Buying gifts for the techie in your life

If you’re not a techie, the idea of buying a tech gift for someone in your life can be a pretty intimidating ask. Let’s face it, tech generally isn’t cheap, and none of us want to spend the time and money to buy a gift that gathers dust in a closet (or worse: is returned for something they’ll actually use). If you want to wow the techies in your life with gifts that show you know what’s happening in the world of technology, there are a few simple guidelines to get you started.

Versatility is King

Listen, let’s get things clear from the start: You’re probably not going to get your techie something they haven’t already thought of, so don’t try to think too far outside the box. Yes, there are plenty of gift options that present themselves as the ultimate gift for techies….and they often fall short. Look out for items that seem too good to true and those that seem to have a single purpose. The true techie understands the importance of versatility in their tech, so if you were to get them something that solves a single problem but does not integrate smoothly into what they are used to, there’s a good chance they won’t use it.

A good rule of thumb is to stay with what’s popular. If something hasn’t hit mainstream popularity in the tech department, there is probably a reason for that. The best products are the ones you’ve heard of (*cough* like our amazing line of products on the LenovoPRO store *cough*).

Be observant: Note what they already have

On that note, compatibility is important when it comes to tech, so when seeking a gift, you’ll want to do is understand what your gift recipient is already using. On the highest level, if you’re buying a tech gift, you must know what platform your techie is using: Getting something related to their computer? Find out if they prefer a Windows or Mac system. If you’re getting something phone-related? You must know whether they use an iPhone or Android.

Beyond that, talk to them about what kind of software they use and get them something that will add to what they already have or enhance their operations in some way. Buying a techie something that doesn’t seamlessly integrate into their tech stack (for more on Tech Stacks, check out our Tech 101 post means they simply won’t use it. Remember, tech is about convenience, so you have to get your techie something that makes their lives easier, not harder.

Don’t make them work to get it to work

Taking that point a step further, you need to make sure your gift works out-of-the-box. Don’t subject your techie to struggling through complicated setup instructions to get started – just because they can handle it doesn’t mean they want to. If they like the gift, they will no doubt be excited to play around with it, so minimize the barriers between getting the gift and enjoying it.

Also, make sure that the gift comes with everything needed to thoroughly enjoy it. A lot of tech products will draw you in with all the cool things you can do with a product…only to find that you need to purchase add-ons, memberships, and more to enjoy the best features (looking at you, game consoles who make us pay extra for online play). Nothing will frustrate your techie more than having to spend more money on a gift they received. If there are add-ons needed for your techie to do what they would want to do, make sure you include them as part of the gift.

Consider Privacy

Privacy is a huge concern for many people these days, and as technology becomes more invasive, there are a lot of techies who have drawn hard lines against certain kinds of products. In particular, this applies to any product that may have a presence in their home, or that keeps track of their personal information. If your gift requires some kind of sign-up process in order to use, make sure that the information will be secure. You definitely do not want to be the person responsible for your friend or family member having their identity stolen. So make sure to research the company who makes your gift before buying it to ensure they have data privacy in place.

Similarly, if you are considering something that will monitor or have a presence in your techie’s home, make sure they are ok with it. This includes in-home virtual assistant products like Alexa and Nest, as well as security and monitoring products like Ring and Blink. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of having these products – which are generally connected to the cloud – in their home, so certainly be sure your techie is cool with the products you’re giving them.

Check the Reviews

It’s always best to hear the real feedback from the end users enjoying (or not enjoying) the gift. Product reviews are a smart way to help you determine which products are worthwhile and which are a waste of money. Most eCommerce websites have customer feedback but keep an eye out for fake reviews as they are out there. When looking at tech product reviews, it’s important to consider not only the positive reviews but the negative reviews, as well.

Also, try to look on multiple sites for reviews to ensure you’re getting an authentic view. Here’s a tip: Once you find a product online, search for that produce on Google along with the word “reviews” to find a variety of websites with people’s opinions.

A gift card can be just as thoughtful

There is no defeat in getting a gift card. Repeat that in your head.

We know that techies can be very particular in what they like to use, so giving them the option to choose their own gift may be the most caring thing you can do. Further, tech is expensive, so providing someone with a gift card may provide them a chunk off a big purchase that they had been putting off because they did not have the money. Think of it this way: A gift card for a techie opens the opportunity for them to get a great discount on a costly item they’ve been considering – because there is always something that a techie is considering.

Do you consider yourself a techie? What tips do you have for those seeking to get gifts for you? Please share them in this forum thread or get some ideas from the community!

Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out more from All About Love: