JuJuDeals

You may be thinking to yourself, “Self, if someone were to ask me what I could do with a 7″ digital photo frame with speakers, I bet I’d be able to tell them pretty easily,” and that’s probably true. But the response you would give to the theoretical question is probably a pretty generic one. You can get way more creative than just popping vacation photos and a Jimmy Buffet song on the thing and leaving it on the shelf.

1. Regular style. Put a few meaningful pictures and sentimental songs on it. Put it by the front door, on a shelf, or in the hallway so guests can enjoy the virtual tour of your life.
2. Highly targeted motivational device. Download pictures of people winning races, climbing mountains, rocking on stage, or whatever else the end goal of your current aspirations are. Have it play Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, You’re the Best by Joe Esposito, and anything else you can think of that oozes 80’s inspirational montage. Use it as an evolving motivational poster, a slightly ridiculous visualization tool, and a private trainer for your home gym.
3. Ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend inoculation. If you’re the sort of person who, in their weaker (or more inebriated) moments, is known for trying to jumpstart old relationships that ended in some degree of disaster, this can really help you avoid doing that. Load pictures of your various exes (especially ones that are unflattering, display a personal quirk you couldn’t stand, or remind you of a huge fight), then record and load yourself giving brief explanations of why you are not with that person any longer. Nothing will freeze those nostalgic feelings in their tracks like seeing a picture of your ex letting their dog lick their open mouth while your voice chastises you for thinking you should get back with the person who said you were their soulmate on the first date.
4. The Best Valentine’s Gift You’ve Ever Even Heard Of.
5. Baby Hypnosis Unit. Put pictures of mom, pop, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, gran-gran, pep-pep, and anyone else you like enough to permanently imprint onto a baby’s malleable psyche. Load up lullabies, family and friends saying loving or reassuring things, and other baby-friendly audio materials. Mount it near the standard baby funtime chandelier and turn it on from time to time so your baby can strengthen its eye muscles and recognition skills while you brainwash it into unyielding loyalty.

We could do this all day, but we think you get the idea. The uses for a device like this are really only limited by your imagination. What other “outside the box” applications can you think of? As usual, drop it in the comments, amigos!

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Love is in the air. Unless you thought you could get away with giving your significant other another teddy bear this year. Honestly, it’s cute the first time, but when they get a gift like that for the third consecutive year, they’re going to start to wonder if you actually know anything about them. If you gave another thoughtless gift this year, you deserve that night you spent on the couch! Don’t make the same mistake next year. Show you’re paying attention by giving a gift that means something to the both of you. Here’s our totally awesome, sure-fire recommendation for next year (or that impending anniversary):

• Get a digital picture frame like this one. Notice how it plays audio. This will be important.
• Upload every sweet picture of the two of you that you can find. If you don’t have any, take some! Go on a picnic or to the beach and snag a whole bunch.
• Upload “your song.” If you don’t have one, shame on you! Rectify that immediately. You can’t go wrong with old school Motown, like Marvin Gaye or Al Green. Pop in a mix CD and dance in the kitchen with your sweetie while the two of you make a romantic dinner, just because. You’ll have “your song” in no time.
• When the moment comes, wrap the picture frame up in some nice paper, put a big bow on it, and sneak it somewhere cute and surprising, like their desk at work, in their briefcase, or under their pillow.

• Get ready for all the hugs and smooches you can handle as they melt all over themselves at the most thoughtful gift ever. Seeing all those sweet memories glide by on the screen, accompanied by the touching melody of “Let’s Stay Together” (or maybe some Prince, if your love is a bit more funky-freaky), well they just might forgive you for forgetting their birthday again. Just make sure to include the batteries!