New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

Every holiday shopping season, we’re bombarded with gift ideas that feel a bit uninspired. Nothing against those brands, but we could all do a lot better than spending hundreds on a pair of headphones that will just become an outdated model in a year. There are so many creative and exciting items out there that are almost guaranteed to make faces light up when they’re unwrapped. I should know, I test a lot of them.

With that in mind, I rounded up some of my favorite gadgets falling in a range of prices from budget-friendly to big-ticket splurges. Gift giving is my love language…and there’s nothing I love more than finding the perfect present for someone.

The Times Frame is so much more than just a digital picture frame. Sure, it displays a ton of photos and videos, but it can also be your one-stop shop for weather and stock updates or just some motivational messages. Use the app to set up the main screen however you see fit.

This may appear to be a simple Bluetooth speaker, but nothing Marshall makes is simple. Between the sound quality and the leather casing, it’s quite a luxury in audio form. And the fact that it’s currently discounted to less than $100 is just icing on the cake.

People have mixed feelings about AI, but using it to help a child bring their imagination into the real world is a pretty solid use case. Stickerbox may not arrive before Christmas, but trust me, this one is worth the wait. Give the box an artistic prompt, and the built-in AI will generate a black and white sketch that can be printed as a sticker and colored in with the pencils that come with the box.

I gushed about Fanttik during my tech deal coverage for Cyber Week and this is the product that started it all for me. I’m not a big DIY-er and I’m not usually very handy, but this electric screwdriver makes every project seem easily achievable. I look for any opportunity to bust it out and get to work, whether it’s tightening screws on furniture or simply swapping the batteries on my light-up seasonal decor. It’s a 2026 writing goal of mine to get everyone as enthusiastic about this brand as I am.

I have a GoPro, which has been one of my favorite items to take wherever I go to document memorable events. When I came across Camp Snap’s CS-8 camera, which records video with filters that give it a retro feel, I couldn’t resist. I’m obsessed with watching old home movies, and I love that this exists to give new recordings that same vintage feel. This is a great idea for the person who’s always taking the pictures at family functions.

Nex Playground may not have the name recognition as PlayStation or Nintendo, but mark our words, by this time next year it probably will. It’s a gaming console unlike anything else on the market because it requires users to get up and be active. While some of the games are more active than others, there’s plenty to choose from and a ton of options for the whole family to get in on the fun.

It’s crazy that we’re about to wrap up 2025 and planes still have screens that require wired headphones to use them. That’s where Twelve South’s AirFly comes in. Plug this little dongle into the headphone jack and use your regular Bluetooth headphones to watch and listen to your heart’s content. This is a fantastic option for anyone you know who travels often or even just someone who can’t get through a flight without a movie or show to distract them.

Another option for the frequent traveller. Satechi’s passport holder works with Apple’s FindMy app to make sure you never lose track of your travel documents. Help them avoid the frantic scramble to find their passport before a flight, or worse, if they somehow misplace it at their destination.

While I may not be an actual parent, my cat Miley and my Infinity Game Table are my babies. I grew up looking forward to game nights with my dad, so having access to a ton of classic board games with a digital twist has provided endless joy. I show it off every chance I get, and it never fails to impress. This smaller tabletop version of the model that I have is equally as exciting. Play classics like Scrabble and Risk or try one of the many original titles featured in the game library.

One of my favorite memories from when my niece and nephew were still little was me bringing this 3D printer to their house and convincing them that Santa let me borrow it to show them how he and the elves make the toys. We spent the rest of the afternoon using the app to create a bunch of little tchotchkes. This one might be more of a splurge, but it more than delivers on the hours of playtime and enjoyment.

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.