The 2024 Wishmas Guide... Hub!

Yo Yo Yo! Don't look now, but it's that time of the year again. Grab the hot chocolate and your favorite holiday snack as we jump into the Wishmas Guide for 2024! This year we're serving things up a little different folks (just a teensy weensy bit). So... this is what we'll call the Wishmas Guide... Hub! A portion of individuals we've met around Orlando this year, actually contributed to these guides in a round about way... just based on their collective needs + wants + frustrations.

This hub post will represent items good for any member of the family regardless of age or gender for the most part. For the other guide's related to Younglings, the Ladies, Gents, and the... Office will be in separate posts (as usual) that are accessible through this... hub! Stay tuned!

 Elevate Your Family TV Time with Surround Sound 

This year, in the name of family time, whether you're playing games or watching a movie together, consider upgrading from your TV's built-in speakers. A true 5.1 channel surround sound system with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X is the perfect addition to your living room. Audio is one of those features that's always appreciated, especially when it comes to headphones, but I've noticed that many living room setups are missing that extra oomph. It's a personal choice, but investing in a quality sound system can take your entertainment to the next level. It's not about having a louder entertainment experience... it's all about the depth of the experience, and if you find yourself watching the latest movies at home don't leave an ounce of enjoyment on the table. 

By the way, before I go into this... (maybe it's just me but) I've always felt weird about placing a subwoofer off to the side rather than front and center. If you have the ability to place it under your livingroom table or under a high enough entertainment center... I think the placement works better. If you have space behind the couch in the center, that works as well and... some newer options can be controlled by your phone if you.

Two options under the $200 mark are the 2024 models of the Vizio & Ultimea model seen below:

Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Compact Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

Optical Output

Ultimea True 5.1 Soundbar Poseidon D60

Soundbar

Right & Left Surround Speakers

Wireless Subwoofer

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

Bluetooth

HDMI eARC

Auxiliary

Optical

The placement of a subwoofer can significantly impact the quality of sound in your home theater or living room setup. While it doesn't necessarily have to be placed in the center of the viewing area, there are some guidelines to follow for optimal sound:

1. Corner Placement: Placing the subwoofer in a corner can enhance the bass response by utilizing the walls to amplify the sound.

2. Front of the Room: Positioning the subwoofer at the front of the room, near the main speakers, can create a more cohesive soundstage.

3. Experimentation: The best placement can vary depending on the room's acoustics. It's often recommended to experiment with different locations to find the spot that provides the best bass response.

Ultimately, the goal is to achieve a balanced and immersive sound experience, so feel free to move the subwoofer around and test different positions to see what works best for your space.

See More Options

 Family Fun with Nintendo Switch Games 

While it might be tempting to say wait for the new Nintendo Switch 2, expected to announced during the first half of... 2025, not everyone wants to put family game time on pause. Many parents I've spoken to in Orlando would love to see cellphones set aside for more family fun. Luckily, there are plenty of options to make that happen with multiplayer action. Here are multiple Nintendo Switch games with 4-player fun:

1. 
   Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury: This game offers a fun and chaotic multiplayer experience as players work together to complete levels and collect power-ups.
   
   
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: A classic racing game that never gets old. Compete against each other in exciting races and battle modes.
   
   
3. Overcooked! All You Can Eat: A hilarious and frantic cooking game where teamwork is key to serving up dishes in crazy kitchens.
   
   
4. Minecraft: Explore, build, and survive together in this sandbox game that offers endless possibilities for creativity and adventure.
   
   
5. Nintendo Switch Sports: Engage in friendly competition with sports like bowling, tennis, and volleyball (the other sports in this game lack a local 4 player option).
   
   
6. Super Mario Party Jamboree: The biggest Mario Party yet, with over 110 minigames, new online and offline modes, and plenty of customization choices.
   
   
7. 
   Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Classic Mario gameplay turned on its head with Wonder Flowers, offering game-changing items and a new adventure in the Flower Kingdom.
   
   
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge - Anniversary Edition: Enjoy stunning full-color pixel art graphics and a vintage TMNT vibe, with new characters and modes.
   
