It’s the most wonderful time of the year. At least, that’s how the song goes. When you’re frantically putting soap sets and desk calendars into your cart on Dec. 23rd, it may not feel that wonderful. Luckily, you still have time on your side to take a more thoughtful approach to gift-giving.
Consumers are expected to spend an average of $967 on gifts this holiday season (NRF), and whether you fall way below or way above that figure, it’s likely you’ll be giving the gift of tech this year. For any lucky recipient on your wish list, here are some fantastic, gadgety gifts to consider.
For the Coffee Lover
Your caffeine-fueled recipient will love the Breville Precision Brewer for creating the most flavorful cup of coffee. There are six brewing modes for customizing settings for temperature, grounds saturation, flow rate, and more. Did you know that the same coffee can taste completely different at varying water temperatures? You can test that theory with the Breville. High-tech coffee brewing at its finest. ($299.99)
For the Reader
Avid readers will love the look and feel of the Kindle Oasis and its lightweight, ergonomic design. Its super-crisp display will make even the most staunch book traditionalists feel as if they’re reading real paper. What they’ll love even more is that this model is Amazon’s thinnest and lightest Kindle with the longest battery life yet, letting them read to their hearts content with thousands of titles at their fingertips. ($289.99)
For the iPhone X Owner
The Symmetry Series Graphics Case by OtterBox ensures that your gift recipient’s very pricey iPhone X stays well protected. The company’s Certified Drop+ Protection means the case is built to withstand the rigors of everyday wear and tear, and even more extreme drops. This slim case doesn’t add much bulk, but does add stylish protection and reassurance that the iPhone is safe. ($44.95)
For the Perpetually Cold
Staying warm during the long winter is now easier, thanks to tech apparel like the Torch 2.0 Coat Heater and Volt Heated Gloves. The Torch 2.0 is a battery-operated gadget that fastens with Velcro into any coat, keeping your torso nice and toasty. And for those long outdoor adventures, add these gloves from Volt that use rechargeable batteries to heat from the inside out. Both gadgets give you a couple hours of warmth on high - even longer if you use a lower setting. ($109.95 for Torch Coat Heater; $149.95 for Volt Gloves)
For the Music Lover
For supreme sound that features deep bass and crisp treble, the Even H2 Headphones lets you customize your unique hearing profile, thanks to its EarPrint technology. In addition to the amazing sound quality, these Bluetooth headphones offer the ultimate in style with its gorgeous wood aesthetic. The 20-hour battery life is a major bonus, too. ($229)
For the Beauty Enthusiast
Those annoying pimples can be remedied quickly with the Foreo ESPADA, a blue LED light that relies on T-Sonic pulsations to get rid of acne in a safe and effective way. While you’re at it, get rid of unwanted hair with the Braun Venus Silk-expert 3, which uses light technology to effectively and safely remove body hair permanently. The built-in sensor continuously reads skin tone during usage to administer the right level of light intensity for the skin tone of its user. ($149.99 for ESPADA; $299.99 for Braun)
For the Grandparents
Whether they live near or far, grandparents are always delighted to get new photos and videos of the grandkids. Imagine giving the gift of instant gratification with the PhotoSpring frame - a portable and touchscreen digital frame that displays photos and videos. You can instantly send content to the frame via the app so the grandparents never miss a moment. (Comes in 16 GB, 32 GB and 80 GB storage; pricing starts at $149)
For the Road Warrior
Weighing in at a mere 7 lbs., this portable full-body workout system called Gravocore means no excuses for not working out. You can attach it to a door or any raised anchor point, giving you a double pulley system that will exercise and any every muscle group. You can download workouts on your phone and bring with you anywhere. ($279)
For the Scrapbooker
For album enthusiasts, scrapbookers, and those who just like to hold actual photos (and not just look at them on a screen), the Epson Expression Photo XP-8500 Small-in-One printer is a great option. It prints 4x6” photos in 10 seconds, and prints up to 8x10” photos for those real keepers. Printed photos are making a big comeback. ($199)
For Kids
Any kid who is into gaming will appreciate the graphics and speed that comes with the Xbox One S. It comes with 500 GB of storage, along with built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and video streaming for the ultimate gaming experience. The best part is that all consoles are backwards compatible with older games and controllers, which is hugely appreciated by parents and kids alike. ($189)
Tweens and teens will delight in using the 20-megapixel POP for taking stellar digital photos and then printing them out instantly. In addition to the iconic white border, personalize photos via the touchscreen with borders, stickers, and emojis, and then use the 3.5 x 4.25” prints to adorn lockers, bedrooms, mirrors, and anything else that needs pizzazz. The POP captures and stores videos, too. ($199.99)
As if scootering around weren’t fun enough, add lights to the ride and you have a free-wheeling adventure that any kid will love. The adjustable handlebar grows with your child (recommended for kids ages 5-8) and offers a smooth and colorful ride. There’s also a rear fender foot-brake for the rider who is a little more cautious, and it folds for extra portability. ($29.99)
STEMosaur is not only a cute prehistoric companion, but also a high-tech learning tool that teaches elementary school-aged kids a wide range of topics including math, science, geography, and spelling. In addition to working their brains, kids can also employ their hands and manual labor to construct STEMosaur from its disassembled state. ($119.99 - shipping begins on Dec. 10)
Combine iPad time with car racing and you have a game that will be tough to tear kids away from. Osmo Mindracers is not just a game about speed on screen, but also dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and strategy. Placing physical tokens on the base lets players boost speed and cause a major speed bump for opponents. Start your engines. ($75 for iPad base and game - iPad not included)
Add a digital element to the concept of LEGOs and you have Circuit Cubes, electronic building blocks that enable builders to create motion, light, sound, and many other creative engineering feats. There are different bundles, but the Smart Art Kit is an especially clever gift for any budding artist who wants to add an element of tech to their artistic masterpieces. ($59.95)
Singing along to a favorite song with the help of sound boosters, voice effects, and lights, would be a hit with any kid. Thanks to this fun and colorful microphone, kids can practice their onstage performance and perfect those Lady Gaga moves. The Singsation can also double as a Bluetooth speaker for music enjoyment beyond being the radio star. ($49.99)
Introduce kids to the world of augmented reality with this Explorer box that includes sticker books, puzzles, and masks that pair with an iPad bring kids to a new dimension of play. Science and technology concepts, along with art and reading, are reinforced and creatively supported through this fun and interactive gift. ($19.99, iPad not included)
A gift that a kid has to hammer open is going to be a hit to begin with. But when the inside reveals a beautiful crystal formation, this is a surefire winner. Teaching science and geology, along with the art of gentle smashing, this Geode Kit is a sparkly and educational treasure. You never know what you might crack open - whether it’s quartz, amethyst, calcite, or pyrite. ($29.95)