If like me you’ve overdone it at Christmas, but the post-present budget isn’t enough to pay for a gym membership, that doesn’t mean you’ve got the excuse to slob around doing no exercise. Stair steppers mean there’s no need to travel across town to the gym when you want to tone up. You can add a twist to your home fitness regime with this compact and portable Mini Twist Stepper from Everlast. Exercising with a Mini Stepper is the perfect way to strengthen your legs. The lateral movement of this adjustable exercise stepper helps to trim and tone inner and outer thighs leaving you looking and feeling great. This lateral thigh stepper uses a clever computerised, automatic scan LCD monitor to time your workout, count the number of calories burned and display the number of steps and strides you take per minute. With adjustable resistance levels and an automatic scanning LCD display, you can control the level of your exercise workout with this fantastic aerobic stepper, stepping things up as your fitness increases.

Stepping with the Mini Twist Stepper simulates stair climbing, but instead of actual steps it uses alternating platforms for an aerobic activity that gives you a low-impact, high-intensity exercise workout. Stepping uses muscles in your lower body you may not even know exist! Exercising with the Mini Twist Platform Exercise Stepper will help improve cardiovascular performance as you burn fat and strengthen and sculpt your lower body. So, if you’re feeling sluggish and you can’t tear yourself away from the latest TV reality show, but you don’t want to become a couch potato, you can workout in the privacy of your front room with this portable exercise stepper. It can be stored conveniently under your bed, so if you suddenly fancy some step exercise in the middle of the night, you’re ready to go! So, whatever it is that’s preventing you from getting to the gym doesn’t have to stop you having firm, toned thighs!

If you’re keen to get 2008 off to the best start and increase your general fitness, then using a punch bag could be a fun way to give yourself a fighting chance at fitness. You can improve your boxing fitness and have a punch up without causing injury to anyone or getting yourself arrested! The Everlast Power Tower is an awesome inflatable boxer which provides the perfect way to release all your tension and burn off those calories.

Lots of boxing equipment is designed to increase strength and endurance and this inflatable punch bag certainly hits the mark! It’s a knock-out for improving coordination and flexibility. The inflatable punching pillar rocks back and forth with every punch, providing the knock- down/instant-up motion that builds endurance and sharpens your reflexes. The Everlast Inflatable Power Tower is also ideal for kick-boxing workouts too (without shoes), so why not take up an enjoyable new hobby that will also keep you fit and healthy?

Punch bag training with the Power Tower is serious exercise, but a whole lot of fun for the whole family. This punch bag is perfect for boxers of all sizes, so the kids can use it to vent their frustration, rather than using each other! When you start training with the Everlast Power Tower, you’ll gradually improve your coordination and overall fitness, so put this boxing punch bag through its paces and you’ll soon be feeling fighting fit and ready to go 12 rounds with Mike Tyson (ok, that might be a bit ambitious, but hey, you’ve got to start somewhere!) Not only will you be keeping fit, but who knows, it could lead to a whole new career!

Now, I’m not about to promote any sort of item that is demeaning to women,
but at the same time I am in possession of a sense of humour and if you’re
looking for an amusing stocking filler for your man and something that
will make the dreaded return to work in January a little easier, then
check out the USB Pole Dancer!

Lit up as though out clubbing, she’ll plug into your PC and dance away to
all your favourite MP3s. She may have caused a stir (she’s even been
removed from the shelves of one store), but did you know, pole dancing is
actually a very good way to keep fit !

Christmas is a time when you can really indulge your passion for boy’s toys, girl’s gadgets and all those silly, but fun gizmos that you don’t need, but would really, really like. After all, isn’t it the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to things you’d never normally buy? And, even if they end up at the back of a cupboard when the tree comes down, there’s no better time than the Christmas holidays for playing with toys! So, with Christmas around the corner, let me tell you my Top Ten (entirely unnecessary) Christmas Gadgets for Christmas 2007.

Bop It
Christmas is a time when all the noisy and annoying toys and games come into their own, so it’s only right that I include that old favourite – Bop It in my Top Ten.

Whether you’re spinning, twisting, flicking or bopping, Bop It is one gadget that will create a real stir! This colourful game shouts the instructions to you, so you know whether to pull or flick! The better you get, the quicker the tempo, the faster this crazy game goes and when you miss a beat, you’ll know about it! Can you keep up with the Bop-it beat?

