Looking for the perfect present for a loved
one this holiday season? I’ve rounded up 20 favorite gift ideas. And
since I work in real estate, I focused on items that add enjoyment, comfort
and, in some cases, major value to your home.
From music lovers to home chefs, I’ve got
something for everyone. And I’ve included a range of price points to suit any
budget, from under $50 to major splurge … in case you’re feeling extra generous
this year. I hope you find this list useful in identifying gifts your friends
and family will love. And maybe some of these items will make your wish list this year, too!
Approximate Price Ranges
$ - under $50
$$ - $51 to $200
$$$ - $201 to $500
$$$$ - Splurge
LET IT
SNOW
Heat things up this holiday season! Keep your
loved ones cozy all winter with these gifts that add warmth and a touch of
luxury.
Tabletop
Fireplace - $
On cold nights, nothing beats the comfort and
glow of a fire. Whether you’re looking to cozy up on the couch with a good
book, or enjoy a relaxing night in the backyard with family and friends, a
tabletop fireplace is an easy way to light up your evening. The Regal Flame Black Utopia
Tabletop Fireplace can be used indoors or outdoors, no vent
required. It runs on ethanol, which can be mixed with citronella to double as a
mosquito repellent for outdoor use.
Towel
Warmer - $$
Who wouldn’t love to wrap themselves in a warm
towel when they step out of the shower on a cold morning? While heated towel
racks are available in a variety of styles and price points, the Anzzi Glow 4-Bar Electric Towel Warmer in Polished Chrome
is an entry level version that gets good reviews. Modern and elegant, this
model plugs into a nearby outlet for easy installation and is made of
rust-resistant stainless steel. Turn your daily shower into a spa-like
experience!
Smart
Thermostat - $$$
Now you can wake up to a warm house, even if
you like it cool while you sleep. After using the Nest Learning Thermostat for a week, it will
start to recognize your patterns and adjust the temperature automatically to
your preferences. In its third-generation, Nest claims to pay for itself over
time in energy savings. It uses sensors and your phone’s location to check if
you’ve left the house, then sets itself to an Eco Temperature. And this smart-thermostat
knows when you typically get home from work and can heat things up before you
return. If your schedule changes, you can even adjust the temperature remotely
from your smartphone.
Radiant
Floor Heating - $$$$
Radiant heating has been a popular alternative
in new construction to traditional forced-air heating systems. And new
technology has made it easier and less expensive to retrofit existing homes
with radiant heating. According to BobVila.com, “radiant floors are heated either
with electric resistance cables or hot water flowing inside tubing” beneath the
floor. It’s energy-efficient, effective, and doesn’t blow dust and allergens
around the way forced-air systems do. Not only will you love stepping onto a
heated floor on a cool morning, you’ll be adding value to your home, as this is
an appealing upgrade to buyers when it comes time to sell.
ROCK
AROUND THE TREE
It’s holiday music time! Music lovers are sure
to appreciate these gifts guaranteed to enhance their listening experience
throughout the home.
Showerhead
Speaker - $
Whether you enjoy singing in the shower, or
listening to your favorite podcast, the H2oVibe Rain Showerhead Jet with Wireless Bluetooth
Speaker syncs with any bluetooth-enabled device so you can stream
your favorite music or other audio directly into the shower. The waterproof
speaker easily detaches from the showerhead so you can bring it with you from
room to room while you get dressed. And the showerhead itself features jets
with three times more spray power than the average showerhead, creating a
spa-like experience.
Voice
Controlled Smart Speaker - $$
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo
and Google Home not only stream music on demand
via voice control, they can also serve as a central hub for numerous other
smart-home devices. Now you can change the channel on your TV, make a phone
call, turn on your lights, set your thermostat and lock your front door, all
without lifting a finger.
High-End
Wireless Speaker - $$$
If you prefer a premium speaker, the Sonos Play:3
is the mid-range option in the brand’s line of wireless speakers. It delivers
rich and robust sound with a sleek design that can placed horizontally or
vertically to fit almost any space. Sonos speakers sync with Amazon Echo and
Alexa, which enable you to control the speaker with voice commands. And you can
easily add additional speakers from the Sonos line for an enhanced,
surround-sound experience.
Whole
Home Audio System - $$$$
The sky’s the limit when it comes to
whole-home audio systems, and for a premium sound system you can expect to make
a significant investment. Companies like Yamaha offer a wide variety of components, all
designed to work in conjunction to give you a customized whole-home audio and
home theater system to suit your needs.
ADD
SOME SIZZLE TO THE SEASON
Home chefs will love these gifts, perfect for
holiday entertaining and home cooking all year long. Not only will they bring
excitement to the recipient, everyone in the family will benefit from the delicious
dishes these gifts are sure to inspire!
Bread
Maker - $
Warm, fresh bread can make any meal feel
special. With a bread machine like this one from Hamilton Beach, you can enjoy fresh rolls,
pizza dough, cakes, jams, flatbreads and croissants with minimal effort. Plus,
there’s a gluten-free setting, which makes this a perfect gift for anyone
avoiding gluten in their diet.
Electric
Smoker - $$
If you love to barbecue, the Char-Broil Deluxe
Digital Electric Smoker gives you the tenderness and flavor of
smoking meat, without the hassle. The integrated meat probe alerts you when the
meat reaches a predetermined internal temperature, and when it’s done cooking
the “warming” feature keeps your food hot until it’s ready to be served.
