Recently, while listening to “My Favorite Things” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, we pondered many things (other than electronics, FaceTime, and Zoom) that made our lives easier and have even added a touch of fun! Please keep in mind we are not officially endorsing or promoting a particular product. These may not immediately come to mind when shopping, but they can make great practical gifts!
The grabber-reacher is one item that suggests, “Interesting idea, but I’d never use one!” How wrong! We were given two when Judi had a hip replacement. We use them all the time, reaching to get clothes that slip between the washer and dryer, items that fall behind the refrigerator, stuff behind dressers or under the bakers’ rack—basically, any place where we need to get on our hands and knees (which at our age can take a while!).
The iconic Sharpie has, since the 1950s, been an office standard. Back then, who had ever heard of a permanent marker? I used a black Sharpie to label my children’s clothes when they went to camp. Now, I use it for my grandchildren’s clothes when they go to camp! In different colors! The Sharpie has also changed the art world, allowing artists to create permanent works of art. Because they come in a fine point, more precise and detailed artwork can be produced that lasts for years. Sharpies are available in a plethora of colors, styles, and thicknesses. We use them for everything, from writing notes to marking containers to coloring.
The donut pillow Judi discovered this when she had her hip replaced. “I decided I was officially an ‘old’ lady when I began carrying this with me when I need to sit comfortably. Plus, a recent TV commercial shows older ladies sledding on their donut pillows. This shows me that I’m not the only one who has one! The pillow does alleviate pressure on my tailbone.” There are quite a few choices out there, so it is best to try before you buy if possible.
The Ove Glove Introduced by late-night infomercials, these gloves (and their knockoffs) can be found everywhere and are indispensable. They are made from heat and flame-resistant material and can withstand heat up to 540°F. They are easy to put on, and we keep them right near the oven and grill so we never touch anything hot without them. Also, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the kitchen and know how to use them!
The Swiffer® is another late-night infomercial staple that has become a household standard (with plenty of knockoffs). This dry floor cleaning mop has made life with hardwood floors so much easier—we can keep the floors clean, even with a cat in the house! My grandchildren love to Swiffer® for us! It truly does attract dirt and dust, and is light to use and gentle on our creaky bones!
Resealable bags Remember wrapping your sandwich in wax paper or foil? Your frozen items in freezer paper and freezer tape (still think the food stays fresh longer!)? Now, we have “zip-lock” bags in a myriad of sizes. Here’s a trivia question: Who invented it? According to the Plastics Historical Society, the first plastic bag was invented in Sweden in 1959, and the zipper closure in the 1960s. Charles W. Schacht invented the Ziploc® bag. Many thanks to him!
The sticky note I can’t imagine life without sticky notes on paper and the computer! We use them every day, everywhere, in a variety of colors, BUT our preference is yellow! What is yours? When I was a young girl, my mother used index cards as notes all over the house to remind me of things to do, like “clean the bathroom sink”! She was very happy when sticky notes were invented in 1974 by Art Fry and Dr. Spencer Silver from 3M. Mr. Fry was singing in the church choir and used them to separate his pages. 3M released Post-it® Notes nationwide in 1980.
The air fryer This microwave for the 21st century is a must! My daughter gave us an air fryer a few years ago and we never used it until a few months ago. Turkey and cheese sandwiches never tasted so good! Using an air fryer can be a healthier and more ecological option than a traditional fryer because you cook food with a minimum amount of oil. In addition, its use is more energy efficient than a conventional oven. Unlike traditional fryers that require large amounts of oil to cook food, air fryers use hot air, meaning much less oil is needed. This can result in healthier, less fatty foods, without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Shatterproof Christmas ornaments No more cringing when children, grandchildren—and we older adults—help with decorating the tree (And no more sweeping up pieces of broken ornaments)! Even though tradition tells you that glass is more popular, we beg to differ. When married to my first husband, we had a lot of very old precious ornaments. I’m clumsy, so between my children and me, some were broken. There were tears and yelling, so putting up ornaments became a chore. This year, my grandchildren and I had fun decorating the tree because when they fell, they bounced (the ornaments, not the children)! The magic of Christmas!