One of the funniest things is watching how people get what can only be described as ‘a groove on’ when they have Bop It in their hands, passing it quickly back and forth before the next pull, flick or spin. It’s extremely addictive – once you start playing Bop It, you won’t be able to put it down, as you keep trying to beat your own high score, much to the irritation of those around you. Isn’t it funny how a simple gadget can turn grown adults into competitive fiends?

So, if you’re looking for a fun party ice-breaker or a great game to keep the kids occupied for hours (buy them one each with a set of headphones for some indulgent peace and quiet!), then Bop It gets full mark every time. It will keep them occupied over the Christmas holidays without driving you mad. No, it doesn’t make you a bad parent – Bop It is actually a really good way to improve concentration and coordination! And there are so many versions to choose from now, including the new downloadable Bop It that you’ll be bopping well into 2008!

USB Xmas Tree
USB is everywhere these days – people invent a new gadget and a few months later there’s a USB version on the market. So, it’s obvious that Christmas is a great opportunity to cash in on all things USB. Hence, the USB Christmas Tree!

Perfect for decorating any office, the sparkling little lights have a soothing, almost hypnotic effect and will make anyone who passes by get into the festive spirit. If you argue with your colleagues about who gets to decorate the tree, then find less enthusiasm when the time comes to take it down in January, a compact USB Fibre Optic Christmas tree is the perfect compromise. And best of all, you won’t still be picking pine needles out of the carpet next July!

There are so many available that it’s never been easier to brighten up your desktop and bring some instant Christmas cheer to the office. Hey, you could even have a competition with your colleagues to see who can come up with the craziest Christmas related USB gizmo – from reindeers with flashing noses and santas banging on a drum, the possibilities are endless. But, the USB Christmas Tree is the classic, the staple USB gadget that you can bring out year after year, which is why it’s made it into my Top Ten!

20 Questions
I know what you’re thinking. You don’t believe me do you? Well, you soon will. Just think of an everyday object and I will ask you a few simple questions. Answer the questions honestly and I’ll tell you what you’re thinking. Scary, isn’t it?

What’s this, Twenty Questions? No, it’s 20Q, the fun handheld electronic game that can read your mind! The classic game of twenty questions is captured in a convenient portable format. If it reads your mind within 20 questions it wins, if not, you win! Great fun for kids and adults alike, you won’t be able to put 20Q handheld down this Christmas, because you’ll be determined not to be beaten by an electronic game!

To play, think of something…anything…then answer a series of questions. 20Q will begin by asking if you’re thinking of an animal, vegetable, mineral, other or unknown. It will then proceed to ask you questions to which you can reply, ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Sometimes’ or ‘Unknown’. You’ll be amazed as it tries to guess what you’re thinking and it‘s smart comments along the way are sure to make you more determined to win!

With its retro design and arcade-style sound effects, it may not be the most sophisticated toy in the world, but it certainly makes my Top Ten Gadgets for Christmas not least because it’s the perfect size to pop in a Christmas stocking!

Coughing Ashtray
How has the smoking ban affected you? Are you a smoker struggling to give up and standing out in the cold sucking on a fag while your friends sit inside the cosy smoke-free pub lounge? Or, are you a smug non-smoker rubbing your hands with glee because you can now enjoy an evening out without coming home with your hair and clothes reeking of stale smoke. Whatever camp you fall into, you can have a little fun this Christmas with the Coughing Ashtray.

If you’re trying to give up smoking you might find it harder when you’re sitting around the house over Christmas with time on your hands – you may be more tempted to succumb. If everyone’s out they’ll be no one to challenge you. That’s where the Coughing Ashtray steps in. We all know that smoking is a dirty filthy habit, but for some of us find the habit just too hard to kick. If you, or someone you know could do with a helping hand to turn their back on the demon fags for good, then we’ve got just the thing to aid you in your crusade. There’s nothing worse than the sound of a forty-a-day smoker coughing and spluttering, so maybe it’s time to take drastic action and remind them what it sounds like. Not everyone will appreciate the funny side of the Coughing Ashtray, but then again, it could turn out to be a lifesaver. Better than a nicorette patch, this cool silver ashtray will cough its lungs up each time you use it, which is enough to put even the most ardent smoker off for life, so let this Ashtray help you keep your New Year’s Resolution.

