Category: Family Fun

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Keep It Kyle: Unchartered Adventures

Running out of ideas of new things to do in Kyle? You’ll find not one but multiple activities at Unchartered Adventures. Formerly known as 512 Rage Room, Unchartered Adventures calls itself untraditional entertainment. It wants to give you a place to relax and unwind with unforgettable experiences.

The cool thing about this place is they recycle many items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. They either use or donate the found items. They recycle construction material for axe throwing. Junk cars and salvaged objects from demolitions jobs will get a new lease on life in the zombie tactical experience or the base at the dog park.

Smash Rooms

Unchartered Adventure offers the only smash room aka rage room experience in the Austin and San Antonio area. It’s your opportunity to destroy random items in a safely controlled environment. Bad day at work? Come smash things. Celebrating graduation? Come smash things. People even hold divorce parties in the rage room.

You’ll be armed with a helmet with a face shield, gloves, and coveralls. Step two is easy. Just smash anything and everything. You can even add a GoPro to record your session. Anyone ages 10 and up can bang around as long as a parent or guardian signs a waiver for minors. The smash rooms also offer splatter paint with no age limitations.

Axe Throwing

What’s more relaxing than throwing an axe at a target in hopes of landing on the bull’s eye? Bring three of your friends and enjoy an hour of axe throwing. You’ll learn how to safely handle and chuck the axe. And then you’ll have an axellent time! This station is for adults only.

Interactive Dog Park

Looking for someplace to take your fur baby? Coming soon is a half-acre dog park. It’ll be a great place to bring your dog, relax, and drink a cold and refreshing brew. You’ll be able to listen to live music and look at the stars. The park will contain immersive stations around the perimeter. It’s a great opportunity to dress your dog up to match the different themed scenes and take pictures.

Keep visiting the website. They plan to add a Zombie Tactical Experience and sand volleyball.

Per the Hays County ordinance starting 06/22/20, all customers and employees must wear masks until the order expires.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Where to Celebrate 4th of July Near Kyle, TX

Many of us are looking forward to the 4th of July this year. It’s a chance to get out and enjoy fireworks and live music. Here’s where to go to celebrate the birth of America.

City of Kyle Independence Day Celebration

The City of Kyle will celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks launched from Plum Creek Golf Course. The show starts around 9 pm and runs for 20 to 30 minutes. For that perfect viewing spot, head someplace where you can see the tall water tower next to Hays CISD PAC on Kohler’s Crossing. The safest location to park is on the paved parking lots around Kohler’s and Kyle Parkway.

If Mother Nature decides to put a damper on the fireworks, the make-up will be on July 5th. Same time. Same place. Viewing is not allowed at the Plum Creek Golf Course this year.

Red, White, and Buda

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Buda is doing things a little differently this year for Red, White, and Buda. They will have a fireworks show. In fact, they’re having TWO shows! Fireworks will be launched from Buda Sportsplex and City Park on July 4th between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm.

For your safety and to ensure social distancing, there will be no parking available to view the fireworks at these locations. City Park and Buda Sportsplex will be closed to the public. The city encourages you to watch the fireworks from home or from a safe location where social distancing is observed. Watch for updates on the City of Buda’s Website or Facebook page.

Jaws at the Drive-in

Blue Starlite Drive-in Austin and Round Rock will air one of the most iconic American movies on 4th of July. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic tells the story of a great white that terrorizes beachgoers. Can the oceanographer and salty old shark hunter track this monster down?

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Find a New Home in Kyle, Texas This Summer

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to browse new homes in Kyle, now’s the time. The hottest time of the year to find a home is during literally the hottest time of the year, which is in the summertime before school starts. Shopping now offers advantages for home shoppers. For one, rates are lower.

Another reason is that you’ll have a large inventory from which to choose. This improves your chance of discovering a home and community that meet your requirements. One you want to add to your list is Crosswinds master-planned community. It captures the area’s natural beauty and it’s just 20 miles south of Austin.

