Cool Gadgets for Girls: Sun Jar

Cost: $30 at Amazon.com

The gimmick: Conceived by designer Tobias Wong, the Sun Jar is essentially a solar-powered nightlight. Leave it in a bright windowsill during the day and an internal solar cell charges a battery that powers a soft LED light. When it gets dark, a light sensor turns on the light.

What the experts say: Reviewers at BED Online Magazine think the Sun Jar is "one of those quirky little products which you fall in love with at first glance." New Electronic Gadgets is also impressed, calling it "a safe and serene way to add a bit of mood lighting to the moonlit patio area" and "a great alternative to paraffin or candle lit lanterns."

Upside: A watertight seal makes the Sun Jar ideal for the garden or outdoor setting, and it makes a safe, comforting nightlight for kids.

Downside: The jar needs to charge in direct sunlight, making winter-weather usage a little iffy. Those looking for serious illumination should look elsewhere.