This Year's____ Is Last Year's____! New Trends and Products for 2012
It's holiday shopping season, and you're probably having fun (and perhaps slightly stressing) while making your gift list and checking it twice. Whether your recipients are naughty or nice, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck by making sure that what you purchase is the newest kid on the block. There's nothing worse than not doing your research and getting something for someone that is outdated! Spend your money wisely with these tips on trends and products for 2012.
Accessories- Reach Out & Touch Your iPad
Last Year: Regular Gloves
This Year: Echo Touch Gloves
This could be the best invention since sliced bread, and if you have a guy or a girl on your list who loves their handheld electronics and lives in a cold climate, you would be remiss to not get them a pair of Echo Touch Gloves ($26.60 and up). Not only are they functional and fashionable, they have serious 'stocking appeal'!
Home - Reach for that Morning Cup
Last Year: Keurig Coffeemakers
This Year: Sur La Table Aeropress Espresso Maker
While the Keurig is certainly cool, those little pods can start to get pricey. If you have a coffee-lover on your list this Sur La Table Aeropress Espresso Maker ($30) is way more budget friendly upfront and in the long run!
Video Games - Mario Still On Top
Last Year: Super Mario Galaxy 2
This Year: Mario Sports Mix
You'd think that after decades of success something would topple kids' obsession with Mario, but this holiday season is still keeping the tradition strong with the introduction of a new and even cooler Mario game. Mario Sports Mix (from $49.90) takes your favorite characters to a new level and will prove to be a tremendous source of entertainment during the school break!
Perfume - Don't Smell Like Divorce
Last Year: Kim Kardashian Perfume
This Year: Nicole Miller eau de parfum
You want to gift someone something that will help them to smell like success, and sadly, last year's hot fragrance is the opposite of that right now. Instead of going for a celebrity smell that might have fleeting success, stick with a designer whose scents have stood the test of time. Nicole Miller's newest eau de parfum ($65) is, like most of her fragrances, named after herself, smells like heaven.
Home - Dig a Little Deeper
Last Year: Sonicare Toothbrush
This Year: Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Air Flosser
The ying to a toothbrush's yang, this Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Air Flosser (from $75.68) is a great and interesting yet practical present that makes the pesky task of flossing much more fun and effective. While the Sonicare toothbrush has been around for years, the flosser is a newer product and it is likely that your recipient has not seen it before.
Baby Toys - There's an App for That
Last Year: Pretend iPhone
This Year: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case for the (Real) iPhone
Last year a pretty good replica of the iPhone came out, and parents clamored for it, though it only had a couple of noises and songs and none of the awesomeness of the real deal. For smart babies who want to play with your smart phone, since you're not going to have much luck keeping grabby hands at bay, protect your Apple investment with this incredible Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case (from $14.99). It comes with a few awesome apps and since it bang, drool and poo-proofs your phone, it is a great bang for the buck.
Materials - Vegan is Very Good
Last Year: Leather Bags
This Year: Vegan Handbag
'Tis the season to be jolly, and also thoughtful. More and more people on your gift list are becoming vegan or more concious of picking animal-friendly products, so consider gifting a beautiful certified vegan handbag instead of a leather one. Today's selections are so well crafted that you would be hard-pressed to tell which one is faux.
Watches - Bling is Still the Thing
Last Year: Charm Watches
This Year: Phosphor Watches
Certain people can never have enough shiny stuff on their person, and for that individual in your life, you're in luck. The coolest watches have just come out with a new type of technology that really puts the 'bling' in 'bling-bling.' Phosphor watches ($249) have more than just your average static bling - the crystals actually revolve to show you what time it is!
Skincare - Take Blemish Clearing to the Next Level
Last Year: No!No! Acne Clearance System
This Year: Claro's IPL Acne Cleaning Device
Pimple popping has gone to the next level with Claro's IPL Acne Cleaning Device ($195), an improved way of getting rid of zits before they ruin your complexion. It uses both heat and light to not only ward off pimples but also to heal the ones that are on your face, while minimizing scarring.
