Top 50 Technology Christmas Gift Ideas for 2015 (with money-saving tips)

Finding that perfect gift for family members is always a tough nut to crack every year. Since I'm always on the lookout for the latest gadgets, here are my picks of technology gifts for 2015.

Ahh, it's that time of year again when we all stress out about what to buy for our family members before the holiday season is upon us...

...and how do we get the best bang for our buck?

Last year, I posted a pre-Black Friday post about 50 Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas For Your Technology Family and it seemed to be a big hit. So why not continue letting everyone know what this year's latest technology trends are and find out will be under the Christmas tree?

How To Find Deals

Since we are less than two weeks away from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I thought I might let you know about other money-saving tips for these unofficial holidays as well.

Personally, I would recommend you head to the Black Friday web sites. The following sites I would recommend are:

• BlackFriday.com (https://blackfriday.com/)
• Gotta Deal (http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/)
• Black Friday Ads (http://www.bfads.net/)
• UPDATE (2015-11-23): CNet Black Friday Deals (http://www.cnet.com/holiday-gift-guide/black-friday/)
• UPDATE (2015-11-23): The Black Friday (http://www.theblackfriday.com/)

In my opinion, these are the key players when it comes to Black Friday. Heck, I even discussed them back in 2006...and they're still around!

Each one of these have evolved over the years and now they even have apps for the iOS and Android.

Download these apps, mark off your checklist the stores you need to hit on Black Friday, and...well...godspeed.

Why Get Trampled?

Personally, I will be waiting for Cyber Monday and shop for my items online instead of getting physical with a large person over a frickin' TV. ;-)

To assist with my shopping online, there is an extension that I use called Honey (affiliate link).

Honey is a Google Chrome extension that when you are at the online checkout page and it detects a promo code edit box on the page, it will notify you that there are X number of promo codes it can run through to save you some money.

Some of the codes work and some of them don't. It's kind of like spinning a wheel to find out if you've hit the jackpot or not.

I feel the promo codes for some of these web sites will disappear faster than the in-laws attacking the Thanksgiving turkey.

There are other shopping extensions for Chrome so I would browse through the shopping section (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/ext/12-shopping) and see what you can find. If you find an outstanding extension that assists with your Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping, by all means, post your comment below.

The List

Last year, my technology Christmas list took me 2 weeks to prepare and build for everyone. This year, it also took a while to create this list...close to two weeks again.

So please post comments below to let me know how this list compared to last year or what I missed.

I also want to make everyone aware that this list contains affiliate links. An affiliate link is where you click on a link and I receive some small commission for the link on my site.

So without further ado, I present to you my 50 technology Christmas gift ideas for every member of the family (and then some). 

Thanks and enjoy!

Christmas Gifts For Women

• Monster Flash Drives (2-pack) ($24.99)

  I know what you're thinking...for guys, the pink is off-putting, but for the ladies, it's absolutely perfect. Just think of what you gain from this two pack.

  The two drives are ultra-fast with a transfer speed of 80 MB/s. Yeah, I said 80MB a second. You receive a 32GB AND 64GB and the 32GB is an OTG (on-the-go) drive that allows you to plug in, transfer or stream content to & from your Android device...tablet or phone. Cool, huh?

  I would consider these stocking stuffers for the ladies.

• Apple iPhone 6s (16 GB) ($710.50)

  One of the items that seems to be on everyone's Christmas list this year is the latest Apple iPhone.

  This year's upgrades include a 12-megapixel camera iSight, 4K video, keep everything up to date with the improved iCloud, and the 3D Touch which provides a better interface for your multi-touch.

  Even though this is almost the price of a laptop, there are people who stand in line for Apple products.

  I'd rather shop from the warmth of my own home instead of waiting in line.

• Apple Watch ($399.95)

  Ok, if she doesn't want the iPhone, maybe she would like the Apple Watch (or even both).

  I thought this was cool. It has a speaker and microphone, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz), and bluetooth 4.0 with up to 18 hours of battery life.

