This may not be the year of the one “must have” gift but it seems there is one product that is being so heavily advertised it is on many wish lists.  And if you like soda and always had the desire to make your own, the SodaStream should be on your list, too.

Though this kitchen gadget may one day be stored in a tucked away cabinet next to that bread maker, waffle iron, mixing bowl and George Foreman grill, the SodaStream is a neat idea for people and families who like soda, energy drinks and tea while also having a conscience with helping the environment and saving money.

The machine comes in six models and colors ranging from plastic bottles to glass carafes.   Prices start at $79 and up to $199.  All models have a modern, slim-design look and indeed can make tasty cold beverages in a matter of minutes.  Fill the bottle with cold water and attach it to the machine which then injects carbonation into the water.  You can stop and drink that carbonated water right there but the fun is just beginning.

SodaStream offers about 60 flavors of soda mix to rival the full product lines of major soda manufacturers.   From cola, cherry cola, Dr. Pete’s (think Dr. Pepper), Ginger Ale, grape, and lemon-line flavors to green tea, peach iced tea and pomegranate-peach tea, you can appease almost any taste bud.  The flavor mixes are sold at retailers like Bed, Beth & Beyond and Macy’s so it is easy to restock your cabinet.  To make each drink simply add a capful of your favorite flavor to the carbonated water.  Gently shake the bottle and pour over ice.

The mix flavors are about $5 per bottle and make the equivalent of 33 cans of soda.

The company is generous with the facts of how its product helps the environment by helping reduce the production of new soda bottles and cans (460 billion cans and bottle are manufactured worldwide each year).  It also touts that making your own soda at home can also save you from lugging around heavy bottles from the store to your home.

Oh yeah, the taste?   Most of the flavors my family tried are pretty good.  My kids seem to have fun making the soda and have even come up with a money-making idea.  Instead of selling lemonade or snowcones next summer, be on the lookout for the Garfield Boys Soda Shop.  They have to start their college funds somehow.

As I continue to recommend gifts for the holidays I generally like to classify them as either a) hot, b) useful, c) must-have, or d) grandma must have this.  This next item is just pure and simple F-U-N.

Griffin Technology is known for making great accessories for Apple products and other smartphones and tablets.  From power chargers to cases and covers I have recommended Griffin accessories for years.  But I am shouting from the rooftops with this one…GET THE HELO TC TOUCH-CONTROLLED HELICOPTER!  I still have trouble putting this toy down.

Remote-controlled helicopters are fascinating and I have tried enough of them to know the ones that will last about 3 flights before they break from the more durable ones that will last long after those daredevil landings on the pet dog.  I am very impressed with the HELO TC from Griffin as it is not only a durable device but it ingeniously uses your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to control the chopper in flight.

The HELO TC ships with a radio frequency module that connects to your Apple gadget’s earphone jack.  It comes with 2 clips so you can slide it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.  Download the free app from iTunes and then launch the app…and then launch the chopper.

The controls are simple to use that respond to your touch and finger swipes on the app.  Once you master the on-screen controls it is possible to switch to a more challenging tilt-to-steer functionality.  The helicopter itself is sleek with colored lights that can be turned on and off.  The colors really make it look cool though it eats up battery life faster.  The internal battery on the helicopter lasts about 8 minutes of flight time and charges in about 35 minutes when connected to the included USB cord.

The HELO TC app can record and store up to three different flight plans so you or another pilot can repeat favorite flight patterns.  Needless to say all three of my kids earned their wings quicker than I did.

The HELO TC retails for $49.99 and can be bought online at the Griffin Technology website.  Free shipping is available through Christmas and if you use the coupon code “jingle10″ you will get an additional 10% off.

Have you ever lost your power cord while traveling?  Don’t answer that and embarrass yourself.  I’ve done it several times which is why I have a few back up power adapters.  But I rarely buy these adapters from the original manufacturer.  So let’s look at one option.

I have been using the PlugBug from twelvesouth as it is small, convenient and has a neat little feature not found on many other adapters.  This feature is very handy if you have a Macbook AND either an iPad, iPod or iPhone.   In any of these cases, you will be impressed with what the PlugBug can do:  piggy-back on a MacBook power adapter and provide both USB charging and MacBook power through a single outlet.  It can also act as a standalone iPad/iPhone charger and offers 10W so that your iPad will charge at full speed.

The twelvesouth peeps designed the PlugBug so you can easily keep both cords wrapped around it while plugged into an outlet.  And if you travel frequently now you need to pack just one charger instead of two.

And if you think the bright red color of the device is a bit loud for the more muted white, silver or black tones of your Apple products, you can be sure you won’t leave the PlugBug behind in a hotel room as it certainly stands out.

The PlugBug runs $34.99 and includes free shipping in the U.S. if you order soon.

Companies keep coming out with tablets and smartphones and they expect us to carry and use them all the time.  I have reviewed so many device cases and holders that they all seem to look and do the same thing.  A few of the newer models of protective cases also do double-duty by propping the device up for easier viewing and use.  But if you want to go one step further, take a look at the products from ZeroChroma that do triple-duty.

With the tag line of “change your point of view,” ZeroChroma cases for the iPad, iPhone, Kindle and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 do indeed protect the device while allowing you use them in lap, table and angle modes.  The cases have an ingenius rotating theater-stand that folds flat.   Some of the rotating stands rotate up to 15 different angles for hands-free movies, FaceTime, gaming, email, and everything else you do on your gadgets.

Have you ever watched a movie on your iPad or iPhone and had to hold it in your hands for two hours?  No more.  This was the first thing I thought of when I slipped my Galaxy Tab 7 in its ZeroChroma case.  Finally…hands-free viewing.  Each case has an anti-slip rubber edge and stand tip to prevent slipping even if the surface isn’t level.

The cases vary from about $25-50 depending on which device you want to wrap inside it.  Colors are pretty standard with black and white though the iPhone 4S case also comes in hot pink.

If you plan to give someone a tablet or a smartphone this season, you may want to include a ZeroChroma case in as a stocking stuffer.