Gear Diary’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone, Even Your Hardest to Shop for Friends and Family!

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I think we are all ready to celebrate the fact that many of us will actually be together for the holidays this year, but now the pressure is on to find the perfect gifts. If you’re looking at a list of people you want to buy gifts for and wondering what in the world to get them, don’t worry; we’ve got plenty of suggestions in our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide, and you are sure to find something for everyone!

Sleep Number True Temp Blanket

Perfect for people who tend to be either too hot or too cold when they crawl into bed, the Sleep Number True Temp Blanket is a surprisingly lightweight layer that uses 37.5 Technology to continuously adapt to help keep your temperature just right throughout the night. 37.5 Technology uses active-particle technology, which attracts and removes moisture to resist heat and humidity buildup.

This blanket is perfect for all seasons; in the summer, you can use it on its own for a comfortable yet cool sleep; in the winter, it is the perfect layer under a comforter, where it will keep you warm without feeling like you are under a thousand pounds of blankets. The Sleep Number True Temp Blanket is available in five colors at $159.99 for Queen size and $189.99 for King size.

Fire Dept Coffee

Fire Department Coffee

What do you get when you combine freshly roasted coffee beans grown worldwide on environmentally and socially responsible farms with a veteran-owned coffee company run by a dedicated team of firefighters, first responders, and coffee connoisseurs? You get Fire Department Coffee, a company that donates 10% of Its net proceeds to support ill and injured first responders.

Fire Department Coffee sells whole bean and ground coffee in 12-ounce bags and a few flavors in Keurig-compatible single-use pods. As you might expect, they sell everything from lightmedium, and dark roasts to espresso roasts, but they don’t stop there. Fire Dept. Coffee also offers an extensive line of “Donut Shop flavored” and spirit-infused coffees as well as decaffeinated and low-acid coffees, so you are sure to find something you’ll like.

Fire Department Coffee prices range from $12.99 to $19.99 (depending on the flavor you choose) for a bag of ground or whole bean coffee or a box of coffee pods. To guarantee the freshest coffee every time, it is only available directly from the manufacturer.

Kind of Wild Exploration 6-pack

Conventional wines can use a long list of chemicals in the vineyards and winemaking that end up in the soils and in the finished wine you drink. On the other hand, Kind of Wild features wines made from sustainably farmed, organic grapes that do not contain harmful remnants from pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers.

Kind of Wild also gives back, donating from their profits each year to their partners Kiss the Ground, which raises societal awareness around the extraordinary potential of healthy soil, and the Organic Farming Research Foundation, which works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems by providing farmers with up-to-date organic research, educational resources, and advocacy.

For gift-giving, consider the Kind of Wild Exploration 6-Pack, which includes one rose, two whites, and three red wines from six different countries. Kind of Wild has done the work to find the best of the Earth’s certified organic and vegan wines, so you don’t have to do any searching. I can also state for the record that their wine is phenomenal.

Case-Mate iPhone 13 Cases

Case-Mate and Pelican iPhone 13 Cases

Is someone getting a new iPhone 13 for the Holidays, and you want to help ensure it stays protected? Case-Mate has you covered.

With a whole suite of brands to choose from, including their own eponymous line as well as Rifle Paper Company and Pelican, you can find an assortment of cute, sparkly, and even heavily protective options ranging from the $40 Cute as a Dumpling case (my personal favorite), which offers 10′ of drop protection to the $50 Rifle Paper Company’s Garden Party in Blue, which is antimicrobial, works with MagSafe, and offers 10′ of drop protection to the heavy-duty $70 Pelican Voyager Clear, which works with MagSafe, offers 18′ feet of drop protection, and comes with a swiveling belt clip.

MP Magic Socks


We know what you are thinking. Socks? As a holiday gift? To that, we say, “Yes! So long as they are the ‘right’ socks.” And the NP Magic Socks definitely fall into the category of “right.” Made from a combination of 80% Merino Wool, 18% MP Special Yarn (Nylon), and 2% Lycra, the socks are thick without being too thick and come up just high enough that you won’t have to deal with them sagging halfway through the day.

Because they are 80% merino wool, NP Magic Socks have all the benefits the material is known for. These include breathability, temperature regulation, fast moisture-wicking, and natural antibacterial properties that keep them from stinking. All this and yet, despite being mostly merino wool, the socks are machine washable.

Dan’s been wearing a pair each day since his review samples arrived, and he’s already such a fan that he is thinking about buying a 3-pack of their compression socks. At $50 for three pairs, the NP Magic Classic 2.0 Merino Wool Crew socks are long-lasting, quite comfortable, and your loved one’s feet will thank you.

Lutron Caseta Smart Plug 

So many of the things in our home are smart, but wouldn’t it be cool if the exterior of our homes were smart, too? Imagine controlling your backyard landscaping lights, the lights hanging under your patio, your pond, your holiday inflatables, up to 1000′ of holiday lights, or other outdoor items with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homekit. With the new $79.95 Lutron Caseta Outdoor Smart Plug, you can.

The Lutron Caseta Smart Plug makes a very thoughtful gift for those people on your list who love to be in their backyard; they’ll immediately “get” it, and thank you!

ESCORT MAXCam 360c

If someone you love is on the road a lot, you can give them (and yourself) extra peace of mind with the $849.95 ESCORT MAXCam 360c. A complete 2-in-1 driver alert system, the MAXCam 360c offers exceptional radar and laser protection combined with a 1440p (at 30fps) video camera with 143° diagonal and 120° horizontal viewing angles; it comes complete with an included 16GB SanDisk SD card for storage.

With its built-in Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi, they can receive over-the-air updates as well as instantly store, edit, and share video footage from anywhere.

The MAXCam 360c has intuitive controls, and it uses GPS, IVT filtering, and AutoSensitivity to learn and silence false alerts continuously. With the Defender Database, they’ll be able to access the largest, most up-to-date resource for red light and speed cameras and other alerts. The Drive Smarter app provides a unified app and technology platform to receive alerts from the entire Drive Smarter community.

Twelve South HoverBar Duo ($79.36)

Twelve South HoverBar Duo

if someone on your gift list needs a way to keep their iPad at eye level for Zoom calls, watching cooking tutorials while preparing food, or recording content handsfree, they are going to love the $79.99 height-adjustable Twelve South HoverBar Duo iPad stand.

It lends a “helping hand” to hold their iPad at infinite positions and angles. With its weighted desktop stand and shelf clamp, it’s versatile enough to use just about anywhere. They’ll even be able to use their iPad as a secondary screen in their home office, and it’s perfect to bring FaceTime and video conference calls to eye level.

LivBar Organic Superfood Bars

LivBar Organic Superfood Bars

Originally created by a practicing nutritionist for her family, LivBar Organic Superfood Bars are are USDA-certified organic bar made with superfood and other immunity-supporting ingredients. They are baked, nutritionally balanced, low allergen bars that taste good and are made with real food rather than a bunch of things you can’t pronounce; they make the perfect on-the-go snack for anyone who doesn’t want to eat some dubious energy bar that they can pick up at a corner store.

Famous for their commitment to organic, plant-based, healthy living and sustainability, LivBars are the only brand that packs their products in compostable wrappers.

At $33 for a box of twelve, and with delicious flavor combinations like lemongrass/cherry/matcha, ginger/lemon/turmeric, coffee/maple/cacao, raspberry/kale/maca, and blueberry/vanilla/kale, there’s something for everyone!

You can order LivBars online and have them delivered to your door, or you can find their products in all 50 states, including retailers like Sprouts, Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme, Bristol Farms, Hy-Vee, Natural Grocers, and others.

V-MODA M-200 ANC Headphones and BoomPro X Microphone

The $499 V-MODA M-200 ANC over-the-ear headphones are V-MODA’s first headphones with active noise cancellation, and that’s something to get excited about! They would make a perfect gift for someone on your list who’s a huge music fan, a frequent traveler, or works in a noisy environment. Built to work with the V-MODA app, M-200 ANC produces a precise and vibrant sound that can be customized with the in-app EQ tool.

Dan’s a huge V-MODA fan, and he’s excited about the ANC option! They’re currently sold out on the V-Moda site, but you can get them for an excellent price on Amazon!

 

Speaking of Dan, he reviewed and still uses the original V-MODA BoomPro microphone. The BoomPro replaces the audio cable that comes with V-MODA headphones and adds a boom microphone, so you get the best possible voice clarity when taking calls or spending hours on Zoom. It makes a massive difference in the audio quality.

The update to the BoomPro is the $44.95 V-Moda BoomPro X Microphone; it can turn your headphones into a state-of-the-art communication device, perfect for video conferencing and communicating clearly —no matter the background noise.

The $44.95 V-MODA BoomPro X has several significant advantages over the original BoomPro. While the original version had an omnidirectional microphone, the BoomPro X has a unidirectional microphone that helps eliminate ambient sound when on a call. While the original version has a rotary volume control that feels somewhat cheap, the BoomPro X has a subtle slider that delivers more control. In addition, the BoomPro X ships with five different colored microphone covers, so you can add a bit of personal style.

