These gifts run the gambit — from futuristic (a semi-self-driving car, the best VR headset, an olfactory alarm clock) to reinvented old-school (a classic Nintendo system you can plug into your laptop, a Bluetooth boom box, a turntable that travels). See all the ideas below.
Old-School Nintendo
One of the season’s biggest gifts; just plug into a TV or laptop, and you’ll be head-butting coins in no time.
The VR Headset to Get
You’ll need a Pixel phone to run Google’s Daydream View, but thanks to its built-in controller and comfortable design, this is one VR headset you won’t be itching to rip off after 15 minutes.
To-Go Turntable
A portable Crosley record player. There’s even a headphone jack — for listening to EPs on the Metro-North. (For more recommendations on record players and turntables click here.)
Anti-Distraction Watch
The RE-vibe buzzes the wearer to remind her to stop refreshing her Twitter feed.
Olfactory Alarm Clock
Choose from seven scents to wake up to, including espresso, croissant, seaside, and toast.
Golf Cheater
The DT Smart Putter comes with a built-in surface level that enables a more precise stroke.
Say Anything Boom Box
John Cusack–era on the outside, ability to stream songs via Bluetooth on the inside.
Really Cool Robot
The Cozmo is an AI-powered robot that recognizes faces and gets smarter the more you play with it.
Smart Ticker
In addition to the time, the hyperprogrammable LaMetric can display the weather, tweets, email, or news.
Tony Hawk’s Walkman
The skater, who’s a tech geek, says the AIWA HS-J500 was “the pinnacle of a Walkman” in 1985.
Underwater Drone
The next frontier for drones will be down, not up. Get a head start with the Aqua-Vu.
Circulation Booster
The Revitive Medic uses electrical muscle stimulation that moves up through the feet and legs to relieve pains, aches, and tired feelings.
Portable Projector
The two-inch UO Smart Beam cube uses Wi-Fi to connect to your devices and is a laser projection, so it never needs to be refocused.
Fur Phone Case
Nina Cheng’s protector is almost too precious to take outside the house. She buys fur grown free-range from a Yupik Eskimo village in Western Alaska, while the inner jelly case is 3-D-printed in Brooklyn.
PlayStation 4 Pro
Next-gen console gaming lets you take advantage of playing on a 4K TV with the best possible graphics.
The Vacuum Cleaner of Hair Dryers
Dyson’s signature airflow enters the beauty world.
Every Instrument
The Artiphon Instrument 1 is a guitar, piano, violin, drum pad, and synthesizer all in one.
Non-Compromising Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum 2.0’s rich bass, warm mid-range, and precise high end are the best in wireless listening.
Luddite Speakers
The maple here is carved to remove digital signal processing, similar to how architects design concert halls for the experience of live music, while also eliminating the standing waves that cause distortion.
A Semi-Self-Driving Car
About the closest we can get to one right now. Infiniti Q50’s Active Lane Control keeps you in the center of the lane, eliminating steering-wheel corrections.
*This article appears in the November 28, 2016, issue of New York Magazine.
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