In the age of "Buy It Now" and "Fast Two-Day Shipping" it's easy for anyone with a penchant for tech to amass just about everything they want nearly on demand. The flip side now is gift giving for the holidays can be a tougher task than ever. So what do you get the guy or girl who has everything?
Cocoon Grid-It:
Get people organized with this clever grid of elastic bands. No matter how much gear you have you'll be able to strap it down securely for taking on-the-go in your purse or messenger bag. Cocoon sells a wide array of options from $14.99 - $49.99
Eye-Fi SD Card:
Wow your favorite shutterbug with an SD card that'll stream their pictures wirelessly from their camera to their smartphone or tablet. I personally use this in my DSLR for every tour shoot for immediate feedback on image quality and for easy sharing to the twitter-verse after (see more details on use and setup in my How-To). Eye-fi sells a wide range of cards for every budget. $39.99 - $99.99
Parafernalia Pens:
Everyone appreciates good Italian design and Parafernalia makes some of the most technical and advanced writing instruments I've seen. Give your tech lover a perfect way to distinguish themselves from the crowd. Order quick for holiday delivery as these will ship from the UK. From $39.
Sugru:
I posted about this wonder material here. As a moldable clay that dries to a rigid form, It's a DIY'ers dream. The has-it-all gadget guy (or gal) will be able to use Sugru on a variety of applications — from patching kitten-gnawed Apple cables to creating custom grips for gear like their DSLR or smartphone. If that special someone hasn't heard of this yet - you've just taught them a new trick. And if they have the stuff already, well, one could always use some more. Makes a great stocking stuffer at $10 - $18 for various size packs.
Agloves:
Your favorite gear-head may have all the gadgets but do they have touch-sensitive gloves to use them in the cold? These special designed gloves are lined with silver throughout the whole glove to give 10-finger usability during those blistery winter days. Agloves consistently get top nods for touch precision and accuracy. There are several models ranging from $19.99 to $34.99 with free shipping. I won't tell if you put an extra pair in your cart for yourself.
Baggu:
I mentioned these bags in my latest online store roundup, and they really do make great and practical stocking stuffers. Get a few in shades of your friends' favorite color and they'll use them for years to come. You really can't have enough of these smart foldable bags. Score a 3-pack for $24.
Lark:
Living with a significant other who is on a completely different sleep schedule? Give them the gift of a silent alarm clock (and yourself the gift of undisturbed sleep). The Lark system is my top choice for sleep wellness devices (check my review here). Lark features a great user-friendly app that determines your sleep type and tracks statistics like how fast you fell asleep, and gives a sleep quality rating based on actigraphy sensors embedded on the wearable Bluetooth strap. There's also a comprehensive online sleep coach that'll interpret the results and give you suggestions on how to improve your snooze. A great gift at $99 for the base model, and $159 for the Lark Pro that includes the Personal Sleep Coach service. Oh, they already have a Lark you say? Get them another year with a sleep coach for $60.
Maverick Wireless Thermometer Set:
As one of my essential tools for a new homeowner, a digital temperature probe pays dividends you can appreciate — better cooked meals year round. My wife actually got me one of these as a gift last year and I've use it every time I put a steak on the grill or roast a chicken in the oven. Get a model that has a receiver and you can set an audible alarm when the meat is cooked to your exact specifications and internal temperature. Go for the smoker model with two probes and keep more accurate tabs on the temperature of your oven, grill, or smoker while you're at it. $59.99
DODOcase Gift Certificate:
I'm not usually one to go the gift certificate route. But, I'll admit even I wouldn't mind a credit I could use towards building my very own custom DODOcase for iPad. The DODOcase is durable and built with sustainable materials — such as its bamboo core. This case will give your iPad the look of a scholarly Moleskine for the dignified tech gift recipient. $69.95 gift certificate offerings available.
Bose Soundlink:
Music lovers will rejoice at a generous gift that provides pure listening freedom. The Bose Soundlink uses Bluetooth technology to stream tunes wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet no matter whether you're on Team Apple or Team Android. The build quality is unsurpassed for a mobile speaker at this price-point and the sound is sure to impress just about everyone — as I stated in my in-depth review. $299.99
Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A9:
And what if money/price isn't a limitation for your gift giving whims? How about this unique merging of home audio with home furniture, the tripod-legged Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A9, a DLNA and AirPlay compatible speaker whose jaw-dropping design is only matched by its equally mandible loosening price tag, $2699.00.
(Images: 1,9,11. Chris Perez 10. Gregory Han others: as linked)
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Chocolate. People (and yes, "the planet") would be better served if we cut back dramatically on our buying frenzies overall and especially at this time of year. A tech lover who already "has everything" surely doesn't need a single tech toy more. How about a book? Or gift card to restock the Kindle or Nook? Or a simple home-made card--easy with software nowadays--that includes reminders of good and difficult times shared and what you appreciate about that person. Or a donation in his/her name to a worthy cause (e.g., to families who lost all their *stuff* in Hurricane Sandy). Let's cut the rampant stuff-itis that's long since killed the purpose of this season and celebrate what matters, which is NOT the *stuff.*
well said
I'm sorry but I wouldn't recommend DODOcase to ANYONE.