Kid Toys - Soft and Plushy Rules
Last Year: Pillow Pets
This Year: Angry Birds Plush
Ask any kid if they like Angry Birds and see if their faces don't light up with joy! Squeeze the top of the soft, comfy bird to hear sounds from the game, which is the #1 app worldwide. While pillow pets served their purpose last year, this is the plush toy to purchase this holiday season.
Hair Improvement- Even Easier Extensions
Last Year: Jessica Simpson Hair Extensions
This Year: Effortless Extensions
If you have a budding hairstylist on your list, gift her with a set of Effortless Extensions ($80), a revolutionary new type of hair extension that not only looks and feels like the real deal but also is easy to put in and can be styled, sprayed, curled, and more. The only thing you can't do to these is color them!
Related Stories
Holiday Hot List: AOL Shopping's Favorite Gifts for 2011
Unforgettable Quirky Gifts
Beauty Treats Under $25
How To Shop For And Take Care Of Leather Boots
Accessories- Reach Out & Touch Your iPadLast Year: Regular Gloves
This Year: Echo Touch Gloves
This could be the best invention since sliced bread, and if you have a guy or a girl on your list who loves their handheld electronics and lives in a cold climate, you would be remiss to not get them a pair of Echo Touch Gloves ($26.60 and up). Not only are they functional and fashionable, they have serious 'stocking appeal'!
Home - Reach for that Morning Cup
Last Year: Keurig Coffeemakers
This Year: Sur La Table Aeropress Espresso Maker
While the Keurig is certainly cool, those little pods can start to get pricey. If you have a coffee-lover on your list this Sur La Table Aeropress Espresso Maker ($30) is way more budget friendly upfront and in the long run!
Video Games - Mario Still On Top
Last Year: Super Mario Galaxy 2
This Year: Mario Sports Mix
You'd think that after decades of success something would topple kids' obsession with Mario, but this holiday season is still keeping the tradition strong with the introduction of a new and even cooler Mario game. Mario Sports Mix (from $49.90) takes your favorite characters to a new level and will prove to be a tremendous source of entertainment during the school break!
Perfume - Don't Smell Like DivorceLast Year: Kim Kardashian Perfume
This Year: Nicole Miller eau de parfum
You want to gift someone something that will help them to smell like success, and sadly, last year's hot fragrance is the opposite of that right now. Instead of going for a celebrity smell that might have fleeting success, stick with a designer whose scents have stood the test of time. Nicole Miller's newest eau de parfum ($65) is, like most of her fragrances, named after herself, smells like heaven.
Home - Dig a Little Deeper
Last Year: Sonicare Toothbrush
This Year: Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Air Flosser
The ying to a toothbrush's yang, this Sonicare AirFloss Rechargeable Air Flosser (from $75.68) is a great and interesting yet practical present that makes the pesky task of flossing much more fun and effective. While the Sonicare toothbrush has been around for years, the flosser is a newer product and it is likely that your recipient has not seen it before.
Baby Toys - There's an App for ThatLast Year: Pretend iPhone
This Year: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case for the (Real) iPhone
Last year a pretty good replica of the iPhone came out, and parents clamored for it, though it only had a couple of noises and songs and none of the awesomeness of the real deal. For smart babies who want to play with your smart phone, since you're not going to have much luck keeping grabby hands at bay, protect your Apple investment with this incredible Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case (from $14.99). It comes with a few awesome apps and since it bang, drool and poo-proofs your phone, it is a great bang for the buck.
Materials - Vegan is Very Good
Last Year: Leather Bags
This Year: Vegan Handbag
'Tis the season to be jolly, and also thoughtful. More and more people on your gift list are becoming vegan or more concious of picking animal-friendly products, so consider gifting a beautiful certified vegan handbag instead of a leather one. Today's selections are so well crafted that you would be hard-pressed to tell which one is faux.
Watches - Bling is Still the ThingLast Year: Charm Watches
This Year: Phosphor Watches
Certain people can never have enough shiny stuff on their person, and for that individual in your life, you're in luck. The coolest watches have just come out with a new type of technology that really puts the 'bling' in 'bling-bling.' Phosphor watches ($249) have more than just your average static bling - the crystals actually revolve to show you what time it is!
