• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
TechHolidays

The ‘Untech’ Holiday Gift Guide

By
Kia Kokalitcheva
Kia Kokalitcheva
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kia Kokalitcheva
Kia Kokalitcheva
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 24, 2015, 8:13 PM ET
Shoppers Inside A Kmart Store Ahead Of Black Friday Sales
Shoppers enter a Kmart discount store, operated Sears Holdings Corp., as the doors open ahead of Black Friday in Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. An estimated 140 million U.S. shoppers are expected to hit stores and the Web this weekend in search of discounts, kicking off what retailers predict will be the best holiday season in three years. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/BloombergPhotograph by Luke Sharrett — Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The holidays are upon us, which is always an excellent time to put smiles on the faces of loved ones. Of course, the tech industry has never lacked to produce fantastic gifts. From phones to smartphones, video games, gadgets, connected devices, the list goes one.

But this year, we thought that maybe it was time to unplug. Here’s a short list of “analog” gift ideas if you’re still looking for some gifts:

1. Notebook

This year, Apple introduced the iPad Pro, a tablet with a 10-inch display that can be used with a stylus. Microsoft came out with the Surface Pro Book tablet to compete against newcomer tablets from a number of other companies.

But what's the fun in mobile electronics, with their cold metal casing and glass screens that can't seem to stay free of fingerprints? Instead, give the gift of a notebook this season—one made of quality paper and binding.

A favorite of many casual and professional writers, Moleskine's notebooks are a bit pricey (depending on the size and type, anywhere from $7 to $20) but worth it. They're made of high-quality paper and come with soft or hard covers, in a variety of classic colors.

 

2. Wristwatch

A wristwatch produced by Konstantin Chaykin, a Russian watchmaker, at the 2014 Baselworld luxury watch and jewelry fair in Basel, Switzerland.

In 2015, Apple finally shipped its first smartwatch, joining several other companies that make what are essentially wrist-sized computers.

But then again, who really needs a dozen of sensors strapped to their wrist all day? Not to mention that so far, most (not all) available smartwatches look like an athletic device that has no business being worn with anything other than gym clothes.

Luckily, there are still plenty of classic watches around and they're sure to make for a pleasant gift surprise to your loved one. Depending on your price range, you're sure to find something that fits your needs, but companies like Swatch, Fossil, and Citizen are good places to start. Swatch's unisex Black Rebel watch at $70 or Fossil's Pilot 54 Chronograph Light Brown Watch for Men at $125 are modern and classic watches.

3. Puzzles and board games

The rise of smartphones meant, among other things, the rise of mobile games. From Words with Friends, to Floppy Bird, to Kim Kardashian's game, and everything in between, mobile games have become a booming business in that last several years.

Not to mention other platforms like gaming consoles and PC gaming.

But this holiday season, break out some jigsaw puzzles and board games—it could finally be the day you beat your know-it-all brother at Monopoly ($12.49 on Amazon) and taste that sweet revenge. Or prove to everyone in your family that you really are the cleverest of the gang with a round of Cards Against Humanity, the popular card game for matching the funniest answers to the most absurd questions ($25 on Amazon)

Head to boardgames.com, Amazon, or large retailers like Target and Walmart to pick up your favorites.

4. Chalk, sports balls, jumprope

Virtual reality is poised to forever change how we do certain jobs, communicate over long distances, connect with others, and play games. But why spend money and time on virtual reality instead of experiencing real reality?

Pick up a set of colorful chalk (Crayola's 16-count chalk for $3.48 on Amazon), a baseball mitt ($10 and up on Amazon) or a basketball ($12 and up on Amazon), or even a jumprope for your favorite child (or child-at-heart) as a gift this year. It might not cost as much as a fancy VR headset, but you're telling them you care about their experience of the real world. Also, no software updates necessary!

A local sporting goods store or large retailer should have everything you need.

6. Bicycle, skateboard

Hoverboards became the hottest futuristic toy this holiday season, albeit they are not welcome everywhere. Some major airlines banned them over fire safety concerns because of their batteries, and so did New York City.

But skateboards—you know, some wood on wheels—are just fine as long as they're in your checked luggage. And they have a cool California image that any recipient is sure to appreciate.

Alternatively, a bicycle can be just as practical to get around town, or even for more serious exercise and adventures (see mountain biking). And both options are sure to help your loved one cut down on that monthly Uber bill they've been racking up.

Your local sporting good store should be a good place to start, or a specialty store if you have one around.

7. Discs, tapes, books

Betamax VCR manufactured by Sony, Japan. In 1974 the Sony corporation released the first VCR on the market, heralding the arrival of the video age. Within a decade the Betamax had become virtually obsolete.

Movie streaming is taking over the world, blah, blah, blah. Sure, a Netflix or Hulu subscription can be quite handy at home or while in a hotel room while traveling.

But this holiday season, what could make for better family quality time than the joy of picking up a real-life VHS tape—or DVD disc—of a favorite movie and gathering the clan around for some cinematic art. Unlike online streaming, tapes and discs let you feel the movie in your hands. Remind yourself of the fun of pushing buttons on the DVD player, rewinding VHS tapes, and watching the extras on the bonus disc that came with the luxury edition of a blockbuster film.

Or buy a book as a gift (for some of Fortune's favorites, look here and here). It's a cool way to time travel back to when people actually read on paper.

Finding tapes and discs might be tricky, but some large retailers like Target still carry some, as does Amazon. And while shopping, don't forget to pick up a DVD (starting around $25) or VHS (starting at $100 for a VHS/DVD combo) player if you or your gift recipient doesn't have one. For books, find a nearby bookstore or head to Amazon.

About the Author
By Kia Kokalitcheva
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

A test of Anduril's Altius drone.
NewslettersTerm Sheet
Defense tech could be entering its awkward teenage years. Is the boom a bubble?
By Allie GarfinkleJuly 2, 2026
2 hours ago
em
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
America’s 250th birthday has Elon Musk and a record IPO. Its 15th had Alexander Hamilton — and a stock market bubble
By Owen LamontJuly 2, 2026
2 hours ago
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (left) and CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth in Menlo Park, California, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
NewslettersFortune Tech
Meta prepares to join the cloud infrastructure fray
By Andrew NuscaJuly 2, 2026
3 hours ago
Sam Altman seeks new world order for AI as OpenAI slowly loses ground to Google and Anthropic 
AIMarkets
Sam Altman seeks new world order for AI as OpenAI slowly loses ground to Google and Anthropic 
By Jim EdwardsJuly 2, 2026
4 hours ago
elon
CommentaryChina
China has 400 private space companies. The West is barely paying attention
By Rainer ZitelmannJuly 2, 2026
4 hours ago
hegseth
Startups & VentureVenture Capital
The defense tech boom has become a bubble—or it will be soon
By Allie GarfinkleJuly 2, 2026
6 hours ago

Most Popular

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
Big Tech
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
7 days ago
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
Newsletters
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
By Diane BradyJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
5 days ago
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
Success
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
By Sydney LakeJune 29, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.