The UsefulThings shop is chock full of handy and unique gadgets for your home, your office, and everywhere in between. Choose from a wide range of Kitchen & Bar products, gear for your Home, Office tools, or Travel gadgets. The following list contains this year’s new products, but if you don’t see anything that strikes your fancy here, be sure to check out the shop’s main menu. You’re sure to find something that will delight!

Chalk Chess
Draw your own chessboard at the park, the playground, the back patio, or wherever you go. The Chalk Chess pieces are handcrafted and designed to meet regulation standards. $19.95.




Key Caps
Don’t you hate it when you can’t figure out which key on the key ring belongs to which lock? Make it easy by sliding these clever key caps over the key’s head. Choose between Cozy Key Kaps, Cookeys, or Lucha Keys. Each package contains 2 caps. $4.95.

Multi Opener
The Multi Opener allows you to easily open 6 different types of seals and lids, including jar lids, bottle caps, bottle tops, pull tabs, safety seals, and bags. Keep one in the kitchen, and another in the camping gear, garage, or toolbox. Dishwasher safe. $9.95.

Camping Survival Tool
With 10 tools, the Camping Survival Tool will help you out of most situations. Tools include: whistle, compass, fire starter flint, LED light, thermometer, mirror, level, magnifier, and hygrometer. The light-weight clamshell casing is abuse resistant and highly portable. $12.95.

Travel Alarm Clock
Measuring only 6.45″ x 6.45″ x 1.25″, the Travel Alarm Clock will fit easily into a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, briefcase, or even your purse. Choose between a black or red faux leather pouch, which protects the alarm clock during travel. $9.95.

Folding Grater
Get the stability of a box grater, and the portability and easy storage of a flat grater with this innovative design. The grater also disassembles for easy cleaning, and is dishwasher safe. Two grating surfaces allow for fine or course grating. $10.95.

Salt and Peeper—Salt and Pepper Shaker
This cute bird is a combination salt and pepper shaker. Twist the bird’s head to the right to dispense salt, and to the left to dispense pepper. Just in case you have doubts, the bird’s eyes will turn blue for salt, and black for pepper. $9.95.

Solar Book Light
Perfect for your bedside, flights, or even camping, the Solar Book Light contains a single rechargeable battery and two bright LED lights. The battery is charged from the sun to provide you with light wherever you go—electricity or not. The Solar Book Light also comes with a clip and mini pen. $11.95.

Solar Lamp
At only 7.75″ high and 3.75″ in diameter, the Solar Lamp can be used just about anywhere! Place it on your nightstand, your desk, or even take it camping! The solar panel on the top of the lamp keeps the lithium battery charged for hours, and the LED bulb provides extra energy efficiency. Choose between blue or clear. $14.95.

Luckey–Key Chain Bottle Opener
This key-styled bottle opener slides onto your key ring, so you’ll never be without a bottle opener again. The Luckey even looks like a key with its thick, stainless steel brushed finish. Heavy-duty key ring included. $6.95.

Charcoal Odor Neutralizers
These all-natural charcoal neutralizers eliminate odors wherever you place them. Use them in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, your office, or the car. The handy hangers also make for easy use in closets and storage areas. The neutralizers absorb the odors while releasing a natural aromatic scent instead. Choose between “Happy”—a blend of orange and bergamot—or the refreshing scent of peppermint in “Adventure.” $2.95.

Glow in the Dark Playing Cards
Great for camping or other outdoor trips, the Glow-in-the-Dark Playing Cards provide hours of entertainment well after dark. When fully charged, the cards will stay lit for 2 hours. To charge, simply place near a light source. The cards are fully waterproof, and even come in a waterproof case. $9.95.

LED Flashlight
No batteries required! This super compact and bright flashlight runs off manual energy. Crank the black handle a few times, and the LED lights will emit light for 30 minutes or more. Measuring only 1.5″ x 1.25″ x .05″, the LED Flashlight is easily carried in glove boxes, pockets, purses, or even key chains. Choose between black, orange, yellow, or white. $5.95.

Chopping Mats
Easily separate your meat, seafood, poultry, fruits, and/or veggies with these color-coded chopping mats. Use one color for each food group, and you won’t have to worry about cross-contamination. The mats are flexible for easy transfer and storage, and dishwasher safe. $9.95 for a set of 4.

Want to help save and protect the planet without compromising comfort and convenience? Useful Things has plenty of eco-conscience gadgets. Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce food waste, save water, or cut back on your energy consumption, Useful Things offers handy gadgets for all types of needs.

