The estimated reading time for this post is 7 minutes
Not sure what gift to get your loved one? No worries, The Wonder of Tech has you covered no matter what your budget is!
Check out both fun and practical tech gift ideas. You don’t have to be a techie to get excited about these gifts. You may even find something special for yourself!
Mini Laptop Riser
If your loved one uses a laptop you can make life more comfortable with this Mini Laptop Riser. Lift the base of the laptop off the desk at an angle to make typing easier.
You can bend it to the shape and height that work best for you. The riser is lightweight enough to bring it with you when you’re away from your desk.
The Mini Laptop Riser is available from Etsy in a 2-pack for $10.95 in a variety of colors. You can give one away and keep one for yourself!
Cablox Cable Organizer
If tangled cords are a constant nuisance, check out the Cablox Cable Organizer. These squares have an adhesive back so they can stick to almost any surface.
Weave your cords through the pegs to prevent tangles. You can hide them under desktops or entertainment stands to keep your computer and TV cords hidden.
This video shows how they work:
Cablox Cable Organizers come in a set of 4 for $20 from Ippinka in black or white.
Google Cardboard
You can spend hundreds of dollars getting a virtual reality viewer, or you can spend just a few dollars and get Google Cardboard. This viewer works with larger cell phones, letting you view the world in 3D with 360° views in all directions.
Many apps work with Google Cardboard and many of them are free. You can watch videos, play games and see the world in an amazing virtual reality.
Google Cardboard is available in many designs, beginning at $20, on the Google Cardboard page. You can also get one for under $2 on Ebay.
If you like home-made gifts, you can even make one yourself using the instructions given by Google on its Cardboard page.
Check out my full review of Google Cardboard: Google Cardboard – A New Way to View Reality!
Levitating Construction Blocks
Build a castle in the air with the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge. Part game, part toy, part educational tool, this helps you understand the concept of balance while having fun.
Arrange your building blocks on a floating platform while keeping it balanced. The platform hovers over a magnetic base. If the blocks become unbalanced the platform will tip and the blocks tumble.
This video shows how the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge works.
This game is designed for 1-8 players, ages 8 and up.
The Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge is available for $29.99 from ThinkGeek.
Mini Quadcopter
Want a drone but don’t have a lot of space to fly one? Check out this Mini Quadcopter that’s small enough to fit in your pocket.
This Mini Quadcopter can be controlled to fly in any direction with its remote controller. Three levels of flight mode allow beginners and experts to operate it.
This video shows the Mini Quadcopter in action:
https://youtu.be/qflW4Yh91v4
The Mini Quadcopter is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $39.95.
External Battery Cell Phone Charger
The Easy ACC 20000mAh external battery lets you charge up to four different devices at once. This handy battery pack has four ports for charging and is powerful enough to charge tablets as well as phones.
You can juice up this battery pack twice as fast with its dual cords for charging. You can fully charge this battery in six hours, according to the manufacturer.
You can also use this battery pack to light a room with its built-in flashlight.
The Easy ACC battery is available from Amazon for $35.99.
Easy Twist Outlet Adapter
The Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter can make the most of any outlet around the world. This adapter lets you plug in up to 4 USB devices and a MacBook.
The adapter also has different plugs that twist into place so you can use it in 150 countries around the world.
This video shows you how Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter works:
The Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter is available from Ippinka for $45.
iPad Paintbrush
If your loved one is an artist, finger painting on an iPad may not be good enough. Harness creativity with this iPad Paintbrush.
This paintbrush has actual bristles so you can simulate painting in acrylic, watercolor, or charcoal media using apps on your tablet. The other end of the paintbrush has a rubber tip that lets you write, sketch or draw.
The iPad Paintbrush works on mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Samsung tablets, Kindle Fire, Nexus, and more.
Watch artists of all ages create masterpieces using the iPad Paintbrush:
https://youtu.be/7bCEbeqTZrI
The iPad Paintbrush is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $49.95.
Artistic talent not included.
Indoor Snowfall Light
Get into the spirit of the season in your home, no matter where you live, with this Indoor Snowfall Light. Plug this light into your wall outlet or USB port and let the fun begin!
The light casts snowflake shapes in your room to give you the feeling of a winter snowfall. You can control the speed of the snowfall, unlike the real weather that might be happening outside your window.