10 Barrel Brewing Company – Pray for POW Stout

10 Barrel Brewing Company is a craft brewer based in Bend, Oregon; they feature innovative beers brewed locally at each of their five brewpub locations in Oregon, California, Idaho, and Colorado. 10 Barrel’s most awarded beer recipe based on an American Stout has been reincarnated to benefit Protect Our Winters. A portion of every purchase goes to POW, which helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change.

This Stout warms its drinker with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, citrus, and berry; Pray for POW has a 7% ABV with 60 IBUs. Check with your favorite local beer stores to see if they can get it for you; you’ll be glad that you did!

T-Mobile

Must-have tech is always in style, and T-Mobile wants to be your one-stop shop for everyone on your holiday gift list, at any budget. Some of their offerings include:

The Harman Kardon ONYX Studio 7 Bluetooth Speaker.

The iPhone 13 is on everyone’s wish list, and new and existing T-Mobile customers can get a free iPhone 13 Pro via 30 monthly bill credits with an eligible trade-in on Magenta MAX, or you can get half-off the iPhone 13 Pro via 30 monthly bill credits with eligible device trade-in on any plan.

Android users get the same deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. New and existing customers can get it for free via 24 monthly bill credits with eligible device trade-in on Magenta MAX, or half-off via 24 monthly bill credits with eligible device trade-in on ANY plan.

The REVVL V+ 5G (a T-Mobile Exclusive) is free via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a new line of service on any plan at T-Mobile.

The Harman Kardon ONYX Studio 7 Bluetooth Speaker (a T-Mobile Exclusive) is over half-off at $199,99 through the holiday season; it’s available only at T-Mobile. Since it’s selling for $479.95 everywhere else, this is an exceptional deal!

The SyncUP KIDS Watch (a T-Mobile Exclusive) helps parents stay better connected to their kids, with safety features for the parents, and fun games and characters the kids will love, too! It’s free via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying watch line.

WD_BLACK D30 SSD

WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD

If you’re thinking about your favorite console gamer and you want to help them minimize their load times so they can play their favorite games fast, look no further than at the compact, high-performance WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive SSD. It has read speeds up to 900 MB/s, and you can get it in 500GB, 1TB, and even 2TB of storage — which can hold up to 50 games! There’s even a detachable stand so they can neatly keep it next to their gaming console.

Priced at $89.99 for the 500GB, $149.99 for the 1TB, and $269.99 for the 2TB SSD, there’s an affordable option for every budget.

WaterField Pro Executive Laptop Backpack

If someone you love has to basically carry their office on their back, help them do it in style with the $349 WaterField Pro Executive Laptop Backpack!

Like all of WaterField’s products, the Pro Executive Laptop Backpack is built to last. It is incredibly organized with multiple compartments with high-visibility lining so things don’t get lost inside. There are exterior pockets for items that you need quick access to, a spacious main compartment, a spot for a water bottle (that doesn’t look like an eyesore), and a padded compartment for up to a 16″ MacBook Pro!

They’ll get all of this in a streamlined backpack design that is easy to sling to the side when they need to access one of the exterior pockets for their passport, sunglasses, keys, or tickets; there is also a built-in slot on the back that can be placed on their carry-on luggage’s trolley handle.

WaterField didn’t scrimp on the leather-wrapped handle, either; one of my pet peeves is when backpacks have a handle that’s so thin or lightweight that you wouldn’t want to actually grab it, much less use it to hoist your bag. The backpack can even stand upright, so when it is sitting next to your giftee’s chair in a meeting, it’s not going to flop over and spill all of its contents randomly.

The WaterField Pro Executive Laptop Backpack is made of 1050 Denier black Ballistic nylon, and it comes with a choice of full-grain leather accents in Chocolate, Gray, Black, or Crimson. Anyone who gets this as a gift is going to love it!

TLDT Phone Grip

The $19.99 TLTD Phone Grip features a flick-out cushion that helps deflect your phone’s weight from your pinkie finger onto your stronger back fingers, making for a more comfortable and secure mobile experience. Its patented design allows your grip to shift so your thumb can reach all buttons; it supports flat wireless chargers, and it doubles as a thumb rest when lounging. To apply it, you just peel ‘n stick it to any phone or case.

For a limited time, you can get two for $24.99 with the code 2FOR24!

Carhartt SuperDux Outdoor Gear

Carhartt is America’s premier workwear company, and they have relaunched their SuperDux collection, a classic outerwear line from the 1930s re-engineered for today’s outdoor enthusiast. The Carhartt SuperDux line offers classic Carhartt durability and technical outdoor performance.

The Carhartt SuperDux collection features a variety of jackets, vests, and bibs for both men and women. Each piece features Carhartt’s Rugged Flex, Rain Defender, and Wind Fighter technology; the pieces feature the look of traditional duck or a unique nylon stretch shell laminated with a dense Sherpa.

Kev got to try the Carhartt SuperDux Relaxed Fit Sherpa Lined Vest ($119.99 – $129.99 depending upon size) as well as the Carhartt SuperDux Relaxed Fit Insulated Bib Overall ($179.99 t0 $199.99 depending upon size), and they have quickly become his favorites!

You can feel great about your purchase because as part of the brand’s larger appreciation and commitment to the outdoors, Carhartt also recently partnered with National Parks Foundation to become the official Partner of Community and Workforce Development. Carhartt is dedicating $750,000 to bolster service corps across the country, providing in-demand job skills training for workers to preserve public lands.

If you know someone who works outdoors or spends their free time hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, I can guarantee they will love how comfortable and warm the Carhartt SuperDux line will keep them!

Function101 BentoStack Charge 8000

This is one of the coolest gifts we’ve seen for anyone who needs a neat way to organize and charge their gear. Function101’s $99.95 BentoStack Charge 8000 doubles as an Apple accessory organizer and a wireless charger.

The Charge Cover features an integrated 8000 mAh battery with 3-in-1 simultaneous charging. The BentoStack also features a USB-C Power Delivery Port, which allows charging out to the latest Apple hardware like the iPad Pro. It also has a USB-A port, allowing for charging of older model iPhones, the Apple Watch, and First Generation AirPods.

The BentoStack Charge 8000 is available in a variety of colors, including Apple’s popular Space Gray; it is made of light durable plastic with a soft-touch finish. It’s the perfect desk organizer or travel pack to keep their AirPods, Apple Watch, Laptop charger, and Apple Pencil all in one place. Check out the special pricing on Amazon!

L’ange Thinning Hair Therapy

L'ange Thinning Therapy Set

If someone on your list has been lamenting the fact that their hair has started to seem a bit less thick and full, or maybe they see more shed hair than usual when they wash or brush their locks, L’ange Thinning Hair Therapy can help!

If they use the L’ange Thinning Therapy System with realistic expectations, I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. This system won’t fill in bald spots or make them look like they got hair extensions; that would be unrealistic. But with regular use, it will make their hair look shiny, clean, and healthy. If they have a similar experience as mine, they’ll also notice that they shed less hair than before, noticeable new hairs will be coming in, and their hair will look denser!

The L’ange Thinning Therapy System retails for $150; as I write this, they are offering 60% off their hair care products with code “festive,” making this set of products just $60! It works, and I have already ordered a second set for myself and a set for my daughter.

Gourmia FoodStation Smokeless Indoor Grill and Air Fryer

Released just in time for holiday gift-giving, the Gourmia FoodStation Smokeless Indoor Grill and Air Fryer combines two of the most popular cooking methods into a revolutionary kitchen appliance! It delivers an industry-first that allows home chefs to watch their meals grill or air fry with its see-through lid closed – therefore keeping their kitchen much cleaner.

The FoodStation’s direct bottom-heated grate produces the taste, texture, and grill marks of an outdoor BBQ, but with virtually no smoke! Grill and BBQ fans can now enjoy an authentic grilling experience year around indoors! In addition, with Gourmia’s patented FryForce 360° technology, the FoodStation creates air-fried meals that are perfectly crisp outside and tender inside with up to 80% less fat.

Gourmia’s FoodStation is the first combination grill and air fryer that finally gets it right; it offers home cooks a list of features that competitors can’t, including:

  • Five one-touch cooking functions: Grill, Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate
  • 510°F category-leading cooking temperature (the hottest grill available)
  • CycloVortex ultra-efficient, super-precise grill/air-frying technology produces results with maximum authenticity with a minimum of smokiness
  • Exclusive, bottom-mounted 3000rpm engine and heating element; only bottom-driven air fryer in the market
  • Built-in, super-efficient smoke extractor delivers an authentic “outdoor” grilling and searing experience indoors and with virtually no smoke.

The Gourmia FoodStationSmokeless Indoor Grill/Air Fryer is available now at WalmartTargetKohls, and BJ’s.

Smartish iPhone 13 Accessories

Smartish iPhone 13 Accessories

Getting a new iPhone for Christmas is about so much more than just finding the suitable case for it, but you’ll likely need one of those, too. Smartish definitely has plenty of them — some even themed for the holidays, like their $24.99 Ugly Sweater iPhone Case, complete with a built-in Wallet Slayer, so you can grab the essentials and go or their $24.99 Orna-Mint iPhone Case that looks like a candy cane but also has high-grip textured sides so that you don’t drop your pricy communicator.

