For truly unique, you can't beat 'handmade'. Etsy has some very talented clock-makers. Below are a few from my favorite Shops.
You can also browse throughout Etsy to search for your own unique ideas. Click here to get to Etsy
Owl Wall Clock | Decoylab on Etsy
DECOYLAB is a designer/illustrator in Kansas City, Missouri who makes very unique timepieces using wood and paper.
Pictured here is an Owl Wall Clock, from her collection for the nursery/kids room that are simple, modern and fun!
This clock is made with laser cut, ¼ thick 3 ply bamboo and clock parts .The clock measures Size: 6" w x 8” h x .75” d. Made with sturdy 3ply bamboo (¼” thickness)
Clock for your Craft Room
If your 'hobby' is in the field of fiber arts, like me, time spent in your craft room would be fun with a clock that represents your favorite craft, like this one about Knitting!
This very amusing clock design fits a crafters' thoughts exactly. When you are engaged in working with your favorite craft, time tends to either 'stand still' or be ignored because of the pleasure it gives you. Thus, this delightful hobby clock will fit in your craft room perfectly!
Knitting clock is created using solid oak or maple in several sizes, and the wood is laser cut with a laser engraved design.
There are a variety of sports-related handmade clocks on Etsy. Since MY favorite sport is BASEBALL, I chose to display a clock with my favorite MLB team - the New York Yankees.
Handcrafted out of wood, these sports clocks with your favorite team are Laser-cut out of fine wood and hand painted. They measure an average of 14 x 14 inches.
Created by a Vero Beach, Florida designer for their TimeOutPaintedDesign Etsy Store, here’s what they say about **Why You'll Love It:**
These clocks are not just about telling time; it’s about celebrating our love for sports with style. Whether you're a fan of football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this handcrafted piece adds a personalized touch to your decor. It also makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions for the sports enthusiasts in your life. --- Add this charming sports clock to your collection today and enjoy a perfect blend of elegance and enthusiasm in your home!
Summary
So browse through the handmade clocks on Etsy and find just the clock design that suits your needs. Perfect for various rooms throughout your home, hand-crafted clocks also make lovely gifts for friends and family.
Take a lesson from the clock;
it passes the time by keeping its hands busy.
~Evan Esar
For more reviews of ‘clocks’ on ReviewThisReviews, click here
*This guide to “Handmade Clocks by Clever Crafters, was originally published on November 12, 2014. While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the best of that content here for you.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I sat down to write the lyrics and the song Dear 1975 as a tribute to us, to the older generation who lived through those times, and to the memories we carry.
When we look back, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we didn’t know how good we had it. But the truth be told, I did know. I was fifteen years old, safe and secure in my parents’ home, in the same room in the house my brother now owns.
I can still go back there if I want, but it’s never the same without my parents. Even so, I’m so grateful that my brother has the home.
1975 represents something bigger for us seniors. The world is moving so fast now, and it’s easy to look back through rose-colored glasses, but I think most of us who lived happy, healthy lives in the ‘70s will agree the decade was simply wonderful.
Life, The Music, and The Freedom in 1975
The culture in 1975 was amazing.
The music was unbeatable. The sitcoms, the variety shows, the freedom. It’s funny to even use the word freedom to describe it, but that’s exactly what it felt like.
On social media, so many of my peers who grew up in the ‘70s often reminisce about how free we were, and it’s true. I remember being on my bike from morning until night, riding to friends’ houses, calling my mom to say I wouldn’t be home for dinner because I was eating at Linda’s. Even when she moved across town, we biked there too, then on to the park, then to school, meeting our friends along the way.
There were no cell phones, and our parents were okay with it. We were just on the move, living and breathing that kind of independence that seems almost impossible to imagine today.
Here's the lyric song video tribute I wrote for us who are of the generation of 1975:
Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?
And then, of course, there was the nightly reminder on TV: Do you know where your kids are? I think back to that now, and I can’t help but laugh.
Ten o’clock at night, flashing across the screen were the words and commentary, "Do you know where your kids are?" I was always home by then, thinking, who actually loses track of their kids? But it was the ‘70s, and we had that notice, that little nudge from the world, as if to remind parents that yes, the kids were out exploring the world, and yes, that was okay, but time to come home!
