To find the best Christmas gifts, Mashable reporters and editors review products all year long, and we love recommending holiday gift ideas.
Ready or not, the holiday shopping season is underway. Choosing the best Christmas gifts for the ones you love is either an epic quest that you look forward to every year — or one you dread. Luckily, we spend our days testing all the latest gadgets, trending products, and gift-worthy gear, and we know exactly what to recommend.
For 2026, our Christmas wishlist is simple: it's all the awesome stuff we loved most this year, including the products we named Mashable Gift of the Year winners. That includes the newest gadgets, the swoonworthy items we just had to buy for ourselves, and some classic all-time Mashable favorites. With input from our own tech reporters, shopping editors, and product reviewers, every single Christmas gift idea we recommend is an item we use, love, or have given to others ourselves.
Whether you're searching for the best Christmas gifts for mom and dad, your sweetheart, cool teens, or stocking stuffers everyone will love, start with our Christmas gift guide. So, join us as we put on our Santa hats and share the very best Christmas gift ideas of the year.
Credit: Kodak
Several Mashable reporters dramatically curbed their screen time with the help of the Brick, a pocket-sized gadget that locks certain apps on your phone. That physical element makes it way more effective than traditional screen-time apps. "My favorite use of Bricking my phone is before bed, as it ensures social media isn't the first thing I see when I wake up," said lead shopping reporter Samantha Mangino. Throw in a cute Brick Case while you're at it, too. Read our full review of the Brick.
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Credit: Brick
Brick
$59
at Brick
Charging devices are always some of the best practical gifts and stocking stuffers. Anker has an endless number of high-powered charging solutions, but we’re especially fond of two. First, the ultra-thin Nano MagSafe Power Bank attaches magnetically to compatible phones for convenient wireless charging. Then, there’s the Nano Smart Display Charger, which can fast-charge smartphones and let you know when it's done with a built-in smart display.
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Credit: Anker
Anker Nano Smart Display Charger, 45W
$29.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Anker
Anker Nano MagSafe Power Bank
$54.99
at Amazon
Wired earbuds are back in style, and Apple's EarPods — the white 'buds that used to come with old iPhones — are a classic, affordable option. Senior shopping reporter Haley Henschel replaced her uncomfortable AirPods Pro 2 with them and never looked back. "Join me on the wired side," she wrote. "The sound quality is good enough [and] the cover charge is cheap."
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Credit: Apple
Apple EarPods (USB-C)
$19
at Amazon
The Kodak Charmera is a miniature camera that comes in a blind box (like a Labubu), so you don't know exactly which color you're going to get. The best part is that it can actually take photos and videos — it's not just a decorative toy — and its shots are delightfully nostalgic. Multiple Mashable staffers have one of these hanging on their keychains or purses' hardware.
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Credit: Kodak
Kodak Charmera
$34.99
at Amazon
The Nothing Ear (3a) are an excellent AirPods Pro alternative and some of the best budget earbuds available. They sound as good as they look, delivering clear, bold audio in a transparent design. Call quality is their biggest strength, rivaling earbuds that cost nearly three times as much.
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Credit: Nothing
Nothing Ear (3a)
$99
at Amazon
These rechargeable electric hand warmers come personally recommended by Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth, who's been slipping them into Christmas stockings for years. They have a cute design and built-in flashlight, but most importantly, they keep your hands and fingers nice and toasty even in the bitter cold. If you're looking for gifts under $25 for a White Elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange, we promise these will be popular.
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Credit: Orastone
Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer
$29.99
at Amazon
A Welly first-aid kit is another of our go-to stocking stuffers. The brand is best known for its adorable, kid-friendly Bravery Bandages with fun designs, but even adults will appreciate this colorful and travel-friendly med kit, which has all the essentials you need to treat little bumps, scrapes, burns, and ouchies. Pack one in your dopp kit when you travel, or keep it in your medicine cabinet year-round.
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Credit: Welly
Welly Quick Fix On The Go First Aid Kit (2-Pack)
$15.88
at Amazon
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
Amazon just dropped some iPad alternatives for Android users with tighter budgets: the new Alexa tablets. Their premium aluminum chassis are sleek and colorful, and the Alexa+ AI assistant is built right into them. Plus, unlike Amazon's older Fire tablets, they have full access to the Google Play Store. If your gifting budget has no bounds, we think the high-end Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with an optional "nanomatte" display is one of the best Christmas gift ideas for digital artists.
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Credit: Amazon
Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 (64GB)
$229.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Amazon
Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (128GB, Nanomatte display)
$549.99
at Amazon
The Ambient Dreamie is a new smart alarm clock that "makes it easy to pretend like your phone doesn't exist," Henschel wrote. "It doesn't require an app for setup, and it eliminates most excuses for bringing your phone to bed by offloading your alarms, night lighting, and sleep content." She said it helped her fall asleep faster and wake up easier. This fall, the Dreamie added a podcast feature, and contactless sleep tracking is next on the docket. Read our full review of the Ambient Dreamie.