But you should also check out their other accessories like the $19.99 magnetic Cable Wrangler, which keeps all of your cables’ ends neat and at your service, or their $29.99 (and up, depending upon the design you choose) Charge Island universal wireless charger that offers up to 15W of power. Smartish even makes 6′ long Crown Joule fast-charging cables in four colors and four styles, from the $14.99 Lightning to USB-A, Lightning to USB-C, or USB-C to USB-C to the $19.99 Multiverse to USB-A, which offers USB-C, Lightning, and microUSB tips with a USB-A base.

Not sure what kind of phone your giftee is rocking? Make them smile with the $14.99 Sidecar Wallet that holds five cards and some cash in one of four colors or the $9.99 Prop Tart, a slim fit collapsible loop & phone grip that’s also available in four colors.

CBD Living

CBD Living has a vast range of products, including tincturescoffees & teasgummiesvapes & pre-rolls,  lip balm, and even CBD for pets, so there’s something for everyone!

Some of the items that I think would make excellent gifts include their $40 CBD Living Salve, which is perfect for reducing topical, localized pain, and the $30 CBD Living Freeze, which combines CBD (100 mg, 300 mg, 750 mg & 1,500 mg) with Skin Retention Technology and menthol to soothe sore muscles and eliminate aches and pains.

Since there’s nothing better than soaking sore muscles and having that good feeling stay with you, the combo of $40 CBD Living Bath Salts and the $30 CBD Living Lotion is fantastic.

All CBD Living products are made in the USA and manufactured using 100% organic hemp sourced from state-licensed hemp farms in Oregon and Colorado. Every product is tested by third-party independent labs, with the results posted online for complete transparency. You can buy CBD Living products online and in over 3,000 stores.

OnePlus Buds Pro

The $149.99 OnePlus Buds Pro are true wireless earphones that feature a small, perfectly balanced, and comfortable design that offers 40dB of smart adaptive noise cancelation, automatically adapting to your ambient sound environment. They have 11mm dynamic drivers, so you’ll get punchy bass. They also offer a personalized hearing profile for a precisely tailored audio experience, so they will sound great whether you are making calls, listening to music, watching videos, or gaming.

The fully charged OnePlus Buds Pro offer up to seven hours of listening, but their charging case brings the total to a whopping 38 hours of listening time; Warp Charging the earbud’s case will give you up to ten hours of listening time in ten minutes! The buds are IP55 for water and sweat resistance, and the charging case is IPX4-rated, so you can use them worry-free in just about any weather. They are available in Matte Black and Glossy White.

Tula Mic

If you have a musician, podcaster, gamer, or a work-from-home professional on your gift list, they are going to love the $229.99 Tula Mic. It gives off a vintage vibe, but the Tula Mic is the first fully portable USB mic that doubles as a mobile recorder and has advanced, embedded noise reduction technology.

The Tula Mic is tailor-made to provide content creators and work-from-home professionals with studio-quality audio. You can get the Tula Mic in cream, red, black, and seafoam; they’re not just a great recording accessory, they are also beautiful. The Tula Mic is compatible with Mac/PC/iOS/Android.

Grooming HUT

Do you have someone on your gift list that maintains a fabulous beard? If so, they are going to appreciate products from Grooming HUT! Grooming HUT offers essential beard grooming products for all types and styles of beards.

Beards collect microscopic dust and debris and directly contact germs, smoke, food, drinks, and odors. That’s why it’s crucial to properly cleanse and groom daily and prevent dryness, irritation, and beardruff.

With that in mind, check out the $44.95 Grooming HUT Beard Set Bundle, which is an excellent gift for our bearded guys! All of Grooming HUT’s products are created with natural ingredients and are cruelty-free. The beard Set bundle is available in unscented, or you can also choose from Cool Mint, Tea Tree, Cedarwood, Vanilla, and Eucalyptus.

The Beard Set Bundle includes five key products and tools for a thorough beard grooming routine:

  • Beard Oil – Hydrate, nourish, and moisturize your beard with just a few drops.
  • Beard Butter – Soothe your beard irritation, nourish, condition, and keep loose hairs in place.
  • Beard Shampoo & Conditioner – A thorough cleanse, that is soft enough for the delicate facial hair yet strong enough to handle the more dense and thicker beard hairs. With the added conditioner, hydrate the skin beneath the beard to prevent dryness, soothe irritation, and nourish your beard and skin.
  • Natural Wooden Beard Brush – Handmade with all-natural wood to groom your beard the way you desire. Train facial hair to grow in a certain direction while removing dead skin cells and loose hairs.
  • Natural Wooden Beard Comb – Gives a smoother finish as it effortlessly and more effectively glides through your beard. Handmade with all-natural wood.

Arlo Security Bundles

Give the gift of security to someone you love this holiday season with one of the Arlo Security Bundles they have featured on their site!

Some of our favorites include the $249,98 (with 10% off at checkout) Wireless Doorbell & Chime Bundle which includes the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell and the Chime 2, which can be installed on doors that aren’t already wired, so your giftee can know who’s at the door and watch for porch bandits even when they aren’t home. There’s also a $199.98 (also with 10% off at checkout) Wired Doorbell and Chime Bundle for those whose front door frames are already wired.

New homeowners will appreciate the $279.98 (yep, there’s 10% off at checkout!) Wired Doorbell Starter Bundle which includes an Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell and an Essential Spotlight Camera; this was they can keep and eye on their front door as well as another location outside their home.

Bundles range in price from $199.98 (with 10% off at checkout) for the Wired Doorbell and Chime Bundle mentioned above to $997.98 (with 25% off at checkout) for the Wired Doorbell 4K Mid to Large Home Bundle, which includes the Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell, two Ultra 2 cameras, and a Pro 3 Floodlight Camera.

Lastar Touch Controls Desk Lamp

Give the $25.99 Lastar Touch Controls Desk Lamp to the person you most know needs the best light for whatever they are doing; with this lamp, they will get a 90º adjustable arm and a 180º foldable head so they can shine a soft, flicker-free glow exactly where it’s needed. There are touch controls on the front so they can access twenty adjustable light settings, and there’s a 5V, 1A USB port built-in so they can keep their smartphone or tablet within reach while charging.

The desk lamp will remember the most recently selected light color and brightness settings, and will it employ those settings when the lamp is turned on again. If they prefer to keep it by the bed, special night light settings will aid sleep, allowing your giftee to fall asleep under gentle light that will automatically shut off after setting the timer function for one hour.

GrandPad

If you have an elderly relative who considers themself non-tech-savvy but would like to be connected, consider giving them the GrandPad! GrandPad was designed to meet the needs and interests of people over the age of 75, and it has proven to be a lifesaver for families during COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing. The device is safe, simple, and secure, and it makes connecting with loved ones enjoyable and stress-free for older adults.

GrandPad removes barriers to technology use that many seniors often face, by featuring and ergonomic design with a larger screen and easy-to-use buttons, crisp screen resolution with larger icons so text is easier to read, powerful front-facing speakers, a specially fabricated touchscreen that responds better to aging skin that tends to dry and thin, and built-in, secure 4G LTE data for always-on Internet access.

GrandPad comes preloaded with every feature seniors need to stay connected to their loved ones without the difficult and distracting features of other tablets. This is the perfect holiday gift for older adults because it allows them to easily make unlimited video and voice calls to anywhere in the world, share and enjoy photos and videos with a trusted circle of family and friends, enjoy music and streaming radio, play games and access news, browse the Internet without fear of phishing scams, order transportation through Lyft, and connect with caregivers.

The GrandPad hardware is included when you sign up for either of their wireless plans, including the prepaid annual plan at $696 (which breaks down to $58 per month) or the monthly plan at $79 per month.

Sleek Socket

If someone you know is getting new electronics for the holidays, you can help them keep their cables neat and discreet with a Sleek Socket! Sleek Socket is also great for those who have children and pets because they help hide cables and remove the temptation of playing with, chewing on, or tripping over hazardous power cords.

Sleek Socket drastically reduces, and in some cases eliminates, obstructions between furniture and traditional plugs attached to an outlet. Starting at $23.95, Sleek Socket is an innovative and affordable product that allows you to completely hide unsightly, unsafe, and inconvenient outlets via a unique ultra-thin design that’s about the thickness of a pencil on top of an outlet. Any room in the house can benefit from the instant facelift that Sleek Socket provides, even your granddad’s man cave!

The elegant design of the Sleek Socket enhances home décor. It provides unmatched aesthetics around the outlet by eliminating ugly plugs and cords that clash with the color of the wall around the outlet. And for white walls, the sleek socket blends into the wall, and you may forget it’s even there. Take a look at some of these examples of it in action, and I’ll bet you can immediately think of someone who would love some of these!

X-Chair X1 Flex Mesh Task Chair

Many of us are still spending way too much time working from home via Zoom. That requires a good computer, a decent camera, and a microphone that doesn’t make you sound like you are underwater. It also means having the right chair. X-Chair has a range of excellent desk chores that are highly adjustable and thoughtfully designed.

