In a post I wrote several years back, outlining some of the key gift-buying guidelines you should follow when buying Christmas presents (or any presents, for that matter), I said that you should forget about the cash value. Instead, look for a gift that you think the person will like and appreciate, particularly if it’s something he or she may not necessarily buy for themselves. And it is with that kind of philosophy in mind that I present this budget-oriented holiday gift guide to you. A great gift shouldn’t have to break the bank and all of these options can be had for less than forty bucks.
In fact, with all the retailers and e-tailers getting an early jump on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend of sales, you may even be able to score an even better deal on the items listed in this gift guide. Let’s get started.
For the Gadget Geek
Anker 4-Port USB Wall Charger
The battery life on our smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and fitness trackers just isn’t up to snuff, so having a handy USB wall charger with multiple high-amperage ports is a must. Did you know that charging through your computer’s USB port is slower than through a proper wall charger? I particularly like the compact design of this Anker.
For the Colorful Philosopher
Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks
I’ve been a fan of Gavin Aung Than and Zen Pencils for some time. He takes some wonderfully inspirational quotes and places them in the context of amazing comic strips, really breathing life and color into those words. His book contains quotes from Confucius, Henry David Thoreau, Neil deGrasse Tyson and more.
For the Coffee Drinker
Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker
On Facebook, someone asked if Tassimo, Keurig or Nespresso produced the best cup of coffee. I replied by saying you’re far better off using a French press or–better yet–an Italian stovetop coffee maker like this great one from Bialetti. For people who like their coffee rich and robust, this is the best.
For the Mobile World Warrior
Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS
Admittedly, I’m quite terrible at fighting games and I’m known as a button masher. And while high level play can get incredibly technical, Smash Bros is very accessible to players of all skill levels and it features so many iconic characters. The Wii U version just launched too. I got the 3DS version, as it’s great for a quick match or two in between diaper changes.
For the Baby Genius
Tiny Love Gymini Activity Gym
Speaking of diaper changes, I had to include at least one baby product in this holiday gift guide. We received a slightly different version of this activity gym from a friend and it comes highly recommended. There are lots of interactive elements and several detachable toys to help baby learn and grow.
For the Tailgating Sports Fan
The Go Plate (21-Pack)
Have you ever had the experience of being left without a table, yet wanting to hold both your plate of finger food and your beverage of choice? Maybe it was when you were tailgating or maybe it was at a house party. While there are similar products designed with wine glasses in mind, the Go Plate can accommodate a variety of regular cans and bottles.
For the Sophisticated Drinker
Whiskey Stones in Black Drawstring Bag (Set of 9)
The junk food and beer associated with tailgating are better suited for the Go Plate above. If you’ve got a whiskey drinker on your list, though, these soapstone rocks are a great gift idea. They keep the drink cold without diluting the greatness of an exceptional single malt Scotch.
For the Cerebral Gumshoe
Sherlock: Season 3 (Blu-ray)
It’s elementary, my dear Watson. The BBC’s take on Sherlock Holmes, in my opinion, is drastically better than the Lucy Liu-led American program Elementary. Naturally, if the person on your list hasn’t watched the first two seasons, I suggest you get those first.
And of course, for everyone on your naughty or nice list this year, my book Beyond the Margins is an exceptional idea and the paperback can be had for less than ten dollars (the Kindle version for even less). Happy shopping, good luck and merry Christmas!
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