   
9. Just Dance 2025: Get your friends and family together to dance and enjoy 40 hot new songs, whether you want to take the party to a whole new level or create special family moments.
   
   
10. The Karate Kid: Street Rumble: Step into the streets of West Valley and Okinawa, battling waves of enemies as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Ali Mills, or Kumiko in this pixel art, side-scrolling, beat 'em up adventure. Intense martial arts combat and dynamic boss battles await!
    
    
11. Jitsu Squad: Fast-paced 2D brawler with intense, action-packed battles. Play as unique characters with special abilities, fighting through waves of enemies in vibrant, hand-drawn environments. Perfect for fans of classic beat 'em ups!

These games are perfect for bringing the family together for some fun and interactive entertainment.

By the way, don't forget to grab more Joy-Con controllers for 4-player fun! If you take the more affordable route, go with the officially licensed options for half the price of the first party ones or go first party that's bundled with a free game! Either way... you save! By the way, we have no idea what the next Nintendo console would be called... but that sounded like a fun name to call it!

Get Moving with Bikes

While home entertainment is great, don't forget the fun and exercise that bikes can provide. Health care professionals recommend physical exercise for its numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles, and better mental well-being. Being active with your children also sets a positive example and strengthens family bonds.

Consider investing in bikes for the whole family. There are even electric mountain bikes for those who want to give their legs a break after a nice ride, ranging from $200 to $300. With options for both kids and adults, you can enjoy quality time together while staying active and healthy.

If you grab bikes, wouldn't hurt to grab a bike rack.

Active Fun for the Whole Family

Sticking to the realm of physical fun, consider gifting a tennis set, basketball goal or a volleyball net. These can provide hours of entertainment and exercise, especially if the lucky recipient actually uses them. For more affordable options, a football, baseball or soccer set is a great choice. These activities offer family fun while also improving your children's skills. It's a win-win for everyone!

Unforgettable Experiences as Gifts

When it comes to taking trips, going on cruises, enjoying spa days, savoring delicious food, or just having fun locally, these experiences are even better when received as gifts.

Whether it's a weekend getaway, a relaxing spa day, or a fun-filled local adventure, these experiences create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds (especially with good vibes on deck). Just remember, while browsing, don't get distracted by deals you'd love to get your hands on... unless it includes your family. Enjoy!

Great Family Stocking Stuffer: Dr. Plotkas Toothbrush

The family stocking stuffer is... a Dr. Plotkas Toothbrushes, because they're just that good. This has been my toothbrush of choice for years now. The family pack would allow for you to easily hook everyone up, and save their grill at the same time. We may like pirate themed entertainment, but I don't know many people who want to look like one... in the mouth.

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FTS: Highrise City celebrates this... Summer of Gaming Season With New DLC!

 

Highrise City Starts The Vacation Season With A New DLC!

Highrise City, the ambitious PC Steam ‘blockbuster’ city builder from FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Spotlight, has built up and captivated a dedicated community constantly playing the unique mix between classic city builders and complex economy simulation. This unique format blows away recent competition for those who have experienced Highrise City’s complexity. Deck13 Spotlight is pleased to announce their ongoing support with the announcement of the second PC DLC, Vacation Season, releasing on 5th August on Steam and Good Old Games for $9.99.

A Vacation DLC which deserves its name! The new Vacation Season DLC offers tons of new content, starting with a whole new economy branch to satisfy a new group of citizens: Demanding tourists who will visit your city to spend their hard earned money on products exclusively designed for them. Build tourist spots and attractions, open up hotels and set up complex tourist lines with public transport to entertain your visitors. With seven new resources and 17 new buildings and all new mechanics this expansion is ready for action.

But that’s not all! With the release of the DLC, the Highrise City base game will receive a major free content update, introducing new resources and buildings as well. Players will be able to build massive exhibition halls to satisfy the needs of companies and they will also be able to create mowing tools as certain developments, such as parks, will need this new service.

Highrise City is available now on PC Steam and Good Old Games (GOG). The upcoming DLC Vacation Season will release on 5th August and introduce new mechanics and content.

