This year, be the hero who gives something people actually use. Here’s what remote workers and frequent travelers tell us they can’t live without – practical gifts that solve real problems and get used daily, not weekly cleaning projects.
For Remote Workers: Upgrade Their Home Office
High-Quality Webcam ($100–$150)
Built-in laptop cameras make everyone look terrible – bad lighting, weird angles, grainy image. A good external webcam instantly upgrades video-call quality and makes people look more professional.
Our pick: Logitech Brio 4K – Works perfectly right out of the box, great low-light performance, built-in privacy cover. Your remote employees will look like they have a professional studio setup.
Bonus move: Pair it with a small desktop ring light ($40) for extra thoughtfulness. Good lighting makes a bigger difference than most people realize.
Why they’ll love it: Every video call looks better. Every presentation feels more professional. It’s the kind of upgrade people want but won’t buy themselves.
Desktop Monitor Light Bar ($50–$90)
These LED bars sit on top of monitors and provide perfect task lighting without screen glare or taking up desk space. Nobody thinks about these until they try one – then they can’t work without it.
Our pick: BenQ ScreenBar – Asymmetric lighting (illuminates the desk, not the screen), easy no-drill mounting, adjustable brightness. It’s one of those “I didn’t know I needed this” gifts.
Why they’ll love it: No more neck strain from overhead lights. No more squinting at keyboards. Just clean, focused light exactly where they need it.
Wireless Keyboard ($120–$180)
For people who type all day, a premium keyboard is the difference between discomfort and satisfaction. It’s a luxury they wouldn’t buy themselves but will use every single day.
Our pick: Logitech MX Mechanical – Low-profile mechanical switches (satisfying to type on, quiet enough for shared spaces), connects to three devices, 15-day battery life, works with Mac and Windows.
Why they’ll love it: Their fingers will thank you. Typing becomes noticeably more comfortable, which matters when you’re doing it six hours daily.
For Frequent Travelers: Make The Road Easier
Compact Power Bank With Built-In Cables ($90–$120)
Regular power banks require carrying separate charging cables. Models with integrated cables mean everything is in one compact package – no fumbling for cords, no leaving adapters in hotel rooms.
Our pick: Anker Laptop Power Bank – Built-in Lightning, USB-C and Micro-USB cables, 25,000mAh capacity (charges a phone four to five times), TSA-compliant size, fast-charging. It’s the one power bank that actually gets used because it’s always ready.
Why they’ll love it: Dead-phone anxiety disappears. No more “Does anyone have an iPhone charger?” conversations at airports.
Noise-Canceling Earbuds ($200–$350)
Business travelers live in chaotic environments. Quality noise-canceling earbuds transform airports and coffee shops into productive workspaces. This is a premium gift that genuinely improves quality of life.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Sony WF-1000XM5 – Both have excellent active noise cancellation, six-plus-hour battery, comfortable for long wear, connect to laptop and phone simultaneously.
Why they’ll love it: Suddenly they can actually focus on planes, in hotel lobbies and at crowded coffee shops. The chaos disappears.
Pro tip: These also make excellent client gifts – universally appreciated and positioned as premium.
Portable Laptop Stand ($40–$90)
Collapsible laptop stands take up almost no luggage space but make a massive ergonomic difference. Thoughtful without being presumptuous.
Our pick: Roost Laptop Stand – Folds completely flat, weighs under a pound, sturdy enough for typing (no wobble), adjustable height. Fits in any laptop bag.
Why they’ll love it: Hotel desk work doesn’t mean neck pain anymore. Proper ergonomics travel with them.
For The “I Have Everything” Client
High-End Tech Organizer ($50–$100)
For clients drowning in cables, chargers and dongles, premium tech organizers solve genuine frustration. Every time they travel, they’ll remember your gift.
Our pick: Bellroy Tech Kit – Premium materials, multiple compartments, elastic loops for cables, compact enough for carry-ons. It’s the kind of quality item people notice.
Why they’ll love it: Packing for trips takes 10 minutes instead of 30. Everything has a place. No more tangled cable chaos.
Smart Notebook System ($35–$40)
For people who prefer handwriting but need digital organization. Write naturally on real paper, then digitize notes instantly to cloud storage. Respects their workflow while solving their problem.
Our pick: Rocketbook Fusion – Reusable pages (eco-conscious), syncs with Google Drive, Evernote, etc., comes with erasable pen. Write, scan with phone, erase, repeat.
Why they’ll love it: They get the satisfaction of handwriting without losing their notes in random notebooks. Best of both worlds.
For Your Entire Team (Budget-Friendly)
Portable Phone Sanitizer ($60–$90 Each)
UV sanitizers kill 99.9% of germs while charging phones. Post-pandemic health consciousness makes these practical and appreciated without being preachy.
Our pick: PhoneSoap 3 – UV-C light sanitization, fits various phone sizes, doubles as wireless charger, auto shut-off safety feature. Takes 10 minutes to sanitize.
Why they’ll love it: Phones are gross (seriously, look up the studies). This fixes that while charging. Two problems solved.
Gifts To Avoid (Save Yourself The Regret)
Cheap branded USB drives – Cloud storage exists. Nobody needs 8 GB thumb drives with your logo.
Generic Bluetooth speakers – Market is saturated. Unless you’re buying premium ($100+), skip it.
Fitness trackers – Can seem judgmental. “Here’s a gift to tell you you’re not moving enough.”
Smart home devices – Too personal. You don’t know their home setup or preferences.
Wireless charging pads – Only worth it if they’re high quality AND phone-compatible. Most end up unused.
The Simple Rule
The best tech gifts solve actual problems or improve daily routines. Choose quality over quantity. When in doubt, go practical over flashy.
A $50 monitor light used daily beats a $200 gadget used twice and forgotten in that drawer we talked about.
Need help choosing the right technology for your team beyond the holidays? Book a free discovery call with us. We’ll help you invest in tools that actually work for your people – not just this December, but all year long.
Book your free discovery call here
Because the best gifts are the ones people are actually using six months later – not the ones they “accidentally” leave behind at the office holiday party.