Unexpected, Unusual, And Useful Gifts

For more gift ideas, please see BJT's 2020 Holiday Gift Guide.

Ever Efficient: Who needs cables? Belkin’s three-in-one wireless charging station will keep an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods powered up. And it will charge right through most phone cases. $113 at amazon.com

Belkin’s three-in-one wireless charging station

Good Morning: The Philips SmartSleep alarm clock will wake sleepers gently and leave them feeling refreshed. A built-in tracker measures bedroom light, noise, and humidity levels and gives recommendations for improving sleep, and the alarm clock doubles as a light therapy lamp that mimics a gentle sunrise. $170 at amazon.com

SmartSleep alarm clock

Knots No More: Don’t knock a portable massage mat until you’ve tried it. We love the Zyllion Shiatsu back and neck massager, which fits perfectly on most chairs, has three speeds and heat, and does the trick almost as well as the real thing. $190 atzyllion.com

Zyllion Shiatsu back and neck massager

‘Hi, It’s Rosie O’Donnell.’: Cameo allows you to commission a personalized video message for that someone in your life who is a fan of a particular actor, politician, model, sports figure, or other celebrity. Most of them are C-list or below, but we spotted at least a few whose video shout-outs would make us smile. From about $50 at cameo.com

Lights On: Keep a city-slicker cyclist safe with the Street helmet by Lumos. It offers 360-degree lighted visibility and features built-in turn signals and brake lights. $200 at lumoshelmet.co

Street helmet by Lumos