The holiday season is upon us! That means trying to find gifts for your friends and family that they will actually like. That can be a tall order!
There’s no doubt that electronic gadgets are a welcome gift, but what can you get a friend or family member who has it all? If you purchase a tablet or Fitbit, they’re likely to take it back to the store because they already have one.
The solution? A home security gadget! Not only will you give them the gadget gift they crave, your gift can also help them stay safe.
Here are a few fun gadget ideas that make great holiday gifts, but they come with a security twist.
Amazon Echo
We’re starting our list off with a gift that everyone is sure to love—the Amazon Echo. At $180, it isn’t too terribly expensive, especially considering everything it does. If you want to save some money, consider the Echo Dot, which only costs $50.
Alexa becomes your personal assistant, allowing you to play music, learn the latest local news, and even lock your door. It’s a completely hands-free device, which is sure to make life easier for the lucky recipient.
One of the best things about the Amazon Echo is the fact that it is nearly impossible to hack, making it an even safer way to lock your doors and arm your alarm system.
BeOn’s smart bulbs
Chances are, your friends and family don’t have lightbulbs on their list, but that’s because they haven’t heard about BeOn’s smart bulbs!
Instead of relying on an exterior mechanism or a home alarm system to make it look like you’re home when you’re not, BeOn bulbs do all the work within the bulb itself. Each light bulb learns your habits and repeats them whether you’re home or not. That way, your lights turn off at 10:00pm, even if you’re away on vacation.
That’s not all! These bulbs will turn on automatically when the doorbell rings, which is a great way to scare away a burglar who’s testing the waters to see if you’re home!
Lutron Serena Remote Controlled Shades
If you’re looking for the top-of-the-line electronic gift for the holidays, look no further than the Lutron Serena Remote Controlled Shades. Although they are a bit pricey, there really isn’t a more luxurious home gadget gift.
What makes them so unique is the fact that they can be controlled with a remote. Not only can you open and close the shades without leaving the couch, they can be scheduled. They can be placed on a timer that shuts the shades in the evening and opens them in the morning.
Don’t want to push a button? Ask Siri to open your blinds for you!
Super Door Stop Wedge Alarm
Looking for a more affordable gift? You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to give the gift of home security. A door stop wedge alarm is only about $10!
It can be placed on the inside of any door. If someone attempts to gain entry, the alarm will sound. It makes an especially good gift for a friend or family member who travels a lot and could use a little extra security in their hotel room. It’s also a good gift for a college student or someone living in an apartment who doesn’t want to invest in a home security system.
Smart home adapter for your laundry
If you’re looking for a gift that a friend or loved one surely hasn’t considered, it’s the smart home adapter that works with the washer or dryer. Plug it in and it can tell you when your laundry is done. It also allows you to schedule, start, and stop your laundry without going anywhere near the laundry room.
Because it only costs $25, you can also buy them a smart plug in adapter (search for “Insignia™ – Wi-Fi Smart Plug” at BestBuy) that can control the lights, kitchen appliances, air conditioners, and more. They make great stocking stuffers!
Give the gift of comprehensive home safety
Because most home alarm systems come with a DIY option, you can purchase one as a gift for a loved one. The key is finding one that fits your budget. Spend a little time checking out our reviews to find one that would make the perfect gift for a friend or family member.
Love the door stop wedge alarm, first time I heard of it. Like you say it would give you that extra protection when travelling, when staying in guesthouses, hostels and what not. Cool!