Looking to spice up your holiday gift ideas? Not sure what to get the electronically inclined family member? Below are some simple gift ideas and ways to personalize that everyone is sure to love.
iPods (or other MP3 Players)
iPods are great gifts. They’re relatively inexpensive and nearly everyone can find a use for one. Unfortunately it’s an easy gift to screw up. If they just received an iPod within the last couple of years that’s still working great, getting them another would just be a waste. The “new” features aren’t worth the money when things are working great. Upgrading to gain more space, however, would be a reasonable premise.
If they don’t have an iPod, consider their needs before picking one up. Would they rather have a small one for running, or a large capacity for long trips? Do they have a strong need to browse the internet or play games? What sort of color would suit them best?
I don’t recommend spending money on expensive docks or iTunes gift cards. Docking stations and radios are often incredibly over priced and it’s hard to tell whether one would be worth it for a recipient. As for iTunes gift cards, I’m partial against music that comes with DRM, and music that doesn’t come without a physical copy. That’s just me. If you’re giving to someone who loves those cards, then I’m all for it.
Remember that most new iPod users will run out to pick up a case or better pair of headphones afterwards. These make great stocking stuffers.
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Buy a couple gift cards from different locations that tie into each other. For example, if you're buying for someone who enjoys coffee consider a card to a place that sells coffee makers and smaller one to a place which sells grounds/beans. Consider gifting more than one card to the bean place so they're encouraged to try different blends.
Don't waste your money on "creative" card containers. Spending $5 on a tin case to hold a piece of plastic, neither of which will be used ever again a month from now? Awful. Try putting a creative and personal spin on things. Since I'm full of awesome ideas, here's another example…
Visit a craft store and pick up a photo frame and items to decorate with (make sure to decorate with respect to the taste and interests of who you're giving to). Place the gift card in the frame and wrap. Have a few photos of friends or family printed as well but enclose those along with a holiday card. Now when they open the frame, the gift card is presented in an unique way, while the holiday card & photos help add a personal touch and tie in with the previous gift.
Use your imagination and please post your ideas here! I’d like you ‘borrow’ them for later use. :)
Of course, make sure to consider cards which expire or come with fees *coughvisacough*
Other Great Ideas
Regifting is a tradition a lot of friends and family share together. A particularly bad gift one year can become a great gag gift year after year. Try lightening up the morning hours by giving someone else that bloody Santa sweater everyone refuses to wear.
Another simple way to make gifts more personal is by adding touches to the wallpaper. Try photo-shopping a relatives’ face into a common Christmas movie and applying it to the outside of a gift.
Accessories to new and preexisting items always make good stocking stuffers. Cases, portable mice, screen cleaners, deodorant, etc are all great functional ideas that will be appreciated.
Beer. Everyone loves beer. As long as it’s not made by Anheuser-Busch or Miller.
Bargain hunt for ideas, not just deals. Great sites like Slickdeals.net have a wide variety of deals, sometimes unexpected items. You’re bound to find product ideas you may not have considered.
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Buy a couple gift cards from different locations that tie into each other. For example, if you're buying for someone who enjoys coffee consider a card to a place that sells coffee makers and smaller one to a place which sells grounds/beans. Consider gifting more than one card to the bean place so they're encouraged to try different blends.
Don't waste your money on "creative" card containers. Spending $5 on a tin case to hold a piece of plastic, neither of which will be used ever again a month from now? Awful. Try putting a creative and personal spin on things. Since I'm full of awesome ideas, here's another example…
Visit a craft store and pick up a photo frame and items to decorate with (make sure to decorate with respect to the taste and interests of who you're giving to). Place the gift card in the frame and wrap. Have a few photos of friends or family printed as well but enclose those along with a holiday card. Now when they open the frame, the gift card is presented in an unique way, while the holiday card & photos help add a personal touch and tie in with the previous gift.
Use your imagination and please post your ideas here! I’d like you ‘borrow’ them for later use. :)
Of course, make sure to consider cards which expire or come with fees *coughvisacough*
Other Great Ideas
Regifting is a tradition a lot of friends and family share together. A particularly bad gift one year can become a great gag gift year after year. Try lightening up the morning hours by giving someone else that bloody Santa sweater everyone refuses to wear.
Another simple way to make gifts more personal is by adding touches to the wallpaper. Try photo-shopping a relatives’ face into a common Christmas movie and applying it to the outside of a gift.
Accessories to new and preexisting items always make good stocking stuffers. Cases, portable mice, screen cleaners, deodorant, etc are all great functional ideas that will be appreciated.
Beer. Everyone loves beer. As long as it’s not made by Anheuser-Busch or Miller.
Bargain hunt for ideas, not just deals. Great sites like Slickdeals.net have a wide variety of deals, sometimes unexpected items. You’re bound to find product ideas you may not have considered.
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Don’t let store employees push you around. Nothing makes a BestBuy employee salivate like a parent with a clueless look on their face. Head in knowing what you’re looking for, having already read reviews and comparisons online, and confident in the fact that you don’t want extended warranties. Most are useless and a lot of tech warranties last just as long.
Hopefully these ideas will be of use, even if they only spark some greater ideas. If you have any further suggestions or opinions regarding my ideas please let me know! Remember, this holiday should be about spending time with family and friends regardless of religious affiliation!
Note – I have no financial connections to any of the products I have recommended. All store/company references are opinion based.