Pinpressions
Now this make seem like a strange one for the Top Ten Christmas Gadgets, but historically, Christmas is a time for giving naff, pointless presents and I quite like this one. Fancy yourself as a pin-up? Think your good looks can help you make a good impression? Well, now you can find out with Pinpressions. It may look like a miniature bed of nails, but it’s actually a portable piece of art and experimenting with it will pass a bit of time on Christmas Day.

Photocopying parts of your anatomy at the office gets a little tiresome eventually (not to mention the fact that it could lead to disciplinary action!), so if you’re looking for a new way to make your mark at work when you return in 2008, then make an impression with Pinpressions, the unique gadget that performs and entertains instantly! By simply pressing Pinpressions to the side of your face or any other part of your body, it will capture your image with full dimension. Or, you can use your finger to draw on Pinpressions to create an individual mini sculpture. Now that’s what we call art!

Handy Trim
Now, I’m sure we’re all guilty of a spot of over-indulgence during the festive season, so it’s only right that my Top Ten included something to get you back in shape again so you’re fighting fit for 2008!

If your busy schedule leaves you little time to keep fit, then shape up with HandyTrim. Maybe you work in an office, sitting at a desk all day with little movement. This compact fitness device allows you to achieve maximum results without spending hours training. The most effective training plan requires only five minutes, five times a day, but even if you can only manage three times a day, you’ll soon notice a difference in the way you feel.

HandyTrim fits easily into any handbag, sport bag, backpack, locker, desk drawer or glove compartment so you can have a mini workout at your convenience! It may be small in size, but you’ll be surprised at how gigantic the results can be.

Most effective for sports that require strong arm and upper body coordination, HandyTrim could help to improve your game! Experts agree that not properly warming up before sporting activity results in the most sports injuries. Within minutes, HandyTrim warms the muscle groups located in the upper body to help prevent injury. There are various exercises to concentrate on strengthening different muscles and all will improve your coordination. HandyTrim will also help to improve your posture and prevent deformity caused by incorrect posture.

So, if you find it difficult to make time for the gym, don’t make unrealistic resolutions for the New Year – stay trim with the handy workout you can carry in your pocket!

Powerball
Definition: Powerball is a finely engineered and precision crafted gyro consisting of a rapidly spinning rotor enclosed in a solid [hand held] outer sphere.

It’s little wonder then, that high performance athletes and sports champions are amongst the Powerball’s greatest fans. It may only be the size of a tennis ball, but take a Powerball in your hand, set the rotor in motion using the cord provided and you’ll experience the extraordinary sensation that already has millions of people around the world hooked.

Powerball makes it into my Top Ten Gadgets for Christmas, because it makes everyone so competitive, and just like 20Q, is the perfect size for a stocking filler. The Green Neon Pro Powerball uses the same precision balanced rotor found in the 250Hz models but has the added feature of 6 high intensity LED’s (built into that rotor) which glow brightly once you get your Powerball spinning. The Neon Pro literally explodes with mind numbing torque and inertia once you activate its internal motor. You’d better have some power in your wrist, because the faster you spin it, the brighter it glows! The surreal glow which engulfs your hand during use is generated by a small induction coil present in the rotor.

So, whether you’re a sports enthusiast who wants to make some improvements to your game, a fitness addict who wants to build or tone your arms, or you simply want to astound your family and friends with your wrist strength (easy!) this Christmas then you’ll love Glowing Neon Powerball. You can train like a pro and enjoy the most addictive and entertaining spin around!

Shocking Roulette
Have you got nerves of steel? Find out this Christmas. No, I’m not talking about the nerves of steel you need to endure the Mother-in-Law (although that may be true!) I’m talking about the bravery required to play Shocking Roulette. No, not Russian Roulette – that’s pure madness. Who in their right mind would risk a bullet in the head just to play a game? Shocking Roulette, on the other hand, retains the suspense and intrigue, but the worst you’ll suffer is a small electric shock. Still, you’d be surprised at how quickly grown men and women turn to jelly when they place their fingers into the electronic chambers and wait nervously to see who will receive the ‘shock’.

Players place their fingers in one of the chambers on the board, the start button is pressed and the agonising wait begins! The tension mounts as the unit beeps and the lights flash around the board, imitating the sound of the ball on a traditional roulette wheel. But, unlike the casino, the only prize in this game is the relief when you realise you’ve escaped a shock. Then you can relax and laugh at the unlucky ‘victim’. Beware, they’ll probably suggest another round and it’s only a matter of time until it’s your finger that gets a jolt. And once you’ve seen the reaction of other people as they’re shocked, the pressure builds even more, until you just want to get your turn over and done with! When the bleeping stops, the screaming starts!