Here are some of the homes available.

Gehan Homes

Although new to the community, Gehan has been building homes for 25 years. They’ve garnered awards for their design, floor plans, and customer service.

277 Spinnaker Loop

  • Available now
  • Chestnut plan
  • 1,760 square feet
  • 1 story
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $279,990

Check out the floor plan to see what the Chestnut floor plan looks and feels like. Featured options include front extension and master shower.

Pacesetter Homes

QUALICO’s Pacesetter Homes has built homes in the Texas Hill Country since 2007. Builder Magazine has recognized Pacesetter Homes as one of the top 10 fastest growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. Only four homes are available for quick move-in, so check them out before they’re snapped up.

298 Tailwind Dr.

  • Available now
  • 1,705 square feet
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $289,900

A former model show home, this one-story home comes loaded with upgrades beginning with maple wood floors. Because it’s a model home, it has more landscaping to brighten the front. Cream shaker cabinetry in the kitchen with crown molding gives it a bright and clean look that meshes well with the countertops. You’ll also appreciate having an extra-long driveway and enjoy many nights in the backyard pergola.

Highland Homes

Since 1985, Highland Homes has been welcoming Texas families to their beautiful, high-quality homes. The cool thing is that employees own 100% of the company. Everyone you meet there is an owner. This motivates them to make sure you’re very happy with your home.

762 Spinnaker Loop

 

  • Available now
  • 2,279 square feet
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 3 bathrooms
  • $339,477

Take a virtual tour of this home to experience it for yourself. The entire home contains wood-style floors. No worries about carpet stains. And though it’s one story, it has a three-car garage.

If you’re looking to build, Highland Homes offers a choice of 50-foot lots with 24 floorplans and 60-foot lots with 23 floorplans.

The right home is waiting for you right here in Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Explore all things Crosswinds by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Area Attractions Education Family Fun

Kyle Library Offerings

If you love libraries as much as we do, you’re going to love Kyle Library. Residents can do much more than borrow books. As a Kyle resident, you have access to audiobooks, magazines, and DVDs. You can search the catalog as well as reserve and renew books from its website. This barely scratches the surface of the library’s offerings. Here’s what you can do with your Kyle Library card.

TexShare Databases

The TexShare Databases give you access to an extensive collection of articles from more than 27,000 journals, 171,000 ebooks, and 15 million images, videos, and interactive resources. These resources include business, career and job skills, education, genealogy, history, health and medicine, and do-it-yourself.

It’s also a useful resource for homework help. Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) administers the resource sharing program.

Computer and Business Services

The library has free wi-fi and you can log into its computers with your library card. Computer and Business Services consist of printing and copying documents, sending and receiving a fax, and scanning documents. Some services come with a low fee.

The Computer Skills Center can take you through the computer and internet basics. It offers video courses for Microsoft software, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Events and Programming

The library calendar contains a variety of programs and events for all ages. Currently, the library has a Digital Summer Reading program with digital storytimes, online performances, and reading incentives. They have Dungeons and Dragons, Lego Club, Kyle Writers Group, and more.

Ancestry.com

Explore your family history with Ancestry.com. Next time you visit the library, log into the genealogy website to browse indexes to birth, death, and marriage records, immigration, passenger lists, and naturalization records.

Little Free Libraries

Finished a book you own? Consider dropping it off at one of Kyle’s Little Free Libraries. If you find an interesting book, go on and take it.

Kyle Library Thrift Shop

Operated by the Friends of the Kyle Public Library, the Kyle Library Thrift Shop is a resale shop on Lockhart Street. Funds from the shop support the library. Visit its page for the latest news.

The library is always adding new programs. Check out the website or follow Kyle Library’s Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Drive-in Theater in Kyle, Texas

Whoever thought drive-in movies would make a comeback? And it’s right in Kyle! EVO is living up to its tagline of being the EVOlution of entertainment. It has evolved the movie theater by moving it from inside to outside with the EVO Drive-In Experience.