  One nice feature they added was a heart rate sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope. So if you were thinking about getting her a FitBit (also recommended at the bottom as a great gift), you may want to bypass the FitBit.

  It may save your marriage as well. ;-)

Christmas Gifts For Men

• Deluxe Shaving Kit ($79.99)

  Even though it's Movember, most men like to keep their beards or 'staches until the end of winter. So why not make him feel good by getting him a collection of all-natural tonics?

  This collection of tonics come with a stylish zippered nylon weatherproof pouch to keep all of his tonics contained in one place.

  To make it more appeaing, it was all made in the U.S.

• DJI Phantom 2 Drone ($959 $539)

  Most guys love their remote gadgets. What better way to surprise him than with a drone for Christmas?

  The Phantom 2 has a charge time of 25 minutes per flight and also has a GPS-based autopilot that allows it to return to home feature.

• Dremel Idea Builder 3D Printer ($999.99)

  It seems even Dremel is getting into the 3D printers market.

  Easy to use software for simple customization of 3D models, full-color touch screen, and a larger build platform for bigger projects.

  Most 3D printers are around $2,000-$5,000, but for under $1,000 and with the brand name of Dremel, this is definitely a steal.

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail Limited Edition Castle Catapult Gift Set ($29.99)

  For the movie buff, they released a new version of the Holy Grail on Blu-Ray. The new version includes catapult packaging and rubber farm animals to throw at your fellow co-workers, outtakes and extended scenes, and additional lost animations narrated by Terry Gilliam.

  I don't know of a guy who wouldn't like this Monty Python treasure. ;-)

Christmas Gifts For The Gamer

• Logitech G29 Driving Force Race Wheel ($399.99)

  Who doesn't love a good car chase?

  Gamers will absolutely love this accessory to make deliver an experience like no other for driving games. This is strictly for the Playstation 3 and 4.

  Makes me want to get the latest Need for Speed game now.

• Logitech G633 Artemis Spectrum Gaming Headset ($149.99)

  Since we're on the topic of Logitech, they released a new headset product that delivers a 7.1 surround sound experience for your games.

  The great news is that it's a multi-platform device. It works with Windows 7 and up PCs as well as mobile and gaming consoles like the PS4 and XBox One.

• Star Wars: Battlefront - Deluxe Edition (PS4) ($69.99)

  Finally, for the gamers who already have a PS4, PC, or XBox One, Star Wars BattleFront is a game that I've been waiting for more than the trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

  Any gamer who has played the old school Battlefront will absolutely love this remake of every Star Wars battle throughout the history of the Star Wars saga.

  With the new movie coming out, I guarantee there will be DLC (DownLoadable Content) to expand on the Star Wars universe with a number of other battles.

  Download this one for Christmas!

•  

  SNES 3.0 Bluetooth Game Controller ($29.99)

  Here's a great little gadget for those gamers looking to go old school on their gaming.

  You can connect via Bluetooth or the included USB cable to a PC, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or phone and start playing all of your games using this game controller.

  You can even get 20 hours of game time out of each charge.

  Man, that's too many blisters for me. :-)

Christmas Gifts For Designers/Developers

• Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-75E500B/AM) ($160.99)

  If you haven't purchased an SSD (Solid State Drive) yet, you are wasting your life away with "spinning rust." An SSD drive is like a USB thumb drive, only it can hold a LOT more than just 64GB.

  This brings me to my next pick of an internal SSD drive. The Samsung EVO 500GB Internal SSD Drive is a great replacement for what you currently have in your laptop.

  It's easy to replace a hard drive in a laptop. Just back up your existing data on your computer and slide the new drive right in. I recently replaced someone's hard drive with an SSD drive and they think they've upgraded their computer to a faster model.

  You will definitely notice a performance increase when it's installed.

  So yes, you absolutely have to get one...NOW!

• Wacom Bamboo Spark with Gadget Pocket ($150)

  Wacom has always been famous for their Bamboo line of graphics tablets. Now, they've taken it down a notch to paper.

  The latest gadget is a cover, pocket, or sleeve that captures handwritten notes on any paper and with a push of a button, your handwritten content is saved digitally for organizing, editing or sharing.