You don’t need skill or dexterity to play this Shocking Roulette, you just need a large dose of courage! Perfect for livening things on Christmas Day, Shocking Roulette is the game that creates a real ‘buzz’! Much more fun than the practice of drawing the short straw, it’s the ideal way to decide who does the washing up after Christmas dinner!

Beer Butler
Aaah – football and beer – the perfect combination! What could be better than putting your feet up to watch the footie with a cold beer in your hand? Christmas is a time for entertaining, so stock up on the beers, invite your friends over and get yourself a butler. Sound a bit extravagant? Not at all. The brilliant Beer Butler is affordable, yet will prove invaluable when you‘re relaxing over the festive season.

Can’t tear your eyes away from the Christmas matinee to pass your Dad another beer? Simply slide the Beer Butler along the table and you can keep your attention on the film because it will ingeniously stop when it reaches the edge without spilling a drop! Yes, this football shaped Beer Buddy is battery operated and smart enough to carry your beer back and forth across the table. So, you see, all you need to do is make sure all the drinks are in the room and let the Butler distribute them amongst your guests. Ok, it’s a little lazy, but sometimes you just need to be free to indulge your passions in life!

Hot Choctail Maker
What’s better on a cold winters day than snuggling up on the sofa with a warm, comforting mug of hot chocolate (ok, ok, a night on the town with a few drinks is pretty good too, but we don’t all get out much!) So, I had to make room in my Top Ten Christmas Gadgets for this little beauty. And, for those of you who do prefer an alcoholic beverage to a ‘boring’ hot drink you might be more interested when we tell you you can use the fantastic Hot Choctail Maker to rustle up a range of choc lovely alcoholic smoothies.

Yes, if you’re a chocoholic, then this is the Christmas gift for you. The Choctail Maker heats, mixes and froths chocolate to create mochas, milkshakes and other chocolate treats. Who needs a trip to Willy Wonka’s when you can indulge your passion for all things chocokate at home! And, we all know that chocolate is plentiful at Christmas time so with this fantastic drinks maker under your tree on Christmas Day, you can start experimenting straight away!

Are you hoping your man will invest in a bit of bling for you this Christmas? Are you hoping to unwrap a little box on Christmas morning and open it to see a shiny, twinkling Diamond? Do you live in the vain hope of receiving a precious gem each year only to be disappointed again? Well, maybe this year will be different.

If your man moans that Diamonds cost the earth and you think you’ll be waiting forever or if it‘s the woman in your life who‘s dropping hints your wallet simply can‘t manage to fulfill, then this could be the solution. Imagine if you could get his hands on a big sparkly rock for the lady for under a tenner. The Diamond Keyring is the ultimate stocking filler.

Ok, maybe it won’t slip neatly on your finger as you were hoping, but as rocks go, one’s pretty huge! With four rings for your keys it has a practical use too. They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and this may not be exactly what you had in mind, but hey, it’s a start. And, there’s always next year! You’d better get saving!

There’s nothing worse than sitting down on a sweaty seat! So for anyone who spends hours chained to their desk chair, I think this is a fab idea. As for me, I send far too much time rushing around for my seat ever to warm up!

What a fantastic stocking filler for anyone with warm nostalgic feelings for those days of spending all their pocket money down at the arcades. Perfect for all big kids this Christmas, the Space Invaders keyring will really take you back!

Think you’ll get everything you wanted for Christmas? I bet I can think of something that may not find its way into your stocking! The Fle-sexi Shakers may look like something you’d find in the jungle, but these 2 flexible tubes are designed to add some flavour to your meals – one is for the salt, the other is for the pepper.

So, if you’re about to host a dinner party, but you’re worried that your guests might not be instantly at ease with each other then you could always break the ice by sculpting a work of art out of the salt and paper shakers!

Shake things up at the dinner table with these fun and funky Salt and Pepper Shakers. They’re sure to get the guests talking at any gathering, as they give a ‘sexi’ new meaning to ‘Can you pass the salt?’

You can twist these fun Salt and Pepper Shaker tubes into any shape you like – they allow for a whole variety of flexible variations, so are sure to add a touch of spice to mealtimes! Just twist the end cap and sprinkle and when the salt and pepper run out they‘re really easy to refill. Who ever thought condiments could be so entertaining!