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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:

Corner Placement: Placing the subwoofer in a corner can enhance the bass response by utilizing the walls to amplify the sound.
Front of the Room: Positioning the subwoofer at the front of the room, near the main speakers, can create a more cohesive soundstage.
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:

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.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: A classic racing game that never gets old. Compete against each other in exciting races and battle modes.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat: A hilarious and frantic cooking game where teamwork is key to serving up dishes in crazy kitchens.
Minecraft: Explore, build, and survive together in this sandbox game that offers endless possibilities for creativity and adventure.
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).
Super Mario Party Jamboree: The biggest Mario Party yet, with over 110 minigames, new online and offline modes, and plenty of customization choices.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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Fight the Chill: Top Safest Space Heaters... on Amazon!

As the temperatures begin to dip, a number of us turn our sights toward the thermostat... and I'm sure certain thoughts come to mind as well. Should I warm things up with the heater and potentially face a higher light bill? Can I hack it by simply turning off the AC? Should I go ahead and invest in a space heater? What if I just sleep in a thick Halloween costume created by someone named Nancy? Okay... okay, maybe not the last question, but... if your answer is a space heater, then this is the article for you:

This list of space heaters is in no particular order:

Lasko 755320 Ceramic Space Heater

The Lasko 755320 is an oscillating space heater that offers two settings for high and low heat, and features an adjustable thermostat to keep the temperature in your room warm. Additionally, the heater comes equipped with built-in safety features, including a tip-over kill switch and overheat protection, ensuring that the ETL-listed product won't overheat even if left on for an extended period of time. One key advantage of this heater is that its exterior remains cool to the touch. The Lasko 755320 is best suited for medium-sized rooms, typically measuring around 12 ft x 18 ft (or 216 sqft).

If you're not familiar with ETL certification, it's worth noting that it's received through a third-party organization called Intertek, which is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by OSHA and accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. This certification is a testament to the Lasko 755320's safety and reliability which increases peace of mind.

It's important to remember that even with certification, common sense is still required to prevent accidents. Avoid placing the heater near clutter, flammable, and combustible objects, and always give it enough space to work effectively.

While none of the products listed are the newest models on the market, they remain some of the safest options available.

The rest of the list includes:

DeLonghi TRD40615T Full Room Radiant Heater

This heater provides a range of features, including a child lock, manual thermostat, 24-hour timer, and overheat and tip-over protection. Moreover, the heater is designed to minimize dry air and provide a comfortable warm space. One standout feature of the DeLonghi TRD40615T is its anti-freeze setting, which automatically switches on the heater to help prevent frozen pipes in basements or vacation homes. If you're using this heater while you're away, it's best to have additional safety measures in place such as a camera in combination with a smart smoke detector and a smart outlet, as an extra safety measure The DeLonghi TRD40615T is ideal for medium and small rooms, with small rooms typically measuring around 10 ft x 13 ft (or 130 sqft).

Honeywell HCE323V Digital Ceramic Heater

One standout feature of this heater is its thermal insulated wiring, which prevents wires from burning. It also comes equipped with tip-over protection and overheat protection, which provides added safety and peace of mind. The heater can warm up large rooms, typically measuring around 15 ft x 20 ft (or 300 sqft), making it a practical and efficient option for households of all sizes. Another important feature to note is the innovative Safeguard motion sensor, which automatically shuts off the heater if anything comes too close to it. This feature sets the Honeywell HCE323V apart from other models on the market.

Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater

The Dr. Infrared Portable Space Heater is a cute addition to the living space. With its 1500-watt output and wooden exterior, it stands out from traditional heaters on the market. Additionally, it comes with several useful features, including built-in wheels for easy portability, tip-over protection for added safety, and the ability to heat up even large rooms. Notably, this product has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in both the USA and Canada. UL Solutions is a trusted organization that conducts rigorous testing and inspection of products seeking certification, ensuring that consumers can rely on the quality and safety of the products they purchase.

Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Ceramic Fan Heater