Tiny Gadgets you Should Have

Dec 15, 2022 by Susan Rosenbluth

By S. Levin

Gadgets often bring us a sense of joy, especially when they provide new or better ways to work. Gadgets come in all shapes and sizes, offering novel tools or ingenious solutions. Often gadgets are confused with technology. This gives them a negative image of being just another distraction.

I think the best gadgets are mechanical, an item improving my ability to complete a task, solve, or prevent a problem. Maybe we could function perfectly well without these gadgets, but why not give them a try?  Three tiny gadgets to consider are the toast tongs by J.K. Adams, eyeglasses holders by SiGonna, and zipper bites by Dreams USA.

Why We Like Gadgets

No matter the type of gadget, people enjoy showing off. There is a status for being the first to have an up-and-coming item. In addition to bragging rights, gadgets can simplify life, or at least provide a new approach to solving an old problem. Sometimes studying gadgets can engage your inner creativity.

My favorite gadgets provide solutions that are both simple and elegant.

Toaster Safety and More

How many times does your toast get stuck in the toaster? Toast tongs are designed for taking bread out of the toaster safely. Trying to free the toast using your bare hands can result in burned fingertips. Using a metal object when the toaster is plugged in can be dangerous.  Another solution, turning the toaster upside down and shaking it is messy, spilling crumbs everywhere. Toaster tongs grip the bread, allowing you to lift the toast out.

We also used the toast tongs as a hands-free way to serve challah. Don’t let its name limit its uses.

Wooden tongs made by J.K. Adams make it easy to extract a hot piece of toast, waffle, or bagel from your toaster. The tongs are made of a single piece of maple. There is even a magnet on the back which allows you to store the tongs near your toaster.

JK Adams a Family Company

J.K. Adams is a family-owned business founded on December 31, 1944, to create the highest quality, hand-crafted products to make cooking and entertaining easy and fun. Located in Dorset, Vermont their products are made using North American hardwoods. They come with a lifetime guarantee and can be ordered online.

Proper wood care is important. Handwash your tongs using warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly with a towel. Never soak or submerge wood tongs in water.  They should not be put in a dishwasher or used in a microwave.

Protect your Eyeglass

For prescription or designer glasses wearers losing or misplacing eyeglasses can be disastrous. A simple gadget, an attached holder, or a rope lanyard can solve this potential issue, keeping your glasses comfortably and safely around your neck. There are many designs including chains that make a fashion statement or straps that maintain a tight fit and are intended for sports, some even float. The eyeglass holders are designed to slip over the glasses arm, stretching without tearing, and maintaining a snug fit.

We used the eyeglass holders when boating and swimming. For the first time, it was safe to go into the water, I knew that no matter what my glasses would be firmly attached.  These handy gadgets are the first item included in vacation packing. They take up no room and ensure that my glasses and I will not be separated.

SiGonna provides online access to a wide selection of eyeglass holders, in a variety of colors. Their glasses strap comes with silicone tips that fit on the arm, developed to make these holders suitable for any frame. They can be tightened to provide the fit that suits you. They come with a lifetime guarantee. One model features a strap without a tail, perfect for sports, or a day at the beach.

Cable Protector

How do you keep your iPhone or Android cord from fraying? Cable bites from Dreams USA might do the trick, using a stylized plastic animal fitting, almost biting your phone at the connection point prevents the wire from bending. A clever and simple idea.

Dreams USA was founded in 2009. Their products are designed in Tokyo.

Zipper Bites

Dreams USA applied their cable bites concept to make zipper bites which makes it easier to grip the pull. Zippers can be challenging for the young and the very old, requiring dexterity to grip and zip. Dreams USA created a fun solution, solving the challenge without shame.

These plastic animals attach to zipper pulls. Their size and shape make them easier to find and grip. They are a fun accessory, especially for children or the young at heart. Zipper bites can be attached to jackets, backpacks, and just about anything with a standard-size zipper pull.

Zipper bites are not recommended for use by children under age three. They are designed not to fall off. We found them difficult to remove from the zipper pull without following the instructions on the package. While this is a good safety feature, it can be frustrating.

Go Gadget

Each of these products makes me think “That’s clever; I wish I’d thought of that.” They are practical, whimsical, and available online at  J.K. Adams, SiGonna, and Dreams USA.   These items make nice small gifts for any occasion.