’Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, that’s a full month (31 days!) in which we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list with our Unwrapped holiday gift guides. So make your holiday shopping a breeze this season, and let us help you find gifts for all the people in your life—and maybe even a spoiled pet or two.
At this point, tech is life and life is tech, and I don't even know anymore where we end and the robots begin. Anyway! The point here is that technological advances are part of the human condition, and they have been ever since the wheel was discovered, so we might as well enjoy ourselves before the robots take over. Here, then, is a list of things to buy for someone, to improve their life in one way or another. Not included on this list are the obvious things, like iPhones or Apple Watches or the Amazon Echo, because, c'mon, you know about those things. Buy them too, by all means. Just make sure to get a few of these other fun gadgets and gizmos so that your recipient will be nice and surprised.
Not only does the speaker offer incredible sound and look pretty while doing so, but its waterproof capabilities mean that its owner can perch it on the edge of their tub while enjoying a nice bath and a drink or two, all while listening to Lana Del Rey, and feeling fairly confident they won't get electrocuted.
Logitech, UE WONDERBOOM Super Portable Waterproof Speaker in "Cashmere Pink," $79.99, available at Amazon.
The concepts of "tech" and "food" do not have to equal Soylent. Instead, give any tech-loving foodie this life-changing blender and have them be indebted to you forever. (You, though, won't be in debt, because you purchased one of the more affordable Vitamix blenders. Win-win!)
Vitamix, Personal Series S30, $329.95, available at Vitamix.
Who wouldn't want to look down in the middle of their work day and see an adorable strawberry (that lights up when in motion!) under the fingers?!
Urban Outfitters, Strawberry Computer Mouse, $14, available at Urban Outfitters
Speaking of things moving under your fingers: How about giving someone a vibrator? It should be someone you know and like a whole lot! This one is tech-forward because the vibrations can be controlled by an app!
We-Vibe, Jive, $119, available at Toys in Babeland.
.
Although this looks kind of like a vibrator, maybe, it is not one. It's a bike light! It's very cool, though, and good for the tech-loving cycling aficionado in your life.
Knog Frog, Strobe Headlight in "Grape," $8.22, available at Amazon.
This is a holy grail carry-on suitcase because once you go Away, you never go back. And so it's a wonderful gift for the frequent traveler you love, because they will have a sleek, stylish suitcase with a built-in charger, and then maybe they will want to go on a fun trip with you! Fun!
Away, The Carry On in "Asphalt," $225, available at Away.
Also fun? Not losing luggage. Give someone this great little gadget that guarantees their luggage will always be trackable via a corresponding app. Genius!
Away x Tile, Luggage Tag, $30, available at Away.
These are not ordinary yoga leggings, rather they vibrate gently to allow the wearer to know when to correct their alignment and fix her form. They also help remind her to go with the flow—literally. Beyond that? They're just beautifully fitting and sleek, making them the perfect gift for any tech-loving yogi you know.
Wearable X, Nadi X, $179, available at Wearable X
Okay, so this is a weird one, but it seems like it would be fun? For a gift? For a person who took a ton of piano lessons growing up, but doesn't have space for a piano anymore? I don't know! I think it's cool, and it's definitely tech-y.
Urban Outfitters, Electronic Piano Gloves, $46, available at Urban Outfitters.
Also cool and music-related are these string lights that can make someone's home into a fairy wonderland, one that doesn't just involve sparkly lights, but also, say, Joanna Newsom music playing gently through the discreet speakers.
Urban Outfitters, Bluetooth Speaker String Lights, $50, available at Urban Outfitters.
If your tech-loving recipient is also into fitness, they will be super into this foam roller that has the awesome benefit of vibrating to really make an impact on sore muscles.
Hyperice, Vyper 2.0 High-Intensity Vibrating Fitness Roller, $199, available at Amazon.
Get your houseplant-obsessed friend this clever garden, which benefits from having tons of sensors to ensure that optimal growing conditions are never compromised. Even if the recipient has a black thumb, they'll be able to grow their own garden in no time.
Click and Grow, Smart Garden 9, $139.95, available at Click and Grow.
These headphones are super-comfortable, sleek, and stylish. Plus, they run for up to 40 hours without needing a recharge.
Skullcandy, Crusher Bluetooth Wireless Over Ear Headphones in "Gray-Tan," $144.99, available at Amazon.
Maybe books don't count as "tech," but what about a book that takes place in the tech world? Shafrir's debut novel is a smart, hilarious look at the inner workings of start-ups and tech-centered media, and will be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone even slightly interested in either milieu.
Startup by Doree Shafrir, $17.14, available at Amazon.
Okay, so this might qualify as low-tech, but it's still tech! And it's so weird! It's a... rubber fish that separates egg yolks from whites? Weird! But handy. And also, a helpful reminder that technology takes all forms. Including weird little rubber fishes with gaping holes for mouths.
YolkFish, Egg Separator, $7, available at Amazon.
