Tech the Halls: A Gift Guide

I treat holiday shopping like a professional sport. There are three areas I tend to focus on: the thing they never knew they needed, the thing they won’t toss during their New Year’s purge, and the thing they’ve been wanting but wouldn’t actually buy for themselves.

Tech gifts are some of the best to give, in my opinion, because a lot of them are utilitarian. Below are some links to items my friends, family, and readers have gotten a lot of use out of.

I will continue to add more to this list over here!

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TECH GIFT GUIDE

🎁 Ski Bum: Chips Ultra Helmet Speakers - My brother has a helmet with speakers built in, but these are even better!

🎁 Performative Reader: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (+ set up Libby) - Hook it up to their library card (or sign them up for one) so they can borrow as many books as they want without guilt! I am a huge library superuser. I don’t use my Kindle all the time, but I love it for travel or commuting on the Subway and Amtrak.

🎁 Long-Distance Loved Ones (PS: Your In-Laws Will Love This One): Aura Frame - My Mom loves it. My Grandma loves it. My boyfriends Mom loves it. My boyfriends Grandma loves it. Make sure you set it up before you give it to them and add some cute pictures.

🎁 Apple Watch in Every Photo: 65W Power Adapter with USB-C + Apple Watch Fast Charging - Thank you, Lucas, for recommending in our Substack Chat!

🎁 The Ultimate Multitasker: Amazon Echo Show - Keep it in the kitchen to bring up your recipe, or in the bedroom to get around your partner’s “no TV in the bedroom” rule.

🎁 Streaming Addict: Amazon Fire TV Stick - I couldn’t get the Nightly News on my TV without it. Super simple and already set up with my Prime account.

🎁 How Is Their Phone Always Dead?: Anker MagGo Power Bank - No cord needed and slim enough to fit in tiny lady pockets.

🎁 Party Animal: Compact Marshall Speaker - One of the nicest things I’ve ever gotten from a brand. It looks nice enough to sit out and is great to bring to the park or beach.

🎁 Marathon Manifester: Garmin Forerunner 55 - I got this version for my Dad, who has never run a marathon with a smartwatch. The face is easy to read even without glasses.

🎁 Tailgate All Day: Heated Vest - Wonderful addition to chilly bar crawls, Apres activities, or cold sports games outside.

🎁 Yes, Chef!: MEATER Plus Bluetooth Meat Thermometer - Lets you check temps from your phone so you don’t open the oven and lose heat.

🎁 RGB Gamer: Philips Hue Lightstrip - I have these under my TV and they’re much better than cheap adhesive ones.

🎁 Vibe Curator: Philips Hue Smart Bulbs (+ cute banker’s lamp) - So pricey and so worth it! I have one lamp in my bedroom and one in my livingroom just to keep my apartment looking more cozy and less like a prewar unrenivated shoebox.

🎁 WFC (Work From Café): Portable Monitor - I have one at my parents house that I use while I’m visiting them. I also ask clients to use these for remote recordings if they are on the go. Video on one side, notes on the other. Takes up almost no room.

🎁 Podcast Dreamer: Samson Q2U Microphone - My go-to mic for beginners or anyone at all.

🎁 Vacation Vlogger: Sony ZV-1 II - Great for podcasts and sit-down videos. Works as a webcam with no extra apps.

🎁 Tiny First Apartment: USB-C Sofa Table - Goes behind the couch. Great for small spaces and charging.

🎁 Data-Driven Gym Rat: WHOOP - Thank you, Jesse 🏳️‍⚧️, for recommending in our Substack Chat.

🎁 Cozy maximalist: Candle Warmer Lamp with app control - Smells great, looks cute, and I have found it makes my candles actually last a lot longer! App-controlled brightness and heat; awesome if you are anxious about accidentally leaving something lit and stepping out of the house.

BONUS

My personal wishlist!

🎁 Couples Massage at The Spa at Hotel Chelsea.

🎁 Intimissimi Boat Neck Modal Cashmere Ultralight Top, size Small in Black.

🎁 Cashmere wrap, monogramed.

🎁 My favorite striped button up, or both of my JW button ups, monogrammed at the sleeve.

🎁 Clinique Black Honey.

🎁 A trip to Europe, preferably in the mountains somewhere.

🎁 Blanche by Byredo Travel Size 5ml.

🎁 A very large painting of my cat in red, pink, and blue

🎁 Glow Facial at christine chin.

🎁 Alterations for a bunch of jeans to fit me perfectly (especially my vintage Diesel ones).

🎁 Sauna time.

🎁 Professional organizer for all of my clothing.

🎁 HG500 Red Light Panel (someone shared their research)

🎁 Vintage workout clothes, mostly cotton.

🎁 Black and brown striped Women’s merino wool leggings or other fun ski base layers.

Just a heads up, these are affiliate links, meaning I will get (a super small) commission if you use them to buy anything. If you don’t want that to happen, please Google the item and find it elsewhere!

Thanks for reading Braun & Brains! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.