About EVO Drive-in Experience

The drive-in is so popular that tickets sell out quickly. Be sure you sign up to receive an email alert when tickets become available. You have a choice in more than one drive-in. EVO San Marcos is only 10 miles from Kyle. If you’d like to go a little further, Schertz is about 45 minutes away.

If you’d like to enjoy the fresh air, bring lawn chairs. You can sit outside your vehicle as long as you stay within your space and respect social distancing.

The drive-in films take place on the exterior wall of the EVO building. It contains a high-grain white paint to enhance visibility. Movie-goers listen to the sound via the AM/FM radio in their vehicles.

Before You Go

Check the “What’s Playing” page for showtimes and to order your tickets. EVO’s movie selection contains a nice variety that includes comedy, musicals, horror, and action. The movies can be classics or as recent as 2019. They have a late-night side-show in which they run R-rated movies at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

EVO has thought of everything. If you want to order food and pay for it, just use the mobile app. The entire process is contactless. You won’t have to worry about cash payments. Runners wear masks and nitrile gloves when delivering your order.

EVO shares its relaunch plans, so you know how they’re adapting to the changes to serve you. They’re still providing curbside and home delivery via EVO Market. You can shop for pre-built meal kits for pizza, breakfast, grilling, dessert, or margaritas.

Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle. You can contact our Crosswinds team or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Design Education Family Fun Lifestyle

Get Creative with Egg Decorating Ideas

 

Here’s a fun activity to add a splash of color in your life and make everyone smile. These egg decorating ideas will have you doing more than just dipping eggs in the dye. Get ready to try something new!

 

Marbled Eggs

This marbleized effect will amaze and astound everyone. Pour 1 cup of dye into a bowl. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and stir with a straw or craft stick. Roll the eggs into the bowl gently for a few seconds. Carefully pat the excess oil and dye with a paper towel and set it on a rack to dry. After it’s completely dry, use a dry cloth to wipe away excess residue.

You can create a marble effect with two colors. Dip the egg into a base color and let it dry. Then do the above with a second color.

 

Blackboard Eggs

Cover the eggs with chalkboard paint and you have a canvas for chalk drawings. You can order chalkboard paint online. The cool thing is that you can erase the chalk and draw a new design.

 

Disco Egg

Channel Donna Summers and turn your egg into a disco egg by diluting craft glue with an equal amount of water. Completely paint the egg with the solution. Pour superfine silver glitter into a bowl and roll the egg around in it. Put it on wax paper to dry completely.

 

Out of This World Eggs

Space fans will love this one. Start with a marbled egg. It could be blue and purple or some other color. After the egg dries, brush it with gold luster dust and glue on stars, planets, and other space décor.

 

Permanent Marker Eggs

You won’t have paint, dye, or glitter to clean up with this one. And you most likely have a permanent marker in your home. Grab a few fine-tipped permanent markers and draw patterns. You could do just black for a monochromatic look. Try stripes, polka dots, diamonds, and abstract for slick-looking eggs.

 

Baby Chicks Eggs

Dip the front of an egg length-wise in yellow dye. (Not quite half of the egg.) After it dries, use a fine-point permanent marker to draw its face, arms, and legs.

 

Votive Eggs

These eggs make great decorations. Poke a hole at the top of the egg large enough to empty it out. Let the empty eggshell dry. Carefully break the top one-third of the shell with a spoon to create a bowl. Dye the egg and allow it to dry. Once dry, insert a tea light candle inside. If you’re concerned about accidental fires, you can order battery-operated tea lights.

 

Washi Tape Eggs

Like the permanent marker eggs, this one requires no dye, glitter, or anything that makes cleanup harder. Pick up a variety of Washi tape designs. Cut them, mix them, and stick them on the egg. And ta-da! Colorful eggs!

 

Share your egg decorating ideas with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website.

 

 

Categories
Area Attractions Family Fun

Looking for Things Do for Spring Break Near Kyle, Texas?

