When it comes to Christmas, everyone would like to wave a magic wand and make it all a little bit easier. The stress of shopping, organising and travelling can be enough to drive anyone mad. Fear not for Christmas 2012, as technology can make your holiday a lot less stressful.

Steamer
Cooking a family meal can mean a busy kitchen at the best of times, but a Christmas dinner requires 10 times the effort. An electric steamer can free up space on the hob for more important cooking. You can steam large qualities of vegetables at one time, using less water than boiling. It’s not only perfect for Christmas. It makes every day cooking easier and healthier, as steaming your vegetables has been proven to keep more nutrients than boiling.

Heated ice scraper
No one likes getting up in the morning. Making sure that the car windows are clear of ice and frost can seem like a demanding task, but it is necessary to drive safely. Hot water can crack your windscreen and simply scraping can take too long. With a heated ice scraper, the windscreen is protected from damage and the ice is partially melted before lifting it off. Most models plug into the cigarette lighter, so eliminates the need for batteries or recharging.

Gloves for touchscreens
Smartphones already make things a lot easier for us. Using them in the cold weather, though, can be a pain. Keeping your extremities warm can help to keep the rest of your warm, so a good pair of gloves is essential whilst out and about. Trying to take a vital call would mean taking off your gloves and trying to stash them in pockets before the caller hangs up. Not with the newly developed touch screen gloves. Woven into the fingertips are either heat conductors or traces of metal. With these, you will be able to use your smartphone without getting frozen fingers.

Battery, bulb and fuse tester
It may not be the most glamorous of gadgets, but is incredibly useful around this time of year. This piece of technology will tell you what batteries still work, which light bulbs haven’t blown and most importantly, whether your Christmas fairy lights work all the way along the sequence. With new toys and electronics coming into the house at Christmas, finding old batteries and lights that still work can save a fortune.

Android TV

This new Android device simply plugs into your TV with limited cable hassle. It provides interactive home entertainment that connects to the internet and uses customisable apps. It will keep the kids entertained for hours with games and streamed movies. It’s simpler and safer than setting up a laptop for them. Finally, after all the gifts are bought and wrapped, it’s a great way to relax in the evening.

Unfortunately, no one has discovered a gadget to do all the Christmas shopping for us. If you’re stuck with Christmas present ideas, why not make a friend’s winter a little easier? These gadgets can be bought as gifts for those whom you think need a warming treat this holiday season.

Beth O’Brien is a Bournemouth University student, who’s passionate about technology and gaming.