Skincare - Take Blemish Clearing to the Next Level
Last Year: No!No! Acne Clearance System
This Year: Claro's IPL Acne Cleaning Device
Pimple popping has gone to the next level with Claro's IPL Acne Cleaning Device ($195), an improved way of getting rid of zits before they ruin your complexion. It uses both heat and light to not only ward off pimples but also to heal the ones that are on your face, while minimizing scarring.
Kid Toys - Soft and Plushy RulesLast Year: Pillow Pets
This Year: Angry Birds Plush
Ask any kid if they like Angry Birds and see if their faces don't light up with joy! Squeeze the top of the soft, comfy bird to hear sounds from the game, which is the #1 app worldwide. While pillow pets served their purpose last year, this is the plush toy to purchase this holiday season.
Hair Improvement- Even Easier ExtensionsLast Year: Jessica Simpson Hair Extensions
This Year: Effortless Extensions
If you have a budding hairstylist on your list, gift her with a set of Effortless Extensions ($80), a revolutionary new type of hair extension that not only looks and feels like the real deal but also is easy to put in and can be styled, sprayed, curled, and more. The only thing you can't do to these is color them!
Related Stories
Holiday Hot List: AOL Shopping's Favorite Gifts for 2011
Unforgettable Quirky Gifts
Beauty Treats Under $25
How To Shop For And Take Care Of Leather Boots
Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
Tammy said 12-23-2011 @7:44AM
What is the point putting this story out on Dec. 23. We can only find these items on line and it's to late to order for Christmas?
replyLowest Rank
mason younG said 12-23-2011 @8:42AM
the Kuerig is the stupidest most wasteful device ever to be created...but what a money maker
replyI'm in awe of so many fools that(some I know) bought it.
It isn't that good...i think they all fool themselves into thinking it is, because it must be, they paid so much for it...
(I still don't know why it's called 'dumbing down'...when it's actually 'dumbing up'...)
Neutral
buckod said 12-23-2011 @9:41AM
Mine looks cool on my light colored countertop and it is gloss black and I have never used it. I drink juice and never coffee but it sure looks good sitting there
Neutral
buckod said 12-23-2011 @9:42AM
I don't even drink coffee but I bought the bast "Keurig Coffee Maker" because it looks "sweet" on my light color countertop and the Keurig is Gloss Black. What;s not to like.
replyHighest Rank
RossK said 12-23-2011 @9:40AM
Fitst of all, Kuerig is a coffee/Tea maker not an expresso maker the stupid headliner here is compairing apples to oranges IMO. I own 2 Kureg brewers and love them both. One of the smartest investments you can make if you don't like coffee waste. You can even buy refillable K cups now and choose your own off the shelf brand or grind it yourself coffee.
replyNeutral
D. Speer said 12-23-2011 @11:27AM
How about all that single serving packaging "waste" my friend?
Neutral
Anthony said 12-23-2011 @1:31PM
COMMON! SANT!
replyI maybe use the the french a little too much,
but I'll tell you one thing, an expresso machine,
makes the world a whole lot better.
Highest Rank
Kelly Choate said 12-23-2011 @11:50AM
I love my Keurig coffee maker, and yes, the pods can get expensive-- BUT what they forget to tell you is that there is a small adapter that you can purchase (in the same area as the coffee makers) and you can put your own coffee grounds in it so that you don't have to buy the pods. It's reusable, cheap(I think mine was $6), and you can still have whatever flavor coffee you want!!! : )
replyHighest Rank
MaureenC said 12-23-2011 @1:30PM
YEP....that's a definite for me!! Love my Keurig, k-cups and the adapter!!
Neutral
mjswalsh said 12-23-2011 @2:54PM
I went to two 'yuppie' (upscale) kitchen stores at Somerset Mall the other day looking for a percolator. Drip coffee is all anybody deals in anymore. SAD! Starbucks has everybody brainwashed that you mustn't do perk coffee. I guess they think perk coffee is too uncouth, too uncivilized. I must be a renegade then. SAD!
replyNeutral
mason younG said 12-23-2011 @4:09PM
Farberware still makes an electric percolator...that is my favorite method and brand. If you can't find it in a store, it's more than likely available on-line.
Highest Rank
Virginia Padgett Jenkins said 12-23-2011 @3:09PM
The best coffee maker is still the Secretary that makes coffee for the Office !
reply