Sun Jar
Perfect for a romantic dinner on your patio, ambience in the tub, or even as a night light, the Sun Jar emits a warm, pleasant glow for up to five hours when fully charged. Just place the Sun Jar in direct sunlight for a few hours, and you’ll be rewarded with hours of eco-friendly light provided by the Sun Jar’s highly efficient solar cell, rechargeable battery, and low energy LED lamps. The Sun Jar is 100% waterproof for outdoor applications, and can withstand any weather conditions. $34.95.

Sun Jar from UsefulThings.com.

Solar or Hand Crank Radio
Power this hand-sized radio with the sun’s rays, and have hours of AM/FM radio enjoyment. Alternatively, hand crank the radio for one minute, and you’ll get thirty minutes of play time. The Solar or Hand Crank Radio is small enough to fit in pockets, tackle boxes, and backpacks. $24.95.

Solar or Hand Crank AM/FM Radio from UsefulThings.com.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Quit buying bottled water packaged in chemical-laden plastic! These stainless steel water bottles pose no health risk, and are durable enough for years and years of constant use. Their double-walled design ensures beverages stay hot or cold, and the easy to remove screw-top requires only one twist of the wrist! Available in three sizes—16.9 oz, 20.3 oz, and 23.6 oz.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles from UsefulThings.com.

Compressed Towels
Made from 100% Bamboo, these expandable towels are hypoallergenic, organic, and completely compostable. When compressed, the towels are only slighter larger than a poker chip. With just three teaspoons of water, however, the towel expands into a 12″ x 20″ hand towel. A pack of 10 only costs $9.95, so you can toss a compressed towel in your purse, briefcase, glove box, tackle box, diaper bag, desk drawer, and carry-on, and still have a couple leftover!

Compressed Towels from UsefulThings.com.

Herb and Plant Moisture Monitor
Don’t overwater your indoor plants and herbs! Give them the perfect amount of moisture, and they will give you years of culinary delight and clean indoor air. Simply insert the rod end of the Herb and Plant Tender into the soil, and when it needs water, the LED light will blink. Buy one for each plant, or rotate between them, making sure to reset the device in between. $ 12.95.

Herb Tender—Soil Moisture Monitor from UsefulThings.com.

USB Battery Charger
Charge two AA nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries while surfing the net, playing games, or working. The USB Battery charger plugs into any USB port, and will fully charge the batteries in 4-6 hours. A safety circuit will prevent overcharging, and automatically turn off when the batteries are charged. Batteries included. $20.95.

USB Battery Charger from UsefulThings.com.

Shredding Scissors
For small shredding jobs, why invest in an electricity-powered shredder, or resort to burning? Instead, opt for an eco-friendly version—the Shredder Scissors. The Shredder Scissors consist of nine, sharp blades that quickly and easily turn unneeded important documents into unreadable strips, or confetti. $18.95.

Shredder Scissors from UsefulThings.com.

Bag Clips with Expiration Setter
Conscious about wasting food? These Bag Clips with Expiration Setter will help you eat your food before it spoils. When you open a bag of chips, nuts, veggies, or other packaged food, set the day and month of opening, or the date of the expiration date. Each pack includes 6 bag clips—2 red, 2 green, and 2 white—which can be used to help establish a color-coded system of which foods should be eaten immediately, and which have a longer shelf life. $6.95.

Bag Clips with Expiration Setter from UsefulThings.com.

Digital Day Counter
Don’t let your canned, jarred, or other foodstuffs spoil. Use a Digital Day Counter to mark how long that jar of spaghetti sauce, that can of peaches, or that bag of coffee, has been open. The Digital Day Counter comes in three versions—a rubber band style, a magnetic version, and a suction cup. $9.95 for a set of 2.

Digital Day Counter from UsefulThings.com.

If you’re traveling to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia this year, this list of travel gear will help you get there and back in comfort. Every gadget is small enough to fit into your carry-on—just be sure it’s allowed past security! The Winter Olympics will be held February 12-28th, and will be aired on NBC.

Packing List

You won’t forget a thing with the aid of this Packing List. With four main categories and fifteen subcategories, you’ll be reminded to pack everything from your toothbrush to your cell phone charger. The notepad measures 6×9 and includes 60 sheets.

Packing List from Useful Things.

Manicure Sets

These useful and attractive manicure sets will have you looking your best at the events and festivities. Choose from Black Leather, Red Leather, Brown Suede, Stainless Steel, and four other styles. All kits are compact and include a variety of tools, including tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, and more.

Manicure Sets from Useful Things.

Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn

This Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn folds flat and only measures 3.75″. The anodized aluminum cover serves as a shoehorn, and folds over to protect the lint brush. Great price at only $6.95!

Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn from Useful Things.

