Holiday shopping can be a real headache sometimes. Finding gifts that are interesting, unique, and actually desirable can be a real challenge. This is especially true if you’re relying on a handful of local retailers to deliver the goods.
Thankfully, there are tons of innovative products online that range from simply convenient to game-changing. Here are five of those products that you can readily pick up, crossing off almost anyone on your list, easy-peasy.
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1. Smart Watch
The smartphone boom of the late aughts revolutionized the way people in modern societies live their lives. And while current smartphones are more powerful, they function relatively similarly to the early models. Smart watches are the next advancement, and while they might not be as revolutionary as smartphones, they’re certainly more convenient. They’re perfect for the more digitally conscious people on your shopping list who don’t have one already.
These watches have the same essential functions as phones but are smaller and even more portable. Many of them also easily sync with phones, laptops, and tablets running the same operating system. They’re incredibly convenient for work, fitness, grocery runs, navigation, and more. You can even get a smart watch for kids. If you want to get someone a gift they’ll truly use every day of their life, a smart watch is a safe bet.
2. Solar Battery Charger
Getting out in nature is good for your body, mind, and spirit. But one of the biggest problems with bringing technology into the wilderness is running out of battery life. Even your standard portable batteries will run out of juice eventually. So you might not be able to capture the beautiful vista at the climax of a multi-day hike. And there aren’t exactly outlets in tree trunks — at least not yet.
So for now, one of the best options to bring is a solar-powered battery charger, which is just what it sounds like. This device absorbs the sun’s rays with small, foldable solar cells to charge up energy in a portable battery. That battery can then be used to charge cellphones, laptops, cameras, or even that new smart watch. These are great gifts even for people who aren’t wilderness lovers, as they can help anyone on the move.
3. E-Reader
Reading books is one of the best ways to continue learning and growing throughout your life. Books allow you to engage richly imaginative ideas and gain useful information that could change your behavior. The downside is that traditional paper books are often bulky, difficult to transport, and, frankly, inconvenient. Even the most avid readers can struggle to make time for them in the modern world.
Much like smartphones changed communication, e-readers are changing the way people read. These gadgets give you access to more books than you could read in a lifetime, all while weighing less than a hardcover. They’re easy to store in a bag or backpack and generally have excellent battery life. Not only are they space-saving, e-readers put dictionary definitions at your fingertips and let you read in the dark. All that makes them a great gift for any current or aspiring reader on your list who doesn’t have one already.
4. Simple Wallet
In most modern societies, cash is on its way out. Between peer-to-peer payment apps and credit cards with amazing benefits, there’s little reason to use it. Yet many people still carry old-fashioned wallets with bulky compartments designed to store coins. These wallets can be inconvenient to carry and can cause back problems for men, who often keep them in a back pocket. Thankfully, there are innovators designing wallets to reflect the reality of how people use money nowadays.
Simple wallets, credit card wallets, and minimalist wallets are all names for wallets designed with new principles. Their goal is to function as simple, user-friendly tools for carrying modern means of payment, prioritizing cards over cash. These wallets are designed with retractable slots for cards so you can access them easily without fumbling. Simple wallets are an excellent gift for, well, anyone really. You might end up ordering one for yourself, too.
5. Box Subscriptions
Holiday shopping comes with inherent risks, the greatest of which is: What if the person doesn’t like what you buy them? There’s nothing quite like seeing someone open your gift and muster a half-smile to conceal their disappointment. And while there’s no way to completely avoid this unfortunate scenario, box subscriptions can help alleviate it somewhat. You can sign someone up for a repeating delivery of some category of thing they like and let the experts handle the specifics.
For example, say your friend absolutely adores their cat, but you have no idea what they’d buy for their pet. Well, get them a subscription to a pet box service, and the supplier will do all the work for you! Your friend will get periodic deliveries of new toys and treats for their furry critter, and some are bound to be hits. There are box subscriptions for clothes, food, gadgets, toys, books, and so much more. All you have to do is guess the general ballpark of someone’s interests, and they’ll be anticipating their next box with excitement.
Use Online Shopping to Your Advantage
Holiday shopping can be difficult when done the traditional, in-person way. Admittedly, there are some amazing stores full of unique objects you’d probably never find online. But it’s hard to beat online shopping for innovative products that are incredibly useful, convenient, and interesting. Do a little digging, and you’ll be able to find a great gift — or even a series of gifts — for everyone on your list.
