All the presents are opened, the wrapping paper is strewn across the floor, and the kids are long gone, having absconded with their fresh loot.
Mom and dad, meanwhile, are left to clean up. But adults love their toys, too, and over the last few years, that's meant the hottest new gadgets.
Did you get a new screened doohickey to play with? Take our poll and let us know!
Amanda Kersey
11:07 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I didn't get any fancy phone or computer gadgets, but I got a really cool kitchen knife sharpener that will allow me to stop taking our butcher knife to the hardware store in Harvard Square to get sharpened. Did anyone else get something particularly useful?
Andrew Jeromski
11:35 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I'm with you there, Amanda. No gadgets for this guy. But I did get the most low-tech—and best—gift of all: a cache of books!
Kasey Hariman
12:08 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
We're big books-for-Christmas people at my parents' house, too. Any titles that look particularly good, Andrew? I got a book on funny summaries of the latest census, "The Unofficial U.S. Census: Things the Official U.S. Census Doesn't Tell You About America" by Les Krantz and Chris Smith. It's not exactly heavy reading, but it's got statistics on everything from tattoos to dietary habits to belief in aliens, so it's good conversation fodder.
Andrew Jeromski
2:11 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
@Kasey ... Yeah, three that I'm particularly pleased with: The Stone Raft by Saramago; Conversations with Professor Y by Celine (one of my absolute favorite authors) and a collection of Hunter S. Thompson's Rolling Stone articles. That should keep me busy ... as if I needed any help ...
Kasey Hariman
10:06 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Andrew -- thanks for the great recommendations! My dad is a professor and becoming a Francophile, so I think I know what he's getting for his birthday--after I read it myself.
Athena
11:32 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I also didnt get any 'gadgets', but I got a really cool grill pan that I cant wait to use!!
Joe Gray
11:38 am on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I got a rock, I wanted a car, so my daughter painted a small rock like a car and wrapped it for me. Doesn't get any better. I'll have to see how it does on the MPG rating.
Kasey Hariman
12:13 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I concur, that's pretty great and charming. And it sounds like it would do well in a crash test, too!
Betsey Benagh
12:04 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I didn't get any electronics, but I did get a new laptop backpack, of the sort where you can leave your laptop in the bag when you go through security. I'll be doing a fair amount of business travel in the upcoming months, so this will come in very handy!
Amanda Kersey
12:40 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I like the idea of a laptop backpack. While I was at the bicycle shop in Tulsa, Okla. this morning exchanging a bell, I saw a laptop pannier that intrigued me.
Matt M. Casey
1:56 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The problem with bags meant specifically for laptops is that would-be thieves know what to expect inside. You should never leave these in your car—not that you should ever leave anything valuable in your car, anyway.
Diane Lee
3:20 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
no gadgets here either, but got a get grill pan from William-Sonoma. It can be used on the stovetop, oven or grill. If you want you can freeze it to serve cold food. Looking forward to using this.
Annemarie
8:19 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I got a digital picture frame. I kinda wanted a kindle fire, but since I already have a regular kindle and a netbook, one isn't necessary
Melisa Passanisi Thorne
9:06 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I got a little 3-way flasher to wear running. My favorite gift!
Laurie Hunt
4:31 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I got an iPad - primarily for work, however, I am enjoying many of the apps including the nook. Thanks for the book recommendations above, I just ordered the unofficial census guide. I worked the 2010 Census and thought I might enjoy the book. Thanks Kasey!
Kasey Hariman
3:04 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
No problem! It's a funny read.