Smart
Sous-Vide Machine - $$$
Sous vide is a method of cooking in which food
is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and then placed in a water bath to cook at
a precise temperature. The new Mellow Smart Sous Vide Appliance hits the
market this holiday season and promises to make sous vide as easy and foolproof
as a slow cooker. Its built-in cooling system keeps your food cold until it’s ready
to be cooked … so you can stick a piece of salmon in before you leave for work,
choose the time you want it to be ready, and dinner will be done when you get
home.
High-End
Oven Range - $$$$
To really heat things up in the kitchen, any
home chef would love a new high-end range, like this 36” Dual Fuel Range with Six Burners from
Sub-Zero Wolf. With ten custom cooking modes—including one for proofing dough
and one for dehydrating—and a temperature probe alert, this oven makes cooking
almost foolproof. And the timeless stainless steel design will enhance the
beauty of any kitchen. Investing in a high-end range not only adds enjoyment to
meal preparation, it’s highly-desired by home buyers … something to consider if
you plan to list your home within the next few years.
SPARKLE
AND SHINE
Holiday lights aren’t the only way to make a
home sparkle. These cleaning gadgets and appliances will keep your home clean
and shiny all year long … and hopefully bring some joy to the cleaning process!
Portable
Deep Carpet Cleaner - $
Anyone who has pets or young children will
love the convenience of a cordless and portable spot cleaner like the BISSELL SpotLifter 2X
Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner. Its cleaning brush agitates soiled
spots while simultaneously sucking up debris. Use it to remove small spills and
stains from carpet, furniture, rugs, drapes, car seats, and other upholstered
items.
Robotic
Vacuum Cleaner - $$
Robotic vacuum cleaners have been around for
years, but new technology has made them more effective and lowered the cost
significantly. The ECOVACS
DEEBOT N79 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner provides a good mix of features
and value. It offers several cleaning modes and moves easily from rugs to tile
to carpet. You can also control it with your smartphone using the ECOVACS App.
Dishwasher
- $$$
While a high-end dishwasher with all the bells
and whistles can certainly be a good investment, there are some great values on
the market for those with a more modest budget. For example, the Maytag Front Control Dishwasher gets
consistently great reviews for its powerful motor that disintegrates bits of
food to deliver sparkling clean dishes, even without rinsing. And its elegant
exterior will upgrade the look of your kitchen … all without breaking the bank.
New
Washer/Dryer - $$$$
If anything can make laundry exciting, it’s a
new washer and dryer with smart-technology like the Kenmore Elite Smart Washer and Dryer. Now you
can start a load of laundry remotely from your smartphone to time it with your
arrival home. You can also customize washer and dryer cycles and receive an
alert when a cycle is complete. And with the Express cycle, you can wash and
dry a small load in 45 minutes, saving you time and energy.
KEEP
THE GRINCH AWAY
Nothing is more important than the safety of
you and your family. Protect your loved ones—and deter intruders—with gifts
that keep you and your home safe and secure.
Smart
Light Bulbs - $
The Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit is a
good entry-level investment in smart lighting technology. Now you can automate
your lighting and control your lights from your smartphone using the Philips
Hue App. Deter burglars by making it look like someone’s home when you turn
your lights on remotely. And stay safer by never entering a dark house again.
Plus, it has several options to enhance the look and ambiance of your home
lighting.
Video
Doorbell - $$
Watch over your home and greet visitors from
your computer or smartphone with a video-enabled doorbell, like the Ring Video Doorbell 2. Adjustable motion sensors alert you when
someone is approaching your door, and live video and audio allow you to see and
talk to visitors without opening the door, even if you’re away from home. The
best part is, they’ll never know you’re not home if you don’t tell them.
Smart
Lock - $$$
Control and monitor your locks from anywhere
with a smart lock like the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. Now there’s
no need to leave a key under the doormat or give a copy to the housekeeper. You
can activate keyless access remotely, and even lock up when they leave, all
from your computer or smartphone. And no more fumbling around for your keys in
the dark. Similar to keyless entry for your car, Smart Lock Pro automatically
unlocks your door when you approach.
Security
System - $$$$
An in-home security system is still one of the
best ways to protect your home and family from intruders and alert you to the
presence of smoke or carbon monoxide. Some companies, like Vivint,
can integrate your security system with video monitoring, a doorbell camera,
smart locks, garage doors and even your thermostat. Prices vary depending on
the options you select, and a monthly monitoring service is required, but a
home security system can bring peace of mind knowing your family and home are
protected.
WE’RE
HERE TO HELP
As a real estate professional, I get to visit
people’s homes every day and talk to buyers and sellers about their favorite
features. So I have a unique insight into the elements that truly make a house
special, bring joy to homeowners and add value to a home. Did I miss your favorite home-related gift?
If so, I’d love to hear about it. Please share in the comments below!
If you
do decide to “splurge” on a home upgrade, contact me for recommendations on the
best options for your particular home. Buyer
expectations and preferences vary depending on price point, style of home and
neighborhood. I can run a comparative market analysis to find out how the
upgrade you're considering will impact the value of your home, before you make
the investment.
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