Holiday shopping can be stressful, especially when buying for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. How can you possibly choose something they’ll like when they’re so particular or already have just about everything they want?
Well, what if we told you that there are gifts you can give your friends and family that let THEM do the choosing all year long? Giving the gift of streaming technology devices and streaming service subscriptions let you do just that.
And with reliable, high-speed fiber internet from S&T, the best streaming entertainment is always just a click away, offering those on your list almost endless options to enjoy movies and television shows right at their fingertips!
But what streaming devices and accessories and services and should you consider giving this year? It turns out there are many options at multiple price points.
From the latest streaming tech to streaming service subscriptions, to a family-movie-night-at-home-on-you, below are some ideas that are sure to please just about anyone on your list.
Streaming Sticks
Small enough for the stocking, but packing a huge haul of entertainment possibilities, Streaming Sticks turn just about any television into a Smart TV. Popular models include the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Chromecast (with Google TV), and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Before you buy, make sure the television has an HDMI port, like most televisions made over the last decade do!
Speakers and Soundbars for Televisions
So they’ve already got the 60” Ultra TV, streaming capability, and fast fiber internet from S&T. But do they have an awesome sound system to complete their set-up? Depending on your budget and price points, you’ve got options to be their holiday hero.
A Soundbar is a single audio device and is more budget-conscious. Connected by HDMI cords or by Bluetooth, Soundbars can fill a room with just one device. The Vizio V21 is a popular budget option, while the Klipsch Cinema is pricier. A speaker system comprising multiple speakers is more expensive, but audiophiles will not be disappointed.
Consider the Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2, a dual-set of speakers of very good sound quality for a competitive (though fairly high) price, or the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack, a collection of six speakers, including a subwoofer, if you’re in the mood to splurge on someone (or yourself!).
User-Friendly Tablets for Seniors
Looking to help a Senior access the wider world of streaming digital entertainment? Consider a user-friendly tablet for seniors. Popular models include the Grandpad, Amazon Fire 7, and Lenovo Tab 4.
These tablets offer enhanced sound and visual quality to make navigating the internet and enjoying streaming entertainment easier for folks in their golden years. They’re also more durable to accidental ‘drops’ and have improved water resistance against spills.
Buy an Annual Streaming Subscription
Your loved ones are already set up with the latest tech? Then consider purchasing a subscription to a streaming service your friends and family do not already have. Be sure to think outside the typical streaming entertainment services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max.
Have an Anglophile in the family who can’t get enough of shows like Downton Abbey, Doc Martin, or Agatha Christie mysteries? Buy them a subscription to Acorn TV or BritBox! Are you friends with a lifelong learner? Check out Wondrium (formerly The Great Courses Plus), and its dozens of streamable courses taught by college professors in many subjects ranging from science and history to music and philosophy.
Streaming Gifts for Kids
If you’re looking for streaming-based gifts for the younger ones on your list, consider a kid-friendly streaming tablet like the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition, specially designed and manufactured for easier use by children, and built to be more durable for their handling.
You can also consider gifting a subscription to Disney+, a streaming service that provides access to classic Disney films, as well as more current entertainment. And with must-see featured series like The Mandalorian, you may end up gifting a subscription to yourself, too!
Movie Night at Home
If you’re looking for a more creative gift, how about this: Buy an Amazon Digital TV and Movies Gift Card so they can choose the movie your friends and family want to watch together. And then wrap the gift card up with a bag of their favorite candy and perhaps a box of microwavable popcorn—and voila—you’ve made a Movie Night at Home Gift Box!
From streaming sticks to streaming subscriptions, there are loads of gift options to help the people on your list open up the wide world of streaming entertainment this holiday season. The tips above are just a start!
And be sure to follow S&T’s social pages for more tips on making the most of your high-speed fiber internet!
