Unique gifts for that hard-to-buy for person

I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and came across a Bird Buddy, a digital bird feeder with a camera that is powered by a solar panel.

All one has to do is hang or attach the bird feeder to a post, porch or outbuilding and fill it with bird feed. The owner then can watch live from their tablet or cell phone as the different birds stop for a snack.

The basic ones cost $100 with the more sophisticated ones costing nearly $200.

That’s a far cry from the electric bacon cooker I bought my mom in the 1970s.

It sat on the counter in our kitchen. The cooker featured two doors on each side that folded down. The user would then place the strips of bacon over the top and close the doors and turn it on. One could cook a half dozen or more strips of bacon at the same time. The cooker even had a grease catcher.

We also had a bread warmer with a cloth lid. It plugged in and kept the rolls at those holiday meals warm.

Santa brought me an Allstate Train Set and a Creepy Crawler set one year. I’m sure train sets are still available, and I found several varieties of Creepy Crawler sets online.

I still have the train set but sold the Creepy Crawler set in my parent’s auction.

I also had a wood burning kit and my own camera, an Argus Twin Reflex model that used Kodak 620 film. It came with two lenses, thus the twin reflex. I flipped the top up and looked through one lens and the film was exposed with the other lens.

I also had quite a collection of Matchbox cars.

I owned an AM pen radio. I bought it from a gadget book. It looked like an ink pen, but was a radio. That was the coolest gadget. I loved staying up late and listening to the radio before falling asleep.

Debbie and I went online looking for unique Christmas gifts for that hard-to-buy-for person. Here’s what we found.

Powerup 4.0 The Next-Generation Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Kit that ramps up the traditional paper airplane. The radio controlled easy-to-fly paper airplane comes with Autopilot and gyro stabilizer and is designed for hobbyists, pilots and tinkerers.

How about a LEGO minifigure designed and personalized from scratch? The interactive experience guides you through every step, from choosing faces and hairstyles to picking outfits and accessories, giving the creator full control of every detail.

Here’s another gift we found — a personalized LED neon light that the user can customize with a name and logo for weddings, birthdays, businesses, salon and home decor.

Another gadget we found is a Worx 4V Electric Screwdriver with a set of six bits, a screw holder and charger. What’s better than a six shooter screwdriver?

•Another unique gift we found is a rechargeable, heated ice cream scooper with LED display. No more bending a spoon with this beauty. It will dig right through that clump of hard ice cream and will be melting before you take a bite.

How about a cell phone printer that makes 4x6 prints directly from your phone? Kodak has several different models, and there are a number of other companies such as Canon, that make them. They also make portable label printers.

And something a little more down to earth is a Living Legacy QR Code Memorial Plaque. You make a tribute to the person who has passed away. You place the scannable QR Code on the gravestone and it allows you to watch a memorial video, see photos or view a webpage about the person.

And in wrapping this up, how about a two slot hot dog and bun toaster with mini tongs? The cooker works with chicken, turkey, veggie links and sausage brats. I’m hungry — let’s eat.

Of course a new cell phone or Apple iPods, iWatch, a computer or iPad or some other electronic gadget makes for a nice gift.

If that is out of your budget, there is always unique one-of-kind gifts available or even a homemade gift. There are also many personalized gifts or trips for couples and families.

There are old standbys such as a new pair of work or outdoor boots, coats, gloves or a new pair of jeans and a flannel shirt.

Merry Christmas to all!

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.