Thinking About Mom and Dad in the 1970s
Some of my most vivid memories involve Mom and me watching movies together, or Dad coming home from long work trips. His briefcase would be filled with coins, which my brother and I would happily dump on the floor and divvy up.
Dad would be sprawled on the floor in the living room with the eight-track playing country songs, the kind that I can still almost hear in my mind.
Our vehicles had eight-track cassette tapes, and I begged for my first tape recorder for Christmas just so I could hear my own voice, and promptly discovered I didn’t like it.
Our house was always full of people. Neighbors dropping in, friends hanging out, the laughter and chatter filling every corner. That, to me, was the ‘70s. Family, friends, security, and an unspoken understanding that life, in those moments, was exactly as it should be.
Writing Dear 1975 was my way of capturing that warmth, that freedom, and that sense of rootedness we sometimes forget to appreciate when we’re young.
It’s a reminder of the simplicity we sometimes take for granted, the moments that feel small at the time but last a lifetime. It’s a diary entry to my younger self, and to anyone who remembers 1975 the way I do: full of music, laughter, love, and the kind of freedom that can only come from feeling safe in the world.
**Subscribe For A Free Short Guide on How to Convert Your Poems Into Lyrics***
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Everyone needs to know the hour, minute or second sometime or other, making
clocks a necessity. So why not find an interesting-looking timepiece to give
as a gift or buy for yourself when there are so many choices available? They
can be found to suit any theme or motif in any room in your house, and the
interests of many family members or friends on your shopping list.
When you need to shop for a gift, think CLOCKS
Shopping for a Unique Clock
This page compiles a group of unusual and unique Clocks - and websites
where they can be found - to save you shopping time. The ones featured here
will fit into your space and budget easier than London's BIG BEN pictured
here! :-)
The Coby digital photo frame displays JPEG photo files and plays MP3 and
WMA music files. It has a photo slideshow mode. It is also digital with an
alarm, a calendar and displays the current temperature.
This would make a perfect gift for a student away at college, a soldier
stationed overseas, or the grandparents. A practical clock, plus a digital
photo viewer filled with your favorite photo images for that special
someone. .
"We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight!"
Being a teenager in the 1950s, Bill Haley & His Comets sang to us about
'clocks' in a way we'll never forget. Dancing to this tune was a time we
loved. Listen to this favorite 'clock' song while you browse through the
clocks on this page.
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley
Songs About Time…
Singers and song writers have given us the time in many ways
through song titles. A few are listed below. I'll bet you have some favorites
too.
Two favorite themes kids relate to these days -- Star Wars and Legos. My
grandson is crazy about both.... and his favorite is R2D2!
Decorate your child's room in a fun favorite and help them keep track of
time in this delightful way!
Lego Star Wars from Darth Vader to a Storm Trooper to R2D2 and more....
Star Wars Lego figures make fun clocks for kids!
Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day.
~Polish Proverb
Movies, Books & TV Shows with Clock Titles
Clocks and time itself play a major role in life, so it isn't surprising
that book authors and producers of movies and television shows base their
stories around the passage of time. Some of the most famous movies and books
of the past reflect this. See how many you recognize in the list
below:
If your 'hobby' is in the field of fiber arts, like me, time spent in your
craft room would be fun with a clock that represents your favorite craft,
like this 'crafty' one! You can also search Amazon for a clock with the
design of your favorite hobby!
Time to Vote
What's Your Favorite Way to Track the Passage of Time?
I look at the clock on the wall.
I use my computer.
My cell phone is the handiest way.
I wear a watch.
I'm retired! Who cares what time it is? :-)
*Leave me your favorite choice (by number) in the
comments.
Whether you like modern or old-fashioned, funny or funky, streamlined,
ornate or simple, there is a special CLOCK made just for you and your
interests. I hope you have enjoyed browsing the choices I've presented
here.
*This Clocks Gift Guide was originally written on November 12, 2014.
While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the
best of that content here for you.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
A Gift Guide for Choosing Wall Clocks Your Kids Will Like
Children need clocks as much as grownups! School age children need to check a clock to know when the important segments of their day are happening -- time for breakfast, dinnertime, school time, homework time, bedtime. And what about 'playtime'... a most important part of a child's day!
Since kids need clocks, why not pick one that fits the theme of their bedroom or represents their favorite cartoon character, playtime buddy, hobby or animal. They will be more likely to 'keep track of time' if their clock represents something they can relate to.
