$24 per pair)
RockDove Memory Foam Slippers »
For those times when you need to step outside for a moment or two — whether it’s to get the mail, take out the trash, walk the dog, water the lawn, or whatever else — do it in comfort with RockDove’s memory foam slippers.
They offer plush warmth in cold weather, a sturdy natural rubber sole that prevents slips and won’t leave marks on your indoor floors, an anti-shock EVA layer in case you step on something pokey, and they’re even safely machine-washable.
Plus, they’re lightweight and breathable so they feel great on your feet, which is really the most important thing at the end of the day.
+ Take a look at the company’s “Fair Isle” sweater-knit slippers for women as well.
GilletteLabs self-heating razor. ($140)
GilletteLabs Heated Razor »
There’s nothing more luxurious than a how towel shave, but unless you’ve got a live-in barber, the next best thing you can get at home is Gillette’s heated razor.
That’s right, it’s a shaving razor with a warming bar built in that keeps the head actively and consistently heated throughout your whole shave, without having to run it under hot water all the time. A simple press of the button on the sleek handle toggles the razor’s temperature between 109°F (43°C) and 122°F (50°C).
Included with the razor — which also happens to be waterproof — is a relatively heavy (267g/0.59 lb) titanium wireless charging base. Simply place the tip of the handle onto it and the hidden magnet takes it from there, recharging the razor’s Li-ion battery enough to last up to six shaves.
A-SLIM leather card holder. (~$40)
A-SLIM “Yaiba” Slim Leather Card Holder »
Just because a wallet is slim and minimal doesn’t mean it can’t every detail right, no matter how tiny. A-SLIM’s “Yaiba” card holder is skillfully made, beautiful to look at, and even packaged like a dream.
Crafted in London from the finest natural full-grain cow leathers that will age gorgeously with use — and paired with 4-ply viscous thread to ensure durability — this minimalist credit card wallet sports four outer card slots and a central slip pocket that can either hold four more cards (for a total of eight) or a few folded bills. Your call.
Victorinox’s 2020 limited-edition Swiss Army knifes. ($40–$55, depending on model)
Victorinox 2020 Limited-Edition “Alox” Swiss Army Knives »
This year’s limited-edition Swiss Army Knife set — the sixth such set, as far as we know — features an appealing cool aqua blue coloring that would look great alongside last year’s champagne-colored edition.
Like the previous edition, there are three knife variants to choose from, all of which feature that signature grippy Alox texture with its corrosive-resistant anodized oxide coating:
- Classic: At a length of just 58mm, the Classic Alox features a blade, a nail file, a screwdriver, scissors, and a key ring. An ideal EDC companion. ($40)
- Cadet: This 84mm model is the “gentleman” of the group, featuring a nail file + nail cleaner, a large blade, a bottle opener and can opener, and other useful tools. ($50)
- Pioneer: An exceptionally reliable 93mm tool that includes a blade, a reamer, a punch, a can opener (with small screwdriver), a bottle opener (with a screwdriver and wire stripper), and a key ring. ($55)
JP Brammer’s artwork face masks. ($22 each)
JP Brammer Artwork Face Masks »
We’ve all needed to stock up on face masks this year, and they’ve quickly become one more way to express yourself when you have to be out and about.
As such, artist and writer John Paul Brammer offers some of the most intriguing and colorful designs you can cover your face with. 🌵✨
They’re based on his own artworks, and each mask is made of super soft 100% polyester microfiber, with a nose wire for easy adjustment and PVC size regulators on the elastic earloops. Inside the masks are pockets where you can insert a filter or napkin, and they’re all washable and reusable.
(If you buy before Christmas, use the code BURRITOSABANERO at checkout to get a shop-wide discount.)
