What The Tech: Stocking stuffer gift ideas
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Big tech doesn’t always come in big packages. Some of the best gift ideas are small enough to
fit perfectly in a Christmas stocking. This year, skip the fruit and candy and give them something
they’ll actually be excited to talk about.
With the Christmas countdown on, there are some great small gadgets you might not have
considered. You might think tech gifts are too big to wrap, but these small finds will be their
favorite gadget of the year.
Growing up, my kids never checked their stockings until everything else was open. Who could
blame them for not getting excited about a piece of fruit or a roll of Life Savers? Now that I put
some tech surprises in there, the stockings are never overlooked!
Here are some of the best tech gifts that fit perfectly inside a stocking:
● Wireless Scrolling Ring: First up, a TikTok-famous gadget for the scroll addict in your
life. This ring lets them flip through reels and pages without touching their phone. It’s
great for using on a treadmill, cooking, or when reading on a Kindle in bed. Best of all?
They’re typically under $15.
● Oh Snap! Phone Grip: This is one of my favorite gadgets of the year. The Oh Snap!
Grip snaps onto any phone without the bulk of a Pop Socket. The ring pops out when
you need it for a secure grip, and clicks back flat when you don’t. Oh Snap! also makes
tiltable magnetic mounts for the car to keep the phone off your lap.
● Bolder Rechargeable Flashlight: When the phone’s light isn’t bright enough, a Bolder
rechargeable flashlight is what they need. It’s small enough for a purse or glovebox but
bright enough at 900 lumens to light up a whole room.
● Apple AirTags: A pack of four is under $75 and makes perfect stocking stuffers. They’re
a fantastic way to help anyone keep track of luggage, backpacks, keys, or anything else
they tend to misplace.
● ThermoPen Meat Thermometer: For the backyard chef, a ThermoPen meat
thermometer gives lightning-fast readings. Some models even check infrared
temperatures, which is great for quickly reading skillets and griddles.
● Portable Batteries & Charging Cables: Everyone needs a portable battery. These
come in all shapes and sizes. Some attach magnetically to phones, while others have
built-in cords and are powerful enough to charge a laptop. If they already have one,
consider one of these three-in-one charging cables as an add-on—one cable that works
for almost any device.
● Portable Solid State Hard Drive or Flash Drive: If they’re always on the go, a portable
solid state hard drive can add 2 to 4 terabytes of storage to their laptop. Prices have
dropped a lot this year, making this a great time to buy. Or, go smaller with a
high-capacity flash drive.
Small gadgets, big upgrades, and fun. With these ideas, there will be no more empty stockings
on Christmas evening.
