Rachael NarinsIt's happened to all of us. Trapped on an a long flight (it's the holidays after all), you've already watched the film and your iPad is inconveniently in the overhead compartment. Your seat-mate is asleep and there isn't anything to look at outside the window. After a glass or two of $4 wine to while away the time, you reach in to the seat pocket and pull out one of the the 20 million SkyMall catalogs that are printed every year. And then you start giggling.
Ah, SkyMall. For almost 25 years, the glossy magazine has been the comforting last resort for mid-air entertainment and an excellent source of unusual (okay, ridiculous) gifts. Once you have it in hand (and a slight buzz on, we assume), the next step is to get started on your holiday shopping.
It's easy to make fun of some things they sell, but they also have a collection of off-beat kitchen tools and food-centric doo-dads that we think are sort of terrific, if not totally kitschy. We've surveyed through SkyMall's extensive foodie offerings (and there are a lot!) and rounded up the five things we can only hope someone will put under our tree.
There's something silly, and something serious for everyone on your list. You don't even need to be on a plane to get your hands on these, since SkyMall takes orders online. Happy flying and happy shopping!
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Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot; Credit: Skymall
Automatic Grill Cleaning Robot
Behold the world's only (we assume) grill-cleaning robot! Picking up where your beloved Roomba left off, this may very well be the ultimate in outdoor cooking accessories, which will save you or a loved one from the tedium of grate scrubbing. Turn it on and let it bring your charcoal grate back to gleaming metal. It even comes in an assortment of fun colors. But does it work in the oven, you ask? Why yes, yes it does. Price: $119.99
Camera Lens Mug; Credit: Skymall
Camera Lens Mug
You already have a sleek DSLR camera to take pictures of your food, right? Seems only logical to have a mug shaped like a lens for your cup of soup or hot coffee, too (just don't try and screw this one onto your Nikon). As a bonus, the lid works as a snazzy coaster. Just don't bring it to a pot luck. Someone is bound to lift it up and dump out your 15 ounces of precious caffeine. Price: $29.95
Dog Breed Toaster; Credit: Skymall
Dog Breed Toaster
For the carb-eating dog lover in your life, SkyMall presents a toaster that brands your bread with a dachshund relief, for those mornings when plain old toast just isn't going to slice it. And, speaking of cutting, the pup image has a little line down the center as a guide, so you can be sure your sandwich halves will be perfectly even. There are thirteen breeds and images to choose from. Sadly, “hot” and “rescue” are not among the choices. Price: $44.95
Bacon Pillow; Credit: Skymall
Bacon Pillow
We can't quite figure out what is so cozy about a huge pillow with an image of uncooked bacon on it, but hey, bacon is bacon, and that's still a thing that people eat, right? So why not. Then again, if the thought of laying your head on a few strips of Vitamin P doesn't call to you, you can get the bacon blanket. The catalog also features batting-filled plush cup-cakes, sushi and pizza, all made from 100% polyester. Price: $19.95
Wine Sippy Cup; Credit: Skymall
Wine Sippy Cup
Most Mom's who drink inexpensive wine like to keep it on the down-low, but now you don't have to with this quaintly inappropriate gizmo that allows you and your baby to have matching sippy cups! Just make sure you don't get them mixed up — it's a well known fact that milk isn't considered healthy for adults to consume. Cheers! Price: $19.95
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