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Credit: Ambient
Ambient Dreamie
$249
at Ambient
Apple finally revisited its HomePod mini smart speaker this fall to give it a faster processor and a new "Sound Glow" feature that can sync with your music. A future software update will add support for the company's Siri AI assistant; if you link it to your phone or iPad, it'll be able to recognize your voice and compete tasks for you using your calendar, texts, and emails. Crucially, it also now comes in pink and green.
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Credit: Apple
Apple HomePod mini 2
$149
at Best Buy
This spring, Apple dropped a budget bombshell in the MacBook Neo, a colorful laptop that doesn't look or feel as cheap as it really is. (It starts at just $699.) "Most cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks have plastic components, but this little guy has the same luxe, all-aluminum build quality as any other MacBook," Henschel wrote, adding that its A18 Pro chip is "extremely impressive" in basic computing scenarios. It's a Mashable Choice Award winner, and we think it's the best laptop for kids and younger students. Read our full review of the Apple MacBook Neo.
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Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
$699
at Amazon
Shopping for someone who runs every decision past ChatGPT? We've got just the thing. We’re talking about Pocket, a voice recorder that hides discreetly in any pocket. Moreover, this is a personal AI assistant programmed to take notes, transcribe meetings, and summarize calls. Pocket does a terrific job of extracting key info and providing visual maps of conversations. It's also a great gift idea for college students.
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Credit: Pocket
Pocket AI
$159
at Amazon
Another Mashable Choice titleholder, the new Oura Ring 5 has a slimmer design that makes it more comfortable to wear for long periods of time — yet it still lasts up to seven days per charge. According to Mangino, who's used to wearing an Apple Watch, its jewelry-like look and fit make it the ultimate everyday wearable. Its "exceptional" activity tracking (her words) and useful health insights are just the icing on the cake. Read our full review of the Oura Ring 5.
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Credit: Oura
Oura Ring 5
$399
at Amazon
Pokémon fever is running high for the legendary franchise's 30th anniversary. So, whether you're shopping for a 5-year-old or a nostalgic millennial who’s still a kid at heart, expect Pokémon gifts to be in very high demand for Christmas 2026.
Select brands have collaborated with the IP to release various special-edition products, including Adidas and Beats. We're also huge fans of the adorable Lego Smart Play Pokémon sets. Our advice: grab available items ASAP or bookmark product pages to watch for restocks. You can thank us later.
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Credit: Lego
Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Training House with Pikachu
$69.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Beats by Dre
Beats Pill – Pokémon Special Edition
$149.99
at Beats
A fitting gift for any modern bookworm is an e-reader. We've also named the new Amazon Kindles some of our favorite Christmas gift ideas of the year (keep scrolling), but there are other options we love. Another Mashable favorite, the Kobo Libra Colour, lets readers highlight passages in color and makes comic books and graphic novels more engaging. We also love the new reMarkable Paper Pure, a powerhouse e-ink writing tablet that doubles as an e-reader for PDF and ePub files, without any ads or pop-ups. Read more about the best e-readers.
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Credit: reMarkable
reMarkable Paper Pure with stylus
$399
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Credit: Kobo
Kobo Libra Colour e-reader
$259.99
at Amazon
We think the TCL QM6K is the best TV for most people. Former senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart deemed it "the quintessential beginner fancy TV": a nice QLED model with adequate brightness, deep blacks, great color, and a high-enough refresh rate for gaming, but a reasonable price tag. (Every size is usually on sale for well under $1,000 — even the huge 85-incher.) It's primo "for casual home theater purposes," Stodart wrote. Read our full review of the TCL QM6K.
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Credit: TCL
TCL 65-inch QM6K Mini LED 4K TV
$799.99
at Amazon
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Birdbuddy's smart feeders are super popular Christmas gifts, and the brand just came out with two new models: the Birdbuddy Nook and Birdbuddy Home. Henschel tested them and prefers the Home because it has a larger seed reservoir and two built-in solar panels. However, the small, affordable Nook is "ideal for tight spaces like balconies and patios," she said. Both feeders are super easy to set up and have an upgraded, scratch-resistant camera with AI-powered bird species recognition.
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Credit: Birdbuddy
Birdbuddy Nook Solar
$159
at Birdbuddy
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Credit: Birdbuddy
Birdbuddy Home
$219
at Birdbuddy
This fall, Apple came out with its first-ever smart display, the HomeView. Parents can use it for FaceTime calls, sending messages, listening to music, catching up on shows, and answering questions or controlling other smart home devices via Siri AI. It also doubles as a digital picture frame. (Like Amazon's Echo Show devices, it's basically an all-in-one hub.) Up to six people can set up their own profiles on it, so it's well-suited for bigger households.