🛠 Tools & Trinkets
- Japanese-made small tool box
- Tough and water-resistant open-top tool bag
- Auto-stop tape measure with a smooth wooden casing
- 90° metal ruler for making measurements around corners
- German-made forestry axe
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Trusco small tool box. ($15)
Trusco T-150 Trunk Tool Box »
Trusco’s endlessly useful T-150 Trunk Tool Box containers are just the thing to store all those bits and bobs that any good workshop tends to accumulate.
Crafted from stamped stainless steel and painted in a beautiful blue hue, these well-constructed hinged containers can withstand the rigors of any project but are small enough (6.4″ x 4.3″ x 2.3″) to stay out of your way.
We love that they’re designed to be stackable, thanks to their corner bumps underneath and matching indentions on top. It’s the little details like these that really matter in the end.
AWP open-top tool tote. ($19)
AWP 15″ Tool Tote »
AWP’s 15″ open-top tool tote is a handy way to organize and carry your tools/cleaning supplies/car detailing gear/etc around. It’s just the right size for grabbing when all you need are your most common and readily accessible tools, without feeling weighed down with excess.
The 600D material is tough and water-resistant, so you can bring it along on just about any quick job without worry. We particularly like the strong, foam-padded handle, which makes carrying the tote feel both secure and comfortable.
Hacoa wooden tape measure. ($43–$54, depending on wood type)
Hacoa +LUMBER Wooden Tape Measure »
The Japanese-made +LUMBER tape measure by Hacoa is a 12-foot (3.66-meter) auto-stop tape measure that features a smooth natural wood casing, making it not only functional but also quite pleasurable to look at and hold. Each tape measure has a unique grain pattern, so no two are exactly alike.
The tape itself has imperial measurements on one side and metric on the other, so if you ever have to work between those two systems, that’s rather handy to have. On the bottom of the measure is a small black button for retracting the tape as needed.
Comes in walnut, oak, or maple woods.
INCRA Tools Bend Rule. ($27–$41, depending on length)
INCRA Tools Bend Rule »
INCRA’s Precision Bend Rule is one of the more expensive rulers you’ll ever buy, but once you’ve used it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t spend that money sooner.
It’s a 90-degree stainless steel ruler that fits over the edge of a workpiece, and it’s got two sets of marking holes for easily making accurate measurements around corners. It’s a game-changer for woodworking projects.
The INCRA Bend Rule is available in 6-inch ($26), 12-inch ($27), and 18-inch ($41) lengths. The metric versions (150mm and 300mm, respectively) aren’t available on Amazon as of this writing.
Gedore/Ochsenkopf Universal Forestry Axe. ($111)
Ochsenkopf Universal Forestry Axe »
Made by a German company that’s been around for a century, the Universal Forestry Axe is a high-quality heritage axe with a traditional Rhineland pattern blade that’s well suited to felling, de-branching, and light wood splitting.
The entire axe weighs in at a 4.63 lb (2,100g), about 2.76 lb (1,250g) of which belongs to the fine-polished C60-grade steel head, which in turn sits atop a 27.6″ (700mm) hickory handle.
This is the kind of axe you’ll be able to pass down as an heirloom someday, and if well cared for, will perform just as well a generation or two from now.
🧸 Toys & Kids
- An out-of-this-world LEGO set
- …or two 🚀
- Excellent and affordable ukelele for kids and beginners
- A not-run-of-the-mill children’s book about the ocean and its otherworldly inhabitants
- Snap Circuits kit that integrates with LEGO bricks
- Super soft stuffed animals with personality
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LEGO Ideas International Space Station set. ($70)
LEGO Ideas 21321 International Space Station Set »
For the 10th anniversary of their community-driven LEGO Ideasplatform, LEGO have released an 864-piece ISS set that looks just like the real thing.
It features 8 adjustable solar panels along two rotating joints, includes three mini cargo spacecrafts and two micro-figure astronauts, and is equipped with the station’s signature Canadarm2 robotic arm, which is also fully posable.
When fully built, you can place the station on its included stand to present a striking display measuring over 7” (20cm) high, 12” (31cm) long, and 19” (49cm) wide.
