Whether the people on your holiday shopping list have a dozen gadgets that constantly need charging or they’re a little old school and like to hold a physical photo print in their hands and prefer a jukebox to an MP3 player, we’ve got gift ideas – and a wide variety of price points – for you.
Watch these items in action on the Today Show here.
Kodak Printmatic Instant Camera: $50
Kodak’s Printomatic Instant Camera combines the best of old-school and modern digital photography.
What if someone on your list isn’t on social media or quit Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Where do they display their photos? Well, long before any of those apps – or smartphone cameras – existed, people would shoot photos with Polaroid cameras that developed their own film instantly and then hang them up on their refrigerator or school locker door.
Kodak’s Printomatic Instant Camera ($50) combines the best qualities of both digital and old-school film photography. It produces high-quality, rich-color photos like a phone or digital camera and prints them on sticky-backed photo paper. But unlike your desktop printer, you don’t have to worry about whether you have enough paper or ink cartridges.
The camera also has a built-in flash and lets you save your images on a micro-SD card in case you want to do more with them later. You can take about 40 photos before you need to charge it and if you need to buy more paper, it won’t break the bank. A 20-pack costs $10 and a 50-pack will run you $25.
BUY IT HERE
Victrola Retro Bluetooth Jukebox ($80)
Sonos speakers look boring to you? Play your music through this retro mini-jukebox instead.
Don’t get us wrong. We acknowledge that smartphones are magical devices that let you keep your entire music collection in your pocket. But if we’re being honest, they’re also kind of boring-looking compared to their great, great grandfather, the jukebox. George Michael’s “Faith” video would be a lot less iconic if he’d just clicked play on his phone instead of leaning against a Wurlitzer.
This jukebox merges an old-school exterior – with LED tubes replacing the old neon ones – with a modern interior. Instead of a stack of old records, you can play anything on your phone via a Bluetooth connection and auxiliary input. You can even dial up an AM or FM radio station. And for $80, the sound quality is surprisingly good. And instead of taking up as much space as a refrigerator, it easily fits on a tabletop with room to spare.
BUY IT HERE
Zendure Powerbank Supermini ($60)
The $60 Zendure Powerbank Supermini can keep all your devices running when you can’t access a power outlet.
Think: When was the last time you bought a pack of AA or AAA batteries? It’s probably been a while since you can charge just about anything with a USB cable these days. The downside to that convenience? Now you need a portable charger to keep all your devices running, especially if you’re going out all day and won’t have access to any outlets or your car.
Our pick is the Zendure Powerbank Supermini ($60). It’s small and light enough to fit in your pocket or purse and can fully charge your phone three times and get it to a 50% charge in under half an hour. Going to a work conference? It can also charge your laptop or tablet. Going on an all-day photo or video shoot? It can keep your camera or battery charger going.
Got a mix of old and new devices with different kinds of charging cables? The Zendure has ports for both fast-charging USB-C devices and slower-charging USB-As. Three small lights let you know when the charger itself needs to be re-upped. It also comes in seven different colors.
BUY IT HERE
Presence Display ($225)
The Presence Inspiration Display supplies you with curated words of wisdom.
The Presence “Inspiration” Display uses the science-based power of daily affirmations to deliver a personalized and carefully curated playlist of inspirational quotes and words of wisdom from stars and luminaries, from Jennifer Lawrence and Drake to Oprah, Albert Einstein and even some of your favorite Today Show hosts.
I’ve tested a lot of gadgets in my time and this feel-good screen— which has the sole purpose of making you feel better — is one of my all-time favorite things. It’s usually $250.00 — but thanks to a holiday special, you can snag it for just $99, plus shipping and handling. All told, you are in for about $115.
A word of warning: Due to high demand, you can only order one at a time and your order may not ship until after Christmas.
BUY IT HERE
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook ($300)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i doubles as a laptop and tablet.The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i doubles as a laptop and tablet.
Can’t decide between a laptop or tablet? With the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, you don’t have to choose. Use it as a 13-inch touchscreen tablet — or attach the included magnetic keyboard — and you have a laptop. It also comes with a protective cover.
It’s super light, yet robust enough for the bull-in-a-china shop on your shopping list. It can also save you space when you travel. Instead of hauling two devices, you just need one since the Ideapad Duet 5 can double as work computer and streaming/gaming gadget. Log in with your Google ID and you’ll have access to everything you need.
It’s the first Chromebook with a vibrant OLED full HD 1920 x 1080 touchscreen offering a cinematic display and four speakers for clear and resonant sound.
The battery can last up to 15 hours and recharge back to 80% in just one hour.
There’s a ton of value here, especially for its current sale price of $300 (normally $430).
BUY IT HERE
Ray-Ban Stories Smart Sunglasses ($299)
With Ray-Ban’s Stories smart sunglasses, you can take a photo, video or even a phone call straight from your shades.
You can connect to Bluetooth using the arms of these glasses and use them to play music, podcasts or audiobooks. They also let you adjust the volume or skip/rewind songs. Or press the button on the frame to shoot photos or record 60-second videos, hands-free.
What I like about best about the Stories sunglasses is that you don’t have to take your eyes off what you’re trying to capture. They let you stay totally engaged with your surroundings instead of putting a screen between you and your subjects like a phone or camera would.
A full charge will get you up to six hours of moderate usage or three if you’re streaming audio or using Facebook Assistant. The glasses can also capture and sync up to 30 videos or up to 500 photos per full charge.
BUY THEM HERE