Christmas Gift Ideas

It’s that time of year again when you may be scratching your head trying to figure out what to give as Christmas gifts to the favorite people in your life. Here are a few ideas (all around $100 or less) that will help you create some smiles around the tree on Christmas morning.

iPad Keyboard ($50-$75)
If the newness has worn off on your friend or loved one’s iPad and you see it lying around more often than being put to good use, an iPad keyboard / stand combo makes a great gift. This gift instantly turns the touchscreen tablet into more of a traditional-style laptop, and makes sending emails, browsing the web and more a lot easier and less frustrating for the user. Trusted brands like Logitech and Kensington can be picked up on Amazon for around $50.

Spa Treatment
(Various)
Guys, your wife works hard and rarely has a moment of peace and quiet for herself. Chances are her schedule is packed with work, caring for the kids, maintaining the home, and let’s not forget making sure you have clean clothes every morning and a home cooked meal most nights. Send her out for a day of pampering at her favorite nearby spa. If you’re clueless, ask her friends for a recommendation and pick up a gift certificate. Spend some quality time with the kids and send her out for a day of refreshment with no time constraints. You’ll thank us later!

Spotify Premium Subscription ($10-$120)
Spotify is a free streaming music service that puts nearly every track of music ever recorded at the user’s fingertips. However, users of the free version have to deal with lots of ads and also can’t use Spotify on their mobile device. For only $10 per month, the ads go away and the mobile capability is added. Give a gift subscription of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months to the music lover in your life. FYI you’ll have to create your own free account to purchase a premium gift subscription for someone else. Also, be sure to tell the recipient to be mindful of their data limits, as using Spotify over a cellular network can rack up hefty overages if not managed correctly.

Music, Dance, etc. Lessons (Various)
Has your spouse, child or friend always wanted to learn how to dance, paint, surf, sing or play a musical instrument? Find a local professional and purchase a package of lessons to get them started on the road to realizing their dream. If the budget allows, sign yourself up as well. It’s sure to be a great time as you both learn something new and, more than likely, have some laughs as you make fools of yourselves in the process.

Lifeproof Phone Case ($80)
Any smartphone or tablet owner is sure to absolutely love this gift. With a slimmer profile than the popular Otterbox case, the Lifeproof case is 100% waterproof, shockproof, dirt proof and snow proof. This case even allows the device to be taking into the swimming pool or ocean, opening up underwater photography capabilities. Even less-adventurous smartphone or tablet owners will be grateful for the added protection from spills, drops and dirt. Models are available for all iPhones, iPads, the Samsung Galaxy SIII and many more models of phones and tablets. Purchase one online or at one of many local stores such as Verizon, AT&T and Best Buy.

Custom Photo Book ($15-$75)
Gather up your favorite photos of your friend of loved one from over the months or years and create a customized photo album using one of many available online services (Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc.). With plenty of size and price options, this is an inexpensive and thoughtful gift that the recipient is sure to love. With a little extra work you can even include those old, non-digital photos of perms and parachute pants to make sure no memory gets left out.

Kindle Paperwhite ($119)
If you want to give the gift of e-reading but don’t have hundreds to spend on a full-capability color tablet, the Kindle Paperwhite will meet your need without breaking the bank. The reader in your life will love the portability, readability and the fact that they will save money purchasing less expensive e-books instead of their higher-priced paper counterparts. This latest model Kindle has higher resolution, higher contrast and an 8-week battery life. Pick one up on Amazon for $119 with free shipping.

Whatever gifts your choose this year, resist the urge to be lazy by giving all gift cards or cash. Do a little detective work and put some thought into your gifts to ensure your loved ones feel valued and special!

Justin Young is the Staff Writer for the Good News. Follow him on Twitter at @thejustinyoung.

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