The X-Chair X1 Flex Mesh Task Chair features Scifloat Infinite Recline, Dynamic Variable Lumbar Support, and K-sport Advanced Performance Mesh to create a chair that looks great and offers comfort and support needed for hours of uninterrupted work. But it doesn’t stop there.

You can also integrate the X-Chair ELEMAX cooling, heat, and massage unit into the X1 Flex Mesh Task Chair lumbar support to give that extra bit of comfort while working. Dan’s currently reviewing one of these chairs, and he has nothing but great things to say about it so far. X-Chair X1 Flex Mesh Task Chair prices start at $699.99 without the ELEMAX add-on.

Steeped Coffee

If you have a favorite coffee drinker who enjoys a cuppa or two throughout the day, but who doesn’t want to make a full pot that they won’t drink or deal with the non-recyclable trash that comes from using single-serve disposable coffee pod systems, Steeped Coffee makes a thoughtful gift that checks all the boxes!

Steeped Coffee is committed to providing its customers with premium coffee, convenience, and environmental stewardship in equal measure. They use a proprietary brewing method that doesn’t require machines or brewing equipment, made much like tea.

The coffee comes in single-serve bags that are nitro-sealed to ensure absolute freshness. The packaging is compostable and made with renewable materials as well as non-GMO filters. All it takes to brew a perfect cup is hot water and a few minutes, and at the end of the day, there are no wasteful plastic pods accumulating in waterways or landfills.

A good place to start is with their $17.95 The Lineup: A Collection of Each Blend. This pack of ten includes two each of all the Steeped Coffees so your giftee can see what they like best.

Best of all, each Steeped Pack contains hand-roasted, ethically-sourced, Direct Trade coffee that’s precision ground to showcase the distinctive flavor profile of every crafted blend. Whether you’re looking for a light, medium, dark, French roast, or even decaf, there’s something for your favorite coffee drinker.

If you want to give more than just a box of coffee, check out their discounted bundles; there are great gifts with prices ranging from $19.95 to $210 that include essential coffee gear and Steeped Coffee!

True North Pure Energy Seltzer

True North Pure Energy Seltzer comes in six delicious flavors, and it is a healthy option for hydrating with zero calories. Through its organic plant-based energy blend, including Guayusa, Ginseng, Guarana, Green Tea, and 120 mg Organic Caffeine, it will give you a much-needed energy boost.

Healthier than high-calorie energy drinks that rely on chemicals to stimulate, True North also enhances your immune system with an optimized blend of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Zinc, B3, B5, B6, and B12. True North seltzer is Non-GMO certified and Gluten-Free Certified, with no artificial flavors or colors.

True North Pure Energy Seltzer comes in packs of 12, with prices ranging from $23.65 to $24.99 depending upon the flavor.

Land & Lore

Land & Lore takes the guesswork out of men’s skincare with products free of common toxic ingredients, such as aluminum, mineral oil, parabens, polyethylene glycol, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, phthalates, siloxanes, sodium laurel sulfate, triclosan, synthetic fragrances, and more.

Packed with natural ingredients that smooth, condition, and care for men’s skin, Land & Lore’s products have a slightly earthy yet fresh blend of nature with notes of floral herbs and sandalwood. An excellent place to start is with their $42 Basic Kit, which includes their Cleanser and Moisturizer. Everything your favorite guy needs to start an easy skincare routine that will deeply clean and then hydrate his skin is right here.

To sweeten the deal and make you feel even better about choosing their products in your gift-giving, Land & Lore has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for every product you buy. Every single one.

Morphee

Give the gift of a peaceful night’s sleep to someone you care about with the $99.99 Morphee! Morphee is a piece of sleep and whole health tech device that removes the screens and other connected devices from their bedtime or nap routine, allowing them to get their best rest.

Morphee has a natural beech wood base with a matte black plastic top. On Morphee’s top, there are three golden keys. The first key allows the user to choose from one of eight themed sessions that will aid sleep, including breathing, cardiac coherence (slowing the heart rate), napping, visualizations, and nature sounds. Using the second key, they can choose from one of eight training sessions per theme. The third key allows them to set the length of their session, making it either eight or twenty minutes long, and they can choose a male or female voice to be your audio guide.

Each session is designed to help them relax their body, soothe their mind, and disconnect from the hectic day that they just got through. Morphee has a rechargeable battery that lasts for approximately a week, and your giftee can listen to it either through the integrated speaker or through wired headphones if they don’t want to disturb their bedmate. After a restful night’s sleep, they’ll awake to feel refreshed and energized.

Earin A-3

Earin A-3 earpieces don’t have a dedicated right or left earbud. Instead, their patented technology automatically assigns each earbud as right or left when either bud is placed in the user’s ear. Your giftee can even share an earbud with you for a mono listening experience together.

The $199 Earin A-3 uses an open design (which means there are no silicone or foam tips that have to be jammed into your ear canal), so they sit comfortably and ergonomically in the user’s outer ear allowing for natural ambient sound awareness.

The Earin A-3 earbuds have an IP52 rating, so they are sweat-, water-, and dust-resistant. Each earbud has an intuitive touch interface so that your giftee will have a seamless experience answering calls, playing music, and skipping to the next song. The earbuds also use voice recognition technology to connect to their favorite virtual assistant, whether Google, Alexa, or Siri.

The Earin A-3s use Bluetooth 5.0 with a Qualcomm QCC5121 MCU, which means that depending upon the environment, your giftee can receive a Bluetooth signal from up to 75 meters (246?!) away from their streaming device.

Available in black or silver, the Earin A-3’s get up to five hours of music and calls on their own, and the charging case gives them up to 30 hours of playtime.

Fender Mustang Micro

The $119.99 Fender Mustang Micro is a personal amp that would make a great gift for musicians on the go. Featuring a range of iconic Mustang series amp tones wrapped up in a small package, it is the ideal stocking stuffer for guitarists of all ages. The easy-to-use Mustang Micro will work with most guitars and basses, and it offers four hours of continuous playtime. Your giftee can plug it directly into their guitar, connect a pair of wired headphones, and they will be ready to create customizable sound, wherever inspiration strikes.

Lastar Light Therapy Lamp

If someone you know suffers from SAD, they will love receiving the $25.99 Lastar Light Therapy Lamp! This glare-free sunlight lamp mimics natural daylight, which has been shown to improve moods on dark winter days. Sixty evenly distributed LEDs provide up to 10,000 Lux of light, without any UV light, and it can be adjusted from 20% to 100% brightness for different lighting needs.

The light is small enough to keep on a desk, kitchen counter, or vanity, and it’s operated with two simple touch buttons for on, off, and brightness adjustment.

Roborock S7+

The $949.98 Roborock S7+ combines the award-winning Roborock S7 sonic mopping robot vacuum with an auto-empty dock that holds up to eight weeks of dust and debris! If you’re thinking about a great gift to give to someone who doesn’t want to deal with daily sweeping, mopping, or having to empty their robot helper’s bin every few days, the Roborock S7+ is the solution.

The Roborock S7+ features 2500 Pa of suction, multi-layer HEPA air filtration, automatic dust collection, LiDAR navigation with multi-level mapping. It also has sonic mop vibration with ultrasonic carpet recognition and intelligent mop lifting, so you never have to worry about mopping on the carpet. And yes, it works with Alexa & Google Home.

Mavix Gaming Chairs

Mavix is X-Chair’s sister site, and they offer thoughtfully designed gaming chairs. During their Black Friday sale, you can save more than 10% on a range of products. For example, their M4 gaming chair is 10% off, and you can add an Elemax Cooling, Heat, and Massage unit for 50% of the regular price. If you opt for their M7 or M9 gaming chair, you will save 10%, but you will get a FREE Elemax unit with those chairs.

OWC

Other World Computing (OWC) offers all of the peripherals you need for better computing at home and when traveling. Here are a few of their items that would each make excellent gifts for your favorite techie.

OWC Thunderbolt Hub

The $149 OWC Thunderbolt Hub expands the number of Thunderbolt ports available on a Thunderbolt 4 Mac or PC. Through a single Thunderbolt 4 port, your giftee will be able to connect and charge any device with a USB-C or USB-A connector with this compact hub. Dual 4K displays or a single 5K/6K/8K display, high-performance storage including NVMe solutions, A/V mixers, phone or tablet, even desktop accessories like a keyboard or mouse are all fair game.

Accessories with past, present, or future USB or Thunderbolt interfaces can all connect to the OWC Thunderbolt Hub.

OWC USB-C Travel Dock

No one likes to carry a bunch of dongles and adapters around, and with the $54.99 OWC USB-C Travel Dock, they won’t have to. It’s small, lightweight, and compatible with both USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports; this dock can connect to your giftee’s Windows, Mac, iOS, and Chrome system using an integrated USB Type-C cable. It features two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card reader, and an HDMI 2.0 port.