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Credit: Apple
Apple HomeView
$299
at Amazon
If your family is spread out in different states, then a digital picture frame lets mom, dad, or your grandparents keep track of the entire family — no matter where they are. Everyone in the family can add new pictures remotely, and their picture frames will show a slideshow of your latest adventures.
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Credit: Aura
Aura Digital Picture Frame, Carver, 10 inches
$179
at Amazon
Classic board games stir up sweet family memories. WS Games leans into that with its vintage-inspired collection. Battleship, Candy Land, Clue, Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, and numerous other classics receive a bookshelf-worthy makeover. Each edition has a hardcover-style design and interior storage for the pieces, so it can sit proudly on a bookshelf instead of being tucked away in a closet.
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Credit: WS Games
WS Games Vintage Bookshelf Editions
Check prices at Amazon
Shop Now at Amazon
What are the best Christmas gifts for men, you might be wondering? We have a whole separate list of gift ideas for guys, but to make things quick, Breeo's USA-made fire pits rock.
They're smokeless, capable of providing hours of entertainment, and available in stainless or corten steel finishes, the latter of which develops a rustic patina over time. Breeo also sells a lot of accessories for its fire pits, including a Heavy Duty Fire Poker — another one of our go-to unique gifts for men. It has the feel and heft of a harpoon, and it can shift logs around until you have the perfect blaze.
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Credit: Breeo
Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit X19
$399
at Amazon
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Credit: Breeo
Breeo Heavy-Duty Fire Pit Poker
$69
at Amazon
The best robot vacuum and mop combos can take two chores off Mom and Dad's plates — a priceless Christmas gift, if you ask us. Out of all the new models that Stodart tested this year, she thought the Eufy C28 was the best affordable option. Additionally, its "AI-powered small obstacle avoidance will reliably avoid toys, cords, laundry, or whatever else you didn't have time to tidy up," Stodart said. Read our full review of the Eufy Robot Vacuum C28.
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Credit: Eufy
Eufy Robot Vacuum C28
$799.99
at Amazon
There is something so luxurious about a brand-new set of bath towels that all match and feel wonderful. It's like a warm hug each time you get out of the shower. Brooklinen's are particularly loved by our staff — tech editor Werth said, "I firmly believe that Brooklinen's Super-Plush towels are the best towels in the world, period. They're insanely fluffy yet dry faster than you expect."
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Credit: Brooklinen
Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels (Set of 2)
$109
at Brooklinen
There's a non-zero chance that your parents, like so many other homeowners with a little disposable income, have procured a 12-foot skeleton from the Home Depot within the last few years. (It can talk now, in case you didn't hear.) If that's the case, this custom Santa costume will give them an excuse to leave it up through the holidays. We won't tell their HOA if you won't.
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Credit: The Home Depot
12 ft. Skelly Santa Outfit Kit
$58.98
at The Home Depot
Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable
Apple’s flagship headphones have never been cheap, but thanks to Black Friday sales, the holiday shopping season is your chance to score a pair at a discount — or hope someone especially generous puts them under the tree. This time of year, they're often marked down as low as $449.
Beyond the price, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are an upgrade from the original, boasting the H2 chipset for enhanced active noise cancellation and integrated smart audio features such as Adaptive Audio and Conversational Awareness. They also support true lossless audio over USB-C connection to hear more detail and nuance from Apple Music tracks. Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Max 2.
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Credit: Apple
Apple AirPods Max 2
$549
at Amazon
The travel-friendly Anker Prime Power Bank packs enough power to charge an entire laptop on the go, and it's an incredibly practical gift for anyone with a lot of devices to keep charged (i.e. everyone). Wherever you are, this portable power bank can charge a laptop, a handheld gaming console, and a smartphone — all at the same time.
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Credit: Anker
Anker Prime 3-Port Portable Power Bank and Charger
$129.99
DJI is best known for its drones, but don't sleep on its creator-friendly cameras and microphones, either. The DJI Mic Mini has a cult following among TikTokkers, and it's a personal favorite of our own reporters. Compatible with both iPhones and Androids (plus a host of cameras), these are the exact microphones that the Mashable social team uses at events such as VidCon. Read our full review of the DJI Mic Mini.
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Credit: DJI
DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)
$95
at Amazon
The Mashable Choice Award-winning Insta360 Luna Ultra is a new 8K gimbal camera with dual lenses and a detachable two-inch touchscreen for remote operation. Mashable assistant editor Amanda Yeo thought the latter was a really neat feature: It "turns the Luna Ultra from a nifty handheld camera into a super flexible vlogging tool that can capture more angles with ease, and is particularly attractive for solo shooting," she wrote. It's a solid investment for any aspiring or professional creator. Read our full review of the Insta360 Luna Ultra.
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Credit: Insta360
Insta360 Luna Ultra
$769.99
at Amazon
The Octobuddy is a colorful silicone suction mount that lets you stick your phone onto any smooth surface for impromptu videos. TikTok-obsessed teens will undoubtedly appreciate its simple design that makes filming GRWM videos and dance challenges way easier. We frequently see the Octobuddy mentioned in our In My Bag creator interview series.
