50+ best Christmas gifts for 2025, hand-picked by experts

Ready or not, the holiday shopping season is underway. Choosing the best Christmas gifts for the ones you love is either an epic quest that you look forward to every year — or one you dread. Luckily, we spend our days testing all the latest gadgets and gear, and we know exactly what to recommend.

For 2025, our Christmas wishlist is simple: It's all of the awesome stuff we loved the most this year. That includes the newest gadgets we put to the test every week, the swoonworthy items we just had to take home and keep for ourselves, and some classic all-time favorites. With input from Mashable's own tech reporters and shopping editors, every item on our list is something we use, love, or have gifted to others ourselves.

So whether you're searching for Christmas gifts for your mom and dad, or just in need of good stocking stuffers, this may truly be the only Christmas gift guide you'll need.

Best Christmas gift of the year: Nintendo Switch 2

The new Nintendo console was beloved by reviewer Alex Perry, who wrote that the new release is "a fabulous follow-up to an all-time legend" and that he "can't stop playing" the handheld gaming device. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also a Mashable Choice product, thanks in large part to "massively improved system software" and "wonderful online social features with GameChat."

Best Christmas gifts for book lovers: Kindle Paperwhite

"I love mine so much, and I think it's the best thing I've ever bought," says Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern. The Kindle Paperwhite is well-loved across much of Mashable, in fact, and was given a coveted Mashable Choice award for "its responsive interface, quick-turning pages, and lightweight design." Read the full review of the Kindle Paperwhite.

Best Christmas gifts for music lovers: Retro-tech CD players

Retro tech, like this portable Bluetooth CD player, is one of the big tech trends of the year. Whether you're shopping for a Gen Xer longing for the glory days of their youth or a Gen Alpha teen who loves old-school iPods, disposable cameras, and CDs, this gadget has something for everyone. While you can plug in wired headphones, it's also a Bluetooth device, so you can listen to CDs with your favorite wireless headphones, too. Plus, it just looks really, really cool.

Best Lego Christmas gifts: The Lego Game Boy

Speaking of retro nostalgia... We geeked out over the Lego Super Mario Game Boy when it was first announced over the summer, and after building it ourselves, it earned a spot in our guide to the best Christmas gifts for men. Though you can't actually play games on this model, just think how cool it would look on a desk or bookshelf.

The best stocking stuffers: Charming electric hand warmers

These rechargeable electric hand warmers come personally recommended by Mashable's tech editor, who's been slipping them into Christmas stockings for years. They have a cute design and built-in flashlight, but most importantly, they keep your hands and fingers nice and toasty even in the bitter cold. If you still need to find gifts under $25 for a White Elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange, we promise these will be popular.

The best Christmas gift for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple finally refreshed its AirPods Pro line this year, and it was well worth the wait. The new AirPods Pro 3 have incredible ANC and a much-improved fit. Our reviewer says they're also more comfortable, and the heart-rate monitoring and other upgrades set them apart from most other wireless earbuds. We expect these new earbuds to top a lot of Christmas wishlists in 2025.

The best headphones to give as a gift: Sony XM6 Headphones

We loved the new flagship Sony headphones, and our appreciation has only grown since the release. "If you want best-in-class noise-cancelling headphones and pristine audio quality, the headphones deliver," our tech editor wrote in his review. With some of the best ANC in the industry and an improved folding design, we expect these cans to top many Christmas wishlists in 2025.

Best Christmas gifts for young kids: Toniebox players

The kid-famous Toniebox is a favorite of the parents on the Mashable team. Whether you're shopping for your own kids or trying to earn a reputation as the cool aunt or uncle, kids and parents alike love these screen-free storytelling devices. And if your tyke already has a Toniebox, they can always use more Tonies — the little figures you put on top of the device to activate a new storytime.

Best Christmas gifts for parents: Bird Buddy

This might actually be the best ever Christmas gift for dads (or anyone in charge of refilling the backyard bird feeder). Here's why: This Mashable-tested smart bird feeder has a built-in camera that takes birdwatching to a whole new level. The compatible app even includes AI-powered bird identification, a livestream, and alerts for when there's a visitor on the feeder. We're obsessed, and we have a feeling your dad will be too.

The best Christmas gifts for grandparents: A digital picture frame

If your family is spread out in different states, then a digital picture frame lets mom, dad, or your grandparents keep track of the entire family — no matter where they are. Everyone in the family can add new pictures, and the picture frame shows a slideshow of your latest adventures. We love these devices, particularly as Christmas gifts, and the popular Aura Digital Picture Frame is one of the best.

Best tech stocking stuffer: Anker Nano MagSafe power bank

This ultra-thin Anker powerbank attaches to your phone magnetically. It's also Qi2-certified, which means it will charger your phone faster and more efficiently. Don't overthink this one — just add it to your family's stockings.

Best unique gift for men: The ultimate fire poker

You may have heard of Breeo, the popular smokeless fire pit brand. Breeo makes premium, Made in the USA fire pits that can provide endless entertainment, and they're some of the best Christmas gifts for men. However, if you're looking for unique gifts for men, consider the Breeo Heavy Duty Fire Poker. This steel fire poker has the feel and heft of a harpoon, and it can shift logs around until you have the perfect blaze.

Best unique gift for women: Catbird Sweet Heart Birthstone Charm

Catbird is a Brooklyn-based jewelry studio with a unique style that has made it famous around the world. Catbird jewelry has an ornate, sometimes dainty style that's often imitated these days. For Christmas 2025, we like the brand's Birthstone Charms, which she can add to a necklace or bracelet. (Bonus points if you get a gold chain to go with it.) Jewelry gifts can be expensive, but this reasonably priced gift is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Best Christmas gifts for gamers: A handheld gaming console

Handheld gaming consoles are becoming really popular, and you can find options that span the pricing spectrum. If you're looking to spare no expense and make a gamer's Christmas dreams come true, then you'll want to invest in the newly released ROG Xbox Ally X, which puts an Xbox console in the palm of your hand. Of course, if the $1,000 price tag is out of reach, then consider the Retropian Color, a Game Boy-style handheld that can play classic Nintendo 64 games like Super Mario 64. The best part? It only costs $80.

Best gift for audiophiles: Panasonic Technics AZ100 Earbuds

For audiophiles and music lovers, no other earbuds come close to matching the Panasonic Technics AZ100 wireless earbuds. Another recommendation from our tech editor, these