Practical Help’s 2013 Holiday Gift Idea Guide

If you’re looking for a gift for Christmas, Hannukah, a birthday or anniversary, or any other reason, we’ve got some recommendations for you. And for many, it’s easier to go shopping hassle-free – online or at your favorite store, so go armed with a great list. So let’s get to it – here’s this year’s list:

Of course, our first gifting tip is for Practical Help for Your Digital Life – our own website. This is the best type of gift you can give someone – free to you, free to them, and a great place they can come to for advice on consumer technology!

For a handy printable tip sheet, please click this link: 2013holidaygiftguide (Adobe PDF, get free reader here)

If you’re looking for a gift under $50, your video-centric friends could consider a Google Chromecast – that plugs directly into any high-definition TV with an HDMI port and gives easy access to Youtube videos along with Netflix and web browsing. More features will be coming soon, and at only $35, this is a great buy! http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/?gclid=CLXIs4uw7LoCFc5xOgodnCsAOA#netflix

For PC owners, it’s always a good idea to give them a gift of computer security. You can buy them a one-year subscription to BitDefender’s Internet Security for about $45 – but look for online deals that can cut the price by a lot. http://www.amazon.com/Internet-Security-2013-PCs-1Year/dp/B008MR2ZP6/ref=pd_cp_sw_1

For someone with an iPad, a nice neoprene case makes a great gift – your gift recipient can take the iPad anywhere without worrying about scratching or dropping the iPad These cost from $29 and up. http://store.apple.com/us/ipad/ipad-accessories/cases#! And for other tablets, just search Amazon.com using the brand/model of the tablet and ‘neoprene case’.

Most anyone will appreciate a thumbdrive, and now you can find 32 gigabyte thumbdrives for under $50 with plenty of space for files. These also make great stocking-stuffers, and an easy gift for small business employees to enjoy! http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8566665&CatId=3786

If you’re looking at staying under $100, the Apple TV just squeaks by – although a thoughtful gift giver would include a ten dollar hdmi cable, since it doesn’t come in the box. http://store.apple.com/us/ipod/ipod-accessories/apple-tv

Know someone who wants to play guitar, has an iPad and likes tech toys? Then try All-Star Guitar from ION Audio – a guitar that uses their iPad instead of strings! You can find the guitar body online for under $60, and a thoughtful gift giver would include an iTunes gift card because even though the All-Star Guitar app is free, songs and expansions are in-app purchases and can add up. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=927585&is=REG&Q=&A=details and https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/all-star-guitar/id547387133

Anyone into physical fitness would enjoy either a FitBit wristband (starting at just under $100) or an iFit module ($99) for their treadmill, stationary bike or NordicTrack. http://www.fitbit.com/store?gclid=COu1tOOx7LoCFXHxOgod1xsAoQ http://shop.ifit.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_-1_13051_14902_62001_145255

Someone with a home entertainment system and a coffee-table full of remotes for all that gear could use a Logitech Harmony Universal Remote $80 for the 650 model) – easy to set up for them to replace all those remotes! http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-remote-650?crid=60

For someone into home automation, SmartHome has tons of different devices, such as intelligent light switches and outlets, sensors and controllers, or some great internet cameras starting at $50 where you can keep an eye on things from anywhere. http://www.smarthome.com/_/Cameras_Surveillance/INSTEON/INSTEON/_/13/23b/3×5/nav.aspx

If you’re looking at more generous gift-giving for that special someone, here’s a few ideas:

1. Tablets are all the rage these days, and the new iPad Air is our favorite http://store.apple.com/us/buy-ipad/ipad-air

2. Microsoft lovers might appreciate a Surface tablet (but we only suggest a Surface Pro 2, not a cheaper model): http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/html/pbPage.PDPS/productID.286867200?Icid=SurfaceCat_Hero_Rot_Surface_2_11.11.13

3. Android aficionados would certainly love a Nexus 10 https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_10_32gb

4. If they love reading, a Kindle Fire HDX would be great http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BHJRYYS/ref=fs_ta

And for any of these, a gift card for apps or content that you slip into the box would be a thoughtful touch!

While we’re not big fans these days of Microsoft Windows PCs (even the new Surface tablets), but a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro would be an awesome gift – you’d be surprised how quickly and easily a die-hard PC user can switch over to Mac. Even if they love Microsoft Office, there’s a Mac version you could include that would round out a great gift for a college-bound student or anyone who’d like an easy way to do more than just use a tablet. http://www.apple.com/mac/

Office for Mac: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Office-for-Mac-Home-and-Business-2011/productID.253736100

Office for Mac Student: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Office-for-Mac-Home-and-Student-2011/productID.253736200

If your gift recipient just has to have a Microsoft Windows PC, we suggest you stay away from the convertible models (tablet and laptop combined into one), and just stick with a standard laptop – we still like models from Lenovo and Dell best.

For kids and teens, the latest generation of gaming consoles have recently been released, including the Sony Playstation Four, Microsoft’s XBox One, and the Nintendo 3ds XL. Plus tons of games for both these and their older versions. http://playstation.greatnessawaits.com/

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/retailers

http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/buy/

Younger children are always happy with tech toys, and it seems that every year, the entry age drops for getting their own, first cell phone. Parents may want to wait, but by 7th or 8th grade most kids have their own cell phone, and the few who don’t can be at a distinct disadvantage. Same for having their own computer or tablet, certainly by the time they get into high school, having their own computer can help make sure they’re on the right side of the digital divide. Just please be sure to teach kids how to use these devices safely – and we have plenty of tips here on our website.

Lastly, if you just can’t find a gift that suits, a gift card to wherever they shop may be less personal, but always appreciated. You can get gift cards to just about any store or online merchant such as Amazon, iTunes, the Google Play Store, Best Buy, or even Staples! And of course, if your gift recipient uses consumer technology, a membership to Practical Help is easy to buy and will help them get tips on using new tech as well as the consumer technology they already own! https://positek.net/plans/gift-memberships/ – our members can even ask questions about how to use their new gifts!