Choosing a gift for a beloved millennial is like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. For one thing, they’ve probably out-Googled you and have ordered their gadgets online from Amazon (with free shipping to boot), taking advantage of Cyber Monday Sales that saw prices really crashing!

Take heart – it’s really the thought that counts and millennials love quirky, time-saving devices that make work fun and allow them to do more. This is a generation that works hard and plays hard; defining their lives through Instagram and connecting on FB even when just a hairbreadth away. Most of them are also urban nomads who like savoring novel experiences: “have a passport, will travel” seems a popular mantra. And yes, they are sweet on themselves; cooking restaurant-grade meals for one, creating a spa-like sanctuary in their bathrooms, and chilling in socially rated restos and bars.

Here are my choices for pampering millennials this Christmas, in no particular order:

PRYNT iPhone Case (Prynt Pocket)

There is something sensible about printing photos:never lose a selfie again and view them without being logged on to some device. You can also keep prying eyes away …. and you can even tear it to bits when you’ve called it quits!

But for a millennial who has probably never seen a Polaroid photo, this is a surely an instant hit! I’d even put it next to instant coffee as my favorite. Consider this a photo on steroids (or a printed Snapchat); something you’ve probably seen only in Mission Impossible movies. Simple to operate like a point and shoot, it takes photos and even videos. Videos? Not a typo – the photo comes out with embedded information. Scan with your camera and you have a video with clear sound and resolution. It’s ink-free and is uses augmented reality technology. The photos moonlight as stickers and the company has an unlimited paper subscription for only $35. Watch it unleash your imagination. Now, who couldn’t resist that?

• Colors: Graphite, Grey, Lavender, Teal
• Simple to use – no wifi or bluetooth
• Can print directly from Social media accounts or from your gallery
• Can add filters, emojis and text
• Embed video, scan and share
• Uses sticker paper and thermal technology (inkless)
• For iPhone 5 and newer. Android version coming soon!
• Accessories: paper subscription, paper for 40 or 20 photos, leather photo book, wrist strap, leather photo case etc.
• Price: $149.99 (Purchase through Prynt and use Paypal or buy from Amazon)

Model M – Cabin Luggage

This “smart” luggage looks elegant on the outside but rugged on the inside. Lightweight but sturdy, its hard-case exterior it is made of aerospace-grade polycarbonate. It has an onboard, cabin-safe detachable power bank so there’s no fear of running out of charge or missing a beat. In fact, you can charge mobile phones up to 6 times.

The convenient outside flap made of Italian Vacchetta leather and waterproof, durable nylon is large enough to safely fit in a 15″ laptop. The wheels rotate 360 degrees and designed in Japan, a country where the customer is king. No more hassles as the luggage glide along as smoothly on stony ground as it does on city pavement. It even has GPS!

• Size: 55cm (Height), 40cm (Width), 20cm (Depth), Volume: 33 L, Weight 3.4 kg.
• Colors: Black, Dark Olive, Marsala, Quartz Grey, Night Blue
• Price: 299 Euros/$355 (regular 599 Euros) with a 10% discount coupon for first-time purchase
• Guaranteed for 30 years
• Delivery is free in EU countries. It takes 2-5 days get delivered within the EU and 6-8 days elsewhere. Shipping charges to the Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the USA (inclusive of all fees) 90 Euros/$107; Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Guernsey, Jersey, Liechtenstein, and San Marino 40 Euros/$48; other countries 199 Euros/236.

Where to buy: Horizn Studios

D-Bell

This doorbell fits right into today’s lifestyle. You’ll probably want to give one to yourself and your mother. Why is it cool? It’s not your ordinary chime but a smart device that welds the convenience of a doorbell with the security of a monitoring device. The company claims, “Turn your doorbell into a home security system.” Easy to install, the app allows you to connect to your home through wifi or ethernet. It can pair up with up to smart gadgets – this means you can safely talk to your visitors through your smartphone, PC, laptop and tablet. It records visitors with a photo and timestamp and keeps you on your toes with app and email alerts. Dbell can be monitored remotely, with viewing angle of 160 degrees, HD video, night vision, and external protection against weather elements. Recording can be done through HDD or cloud.

So when the Postman knocks, you can safely and securely say, “Whose there?” sans fear.

(gif and photo from https://www.dbell.ca/)

• Price is $139.99 (on sale from $199) for the dbell HD+ model and $299.99 for the dbell HD Live model
• Purchase from DBell

 

Instant Pot DUO 6 QT (7 in 1 Multi-Cooker)

This is probably one of the most-appreciated gifts (short of having an in-house chef). I should know because I was given one and was surprised that the performance was up to the hype. It also saved a lot of space in a miniscule condo kitchen. You’ve probably seen it on online shopping TV programs and had grown skeptical. Relax and don’t let the low price fool you. It is a:

• pressure cooker,
• slow cooker,
• rice cooker/steamer/warmer,
• porridge maker,
• deep-fryer,
• yogurt maker, and
• it can even be used for sauteing and browning.

Buy at Amazon for $99

Frigondas

This is straight out of sci-fi but so convenient that it makes you wonder why no one has thought of this before. Frigondas, produced by a Spanish-Korean company is a mash-up between a microwave and a blast freezer that debuted in a Berlin tradeshow, Sept. 2017. Blow hot, blow cold indeed! Whether you want ice-cold beer in a blast or heat hot dogs to go along with it, it can be done easily from just one contraption. Blast freezing used to be a problem because equipment was bulky and expensive. Not anymore! It’s perfect for millennials who cook in batches but want to preserve nutritional value, color, taste and texture. It’s safer too, since newly cooked food does not have to be cooled to temperatures where bacteria growth can spoil the batch. And for those who want to blast fresh strawberries and watermelon in season and eat them at a MUCH later date, you are assured of the same freshness and sweetness when frozen with Frigola.

This is going to be in Santa’s bag a while longer but is coming to the U.S. soon! Predicted to retail at $1,000, it’s worth every penny. And did we say it is also a refrigerator and an automatic defroster?

For sure, your picky millennial deserves a Christmas gift that will be more appreciated with every use. And while you are it, wrap a present for yourself too!