Gadget Inspector | Gadgets and Gizmos, Gifts and Novelties

Dec 201509

Our Favourite Christmas Tunes

Joel Dear info

There's nothing like hearing your favourite Christmas songs to get you in in the festive spirit, so we thought we would put a little list together, sharing what we think are some of the best Christmas songs in existance!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

We haven't put an artist name to this song, because as you will discover if you do a little work on Google, it's been covered by almost everyone! From Bing Crosby, to The Beach Boys, to Michael Buble, this really is one of the most well-known songs in the Christmas canon. Plus, it's got Santa in the tile, so what more could you really want from a festive number?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

There's no way to describe this song, other than pure Christmas joy! For those who just can't wait for Christmas, this is the perfect tune to express your excitement (it's probably more than a little irritating for all the scrooges out there too)!

Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade

'IT'S CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAAAAS!' Need I say more?

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Nat King Cole

It's one of the more laid-back choices on our list, but this song couldn't be more festive! If this number doesn't make you want to stay indoors and snuggle up in front of a fire with a mince pie or glass of mulled wine, then I don't know what will.

Do They Know it's Christmas? - Band Aid (1984)

Although this list is all about fun, laughter and warmth for the most part, it's important to remember that not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy a carefree Christmas. This song reminds us every year that its original message is still important, while also being a great Christmas sing-a-long tune!

White Christmas - Bing Crosby

Again, this song is one of the more subdued melodies on our list, but the is no denying it's influence on the entire holiday season. It's sentimental, heart-warming, and apparently brought tears to the eyes of many WW2 soldiers, who were spending Christmas overseas when it was first released.

All I Want For Christmas is You - Mariah Carey

This song was a well established hit for years, but it seemed to gain even more popularity after the release of Christmas classic 'Love Actually', back in 2003. Don't lie, we all know that it's your favourite scene!

Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth - Bing and Bowie

This rock star/crooner combination left most people puzzled when it was first announced, but it really has stood the test of time to earn its place amongst Christmas classics! Try singing the harmonies with an older relative after dinner this year..

Last Christmas - Wham

This melancholy Christmas tune is as song which proves that the 1980's produced some of the best Christmas music! All you need is this with a slab of Stilton, and you're set for your yearly dose of Christmas cheese!

Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney

This has to be the best Christmas song ever, no debate. Okay, we know that everyone has their favourites, but this one should be pretty close to the top of everyone's list. Not only does it have some of the most jolly lyrics of any Christmas song in existence, it's also written and performed by a freakin' Beatle!

Dec 201508

Deal of the week: The Bomb: Shot Glasses

andrew gadget inspector news, gifts & gadgets

Jägerbombs, Boilermakers, Skittle Bombs, everyone hates to love them, but we just can't stay away from them when we go out to party! These bomber drinks work by dropping a shot of hard liquor into a glass partially filled with beer, but you can use other beverages if you want to. The goal is to drink your drink as quickly as possible, but we have to admit that we're not always that sharp..

These The Bomb: Shot Glasses give you an awesome way to chug your bombs! Complete with a smaller shot glass moulded into the cup, it allows you to separate both beverages easily without the need for extra shot glasses. Once you've poured in all of your drinks, it's time to chug and drink,drink,drink!

You'll be happy to know that these awesome little cups are our Deal of the week, and are now only £4.50! What a bargain! If you're looking for that perfect bomber cup to spice up your next party, look no further than our The Bomb: Shot Glasses!

Click here to check out our other party accessories.

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.

Dec 201504

5 Scary Christmas Monsters

Joel Dear gadget inspector news

With Krampus being released in UK cinemas today, we thought it would be a great time to take a look at other creepy Christmas Monsters from folklore, that are used to scare kids into being nice. Quite honestly some of them have got us scared!

Krampus

The Krampus is a scary, furry, horned figure who is used as a tool to encourage good behaviour in children. It is believed that Krampus punishes children who have misbehaved by giving out sticks and coal, whereas Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved ones with gifts. The Krampus has also been described as carrying around a chain behind him, that he would hurl at children that were in his way. He is believed to be the anti-Santa or his evil twin, though his origins are unknown, but one thing is certain; you certainly wouldn't want to be on this guy's list!

