My dear mom is in possession of a cellular phone—let’s call it an iPhone—and yet you would not know it because she never picks up the cellular phone and because she frequently forgets the cellular phone at home. Just a couple weeks ago, she said something along the lines of, “What do I need a phone for?”
My phone is surgically attached to my fingers, personally, but there are those among us who need assistance with their gadgets. A friend of mine only recently upgraded from a BlackBerry to an Android device and figured out how to operate a touchscreen. Are there technophobes in your life who dare to wonder why the hell anyone needs a cell phone? Do not get them a selfie stick. Below are some gift options that will either assure them that their love of the simple life is fine and dandy, or it’ll give them a gentle reminder that it’s okay to be a person who lives in 2014 2015.
A Trusty Rotary Phone
For most anti-techies, a landline is a godsend and the perfect Told-You-So! during moments of distress when cell phones aren’t operating (think: storms). It’s not only practical (and setting up a landline is cheap), but also aesthetically pleasing.
Depending on the person’s style, you can either go really basic (Etsy has tons of options) or v. cool, like this antique phone from Sophie Systems, $58.
Classic Blackberry
Or consider staying in the digital age. Blackberry just released The Classic, a new phone ($450) that looks like the BlackBerry of yore but has updated guts. It appeals to people who love keyboards and who say things like, “They don’t make ’em like they used to!” out loud.
Polaroid Camera
Everyone’s pretty much using their mobile device to take unflattering pictures of other people and tag them on social networks (unless you’re or a “professional” photographer). A polaroid is one of those nostalgic gifts that appeals to anyone who feels like today’s digital cameras are too much to handle. It takes it back to what we call simpler times.
Here’s one from Urban Outfitters ($149.99), a store that has a solid selection of them if you’re not boycotting U.O. (you may have to go into the store if it’s sold out online). Just point and shoot and feel cool. You could also go with the flossy Socialmatic (starts at $299.99), which prints film from Instagram and also posts photos directly to the app. Surly purists can get the best of both worlds.
E-Reader Book Cover (Looks Like a Book!)
This person who hates technology must love books, right? Things that look like books probably excite them and make them feel all warm? If they’ve at least reluctantly upgraded to some sort of e-reader, then give them an inexpensive book-looking tablet cover ($40) like these options from Etsy that mimic classic book covers like To Kill a Mockingbird and Alice in Wonderland.
Idiot-Proof Bluetooth Speakers
Compared to other newfangled audio systems, bluetooth speakers tend to be the easy things ever to operate. I’ve had the UE Boom speaker ($179.99) for a couple years now; I find it efficient and practical and can also confirm that the sound output is great.
