A few gift recommendations and personal wishlist items from yours truly |
The perfect gift is relative, but we've been eyeing monitors, smart lighting, styli, and a host of other items. |
|
|
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. |
|
|
While others have been toiling away at the North Pole, The Verge's deals team has been working hard to bring you the best discounts and sales on various pieces of tech and other awesome products. This weekend, however, our newsletter is less about discounts and more about what's got us hot and bothered this holiday season. Not everything featured here is on sale, but maybe our collective wishlist will give you that flash of inspiration you need if you're struggling to find gifts for that special someone.
Some of the gifts we've been hoping to find in our stockings are practical, like the LectroFan White Noise Machine, while others are more peculiar (ahem, Trombone Champ). Of course, if you need some additional ideas, our impressive collection of holiday gift guides offer plenty of curated suggestions for just about everyone that made your "nice" list this year.
|
|
|
I'm sure my colleagues will pick vastly more exciting holiday picks, but I stand by mine as a solid gift idea for yourself or someone else. The Lectrofan White Noise Machine is the most-used and most-relied upon piece of technology in my apartment, aside from lights. Hearing white noise does more to make me sleepy than taking melatonin, and it's something that I won't leave behind for any kind of trip — be it a two-night stay at a family's house, or a two-week vacation. It drowns out small noises that might keep me awake, and it lets me know that I can surrender the stress of the day and just sleep.
The reason why I like this particular Lectrofan model is because it's small, USB-powered, and its digital sounds loop without obvious end points or patterns that I can pick up on. It sounds like a real fan, and it'll cost you less than $50 at Amazon. — Cameron Faulkner, staff writer
|
|
|
|
$35.96 $49.95 28% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
|
The LectroFan White Noise Machine can play 10 fan sounds and 10 ambient, non-repeating tracks, ranging from standard white noise and warmer pink noise to different kinds of fans. |
|
|
Since I'm in the slow-and-steady process of changing up my work from home setup, I'm now in the market for a new monitor. My tried and true 30-inch QHD Dell monitor is still going strong and adequate for general work and photo editing in Lightroom Classic — especially since I try to keep it calibrated somewhat regularly — but what I'm looking for is a more focused gaming monitor that ticks most of the right boxes without breaking the bank.
This 27-inch LG UltraGear QHD model is a little on the small side for my tastes, but its sub-$300 price point at Amazon is oh-so-right. It maintains a resolution around what I'm accustomed to (2560 x 1440) and has a high refresh of 165Hz as well as a speedy 1ms response time. I've never owned a monitor that fast, but I'd welcome the change from my sluggish 7ms / 60Hz Dell. Guess I better set my price trackers accordingly, as I sense I've got some post-Christmas shopping to do for myself. — Antonio DiBenedetto, staff writer
|
|
|
|
$288.13
Prices taken at time of publishing.
|
LG’s 27-inch UltraGear gaming monitors are a great value. This particular model features a QHD IPS panel with two HDMI ports and a DisplayPort, letting you hook up a PC and a gaming console. It also touts a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and G-Sync support. |
|
|
A standalone iPad is fine, but for me, it's the stylus that differentiates it from my MacBook and makes it fun. That's why my pick this year is for the second-gen Apple Pencil. A stylus makes it possible for me to draw digital henna designs that look semi-professional, essentially turning my iPad into something of a fun creative device. I also love to journal, but I prefer the feel of a pen in my hand as I write over typing, which is an experience the stylus offers. Apple's latest stylus makes for a good gift, too, but bear in mind that not all iPads are compatible with the second-gen model (including the entry-level iPad!). That's okay, though, as the first-gen Apple Pencil is nice as well! — Sheena Vasani, staff writer
|
|
|
|
$89 $129 32% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
|
The second-gen Apple Pencil ditches the awkward Lightning port charging, adopting a magnetic mechanism that attaches to the side of the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models. It can also recharge while magnetically attached and supports tap gestures. |
|
|
Just when I thought I couldn't use any more RGB lighting, Govee comes along with some diffused RGB lightstrips that are just *chefs kiss*. If you’re looking to earn score points with me this holiday season, you can pick up the Govee Glide Wall Lights on Amazon for $99.99 when you clip the on-page coupon. There are other sets available, but this reactive kit includes eight straight sections, four angled corner pieces, and a control box. Each straight section is significantly chunkier than your average lightstrip, and the customizable lights support voice controls via both Alexa and Google Assistant. — Alice Newcome-Beill, staff writer
|
|
|
|
$99.99 $149.99 34% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
|
Govee’s Glide Wall Lights use a combination of straight and curved LED accent lights and a single adapter, which can be controlled using the Govee app, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. |
|
|
More deals that make for great gifts |
-
Why have I not bought Trombone Champ ($14.99) on Steam yet? I've cackled at so many videos of this silly rhythm game since it went viral, but I need to finally buy it and get toot-toot-tooting away to some PERFECTO songs. My laughter is likely to drive my wife nuts once I load up One Winged Angel and some of the title's amazing anime songs. Good thing the Steam Winter Sale is coming soon. —
Antonio DiBenedetto
-
I don’t own the Fitbit Charge 5 but I do own the prior model, the Charge 4, which I love given I don't need more than the basics. There’s something about being able to count your steps that inspires you to walk more, which makes the latest model with a color display a good gift for those like me who are trying to get their reps in. It's currently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and direct from Fitbit for around $99. — Sheena Vasani
-
Be gone with you, keys. If you're tired of getting locked out, you can upgrade to the easy-to-install Yale Assure Lock 2. The handy smart locks features both a keypad and Apple Watch support for $159.99, which is its current price at Amazon, Best Buy, and Wellbots. — Cameron Faulkner
-
The deconstructed tech items put on display by Grid are peak art. The company takes aged tablets, phones, laptops, and handheld consoles, breaking them down into their key components and putting them on display, shadowbox style. Some of the framed tech currently on offer includes the first-gen MacBook Air ($599) and the iPod Touch ($139). The prices on each product can fluctuate slightly based on availability, but if I had to pick one piece to put on my wall, it would have to be the transparent Atomic Purple Game Boy Color ($199). — Alice Newcome-Beill
|
|
|
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy. View our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service.
This email was sent to -. Manage your email preferences, or unsubscribe to stop receiving this email.
Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