  It works seamlessly with cloud-based services, including Evernote or Dropbox and works with a huge number of devices including tablets and smartphones.

  Definitely allows you to become creative or write down ideas while being mobile.

• Liquid Courage Flask ($26.00 $16.99)

  Now, I know this may come of a surprise to many, but developers do drink. Shocked, I know.

  Just...not on the job.

  This flask holds six ounces of your favorite liquor and is made of stainless steel.

  While it can be a great Christmas gift, sometimes you just need to think of yourself. ;-)

Christmas Gifts For Parents

• Teavana Oprah Chai Steep Good Thoughts Set ($71.95)

  I was standing at Starbucks earlier this year and saw the Oprah Chai Tea as I drink I could order. I never gave it a second thought, but from what other people have mentioned, it's "simply the best tea I've drank" (someone mentioned to me).

  This set includes a specially-designed ceramic tea-for-one stacking mug(12 oz), a teapot (14 oz), and two tins of Teavana Oprah Chai (4 oz per tin): Oprah's original Teavana Oprah Chai blend and Herbal Blend.

  This tea-for-one is a great way to start your morning with a little peace and quiet before everything goes awry. ;-)

• Maison Pebeyre Truffle Set ($99.36)

  My parents like the simple things in life and sometimes get a little different with their cooking, so I'm wondering if this may help spice up their cooking.

  This package set contains 5 condiments that include 7oz Truffle Salt, 8.3 oz White Truffle and Black Truffle oils, 6.3oz of Truffle Mayonnaise, and 8.8oz of Truffle Honey.

  That should get their tastebuds dancing. ;-)

• GRIP 89358 MM/SAE Combination Wrench Set ($24.99)

  I'm constantly told the story by my father that "someone" always left his tools out in the rain.

  Now, you can get him the perfect gift for Christmas.

  This 8lb. GRIP wrench set was drop forged and has heat treated alloy steel. It was also precision machined with open and boxed ends.

  I just hope my dad finds that person who left those wrenches in the rain. ;-)

• CobraCo FB8001 Aegean Steel Fire Pit ($145.99)

  For those parents who like to grab some coffee after dinner (or even something stronger), a mobile fire pit is a great touch on a cool night.

  It's easy to assemble, has an elegant bronze-finish scroll base which adds to any outdoor setting, and provides a protective mesh spark screen, screen removal tool and vinyl storage.

  Perfect for toasting marshmallows as well for the grandkids. ;-)

Christmas Gifts For The Traveler

• VoltReady MegaPower 10200mAh Portable Phone Charger ($38.97)

  Of course, you always have to have enough juice while on the road. It allows for simultaneous charging for 2 devices. The four LED lights notify you how much power you have left.

  This little beauty works for all mobile products including Samsung Galaxy, Nokia, Android, also for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5, 5s, 5c & Tablets.

• Shavetech USB Rechargeable Travel Razor ($22.59)

  While I was debating as to whether to include this in the list, it's a pretty interesting gadget. At first, I thought why in the heck would someone want storage on a razor?

  The retractable USB connector is not meant for storage, but for power. The rechargeable razor can plug into any USB port and charge itself while you are working on your laptop.

• BlueDriver - Bluetooth Professional OBDII Scan Tool ($99.95)

  The BlueDriver Scan Tool is meant to plug into your car (provided it has a standard OBDII port) and perform a self-diagnosis using your Apple or Android device. The app provides you details as to why your car stopped all of the sudden. It can also read and clear trouble codes when the engine light comes on.

  Perfect for a non-mechanic (but techie) like me.

Christmas Gifts For CEOs/Startup Types

• Ockel Sirius B ($215)

  This little powerhouse of a computer is a couple steps higher than a Raspberry Pi. As a matter of fact, it's as powerful as a desktop and as small as a smartphone.

  The only thing missing is a keyboard and an HDMI-compatible monitor. Oh, and did I mention that it runs on Windows 10?

  Absolutely awesome!