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Credit: Octobuddy
Octobuddy Classic
$14.99
at Amazon
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series has been 13 years in the making, and we're not being dramatic when we say it's the most anticipated video game of all time. Its story will follow a criminal couple through the streets and swamps of Leonida, a fictional version of Florida. If its soundtrack is anything to go by, it'll be a banger. If you preorder GTA 6 before launch day on Nov. 19, your giftee will get bonus vehicle, weapon, and character cosmetics.
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Credit: Rockstar Games
"Grand Theft Auto VI" (PlayStation and Xbox)
$79.99
at Amazon
The secret ingredient to some of the very best gifts of 2026? Pure, unadulterated nostalgia.
For its latest remake, Nintendo modernized 1998's Ocarina of Time with better visuals and physics, new voice lines, a fresh score, and free camera controls. According to Mashable tech reporter Alex Perry, who got to play the game for an hour at a press preview event, it's a thoughtful update of a stone-cold classic. "It isn't the same as a brand new Zelda for [the Nintendo] Switch 2," he wrote, "but it'll do until the time comes." It's out Nov. 5, and you can preorder it now.
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Credit: Nintendo
"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" (Nintendo Switch 2)
$69.99
at Amazon
Clips of Pokopia gameplay went massively viral this spring, and for good reason. It's "Pokémon meets Minecraft, with a delightfully goofy premise and the potential for lots of town-building fun to be had either by yourself or with a group of friends via online play," Perry wrote. It's such a good game that a lot of people upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 just to play it. Read Mashable's full review of Pokémon Pokopia.
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Credit: Nintendo
"Pokémon Pokopia" (Nintendo Switch 2)
$69.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Nintendo
"Pokémon Pokopia" Expansion Pass (Nintendo Switch 2)
$34.99
at Amazon
Perry called the Nintendo Switch 2 "a fabulous follow-up to an all-time legend." It won a Mashable Choice Award for its upgraded system software and great online social features. Perry also loved its new magnetic Joy-Con 2s, which are bigger and more satisfying to use than the original Switch's controllers. We think it's the best handheld gaming console to buy in 2026, even after a price hike. Read our full review of the Nintendo Switch 2.
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Credit: Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2
$499.99
at Best Buy
Lego had retro gamers tweaking last year with its awesome Game Boy replica. For its encore, the iconic toy maker jumped a few gaming generations ahead, creating this Sony PlayStation set in celebration of the system’s 30th anniversary. It’s an awesome recreation of the original and features customizable details paying homage to two classic launch titles: Ape Escape and Gran Turismo. One look is enough to bring back 32-bit-era memories.
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Credit: Lego
Lego PlayStation
$179.99
at Lego
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The sixth installment in Sarah J. Maas' hit romantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, arrived this October, and no self-respecting BookTok member should miss it. If you really want to earn brownie points with your bibliophilic giftee, preorder them a copy of the next book, which is set for release in January. Both are available in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and Kindle e-book formats.
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Credit: Bloomsbury Publishing
"A Court of Splintered Harmony: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movement I" (Sarah J. Maas)
$32
at Amazon
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Credit: Bloomsbury Publishing
"A Court of Forgotten Melody: The Valkyrie Cycle, Movements II & III" (Sarah J. Maas)
$38
at Amazon
Amazon redesigned its Kindle e-readers for 2026 with fun new colors (ube! seaglass green!) and thinner, lighter form factors. After testing the updated base model, Mashable's Mangino crowned it the best budget e-reader. "What truly makes it stand out is just how lightweight it is," she wrote — at six inches and half a pound, it's excellent for travel. Read our full review of the new Amazon Kindle.
However, if you have a little more wiggle room in your gifting budget, Mangino thinks the new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is the best Kindle overall: It's waterproof, longer-lasting, and equipped with an adjustable warm light. Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition.
Psst: Don't forget to remove the Kindle lockscreen ads before you gift. To quote our tech editor, "it's borderline rude" not to.
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Credit: Amazon
Amazon Kindle (16GB)
$149.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Amazon
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB)
$249.99
at Amazon
Amazon's first page turner, the Kindle Click, "will level up your cozy evenings spent reading," said Mangino, and it's a must-have for the BookTok set. It lets you turn the pages of a Kindle or adjust its brightness when you're snug under the covers of your fuzziest blanket. (It's compatible with models from 2024 onward.) Unlike other page-turners we've tried, it works via Bluetooth. Read our full review of the Amazon Kindle Click.
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Credit: Amazon
Amazon Kindle Click
$34.99
at Amazon
A gooseneck stand is a "luxury" for any regular e-reader user because it situates the device "within reading distance without any arm fatigue," Mangino said. Based on her testing, this Magipea model works nicely with both Kindle and Kobo models.
