GREENSBORO, N.C. — Sometimes, even Santa is stumped on what to buy! Consumer Reports has a few recommendations for tech and kitchen gifts.
Retro-looking Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera
If you’re looking to spark some nostalgia or just need a cool gift for that fussy teen in your life, consider the Kodak Printomatic Instant Camera for $50. Photos can be printed in just 38 seconds and stuck anywhere or stored on an SD card.
The Gimbal
If you’ve got a budding cinematographer to buy for, check out the DJI OM 5 smartphone gimbal for $159. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to use. The gimbal takes smartphone videography to the next level. It stabilizes video, and it’s super-easy to use.
The Gaming Chair
For the gamer in your life, CR says the budget-friendly Staples Emerge Vortex gaming chair for $120 is one of the more comfortable chairs it evaluated. When you’re gaming for 12 hours a day, comfort is key!
IF YOU BUY OR GET ELECTRONICS FOR CHRISTMAS
If you’re not sure you’ll keep a gift, CR says don’t open the box! If you try to return an item and the original packaging isn’t intact, some stores impose a restocking fee. That’s especially common for electronics.
KITCHEN GIFTS FOR EVERYONE
"The person on your list doesn’t have to be a professional chef. A lot of the ideas are just designed to help make life in the kitchen easier or elevate one’s cooking game," said Paul Hope, Consumer Reports.
Don't discount a really good knife. With the right chef’s knife, your loved one can slice, dice, chop, and mince with one tool. In CR’s tests, the Henckels Premio 8” Chef’s Knife for $40 did just that, effortlessly.
Everyone needs one of these. Consider cookware that can multitask and last a lifetime, like a Dutch oven that can bake, brown, and slow-cook, and is a great gift for someone with a new home or kitchen. The Spice by Tia Mowry Savory Saffron Enameled Cast Iron for $60 earned a top spot in CR’s tests.
Because the air fryer is the IN thing. If your foodie likes fried foods, you can help them turn out healthier versions of their favorites with an air fryer. The recommended Chefman Accufry RJ38-SQPF-5T2P-W for $100 features a decent-sized basket with a viewing window so they can peek in on those goodies.
Have you thought of air fryer add-ons? If you’re shopping for someone who already has an air fryer, add-ons are a great idea because they let you make things that you couldn’t in the regular basket. The Crux x Marshmello Mini loaf pans for $20 can turn an air fryer into a breadmaker.
CR also took a look at several other air-fryer accessories, including a grill pan tray, pizza pans, and reusable liners, which can help make cleaning up easier.