The Indoor Snowfall Light is available from Sharper Image for $59.99.
Selfie Toaster
Does your sweetie like taking selfies and eating toast? Well, why not combine the two with the Selfie Toaster?
This unique toaster imprints an image on toast so you can smile at yourself every morning while you enjoy your toast.
The Selfie Toaster is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $69.95.
Sidewinding Circular Skates
Who said you have to skate forward? These skates let you glide sideways, like a skateboard but with more flexibility.
Place your feet in the circles and start moving to the side. You can propel yourself by moving your feet back and forth, just like regular skates.
This video shows you how you can glide to the side using these skates:
https://youtu.be/7ZZuMw7LX7k
The Sidewinding Circular Skates are available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.
Amazon Echo
Give the knowledge of the world with the Amazon Echo. Best for those with an Amazon Prime membership, the Amazon Echo can answer questions, tell you the weather, give the scores of your favorite sports teams, tell jokes, play music and more.
You can play games with Echo, such as Bingo, cards and trivia. The Echo also acts as a Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your phone and listen to your favorite tunes.
Check out my full review: Amazon Echo — The Knowledge of the World at Your Command!
The Echo is available from Amazon for $179.
Apple Watch
If your loved one has an iPhone, consider the Apple Watch as a gift. This watch lets you send and receive phone calls and texts. You can also use apps to see the weather, control your music, monitor your fitness, get directions on a map and much more.
Learn more about the Apple Watch: Getting Started with the Apple Watch and The 8 Surprising Ways I’m Using My Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch is available from Apple for prices beginning at $349.
Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator
Get a jump-start on teaching your children to drive with the Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator. This arcade ride can save you quarters as your kids have fun pretending to drive.
A 19 inch/48 cm screen shows race course games while the car moves up and down, and side-to-side while the games are played. The car even rumbles as the game hits rough terrain.
Your child can use the steering wheel and pedals just like a real car. There’s even a jump button to avoid obstacles in the road, unlike most real cars.
On second thought, this may not be the best instructor for actual driving!
The Arcade Mini Roadster is designed for children ages 4-12 and is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $6900.
Solar Velomobile
Make your commute even more fun with the Solar Velomobile. This vehicle is powered both by the sun and your pedaling. You can travel at speeds up to 20 mph/32 kmh on solar battery power and up to 30 mph/48 kmh if you add pedal power.
Park it in the sun or plug it into a wall outlet to recharge it. You can travel up to 45 miles/72 km on a charge or 110 miles/177 km if you pedal.
You can haul up to 350 lbs/159 kg in the back of the vehicle so you can use it to run errands.
This video shows you the Solar Velomobile around town:
https://youtu.be/QvgyJfa_2NY
The Solar Velomobile is classified as a bicycle so you don’t need a license to drive one, according to the seller.
The Solar Velomobile is available from Hammacher Schlemmer in white, green or orange for $9900.
Your Thoughts
Which of these tech gifts would you like to give this season? Which ones would you like for yourself? Do you have any tech gift suggestions? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
*Tree and gift images (edited) courtesy of Pixabay via Creative Commons.
Hi Carolyn,
Oh my! Such a treat 🙂
You know I always look forward to your wonderful tech gifts, and these ones seem so right for the coming holidays. Loved your featured image that goes so well with this post 🙂
Tough to pick up just one or two from these unique gifts, as they are all so amazing. I enjoyed the videos that went with most, so interesting to see something different each time when such posts are shared. Selfie toaster – my goodness! I never knew they had such stuff also.
Thanks for sharing all of this with us, which I’d surely be passing around. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, my tech gift lists are alway so much fun to write. I love shopping for tech gifts and this lets me virtual shop for Wonder of Tech readers!
Yes, there are so many fun and useful tech gifts for any age and any budget. You don’t have to be a techie or spend a lot of money for these gifts!
Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comment, Harleena!
Wow Carolyn! So many great gift ideas! I love the Easy Twist adapter as a gift for my daughter, should she be travelling still, but for me the Solar Velomobile looks interesting! Exercise and zero carbon emission. My husband saw it and said, “Oh! Our vehicle for going to the Post Office!” I wonder if it can be winterized. We do live fairly far up north! Have to check it out!