Whether you take a staycation or vacation during spring break, you have lots of great options in or near Kyle, Texas. Hays CISD spring break is the week of March 16 to 20. Here are a variety of things to see and do during spring break and other times of the year.

Texas State Presents

Texas State Presents (430 Moon St., San Marcos, Texas 78666) features live entertainment from the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos. You’ll find a mixture of events from guest artists and the symphony to dance companies and theater. Only a 20-minute drive from Kyle, Texas, it’s an unbeatable option to enjoy the arts at affordable prices. Visit the website to see what’s coming up.

Texas Indie Fest

Held from March 17 through the 21, Texas Indie Fest is a free four-day showcase of budding independent musical artists from all over the world. This year has more than 40 electric and acoustic acts at three venues in Austin. You can also catch the event on Fish Creek Radio. Visit the website for the lineup.

Spring Break Camp with San Marcos Parks and Recreation

San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Spring Break Camp is for kids ages 5 to 11, They play games, make crafts, and take field trips including one out of town. Field trips include San Marcos Discovery Center, bowling, Starplex Theater, Children’s Playscape, and Inflatable Wonderland in San Antonio. View the itinerary on the website.

Boys and Girls Club Spring Break Camp

Boys and Girls Club of South Central Texas’ Spring Break Camp in San Marcos serves pre-K through sixth grade. Their options include character and leadership, fine arts, academic enrichment, and sports and recreation.

All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp

Kids who love sports may be interested in All-Star Sports Spring Break Camp. Held at SoccerZone in South Austin, it’s about a 20-minute trip from Kyle. They offer half- and full-day options for children ages 5 to 13 with the full-day option serving lunch.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

This is one of those places everyone in Texas should visit at some point in their lives. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is a little over a three-hour drive from Kyle. Just the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or a short spring break vacation. You may just get the chance to put your feet in dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed. You can also camp, picnic, hike, bike, swim, and fish. Guided tours are available.

Fifteen minutes from the park is Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. It’s an endangered species research and conservation center with more than 1,000 mammals representing 50 species. They offer guided and self-guided tours. It’s a 7.2-mile scenic drive in which you can drive in your own car or ride in their tour vehicles.

Corpus Christi

Drive three hours south and you’ll reach the coastal city of Corpus Christi in South Texas. If beaches, boating, birdwatching, and of fun is your thing, this is the place to be.

Not into beaches? Corpus Christi has unique museums like the U.S.S. Lexington, Texas State Aquarium, and South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau has everything you need to plan a spring break trip based on your interests.

More things to do near Kyle, Texas:

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Area Attractions Family Fun

What’s 30 Minutes From Kyle, TX?

Kyle, Texas residents love living here for its small-town living and Austin’s big-city assets are just a 30-minute drive away. When you choose a neighborhood like Crosswinds community in Kyle, you’ll have many things to do inside the community. It has hike and bike trails that mingle within the community. The Windy Point Amenity Center features a large pool with a splash pad, grilling areas, a playground, and plenty of shady spots.

What’s close to Kyle? Check out these useful and fun places within 30 minutes from Kyle.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

One of the more challenging things about small-town living is the lack of a nearby airport. Even medium-sized cities don’t always have a conveniently-located airport within 30 minutes. And those airports don’t always have many destinations.

Austin-Bergstrom offers many nonstop flights in the U.S. and Canada. It has international nonstop flights to London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. Many preferred airlines fly out of ABIA. Best of all, it’s just 25 minutes from Kyle.

Frank Erwin Center

The multi-purpose entertainment facility in downtown Austin has all the big music acts as well as first-class theater and all the sporting events you’d want. Owned and operated by the University of Texas at Austin, Frank Erwin Center serves as the home base for Texas Longhorns basketball teams. Visit the website to see what’s coming.

