A Gift Guide for that Apple Fan

Article by Braden Newell

@braden_newell

Thumbnail from throwboy.com

Header Photo by twelvesouth.com

As the holidays approach, I want to share my collection of gift ideas for the Apple fan in your life. Every year my family asks me what I would like as a Christmas present, and I search the internet high and low for unique gift guides. I could never find a single complete list. Over the past year, I have curated a list of unique gifts that are sure to surprise and delight that Apple lover in your life. If you like something particular or have a gift recommendation that should be added to the list, tweet at me, @braden_newell. The Journal does not earn any commission or is incentivized in any way to write about these products. 

1984 Macintosh Ice Cube Molds: $9 USD

Maybe that Apple fan in your life enjoys having cold drinks too. If that is the case, these ice cube moulds can be a great way to help nerd up that drinking experience. The moulds come in a two-pack and are the most cost-friendly item on this list, making a great stocking stuffer or add-on gift. 

Throwboy: $15 to $47 USD

Throwboy is most well known for its Apple themed pillows. What initially started as a Kickstarter campaign has become one of my favourite places to shop on the internet. Throwboy's Apple pillow collection includes Finder, iMac G3, Macintosh, the iPhone 2G, and many other options. You can purchase pillows individually or a five pillow bundle at a discount. If you are more interested in YouTube, they offer a YouTube subscribe button pillow and a retro style gaming controller for that gamer in your life. All of their pillows are soft and high quality. Less well known, Throwboy makes T-shirts and pocket pillows. Their t-shirt lineup includes an excellent variety of apple-themed shirts while their pocket pillows are the latest addition.

Inspire (Mac Candle No. 2): $20 USD 

Created by 12South, this candle is a tribute to the Mac. 12South creates accessories exclusively for Apple devices. This candle is one extra accessory for that Apple lover's workspace or coffee table. While you are on 12South's website, check out the other goodies on there like their famous BookBook cases and PowerPic wireless charger picture frame. 

Book Arch: $60 USD 

Charging solutions is a big thing for me. I am regularly buying new accessories to eliminate cables and to make my charging area appear cleaner. The Book Arch by 12South is a metal arch designed to hold any size MacBook and works quite well with the 11" and 12.9" (3rd & 4th generation) iPad Pros. I personally use this accessory in space grey (but it also comes in silver) to hold my iPad when charging at night. This little accessory helps me avoid taking up my entire nightstand with a charging iPad. 

HomePod mini: $129 CAD 

While the Apple enthusiasts in our lives almost certainly have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, it is still less common than they have a HomePod. HomePods are high-end speakers with Siri integration. I use my HomePod to play Apple Music, AirPlay audio and control my HomeKit accessories. Recently, Apple released their HomePod mini to compete with the Google Home mini and Amazon Alexa Dot. Unlike Google Home or Amazon Echo, the HomePod mini features amazing sound in an incredibly small footprint. The Siri and Apple Homekit integration is great for phone calls, HomeKit commands, music, podcasts, weather, and much more!

Missing Bite: Varies in USD

The Missing Bite is an American website that buys and sells vintage Apple gear. You can find items like pens, notebooks, lanyards, shirts, mouse pads, mugs, and so much more. There is a wide range of prices on items and something that is sure to be a surprise to that Apple lover in your life.

The holidays can be a stressful time for even the most talented of holiday shoppers. My hope is that this article helps make your holiday shopping a little bit easier. Jiggle your bells and deck the hall all the way to your computer for some holiday shopping fun!

Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand: $190 CAD

Most of the items on this list are unique and not as  mainstream. But one thing I have tried time and time again to find just the right one was a wireless charging solution for my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. This Mophie 3-in-1 solution offers a vertical stand for your iPhone, a vertical Apple Watch charging puck, and an indent designed for AirPods and AirPods Pro. After trying solutions from Logitech, Belkin, Slicecharge, and Mophie, this is the charger I have settled on and would highly recommend. 

Power Mac G4 Wall Clock: $200 USD 

Jake Harms’ latest creation is the Power Mac G4 Wall Clock. Made out of the side of a discarded Power Mac G4, this unique wall clock is an incredible feature piece for that technology buff's home office. 

iMac Aquarium: $350 USD 

You might have heard of these on the internet, but you probably never actually thought you could buy them. Made out of discarded iMac G3's, you can purchase a unique fish tank that is perfect for that Apple addict’s office space or living room. 

iLamp: $400 USD

The iLamp is a custom-built lamp by Jake Harms, created out of a discarded iMac G4. This pricy lamp features an incredibly cool design and a USB port for device charging.