Power options include bus power via a computer’s USB Type-C or Thunderbolt 3 port, or they can take advantage of the dock’s integrated USB Type-C port, which supports up to 100W of charging power for their device when connected to a USB Type-C power adapter.

And finally, for those who love to tinker, there’s the OWC 72-Piece Advanced Toolkit.

Everything your favorite techie needs is included in the $34.99 OWC 72-Piece Advanced Toolkit; they’ll never get stuck with the wrong tool or have to put up with devices that are seemingly impossible to get into! There’s no reason to throw out your favorite gear when it malfunctions when you can repair it.

With 58 interchangeable bits, they’ll be able to tackle nearly every screw type and open any device they encounter. The OWC Advanced Toolkit is perfect for repairing, maintaining, and upgrading computers, devices, game consoles, stereo equipment, plus any other electronics and gadgets. It makes the ideal gift for any DIY techie.

Lufier Thermal Label Maker

Does someone on your gift list have a home business or a thriving side-gig selling their lightly used items on eBay? Give them a more environmentally friendly way to print those never-ending labels without ink or an ink cartridge with the $139.98 Lufier Thermal Label Maker! The label maker is compatible with all major shipping and sales platforms, including Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy, Poshmark, FedEx, and more, and it can print up to 72 labels per minute!

Redemption Whiskey Cognac Cask Finish

It is amazing how many scotch drinkers have turned to bourbon over the past few years. That’s one reason the price of the beverage has increased recently. At the same time, the selection of available bourbons has exploded, making it harder than ever to find the right bottle. At 29.99 for a 750mL bottle, Redemption Whiskey Cognac Cask Finish is a great choice and will surely make your bourbon-loving gift recipient smile.

The distiller describes it as “a truly easy-drinking whiskey distinguished by its subtle rye-forward flavor, our bourbon has a rye content of 21%, giving it a light but distinct hint of spice. Enjoy it on the rocks or mixed into your favorite bourbon cocktail.”

Dan must have liked it because the sample he was sent … is already gone.

Glowstone Smart Mug 2

Who doesn’t love to keep a cup of tea or coffee on their desk while working, but it’s no fun to realize that your laser focus as you wrapped up a task has allowed your drink to go cold, bleh! With the Glowstone Smart Mug 2, that will no longer be an issue!

The $171.70 self-heating Glowstone Smart Mug 2 charges on a stylish Qi-wireless coaster that can even power other wireless devices like your smartphone. Your charged Smart Mug 2 has a fully automatic heating system in its base; it will detect your hot drink, and when your drink drops to its optimal temperature, the heater will turn on, and the mug will start glowing red.

The heater induces convection current, which evenly distributes heat for one hour, holding their concoction at the perfect drinking temperature of 140 – 150 F. They can take their deliciously hot beverage anywhere, and the Smart Mug 2 will turn off with their last sip. Talk about convenience!

Made of 100% fine bone China that is chip-resistant and scratch-proof, unlike other smart mugs, the Glowstone Smart Mug 2 can even go right in the dishwasher after use! The Smart Mug 2 is available in five colors directly from the manufacturer and Amazon.

Soundcore Frames Audio Smart Glasses

The Soundcore Frames are audio glasses with a detachable and interchangeable frame that offer surround sound. You can buy Soundcore Frames as a complete set with audio temples for $199.99 or as individual front frames for $49.99 to mix and match your look with a wide range of styles. The polarized lenses protect your eyes by blocking up to 99% of UVA/B rays, and they are also scratch- and shatter-resistant.

Soundcore Frames have and open ear audio design with four speakers and a custom audio processor, so they treat your ears with rich surround without blocking out the world. When a call comes in, privacy mode is automatically activated, and dual microphones will keep your voice clear even over background noise. You can get up to 5.5 hours of playtime from a single charge.

They are protected with IPX4 water resistance, so you won’t have to worry about sudden downpours and unexpected spills.

Switching between different frame styles is easy; you simply remove the audio temples from your current frame’s hinges and attach another so you can go from classic designs to blocking blue light or to something a little funkier within seconds. The audio temples are made from TR90, a lightweight and durable polymer that’s comfortable against your skin.

Sound, controls, and more can be tailored with the Soundcore app, and yes — your giftee can absolutely take the frames to their optometrist if they need prescription eyewear!

CBDistillery

CBDistillery makes excellent products that provide comfort to aching muscles and promote general well-being. Like an ice bath on the go, their $22 300mg Broad Spectrum CBD Cooling Cream is an excellent choice for anyone on your gift list who suffers from aching muscles (or feet!) as it provides a cooling sensation coupled with the topical benefits of CBD.

CBDistillery’s $60 30mg Full Spectrum CBD Gummies feature an array of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other plant compounds, plus an assortment of natural hemp terpenes working together to multiply the health benefits. Terpenes are often removed from many other CBD gummies through the distillation process, but CBDistillery purposefully includes them in their formulation because they stand behind the quality of their full-spectrum oil and want their users to experience all the benefits that the hemp plant has to offer. The gummies strawberry flavor is meant to enhance, not mask, the bold hemp terpene flavor.

I should mention that my husband said that the CBDistillery 30mg Full Spectrum CBD Gummies were some of the best he had ever tried; he said the sense of calm they gave him was absolutely phenomenal.

All CBDistillery products are third-party lab-tested to ensure the highest quality and consistent serving sizes. CBDistillery products are made using U.S. Hemp Authority-certified non-GMO industrial hemp grown in the USA using natural farming practices.

Function101 HeartSync

If you have someone on your gift list who owns an apple watch but wants even more functionality because their Apple Watch won’t connect with the majority of home and gym fitness equipment (like Peloton, Hydrow, and Concept2, etc.), they’re going to be very interested in the $49.95 Function101 HeartSync module and companion app that helps users sync their heart rate from Apple Watch with more than 900 ANT+ compatible workout devices — at home or at the gym. There’s no need for special straps, clunky gear, or multiple heart rate monitors.

HeartSync features a simple setup, seamless integration with hundreds of fitness products out of the box, and an app that can serve as a fun way to track heart rate and workouts with unique UI elements.

Zero

Know someone who has a phone that’s Qi-wireless charging compatible? So many phones are nowadays, that the question almost becomes who’s doesn’t? The Zero charging-solutions ecosystem delivers on-the-go charging for the latest Qi-certified/enabled smartphone models, including those made by Apple, Samsung, and many other Android makers. Zero has three products that work together to make sure that phones stay charged at home and on the go!

The patented $49.99 Zero Wireless Qi Pad is a magnetically attached external battery pack that works with any Qi-Enabled Phone; it attaches itself to the back of a Qi-enabled phone with the included magnetic pad over rubber or plastic phone cases up to 4mm thick. It provides 3000 mAh power capacity for a 60%-80% greater charge than standard battery packs. It’s small enough to fit well in hand or in a pocket, and it allows the phone to be used while charging.

The $59.99 Zero Travel Cube is perfect to bring along when you are traveling; it can simultaneously charge up to two Zero Qi pads and one additional mobile device (with an extra USB C port). In addition, it comes with LED lights that indicate the remaining charge level in the Travel Cube at a glance. Its slim, compact design easily fits a backpack, handbag, or overnight travel kit.

The $59.99 Zero Home Dock gives users a place to recharge their Wireless Qi pads after a full day’s usage. It can simultaneously charge up to two Zero Qi pads and one additional mobile device (with an extra USB C port). In addition, the Home Dock works with rubber or plastic phone cases up to 4mm thick, allowing for charging without removing your case.

Moshi

Moshi is one of our favorite mobile device accessories companies; they have a large and growing catalog of offerings, and here are a few of our favorites for your gift-giving consideration.

Sette Q Dual Wireless Charging Pad

The $99.95 Sette Q has Dual Qi-certified EPP wireless charging modules, each providing up to 15W. Plus, thanks to a USB-A port, you can also charge a third device such as an Apple Watch, portable battery, or fitness tracker. The Sette ships with a USB-C power adapter and cable, and you can also get it without the wall adapter and cable for $10 less.

Digits Touchscreen Gloves

Another great gift from Moshi is their $29.95 Digits Touchscreen Gloves. These fabric gloves are available in three colors; they may look fairly thin, but they’ll keep your fingers warm in even the coldest weather. But these aren’t just any glove; embedded into the fabric are special conductive fibers that “enable responsive and accurate gesturing on your smartphone or tablet.”

They may not look like part of your tech gear when you wear them, but these touchscreen gloves let you answer emails without freezing YOUR digits off. That’s a good thing and reason enough that pretty much everyone will appreciate this gift.

20W Anker Nano Pro Charger

The $19.99 20W Anker Nano Pro makes a perfect stocking stuffer, but its cute looks and fun colors, including Glacial Blue, Arctic White, Cool Lavendar, and Black Ice, are sure to please anyone who loves a pop of color coupled with a powerful 20W fast charge. Made to provide full charging power to the iPhone 13, this mini marvel has a USB-C port and will charge your iPhone 13 to 50% in just 25 minutes.

Equipped with Anker’s all-new ActiveShield safety system, the Anker Nano Pro features a dynamic temperature sensor that actively monitors the temperature and a power tuner chip that adjusts power output to safeguard your giftee’s connected device.

