2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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For the past few years, I’ve put together a little gift guide in December full of things that I think make great gifts and are a lot of fun to give or receive for the holidays. Everything on the list is something I’ve used and enjoyed and recommend. I have recommendations posts for software, headphones, and miscellaneous stuff around the house, so the things on this list will be more focused on stuff not included in those posts and geared toward things I’ve come across in the past year or so and think would make good gifts.

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If you’d like to get me a gift, becoming a supporting member or gifting another user a supporting membership for a year would mean the world to me. And, if you’re looking for something in just about any price range with a Chorus.fm or AbsolutePunk.net logo on it, check our merch shop.

Under $10

Playing Cards
One of the themes of this year’s gift guide is ‘things to do at home’ and one of the best and simplest things to always have on hand at home: playing cards.

Holiday Funko Pops
There’s a new set of DC comics holiday Funkos that include everyone from Batman, Superman, the Joker, to Harley Quinn and Wonder Woman. We’ve got a bunch of Star Wars and Marvel ones as well that we put out each December to add a little festive cheer.

Under $25

Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop
Our old ice cream scoop broke earlier this year; after researching, I picked this one up as a replacement. It’s the best ice cream scoop I’ve ever owned. That’s a weird sentence to write, but it’s true.

Ring Light
2020 has been the year of Zoom, and everyone wanting to jump on video calls. Adding an external light source makes a big difference.

Pixelated Universe Etsy Shop
The Pixelated Universe Etsy shop is full of all kinds of great little nerd/pop-culture/video game items. My wife is a massive Animal Crossing fan, so of course, I’ve picked up wine glasses and earrings for her this year.

Ear Plugs
I’ve recommended earplugs in the past, and we can’t go to concerts right now, but these Loop ear plugs are perfect to have in the back pocket for when we can finally get back into the mosh-pit.1

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I’ve read a lot of books this year, and this was by far my favorite. If you know anyone that likes fantasy adventures, it comes highly recommended.

Under $50

Playbook Products
Playbook makes products that have diagrams from sports franchise’s famous plays. I got a set of coasters for my dad for father’s day, and they were a big hit.

Purist Water Bottles
These water bottles look great, keep liquids hot/cold, and the interior has a glass coating to keep from transferring any extra smell/taste to your drink of choice. I’ve been using one for a few months now and am extremely happy with it.

Solutions and Other Problems
The new book from Allie Brosh is an excellent gift for anyone that finds her brand of humor and comics relatable. It’s hilarious but will also pull at the ‘ol heartstrings.

Bodylastics Resistance Bands
Our new quarantine lifestyle means trying to figure out how to do basic things, like workout, in new environments.

Liquid Sensor Pump
A nice looking motion sensor soap dispenser is an excellent upgrade for washing your hands without having to touch anything. The rechargeable battery is a great addition.

Betrayal At House On The Hill
I miss game nights with friends. This will be one of the first board games I want to play again once we can hang out in small gatherings again.

Website Subscriptions
These days there are a bunch of websites and newsletters that have membership programs. The holidays are a great time to gift one of these memberships to a friend or family member, and trust me, as someone that runs one, it goes a long way to helping your favorite website as well. Some of the websites I recommend checking out their membership packages include: MacStories, Relay.fm, SixColors, Popular.info, and ATP.

Under $100

Mack Weldon
My go-to work from home outfits are basically all from Mack Weldon at this point. Know someone wanting to upgrade their comfy clothes that still look ok if you have to run to the mailbox? Grab them a gift card.

HomePod Mini
All of the reviews for this little smart speaker talk about how great it sounds for the price.

Streaming Services
We’re living in a golden era of TV, and there’s a whole bunch of TV streaming services that make for fun gifts for someone that may not sign up themselves. I can recommend The Mandalorian on Disney+, The Queens Gambit on Netflix, and Ted Lasso on Apple TV+.

Over $100

Benchmade Knives
I’ve always thought a nice knife makes a great gift, and Benchmade makes really great knives. From tools to great-looking everyday carry, these are very high quality. I’m a fan of the Bugout line.

GoRuck GR1 Backpack
My favorite backpack is on sale right now for a fantastic price in some rare colors. These don’t go on sale often, but I

Any Amount

Ask your friends and family to donate to the ACLU, National Bail Fund Network, EFF, or other non-profits of your choice.

Subscribers to the weekly newsletter will probably recognize some of these items because I write about them throughout the year when I find something I like and enjoy. So, if you like reading things like this, plus getting my weekly thoughts on music and entertainment, you should signup.

Archive

• 2018 Gift Guide
• 2017 Gift Guide
• 2016 Gift Guide

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1. Or, if you’re me, standing in the back like the old person I am.↩

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