• Coin 2.0 - A smart device for all cards ($99)

  One of the best items I've purchased in the past 3 years was the Coin. The Coin (as I mentioned before in a post) is a small credit card device that holds up to eight cards in one card.

  If you are one who travels a lot, this device makes your life a lot easier because it consolidates all of your cards into one card.

  Since I purchased my Coin, I have received a number of comments from "What is that?" to "That is the coolest thing I've ever seen!"

  You can only have eight cards at a time on the Coin, but your smartphone can contain unlimited cards to download to the Coin.

  It's definitely a space-saver for your wallet.

• StarTech.com 7 Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Desktop Hub ($49.40)

  I've met a number of business owners who have a ton of USB devices and complain that they don't have enough USB ports on their laptop to charge every single one of their devices.

  Well, now they can stop complaining.

  While there are more "aggressive" USB extenders, this one adds 7 additional USB ports.

  Definitely a great extender for your devices. 

Christmas Gifts For Entrepreneurs

• Creative Edge(TM) Solar-5 Solar Panel 5000mAh ($24.99)

  It doesn't matter where you're at, there are times when you are isolated in an airport and no other outlets are available. How do you power your phone that's running out of juice?

  My one friend bought one of these and I'm planning on getting one as well. They are waterproof, shock proof, and dust resistant.

  If you get caught with no power on a boat (or on a deserted island), you can easily charge any of your devices with this solar charger.

• iPin Laser Pointer for iPhone ($42.99)

  Every entrepreneur that I've run into always does presentations or sales pitches when they are asked what they do. For you entrepreneurs out there who are always "at the ready" to dive right into a presentation, here is a laser pointer that attaches onto your iPhone.

  You can also control your presentation wirelessly through the attachment.

• Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator ($52.99)

  I've had my laminator for the last 5 years and it has been indispensable for reports, posters, and flyers.

  This one from Scotch has a 5 minute warm-up time, has a Jam Prevention Technology where it automatically prevents misfed items, and laminates at speed of 15 in/min.

  I also like this feature. It has an Auto shutoff after 1 hour of inactivity that helps conserve energy (and electricity). ;-)

Christmas Gifts For Students

• Pencil by FiftyThree Digital Stylus ($44.99)

  This little device rolls up your pick of pens, pencils, paintbrushes, and color palettes into one nifty gadget. The broad rubber point glides across the tablet screen with ease.

  Even though it uses Bluetooth technology, it's only compatible with Apple products.

  It's also a great device for designers.

• Keurig K45 Elite Brewing System($143.00)

  Now what kid in college would not need a Keurig before their morning classes (or for studying in the wee hours of the morning)?

  This coffee maker comes with one Water Filter Handle, one Charcoal Filter, and a 12-count K-Cup® Variety Pack. It can make a 6, 8 or 10 oz. size of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, specialty, and iced beverages.

  Perfect!

  This item is in the best sellers category for single serve brewers on Amazon and I can see why.

• Cocoon Innovations Tech 16" Backpack ($79.99)

  If you own a laptop, you desperately need a backpack when you are studying (or gaming) with friends across campus.

  The backpack accommodates a 16” laptop with padded compartments and includes a dedicated iPad pocket.

  There are also exterior zipper compartments for extra storage. It has more compartments than any other backpack I've seen.

• Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (32GB, Black)

  If you don't want to lug around a laptop, might I recommend a tablet with the ability to take notes.

  Samsung's Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 inch has either 32GB or 64GB of storage for your assignments and 3GB of RAM.

  The Galaxy Note Pro uses a stylus for you to write directly on the tablet for jotting down notes or doodling during class, but I would recommend the former. ;-)

Christmas Gifts For Photographers

• GoPro HERO ($118.99)

  The GoPro has made quite a name for itself in the last 5 years.

  It has become the de-facto standard for any kind of film that requires a small camera to capture the action.

  It was even used in the movie "The Martian" and has been used by most any stunt man who drinks Red Bull.

  I'll let the GoPro name brand speak for itself.

• Samsung 32GB EVO Class 10 Micro SDHC ($7.64 for 16GB, $11.05 for 32GB, $19.79 for 64GB, and $56.95 for 128GB)

  No matter what type of photographer you have in the family, they will always need more SD cards (micro or regular) for their images.