Solento Petite Range Tequilas

Petite but impressive, the Solento Petite Range is the same small-batch organic tequila many have come to love, but it’s bottled in a smaller stunningly-designed luxe and minimalist 375mL bottle, and it’s ideal for gift giving! Made to be enjoyed slowly, Solento’s smooth sipping tequila is grown leisurely under the sun for seven years to create a perfect sip to enjoy while creating conversations and memories.

The Solento Petite Range is offered in three expressions: the $30 Blanco, the $40 Reposado, and the $50 Anejo. Each is USDA certified organic and made from 100% organic blue agave in small batches from a single estate. When the tequila is finished, the bottle is so beautiful that your giftee will likely find another purpose for it.

Scosche PowerUp 600 Torch

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by giving someone you care about a $129.99 Scosche PowerUp 600 Torch. The PowerUp 600 Torch is a rugged, powerful, lightweight multi-purpose Jump Starter with an ultra-bright flashlight and a USB charging outlet for your phone.

This combination flashlight/jump starter/power bank has a high-capacity 29.6 Wh Lithium-Polymer battery with a peak jump starting current of 600 Amps; it can jump-start vehicles with up to 5.0L V8 (gas) and 2.0L (diesel). It features a spark-free 6-point safety protection system with built-in protection against short circuits, reverse connections, reverse charges, overheating, overcurrent, and a time-out function that automatically shuts the current off once the vehicle has started.

But when it’s not being used for jump-starting vehicles, it’s great to keep in the car because it also serves as an ultra-bright LED flashlight with 1250 LUX that can shine light as far out as 18′. The PowerUp Torch 600 also has a 5VB/2.4A USB-A port to charge your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile devices.

The Scosche PowerUp 600 Torch kit has charging clamps and cables, a car adapter and charging cable, and a protective storage case.

NYTSTND Quad Tray MagSafe

My how times have changed; it used to be that the only everyday-carry item most of us had was a phone and a wallet. Now, many of us need to keep a phone, earbuds, a watch, and a tablet charged. That translates to a mess of cables and the annoying need to make sure you have a suitable cable for the device you need to charge. With the $234 NYTSTND Quad Tray MagSafe, that’s no longer an issue.

The NYTSTND Quad Tray MagSafe is made from premium Amish sourced wood and soft leather. It looks amazing. Toward the front of the NYTSTND Quad Tray MagSafe, there is a tray for assorted knick-knacks like keys, glasses, or a pillbox. You can also get a version that is less deep but does not include this tray.

Just behind the tray (or at the front if you opted for the version without the tray), there is a Qi wireless charger for your iPhone and AirPods (or similarly Qi-enabled earbuds.) The Qi charger includes multiple coils; you will never need to worry about making sure you hit the “sweet spot.”

Next to the Qi wireless charging plate, there is a genuine Apple Watch charger. And at the back, you will find a USB-C or Lighting charger for your tablet. That means you can charge four devices simultaneously with an accessory that looks elegant and refined.

The NYTSTND Quad Tray MagSafe is available in a range of different finishes and, as noted, two sizes; if you don’t need to charge four devices at once, you can check out their Trio or Duo. As the names suggest, they charge three or two devices and are less expensive. Dan has been trying one out on his nightstand and has been raving about it!

Lastar LED Floor Lamp

Give someone you love the gift of not having to try to see their needlework or favorite paperback in the dark with the $39.99 Lastar LED Floor Lamp. It features 66 evenly distributed LEDs and a 360° adjustable neck; the light it produces is glare-free to prevent eye fatigue. There are four levels of dimming and 3000K-6000K color temperature adjustment so that you can get the exact amount of light and in the correct brightness to see everything needed.

The Lastar LED Floor Lamp is compatible with smart plugs, and it has a 45-minute timer function, which is perfect for anyone who likes to fall asleep in their recliner. With a modern style that will work in any room, the Lastar LED Floor Lamp’s heavy base will keep it from being tipped over by curious children or rowdy pets.

Lovebox

Sure, you can send a text or a message, but the Lovebox makes it even cooler. Lovebox is a Wi-Fi-enabled wooden box that opens to reveal a digital screen that displays messages, pictures, stickers, and drawings that you can send to your giftee through the Lovebox app. It’s the perfect way to let a loved one know when you are thinking about them.

There are no chimes, pings, or beeps when a Lovebox receives a message; instead, the heart icon on the front spins enthusiastically to let your loved one know that they have a new message. The receiver can spin the heart on the front to send you back a waterfall of hearts. Awww.

Lovebox is perfect for kids, grandparents, sweethearts, and really, anyone that you want to send sweet messages to that will brighten their day and make them think of you.

Starting at $99.99 for the original black & white Lovebox or $119.99 for the original color & photograph Lovebox, there is a perfect Lovebox for everyone. Even better, there are lots of ways to personalize your giftee’s Lovebox with a range of spinners and even a surprise lid that has a secret insert tray within the top where little gifts can be hidden.

Ekster Parliament Wallet

Dan won’t stop raving about the $89 Ekster Parliament Wallet he recently received for review. This compact wallet is made of premium leather, and it offers slim storage and quick access for all of his essential cards. The quick access mechanism holds his cards safely until they are needed; when they are required, they become immediately accessible at the push of a button.

The wallets also feature RFID blocking and a slot for an optional $34 tracker card with solar charging technology built-in. If you think that your giftee might prefer something even more “minimal,” you should check out their line of aluminum card cases; they feature the same quick access feature in an even smaller package.

Samsung EVO Plus microSD Card

If you have a photographer on your gift list, you’ll want to check out the Samsung EVO Plus microSD. It boasts transfer speeds up to 130MB/s with Class 10 and U3 compatibility, and it offers high-performance for 4K UHD video and photos. And if their camera is still using SD cards instead of microSD, that’s no problem as it includes a full-size SD adapter.

Available in 64GB, 128GB, 356GB and 512GB, prices range from $15.99 to $69.99.

Minuendo Adjustable Lossless Earplugs

There’s no question that almost every one of us over 40 has already done damage to our hearing. Who knew loud concerts and booming headphones were an issue when we were growing up? But just because we have already done some damage doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take steps to protect our hearing now.

Most people think their only options are either earbuds with active noise cancellation or “dumb” earplugs that simply block your ears so the sound can’t get in and do damage. The problem with this latter approach is, of course, that with those earplugs, you lose the ability to actually hear the music or carry on a conversation.

The $159 Minuendo Adjustable Lossless Earplugs find that wonderful middle ground by offering adjustable hearing protection without the need to have yet another device needing to be recharged. They have a variable HiFi filter that provides an adjustment range of between 7 and 25bD. That means you can choose how much or how little sound you block at any moment. Add in the fact that the earplugs are designed to let you still hear what is going on with clarity, and you have a great way to protect your hearing without having to miss out on what is going on.

The earplugs ship with an extensive collection of foam and silicone ear tips, so you can get the right fit for your ears and comfort. They also include a neck strap, a case, and a cleaning brush. And when you aren’t using the earplugs, they stick together with magnets; use them with the included neck strap, and they lock around your neck waiting until they are needed.

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro

The $169.99 Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro has so many amazing features that set them apart from others, including HearID active noise cancellation that automatically monitors outside ambient noise levels in real-time and in-ear pressure to tailor noise cancellation to match the situation.

You’ll get a customizable touch-controlled immersive sound experience due to the coaxial-aligned acoustic architecture with a Knowles balanced armature driver married to a 10.6mm dynamic driver, which delivers sound with even greater detail and zero distortion.

The Liberty 3 Pro has three transparency modes that enhance the outside noises without having to remove the earbuds. They offer up to eight hours of battery life with ANC off or up to six hours with ANC off (at 60% volume), and the wirelessly charging carry case offers an additional up to 32 hours of listening with ANC off, or up to 24 hours of listening with ANC on.

When a call comes in, they utilize 6-mic AI uplink noise reduction to help minimize background noise during calls. They’ve even got Anker fast charging technology; just 15 minutes of charging the earbuds gives you three hours of playtime. The earbuds are IPX4 rated, so you can wear them when sweating or in bad weather.

The Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro utilizes the LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs for best-sounding music; when used with compatible devices, the LDAC codec transfers three times the amount of data versus standard Bluetooth formats and provides a high-resolution audio experience. The Liberty 3 Pro is available in Midnight Black, Frost White, Fog Gray, and Dusk Purple.

Cannabolish Oder Removers

If you have a loved one who medicates or uses THC recreationally by smoking or vaping, they are probably well aware that the smell can get to be a bit overwhelming at times. Air fresheners just cover up the unwelcome odors with perfumes and other chemicals. Cannibolish is made from natural plant oils and water to absorb and remove odors without toxic ingredients. Cannabolish is safe to use around animals and people, in large or small spaces, as often as needed.