Sure, it looks good, but that's it. It breaks from the slightest drop. I mean, a case that breaks this easily is kind of a joke. If I'm paying 80 bucks for a case I'd expect a little more than just a name and hype.
We have had a DODOcase for almost two years and never had any problem with it, even after relatively intensive use there's barely a scratch on it.
Of course it's not the most suited case if you let kids play with your iPad or if you plan to carelessly throw your iPad on the couch with the risk of it slipping off, but if you handle it with care, as you should do with all of your stuff, it lasts a long time.
So, it's expensive, but it looks a lot nicer than most cases and if you take care of it, it goes a long way.
Yes, well said Gillianne!
Of course it's stupid to buy more and more and more, but this website need to post some sponsored links everywhere they can...you buy they win. Isn't apartment therapy giving advice about how to be green all the time ? Irony...
Wow, cynical, cynical people. I'm all for helping others and reducing what we have here at home...and I'm also for reducing the number of negative, judgmental feelings we have about other people. This time the year is fraught with attempts to sell sell sell, yes, but that doesn't mean you have to buy; for those who want to buy something nice for a tech lover in their life, these are not bad suggestions (with, perhaps, the exception of the Dodo...I'm not a huge fan of the durability myself). AT is very good at pointing out when a post is sponsored, as well, and they have not done so on this one.
TL;DR: Check your negativity at the door. Christmas is about loving one another and being gracious, kind, and generous.
@hrhprincessfiona - excellent suggestion. In the same vein: Heifer International.
Certainly, AT readers understand that sites like this need ads. And people do want things well beyond "need." (I do, too.) What I find so objectionable is the non-stop pressure to buy-buy-buy from before Thanksgiving right through to Christmas Eve. Removing that pressure could go a long way toward restoring appreciation for non-material gifts. Purchased stuff does not equate with love or caring; we've accepted that false equation. Resist the external holiday season messages that you have to load up family and friends with goods; instead, use a teeny bit of thoughtful time to come up with non-purchased "goodies." Or skip the must-give seasonal push altogether and institute a personal and family tradition of modest giving for birthdays only (dump mother's day and father's day, yet more Hallmark "holidays"). Throughout the year, when and if something catches your eye that you think a particular person would appreciate as a "just because" gift, well, give it--not because you're "supposed to." A national change of mind about the holiday season ultimately could be the best gift of all. [end of lecture as I climb down off my hobby horse]
Personally, I love these kinds of gift guides. I bake and cook for friends and family throughout the year and for most gift giving occasions so when the holidays roll around I feel like I need to take a departure from another homemade food gift and find something different and still useful. Sometimes stuff is a good thing.
Well, I really appreciated this post. My husband and son are both techy guys and they love getting real books, homemade scarves, and other non tech stuff from me; but I love being able to get "stuff" that they'll think is cool, too. And as we get each other all of this "stuff" this time of year, we mix in a lot of Heifer International - excellent organization agreed. If you feel overwhelmed by the push to buy, buy, buy then don't click on a post that is a list of tech gifts to give. Instead invite a friend over for coffee and turn off the computer for a while; it sounds like you could use the down time (said in the friendliest way possible).
@gillianne and hrhprincessfiona,
Before you do either of those things, just make sure the person isn't vegan/vegetarian. I'm in no way trying to suggest that these charities don't do good, but that's not a gift I would find thoughtful.
Similarly, certainly consider carefully the charity you are supporting "in the name of" the recipient. Ensure it's compatible with the ethics of the person you are donating on behalf of.
I was recently speaking to a friend about this who received a "donation in your name" to an evangelical christian organization operating in Africa. My friend is agnostic and found the gift to be somewhat inappropriate.
@carrotsticks - very good point. (Oxfam and Heifer International do give to families that want the animals and will pay it forward, which is part of the transaction with Heifer International) Yes, a donation in someone else's name should be in keeping with that person's values--the same way that the giver should make an effort to find a gift, no matter what it is, that will please the recipient.
To others who appreciate gift-giving guides like this, I was in no way suggesting that AT or others stop publishing them. The title of this post was about what to give the tech person who had "everything." Nor was I suggesting that people should never buy anything at this time of year. I was merely proposing a different way of thinking about this entire season of "giving" and what it is we give and why. With that background, we might give less and our gifts might be more meaningful to those on the receiving end. Escaping the incessant PRESSURE to buy and give is part of what I was trying to convey. How wonderful would it be if people buy and give (or give without buying) without feeling that they must, or will be thought stingy if they don't. So much of this is about expectations, and those can be changed if there is a will to do so.
My tech lover has everything (that he wants) and if he doesn't have it, either he doesn't want it or it's on order!
I force a moratorium on buying Blu-ray discs between his birthday and Christmas, and then listen for new releases he wants to get. Not as much of a surprise, but the only tech I dare get for him. Sometimes, when desperate, a Best Buy or Amazon gift card...