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Credit: Magipea
Magipea Gooseneck Stand
$25.99
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Trivia night at the local bar is fun, but hosting one at home can be even better. Hitster is an icebreaker that gets everyone working together to identify hit songs from the past century. Scan a card to play a track, then guess the year it was released. Themed editions — including All American, Guilty Pleasures, and Latino —broaden playability and let you tailor the music to your company.
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Credit: Jumbo
"Hitster"
$19.99
at Amazon
Multiple Mashable editors and writers swear by Loop's earplugs, which look like jewelry, fit comfortably in most people's ears, and make a unique stocking stuffer. The Loop Experience 2 are great for regular concert- and music festival-goers; Mashable's Henschel even wore them to a Beyoncé show. "I could hear Beyoncé and her band perfectly, but the din of the stadium was almost completely suppressed," she wrote. They come in a range of color options, including some limited-edition metallic variants designed in partnership with Harry Styles.
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Credit: Loop
Loop Experience 2
$34.95
at Amazon
This spring, Sony launched some new Bluetooth record players for the first time in seven years. Henschel tried the entry-level PS-LX3BT model and called it "a stylish turntable with idiot-proof plug-and-play functionality." She pointed out that it has a USB-B port in the back, which you can use to rip vinyl tracks onto a laptop. If your partner collects vinyl, this is one of those Christmas gift ideas they'll appreciate for years to come. Read our full review of the Sony PS-LX3BT.
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Credit: Sony
Sony PS-LX3BT Wireless Bluetooth Turntable
$398
at Amazon
CDs are the latest retro tech to have a resurgence among Gen Z. Tracking down a cool old CD player on eBay will earn you a lot of cred, but if you don't want to go through the trouble, this see-through model from Retradisc looks really, really cool. It works with wired or wireless headphones, and best of all, it doesn't cost as much as Sony's new gold-plated Walkman.
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Credit: Retradisc
Retradisc Portable Bluetooth CD Player
$99
at MoMa Design Store
Technics continues to make a strong impression in the wireless audio market. When it comes to hi-fi headphones, the new EAH-A1000 are a sonic stunner that put many category leaders to shame. They crush the AirPods Max 2 in most areas and rival the Sony WH-1000XM6 sound quality, while also outlasting both competitors in playtime (up to 45 hours per charge) and multi-point pairing. Plus, the elegant craftsmanship is a 10/10. Every audiophile should have this at the top of their wish list this year.
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Credit: Technics
Technics EAH-A1000
$449.99
at Amazon
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Choosing a signature scent for your hubby isn’t as easy as picking out a video game; you need to know their olfactory preferences. If you’re unsure what they like — or shopping for someone especially particular — let them decide with one of Fulton & Roark’s discovery sets. The variety gives them a chance to explore different scents and narrow down their next go-to fragrance. (Pro tip: We like Palmetto and Ghost Trees.)
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Credit: Fulton & Roark
Fulton & Roark Classic Discovery Set
$35
at Fulton & Roark
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Credit: Fulton & Roark
Fulton & Roark Cult Favorites Discovery Set
$35
at Fulton & Roark
Harry’s has something for every man’s mug. Guys who prefer a clean-shaven look can reach for the brand’s shaving kit, which includes the popular Truman handle with secure grip and multiple five-blade cartridges that deliver close shaves. No-shave November devotees can keep their mane well-kempt with the beard wash and conditioning spray bundle.
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Credit: Harry's
Harry's Original Shaving Kit
$28.40
at Amazon
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Credit: Harry's
Harry's Beard Grooming Kit
$25
at Amazon
Every well-groomed gentleman deserves a luxury electric shaver in his life. The Panasonic Arc5 Pro is our pick for its comfortable, close shaves and flexible head, which is designed to improve cutting performance. It works for both wet and dry shaving, and the built-in pop-up trimmer provides seamless control and navigation to clean up edges around the neckline.
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Credit: Panasonic
Panasonic Arc5 Pro + Cleaning Station
$349.99
at Amazon
We think the Mashable Choice Award-winning Shark CryoGlow is the best red light mask you can buy right now (and one of the best Christmas gifts for women). It provides more complete coverage than other masks from brands like OmniLux or CurrentBody, and each bulb can emit red, blue, or near-infrared light.
Former senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart was convinced that the CryoGlow’s bacteria-killing blue light setting is what finally cleared a year’s worth of her relentless adult acne. Some cooling under-eye pads complete this luxurious self-care device. Read our full review of the Shark CryoGlow.
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Credit: Shark
Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
$349.99
at Amazon
Several Mashable staffers use Shark's FlexStyle multi-styler on a regular basis. (Mangino did her wedding hair with it!) It costs half as much as Dyson's iconic Airwrap but works just as well, if not better. It supports a ton of different attachments and has a unique twisting base that functions like a regular hair dryer on its own. Read our full review of the Shark FlexStyle.