Cool facts. Its first event was the UT men’s basketball game against Oklahoma University. The first concert and sold out concert was Lawrence Welk in 1978. The fastest sellout ever? It only took 47 minutes for Garth Brooks’ concert to do that in 1992. And the highest-grossing event took place in 2013 with Paul McCartney as the headliner.

South Congress aka SoCo

You’ve probably heard “Keep Austin weird.” South Congress, affectionally known as SoCo, is partly responsible for that in a good way. It’s a famous shopping district with funky shops, restaurants, and music venues. They encourage you to “come dine, shop, and rock!” On its interactive website, you can stroll SoCo and see the insides of the stores. It’s also the place to go for information about parking, specials, and events.

East Austin

Another popular district in Austin is the eclectic East Austin that’s two miles from downtown. Like SoCo, it has bars, shops, restaurants, and things to do. You’ll find old. You’ll find new. You’ll find East Austin has a rich history. If you’re into history, you might like the historic walking tour.

Broken Spoke

This Austin institution and dance hall has been voted “Best Dancehall in Texas.” Some country music’s legends Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, and Tex Ritter have played there. Even Food Network lists it as one of the top places to eat. Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Giada DeLaurentis have two-stepped at Broken Spoke.

Show up anytime Wednesday through Saturday from 8 to 9 pm for dance lessons. Live music plays every night. The calendar lists upcoming events. If you go, be sure to try their famous chicken fried steak.

St. Elmo Brewing Co.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, St. Elmo Brewing Co. serves all types of beer in their beer hall and beer garden. They also serve coffee, housemade mineral water, and soda. Visit their website for a virtual tour of this charming brewery. Then, check their Facebook page for upcoming events including weekly Tuesday Trivia and Grassy Thursdays. And come hungry as they have an onsite food truck serving Asian food.

CHEERS!

Want to get the scoop on all things Kyle? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Family Fun Lifestyle

Guide to the Best Holiday Movies in Kyle

One of the best things about this wonderful time of the year is the holiday movies! Whether you watch them at home or at the movie theater, there’s a holiday movie for everyone. Action, romance, family, drama, musical, and comedy. Looking for ideas? Check out these suggestions from each category.

Family

Here’s one that not many have seen unlike some of the other movies. And it’s a winner for the entire family and you can see it at EVO Entertainment in Kyle. Parents say their kids love Frozen II so much that they’ve seen it more than once. What better way to feel like the holidays than seeing a movie with lots of ice and snow?

For something to watch at home, explore this mix of older and newer classics: Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street (1947 edition), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Story.

Action

Yippee-ki-yay! Everyone has an opinion on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Since many call it one of the best action movies ever made, be sure to watch it if you haven’t yet. The entire movie takes place on Christmas Eve when a company throws its end-of-the-year party.

OK, Jumanji and Star Wars aren’t Christmas movies, but the latest ones are out just in time for this year’s holiday season. Take it to the next level with Jumanji: The Next Level or Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Romance

As if Hallmark does not have enough romantic movies, the family may prefer something with a little less predictability. Love, Actually tells the story of eight different couples in London. Want something you may not have seen? Try The Family Stone.

Musical

Although Christmas isn’t prevalent in the story, The Sound of Music always airs around Christmastime. Most can never get enough of “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” or the breathtaking scenes. Need a little Judy Garland? “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” by watching Meet Me in St. Louis.

How about a musical with Christmas in the title and the amazing vocal stylings from Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney? Instead of dreaming of a White Christmas, watch the movie and you’ll feel like it’s snowing on Christmas even if it’s sunny outside and it’s not December 25. Want more Bing? Check into Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and happens to have the “White Christmas” song.

Drama

The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington is a remake of Cary Grant’s The Bishop’s Wife. A reverend struggles to maintain his marriage and keep his church from falling into the hands of a developer.

Sometimes you must state the obvious because no list is complete without It’s a Wonderful Life? Some people go years without ever watching it because it plays a lot during the holiday season. But really, it’s worth seeing once.

Looking for a whodunit without a holiday theme? If you like mysteries a lá Clue, Agatha Christie, or Murder By Death? Knives Out‘s is your movie and it’s playing at EVO.

