All posts by laura-roberts

Dec 201515

Emotional Christmas Movie Moments

Laura Roberts info

Christmas is a time for love, happiness and smiles all round, but sadly, the same can't be said for Christmas films . In fact, Christmas movies can be pretty darn depressing at times, as illustrated by some of the examples below.

I should warn you that there will be spoilers below, so if you're planning on watching some of these and haven't already, it's probably a good idea not to read the descriptions....

The Snowman - Snowman melts:

This film broke our hearts as children, and it still does to this day. It sets about fulfilling a childhood dream, then goes and completely destroys it! A boy is led by his snowman companion, flies to the North Pole with him to meet Father Christmas, only to discover that he's a melted puddle by the next day! Traumatic to say the least...

A Christmas Carol (2009) - Christmas Past:

Don't let the combination of animation and Jim Carey fool you, this version of Dickens' classic is pretty dark and depressing at times, particularly during the 'Christmas past' section. Not only do we see Scrooge as a sad and lonely little boy at boarding school, we then have to watch as he endures the death of his sister, and loses the woman he loves due to his developing fixation with wealth.

A Muppet Christmas Carol - Tiny Tim prophecy:

Although this version is far more light-hearted than the 2009 adaptation, it still has a few moments that leave us feeling rather emotional. Once such moment comes later in the film, as the silent and creepy Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come reveals that adorable Tiny Tim will not be alive next Christmas.

Jack Frost - Jack is put to rest:

Okay, so a few people may have commented that the snowman looks a little creepy, but there's still no denying that this is a heart-warming family film. At the very end of the movie, Jack has to part ways with his son Charlie, this time, getting a chance to say the goodbye he never got the first time round. This makes for a sad and bitter-sweet ending to a story of second chances, giving us all the feels, all at once.

Love Actually - Too many moments to count:

Love Actually has to be the best, British Christmas film, with a stellar cast and a host of both hilarious and sad moments. From Colin Firth's sad goodbye to his Portuguese housekeeper, to Andrew Lincoln's confession of love to Keira Knightly (his best friend's wife) on her doorstep, this film is filled with emotional moments to get those tears flowing. The award for saddest moment of all goes to Emma Thompson, however, for that emotional realization scene when she discovers her husband has bought a necklace for another woman. We can't even listen to that Joni Mitchell song without sobbing.

Edward Scissorhands- Hold me

Although this film is pretty melancholy throughout, the part that hits us right where it hurts is when Kim lovingly asks Edward to hold her, to which the replies 'I can't'. Burdened by difference and doomed to a life without normality, Edward is forced to endure a reclusive existence once more, free from the judgement of humanity.

For more Christmas Posts, follow us on Twitter. We promise they're a lot more cheerful that this one!

Dec 201510

Fun and Festive Drink Ideas

Laura Roberts party gadgets

Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry, so we thought we'd share some festive drinkspiration with you, to enjoy with friends at parties and get-togethers this year.

Cranberry Jelly Shots

All you'll need for this recipe is a pack of jelly mix, some cranberry juice and orange vodka.

Heat 2 1/4 cups of cranberry juice on the stove until it comes to the boil, then add in the jelly mix until dissolved. Add 3/4 cup of orange vodka before leaving them to set overnight. If you can't find the original ingredients, you could sub them to suit your needs, for example; using orange jelly and regular vodka. See the original recipe here.

Santa Shot

This awesome 2 colour shot is made with 1 part grenadine syrup, 1 part green creme de menthe, and 1 part peppermint schnapps.

First add some grenadine so it fills 1/3 of your glass. Then, add equal parts of the creme de menthe, and then the peppermint schnapps. If you've done it right, it should produce a lovely layered, look. See the full recipe here.

Eggnog

This one is pretty indulgent, so you'll need 1 litre of milk, 475ml of double cream, 12(yes you read that right) egg yolks, a tsp of vanilla extract, 475ml of whiskey, 12 egg whites, 200g of cater sugar and a pinch of ground nutmeg.

Click here for full instructions on how to make this creamy Christmas cocktail.

Icy Holiday Margaritas

For this you'll need 1/2 cup of thawed frozen cranberry juice, 1/2 cup of tequila, 1/4 cup of orange liqueur, 3 tbsp of melon liqueur and 5 cups of ice cubes. If you're feeling creative, you can also add some decorative sugar and/or berries for extra flair.

Blend all ingredients but the ice cubes, then, with the blender running (carefully) add the ice cubes one at the time through the lid opening. Blend until slushy. For more details, click here.

To give your drinks an additional impact, we also have some great glasses and drink accessories:

Ice Shot Glasses

Conundrum Wine Glasses

Mixology Mason Jars

Ice Ball Moulds

Mason Jar Shots

For more festive inspiration follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Dec 201507

Games for Grown-ups

Laura Roberts gifts & gadgets

Childhood Christmases usually meant hours of playing board games with your family, whether that meant setting up the ones you'd just received that year, or getting out some old classics to relive the post-lunch slump.

At Gadget Inspector, we have loads of great game sets that would make awesome gifts for your friends and family this Christmas, putting a new spin on the group game sessions you knew so well growing up.

Mini Football Table Shots Game

This 'penalty shoot out' style shot game is ideal for whipping out at parties and Christmas get-togethers with old school friends, allowing you to relive the embarrassing days of your childhood while getting suitably hammered. If you're as rubbish at table football now as you were in your youth club days, you may want to swallow your pride and quit while your ahead..

Tipsy Tower Drinking Game

We're sure there can't be many people who have failed to encounter the traditional version of this nervy, tower trashing game at some point in their lives. The principal for this one remains the same, but now the looser will have to risk becoming more and more tipsy as they cause the tower to topple! Naturally, the game becomes more and more difficult each time a player is unsuccessful......