This page has a selection of clocks that kids will really like. Browse through and find your child's favorite theme.
Superhero Wall Clocks
Superhero Spider Man... - A Clock for Kids Who Like SuperHeros!
This Spiderman Disney Marvel Red Wall Clock features a printed Spiderman face with two hand dial and a red casing. Your youngsters who like Superheros will enjoy having a clock on their bedroom wall that reminds them of their favorite superhero.
Cute Clocks for Girly Girls...
For your budding ballerina...
What little girl wouldn't love a cute wall clock featuring ballerina designs. This will look so sweet on a bedroom wall of your future ballerina!
This decorative “Ballerina Girl” wall clock has a wood-like colorful design of a ballerina girl. It measures 10 inches in diameter with easy-to-read large black Arabic numerals and hands.
Wall Clocks Boys Like
Football Wall Clock for your Sports Fan
This is an America Football Themed Wall Clock with a 12” black dial and a sporty football motif. The clock has bold white printed numbers and a crystal-clear clock cover. In addition to being perfect for a young lad who likes football, this clock would also go well in that ‘man cave’ for the football fanatic dad!
If your boy loves a different sport....
Football is a favorite, but there's a Wall Clock to be found on Amazon for lots of Sports. Just do a search for sports wall clocks and you'll find lots of choices in a multitude of sports.
Sports clocks are available for fans of football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf and more. Individual favorite NFL and MLB team clocks are listed. There are even clocks with the theme of particular college teams.
Whatever kind of sports fan you are, a clock can be found to show your team spirit.
Trains & Planes, Cars & Trucks
Little boys especially love 'Things that Go' - trains and planes, cars and trucks. Anything with wheels and an engine is of interest in the rough and tumble world of boys. A wall clock in a favorite transportation theme, will keep their attention long enough to see what 'time' it is. :)
Kid time is fun time... as far as children are concerned. So when it comes time to teach them to "Tell Time", making it a fun game works best. The website page "Learn to Tell Time" helps children to learn to tell time in a fun, interactive learning experience.
This Learning Resources Teaching Clock is a great way to help kids grasp time-telling skills. The clock has hidden gears to maintain the correct hour and minute relationships. It has easy-to-read hour and minute markings.
Wall Clocks Safety Notes:
These featured wall clocks for kids are all 'cordless'. One AA battery required (not included, unless otherwise stated).
*This guide to the best wall clocks for kids was originally published on November 9, 2014. While the original site is no longer active, Wednesday Elf has brought the best of that content here for you.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Arbonne's 7-Day Fresh Start was developed as a way to support people who wanted to try intermittent fasting.
I was very intrigued about trying two of the three products in the set - the Morning Matcha and the Golden Renewal Protein, but I really didn't think intermittent fasting would work for me & my lifestyle.
I decided to give it a go whilst I was on a break from both of my jobs. This meant starting my journey on December 31st 2025.
Read on for my personal experience and my takeaways or go straight to the product and read up about it on the site - 7-Day Fresh Start.
Below is what a sample day on the 7-day fresh start should look like in Australia (in other markets there is a different probiotic supplement, but you take it at the same time as the bioticsticks).
Sample Day (Australia) on 7-Day Fresh Start
I decided that 10am -6pm as my eating window (which was the recommended one) wouldn't work the best for us so I used 11am - 7pm instead.
I had all of my goodies ready to go, the 7-Day Fresh Start contains 3 products - Morning Matcha sachets, Golden Renewal Protein sachets and a probiotic supplement. The probiotic supplement available is different depending on the market, here in Australia we get the Biotic Sticks which I absolutely love. In the US they have OmniGut Daily Probiotic which isn't available for Australia and New Zealand.
Day One started with my Morning Matcha which I decided to made with boiling water because I have only tried a hot matcha before. When I made this it smelt very strong and grassy. I was extremely nervous about tasting it as I've only had matcha as a matcha latte with either coconut, almond or oat milk previously. My nerves were totally unjustified as the matcha tasted great!
I was starting to feel a little 'hangry' about half an hour before I was due to break my fast so I was over the moon when my alarm went off and I could enjoy the Golden Renewal Protein shake. I merely mixed the sachet with water and served it over some ice cubes - not a fan!
