gadg⋅et: Spelled Pronunciation [gaj-it], noun, a mechanical contrivance or device; any ingenious article.
Synonyms: contraption; whatsis, doohickey, thingamajig.
Gadgets. We all own them and some gadgets are things we can’t live without. We see gadgets advertised on infomorcials and resist the urge to impulse buy something that seems so fantastical and cool — or we do buy it and wonder WHY once we receive it and give it a try. As I was recently flipping through a catalog I’d received in the mail filled with gadgets, I really had to wonder how useful some gadgets really are, and are they more gimmick than something useful. And who would buy them? Here are a few gadgets I came across that really made me wonder:
COFFEE POD CAROUSEL: This a “handy” revolving display is for one-cup servings of creamer for hot beverages. I think this is a fine idea for a restaurant, but for home use? Not so much. I mean, why not just leave the creamer “pods” in the box they came in and use them as you need them? Is it really necessary to have a carousel pod of creamers taking space on your kitchen counter? 
SCRAP TRAP: This keeps counters and sinks clear while you prepare food. Bin holds up to 2 quarts and easily clips onto any standard drawer or cabinet door. In theory, this is probably a good idea for someone who cooks a lot. But still, why do you need a bulky bin to clip to your counter when you can just set a regular ol’ bowl on the counter and toss your scraps into that? This doesn’t look like an easy thing to store in your cupboards, either! 
360 DEGREE MIRROR: 360 Degree Mirror has seven panels and makes all angles visible simultaneously for full coverage while you style hair, apply make-up, etc. Are you kidding me? Would anyone really use this contraption? I think I’d get way too confused with all the mirrors around my head than find this useful! But that’s just me — I’m not that coordinated and using one mirror (and my medicine cabinet mirror if necessary to see the sides and back of my hair) is more than enough for me! 
SMOOTH AWAY: This gadget claims to painlessly remove body hair. Each pad contains thousands of micro crystals to gently exfoliate skin while removing hair from legs, upper lip or any other sensitive areas. Fast and easy, with no chemicals, no cuts and no fuss! Leaves smooth and comfortable skin. Okay, now here’s something I’ve actually considered trying because I absolutely HATE waxing my upper lip, and even waxing doesn’t seem to get all the hairs at once. 
Yet it almost seems too good to be true, and you know what they say about that — If it’s too good to be true, it usually is! However, if anyone here has used this Smooth Away product, I’d love to hear whether or not it’s worth buying/using! 
GRASS CHARGING VALET: Grass hides your cell charger and other small electronics while hiding your unsightly charging cords. Recharge your devices in this original and playful patch of faux grass. Are you kidding me? Seriously, this is something that had me scratching my head. Would anyone really buy a patch of grass to hide your cellphone, charger, or ipod? 
Normally, I’m not a gadget kind of girl. Maybe because I’m too practical and I just feel that some gadgets are more of a nuisance than anything else. However, I do have one gadget that I’d NEVER part with, because I absolutely LOVE IT. It’s my hand food chopper. It’s like a mini food processor. I don’t want or need a big, bulky food processor, and this handy-dandy food chopper has done everything I’ve ever needed it to when it comes to chopping foods like garlic, onions, tomatoes, nuts, etc. I’ve had mine for years and would never give it up! 
So, are you someone who loves gadgets, or not? What is your favorite gadget that you own? And what is the worst gadget you’ve ever bought?
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
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OK I admit to owning the coffee carousel.
It’s for lazy people. But yes, in the end, it took up more space than it was worth, probably. But when I drank the coffee daily, I appreciated having it!
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Oh wow, some of those are just priceless! (Grass on your counter being so much more attractive than a phone charger…lol!)
I have a mini chopper that I also love, Janelle. Not the handheld one, but a very small one just the same.
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This was an awesome topic! It reminded me of this song from one of my favorite movies!
“I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.
I’ve got whosits and whatsits galore.
You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty.
But who cares, no big deal, I want more!
I want to be where the people are.
I want to see, want to see ‘em dancing…”
But I do know what you mean about gadgets though!
If you would like, I can elaborate, but I figure it’s not polite to name drop without a request.
Again, great blog topic!
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I will only say I bet the Smooth Away will work as well as the Ped-Egg…which means it won’t work at all. I admit I tried the Ped-egg, and not only did it not work, it hurt to use.
I need a good hand food chopper. Can anyone suggest a brand that works well?
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I love gadgets and have to restrain myself from buying them! Yes, I am a
!! My favorite is probably the battery operated pepper mill- mainly because hubby can’t turn a regular one anymore. I can’t think of a bad one, since I usually get rid of them right away and try and forget about them just as quickly!
As for the grass cell phone holder- my cats would eat it.
I hate to wax my lip much less put that things near my legs!
I keep my hair very short because I can’t handle a brush and blow dryer at the same time, imagine my confusion with that mirror!
My favorite gadgets tend to be in the tool department of a hardware store. I own lots and lots of them.
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That mirror seems confusing..and the grass charger…don’t even get me started…
I do love gadgets, but I try to limit myself.
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Love my hand chopper. Same company also has a ground beef “chopper” which is basically a round spatula–it’s great for breaking up ground beef in the skillet (nylon, so doesn’t hurt my cookware). I also really like garlic presses so I don’t have to peel the cloves.
I’m not much of a gadget girl either, but those three things are darned useful.
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i have the urge to buy alot of gadgets.. most of them turn out to be wastes though.. so i refrain until i hear somone say it works.. my 19yo daughter said a friend of hers used the hair remover and loved it.. so i am half tempted to try this one myself.. its only 10 bucks at target…lol..
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I have an “antique” food chopper and LOVE it for chopping pecans when I bake. Onions I just do the old fashioned way – knife and cutting board. My DD tried the Pedi-egg. It worked okay for awhile and then it got lost in the Black Hole (ie. her room).