Bush Tucker Trial Challenge

If you've ever fancied becoming king or queen of the jungle, then this game could be the one for you, although it won't be easy to win! Complete with a selection of foods ranging from fairly pleasant to utterly disgusting, this set will provide you with the closest thing to competing on 'I'm a Celebrity', from the comfort of your own home!

Party Pong

This classic American drinking game is great for getting all your friends involved in a night of boozy hilarity, and is sure to keep everyone entertained for the duration of your pre-drink session. Putting a unique spin on the original game, this kit contains 'Party Forfeit' cards to make sure everyone joins in with then fun, regardless of weather or not they're the one taking aim!

BeanBoozled Spinner Game

Although this is probably the most 'child-friendly' game on our list, we think you'd be pretty harsh to inflict some of the nastiness contained in here on your younger family members.The game is pretty easy to understand, you just spin to see which colour bean you'll be consuming. Of course, letting you choose from the good and bad flavours would be far too easy, which is why each colour has a set of two flavours in the same hue. It could be peach, it could be vomit; you'll just have to wait and find out...

Be sure to check back for more gift guides and Christmas posts soon, but in the meantime, pop over to our Twitter page for more Gadget Inspector news.

Nov 201530

Christmas Party Survival Kit

Laura Roberts party gadgets

It's the 1st of December! Who had the first choccy in their advent calender today? (You're never too old right?) Seeing as all of our Christmas parties are due to kick off very soon, we thought we would put together a little survival kit to guarantee you have the best night ever!

Drink in Style

At Gadget Inspector we have a huge range of drinking accessories, which are perfect to give your party that added dose of boozy fun. These Bomber cups are the most fast and efficient way to measure out your alcohol of choice, or create the ultimate 'bomb' mixer without the hassle of buying individual shot glasses. The best part is that they come in packs of 10, 6 and 4, as well as being sold individually, making them ideal as both a party supply as well as a gift!

If you're looking for something a little more festive to add to the seasonal cheer, then these Christmas Spirit drinking flasks are exactly what you're after. While they make a great serving solution for party shots, they also have a little loop for you to hang them just like a real bauble! Hide them somewhere on the tree as a reward for those who are quick enough to spot them, just make sure to watch out for the more clumsy guests!

Fun and Games

While you may be old enough to consume alcohol, it's undoubtedly a fact that Christmas turns us all into a bunch of big kids! With the range of drinking games we have available here at Gadget Inspector, you're sure to find something to add a fun twist to the evening's festivities, whether this is an alcohol fuelled card game or a beefed up version of beer pong!

Buy Here Buy Here

The Secret Santa Gift

If you're going out with your work buddies to celebrate Christmas, it's more than likely that you'll also be taking part in a Secret Santa draw. While it may seem quite difficult at first to think of an item which fits the brief and budget, you're sure to find plenty of quirky and affordable gift ideas here!

This Giant Gummy Bear is ideal for the sugar addict in your office, while the stress Rubik's Cube is a useful yet subtle way to tell someone that they need to chill out! This Complaints Department Grenade is also a humorous desk top addition for someone who works in customer service.

Picture Perfect

Christmas parties are a great opportunity to take loads of funny and memorable photographs, so it's essential that you have some great accessories to make these even better! If you want to get some great group photos, why not pick up this Selfy Stick to capture some awesome phone snaps? We also have a bunch of fun fancy dress props, for adding to all your outlandish poses! This crazy and slightly scary Basset Hound Mask is just one of them!

The Recovery Solution

If you've had a really good time on your Christmas do, it's quite likely that you'll be feeling a little worse for ware the next day. Whether this is due to an over-consumption of alcohol or lack of sleep, it's a given that you'll want something cosy and comfortable to cuddle up in. Our Christmas Snug Rugs are the perfect thing to keep you warm and toasty, while rekindling your festive spirit!

Nov 201525

Superhero Gift Guide

Laura Roberts gifts & gadgets

From page to screen, comic book heroes and villains have been an integral part of modern popular culture, particularly in recent years. Whether you're a budding Batman or an aspiring Avenger, we stock a wide range of themed accessories and novelties here at Gadget Inspector. To show you some of them, we thought we would put together another gift guide so you can get all of your shopping done in time for Christmas!

Batman Apron

Bruce Wayne may have Alfred to do all of his cooking, but some of us just aren't that lucky! If you don't have an elderly butler to do all of your work, don't despair, we have the perfect solution to your problems. This easy-tie apron is perfect for whipping up a hearty meal in a hurry, particularly if you find yourself having to pop out between dishes, to deal out a dose of justice on the streets of your city.

Hulk Mug

If you find that your tea demands often go unnoticed, this hefty Hulk mug could be the solution to all your beverage bothers. Shaped to resemble the sizeable fist of the green Goliath, this mug not only provides you with a generous helping of your chosen drink, but also sends out the message that you won't take no for an answer!

Joker Wallet and Belt Set.

If badass bad guys are more your speed, then why not show your allegiance with this awesome, Joker wallet and belt set? Complete with a cool, retro comic book design, these additions to your wardrobe are an ideal way to show some love to good ol' Mister J. Just pair them with a purple suit, and you have the perfect combo!

Superhero Logo Cufflinks

The Batman v Superman film is being released in the new year, so it's high time that we all picked a side! Wear your allegiance on your sleeve (quite literally), with one of our superhero cufflink sets! Whether your a high-flying businessman or a justice-serving journalist, be sure to show where your loyalties lie. Browse the rest of our selection here.

Stay tuned until next time, when we bring you another gift guide to save the day! To see our full range of gifts and gadgets, visit our homepage now!

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