The shake gave me Chai vibes with the flavours, I enjoy a warm Chai for a cozy feeling so I'm wondering if it was simply because it was cold that I didn't like it. I do know that my taste buds thought it seemed a little harsh - lucky I was hungry!
The shake also didn't fill me up very much so I was very happy to get stuck into my lunch an hour and a half later. Lunch was a delicious leftover Christmas ham with a couple of different salads.
Another healthy meal for dinner which was supposed to be followed by my probiotic, but I forgot so took it just before bed instead.
Luckily, you can enjoy tea (no milk) while in your fasting window so I was able to enjoy my chamomile tea before bed.
Day 2 - I decided to enjoy an iced Matcha instead of a warm one - I didn't really enjoy it cold, I'm not sure if it's the taste or I have just been programmed over the years to have a hot drink in the mornings.
Mid-morning I had a Clean Tox tea which I enjoyed. I should note that you can have 1-2 Matcha's in the morning, I just enjoy my Clean Tox and it was allowed during fasting so that was my personal choice.
When it was time to enjoy my golden protein renewal shake I decided to add a few things to it as recommended by a friend.
I added the powder to water, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 tsp almond butter and some ice cubes. I blitzed it all up and I enjoyed it which was good. It was also more filling, which was a bonus.
On Day 3, my husband brought me in a cup of Arbonne's Clean Tox tea in the morning as he forgot I was having matcha in the morning. I enjoyed it and then had my matcha about 10am, by 10.30 I had a pit so I was very happy when 11 o'clock came around.
This time I made my shake with:
almond milk
Golden Renewal Protein powder
1/2 frozen banana
1 tsp almond butter
3 ice cubes
I blitzed this all up and decided that this was the best way to have the shake. It's the way I proceeded to have it for the remaining days.
On Day 4 I woke up and although I was up early and hadn't had as long in bed as the previous couple of nights I was feeling really energized. After checking my smart watch I saw that I had a really good deep sleep and REM sleep. I'm not sure if it was related to the 7-Day Fresh Start or not, but I was scoring in the 90s for my sleep quality from night 3 through until the end of the 7 days (I'm usually in the 80s as I don't always clock enough REM sleep).
We were out for the day so I had a matcha in the morning and made a travel mug of Clean Tox tea to take - usually we will go through a drive-thru for coffee on this trip was and as that was a no-no on the plan, I was hoping that this would keep me from missing my coffee. We also blended up the Golden Renewal protein shake and popped it in a cooler box in the car.
The clean tox tea really did the trick and I didn't even miss my coffee stop! I drank my protein shake in the car with the most amazing views as we were up in a mountain range looking out for miles.
When I woke up on Day 5 I noticed that I was feeling really slim - I hadn't realized that I'd been bloated before starting this program, but I was certainly noticing how un-bloated I was from Day 5 onwards.
My Results from the 7-Day Fresh Start
I lost 700g which wasn't a lot compared to what some people have lost, but I had eaten out a couple of times and didn't really worry about eating as well as I could have so I was impressed. I was sleeping better and, as I said previously, it removed some of my bloating. I also had more energy.
My Takeaways from the 7-Day Fresh Start
I don't think that intermittent fasting is for me (I work a couple of jobs and one of them starts quite early so I think I need to eat breakfast beforehand), but I can see why people rave about it.
What I have been doing and will continue to do is stop eating by 7pm every night
A note: the Morning Matcha box contains 30 serves of the matcha (which also contains MCT oil), so even if you had two a day instead of the 1 I had you would have servings left.
I am enjoying them even though I've finished this program. I also think are even nicer with some almond milk as a latte and it's because of this product's popularity that you can now purchase it on it's own. Check out my shopfront and just search matcha.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I've Been Obsessed with Time Since I Was 8 Years Old
That sounds like a strange thing for an eight-year-old to say, doesn't it? But I remember it vividly.
I was eight, my brother was six, and we were trying to let Mom sleep in.
Our mornings were often filled with old Shirley Temple movies and wild imaginations. We'd turn a blanket into a "boat," grab canned goods from the kitchen, and pretend we were setting sail — sometimes to escape danger, sometimes just to explore.
One morning, standing in the hallway, I asked my brother a question that still echoes in my soul today:
"Why are you you and me me?"
