Gift Guide: Tech + Toys

Back to the Future

Get a reluctant Kindle-adopter this posh Cole Haan hand-woven leather cover. It feels more old-school book, looks less like the death of paper—and provides some padding for those inevitable drops. $120; amazon.com

@Cute

I’m getting this letterpress stationery set from Portola Valley–based PaperWheel Press for my most prolific Twitter friends so they don’t forget how to use a pen. $18; available at PaperWheel on etsy.com

Wind It Up

We all know people who are a disaster with their headphones. The supercute, Pacmanesque Tetran headphone winder ($14 at fredflare.com) or the sleek Magneat headphone untangler ($13 at magneat.com) are the perfect stocking stuffers for them.

Rock Around the Clock

I’m a fan of satellite radio (KEXP 90.3 FM is my favorite), and VTech’s
Wi-Fi Internet Radio brings it, home-theater style. Tune into thousands of stations from around the globe, play music from your MP3 library or connect an iPod. Bonus: Get a five-day local weather forecast each morning. $175; vtechphones.com

Instant Messenger

The Roku Player is a Wi-Fi streaming device that’s perfect for film buff friends who are afraid of real mail. Order any movie in the Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand libraries without leaving your couch. One-time purchase of $99; roku.com

Better, Faster, Stronger

Apple’s Nike+iPod Sport Kit (mileage gauge, calorie counter and overall personal trainer in your ear buds) is for my oh-so-fit friend who lives in the Marina. Now she can stop trying to tell me that it’s only one mile to the bridge and back. $29; apple.com

New Drug

For the seriously Twitter-obsessed, the brand new TweetPeek is just the ticket: no app, no data plan, no phone required—just a pretty little device that’s always on and constantly updated with your favorite feeds. $99 with a six-month contract; tweetpeek.com