Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Dating across a time zone or three? The best gifts make the gap feel smaller.
A Wi-Fi photo frame is the big one: you send pics from your phone and they pop up on their nightstand, and Engadget's best digital frame is the Aura Carver Mat. A pocket printer turns your camera roll into real prints for their wall, and Reviewed calls the Polaroid Hi-Print the best portable photo printer. A phone tripod keeps FaceTime dates hands-free, with Digital Camera World picks at both ends of the budget. For all the flights in between, BestReviews' luggage trackers and Tom's Guide's best budget power bank keep visits low-stress. Each card shows the drawback the outlet called out, like a frame that only works in landscape.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you live in the same city; Gifts for Couples has the date-night games, fondue sets and cozy throws.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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Best photo framesplurge pick · Big box
Best for a group gift the family can fill with favorite photos
Everyone in the family can send photos to it from their phones, so it's always full of new memories.
Heads up. A little pricey, needs Wi-Fi, and Engadget notes it can't be set up in portrait orientation
1 outlet. Engadget best digital frame.
$150-200
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mid pick · 10.1-inch
Best for new photos from the whole family, no subscription
Family can send photos to it from their phones with the free Frameo app. Parents' best photo gift.
Heads up. Needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network
1 outlet. Parents best photo gift.
$50-100
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Best photo printermid pick · Compact
Best for sharper mini prints of your best shots
Reviewed's best portable photo printer: the most well-rounded phone printer its testers tried, with good prints and a pleasant app.
Heads up. Prints are on the small side, and there is no Wi-Fi or USB option
2 outlets agree. Reviewed best portable photo printer. Digital Camera World most compact portable printer.
$100-150
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mid pick · Compact
Best for printing your best shots
Print your digicam or phone photos as instant-film prints.
Heads up. Film adds up
1 outlet. Business Insider college gift pick.
$100-150
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Best phone tripodbudget pick · Tabletop
Best for desk and tabletop filming
Digital Camera World's best tabletop tripod: a solid, simple tripod and clamp kit that's cheaper than buying the pieces separately.
Heads up. No height adjustment, and limited ball-head movement
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best tabletop phone tripod.
$25-50
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splurge pick · Mini + selfie stick
Best for selfies and filming on the go
Digital Camera World's best phone tripod for selfies: a mini tripod that doubles as a selfie stick, with a Bluetooth remote.
Heads up. Not for heavy gear, the column can by accident, and it's pricey
1 outlet. Digital Camera World best phone tripod for selfies.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile by Life360 Mate | budget | $25-50 | Android users, or anyone tracking bags on a budget | 1 outlet |
| Apple AirTag | budget | $25-50 | checking bags during the busy holiday rush | 1 outlet |
| Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 | budget | $25-50 | samsung Galaxy phone owners | 1 outlet |
| Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 12,000mAh | budget | $25-50 | a small power bank for daily bag carry | 1 outlet |
Best luggage trackerbudget pick · Compact
Best for Android users, or anyone tracking bags on a budget
BestReviews' best bang for the buck luggage tracker: works with Android and iPhone, has a loud alert, and the battery lasts about a year.
Heads up. Some users complain the battery can't be replaced, per BestReviews
1 outlet. BestReviews best bang for the buck luggage tracker.
$25-50
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budget pick · Compact
Best for checking bags during the busy holiday rush
Drop one in your checked bag and see where it is from your iPhone if the airline loses it.
Heads up. iPhone only
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the best luggage tracker.
$25-50
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budget pick · Compact
Best for samsung Galaxy phone owners
BestReviews' best tracker for Samsung Galaxy owners: longer range and battery life than the AirTag, plus a big loop that fits a key ring or luggage strap.
Heads up. Needs the SmartThings app and a Samsung account, and relies on nearby Samsung devices to find it, per BestReviews
1 outlet. BestReviews best luggage tracker for Samsung Galaxy.
$25-50
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Best portable chargerbudget pick · 12,000 mAh
Best for a small power bank for daily bag carry
Tom's Guide's best budget portable charger: small enough for a day-trip bag, with 100W power delivery for a phone, tablet or even a laptop.
Heads up. Only 10W output if both charging ports are used at once, and heavy for its size
1 outlet. Tom's Guide best budget portable charger.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A digital photo frame you can both fill from your phones. Engadget's best digital frame is the Aura Carver Mat, and the Frameo frame lets anyone invited send photos with no subscription for the basics.
Match it to their phone. The Apple AirTag is iPhone only, the Tile Mate works with Android and iPhone, and BestReviews' pick for Samsung Galaxy owners is the SmartTag2.
Not for long-distance couples: it props the phone up for long video calls so nobody's arm gets tired. Digital Camera World's best tabletop tripod is the Manfrotto PIXI, and the Joby TelePod doubles as a selfie stick for visits.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.