He probably shrugged it off, eager to get back to our blanket boat, but that question never left me. Even at eight, I felt the weight of my own existence — this sense that "I" was something separate and conscious, and that somehow Time and existence were connected in ways I couldn't understand yet.
When Time Became a Fascination
As I got older, that awareness of Time grew into an obsession.
Not the kind that makes you late for appointments or stare at clocks (though I've done both), but the kind that makes you wonder: what exactly is Time?
I became drawn to time travel movies andstories that twisted the rules of reality and blurred the boundaries between "then" and "now." They weren't just entertainment for me — they were portals into possibilities. I didn't separate the spiritual from the scientific; I was open to it all.
Can we move through Time? Are we souls who return again and again? Or are we simply fleeting passengers on a one-way track? I never dismissed any of it — God, aliens, reincarnation, time loops, you name it — because every theory felt like it was reaching for the same truth.
Now, as an adult, I believe our souls are timeless. The "me" I felt at eight still feels like the "me" I am today — wiser maybe, but still that same spark.
The answer to "why are you you and me me?" has softened over the years into something beautifully simple: love and kindness are the only measures, Time is the vehicle. You are always you, and I am always me.
I've come to understand (for me) that we are always our spirit, always our consciousness, always us. It's never been a crap shoot, which is one of the things I felt at 8 years old, that I no longer feel at 65 years old.
No matter who we are, where we came from, or where we go, it's love and kindness that anchor us. When we step away from that, Time loses its purpose, the vehicle stalls — it just becomes noise in the background instead of a rhythm in our heart. The rhythm of growth NEEDS love, it NEEDS kindness. The rest IS noise that only slows our learning down.
Writing My First Poem About Time When I Was a Teenager in the 1970s
By seventeen, I could already feel Time slipping by. I remember taking the train from my small town to Toronto to visit a friend — about a three-and-a-half-hour ride. Somewhere along the way, watching the world blur past the window, I wrote a poem about Time.
It was the 1970s, and I was a teenager — but even then, I felt the strange ache of hours passing too quickly (crazy, I know! I was so young yet felt the ticking clock).
Later, in my thirties, I rewrote that same poem, layering it with the wisdom and wear that life had given me.
In my fifties, I revised it once more, adding even more perspective, as if each decade had given me a new lens through which to see Time.
If I am gifted more Time, will I revise the poem again? I think about that.
Below is that poem, one that has traveled with me for nearly 50 years now — a kind of map of how Time has shaped me.
TIME'S GIFT
Time heals Promising closure Shrinking scars like popping bubbles As it prepares our gift Time's benefaction is objectivity to our past Building an awareness of yesteryears Defogging our vision for truth Generously donating our package of clarity
Time lies only to those who misuse its precious moments, Lines entrenched on our face can devour redeemable blemishes By gracefully accepting our package healing eyes can widen to witness dissipating mist
Time promises blessed tomorrows Let us put away our spinning wheels plunge forward with our lesson accept our bequest from Time, and yes! We will have morning smiles
It's fair to say I've seen nearly every time-travel movie ever made.
I seek them out, not for the science fiction, but for the spiritual resonance they carry. There's something about them that feels true on multiple levels.
Many philosophers suggest that Time isn't linear — that everything, past and future, is happening all at once. Whether that's scientifically provable or not doesn't matter much to me. What matters is that it feels right.
The only real Time that exists is this moment — the present.
When I first read that idea, I couldn't quite grasp it.
"What do you mean, only the present exists?" I'd think. We have memories, plans, regrets, and hopes — of course, Time is more than just the present.
But as I've aged, I've come to understand what it really means:
You can reflect on yesterday and plan for tomorrow, but you can only live in the present.
This very moment — writing these words, breathing this breath — is Time. Everything else is memory or imagination.
It took years, but I FINALLY understand that at my core.
When Time Stands Still
Living in the present doesn't mean ignoring the future or the past. It just means that you live fully in the moment you're in — even when that moment hurts.
Life has its seasons of chaos and heartbreak, but even in those times, I've learned that joy can still exist. It might be quieter, more fragile, but it's still there — tucked into laughter through tears, or a single kind gesture that reminds you that love never disappears, it just changes form.
That's where Time stands still — in those sacred, love-filled moments.
