Christmas 2026 gift ideas: our selection by theme

At a glance: Apple’s noise-cancelling earbuds, released on 19 September 2025 as the successor to AirPods Pro 2. Apple claims up to 8 hours of listening with active noise cancellation, IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance, and a heart-rate sensor that tracks around 50 types of exercise.

Who it’s for: an iPhone user who listens frequently while travelling, at work or during exercise.

Strengths (Apple specifications): up to twice the noise cancellation of AirPods Pro 2 according to Apple; ear tips in five sizes; hearing screening and hearing protection; USB-C charging.

Limitations: heart-rate tracking in the Fitness app and Live Translation require a compatible iPhone. With an Android phone, listening and noise cancellation still work, but those features do not.

Why we recommend them: this is the current model in the range, and a reliable gift for an iPhone user who does not yet have noise-cancelling earbuds.

At a glance: the fully equipped Paperwhite e-reader: a 7-inch screen, 32 GB of storage, a front light that adjusts to ambient light, and wireless charging (charging dock sold separately). Amazon claims up to 12 weeks of battery life per USB-C charge and water resistance for reading by the pool or in the bath.

Who it’s for: a keen reader who reads in the evening, on holiday or while travelling.

Strengths (Amazon specifications): page turns advertised as 25% faster; a glare-free screen; no notifications or social networks to interrupt reading.

Limitations: a black-and-white screen (colour comics require a colour e-reader); the built-in shop is Amazon’s; the price varies considerably over time.

Why we recommend it: an e-reader lasts for years and replaces a pile of books in a suitcase. The Signature version adds automatic lighting and wireless charging; on a tighter budget, the standard Paperwhite provides the essentials.

At a glance: Apple’s third-generation entry-level watch, released in September 2025. It has the S10 chip and, for the first time on an SE, an always-on display. Apple claims up to 18 hours of battery life and up to 8 hours of use after 15 minutes of charging.

Who it’s for: a first Apple Watch for an iPhone owner: everyday exercise, notifications, calls and music on the wrist.

Strengths (Apple specifications): sleep score and sleep apnoea notifications; wrist temperature measurement; detection of falls and serious car crashes; water resistance to 50 metres.

Limitations: it only works with an iPhone; battery life is measured in hours rather than days; check the case size (40 or 44 mm) before ordering.

Why we recommend it: it is the most affordable entry into the current Apple Watch range, with the main health and safety features.

At a glance: Amazon’s compact smart speaker, controlled by voice with Alexa. It plays music, audiobooks and podcasts (Amazon Music, Audible, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and more) over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, handles timers and weather, and controls compatible smart devices.

Who it’s for: a bedroom, kitchen or office; someone who wants to try smart-home features without a large budget.

Strengths (Amazon specifications): a button electronically disconnects the microphones; several Echo devices can play the same music around the house.

Limitations: no clock on this model (a version with a clock exists); a small speaker does not sound like a living-room speaker. Alexa+, the new assistant version launched in France on 26 May 2026, is still in early access, free with the purchase of an Echo device according to Amazon’s product page. Amazon says it will become an included Prime membership benefit after early access ends.

Why we recommend it: an easy-to-set-up gift that is useful every day. Its price changes frequently with promotions, so compare before buying.

At a glance: Dyson’s connected multi-styler. It dries, waves, curls, smooths and adds volume using the Coanda effect: airflow attracts the hair and wraps it around the attachment without extreme heat, according to Dyson. Connected to the MyDyson app over Bluetooth, it remembers a styling profile and starts the i.d. curl sequence (wrap, style, set) with one touch.

Who it’s for: straight to wavy hair (another version is available for curly to coily hair); someone who often styles their hair and wants one device instead of a hairdryer, curling iron and hot-air brush.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): three heat settings and a cold shot to set the style; several styling and drying attachments; settings remembered between uses.

Limitations: a high price; i.d. mode requires the smartphone app; choose the version that matches the hair type.

Why we recommend it: at this price, choosing the right version matters: it is exactly the kind of gift to add to a list with its precise link, or to give together as a group gift.

At a glance: a one-button percussion massage gun, presented by Therabody as its easiest model to use: three speeds and three attachments (a dampener for sensitive areas, a standard ball and a ‘thumb’ for tension points). Its triangular handle reduces strain on the wrist.

Who it’s for: someone who exercises regularly, or has a tense back and neck after a day spent sitting.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): straightforward operation; advertised as quiet; LED speed indicators.

Limitations: no connection to the Therabody app, unlike the Theragun Mini (third generation) or Prime. A massage gun does not replace medical advice for persistent pain.

Why we recommend it: it offers a straightforward Theragun without the connected features of the higher-end models.

At a glance: the PS5 with a 4K Blu-ray disc drive and 1 TB SSD, supplied with a DualSense controller (haptic feedback and adaptive triggers). It also plays compatible PS4 games. At the time of the check, this pack included a Fortnite code (cosmetic items and 1,000 V-Bucks).