The $11.99 8-ounce Cannabolish Odor Removing Wintergreen Spray neutralizes odor molecules in seconds; in other words, it doesn’t just cover them up, and the plastic bottle is recyclable (if they don’t repurpose it for something else that needs a spritzer). The $14.99 7-ounce Cannabolish Odor Removing Wintergreen Candle is a clean-burning soy-based candle that removes odors using safe, natural ingredients with no toxic chemicals or synthetic fragrances; even better, it smells incredible! On top of that, its glass container can either be recycled or turned into a drinking glass, so it’s kind of like two gifts in one.

Moment Lenses

Moment started as a mobile phone lens company to help advance iPhone-ography. In recent years they have expanded their offerings and now have an entire line of accessories available. If you are having a hard time finding the right gift for someone, it is worth your time checking out their site.

But while they may have expanded their line significantly, it is still worth taking some time to check out their lenses as they are some of the best on the market.

Their Tele 58mm, Wide 18mm, and Macro 10X lenses are made of premium optical glass and aluminum. Usually $129.99 (and worth it in our opinion), it is currently just $79.99. You’ll need a special case to use them with your iPhone, but fortunately, Moment has those available too.

ANKER

Anker has been making some huge moves lately. They came on the scene in 2011, and they now offer some of the best accessories around. Whether you need a charger, a hub, a dock, a power station, a cable, or gear for your hours of Zoom calls, they have it all!

Anker 623 Magnetic Wireless Charger (MagGo)

Dan is currently reviewing several Anker products, including the innovative $79.99 623 Magnetic Wireless Charger (MagGo). It looks like a cylinder that is about 40% smaller than a can of soda, but it has a 20W Qi wireless charger built into the top. With its 20W charging speed, non-slip base, four available colors, and the inclusion of a 5-foot USB-C to USB-C cable, it’s very reasonably priced at $79.99. But here’s the thing, this isn’t just a Qi-wireless charger; it is two Qi-wireless chargers.

To access the second charging platform, you simply lift the top. It is MagSafe compatible, so your iPhone will not only continue to charge but it will also be angled toward you so you can see and use it while charging. Once the top is in its “tilt” position, you reveal a new charging surface beneath it that is ideal for AirPods or other earbuds with wireless charging.

 

Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo)

The $99.99 Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo) looks like a 4″ black or white ball with a slightly flat front.

The flat area is actually a MagSafe charging system! Simply place your compatible iPhone on it, and the Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station (MagGo) grabs hold of your phone and begins charging. But this product isn’t just about a cool way to charge your phone. No, the reason it is priced at just under $100 is the fact that it is also a power strip!

On the back, there are three AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports. Either USB-C port can deliver up to 65W of power. That means you can use it to not only charge your phone, tablet, and earbuds, but you can even charge most laptops. All of that and this little gadget is still just 4″ in diameter. We think $99.99 is a reasonable price to pay for safe, efficient charging that declutters your desk in the process.

Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo)

MagSafe has changed the way we think about charging and carrying our iPhones, and the $59.99 Anker 622 Magnetic Battery (MagGo) takes advantage of the doors that MagSafe opened. The Anker 622 Magnetic Battery snaps onto the back of your iPhone and immediately begins charging it, thanks to its 5000mAh battery. We’ve seen this design previously in products from other companies, but Anker went one step beyond what the others have done by building a foldable stand into the battery so you can see your phone while you charge.

Anker 620 Magnetic Phone Grip (MagGo)

And if you need a stocking stuffer for someone who just got a new iPhone, you might want to check out the $15.99 Anker 620 Magnetic Phone Grip (MagGo).

It adds a finger ring to the back so all of the butter-fingers out there won’t drop their laptop-priced phone. The difference between this $15.99 accessory and the other grips we have seen is the fact that it uses MagSafe to connect. That means you can easily pull it off when you don’t need it but reinstall it in less than a second when you do.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the Google Pixel phone that I have been hoping for with no compromises; it feels like the true successor to many of the excellent phones that came before it. Unlike the Google Pixel 5, you do get a choice between a slightly smaller Google Pixel 6 and an almost phablet-sized Pixel 6 Pro with a gorgeous 6.7″ display, which is great news for screen size-queens like me.

All of the Google Pixel-exclusive Android features that I love and have come to depend upon are present, including the near-stock UI experience, the fabulous and improved cameras, Call Screen, and Hold for Me.

The Pixel 6 series adds some new and exciting tricks like Live Translate (which translates Spoken aloud speech, text, and pictures for you in real-time), Magic Eraser (which edits photos to remove anything you don’t want in them, including random photobombers!), Face Unblur (which uses is AI to automatically and can save a priceless phot in which someone moved!), and Real Tone (which captures the nuances of different skin tones for people of all colors beautifully and authentically).

 

On top of that, the Google Pixel 6 series uses the brand new Google Tensor processor that was designed specifically for these phones and makes their performance exceptional!

As a member of #teampixel, Google gifted me with the 12GB RAM with 128GB under memory version in the beautiful Sorta Sunny color; I love it, and I would buy it for myself without hesitation — but maybe in the 256GB or 512GB version, not gonna lie. I can happily recommend it to anyone who cares about taking the absolute best photos with their smartphone.

The Google Pixel 6 Pro’s pricing starts at $899 if you want to buy the unlocked version, but it is also available in easy-to-handle monthly payments (with some fantastic trade-in deals) from Google, Google Fi, Verizon, and AT&T.

OUPES Power Station 1100W

Do you have a loved one who seems to live in one of those areas in the US that keeps experiencing severe weather events as well as random or not so random blackouts? Give yourself one less thing to worry about by gifting them an $897.99 OUPES Portable Power Station 1100W. The OUPES Portable Power Station is suitable for powering mobile phones, tablets, cameras, lights, coffee machines, drones, mini projectors, mini-refrigerators, portable ovens, coffee machines, etc.

Tell your giftee to keep it plugged in all the time, and when the power goes out (as it seems to inevitably always do), they will have more than enough reserve power to stay in contact and enjoy some of the niceties of civilized living.

The OG OTTO

If you care about someone who’s spending their money on herbs, CBD, or THC flowers, you can help them get the most out of it with a $149.99 OG OTTO.

The OG OTTO gently mills their herbs, making a perfect cone at the touch of a button; its precision-engineered milling blades automatically adjust pressure, speed, and direction based on the texture and consistency of your material. The result is a perfect cone in seconds.

Wait, so you’re telling me that anyone can make a cone with no mess, no waste, and no waiting? This isn’t just a special skill that some people possess anymore? Whaaaaaat? I need to see that for myself.

Well then.

The OG OTTO in black is priced at $149.99; all OTTOs come with pre-rolled cones, and there is a Banana Bros. cone club subscription service.

Oakywood OakyBlocks

Oakywood’s OakyBlocks are a set of wooden magnetic modules that allow you to stylishly organize items on your desk, giving everything a proper home. The blocks come in various designs to accommodate common desk objects such as pencils, post-its, and even your phone.

There’s also a wireless charging OakyBlock so you can recharge while your phone sits with you at your desk. Personalize them and create the perfect set for your friend or loved one.

By giving a gift from Oakywood, you’re also giving back to the environment. In order to offset their footprint, Oakywood is a proud partner of One Tree Planted. Together, they plant a tree for every product sold. That’s right, 1 Product = 1 Tree.

Oakywood OakyBlocks range in price from $29.99 to $59.99. Check out the Oakywood OakyBlocks big and small bundles, where you can buy multiple OakyBlocks and save up to 30% off!

Oddict Twig Pro True wireless headphones with ANC

If your loved one is in the market for a new pair of true wireless headphones and doesn’t want to look like everyone else, you might want to consider the $149 Oddict Twig Pro True wireless headphones with ANC.

The Trig Pro earbuds have an aluminum body that stands out in a crowd of plastic earbuds. They offer IPX4 protection from the elements and have a free EQ app that allows the listener to adjust the audio to their taste; they even have Snapdragon Sound! They ship with a cool battery case that is Qi-wireless charging enabled. The Twig Pro has all that, and yet they are just $149. That means you can get your loved one a feature-packed pair of TWE that have a unique look for a price that won’t break the bank.

The Twig Pro are comfortable; they sound great and cut no corners. We call that impressive; your giftee will call them awesome.

Fujitsu ScanSnap iX 1300 Scanner

Fujitsu’s latest scanner, the ScanSnap iX 1300 Scanner, has a small footprint and a surprisingly low price of just $325. The scanner is powerful, and it packs in many of Fujitsu’s best features despite looking like a stripped-down version of its pricier siblings.

Your giftee can connect to the ScanSnap iX 13400 Scanner via Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) or the included USB cable to your PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook. With easy one-button scanning, you can fast scan up to 30 pages per minute, but you can also use the manual feeder for pamphlets, folded documents, cards, and more. They can also scan documents, receipts, and paperwork with the automatic document feeder. The ScanSnap Home software organizes scanned files on PC and Mac; they’ll also get access to the same scan-to-cloud features as Scansap’s other offerings.

But this small scanner can do something the others can’t. In addition to the top-loading sheet feeder, it can take thick sheets through a front-loading position. Dan has relied on Sansnap scanners for years, and he has nothing but good things to say about this small, powerful scanner.