Travel Sewing Kit

Don’t let a ripped pair of ski pants or a frayed sweater ruin your day. Whip out this handy Travel Sewing Kit and fix ‘er up! Includes six standard colors of thread, 3 needles, a needle threader, 3 buttons, and 2 button fasteners.

Travel Sewing Kit from Useful Things.

USB Battery Charger

Charge those batteries on the flight to Vancouver! The USB Battery Charger will charge 2 AA batteries in 4-6 hours when plugged into your operating computer. 2 nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries included.

USB Battery Charger from Useful Things.

Compressed Towel/Expandable Travel Towel

With as little as three teaspoons of water, you can transform a poker chip sized compressed towel into a 12″ x 20″ soft hand towel. The towels can be reused, and are made from 100% bamboo, which makes them compostable. They are also hypoallergenic and organic. Comes in packs of 10 individually wrapped towels that are small enough to fit into purses, packs, and even pockets.

Compressed Towels from Useful Things.

Oxi Clean Wipes

You won’t have to worry about staining your clothing when you’ve got an Oxi Clean Wipe around. Stash a few in your purse, briefcase, carry-on, or day pack, and have these stain busting wipes at your disposal wherever you are.

Oxi Clean Wipes from Useful Things.

LED Compass

Don’t get lost if you’re out enjoying the countryside of British Columbia! This LED Compass has an illuminated face and built in magnifying glass. It’s also liquid filled so the dial will always stay upright.

LED Compass from Useful Things.

Pocket Reference

Things a little different in Canada? No worries. With the Pocket Ref, you convert measurements, look up formulas, maps, tables, and a wealth of other info. Also great for help with construction, electronics, math, money, weather, and more.

Pocket Reference from Useful Things.

Book Diversion Safe

Keep those valuables safe in your hotel room while you’re out enjoying the events. This diversion safe looks like a real book, but open it up and you’ll find a velour lined compartment that measures 6.5″ x 4″ x 1″. Available in a variety of titles.

Book Diversion Safe from Useful Things.

Collapsible Silicone Funnel
The accordion-style pleats on this funnel allow it to collapse to fit easily into even the smallest of drawers. When in use, expand the funnel to its full 4″ in diameter by 4″ height, or any size in between. Made entirely of silicone, the Collapsible Silicone Funnel is dishwasher safe and heat and cold resistant.

Collapsible Silicone Funnel from Useful Things.

Classic Camping Tool
The ultimate space saver for campers, backpackers, travelers, and more, the Classic Camping Tool includes a fork, knife, spoon, bottle opener, file, and corkscrew all in one. At only 3.5″ x 1″ x .5″, the Classic Camping Tool will fit easily into packs and pockets, and its stainless steel construction is abuse resistant. This affordable, compact tool is a steal at $8.95.

Classic Camping Tool from Useful Things.

Flybary Bookshelf
Great for dorm rooms or offices with limited floor space, this bookshelf attaches to the wall without any visible support, giving the illusion that your books are floating in mid-air. The 15″x5.5″x5″ Flybary Bookshelf costs $29.95 and will hold twelve books.

Flybary Bookshelf from Useful Things.

Conceal Bookshelf
Store your most important books close at hand, without taking up floor space. The invisible supports on this bookshelf, which attach to the wall, are undetectable from any angle, creating the striking illusion that your books are suspended on air. The Conceal Bookshelf is available in two sizes—the small version is 8″ in depth, while the large version holds books up to 10″ in depth. Both hold up to 20 pounds of books.

Conceal Bookshelf from Useful Things.

Pill Towel – Expandable Travel Towel
The size of a poker chip when dry, the Expandable Travel Towel needs just three teaspoons of water to become a 12″ x 20″ soft and absorbent hand towel. Their incredibly compact size makes them perfect for glove boxes, purses, carry-ons, gym bags, diaper bags, and camping gear, and because they’re composed of 100% bamboo, they are compostable, hypoallergenic, and organic. The Pill Towel comes in a pack of ten individually wrapped towels for $9.95.

Pill Towel—Expandable Travel Towel from Useful Things.

Moon Pillbox
Only 2″ in diameter, this durable pillbox has a double compartment that folds out for easy storage of pills, vitamins, chewing gum, breath mints, jewelry, safety pins, buttons, or any other tiny thing you need to keep track of. The divider keeps the compartments separate, and the color-coding is great for differentiating between morning medication and night.

Moon Pillbox from Useful Things.

Travel Sewing Kit
With 6 colors of thread, 3 needles, a needle threader, 3 buttons, and 2 button fasteners, this Travel Sewing Kit can fix rips, tears, frays, unraveling hems, missing buttons, and more. Its small size ensures easy storage in travel carry-ons, purses, camping gear, glove boxes, or anywhere else you might need it.

Travel Sewing Kit from Useful Things.