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Candy Cane Lane... Reviewed!

Story: Candy Cane Lane, is a heartwarming holiday film directed by Reginald Hudlin, evoking this sense of nostalgic charm reminiscent of Eddie Murphy's comedic genius. The plot, starting with a seemingly innocent friendly rivalry between neighbors vying for the best Christmas decorations, takes an unexpected twist as a mischievous elf plans to turn Christmas nut... Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy) into something... festive. This playful concept piqued my interest and set the tone for this comedic adventure.

I challenged myself to actually approach this film without thinking of Eddie's body of work because a number of younger viewers don't know how awesome he is as an actor (including my 6-year-old daughter). It honestly didn't matter, because this film has a nice amount of depth and pulled me in based on the story and things that a number of adults can relate to. I couldn't help but think about some of his previous work though... because... there was a scene that immediately pulled me into Beverly Hills cop (when he was at work). They set the plot up nicely before the crazy began. It gave Chris the motivation that justified the circumstances that landed him in hot water.

Candy Cane Lane effortlessly captures the spirit of Christmas but I could watch this off-season (to be honest)... similar to Home Alone movies. Outside of the zany action, this film also pushes the importance of embracing teamwork and working together as a family, which allowed the Carver family to eventually flex the power of their family unit. It illustrates how a common goal can bring people together, transcending differences and fostering a sense of togetherness that isn't delivered in a way that only fits one age group. Minus the use of swearing when all hell broke loose at school (which was said once)... it's a family film, which if your children have seen Home Alone films... they've heard a certain three-letter word before. By the way, this film is rated PG.

Overall, Candy Cane Lane is a solid film with a nice cast, but I do have a few things to critcize. D.C. Young Fly was also in the film... basically as himself, and while it worked for the most part... I want to see more of his range as he moves forward. Another thing was a few of the scenes that didn't make sense to me, like when Nick ran off and went to the school's music room. I understand why he ran off, but... that was just weird that he'd automatically go to the music room. They made it cohesive with the drama that unfolded on the field, so I shrugged it off and kept it moving. In addition, another scene that threw me off was when Holly went outside after the family went on lockdown. She turned off the alarm and everything, and I was like... "Where in the heck are her parents? No one is hearing this?!", but luckily these scenes didn't send the film rolling into the Christmas lights. Pun intended.

Visuals: Going into the film, I didn't know what to expect visually, but when I noticed that they were going in this over-the-top direction... it excited me. The story pulled me in before I saw the Kringle's store, but then I was like... "Oooo, what is this?". There is a nice mix of great-looking shots that married the real world and the magic eventually rained upon it.

The scene below features Chris' wife, Carol Carver at work... and looking stunned as something lands on her vehicle. I won't tell you why, but... you get visuals from various angles in this film to cover the action. Birds eye view, worms eye view, mids, highs, and more. One of my favorite shots was a big closeup, it looked great and should turn heads in regards to fans of animation. By the way, I'm not referring to Peppermint's team, although the good guys and baddies looked great. The only thing that didn't look as realistic to me was the milk blast, but other than that... no complaints.

The porcelain people really brought this film to life along with their mixture of personalities, and that's on top of the things that occurred before this set of characters were introduced (they were a surprise scoop of ice cream that was served alongside an unexpected slice of cake).

In addition, the bright and colorful Christmas decorations, coupled with the cozy neighborhood setting, create a magical ambiance that immerses viewers in the holiday spirit. The attention to detail in the special effects adds an extra layer of whimsy, seamlessly blending fantasy elements that maintain the Christmas spirit.

Audio: The audio in Candy Cane Lane is lively and enhances the various scenarios that take place. Each scene has sound effects that get in where they fit in, whether it's suspense, competition, the sounds of clinging porcelain, and the list goes on. The music works well for this film as well, and outside of the music tucked into certain scenes, there's also a track compliments of Nick based on his music aspirations. It's cohesive. One thing I couldn't determine in regards to the audio... is the audio technology. I didn't find a listing regarding Dolby or DTS, but... I was able to enjoy surround sound audio in 5.1 channel. It would be nice if Amazon listed this information, but they probably assume that it's pointless.