Whether you have someone in mind who will use it for school or work, the ScanSnap iX 1300 Scanner is the right tool for the task.

Lenovo Q24i-1L 23.8″ FHD Natural Low Blue Light Monitor

The elegantly designed, ultra-slim Lenovo Q24i-1L 23.8″ FHD Natural Low Blue Light Monitor is sure to be a hit with anyone who has an ugly old-fashioned monitor that they are sick of looking at. Whether they use it in their living room or the study, this sleek display with Full-HD resolution and NearEdgeless bezels brings beauty and functionality together.

With its In-Plane Switching display, the view from any angle is striking, and eye strain will be a thing of the past because this monitor has Natural Low Blue Light and Eyesafe Display Certification that minimizes harmful blue light and yellow distortions without impacting color accuracy. It’s also TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort-certified.

The $229.99 Lenovo Q24i-1L has AMD FreeSync technology and dual speakers, so you’ll get seamless picture quality and rich audio for an immersive experience every time.

MyBevi Stainless Steel Tumbler

MyBevi is a great way to stay hydrated. They offer a huge collection of stainless steel tumblers that are made to endure all weather conditions and activities. Your favorite student can get a coffee fix for the day and keep it warm or quench their thirst with ice-cold water.

The MyBevi 12oz Napa Tumbler has a unique design, a secure lid and keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. You can get one for just $15, which makes it a great alternative to some of the more expensive tumblers currently available. Better still, you can get a two-pack for $25 and a four-pack for just $40. That means you can pick up four different stocking stuffers for just ten bucks each!

Eco-conscious consumers will be glad to know that this small family business is doing its part to provide sustainable solutions for a healthier future for our planet. MyBevi makes it easy to reduce waste and mindfully adhere to an eco-friendly lifestyle that becomes a part of your everyday routine with reasonably priced tumblers, bottles, and canteens.

The Edge Desk

Standing is only one of several “alternative positions” one might consider when working in front of a computer for hours on end. If your student has room for it, they might want to consider the $399 Edge Desk.

It’s an excellent desk for work, and it’s a superb way to have flexibility concerning where they work; the Edge Desk can be easily moved, and it fully supports proper posture while being used.

2nd Generation Nest Hub

The Nest Hub was already an excellent, small, smart speaker with a touchscreen. While not as responsive as Amazon’s Alexa devices, the Nest Hub has always been a great way to bring Google Assistant to your night table or desk. The $99.99 second-generation Nest Hub was released a few months ago. It looks similar to the original version, but it has some critical improvements to its internals that make it more responsive, better sounding, and better able to listen and respond.

Perhaps the most significant change is that the new Nest Hub can now track your sleep. No, it doesn’t do as deep a dive as specialized sleep watches do, but it is an excellent way to keep an eye on sleep patterns and get a decent sound in a dorm room.

Nomad Bands for Apple Watch

If your loved one has an Apple Watch, and you want to splurge on a gift, check out Nomad’s new metal bands for Apple Watch. Available in steel and titanium, Nomad has re-envisioned the excellent metal bands we reviewed two years ago and given them, among other things, a brand new clasp. It looks incredible and makes putting on and taking off the watch more effortless than ever.

These bands aren’t inexpensive at $149.95 for the steel band and $249.95 for the titanium, but if you have an Apple Watch fan in your life, they will flip out when they open the box. The new Nomad metal Apple Watch bands are gorgeous and functional, and they take the Apple Watch to a new level.

If you don’t want to spend quite as much but still want Nomad’s style and quality, you need to check out their other waterproof and leather watch bands. And if your gift recipient doesn’t have an Apple Watch, never fear. Nomad’s catalog of products covers pretty much the entire range of mobile device categories. There’s a huge selection, and all are built with the craftsmanship that has made Nomad a Gear Diary favorite.

Oral-B Electric Toothbrush

We’ve come a long way from when a smart electric toothbrush had to cost $150 or more! The $49.22 Oral-B Electric Toothbrush has a quick and easy set-up to bring the cleaning power of an Oral-B toothbrush to a built-in Amazon Alexa device in on a toothbrush charger. Wait, what? These are some strange days, but I am here for it.

Why would you want a mini Amazon Alexa device in your toothbrush’s charger? For the hands-free experience, of course! You can use it to ask Alexa to play music, read the news, check the weather, and more. The toothbrush charger’s built-in speaker is water-resistant, and it offers 360º sound.

Oh, how does the toothbrush do? According to Oral-B, their clinically proven round brush head rotates to “break up and remove up to 100 percent more plaque than a manual toothbrush.” You can even download the Oral-B Connect app to get personalized brushing insights and track your oral health progress.

Flowtime: Biosensing Meditation Headband

Flowtime is a biosensing headband that serves as a meditation tracker. Its sensors read everything from heart rate and brainwaves to breath and mental focus and calm states. The device is a small, flexible band with sensors in the inner surface.

Your giftee will simply place the band on their head, make sure the sensors are making contact than then fire up the free Flowtime app. The app checks to make sure the contact between the sensors and your skin is good and then guides you through and a number of meditation exercises.

What makes the $226 Flowtime great is the fact that it will work for everyone regardless of experience. Does your loved one have years of experience with meditation? Flowtime will add a new tool for them to monitor their process and maximize its impact. Are they new to meditation? Flowtime will guide them through the process and make it accessible to just about everyone.

At just 29g, the headband is light and comfortable. And, because it is so light, they can bring it with them and take a meditation break at work or pretty much anywhere they go.

Libratone Air+ (2nd Generation)

Libratone speakers are some of the best smart speakers you can find. The new, $229 2nd generation Libratone Air+ also stands out. These true wireless earbuds are small, light, and feature-packed with active noise cancellation, Qi wireless charging, ear tip “fit detection” and up to six hours per charge. The battery case adds 18 hours for a total of 24 hours of playback time before you need to recharge.

The earbuds also have Bluetooth 5.2 so they offer a stable connection and allow you to toggle through up to three different devices. As the company puts it:

Intelligent noise-canceling redefined. Impressive true wireless earbuds that are packed with intuitive features such as hybrid smart noise cancellation, rich and balanced sound, and impressive battery life. New charging case with stunning Scandinavian design and premium finish.

We love the fact that the Libratone Air+ has a unique design that stands out in an increasingly crowded space. We also love the fact that the earbuds sound fantastic.

Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner

People are starting to travel again and that means we once again need to talk about luggage. Your loved one probably has an old, beat-up suitcase that makes them look more like a backpacker with a lot of stuff than a sophisticated world traveler.

Thankfully, Traveler has a huge selection of excellent luggage. Their 4469.99 Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is ideal if they are headed on a long trip and want to maximize the amount of clothing they can bring. The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is a large suitcase that lets them pack everything they need; it even has a 2″ zippered expansion option.

The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is well-designed, tough as nails, and has just enough organizational structure in the interior.

Best of all, since you will certainly weigh down this large suitcase, it is good to know it is outfitted with the company’s exclusive “PrecisionGlide System–eight MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels.” They’ll make it simple for your loved one to race through the airport to catch their flight. And you’ll be happy to know that they’ll look classy when they do.

Brilliant All-In-One Smart Home Control

The perfect gift for new homeowners, the $399 Brilliant is an in-wall lighting and control system that makes it easy for homeowners, families, and guests to control lighting, doorbells, locks, cameras, music, climate, intercom, scenes, and more. It’s easy to install, integrates with the top brands in every smart home category, and transforms any home into an easy-to-use smart home. The Smart Home Control provides multiple ways to control smart home devices, via the built-in touch display, touch-based switches, voice, and even the Brilliant app.

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If you are looking for cool toys, be sure to check out our 2021 Holiday Toy Gift Guide!

 

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.

10 Comments on "Gear Diary’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone, Even Your Hardest to Shop for Friends and Family!"

  1. I would buy the laptop for myself, as my current one is broken.

  2. I would buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop in Phantom Blue for my husband since he could use a new laptop.

  3. I think I’d get my mother the Roborock S7+, to help her with all the work she does at home.

  4. bharat tahilani | November 30, 2021 at 10:56 am |

    I would gift myself a Lenovo Legion 5 17″ so that I can game hard 🙂

  5. If money were no object I would love to get the Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop for my brother. He works long, odd hours and hardly takes time for himself but when he does he enjoys gaming. He deserves a special treat but would never dream of buying something so grand for himself.

  6. The Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop in Phantom Blue for myself – my laptop is old and I need an upgrade and my husband would be SOOOO jealous! (ok, but if money were no object, I’d get him one too!)

  7. I’d get my mom the Power Station. She lives in a very rural area and has frequent power outages.

  8. I’d buy the Lenovo Legion 5 Gaming Laptop for my son, so he could take it to his room (or anywhere else far away) and stop hogging the the desktop shared by the rest of the family.

  9. Corey Mccann | November 30, 2021 at 6:37 pm |

    LAPTOP, COMPUTER IS 7 YEARS OLD

  10. Trever Meenen | November 30, 2021 at 6:51 pm |

    I would buy the laptop for my dad for Christmas. His is really slow and he definitely needs an upgrade.

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