Well, it’s that time of year again. Like you, I work through the gift-giving part of the holidays. I sent out Amazon gift cards until one was stolen. I didn’t get sympathy or a refund from Amazon, so I decided to stay away from store gift cards altogether. So, I’m back to sending people things I think they might want, and this week I’ll be sharing my list of tech gadgets that make great gifts.

I’ll close with my final Product of the Week for 2024, a new off-road electric motorcycle from Dust Moto coming out next year and being built almost in my backyard.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Do you have a special lady in your life? Wife, sister, mother, daughter or friend? Well, the best, but far from the cheapest, hair dryer I have found is the Dyson Supersonic. It normally costs around $430, but I found it on sale for $329. I got my wife one, and she loved it, so I got my sister one this year, but don’t tell her!

This hair dryer is relatively small, which makes it easy to pack. It comes up to speed quickly and lasts well. We haven’t had any problems with ours so far.

The Supersonic uses Dyson’s unique design, which draws the air from low in the handle, so it’s unlikely to suck up your hair, and it has adjustments for every hair type, making it extremely flexible. It comes with a host of attachments, as is typical of anything Dyson made. Don’t ask me to explain all the features because I don’t use them myself.

This is my gift idea for someone you care about because it is well made and expensive. They’re unlikely to buy it for themselves, and they’ll probably think fondly of you when drying their hair.

Nixplay Digital Touchscreen Picture Frame

For the older people in your life — parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts — who may not be great with technology but love family photos, consider a digital picture frame that you can pre-load with family photos. When connected to the web, such as the Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frameyou can update the picture playlist from the comfort of your couch once the device is set up.

Yes, you’ll need to make sure the receiver’s Wi-Fi is working, which is a good reason to visit rather than just sending the thing out. At 10.1 inches and for around $140 (the 15-inch currently retails for $244), it won’t be too big for a bedside table, and it works with both iOS and Android phones.

Although they say a grandma can upload photos to the frame, it’s better if you manage it yourself. Regularly updating the pictures turns the frame into a constant surprise and a thoughtful reminder that you’re thinking of them. Parents often struggle to feel connected after their children move out, especially when those children have families of their own. This gift can help bridge that gap, serving as a simple but meaningful way to show you care.

70mai Dash Cam Omni

I was in a terrible car accident last year where an airbag knocked me out and broke my back. Because I was hit so hard, I remember little of the accident, but me 70mai Dash Cam Omni caught the whole event so I could go back and learn from it.

What makes this dash cam different is that it has a head like R2D2 that rotates, so you don’t need a reverse camera. It will follow the action as it moves from side to side, capturing the entire event. It will also record people messing with your car while it’s parked. While not as good as what Teslas usually ship with, it’s a great way to record your ride for those of us who don’t drive a Tesla.

Image credit: May 70

It can also get you out of fake tickets. I got one a few years back where the officer said I was doing 90 on an open road. I wasn’t, and I was in heavy traffic. It was my word against his, and he won. If I had the camera at the time, it would have paid for itself with that one ticket.

This dash cam can also reinforce the need to drive more safely, as the record you create can be used against you. If you have kids borrowing your car, you might want to consider keeping them from doing stupid things. At $200, it’s one of the more reasonable dash cams out there.

Oh, and there are plenty of insurance scammers out there who will get back into your car and yell that you backed them up or throw themselves in front of your vehicle and claim that you didn’t give up. This camera can also help you get out of those situations.

VolteX heated scarf

I live in Bend, Oregon, where winters can be harsh, and I’ve come to appreciate heated gear. The VolteX heated scarf is one of the easiest self-heating items on the market.

At under $17, it’s a handy gift for those on a budget. You have to charge it up, but it heats up almost instantly as soon as it’s turned on and has three heat settings (just like my heated car seats).

The scarf is fluffy, so it feels very good on your neck. I bought my wife one this year because she hates the cold. She can leave it in the car plugged into the car’s electrical system, so it’s always ready for the cold when a little instant warmth is appreciated.

It is very portable, so you can travel with it, but since it has a battery, you will have to carry it on board and not leave it in your luggage. It comes in brown, black, gray or white. I ended up getting two in different colors because I’m going to want to wear one too.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

Things are getting a little crazy, given all the political tension in the air. I’ve been in several situations where I wanted to record what was happening without experiencing the anger that usually comes when you use your smartphone to catch someone breaking the law or behaving badly. Additionally, using an action camera to record videos often does not provide the same view that you have because the camera is located somewhere other than your face.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have a great camera in them. They can also replace your earbuds if you like to walk and listen to music or audiobooks or have your messages read to you while you’re doing something else like running. The glasses come in a variety of styles and will use prescription lenses.

Ray-Ban | Meta Smart Glasses (Video Credit: Meta)

The camera is well hidden, so you don’t have the worries that the old Google Glass headset had. While base prices currently range from $299 to $379, these glasses could be just what your loved one needs to capture that fleeting moment when something really good or terribly bad happens and you want to create a permanent record.

Rounding off

I hope this list helps you with your holiday shopping choices. Putting it together helped me make my own this year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Hightail All-Electric Dirt Bike by Dust Moto

Hightail Electric Dirt Bike (Image credit: Dust Moto)

While I don’t ride much anymore, I used to own a Suzuki 125 and a Yamaha 175. The 125 was my school motorcycle, and the 175 was in the field. The problem with gas bikes when riding in the wilderness is that they make a lot of noise, and they need RPMs for torque. This means you miss out on a lot of the natural sounds, and when you get into trouble, like on a steep hill, you can end up spinning your wheel as you try to build up enough torque to climb it.

At an estimated $10,950 and with a release date of late 2025, the Dust Motos Hightail electric dirt bike is simply wonderful. While it’s not street legal, at least not yet, it’s a monster of an alternative when it comes to off-roading. It has an extremely clean design, and it was created by guys who also enjoy riding outdoors – we have plenty of that here in Oregon. Their experience shows in the design and execution of this bike.

With 42 HP and 660 Nm of torque, it will run for up to two hours on a charge. Plus, it has a replaceable battery, so you can carry an extra battery. It was created with support from Bloom, a company specializing in electric motorcycles, so even though it’s Dust Moto’s first bike, it’s not Bloom’s first, so you can be confident that this bike will do everything it claims and more.

It’s within walking distance of my design and would be on my Christmas shortlist for 2025 if I still drive. As a result, the Hightail Electric Dirt Bike from Dust Moto is my final Product of the Week for 2024, although it won’t be on my Christmas list until 2025, when this bike will be available.