Who it’s for: a gamer or family wanting PlayStation exclusives, or waiting for GTA VI, which Rockstar announced for 19 November 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): near-instant loading of installed PS5 games thanks to the SSD; 3D audio; a disc drive for buying and reselling boxed games.

Limitations: Sony increased all PS5 prices on 2 April 2026 (recommended price of €649.99 for this edition). Sony also announced that from January 2028, new PlayStation games will be download-only; discs for previously released games will remain usable.

Why we recommend it: choose this version if the recipient buys boxed or second-hand games. Otherwise, the Digital Edition (Sony’s recommended price of €599.99) costs €50 less.

At a glance: Nintendo’s hybrid console, released on 5 June 2025: play in handheld mode on its 7.9-inch LCD screen (1080p, up to 120 Hz, HDR) or on a TV through the dock (up to 4K). It has 256 GB of storage and plays most first-generation Switch games.

Who it’s for: families and players of all ages who play together in the living room or on the move.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): two included Joy-Con 2 controllers that attach magnetically and work as mice in compatible games; GameChat voice chat; Mario Kart World (sold separately or in a bundle) supports up to four players on one console in split screen.

Limitations: Nintendo increased the recommended price of the console alone to €499.99 on 1 September 2026; some Switch games are not compatible or are only partly compatible.

Why we recommend it: a console designed for playing together, on a television or while travelling.

At a glance: a standalone virtual- and mixed-reality headset: no PC or cable, with everything inside the headset (Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and 8 GB RAM). Two colour cameras show the room and let you place virtual objects in it. Advertised battery life: over two hours.

Who it’s for: a teenager or adult interested in virtual-reality games or fitness. Meta sets the minimum age at 10, with a parent-managed account for ages 10–12.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): no cable or PC to connect; a three-month gaming subscription trial included with purchase; this Amazon bundle adds items for Gorilla Tag.

Limitations: a Meta account is required. The more expensive Quest 3 (Meta’s recommended price of €619.99 for 512 GB) has pancake lenses and higher resolution (2,064 × 2,208 pixels per eye versus 1,832 × 1,920). Meta raised its prices on 19 April 2026; allow a clear space for playing.

Why we recommend it: it is the most affordable headset in Meta’s current range, with Meta’s recommended price of €359.99 since 19 April 2026.

At a glance: a high-end wired gaming headset supplied with GameDAC Gen 2, an OLED-screen unit with an ESS Sabre converter to adjust sound, equalisation and volume. Hi-Res Audio certified (up to 96 kHz / 24-bit), it connects to PC, PS5, PS4 and Switch.

Who it’s for: a PC or console player who plays for long sessions and talks with their team.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): two systems connected at once, switchable with a button; retractable ClearCast Gen 2 microphone with background-noise suppression; spatial sound compatible with Tempest 3D Audio (PS5) and Microsoft Spatial Sound; suspension headband suitable for glasses wearers.

Limitations: this is the wired version. Active noise cancellation and transparency mode are reserved for the more expensive Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. There is a separate Xbox version, so check the recipient’s console.

Why we recommend it: GameDAC adjusts sound without opening game or console menus, and the headset switches between PC and console without reconnecting cables.

At a glance: LEGO Technic’s model of Ferrari’s 2024 Formula 1 car: reference 42207, 1,361 pieces, 1:8 scale, around 61 cm long, released on 1 March 2025. Under the bodywork: a six-cylinder engine with a rotating MGU-H and two-speed gearbox; suspension, steering and an adjustable DRS rear wing; printed tyres.

Who it’s for: an F1 or model-building fan. LEGO marks it for ages 18 and up: it is a gift for an adult enthusiast, not a child’s toy.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): visible mechanisms with the cover removed; interactive instructions in the LEGO Builder app; a display model once complete.

Limitations: no electric motor or remote control; two large sheets of stickers to apply; allow space to display it.

Why we recommend it: a building project for winter evenings, then a model to display.

At a glance: the second-generation screen-free audio player from tonies, released in France in September 2025. Place a figure (a ‘Tonie’) on the cube to start the story or song; tap, tilt or squeeze the box to navigate. Existing Tonies remain compatible.

Who it’s for: children aged 1–9 and older (certified from age 1), for quiet time, bedtime and journeys.

Strengths (manufacturer specifications): a sleep light and sunrise simulator; an included Rubie Creative-Tonie for adding your own content, such as grandparents’ voices; new interactive Tonieplay audio games.

Limitations: setup requires a smartphone. According to the bundle’s product page, the Tonieplay controller and games are sold separately, as is each extra figure.

Why we recommend it: a gift in stages: the box for Christmas, then figures (most characters cost €14.99 each on tonies.com on 26 September 2026) that relatives can reserve on the child’s list without duplicates: more small gifts under €30.