Hot Water
Great unusual retro gifts of phones and hot water bottles
If, like me, you were looking for something slightly unusual as a gift this year, and wanted to avoid the endless trolleying around M&S, then I might well have saved you a considerable amount of shoe leather.
Whilst doing a routine online search for unusual gifts I stumbled upon a site packed with products that called out to me to investigate further. My attention was first grabbed by the references to ‘ethical’ and ‘clear conscience shopping’. Great! It was clear to me that here was a company who actually cared about where their products were coming from – unlike some I could mention. i am all for giving the small trader somewhere the opportunity to earn a decent crust.
Mobiles with the sound of old fashiioned phones, immediately evoke a memory of a bygone era when everything was in ‘black and white’. They sound great, but it still brings to mind the word ‘phoney’. You are left with warm feeling evoking a bygone era. It is ironic that so much interest comes from the generation of people who have been weaned on ‘high tech’ and digital.
But retro has always appealed, as different generations like to revive the sense of style with fashions and music. The imagination of contemporary designers are often sparked by products, music and fashion influenced by bygone eras. Retro telephones are no exception to the rule. These items of style are a ‘must have’ for any fashion-conscious home.
Perhaps my favourite retro phone is the Dreyfuss 500 black retro telephone. Designed by Henry Dreyfuss, it was introduced in 1949 and became one of the most commonly used telephones in the USA. You can get it in white, black or chrome, and it uses a standard plug socket. Don’t wander from room to room with one of these telephones, otherwise you will end up will a large hole in the wall!
Other retro items that caught my attention were their range of hot water bottles. You would rarely see these boring objects, manufactured in two or three colours, and only on a cold snap. Have a look at these great styles, and their shapes and colours. Real fun! Anyone in my family would love the range of designs on offer. One of my favourites is the Zebra style, manufactured to bio-degrade. I particularly feel good about the fact that it is still summer time, and I have already solved my first Christmas present headache.
Level 42 – Hot Water (live) – 1984
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Misto Olive Oil Sprayer … |
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Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System … |
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Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker … |
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Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits $5.40 CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL CHRONICLE: 20 GREATEST HITS… |
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Exister [+digital booklet] $8.99 … |
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Exister $8.44 Hot Water Music has achieved a lasting relevance that most acts only dream of, releasing seven full-length albums, countless singles and touring with everyone from Flogging Molly to Coheed & Cambria. Combining elements of punk rock and post-hardcore, the band pioneered a blend of music that has inspired bands like The Gaslight Anthem and Against Me!. With high expectations set by critics and fans … |
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Night of the Running Man [VHS] $19.63 … |
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Sexual Response [VHS] $19.95 … |
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Victim of Desire [VHS] $14.98 … |
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Gilmour 13 Brass 2-Way Connector $6.50 Gilmour 13 Brass Y-ConnectorGilmour 13 Brass Y-Connector Features:; Y-connector lets you use 2 hoses from a single faucet; Solid Brass body with large control knobs for ease of use and an EZ-on connector; Swivel connector aligns Y with faucet; Carded… |