  You can never go wrong with an SD card. Heck, buy a couple of them for their stocking.

• ExoLens Wide Angle and Telephoto Lens for iPhone 6 ($73.35)

  For those photographers always on the go and want to get the most from their iPhone 6, the wide angle and telephoto lens are must-haves.

  It features an interchangeable 165 wide angle and a 3x telephoto lens for dynamic shots and also includes an integrated mount for easy attachment to tripods and selfie sticks.

  Just in case you want those wide angle selfies. :-p

Christmas Gifts For Kids

• Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid ($197.98)

  With the latest Star Wars right around the corner, who didn't see this coming as a gift for kids?

  The BB-8 works with your iOS or Android smartphone as the remote control, provides holographic messaging you can record and play, and listens and responds to your voice.

  It's currently #1 in the Best Seller category on Amazon, so naturally, I want one for Christmas! ;-) 

• Nintendo 3DS XL ($173.66)

  Nintendo was always the gaming console from our childhood. Heck, we all remembered Mario, right?

  This year's mobile console device is the Nintendo 3DS XL.

  It has two screens, a motion sensor and gyro sensors, and two cameras so your 3DS XL can take pictures as well as use games using the cameras.

  Based on last year's model, another selling point is that the screen is 90% larger.

• Spalding NBA Street Basketball ($9.75)

  While this isn't an electronic gadget, it's always a good idea to break away from electronic devices and, as my mother would say, "go outside and get the stink blown off of you."

  'nuff said, mom. I get it! ;-)

• LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack ($84.99)

  Well, Legos have definitely taken a turn towards the software side lately.

  The Lego's Dimensions Starter Kits are two-fold: You get a buildable Lego model (the portal) and a game for either the PlayStaion 3 and 4, XBox One and 360, or Nintendo WiiU.

  The idea of Lego Dimensions is that you get to travel across mutliple worlds, or dimensions, into other character driven realms to solve puzzles and battle villians.

  Some of the dimensions include DC, The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Back To The Future, Jurrassic Park, and numerous others.

  Legos have definitely upgraded and I like it! :-)

Christmas Gifts For Everyone

• KeySmart 2.0 ($15.99)

  This is definitely an easier way to carry your keys. Think of this as a Swiss Army Key Holder.

  You take all of your keys and place them into the KeySmart housing and tighten the screws. Now when you want a specific key, you can unfold the key from outside the housing and unlock your asset.

  It comes in either Slate (pictured) or Black. There is even a Titanium version for $29.99.

• Amazon Echo ($179.99)

  Ahh...the Internet of Things. This is the latest device from Amazon that makes Echo look like a personal digital assistant.

  For those who never heard of Echo or hasn't seen the commercial, Echo is an audio device that is controlled by your voice. You can say "Echo, play my workout playlist" and it will start playing it.

  Another example is "Echo, tell me the news" and it will start rattling off the news for the day using the Internet. There are settings required for making this work properly, but once it's set up, it even has the capability to hear you from across the room.

  It's always connected to the cloud and can play music from Amazon Music (naturally), Prime Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and more.

  It's currently the best seller in Home Audio Speakers category.

• TrackR bravo ($29.99)

  How convenient is this?

  Have you ever lost your keys, wallet, or phone? The TrackR bravo is a little device to help you find your lost items.

  If you press the button on the TrackR device, it'll make your phone ring while it's even on silent mode. It can be used as a Phone Finder, a way for you to find your keys faster, or make sure you don't leave items behind.

  This was successfully funded on IndieGoGo and it looks like a great device for people who lose items frequently.

• SlideStand Stand for Smartphones ($9.90)

  We've all tried to watch a video or talk to someone through FaceTime, but it's hard holding up that heavy phone. ;-)

  This is where SlideStand comes into the picture. It comes in 5 colors: White w/Turquiose, White, Black and Purple, Black and White, or White and Pink. It attaches to the back of your smartphone making it stand upright in either portrait or landscape mode.

