You don't want to give the same old gift - so don't

How many times have you given the same old gifts? The Amazon gift card? Everyone loves them, but they are expected. Or do you give Dad a shirt and tie every year? When I was a teenager, I gave my dad a shirt that he absolutely adored. But I saw this shirt in his closet, unworn. The following year, I took the shirt out of his closet and gave him the same shirt - again - and repeated the process for the next three years.

Dad absolutely loved the shirt every time! The following year I drove to a nearby town known for its pine nuts and bought him a pound and a half of pine nuts. (Now you can buy sprockets and other cool stuff at Trader Joe's, but I digress.)

The fact is: don't give the same old giveaway this year. "Think outside the box" is a worn phrase, but you get the meaning. Don't give the same old gift this year.

Nanoleaf Smart Backlit LED Light Bars

Nanoleaf is currently doing very well in sales. You'll want to jump on the site and see a few setups you'd like to see in your home. The Nanoleaf has beautiful smart bulbs in dozens of colors or more and light bars to line your walls (or run a line under your cabinets or bar). Enhance a space in your life to usher in the new year.

Eva Solo SmartMat by Cribsi

This stylish and decorative trivet doubles as a stand for cell phones and tablets, so you can easily follow a recipe online, read the news or watch TV. When the food is ready to be served, use Eva Solo SmartMat as a trivet for a pot or a hot dish.

SmartMat is designed to be used with most tablets and cell phones. It features different sized grooves at different angles so you can place your phone or tablet exactly the way you want.

Zum Hand Soap & Mist by Indigo Wild

Zum products are made with plant-based ingredients and filled with aromatic essential oils. You won't find any harsh chemicals, parabens, phthalates or detergents in Zum products.

Dental whitening by Luster Premium White

UP TO 7X FASTER: Than all leading whitening kits. You get visibly whiter teeth in just 30 minutes. The Luster Premium White Pearl Infused Pro Light teeth whitening system is 7 times faster than other teeth whitening LED light systems. Includes Pro Light Toothpaste, Serum, Rinse, and Pearl Infused Mint Whitening Toothpaste.

6 SHADES WHITER IN 3 DAYS: Our teeth whitening light system includes our one-of-a-kind patented whitening serum that helps make your teeth 6 shades whiter in just three days.

Halo Collar Virtual fence for your dog

Up to 20 hours of battery life for dog collar. An improved battery means less charging time and more exploration time. An improved battery means less charging time and more exploration time. Improved built-in GPS. 50% more coverage, so you can enjoy the best possible GPS performance for your dog collar and the accuracy to keep your dogs safe where you want them. This is a Halo smart fence. All visible from your phone.

Eli and Elm Weighted Quilt

Thousands of micro glass beads are evenly distributed throughout the comforter to achieve the right amount of weight for a soothing and relaxing night's sleep. I have to throw one more pitch here. I love this wonderful weighted blanket - and I wouldn't live without it - I even travel with it. But I really like the wonderful Eli and Elm pillow...