R2-D2 Peppermill

If you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan, why not add some spice to your kitchen with the R2-D2 Peppermill - the pepper grinder that looks like R2-D2?

Simply twist R2-D2’s head and - voila! - instantly ground pepper. It makes a great gift for a friend who is just as geek-crazy over Star Wars as you are, and is also bound to inspire a fair amount of conversation around the dinner table. All the Wookies on Tatooine are using it, what’s your reason not to?

This cute little gadget stands at a height of about 12cm and retails at about R145.

Cirrus Ice Ball Press

Many of us love a glass of painstakingly aged scotch, but you know you’re doing it wrong when you hectically dilute it with plain old ice cubes that melt too quickly. Luckily help is at hand.

The Cirrus Ice Ball Press chills your drink in the most delicate way possible. “How?” you may ask. Well, by using its single, oversized spherical-shaped ice ball it minimises surface area and therefore the water that makes its way into your drink. A sphere has the least surface area of any solid, which means slower dilution, and a single large sphere works best as it melts slower.

To create your own ice balls with the Cirrus Ice Ball Press simply set a chunk of ice between the two halves, place the top half on the guide rails and let gravity work its magic. In no time at all you’ll have a perfect 70mm ice ball with which to enjoy your drink.

The Cirrus Ice Ball Press retails at R6000.

Handpresso Wild Instant Expresso Maker

We know how important coffee is, and we know how important it is to be able to grab a coffee on the go. Well, this little gadget will make satisfying your craving a lot easier.

The Handpresso Wild Instant Espresso Maker is a lightweight, portable espresso maker that is compatible with all E.S.E pods, which are readily available in the coffee section of all major stores and coffee shops. So whether you're in the bush or half way up the Sani Pass and in need of a shot, this doohickey allows you to easily brew up the perfect espresso in minutes. Simply pump up the handle to 16 bar (a gauge ensures you hit the perfect pressure every time), add water from your thermos to the mini reservoir, slip in a coffee pod and fire off your espresso. Voila!

The Handpresso Wild retails at R1600.


Voodoo Knife Block

If you’re a truly modern man then you can probably be found in the kitchen on most nights, right? If you proudly answered a “Hell Yeah” to these questions then this gadget is for you.

The Voodoo Knife Block set is a cut above other knife blocks mainly because it stands out in terms of originality and design. Crafted in rich red, black or chrome-coloured ABS plastic, the stylish set has five strategically positioned slots in the Voodoo “doll” which house the five knives.

Apart from its quirkiness, the sturdy Voodoo Knife Block set is a brilliant addition to any kitchen, thanks to the good quality knives that accompany it. Made from Molybdenum and Vanadium stainless steel, they’re considered sharper, more durable and rust-resistant than standard stainless steel knives.

This funky gadget will definitely bring out the Jamie Oliver in you so go get it… Chop, chop! Retails at about R950.

Jambox Speakers by Jawbone

When they said that dynamite comes in small packages, they weren’t kidding…this little wireless speaker/speakerphone sure knows how to go boom! It may be small, but the Jambox by Jawbone is the best sounding wireless speaker yet.

Delivering spectacular hi-fi audio with an output capacity of 85 decibels that fills even the largest of rooms, Jambox’s pair of proprietary acoustic drivers work in concert with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to deliver its awesome sound.

When you sync it with MyTALK, Jawbone's online platform and an industry first, you can download apps, software upgrades and the latest features. Its integrated intelligence allows you to personalise Jambox to your specific preferences. With a powerful, built-in microphone, Jambox also frees you up to engage in crisp, clean-sounding conference calls absolutely anywhere.

Lastly, this gadget boasts a stainless-steel construction and industrial-weight moulded rubber casing which makes it sturdy, portable, and as good looking as it is convenient. Retails at around R2500.

Sony W Series Walkman

Designed to stay put during vigorous activity, the W Series Walkman mp3 Player is the one-piece music player that's ready for the man on the move. Better yet, it’s sweat resistant, so you really can drip all over it at the gym or on a long hike.

The player's unique spiral form comfortably floats on the back of your neck, allowing you to be hands-free, wire-free and distraction free. It's also easy to clean so you can prepare for your next gym session without any hassle.

Easily load your music by dragging and dropping music files from iTunes, Windows Media Player or Rhapsody and use the included USB cable to get up to 90 minutes of playback time from just a three-minute charge. Battery life is impressive after a full charge, lasting up to 11 hours.

Cool features include the ZAPPIN search feature, which allows you to easily navigate through your song collection by playing back main melodies. Then there’s the Jog Dial key to scroll and select your ideal track without the need for buttons. Awesomeness all round.

The W Series Walkman mp3 Player retails at about R800.

Vinturi Aerator Connoisseur Set

Ever wondered why the last glass of wine out of the bottle always tastes better than the first? No, it’s not because you’re totally wasted, it’s due to the fact that you need to let wine breathe if you want to enjoy it properly. What a schlep! If you’re one of those impatient folk who tries willingly but to no avail to distract yourself from the open bottle in front of you then the Vinturi Wine Aerator is for you.

This remarkably easy gadget allows you to enjoy your wine almost immediately: All you have to do is hold the Aerator over your glass and pour the wine into the top. The wine is then filtered and oxygenated to release all of those lovely aromas and flavours.

The Vinturi Aerator Connoisseur Set includes the Aerator itself and comes with a cool stand that allows you to make a real feature of the whole process. You’ll pop your wine glass underneath the Aerator (now attractively held in place so you don’t have to) and voila – magic! The set also comes with a sediment filter, a table stand for you to pop the Vinturi in when you're not using it, and a pouch to make sure it doesn't get clogged up with dust while it waits patiently in a drawer for your next wine night.

It is dishwasher safe and retails at R795.