Jólakötturinn

Jólakötturinn is known as the Icelandic Yule Cat or Christmas Cat, and unlike regular, domestic cats, he's not very nice. In fact, he will probably eat you! In Iceland, in order to get people to work hard, they used to reward them with new clothes. The lazy family members wouldn't receive anything, so to encourage them to work, they were told the tale of Jólakötturinn. According to the tale, he could tell who the children were by the number of clothes they had, and that he would then proceed to eat the lazy children! If a killer giant cat doesn't motivate you to do chores, I don't know what will.

Frau Perchta

Frau Perchta is a witch who hands out both rewards and punishments from December 25 through January 6. She is more well known for her gruesome punishments to the misbehaving rather than being nice; apparently she will rip out the internal organs of the sinful and replace them with garbage, how lovely.

Belsnickel

Belsnickel comes to children sometime before Christmas, wearing old tattered clothing. Belsnickel carries a switch to frighten children, and candy to reward them for good behaviour. The switch is only used to warn children they still have time to be good before Christmas. Then, if the children are polite about the way they've been told, they get rewarded with sweets. So remember to be polite kids!

Yule Lads

They make look as innocent as the seven dwarves, but we can ensure you they're not. These Icelandic trolls stole things and caused trouble around Christmas time, and like the Yule cat it's used to scare children into behaving. There are 13 of these Yule Lads altogether, each with a name and their own distinctive personality.

Dec 201503

Super Science Gift Guide

andrew gifts & gadgets

Victor Frankenstein comes out in UK cinemas today, so we decided to share a few science themed gifts with you all! We have everything you need to treat the science savvy person in your life, from handy desktop gadgets to super cool drinking accessories!

Genius Paperclip Holder
Regardless of whether or not you take any interest in how magnets actually work, this quirky papeclip holder is a great little novelty for your desk. It gives the owner free reign to create their own hairstyle for famous physicist Albert Einstein, comprised solely from an assortment of odd paperclips that may be scattered amongst their stationary. Both fun and functional, this guy will give you a handy storage solution, while also providing a spot of entertainment for your procrastination breaks..

Rechargeable AA Batteries

It can be a pain having to buy a new pack of batteries every time you're gadgets run our of juice, so why not buy a set that you can keep reusing? No complicated charging kits are needed in order to jig these batteries back into action, just plug them into your computer's USB until they've recharged and you're good to go!

Buy here

Periodic Table Stoneware Mug

Now you may think that the connection between 'Victor Frankenstein' starts and ends with the science theme we've picked out for our gift guide, but you'd be wrong! This mug is a great way to aid your retention of the table of elements, providing the perfect tool with which to serve your revision coffee. Now, here is where the movie connection comes in. Another way of committing your table of elements to memory, is buy learning the 'Elements Song', something that 'Victor Frankenstein' star Daniel Radcliffe knows all about.
periodic table mug

'Danger- Man Cooking' Apron Set

Did you ever have to learn the scientific hazard symbols in school? Do you remember what this one means? In case you didn't remember, it's a bio-hazard sign, which could be a rather apt analogy for the gent who's not so good in the kitchen.

Buy here

Brain Money Box

This gift is ideal for the 'brain box' in your life, or that person you know who has 'more money than sense' (sorry, we can never resist bad puns). Not only does this Brain Money Box make a cool and creepy ornament for your shelf, it also gives you a great place to store all your loose change. Note: No graves were robbed in the making of this money bank...

Chemistry Drinking Accessories

Be honest, the best gift you ever got for Christmas was your chemistry set, wasn't it? Why not reminisce this year while having your Christmas drink, with these awesome Chemistry shot glass sets? Choose from our colourful test tubes or our teeny tiny measuring beakers, and see what strange concoctions you can come up with.

To see more of our great selection of gifts, click here.