Price: If you have Amazon Prime... Candy Cane Lane is free to enjoy with your subscription. So what can I say, even if you aren't into holiday films (that would be me), this one may be up your alley a tad more than the traditional ones. I'd put this in a category with Home Alone, Jingle All the Way, Elf, The Christmas Chronicles, and films like that. It delivers action-packed fun with a Christmas theme. So grab some hot cocoa, kick back, and let this cheerful tale take you on a laughter-filled journey through the whimsical world of Candy Cane Lane.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophima 

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2023 Wishmas Guide... for the Office Space!

 

Last but not least... you know we had to dish up a wishmas guide for the office space and the awesome people in it. Yeah... sometimes there are some not so cheery people tucked in there, but maybe their secret Santa can deliver something to turn that frown upside down. Please don't get this confused with buying your co-workers teeth whitener or toothbrushes, it would alllll go down hill from there.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, here's 2023's Wishmas Guide... for the Office Space!

Barista Coffee & Espresso Machine - If you need your coffee or espresso... and the coffee machine at work is down for the count, tag in one like the L'OR Barista Machine that can serve up both options. You can score this particular machine for 42% off right now. Works with various pod brands.

Desktop Zen Garden - Knock it out of the park as secret Santa this year. A Zen garden is a desktop escape that can help ease the mind during those 15 minute breaks or even zoning out during lunch breaks or between calls. Some positions are more stressful than they have to be, and this should be a welcomed gift. This example is the Sakura Budah option, but they vary by shape and design. This option is currently 24% off!

Bluetooth Speaker - While this could be a flashy option, here's a more subtle design for those seeking a clean subtle option the maintains a professional look. This is more ideal for those of you in an enclosed office space... because the built in mic allows for hands free calls in addition to other forms of audio you may listen to in the space (i.e. Lo-Fi). The Oontz Angle 3 has dual stereo drivers and delivers over 14 hours of play time. It's also built so that the bass is richer due to the downward facing passive bass radiator. Dual mode is also available if you have 2 speakers. This speaker is also IPX5 water resistent. There are also other fun options like the Coca-Cola Edition... so take your pick. This speaker is currently 30% off!

Desktop Organizers vary, and for good reason. We don't have the same needs or styles, and i'm glad we don't because there are some awesome organizers out there... like the Lovendo Pegboard 360 organizer. This option let's you utilize both sides and utilizes limited space. You can also connect others and connect it to the end of the desk if you need more of a divider between your desk and someone elses. This organizer is currently 25% off!

Micro Pinball Machine - This isn't exactly the typical gift recommended for a secret Santa exchange, but... the owner of the company could grab one or two of these to incorporate some fun into the workplace. It doesn't require a separate monitor, its all built in and comes with 40 built-in pinball games, Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble, Time Machine + It connects to Wifi, has bluetooth connectivity + HDMI. Why the connectivity? Well... it delivers global leaderboards, multiplayer, a game lobby, voice chat, and downloadable content (basically more games)! This is currently 20% off!

Desk plant - While you could simply buy someone a desk plant, this type of gift challenges your co-worker to grow a bonsai tree. This is a great gift for a co-worker who is super particular or likes to correct. They can focus on keeping the bonsai alive and well.

MuteMe PC Button - You may not believe you need such a device, but... a number of people have found themselves on a hot mic. Trust me, I've heard someone losing it in a meeting, and... it could have been avoided with such a device. Yes this is the one seen on Shark Tank. Works with Zoom, Teams, WebEx, Etc.

Desktop Robot - You might want to consider getting an Eilik robot or two for yourself based on their little personalities. It's also a useful robot that will countdown and all that good stuff. You can actually connect more than two, but it's all up to you how much you'd like to spend. Two Eilik's are entertaining enough... and you will see them having good times, feuding, playing, having a drink together, etc. This is one of the more inexpensive bots that i'd recommend for adults. If another company can recreate such a cool bot, why won't Disney knock it out of the park with StarWars bots? R2D2 could be a smart bot rolling around our desktop or something.

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