  The stand slides right out and when you are finished it slides back to a hidden position.

• Andru Android USB Charger ($14.99)

  Sorry, I just couldn't pass this one up.

  For you Android fanboys out there, you HAVE to have this USB charger to show up the Apple crowd.

  While your device is charging, his eyes turn blue, and in standby mode, his eyes turn green.

  There is even a white version if you don't like the green.

Christmas Gifts For Chefs

• Keyboard Waffle Iron ($74.99)

  I know what you're thinking...How many family members would benefit from this? (kidding).

  This is not much of a gadget, but just the novelty of having a waffle in the shape of a keyboard for breakfast is definitely a way to start your day even if it isn't quite in front of the computer. ;-)

• West Bend TEM4500W Egg and Muffin Toaster ($59.00)

  Getting breakfast early in the morning is something that takes a little bit of time unless you know of some shortcuts.

  This I would consider to be one of those shortcuts. The West Bend Egg and Muffin Toaster has a four-slice toaster with an option to defrost frozen breads, bagels, or croissants.

  There is also a place on the side to cooks eggs and a tray to lay over top to warm up meat.

  Slick little gadget for the family when needs something quick to eat before headiing out the door every morning.

• MultiFry, Low Oil Fryer and Multi Cooker ($249.95)

  Well, this was an interesting item to find for my Christmas list.

  It's a low oil fryer and can hold up to 3.3 lbs. of food. Not only is it used for frying, but you can use it for other cooking functions like baking and mixing.

  While I haven't used this before, it looks like something I would be interested in getting to make my own french fries. ;-)

Wearable Christmas Gift Ideas

• Fitbit Charge HR Wireless ($149.99 $139.99)

  I know this was on last years list, but their newer models are getting better and better so I had to add it again for this year since fitness is such a big thing these days. ;-)

  While it's currently on the "best seller" list on Amazon, this year's model adds the ability to notify you of any calls you missed and the time of day as well as the standard functionality of tracking workouts, heart rate, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes and steps.

• Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband ($299.99)

  Muse is a personal meditation assistant that relaxes you by listening to the sounds of either the beach or a rainforest.

  Put on the muse headband and your earbuds, start the app, and close your eyes and start listening to relaxing sounds.

  Here's the kicker: When you're calm, you'll hear peaceful weather sounds. When your mind wanders, the weather will intensify, guiding you back to a calm state. Neat, huh?

  My problem is that I would always hear thunderstorms. ;-) (kidding)

• Bose SoundSport in-ear headphones ($99.95)

  I have always loved the Bose brand and I've always associated Bose with quality.

  There are also times when I don't feel like paying $300 for a pair of earbuds.

  The Bose SoundSport line of earbuds comes in Charcoal (pictured), Energy Green, Frost, Neon Blue, and Power Red.

  The Bose earbuds are sweat- and weather-resistant and, as I mentioned before about Bose quality, they are engineered and tested for lasting quality and durability. You even get a matching protective carrying case.

• Homido Virtual Reality Headset ($100 $69.95)

  Another awesome wearable that is within the consumer's grasp.

  You place your phone inside the headset in landscape mode and you can watch your favorite 3D movies w/ binocular-vision-mode & two stereoscopic lenses. Not only that, you can immerse yourself in the middle of a crowd, underwater, or wherever your heart desires w/ 360° videos.

  You can easily adjust the distance between the two lenses so it feels comfortable. The face contact foam provides for a custom fit.

  I do need to go on a vacation to Hawaii. I wonder if they have an app for that where I get off the plane and walk to my hotel and then onto the beach. ;-)

Conclusion

This year has so many innovative ideas and gadgets that it was hard to narrow down the best gadgets for each family member. As I mentioned in each of my descriptions, I wanted to think like a <title> and determine what that person would be interested in.

For example, a chef in the kitchen. What would they want that was "gadgety?" Something that would save them time? Make cooking fun?

It was tough.

I hope this sparked some gift ideas for your family members this Christmas.

How was the list? Did you find something that a family member would want this Christmas? Post your comments below.