Joby GorillaPod Flexible Camera Tripod

So how is it it took me until July 31 to figure out this whole "Christmas in July" business?! No matter, here on my blog it's been Christmas since, well, last Christmas!

So, here's a little luxury stocking stuffer that's perfect for anyone with a compact digital camera. The Joby GorillaPod is a flexible, bendy, twisty tripod that you attach to the bottom of your camera, and then stand it up or even wrap it around a tree branch, a lamp, one of the rails in your banister, or anything else you can think of. I got one of these last year for Christmas and it really works. I wrapped it around one of our halogen floor lamps, which means I was able to position the camera at the perfect height to do a group self-portrait instead of stacking books, running around to look through the viewer to see if I had it right, stacking more books....

The Joby website says that the original GorillaPod is ideal for point-and-shoot compact cameras that weigh up to 325g or 11.5 ounces. They also make bigger GorillaPods for larger 35mm cameras, cameras with large lenses attached, and even video cameras. Their web page even has a useful feature that lets you use pull-down menus to select first the make and then the specific model of your camera, and then they tell you which size GorrilaPod works for it.

The original GorillaPod is $24.95 plus shipping direct from the Joby website. It's also available from Amazon for as low as $16.25, and it qualifies towards the free super saver shipping or Amazon Prime free shipping if you have it. I'm sure it's also available in dedicated camera stores.

The GorillaPod is smaller in person that you would expect from looking at it online, so it definitely works as a stocking stuffer. But it's still big enough to get the job done!

What: Joby GorillaPod Flexible Camera Tripod
Where: Joby website, Amazon, or camera stores
How much (as of today's post): ranges from $16.25 to $24.95