I have that static broom rubber sweeper thingy. It works to gather bits and pieces of torn up chew toys the Newf pup has destroyed but that’s about all it’s good for. We also got a Pedipaws but can’t catch either dog or cat to use it. 
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Janelle-
Years ago I used a product similar to the smooth away pads, I don’t remember the name of the product but it was essentially the same concept. It actually worked and there was no pain involved. My mom used them for years before the whole waxing thing became popular. I am not sure about these new pads, I have also considered trying them, but I haven’t purchased them to try.
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The worst gadget I own was one of those chopper things!
My favorite and probably only gadget I use all the time is my magnetic clip. It is a large clip like a chip clip but stronger and it has a magnet on the back to hang it on the fridge. I have a blue one and a red one. One holds a calender to the freezer door and the other is used to hold menus from the delivery places around my house….you know Domino’s and Pizza Hut and the local BBQ place a few streets over.
I am not really much of a gadget person. It really has to call my name before I will give in and buy it.
Yall have a great week!
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I’m not a gadget kind of girl but I may have to get that chopper. The faux grass recharger thing is just plain stupid!
And that hair remover mitt makes me cringe. I have super sensitive skin. I would be one big rash. Yikes!!
I saw a gadget advertised on television the other day that takes the cake. It’s this devise that dispenses toothpaste for you without having to squeeze the tube! Give me a break!!
Great blog today,
Cher
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I’m not a gadget person, but do have a similar chopper to the one you have, Janelle, and love it!
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Good Morning!
Sadly, I did buy into the whole Smooth Away thing, and I found it lacking. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this product, but for me personally it hasn’t worked quite like I imagined it would. I’ve sat there rubbing away the hair, and the one time I got my legs smooth enough to be acceptable, the hair grew back just as fast (and I was tired from rubbing for so long). Maybe I’m just not doing it right…but it was a waste of money for me.
And as for the little one that’s suppose to be for your upper lip and bikini line…well, the plastic protruding rim around the pad of “micro crystals” prevents the pad from getting to the skin. And you’re supposed to rub 3 circles one way and 3 circles the other way…there just isn’t room on your upper lip to do that…I’m at a loss…
Now, I actually like the Ped-Egg. I mean, if you have really bad calluses on your feet then it will take quite awhile to get that smooth, but if it’s minor or you use another form of callus remover, then this is fine for keep up. I use it all the time and have never hurt myself.
<3 J
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I’ve had my chopper for at least ten years, so there’s no name left on it for me to tell you guys who made it! I know that Kitchen Aid makes one. The key is that you want one that comes apart so you can wash it easily.
And gadgets can be good — when they work!
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I’ve never used the Pedi-Egg, but I did buy a Microplane Foot File from QVC a few years ago )same kind of concept) and LOVE IT. It gets rid of all the rough spots and callouses that build up (and crack – OUCH!) on the heel of my feet and leaves them very smooth and soft.
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I love functional gadgets in the kitchen! But I suppose some of them might not be classified as gadgets. I have a small food processor that I would not part with, I use it when I make soups, chop nuts, whenever the need arises. I do like my coffee grinder, but don’t know if it is a gadget or a useful appliance!! It is very noisy, my only real complaint. Like someone else mentioned I chop onions the old fashioned way, knife & cutting board! Did you know that if the onions are kept in the refrigerator they won’t make you cry. Years ago I heard or read that hint somewhere, tried it, it works.
The coffee pod carousel would be good in a work place coffee room but not so much in a home kitchen!! The grass charging valet, someone I think had way to much time on their hands!!
People buy it!! 
The mirror seems confusing to see all that at one time! So many of these “gadgets” advertised don’t hold up to their promise. Too bad as the idea is good, the products to cheaply made and don’t really work. 
This is a fun subject Janelle. Happy Monday to all.
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Some of those make you scratch your head. The one gadget I like is my mixer. I like to bake so it gets used a lot.
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I love gadgets and widgets
Anything that has to do with the kitchen is my favorite. I love my mini chopper, mini cutting board and my mini cusinart the best.
I am concerned about the celluar phone living the grass?? Some people have way to much time on their hands.
My worst experience would be the cousin to the ped egg, what a disaster. first I :*&#!: and then I
I never had my feet hurt so bad. I guess it wasn’t as great as it was advertised.
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I am not a gadget person.
I did buy a gadget that holds a tomato while you slice it. It lays in the drawer—because I like thicker slices of tomato.
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Janelle, oh, you know I love kitchen gadgets! The worst I ever bought was something that was to cut fruit into inventive little shapes like flowers and squares, etc. Totally didn’t work.
My favorite gadget is my garlic press and my microplane. I love both of them and use them all the time.
Gadget that should be invented: something to hold your blowdryer behind you! I’m sure there is one out there…though now that my hair is short, I don’t really need it anymore, LOLOL!
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My chopper is by Pampered Chef and I’ve had it forever!
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Nope, not really a gadget person. Have gotten some from other people, but don’t usually buy them myself.
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My favorite is a bottle and jar opener which has truly saved my hands!
I’ve always had weak hands and as I get older, the situation has gotten
worse.
Pat Cochran
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Some gadgets have become more than obsessions, which are necessities. Take for example, the classic ipod.
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Smooth Away is sandpaper. It removes hair, but also several layers of skin. Learned the hard way. :-(
I love my chopper, but I only use it for “crunchy” stuff, like carrots, onions, garlic, celery. never tried tomatoes!
The best “gadgets” I ever bought was my salad shooter (I treat mine like glass these days since you can’t get them anymore!) and my hand blender. Hand blenders are the best invention known to man, if you ask me!