7 Thoughtful Tech Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season


The best gifts are those bought with the wants of the recipients in mind, and in 2015 that means a whole lot of tech. Two thirds of Americans plan to give gadgets this holiday season according to a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association. Meanwhile a majority of Millennials are hoping to find tech under the tree.

The good news is that there are amazing tech gifts for everyone on your list and for every budget. From stocking stuffers to big ticket splurges, here are some suggestions that will put a smile on the faces of your friends and family when it’s time to start ripping into the wrapping.

A new way to watch TV

Screen time becomes an immersive, mind blowing experience with Vizio’s 43” Smart 4K Ultra HD TV, making it perfect for that extra special movie buff or sports fanatic in your life. Everything from favorite shows to live television renders not just clear and crisp, but also ultra realistic thanks to a screen capable of displaying four times the resolution of HD.

If you’re not looking to splurge on a whole new TV set though, then it’s definitely worth checking out the newly updated Apple TV which includes in many new features including the ability to download and install apps designed specifically for Apple TV. The new Apple TV starts at $149 for 32GB and $199 for 64GB.

Power on the go

The Fluxmob Bolt Portable Battery and Wall Charger is supposedly the smallest portable power source out there. Inside its bright, colorful case that’s only about the size of a single D cell there is a powerful 3000mAh Lithium-ion battery that’s ready to charge your phone or tablet anywhere, anytime.

Something stylish for her

Basic black is boring so shop for bags and cans that are cute enough to be called fashion and useful enough to be called tech. Skullcandy’s Knockout Robin headphones not only come in trending colors embellished with gorgeous gold accents and bring big sound to the table but are also sized just right for ladies. And SunnyBAG’s Faction bags are bright, fun and funky, and they keep gadgets fully juiced using the power of the sun.

An indestructible kids tablet

Unlike some other tablets advertised as good buys for kids, the Amazon Fire Kids Edition won’t break your holiday shopping budget. It also has some other benefits, namely that it comes already protected in a kid-proof case and ready to go with a year of curated kid-friendly content from Amazon FreeTime. Even better, it also comes with a two-year guarantee against damage caused by everything from drops to spills.

Peace of mind

While a portable backup hard drive like the 1TB HGST Touro S isn’t the most exciting gift, there’s something to be said for giving the very real present of peace of mind. Plus, as hard drives go, it’s sleek, stylish and small enough to toss into a purse or messenger bag but plenty big where it counts.

Just what they’ve always wanted

While there’s no one-size-fits-all tech gift out there, online recommendation engines and interactive gift guides can help you find the perfect gadgets for everyone on your list. Maybe you’ll hit the jackpot with stocking stuffers like wearables or a portable phone charger, or it could be that you need to think bigger. Just answer a few questions about your family and friends to pick great presents or, if you’re shopping for yourself, check out this quiz which will tell you what gadgets and accessories from T-Mobile may be a good choice for you this holiday season.

Is it better to give than to receive? Maybe! But with tech gifts this good just a click away it might be time to starting passing your own holiday wish list around.