LEGO Ideas Saturn V set. ($159)
LEGO Ideas 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V Set »
On a similar note, with the NASA Apollo Saturn V LEGO Ideas set, your imagination can take flight as you assemble all 1,969 pieces — yes, it’s totally a reference to the year of the moon landing — to create this meter-high (~1:110 scale) model of the iconic Saturn V rocket.
That alone should help kill half a day of dedicated brick building, but it gets even more fun when you’re done, since the impressively detailed model includes three removable rocket stages for you to play with, including the S-IVB third stage with the lunar lander and lunar orbiter, plus a few astronaut buddies and an American flag accessory.
Also included are three stands for displaying the rocket horizontally when you’re not (carefully) swooshing it around in the air making blastoff noises while no one’s watching.
Donner soprano ukelele. ($60)
Donner DUS-1 Soprano Ukelele »
We heartily recommend this ukelele for any kid who wants to learn to play an instrument. It’s small and light, beautifully built, comfortable to play, and sounds surprisingly good for the price.
Handily enough, the ukelele comes with all the accessories you’d need: a quality carrying case, a nice-looking strap, a few picks, and a clip-on tuner with battery included.
Into the Deep by Wolfgang Dreyer and Annika Siems. ($17 hardcover)
Into the Deep by Wolfgang Dreyer and Annika Siems »
Unlike so many run-of-the-mill children’s books about the ocean — which tend to focus on presenting marine creatures in a more…shall we say, ‘PR-friendly’ way — Wolfgang Dreyer and Annika Siems’ Into the Deep: An Exploration of Our Oceans takes readers on a stranger and more fascinating “submarine” journey to the deepest, murkiest depths of the sea, where dwell the most otherwordly and scariest ocean inhabitants.
Reading this book is like taking an underwater excursion with an actual marine biologist to explain all the odd pheomena you encounter along the way.
Annika Siems’ oil-painted illustrations are just as much the star of the show though, because they bring the book’s many informative facts and tidbits to life in stunning detail.
Snap Circuits BRIC: Structures kit. ($41)
Snap Circuits “BRIC: Structures” Kit »
Elenco’s Snap Circuits series of kits have long been among our favorite projects for kids. They’re a fantastic way to introduce young’uns to electrical engineering concepts without dealing with tools or hot soldering irons — the circuit components simply and literally snap together to do cool stuff.
Their BRIC: Structures kit is especially cool because it comes with “bric-2-snap” adapters to integrate Snap Circuits with LEGO (and other building bricks of that ilk) to create 3D structures that light up, play sounds, and more.
+ Also worthy of mention is the “Motion” kit, which focuses on concepts of motion and physics.
Jellycat stuffed animals. (prices vary, mostly in the $15–$35 range per plush)
Jellycat — Super Soft Stuffed Animals with Personality »
Jellycat is a specialty shop that focuses solely on stuffed animals that are “sometimes quirky, sometimes cute, but always with a little something different that makes them stand out from the crowd.”
You can search by specific animal if you like, or you can browse through their large variety of themed collections — we selected a few favorites in our original post.
Whatever you pick, you’re sure to end up with something ultra soft and cuddly — and so expressive! — that will hold up great for years to come.
💝 Charities
At Tools & Toys we have always donated 11% of our gross income to charity. If you click this link before you do your shopping on Amazon, we’ll be donating 11% of our affiliate earnings for the months of November and December specifically to the charities listed below.
We also encourage you to consider making some charitable donations this year, and invite you to give alongside us to these two organizations:
St. Jude Children’s Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made at St. Jude have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Moreover, their hospital has been described as “a hospital without walls” where children in need are treated at no cost to their family.
Operation Christmas Child: Samaritan’s purse is a Christian ministry, and every year they work with volunteers and donors from around the nation to pack and ship shoe boxes full of gifts to children in need around the globe.
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