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Credit: Shark
Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
$299.99
at Amazon
Credit: Skylight
The Playground is a cubic gaming console designed for playing family-friendly games with motion controls — no need for a traditional gamepad. Perry described it as "a spiritual successor to the old Xbox Kinect." If this is the first time you're hearing of it, get with the program: It managed to outsell the PlayStation 5 on Black Friday 2025, and was difficult to find in stock during the holiday season last year. If you plan on gifting it within the coming weeks, we'd recommend adding it to your cart ASAP.
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Credit: Nex
Nex Playground
$299
at Amazon
Fascinatingly, this squishy little toy is one of the hottest products of 2026. People have stormed stores and waited hours in line to buy them, and there's even a reselling market for them. Mashable's Mangino bought some before the hype and said they "quickly became coveted fidgets among our friends for their pleasing, pliable feel."
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Credit: Schylling
Schylling NeeDoh Teenie 10-Pack
Shop Now at Amazon
Like wired earbuds, CD players, and other items from your childhood, Pokémon cards are so incredibly back — and dare we say, bigger than ever. The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is a giftable bundle that includes 9 booster packs and plenty of other goodies. Amazon is also selling it on an invite-only basis; try your luck because it's well under market price, as of this writing.
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Credit: The Pokémon Company
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box
$59.99
at Amazon
Routine can give children structure and help them feel more secure. The Skylight Buddy guides kids through mornings, afternoons, and bedtime, while helping them develop healthy habits and independence. They can add and check off chores, events, and tasks. This digital calendar also functions as an alarm clock and nightlight, signaling wake-up and sleep times. Personalization features help families reinforce goals and daily commitments.
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Credit: Skylight
Skylight Buddy
$159.99
at Target
We recently named the Toniebox 2 one of Mashable's Gifts of the Year in our guide to the top gifts for kids. The kid-famous Toniebox is a favorite of the moms and dads on the Mashable team. Whether you're shopping for your own child or trying to earn a reputation as the cool aunt or uncle, kids and parents alike love these screen-free storytelling devices.
If your tyke already has a Toniebox, they can always use more Tonies — the little figures you put on top of the device to activate a new storytime. Bluey and Pokémon Tonies joined the party this year.
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Credit: Tonies
Toniebox 2 Starter Set
$149.99
at Amazon
Another Mashable Gift of the Year winner, this portable screen-free audio player is a hit with the two kiddos of Nicole Cammorata, Mashable's director of special projects. "Compatible cards power up everything from chapter books and shorter stories to music and learning-based content," she wrote. For an incredibly sweet personalized gift, you can have grandparents, siblings, or friends record custom audio messages on blank Yoto cards.
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Credit: Yoto
Yoto Mini (2024 Edition)
$79.99
at Amazon
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Gifting a pair of the best Beats headphones is a sure bet for any fashion-forward music lover. Fans of over-ear headphones will appreciate the modular Beats 360, which features a customizable design with swappable ear cushions, IPX4 sweat resistance, pleasant sound, and strong ANC. True wireless conformists can utilize the sporty Powerbeats Pro 2 for exercise and leisure; the revamped earhook design is optimized for comfort and sound performance.
Beats 360 Over-Ear Headphones
$349
at Amazon
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
$199.95
at Amazon
Looking for the best gifts under $100? The Camp Snap 2 is one of our top picks. This screenless digital camera has six built-in filters and super simple controls. To transfer its photos to your phone, all you need is a USB-C cable. Mangino brought a Camp Snap 2 on her Grecian honeymoon this past summer, "and now I have the sweetest photos to look back on," she said. Read our full review of the Camp Snap 2.
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Credit: Camp Snap
Camp Snap 2
$69.99
The merchandising gods are working their magic this holiday season in anticipation of the biggest MCU film yet: Avengers: Doomsday. Funko Pop has a tempting lineup of Marvel collectibles, including multiple versions of Doctor Doom, beloved X-Men characters, and a 10-inch jumbo Sentinel. Steve Rogers, Thor, Shang-Chi, and several other familiar faces round out the collection.
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Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
Funko Pop! Marvel: Avengers Jumbo Sentinel (Doomsday)
$39.99
at Amazon
If your teenager is allowed to watch TV in their room, upgrade their older set to the Mashable Choice Award-winning Hisense DécoTV. The 32-inch model "is compact enough to fit just about anywhere and simplistically chic enough to fit in with just about any decor," said Stodart. It'll be perfect for their college dorm room when the time comes. As a bonus, it costs much less than Samsung's smallest The Frame TV. Read our full review of the Hisense DécoTV.
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Credit: Hisense
Hisense 32-inch S5 DécoTV Series QLED FHD Fire TV
$249.99
at Amazon
No one's too old for Play-Doh anymore: This summer, the modeling clay brand released its first-ever collection of adult craft kits, Blooms by Play-Doh. Each one comes with colorful, scented Play-Doh sticks that they can press and shape into a pretty floral bouquet, plus finishing spray and a clear vase. For crafty types who have grown bored of Lego's Botanical builds, this is one of our favorite Christmas gift ideas.