Closing Thoughts: What Time Has Taught Me
If Time has taught me anything, it's that every second matters — not because we're racing against a clock, but because each moment is a chance to choose love over fear, kindness over indifference, and presence over distraction.
Maybe that's why I've always been obsessed with Time.
Because somewhere deep down, I knew it wasn't about minutes or hours —
It was about being alive in them.
Blessings, Love Barbara xxoo
P.S. I've written a flash fiction story about the concept of life, lessons learned, and ultimately Time and what matters available here on ReviewThisReviews - you can find it here.
A Video I Created at 60 Years Old, Sitting Quietly With My Mother
My mom passed away in 2021, and she will forever be a part of my every breath, in this life and beyond. This video remains my current reflection on what Time means to me, now that I am 65 years old.
If I were to revise my above poem, "Time’s Gift" again, I’d add the message from this video: that life’s lessons matter, yes, but it’s the love we share and receive that truly sustains us and moves us forward.
Dedication – With heartfelt appreciation to my fellow writers at ReviewThisReviews.com, and especially to Sylvestermouse and Margaret, whose friendship and creativity continue to light the way. Time has been my friend because you are in my life.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Since my husband was diagnosed as severe sight impaired -blind, we have
been exploring technology and devices that may help him. One of these we
were advised to look into is a talking clock.
This simple device is designed to audibly announce the time, and the date.
For the model we have you simply press the top once for the time and keep it
held down for the date to be announced as well.
It is of course very useful for anyone who has sight loss. However we have
found it is also useful for me when I quickly want to know the time and date
and through learning more about them I realised they can be very beneficial
for many other people as well.
In this article we will be using the terms severe sight impaired, blind,
low vision, partially sighted and sight loss as these are the current acceptable terms in my country for
people with sight loss. This may change over time and be different in
different countries. No offence is intended by any of these terms.
Empowering People With Sight Loss
For people who experience sight loss whether they are severe sight impaired
or have low vision, checking the time can be a significant challenge and not
being able to tell the time by yourself can be a real curb on
independence.
Prior to getting the talking clock my husband had to ask me the time
whenever he wanted to know. This immediately made him feel less independent
and for me it was not always convenient. For my husband it was a constant
reminder of his sight loss that he had to ask a sighted person whenever he
needed or wanted to know the time.
Traditional clocks rely on us being able to read the numbers or roman
numerals often at a distance. Some are very difficult to see if they have
patterns or pictures and different colours. People with any degree of sight
loss will have different needs and preferences.
My husband needs very clear bold black numbers on a white background with
zero distractions and it needs to be very large. The clock would also need to be free from sunlight or glare hitting it, yet
bright enough so he can make out the numbers. This is not always possible
and we quickly realised it would be difficult to site such a large clock and
give it the correct site to make it possible for him to read it.
The talking clock eliminates this barrier completely by providing a clear,
spoken announcement of the time with the press of a button or depending on
the clock also the date or even via scheduled verbal alerts.
A talking clock can really help towards independence, allowing people with
sight loss of varying degrees to manage their daily routines without
needing assistance from a sighted person.
You can choose a basic talking clock that can help you by simply telling
the time and knowing the correct date, or more advanced models. Either way
a talking clock gives a much higher level of independence.
Some talking clocks do not have any readable indicators while others may
have a digital reading of date, time etc in large text. It all depends on
what you personally need and find useful.
The advanced models can do many tasks and have different features. I have
listed some features here to give you an idea of what can be
available.
Tell the time
Tell the date.
Set alarms
Organise appointment and social dates
Birthday and special day reminders
Chime on the hour
Reminders to take medication
Different levels of brightness on the display
Customisable themes.
Customisable language
Lighting differentiates time zones during the day/night
Temperature readouts
Activated by voice controlled commands.
Some with no visual display, others with large size and contrasting visual displays
Black and white contrast talking clock showing large button to activate
Who Else Could Benefit From A Talking Clock?
Clearly a talking clock can assist people with a visual impairment. However
it does not stop there.
It got me thinking who else may benefit from a talking clock and I believe
it may help older people who might have difficulty reading clock faces from
a distance, perhaps even young children who need to know the time and have
not yet reliably learned to read a clock face or digital clocks.
They would be a useful aid for people who cannot learn to tell the time on
a clock, or for people who through various illnesses, learning difficulties,
disabilities, who have memory issues, or dementia find reading a standard
clock more challenging.
