The search for the perfect Christmas gift is on, something the recipient will use and appreciate. It’s normally tough to find something in my world that both men and women would consider a great gift. I've been on tool trucks, and I don't really find items that make me think, “I've always wanted one of those!” They do have telescoping wands with a magnet on the end that I did get for my kids when they were younger. Technicians use them to get metal items that may have been dropped in the course of a job. A bolt that has fallen many times is unreachable without this tool. Not so high tech but necessary. Also a fun gift for little kids, as long as they stay away from the computer hard drives.
Last year a vendor came in with a “newish” item. It's a box about the size of an e-reader. It jump starts a car and powers any mobile devices. We commonly use a jump box to start cars that have a bad battery or alternator, or to start a car that has been sitting for a long period of time. Although they are mobile, the jump box tends to be bulky, heavy and takes up space. The new portable power bank jump starts your car as well as powers any mobile devices. You simply clamp the power bank to a battery and push a button.
I'm a bit of a pessimist but I bought one for myself and used it. I kept it charged and used it to power my phone and tablet. The techs used it to jump start cars. I had it in my car one weekend and was hoping I'd be at the mall and see someone in need of jumper cables. I could just hop out and jump start the car. (It does have jump starting directions in the case). It didn't happen, but I was hoping. I also brought it when traveling and driving a rental car, just in case.
It's a great gift for almost anyone. Having it in the trunk of your teenager’s car ensures they’re able to start their car if the battery has been drained. It's also probably on every zombie apocalypse preparation list, so you've got those people covered too!