5 Gifts for Pandemic Staycations
We’re all ready for 2020 to end, but the reality is the pandemic will linger into 2021. Give your loved ones a gift that helps them get through these tough times and prepares them for the new normal, which we all hope will be a wonderous New Year!
Your Bag for Day Tripping
The pandemic has changed the roadmap for travel, as more of us take trips closer to home. Solo New York has the perfect luggage collection for your daytrip or weekend getaway. The Vive Mini Backpack (Macy’s, $60) has 10L storage capacity for all you essentials, along with comfy adjustable straps, a handy zippered front pocket and a wipe-clean exterior. For an overnight, the Treat 22-inch Carry-on Rolling Case (Macy’s, $260) features an interior organizer section, easy-glide wheels, a push-button telescoping handle system and two-front zippered pockets. For when you take to the air again, this compact carry-on meets requirements for most airlines. A bonus: these Solo bags are made from recycled PET bottles, helping reduce waste.
Zoom in on Work Posture
It’s important to look presentable on Zoom calls, but low-lying laptop cameras leave much to be desired when it comes to capturing our best self. The obVus Solutions Minder Laptop Tower Stand ($74.99) raises your screen to the proper eye-level height that gives a flattering view of your face. When not propping up your virtual visage for video calls, this sturdy and quality-bult stand elevates your laptop from 2” to 21” to the perfect height for stand-up working, to prevent poor posture that leads to fatigue and hunched-over stances that can lead to chronic musculoskeletal problems. Sitting is the new smoking, so stand up against sitting, and look pretty doing it.
Wave Off Germs
As we head back into the office and ease into public life again, a handy device to tote everywhere you go is the Sharper Image Travel UV Sanitizing Wand ($79), to wave over items and kill germs. This compact cordless device uses powerful Ultraviolet-C light to significantly reduce microscopic germs, mold and other health hazards. It can be used to sanitize bedding, towels, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures and remote controls, killing up to 99.9% of bacteria, including E. coli. For those worried about potential dangers of eye exposure, it features an auto safety shutoff in case it is accidentally overturned.
The Case of the Dropped Phone
Our phones have always been our lifeline, but during the pandemic they not only keep us connected during social distancing, they literally can provide life-saving information, from alerting us that we have been contact traced to keeping us and our loved ones informed and safe. Protect your phone with top-rated made-to-take-abuse Catalyst Cases. The feather-lightweight Impact Protection Case ($39.99) protects your phone from drops up to 9.9 feet. Or if you are out in the elements, get full protection with the Waterproof Case ($89.99), which keeps your phone dry at 33 feet plus is 6.6 feet drop-proof – and it can be washed with soap and water. For those who love to listen on iPods, Catalyst also makes an indestructible Total Protection Case for iPods Pro ($49.99)
Now We’re Cooking with Air
Shuttered restaurants means eating home a lot, but the Aria Teflon-Free Ceramic 2-Quart Retro Air Fryer (Macy’s $62.99) makes meal making quick and easy. This powerful cooking capsule can fry, grill, reheat, roast and toast your favorite meats, breakfasts, desserts, vegetables and more faster than ever. It reaches 400° in seconds to cook faster than a traditional, convection, or microwave oven, without oil or grease – reducing fat in your food up to 80%. The lightweight, compact size of this Air Fryer conveniently fits on your countertop without taking up much space and easily stores in your cabinets when not in use.
