These gorgeous and useful objects make for unforgettable presents.
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Technology lives with us, on us, and near us. So for some, design is nearly as important as how well it functions.
In the tradition of Dieter Rams, who made Braun products that endure today, designers like Yvés Behar and Philippe Starck are contributing to the digital-based creations that we carry. If you’re holiday shopping for a disciple of these digital design gods, there’s a good chance you can find something perfect for them in this story. Considering they’re probably pretty precise about what they like, you’ll be as relieved as they are delighted when they open one of these gifts.
This article originally appeared on PCMag.com .
For the dreamiest image possible, stand in front of Lucid Mirror: Cloud, which transforms from a mirror to an art piece to ambient lighting.
You can curate an entire gallery of art within one Meural digital art frame. Either upload personal masterpieces or subscribe to Meural’s library and control what you see with an app or just by gesturing near the frame.
The Plume is a router replacement that promises to boost internet access throughout your home and look good while doing it. One Plume puck goes into a modem and the rest plug into outlets, distributing Wi-Fi. The attractive hexagonal discs come in champagne, silver, plum, or walnut.
Virtual reality can be a little uncomfortable. Not just the up-close subject matter or the jolt of the realness of the unreal but the actual headsets. Google’s Daydream View is a lightweight, fabric headset with an adjustable band. Just download an app on a compatible Android smartphone and pop it into the Daydream View. In our review, we found the Daydream View to be more than the heftier Gear VR; you definitely feel those extra few ounces on your neck after 20 minutes.
Not everyone has a book inside them but for those who do, Blurb can make it a reality. The site can be used to make and sell comic books, graphic novels, photography books, cookbooks, children’s books, and more.
Nanoleaf light panels look like nature amped up. These interlocking LED panels can be rearranged on the wall and their nearly 17 million colors can be controlled by an app or through Siri or Alexa.
This sculptural speaker can fit in anywhere with its sleek and timeless design. Its 360-degree sound is also something to admire.
The Notti Smartphone Notification Light means you can put down your phone and not miss a thing. The customizable, color-changing light syncs with iOS or Android, and can provide alerts for calls, messages, and social media apps, as well as serve as mood lighting or an alarm.
Muji made a cuckoo clock without the clutter. This simple design has solar sensitivity, which means you won’t be woken up when the room is dark and you’d rather be snoozing.
Instant photography is a tiny joy. The Lomo Instant Automat Camera and Lenses let you take photos and instantly print them out like any instant camera would but there’s a delightful twist. Color gels mean you can filter your photos and unlimited multiple exposures are like faux Photoshop.
The name Eames denotes a modern classic. So it’s no surprise that the Eames Radio is so stunning. What’s unexpected is the Bluetooth connectivity.
Opening corked bottles can be a less-than-elegant process at the holidays or anytime. The Rabbit RBT Corkscrew handles it quickly and efficiently.
Projectors are often bulky affairs, but this compact device from Sony transforms nearby walls into movies or photo albums without taking up too much space.
The Muji LED Polycarbonate Flashlight is super light and delivers super light. It’s also waterproof for when you find yourself in the dark and the rain.
Is it a guitar? A piano? A violin? An electronic beat maker? A drum? Artiphon Instrument 1 is all of those things and more when it’s used along with an iOS device or a computer.
Grovemade takes its name seriously: its speakers and amp look like they come straight from nature. They use solid wood’s acoustic properties to their advantage and are mounted on stainless-steel stands wrapped in leather.
The Plumen 001 Bulb bends light into something beautiful. It’s energy-saving and shines a warm glow onto surfaces.
AirPods are functional but unattractive. These Yevo 1 earbuds give you the features you want and make you look good while you’re listening.
This block of marble from Native Union is a weighty and handsome edition to any decor and of course it charges all phones with Lightning chargers.
For more gift ideas, check out the best tech gifts under $20, under $50, under $100, and our complete Holiday Gift Guide .
The Plumen 001 Bulb bends light into something beautiful. It’s energy saving and shines a warm glow onto surfaces.
Is it a guitar? A piano? A violin? An electronic beat maker? A drum? Artiphon Instrument 1 is all of those things and more when it’s used along with an iOS device or a computer.
Cords all over a living-room aren’t as much a design motif as a necessity. To keep things charged without creating clutter, Crate and Barrel has a bright idea. The Avenue Brass Lamp has a USB port built into the base for discreet charging.
For more, check out Pricey Gifts Worth the Splurge, as well as 22 Ridiculously Expensive Tech Gifts and PCMag’s full Holiday Gift Guide .