Comedy

For the ultimate laughs, count on the Griswolds to come through for you on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Totally serious! And you can see it on the big screen at EVO Entertainment in Kyle.

How many versions of A Christmas Carol are there? Many, but few as good as Scrooged with Bill Murray as a modern-day Scrooge.

If you cannot get enough and want to watch hours and hours of holiday movies with a happy ending, you cannot go wrong with Hallmark’s movies. Also, check Flashback Cinema at EVO Entertainment for upcoming classic movies on the big screen.

What would you add to the list? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook and Twitter and let us know! We wish you a happy merry everything and here’s to an amazing 2020!

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Family Fun

Here’s Your Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Sometimes the season gets the best of us and leaves us scrambling around Kyle and nearby cities for a last-minute holiday gift for someone. Thanks to sites like Amazon, you have a treasure trove of gift possibilities that can arrive on your doorstep within a day or two.

But it can be overwhelming to browse Amazon and other ecommerce sites when they have thousands of products from A to Z. You’re also not far from great shopping in Kyle with Kyle Marketplace, Kyle Crossing, Target, Kohl’s and Walmart. Or you can drive a short 15 minutes to the outlets in San Marcos. Whichever route you take, here’s your gift guide to help.

Gifts under $50

Board games: There’s nothing more fun than an old-fashioned game night. You can’t go wrong with Monopoly, Scrabble, or Apples to Apples.

Insulated mug: Insulated mugs come in various sizes and you can never have too many of them. They keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. Make sure you get one that fits in a standard car cup holder. Most do, but not all of them.

Laptop desk: This is like a TV table tray except it has smaller and shorter legs. It’s good for other things such as eating in bed and writing. This is one of those things you wonder what you ever did without it.

Weighted or electric blanket: Some people who struggle with sleep say a weighted blanket has made a difference. Who likes getting in a cold bed? Putting an electric blanket on the bed beforehand can warm it right up.

For the Home

Candles: You have many options in colors, scents, and design. Many places carry candles and it’s one of those things you can never have too many of.

Decorative pillow: Like candles, you have many options for decorative pillows in different colors, styles, sizes, and shapes. Some contain sayings that might ring with the recipient.

Robot vacuum: This is one of those things people don’t buy for themselves but would love to have. What’s better than having a robot sweeping floors without your lifting a finger?

Sign with Inspirational saying: You can find boxes for shelves and wall hangings with inspirational sayings and thoughts. Bet you can uncover one that fits your recipient.

Smart speaker: Even if someone has an Alexa at home, you can always use another smart speaker for a different room. Give the recipient a way to ask questions and get answers without pulling out the cell phone.

Wireless and Wi-Fi garage door opener: This is garage door opener 2.0 that allows you to open and close your garage door from anywhere. Can’t remember if you closed it? No problem. You don’t have to get up out of bed or drive home to check. Expecting a package but you don’t want it left on your porch? Have the person contact you when arriving and you can open and close the garage door for leaving the package.

Electronics

E-Reader: Know someone who is about to take a long trip? An e-reader will make packing so much easier as you can put hundreds of books on one lightweight device. The advantage e-readers have over tablets is that they’re made with reading in mind. It’s not always easy to get the screen just right on other devices.

Portable Bluetooth speaker: Whether you’re listening to music, while swimming or playing an audiobook, you can almost never go wrong with a Bluetooth speaker.

Portable charger: Many folks have multiple devices they need to keep charged. Portable chargers are lightweight and can fully recharge a device. You might look for one with two USB ports so you can charge more than one device.

Tablet: A tablet can do a little more than give you a way to read ebooks. They allow you to surf the Internet, watch streaming videos, check email, and hang out on social media from anywhere.

USB flash drive: Presentations, documents, movies. You can put a lot of things on a flash drive to take with you anywhere. Many devices are compatible with USB, so you won’t have to worry about whether it will work.

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