Gadgets for Girls

By Elizabeth Hanes

If you think only guys are gadget geeks, you need to get with the program, girl! Today's new generation of gadgets cater exclusively to the fairer sex. Here's a sampling of some things you might want to put on your holiday wish list.

Personal Digital Assistant with Ovulation Predictor - Dating just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the makers of the Blackberry. He wants to see you on Friday? You start to schedule the date, and whoops! Your PDA lets you know your eggs are ready to hatch that day. You suddenly "remember" you're going out of town on business for a week and reschedule. What could be easier? And just think: no more morning-after pills, no more nail biting in the days leading up to your start date, no more inconvenient pregnancies derailing your chances of making partner within three years.

Cellular Phone with Lie Detector - New from Samsung, this mobile phone can tell you instantly if he really means it when he signs off with, "Love you, babe." Built in circuits analyze his voice for signs of stress -- with 99% accuracy. You'll know when he's lying because the phone sends up a red flag (literally!) from the antenna whenever an untruth is detected. The feature can be deactivated for women who prefer to live in denial.

Robot Babysitter - She's not Rosie from the Jetsons, but she'll do a fine job watching your children while you're at a committee meeting or out on a date. Meet Gretchen, the latest in Honda's line of household robots. Designed to shepherd your children through homework, dinner, a bath and bedtime, Gretchen runs a tight ship. This no-nonsense robot is happy to hold your youngster on her 12-inch square plastic lap/tray table and recite a bedtime story, but children should watch out if they misbehave! Whining or recalcitrance will be met with a 20,000 volt, taser-like electrical shock, rendering the child blissfully unconscious so that Gretchen can gently transfer him or her to bed. What could be more charming? Pricey at $45,000, the babysitting robot is this year's must-have gift for the single social or corporate climber.

Thigh Driver - Why didn't we think of this? In time for Christmas from "As Seen on TV Products," the Thigh Driver attaches to your car's steering wheel. It not only acts as an exercise device, firming and toning your upper legs as you use them to steer, but it also frees up both your hands-allowing you to apply makeup with ease during the morning commute! Thigh Driver can be used alone or in conjunction with the Car-Curler, a curling iron that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and the Auto Spa, a 12-volt combination paraffin bath/steamer/aromatherapy module that fills your car with delightfully scented steam while providing a therapeutic paraffin dip for tired hands. Warning: not to be used while car is in motion. Now, if only someone would invent a gadget that lets the men in our lives see what gifts we really want for the holidays, we'd be set. Oh well.maybe next year!

HOLIDAY FEATURES

Turkey 101

Random Acts of Malice

The Diary of Mrs. Claus

Stalked by Santa

Antique Linen as Emergency Shrouds

Money Saving Tips for Christmas

The Single Girl's Holiday Survival Guide

How to Get What Your Really Want for Christmas

How to get a Diamond Ring for Xmas

The Twelve Minutes of Christmas