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Credit: Play-Doh
Play-Doh Blooms Meadow Flower Bouquet Making Kit
$39.99
at Amazon
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the best flip phone we've tested this year, and Mashable's Werth especially recommends it "for a stylish, on-trend young person." It's easy to hold in one hand, durable, and available in an extremely cute purpley-pink color. And while its camera setup isn't wildly impressive, it does take a mean selfie. Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8.
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Credit: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 (256GB)
$1,199.99
at Amazon
Retro tech is having another moment. Last year, cassette players were everywhere; this year, Bluetooth CD players are joining the old-school wave (there are two in this gift guide). They’re a fun pick for Gen Alpha teens who love iPods, disposable cameras, and DVDs, and you can pair it with their favorite artists' latest albums.
The Fosi Audio Merak works as a portable and desktop CD player, with modern extras including Bluetooth, USB drive playback, and one-touch CD ripping.
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Credit: Fosi Audio
Fosi Audio Merak HiFi CD Player
$139.99
at Amazon
Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
The best Christmas gift for a hostess with the mostest is a Ninja Slushi Twist. It makes delicious frozen cocktails, slushies, and milkshakes just as well as the original Ninja Slushi, but now it works faster, picks settings for you, and adds a second mixing canister. That's right: Two flavors at once, baby. It's "just plain fun, and will make your home the go-to for your friend group," said Stodart, who gave it a Mashable Choice Award. Read our full review of the Ninja SLUSHi Twist.
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Credit: Ninja
Ninja Slushi Twist Slushie Machine
$399.99
at Amazon
Bless the tea sipper in your family with this flavorful collection of 18 premium blends that bring winter warmth and wellness. These loose-leaf teas come in plant-based sachets and are sourced from small-scale farmers. The assortment includes multiple varieties of black, green, mint, oolong, and white teas.
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Credit: Dona
Dona Tea Library Gift Set
$60
at Amazon
The viral Ninja Crispi and the new Cosori Iconic have both earned the Mashable staff's collective seal of approval. Why those air fryers, you might ask? Not only do they crisp up food nicely, but they're free of plastics and forever chemicals. The compact Crispi is ideal for cooking single-serve meals and meal-prepping; its glass containers come with lids for storing your leftovers. The Cosori is a sleeker stainless steel model with a bigger basket and handy smart controls. Read our full review of the Cosori Iconic.
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Credit: Ninja
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
$179.99
at Amazon
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Credit: Cosori
Cosori Iconic
$249
at Amazon
Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
The new Series 12 is the best smartwatch for most iPhone users, in our opinion. It has a faster processor, pretty new ceramic finish options, and an improved heart sensor array. Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder has been testing it this fall, and he said the latter is "the star of the show" because it "allows for far more frequent measurements." It also "opens the door for new apps such as Readiness and an overhauled Vitals app," he added.
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Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm)
$399
at Amazon
We loved the Google Fitbit Air when we first tested it, and love it even more after the latest update, which supports automatic detection for up to 100 sports and tracks blood pressure trends. It excels as both a fitness tracker and sleep tracker, making it a superb gift that athletes won’t ever take off. Not to mention it’s way more affordable than the Apple Watch Series 12, Oura Ring 5, and Whoop MG. Read our full review of the Fitbit Air.
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Credit: Google
Google Fitbit Air
$99.99
at Amazon
Almost everyone on Mashable's shopping team owns an Owala FreeSip, which Mangino dubbed the "best water bottle ever." The 24-ounce insulated stainless steel bottle is designed to accommodate both sipping (via straw) and good ol' fashioned gulp when tipped back. For athletes, college students, teenagers, or anyone who drinks water, we think a colorful Owala is one of the best Christmas gifts under $50. Read our full review of the Owala FreeSip.
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Credit: Owala
Owala FreeSip (24 ounces)
$29.99
at Amazon
Mashable tech reporter Matt Binder, a self-proclaimed "longtime soccer dad," tested the new XbotGo Falcon sports tracking camera for an entire youth soccer season this year. His verdict: It's "a smart pick for parents and coaches." Its footage is sharp, you can monitor it in real time from your smartphone, and it works with nine different sports (soon to be 12). It's a bit of a splurge, but unlike a lot of the competition, it doesn't require a subscription. Read our full review of the XbotGo Falcon.
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Credit: XbotGo
XbotGo Falcon All-in-One 4K AI Sports Camera
$769
at Amazon
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
Tossing the football is a holiday tradition for many sports-loving households. This year, rifle this waterproof football into your dad’s chest. Dime Labs cleverly designed its footballs with silicone grip strips for better handling, and a woven microfiber cover to survive the wettest conditions. It comes in two sizes – 10.5 inches and 8.5 inches – with the smaller version well-suited to kids practicing their quarterback skills.
