MEGATech Showcase: A Christmas Extravaganza Beth Snyder December 17, 2014 Extras, Features Whether you’re ready or not, Christmas will be here soon (if it’s a holiday you celebrate, of course). So you’d better get decorating! Here are some fun, unique, and altogether geeky ideas to help you spread some holiday cheer. First up is the USB Christmas tree. Just because you spend most of your life chained to your desk doesn’t mean you can’t be festive! It comes pre-decorated with multicolored lights, and has a 6-foot USB cable so you can plug it right into your computer. The tree itself is made of silver tinsel, and measures 4.5″ x4.5″ x 5.75″. Pick yours up for just $16.95 US. Source: Foolish Gadgets You’d better be careful, or you’ll shoot your eye out! I love Ralphie, and I particularly love him in his pink bunny suit. This bobblehead belongs on your desk, or your dashboard, or wherever you want to put it. He stands eight inches tall, and costs $18.99 US. Source: Geek Alerts Don’t have time to decorate? This is pretty much the most minimalist nativity scene I’ve come across. Wooden blocks represent Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and the wise men… and it even has blocks for an angel, sheep, and donkey. It’s currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, where a pledge of at least £23 (about $36.00 US) plus shipping will get you a set. Source: Fast Company Back to A Christmas Story! I really want one of these, but I can’t quite justify paying $79.99 US for one. If you don’t recognize this, you need to immediately go watch the movie. Right now. I mean it. Anyway, the lamp stands 28 inches tall, and the entire thing lights up. If you can justify the cost to yourself, you should get one. Source: Geek Alerts You cannot tell me you don’t want a Cthulu wreath. This thing is appropriately festive, yet altogether disconcerting. This isn’t one you can purchase, but as Maika Keuben made it she documented the process so you can probably duplicate it yourself. Check out her Instagram page for pictures. Source: Geekologie It wouldn’t be Christmas without zombies, right? I know, it seems a little weird, but go with it. These are Walker lights from The Walking Dead, and they’re pretty darn fabulous. The string comes with 10 lights, spaced about eight inches apart, for a total length of 6′ 8″, and they can be used indoors or outdoors at your pleasure. Each set costs $24.99 US. Source: Geek Alerts You know my least favourite part of decorating? Those stupid lights. They tangle, they attach themselves to everything, and they’re a general pain in the behind. I’ve thrown out more strings of lights because I couldn’t untangle them than I care to admit. But AURA is a new concept that looks like a pretty neat idea. They’re wirelessly powered Christmas lights that hang on your tree like a regular ball ornament. Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, a pledge of at least $69.00 US will get you a set (at $70 off retail price). Unfortunately, they’re not planning to ship until October 2015, so you’ll still have to fight with your stringed lights this year. Source: Digital Trends Minions! This string of lights can be used indoor or outdoor, and measures about 10 feet long. It’s got a bunch of repeating Carls and Daves, and it’s fabulous. It could only be better if they talked. Each string costs $29.99 US. Source: Geek Alerts How about some Game of Thrones Sigil lights? Each string has 10 lights (two each of Stark, Baratheon, Lannister, Tyrell, and Targaryen), and measures 11 feet long. They’re made of plastic and should last a long, long time. Pick up a string for $19.99 US. Source: Technabob From dark and gloomy to bright and happy, let’s move on to some My Little Pony lights. They feature ponies from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Dr. Hooves and Derpy), and you get 10 lights per string. The string measures 10 feet long, and can be used indoor or outdoor. Just $25.99 US. Source: Geek Alerts You’ve got lights, now how about some ornaments? These are DIY Quiddich broom ornaments made by Jen of EPBOT and her husband John, with instructions available at EPBOT. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you need these for your tree. Source: Nerd Approved If you’re going to use the sigil lights, then you should probably also buy at least one of these ornaments featuring the map of Westeros. Each one measures 3 1/2 inches in diameter, and can be yours for about $5.00 US. Source: Geek Alerts These are ornaments, but I really want to just hang them in my living room picture window. This set of 10 ornaments has the Sun as well as all nine planets. Yes, nine. I’m old… Pluto is still a planet for me. They’re made of blown glass, and I’m guessing they’re made to order since it takes 3-5 weeks for them to ship. Cost is $375.00 US, so they’re probably not something to buy on a whim. But I really do want to hang them in the window. They’re really neat! Source: Oh Gizmo My sister has a tradition that came with her husband, where they have a model train on a track that runs around the base of their tree every year. Hammacher Schlemmer has the same idea, but with a twist: a train that runs around the middle of your tree! All you do is put the track on supports that attach to the trunk, add the train, and you’re good to go. It runs on four AA batteries, whistles, and calls for passengers when it’s switched on. Given that it comes from HS, it’s surprisingly affordable. If you want one, it’s going to cost you just $79.95 US. Source: Gadget Review Whether you choose to actually hang these on your tree or not, they’re a brilliant way to get through a stressful family party. Ornament shot glasses! They’re made of plastic, and they come with a screw top that doubles as an ornament hanger. No one will ever know why you’re so much more cheerful this year unless you tell them. A set of four runs $14.00 US. Source: Gizmodo You’ve got lights and ornaments, so now you need a tree topper. How about Groot? This is one you can make yourself if you have any talent at all, using a CD spool cover, foam, plastic eyes, Crayola Model Magic, pipe cleaners, and acrylic paint. WolfenM has an entire photo album of various shots of this Groot topper on Flickr, but sadly there are no step-by-step instructions. Source: Oh Gizmo But what if you don’t have room for a tree? Apartments can be small, I know… I once taped the outline of a tree made of garland to my wall, then taped ornaments inside it to “decorate” because I didn’t have room. This is an easier solution: a Christmas tree sticker, complete with ornaments. Full size is 22.5″wide x 36″high, and it’s basically a giant window cling. Peel and stick to your wall, decorate as you wish with the included ornaments, and you have a festive tree that takes up no space. Add one to your cramped quarters for $35.99 US. Source: 7 Gadgets We’ll close this one out with something I hope is not offensive, because I love it long time. Meet MenorasaurusRex! I cannot stop giggling every time I look at it. If you’re more of a non-traditional celebrator of Hanukkah, then this should be right up your alley. He comes from the creative mind and shop of The Vanilla Studio on Etsy, and she’s taking orders now for January delivery (I don’t get it, but I guess you probably wouldn’t get it soon enough to use it for this year anyway) at $85.00 US each. Source: Nerd Approved Share This With The World!