Lori
Hi Lori, Yes the Velomobile actually looks quite practical for those who make a lot of short trips. You could save a lot of money on fuel and electricity by just parking this outdoors on a sunny day.
As far as winterizing the Velomobile goes, I’m thinking a heavy winter coat might be your best bet!
Could be my summer ride! Cool!
Hi Lori, Maybe if you pedaled hard enough you wouldn’t need heat in the winter??? 😉
Sure Carolyn, but could I fit in my thick warm winter coat and scarves and boots!?!?!It’s beginning to snow as I type 🙂
It’s really a wonderful gift. Thank you for these ideas
Hi Jonesad, So glad you like these gift ideas. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Just in time Carolyn as people as asking “what do you want for xmas”
Now I can have a look at what I need, and quite frankly what just looks pretty cool
great collection! thanks
ps. gonna stay away from the pseudo skateboard for now, don’t need to break a leg again
Hi Ashley, You’re right, it’s easy to become perplexed when people ask you what you want. Now you can just show them this article…with the warning that you don’t want the skates.
I hope you do get what you want, Ashley!
Out of all I liked the google card board as it comes in a very cheap price and it will be very much useful to all phone lovers. More over, I also consider iwatch also as it offers a great value and having a watch is really necessary now a days. Actually I am addicted to watches and I won’t go out without a watch and I don’t think I am alone 😛
Thanks fro the great post and keep writing such a wonderful piece of information 🙂
Hello Suryateja, Yes, if you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is a wonderful gift. I wear mine every day, can’t stand to be without it. If you’re a fan of time, staying on top of notifications, and convenience, then the Apple Watch is a good fit for you.
I hope you get one, Suryateja!
As always, I enjoy this article & have added something from your article to my personal Christmas List! The Apple Watch — we’ll see how Santa does this year 😜⛄️
Hi Jamie, Yes, you really can’t go wrong with anything on this list, except for the Apple Watch. If you don’t have an iPhone, then the Apple Watch wouldn’t be a good choice.
But if you do have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is a great choice! I hope you get your wish, Jamie!
Hi Carolyn and thanks for these great gift ideas.
I can now tell my daughter what I want for Christmas. She has been asking me on a regular basis and I just didn’t know what to tell her.
I think the selfie toaster is such a neat idea, and I like the solar car, although I don’t think I could fit in it.
The Amazon Echo would me nice to have but I think I will go with the mini quadcopter. This sounds like a lot of fun.
Thanks again Carolyn for helping me make a decision.
I hope you have a wonderful week and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Rob, Yes, you could just show your daughter this article to get her inspired too. The Selfie Toaster would be a lot of fun, as would the quadcopter. Hey, maybe you could use the quadcopter to bring you your toast!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Rob!
Hi Carolyn,
There are some GREAT ideas I definitely would love!!!! I’m accepting gifts if you’re offering, lol… 🙂
In all seriousness, the cable organizer would be really nice. No more twisty ties.
I also love the indoor snowfall lights. I’m going to show this to my wife. That’s so cool. I can just imagine the snow falling and the fire in the fireplace creating atmosphere. So cool.
Thanks for the ideas Carolyn. Tis the season is here.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
~ Don Purdum
Hi Don, Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Yes, this article has many gift idea for almost anyone, whether or not they’re a fan of tech.
I hope you get your heart’s desire this season, Don!
Hi Carolyn
What a great list with both useful and practical ideas for gifts to put under the Christmas tree this year. I am planing to write a post like this my self on my own blog and this post is great inspiration for me 🙂
I really love the Cablox Cable Organizer, such a simple and clever solution to the pain of cables behind the desk.
Hi Thomas, That’s great! I’m glad you found this helpful, and I hope you enjoy the Cablox Cable Organizer.
I look forward to reading your upcoming article. I always like seeing tech gift ideas!
Thanks Carolyn, I am working on it and have already found some interesting gadgets to write about. I just found a fun little fact about the Cablox Cable Organizer. It is actually designed back home in Denmark and I needed an American to tell me about it 🙂
Of course such an innovative design comes from Denmark! That makes perfect sense. Well done, Denmark!
Really nice things. especially like the Selfie Toaster and construction blocks, but would be happy to get any other this Christmas. this a wonderful piece of information, something I be happy to share.