For Christmas this year I got the coolest little USB powered light that I didn’t even know I needed. But now two days later, I can’t imagine living without. While I certainly hope Santa (or your regional equivalent) was just as good to you this year, it got me thinking. USB gadgets have become so proliferous my eyes glaze over when someone announces a new one – the USB-powered microwave for instance. I don’t get enough exercise as it is – I really don’t need to cook at my desk too. But here are some gadgets I could really find useful – with any luck someone in Santa’s workshop is already in beta:

1) A USB-powered cat toy with alternate laser dot or string that would maintain a random pattern but preset distance from the keyboard, keeping the keys a human-only zone

2) A USB phone extension that could interface with either the cell or home phone and allow caller-id preview, answer or send to voicemail functions – nothing worse than having to reach for the phone when inspiration has hit – or juggle all those devices on limited table space

3) Some kind of cool gyroscope (with pretty colors, of course) that would recharge the laptop battery with its own kinetic movement

4) A plugin Monopoly game board that would allow the computer to become a real-world opponent – I’ve never quite trusted that the computer player is really random

5) A device that could be prestocked and then automatically mix and serve the perfect margarita – ‘nough said!

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Some people seem to make a hobby out of being hard to  shop for and I’m related to quite a few of them.  When the mall simply won’t do, here are three great online places to check for those truly quirky holiday gifts:

1. Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – show your appreciation for carbs, spaghetti, and the quirky with Flying Spaghetti Monster books and merchandise
2. ThinkGeek – for all things cool and geeky
3. Archie McPhee – words fail me, I am privileged to live within driving distance of the actual store!

The top two are affiliate links; my lack of marketing talent is revealed by not having one for all of them;-)

Disguises for garage doors – but they’re probably come in sizes like British paper, pretty much guaranteed not to fit American equipment

A truly cool cell phone gadget – I wonder if the camera function works with it?

The goat travel visa issue – apparently it’s much harder for goats than people to cross the Irish border

Camel-milk chocolate? – when they said they want to be the Godiva of the Middle East they probably didn’t realize that Godiva is owned by Campbell Soup Company (yes, really)