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Credit: The Dime Lab
The Dime Lab Water Football
$32
at Amazon
It's a cooler. It's a boombox. It's both! We love the Igloo KoolTunes for its old-school design and surprisingly good audio quality. While it lacks deep bass, it offers clear, balanced sound and can get quite loud. "It's not a gimmick, but a fun fusion of summer party gear," said Mashable's Henschel. Read our full review of the Igloo KoolTunes.
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Credit: Igloo
Igloo KoolTunes Playmate 14-quart Cooler
$159.99
at Walmart
The new Shark ChillPill is another Mashable Gift of the Year winner. It's a powerful portable fan that stands out for its swappable misting and cooling plate attachments, long battery life, and fun colorways. (Justin Bieber's SKYLRK brand teamed up with Shark for a limited-edition "Heat" variant, which is long sold out.) It came in clutch for Mangino on some of the hottest days of the summer. Read our full review of the Shark ChillPill.
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Credit: Shark
Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 Portable Fan
$149.99
at Amazon
The LifeStraw is a Black Friday classic that always goes on sale around the holidays, which also makes it a perfect stocking stuffer for people who love camping and the great outdoors. You can stick one end of this straw into virtually any water source — no matter how gross — and clean, filtered water comes out the other end.
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Credit: LifeStraw
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
$15.96
at Amazon
Portable Bluetooth speakers are crowd-pleasing gifts for just about anyone, from teenagers to parents, siblings, and friends. This year, we're loving the all-new Tribit StormBox Micro 3. It produces satisfying sound in a compact design, is fully waterproof, and comes in multiple standout colorways. Tribit’s speaker is travel-friendly, with a magnetic snap that can latch onto fridge doors or bike handles.
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Credit: Tribit
Tribit StormBox Micro 3 Portable Speaker
$66.99
at Amazon
Simply put, Yeti's stainless steel Rambler tumblers are crowd-pleasers. They're dishwasher-safe, incredibly durable, condensation-resistant, and available in a huge rainbow of colors and patterns. Pro tip: For a very affordable personalized Christmas gift, you can customize a Rambler with your own text, graphics, and logos on the Yeti website.
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Credit: Yeti
Yeti Rambler 20-ounce Tumbler
$35
at Amazon
Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
The AirFly Pro is a cult-favorite Bluetooth adapter that makes seatback screens on older planes compatible with wireless headphones. After using it on round-trip flights between Chicago and London, Henschel said she'd "never fly without it again." The newer AirFly Pro 2 has simpler controls, improved sound quality, and pairs faster. Read our full review of the Twelve South AirFly Pro.
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Credit: Twelve South
Twelve South AirFly Pro 2
$59.99
at Amazon
Traveling abroad this winter? Take this handy adapter along. Anker’s latest travel charger works with outlets in nearly every country and can charge up to four devices at once. The voltage detection system monitors voltage, power output, and temperature in real time. All readings and charging statuses are displayed on the LCD screen.
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Credit: Anker
Anker Universal Charger
$79.99
at Amazon
Travel jewelry cases are both thoughtful and practical, and we like this one in particular. The velvet box comes in a few different colors, and it ensures your wife, girlfriend, or daughter's favorite rings, necklaces, and earrings never get misplaced when she's away from home. If you're hunting for one of the best Christmas gifts for women under $25, look no further.
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Credit: Benevolence
Benevolence Velvet Travel Jewelry Box
$24.99
at Amazon
Cushy ANC headphones are a non-negotiable for long travel days, and lead shopping reporter Bethany Allard thinks the latest Bose QuietComforts are the best mid-range option for flying. When she wore them on a plane, "I heard minimal engine hum and was able to completely tune out conversations from my fellow passengers," she wrote. "I also never felt the need to remove the headphones due to wear fatigue." Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort headphones (2nd Gen).
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Credit: Bose
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
$359
at Amazon
Nori’s garment steamers are a lifesaver for business travelers and fashion professionals. The Cloud Max makes de-wrinkling clothes a breeze, using gentle vacuum suction to pull fabric taut for smoother results. Anti-spit technology prevents leaks and water spots, and the steamer’s portable design fits comfortably in any travel bag.
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Credit: Nori
Nori Cloud Max
$138
at Nori
A weekender bag bridges the gap between a backpack and a suitcase. It should hold a few outfits, toiletries, and an extra pair of shoes for a two- or three-day trip. Quince’s Voyage bag fits the bill with a dedicated shoe compartment, multiple pockets, and a padded shoulder strap. It’s currently on sale for half of its original price, while supplies last.
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Credit: Quince
Quince Voyage Nylon Dual Compartment Weekender
$128
at Quince
Still looking for more great Christmas gift ideas? Check out even more of our favorite gifts to give in 2026:
This story was first published by Mashable. Read the original report
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