James Bond always loved his gadgets. Mind you, most of them blew something up or killed someone, so that’s probably not the best example. Nowadays, gadgets are available to more than just agents of Her Majesty’s Secret Service…

These days you don’t have to be Dad or James Bond to have an appreciation of gadgets; they’re also fun for every member of the family. They make great gifts for every occasion, so don’t overlook the delight a gadget can bring for that special someone in your life!

If you were under the impression that it was only men who loved gadgets, you’re wrong! It’s a long time since it was only Dad in his tool shed who was interested in the latest gadgetry. With an amazing range of fun and useful gadgets around, Mum, Sister, Girlfriend, Wife even Granny can benefit from the joy of a new gadget. For the ladies, there are now gadgets such as bubble bath machines, mood lights for all occasions and finger operated dance mats. Gadgets are inventive and can be helpful but the focus is usually on fun!

Let’s look at three types of gadget that are currently on the market to show the diverse range available:

FUN GADGETS

Helicopters – Around Christmas last year, you couldn’t move in a department store for getting poked in the eye by one of these little flying gadgets. Since then, interest in radio-controlled helicopters has soared and a full range of bigger and better choppers have hovered into the market. No longer only available to scruffy anoraks who meet up once a week on a disused airstrip, radio-controlled helicopters are really taking off!

USEFUL GADGETS

For the Home or Office Eco-Warrior, there’s the USB Eco Button, a gadget so environmentally friendly, it only comes in Green! Attach this little gadget to your computer and whenever you aren’t using the PC, simply press the button and it will put your computer into an energy saving mode. Save 135 kgs in Carbon emissions in just one year, whilst saving on your electricity bill.

HOME IMPROVING GADGETS!

After a long day at work, you’re looking to unwind and what could be better than slipping into a nice warm bath, turning off the lights, and letting some Spa/Bath Lights make relaxation a colourful stress-reducing experience. With suckers, they can attach to the side or even the bottom of the bath, or just let them float whilst you soak away your stresses. Each light can provide over 120 hours of light from one battery. But don’t stay in the bath too long, or you’ll look like a prune.

Gadgets can often be very useful like the Eco Button but also enjoyable with a toy-like quality to them. Many gadgets simply offer the opportunity to pass some time in an interesting way.

Did you know that the word ‘Gadget’ comes from the 1850’s? It’s Sailor slang for a small mechanical part on a ship that the sailors didn’t know the name for. So they used ‘gadget’ like we would use the words ‘thingy’ or ‘thingamajig’ or ‘wotsit’!