Additionally, talking clocks might benefit elderly people who may struggle
with small text on standard clocks, and the advanced models might assist
professionals who need to keep track of their schedule.
Talking clocks simplify timekeeping, and if technology is for anything
surely it should be to make our lives a little easier.
Clearly talking clocks are a useful aid for a person with sight loss.
However as we have found they can also be really beneficial to those with
out sight loss. We now have several talking clocks around the house in
places we regularly walk past and I now find my self using the talking clock
much more than the sighted clock!
It is very unobtrusive, ours is a simple black and white device
certainly small enough to carry and light. It manages to both blend into the
decor and yet be noticeable enough so my husband knows where it is.
Other clocks may have different colours such as blue, red or yellow and be
smaller or larger. Many can be placed on a surface and some can be wall
mounted. It all depends on what the person prefers.
I especially use it for knowing the date especially if I don't have the
computer or TV on. I often don't have the right glasses on to see our wall
clocks and it is so convenient to punch the talking clock as I walk past and
get the time and date so easily.
You can buy talking clocks that are very simple and so easy to use with
just the time and date or you can get advanced ones with a multitude of
features and tasks.
It has become a normal way to tell the time in our house. We didn't plan it
this way but it does make my husband feel better that we just use his
talking clock as a normal device, rather than just his special device to
tell the time.
While I think generally they are a huge benefit, there are a few things
to be aware of.
Talking clocks can be run on batteries or plugged into electricity points,
both have their good and bad points. We have the ones run on batteries and
felt these were more portable, so that they can be taken into different
rooms and taken with us on holiday. Clearly we need to make sure we always
have a stock of replacement batteries either single use or ideally
rechargeable.
If we had an electric model it could be plugged in around the house without
the need or worry to keep a stock of batteries handy. However, there
is always the risk that in the event of a power cut or power outage it of
course would not work. It is important if buying an electrical one to ensure
that the features and time automatically reset after a power cut or outage
is over.
The solution is probably to have one of each, some of the electric models
seem to carry more features, yet the battery ones are simpler, easy to use
and more portable.
By the very fact the talking clock is a fairly loud announcement of the
time, it is impossible to privately check the time! So for example if you
just wanted to check the time to see if guests ought to be leaving or a
meeting has gone on too long, it is really a public announcement. They are
not ideal in situations where discretion is required!
A talking clock can take a little time to get used to. At first my husband
did keep asking me the time and I reminded him to use the talking clock,
after a few days or weeks it is just a normal habit.
The fact it is an audible time check can be disturbing if there are others
in the house having quiet time or sleeping.
It may be more disruptive if there are several people in the house, who may
not want to know the time in this way and might find it
disturbing.
While it is loud enough, if the environment was noisy or lots of people
were talking or music playing it might be more difficult to clearly hear
it.
You need to choose the clock voice that works best for you. It all depends
on the model if you can customise the voice and some of the voices might not
suit you. Some voices are clearer and more calm than others. So it is worth
checking which voice the model uses and if you are able to customise
it.
We both feel the positives far outweigh any negatives and now would not be
without it. We agreed at the outset of my husbands diagnosis of severe sight
impaired that we would do everything possible to maintain his personal
autonomy and independence. This little device of a talking clock has
certainly been very helpful in this respect.
Advancements in Talking Clock Technology
Our talking clocks are models that tell the time and date and can be used
to set an alarm. At the present we are happy with these features but there
are models that can do much more.
There are a range of talking clocks now from the basic time and date clock
to ones which integrate with smart devices and use Artificial
Intelligence.
Some have customised features or a choice of features and languages. As
mentioned previously there are talking clocks which also set date reminders,
medicine reminders and alarms.
Of course there are also talking watches which is on our wish list for
something else to help my husband.
Technology is advancing and if it can assist in keeping people more
independent for as long as possible that is a positive.
I think a talking clock would make a very thoughtful gift for anyone who is
finding it difficult to see or read a standard clock.
It might seem a small thing, many of us take for granted until we cannot do
it, but being able to tell the time and date by yourself is a huge
deal for self esteem and independence.
As the talking clock technology evolves I think it will become increasingly
useful and versatile, not only for people who are sight impaired, but for
many people.
Reviewing Benefits And Features Of Talking Clocks by Raintree Annie
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
