Tech gifts can go wrong very quickly. There are gadgets that seem incredibly cool for approximately four minutes before getting shoved into a drawer. Then there are the ultra-specific tech gifts that require you to know someone's preferred operating system, exact model number, and possibly their blood type before buying.

I'm not interested in either.

If you're buying me a tech gift (or if I’m buying it for someone else), it better be something fun that also makes everyday life a little better. These are the ones I'd actually be excited to unwrap this year.

Kobo Clara Color E-Reader

I already understand the appeal of carrying an entire library around in one skinny little device. But color e-readers, like the Kobo Clara Color E-Reader, make the whole experience considerably more tempting.

Book covers actually look like book covers. Illustrations get some life back. Depending on the device, you can also highlight passages or take notes without carrying around a stack of notebooks.

For someone who reads constantly—or keeps claiming she's going to start reading more—this feels like a genuinely good splurge gift.

Bonus points if you preload a book you think your recipient will love.

Nelko PP01 Mini Photo Printer

Our phones are holding thousands of photos hostage, and I would like some of mine back.

This mini photo printer connects to your phone and turns your favorite pictures into actual little prints. Some versions even print them with sticky backs, which is perfect for journals, scrapbooks, or decorating the inside of a planner.

I love this as a gift because it's techy without feeling overly techy. It also gives me an excuse to finally do something with the 37 nearly identical vacation photos I insisted on keeping.

Ember Temperature-Controlled Smart Mug

As a hot tea girlie, few things offend me more than forgetting about my tea and returning to a mug of vaguely tea-flavored room-temperature water.

Enter the Ember temperature-controlled smart mug. These mugs keep your drink at a set temperature instead of making you reheat it repeatedly throughout the morning.

Is this a necessity? Absolutely not.

Would I be delighted if somebody bought me one? Absolutely.

This is exactly the kind of slightly luxurious gadget I might talk myself out of buying, which also makes it excellent gift territory.

Satechi Foldable 3-in-1 Charging Station

Cords have apparently been reproducing in my house when I'm not looking.

Satechi’s compact charging station replaces some of that chaos by giving your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds one place to charge. The foldable versions are especially nice because you can pack them for travel instead of bringing a small nest of cables.

Just check compatibility before gifting one. Nothing kills Christmas morning energy quite like, “Oh. This doesn't work with my phone.”

Tagry Hybrid Noise-Canceling Earbuds

This is probably the least surprising thing on my list, but there's a reason good earbuds are such a solid gift. I want a pair that sounds great, stays put, and can make the rest of the world considerably quieter when necessary.

These Tagry hybrid noise cancelling earbuds are useful for travel, workouts, or simply trying to concentrate while someone nearby has decided we all need to hear their video.

Good noise cancellation feels like a luxury right up until you have it. Then it feels like a basic human right.

Give Me Tech I'll Actually Use

The best tech gift doesn't need to be the newest gadget everyone is talking about.

I'd much rather unwrap something that fits naturally into my life—something that helps me read more, enjoy my photos, or drink my tea while it's still hot.

That's my test for a good gadget gift. If I'm still happily using it in March, you nailed it.