Travel Lint Brush & Shoehorn
Looking great while traveling is easy with this ultra compact Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn. Easily de-lint your suits, dresses, pants, and blouses with the pocket-sized Lint Brush, and use the Shoehorn to protect your dress shoes from damage. The Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn only takes up 3.75″ of space and costs $6.95.

Travel Lint Brush and Shoehorn from Useful Things.

Stainless Steel Manicure Set
The compact 4″ x 3″ x 1″ stainless steel case of this manicure set contains a pair of large nail clippers, a pair of small nail clippers, a pocket knife, cuticle pushers, cuticle scissors, and precision tweezers. Great for the guy on the go, this Stainless Steel Manicure Set is attractive and practical, without taking up much space at all.

Stainless Steel Manicure Set from Useful Things.

Who isn’t looking to save their hard-earned money, especially in this sluggish economy? These useful products for the home, office, and beyond, help you do just that. Use them for years to come, and keep the extra dollars you save for things that are more important.

Packing List
With the Packing List, you’ll never go away for a week or weekend and forget an item important enough that you must repurchase it. The Packing List includes check-lists for clothing, hygiene, basics, and miscellaneous, including 15 additional subcategories, such as documents and accessories. By packing the essentials, and only the essentials, you will also save money on baggage fees if you’re traveling via airline. Each Packing List comes with 60 sheets.

Packing List from Useful Things.

Personal Library Kit
Tired of replacing those beloved books you’ve loaned out? The Personal Library Kit will help you, and your borrowers, keep track of which books belong to whom. Equipped with 20 self-adhesive pockets, 20 check-out cards, a date stamp, and stamp pad, the Personal Library Kit is great for students, offices, or the general bookworm.

Personal Library Kit from Useful Things.

Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks From Japan
Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan by Lisa Katayama, will teach you over 100 secret lifestyle techniques that can save you from hiring a service to do it for you. In this compact book, you will learn how to: clean spilled candle wax, smooth rough skin, control body odor, fix a scratched CD, and much more.

Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan from Useful Things.

Pocket Ref
The Pocket Ref is packed with useful information that can save you time and money. From carpentry to computers, electronics, first aid, money tips, travel distances, area and zip codes, knot tying guides, and tons more, The Pocket Ref is your handy guide to everything you need to know. Its pocket size allows you to store it in small spaces, such as a glove box, or pack it with you wherever you go.

Pocket Ref from Useful Things.

Herb Tender – Soil Moisture Monitor
Over or under watering plants inevitably leads to their demise. Take care of the plants you have, and stop replacing them with new ones. It’s easy with the Herb Tender/Soil Moisture Monitor. Insert the rod into your plant, and if your plant is thirsty, the LED light will blink. No need to test the moisture of the soil with your finger, or guess. The Herb Tender/Soil Moisture Monitor lets the plant tell you when it needs a drink.

Herb Tender/Soil Moisture Monitor from Useful Things.

Herb Garden in a Cup
Fresh herbs make a great addition to home-cooked meals, but supermarket herbs rarely taste as fresh as you want them to. Plus, they are expensive and come in bunches too large for the average cook to use before they go bad. The Herb Garden in a Cup solves all of these problems. You can grow your own herbs on a small scale in whatever space you have available. Plucked right from the soil, your herbs will taste ultra fresh, and you won’t find yourself spending money for herbs you can’t use.

Herb Garden in a Cup from Useful Things.

Bag Clips with Expiration Setter
Keep your bags of potato chips, cookies, dried fruits, nuts, and salad mixes fresh with these Bag Clips. The Bag Clips come equipped with a day/month indicator that lets you know when your food is headed south, so you eat it before its time is up. Each pack includes 6 Bag Clips in three colors—red, green, and white.

Bag Clips with Expiration Setter from Useful Things.

Solar or Hand Crank Powered AM/FM Radio

No need to spend money on electricity or expensive, bulky batteries to keep this radio going. Powered by the sun’s rays, it will play for seven hours when fully charged. On rainy days, just turn the hand crank. One minute of cranking will give you thirty minutes of play time. Its small size—3.25″ x 3″ x 2.25″—make this radio extremely portable. Use it in the kitchen or garage, listen to it while you’re in the shower, or even pack it with your camping gear.

Solar or Hand Crank Powered AM/FM Radio from Useful Things.

Pink Flocked Piggy Bank
Store your extra change in this cute Pink Flocked Piggy Bank, and cash it in on that rainy day or when you’re wanting something special. The bank has a rubber stopper in its belly that allows for easy access, and at 4.25″ tall, it can hold plenty of change, while still being small enough to fit wherever you want it.

Pink Flocked Piggy Bank from Useful Things.