8 tech gift ideas for your loved ones this Christmas

Holiday season––more specifically Christmas––is upon us again, and yes, it’s that time of the year to express your love and gratitude towards friends and family members through the traditional gift-giving.

While we’re already busy making a list (and checking it twice) of presents for different people in between study and work, we thought it would be nice to help you add these devices that will surely come in handy for the years to come. Let’s check them out.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (E-book reader)

Estimate price range: Php7,000 –– Php10,000

There are people who love nothing more but to receive books from their reading list this Christmas to help them get started for the coming year. While physical copy of books are still very much sought after, so are the number of e-book users and even those who are flexible on both.

An e-reader such as the popular Kindle from Amazon is perfect not only for bookworms, but even for students and professionals who deal with reading as part of their roles.

Basically, the e-reader itself is a device that allows the user to download online copies of various available reading materials and read on the go. It’s a portable device, most often light weight, which makes it very practical and useful especially for voracious readers who loves to take a story to read everywhere they go without the hassle of bringing the physical book.

For starters on where to purchase an e-reader, the most popular as mentioned is Amazon’s Kindle. There are various models such as the recently released Paperwhite. While there are Kindles specifically aimed for reading purposes, Amazon offers models such as the Kindle Fire which allows you to install various apps from social media to games to video streaming apps.

Nintendo Switch Lite (Gaming console)

Estimate price range: Php9,000 — Php10,000

For the gamer in us and the people we know, the Switch is a wonderful addition in our lives. The Switch Lite was released years back in 2019, but its relevance today continues as we see more people––whether young or young-at-heart––still carrying the different Nintendo Switch models (original, Lite, and OLED). The game library also continuously releases fresh titles.

Now, why suggest the Lite model? First, the device was made to be portable and easy to carry compared to the other two models. Its compact build allows you to play and go whether you’re hopping from one public transportation to another or constantly shifting from playtime to your daily tasks.

Switch Lite is a perfect gift for the gamers who simply can’t leave their consoles at home and have to get back on the game wherever they go. It’s also the kind of console for people who appreciate their gadgets as something personal and special.

Sky Projectors (13-in-1 Planetarium Galaxy Projector for Bedroom)

Estimate price range: up to Php1,500

This goes to those of us who enjoy stargazing and would perhaps go beyond the surface and view outer space.

Sky projectors make our interstellar dreams come true by turning the room into a planetarium-like ambiance. It’s the kind of device that projects the billions of stars, galaxies, planets on our ceiling which creates a dreamy, cozy atmosphere perfect for sleep or simply for setting up your vibe.

With that said, these projectors come in many models with various settings and features––some are even more scientifically accurate than others––allowing you the option to choose the view the projector should flash.

Most sky projectors in the online market offers an aurora borealis ambiance along with the night sky, incorporating the phenomenon’s bright colors in contrast with the night sky, giving your room more color. This is similar with those projectors that include discs for the user to input; these discs contain various ambiances you can switch according to their mood. Still more sky projectors also offer bluetooth options where you can download certain applications on your phone to control your desired atmosphere.

While we talked about sky projectors here, another option could be the ocean ambiance, projecting soft, calming water onto your room walls.

Fujifilm Instax Cameras (Instant Camera)

Estimate price range: Php6,000 — Php13,000

If you have family or friends who enjoy photography or simply taking photos to record memories, instant cameras are the way to go. Not to mention, these polaroid photos produce a sense of nostalgia that not only make memories, but is a memorable device itself.

The appeal for instant cameras stemmed not only from its blast-to-the-past idea of using handhelds, but also the way it can instantly develop or print the shot taken on the spot.

Unlike our early cameras from the 2000s where we have to approach a photography store to have the films printed into the pictures we see in our parents’ albums, instant cameras such as the most commonly bought Instax models from Fujifiilm, have the photo cards developed through a printing feature on the camera itself.

This kind of shoot and develop on-the-go allowed the generation of today to trade the photos for keepsakes, pinning them up on their room walls and even office desks. The cameras are also fairly easy to use, most models having an easy-to-comprehend instructions and features unlike cameras for professional photography. You just have to choose the right one that works for you or your loved ones.

JBL Tune500 BT (Headphones)

Estimate price range: Php1,500

You don’t have to think very hard when it comes to headphones or earphones because these devices are sought after not only during the holiday season, but on a daily basis.

Headsets and earplugs serve multiple purposes, mainly for listening to music or streaming one’s favorite series or film especially during travels whether on long trips or the daily commute from home to school/work and back.

It’s also much needed for those who do their work online, as well as those who enjoy gaming. Whatever the purpose may be, these audio devices are perfect for everybody.

Romoss PHC10 (Powerbank)

Estimate price range: Php1,000 — Php2,000

It’s surprising how we don’t see a lot of people giving or even requesting powerbanks for such occasions such as Christmas. It’s literally one of the most useful technologies there is especially in a time when game consoles, mobile phones, and other gadgets are with us every day.

Powerbanks are also not that expensive these days except if you are aiming for those with unique designs and longer charging capacity.

These devices are also everywhere: online market, in Miniso, Cyberzone, you name it. While there are powerbanks that range from Php2,000 and even Php6,000, these are mostly the kind where that include other unique features more than the plug-and-charge purpose, and usually these are those that are heavy and allows more than one device to use.

Most basic powerbanks, however, are only around Php1,000 to Php2,000. It’s a wonderful addition to someone you know who frequently uses his devices even while they travel, or those who are always on the road. It’s definitely something they can use for quite a long time.

Huawei Watch Fit 3 (Smartwatch)

Estimate price range: Php6,000 — Php7,000

Another great techy gift idea are smart watches. We’ve seen the rise of smart watches side-by-side with the continuous development of smart phones mainly because smart watches are often connected to phones in order to access their various features.

Unlike the classic wristwatch parents would sometimes pass down to us, smart watches do not only tell you the time, but offers useful apps such as for keeping track of your health indicators.

Connecting the smart watch to your phone unlocks still more features ranging from such as sending you notification updates from social media, controlling the music you are listening to, and even serving as a toggle for shooting photos and videos on your phone’s camera.

Xiaomi Sound Outdoor 30W (Bluetooth speakers)

Estimate price range: Php1,000 — Php3,000

Finally, we have bluetooth speakers––also known as portable speakers––for those who enjoy sharing their music or watching their favorite shows with others.

There are people who prefer the solitude and personal space headphones and earphones offer, but having portable speakers are for those who prefer to listen to their music and don’t mind having it on full blast. This is excellent for those who prefer to listen to songs or even lofi music while doing their daily routine, especially if the tasks involve moving around the room.

Portable speakers are also sought after for those movie nights with friends and family, giving your device’s audio a huge boost to experience that cinema-at-home vibe. Of course, there is also the fact that we belong to a culture that values parties and having upbeat music blasted first thing in the morning––even if there are no particular events such as festivities or celebrations.

With that said, this is definitely the kind of gift that one would treasure either personally or sharing it with family and friends.

Give your special someone an upgrade with these gadgets

There are so many unique presents we give and receive every year particularly during holiday season with family members coming home to the country to spend

Christmas, or using those Christmas bonuses to treat ourselves and perhaps give ourselves gifts.

Developers in the field of technology has not only become creative, but practical as well to the point we can buy affordable yet inexpensive devices to surprise our loved ones.

Whether you choose to give a gadget to your friends or family members this year, or you wish to buy yourself something tech-savvy, we hope that this list gave you some ideas on what you can carry towards the new year.

This article, 8 tech gift ideas for your loved ones this Christmas, was originally published at NoypiGeeks | Philippines Technology News, Reviews and How to's.