Apart from tech, though, I'm thankful he's back into RPG, specifically D&D, with his buddies! That opens up the world of dice (special ordered some ridiculously expensive 3-d printer versions that are beyond cool! I'm also making him some cases for his gear (books and dice). And, just to be silly, I got him Dumbledore's wand (from Harry Potter), marked "handle with extreme care" --it IS after all the Elder wand, the most powerful magic wand ever made! ;^)
Sometimes with people who have everything they want, you need to go with something they don't KNOW they "want" just for fun. And although I do have a budget that is relatively small, I WOULD like to point out to those who get all steamed up about "consumerism" at this time of year, the worldwide economy is not very healthy right now -- implementing consumerism is one of the ways to improve it. Phasing away from that in the future would be prudent, but this year, maybe showing a little spending confidence (cash, not credit) would help. Just a thought.
We mix Heifer or Nature Conservancy with stuff gifts.
We have the Bose Soundlink and love it. When my old stereo system finally gave up the ghost, we got one of these and it's been great. You can move it around the house, take it out on the patio, bring it out to a picnic and it's great. I use it to listen to podcasts streamed on my phone. Expensive, yes, but it's the only sound system we need. It's a classy little boombox.
I've been preserving fruit in alcohol since July, and plan on giving a generous jar of those plus a nice card to my friends this season.
On a more practical note, I assure you that your tech-savvy friends will not be new to Sugru! It's great stuff, but I (and my similarly techy friends) have quite a few packs lying around...
Wow so much sensitivity and negativity toward something so innocently titled. Call me a slave to consumerism, but I live with special nerd who is almost impossible to buy for because he doesn't want for much. So thank you AT for a few little ideas about finding a kind of cool/geeky gift for him.
For what its worth, I feel about 90% of the posts on AT make you feel the "need" to spend some cash on something you don't really "need" but would make your living room look oh so cute. That includes the home tours which act as home wears catalogs brimming with adorable stuff to covet and spend your hard earned cash on. So if you don’t want this stuff pushed in your face all the time, why are you even reading this blog? Surely there is a feel good blog out there where you can pat each other on the back and exchange stories about how many goats you gave to people at xmas.
@Tron90210: You seem to be seeing negativity where it doesn't exist. Perhaps a bit of oversensitivity is demonstrated by some of these reactions? Blogs are a place where people can and do have courteous discussions and share diverse opinions. They are, in fact, forums for opinions. I doubt I'm the only AT reader who enjoys seeing how others with different tastes and means choose to furnish their homes without feeling any need to buy what I see. No one has said anything about "stuff pushed in your face all the time" or complained about AT. No one suggested a boycott of Christmas. No one is telling anyone else what to do. A comment one doesn't agree with is not a personal critique. Something to think about, I hope.
Oh, so this is the blog where you go to exchange stories about "the most powerful magic want ever!" (a couple of comments up) and "geeky gifts".
I thought this was the one about the goats.
My bad.
@Gillianne: Forgive me if I read too much into your posts but came across as a little bit holier than thou. Spend money and give a physical gift, don't spend money and make something, give a donation; or just spend time with those you love; it doesn't matter to me. This morning while perusing AT I came across this post which I hoped would give me some inspiration for my Christmas gift buying (yes I plan to buy a gift because I am to time poor to make something, and I would like to reward him with something physical) and then when reading the comments I couldn't help but chime in. (thanks all for the product feedback on the dodo... that was on my list of "possible" gifts) Rather than "climbing on your hobby horse" why don't you do something constructive and suggest to AT that they post a "non stuff" Christmas gift ideas post full of charitable, or non-buy gifts?
There's a goat thread? I want to go there, I've got goat opinions!
@Tron90210: Thanks for taking the time to post a polite reply. Sorry if I came off all self-righteous. The title of this feature made me smile--what to get someone who has everything, basically. All I could think of was, well, why? Why do so many of us feel OBLIGED to buy in such circumstances? I was just posting my thoughts about alternatives for those anyone who might be interested. (And by all means, buy anything you want for anyone; no need to explain yourself to me or anyone else.) Thanks also for the suggestion re: AT. I appreciate it. Wishing you a low-stress, high-contentment holiday season, however you choose to "spend" it. :D
I would be pretty happy about getting a cute baby goat for Christmas, if only I could keep one in city limits. :P
You know what I'm doing this year? Making a huge batch of truffles, and folding little pyramidal boxes. I plan on giving them to anyone who I run into and like.
My tech lover needs to go outside and play (and socialize) more often. And he knows it. I'm getting him a Swedish KUBB game.
my darling husband needs a good ipad case-stand; he got one which constraction is very good, but it's artificial leather that he hates & it smells
I've been looking high & low for a case/stand made from natural materials, but no luck, help please!
I bought a pair of Iphone touch sensitive gloves for $1.99 at my local newsstand. They work just fine even after two machine washings.
I have the Eyefi and the Maverick..so anyone shopping for me, please ignore those two items. :) I don't own a goat, but I do have dogs with beards (schnauzers).
the gloves... need them this morning
Dodo case - is not for everyone. I've gone through two of them becuase they are FRAGILE
In my experience they look nice but do not offer any protection to your iPad. If you're not worried about protection, then why are you covering it to begin with?